CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
January 10, 2024,
6:30
PM
MINUTES
REGULAR MATTERS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Cornejo called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2)
INVOCATION
Chaplain Kay Wilson-Bolton provided the Invocation.
3)
FLAG SALUTE
Councilmember Juarez led the flag salute.
4)
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, and Andy Sobel 5)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Nicole Kearby was called to speak with concern of an error on water utility bills for several residents.
Chelsea Josmar was called to speak on concerns of illegal activity at the Green Street alley walkway. 6)
PRESENTATIONS
6.A)
LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY
Mayor Cornejo presented a Proclamation to City of Santa Paula Police Officers for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
6.B)
VENTURA COUNTY BROADBAND STRATEGIC PROJECT PRESENTATION Vivian Vasquez, with Economic Development Collaborative, presented a presentation on the Ventura County Broadband Strategic Project.
6.C)
PUBLIC WORKS ACTIVITY REPORT FOR JULY-NOVEMBER 2023
Clete Saunier, Public Works Director, presented the Public works Activity Report for July-November 2023. 7)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Sobel:
Attended the All Children Thrive; Communications Ad Hoc; National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day; and announced the upcoming open house of Blanchard Library and Farmers Market.
Councilmember Chavez;
Will provide a written report at the next meeting.
Councilmember Crosswhite:
Attended the Southern California Association of Governments Economic Summit; Harvest Project Ad Hoc; Ventura County Transportation Commission; City Selection Committee; reappointed to the Local Area Formation Commission; and announced upcoming Martin Luther King event.
Councilmember Juarez:
Attended Ventura County Regional Sanitation District; Rotary Club Christmas Baskets; Cannabis Standing Committee; ribbon cutting for Gunsmoke BBQ; Homeless and Housing Committee; Citizen Corp; Senior Advisory Committee; Police Department Appreciation Lunch; and announced upcoming CERT class.
Mayor Cornejo:
Attended County Board of Supervisor meeting where they provided a proclamation to the City of Santa Paula for the 150th celebration of the County; Clean Power Alliance; City Commission Recognition Dinner; Harding Park Advisory Board; Property Business Improvement District; interviews for Police Chief; grand opening of Gunsmoke BBQ; Law Enforcement Appreciation Day; and announced appointment of Jenny Crosswhite for a 4-year term on the Local Area Formation Commission. 8)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Singer:
Announced the continued improvements in the Council Chamber; handout from Community & Economic Development Director and City Gate Consultant, a survey for community members input on experiences; announced the city is now owner of the Union Oil Building; and anticipates having an update on the hiring of the new Police Chief by the end of the month. 9)
CONSENT CALENDAR
9.A)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
9.B)
CELLULAR ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE AND WATER METERS PURCHASE ORDER WITH BADGER METER AND AUTOMATION, INC.
Councilmember Chavez requested item 9.B pulled for discussion and separate vote.
Motion: Approve Authorizing the City Manager to sign a three-year purchase order with Badger Meter and Automation Inc. for Fiscal Years 2023-2024 through 2025-2026 with a one-year option to extend for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 for the purchase of new water meters and cellular advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) transmitters in an amount not to exceed $300,000 per fiscal year.
Moved by Carlos Juarez, seconded by Pedro A Chavez
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Andy Sobel
9.C)
SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1332 APPROVING THE SANTA PAULA WEST BUSINESS PARK SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT Councilmember Chavez requested item 9.B pulled for discussion and separate vote.
Motion: Approve as amended Consent Calendar items 9.A and 9.C, to include correction on the December 6, 2023 minutes.
Moved by Jenny Crosswhite, seconded by Andy Sobel
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Andy Sobel 10)
ACTION ITEMS
10.A)
APPOINTMENT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION YOUTH MEMBER Motion: Approve the appointment of Kassidy Straetz to the Parks and Recreation Youth Commission, serving January 10, 2024 through January 10, 2025.
Moved by Jenny Crosswhite, seconded by Pedro A Chavez
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Andy Sobel
10.B)
DOWNTOWN FACADE IMPROVEMENT PILOT PROGRAM
Councilmember Juarez recused himself from this item.
James Mason, Community & Economic Development Director presented this item.
Motion: Approve as amended Resolution No.7496, striking blight, and changing the definition of historic, adding instead to the paragraph of owners and tenants, and authorize the City Manager to expend $50,000 from the city's allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to provide matching grants to owners of commercial property and/or businesses located within the Downtown Property Business Improvement District to perform façade improvements or other qualified improvements.
Moved by Andy Sobel, seconded by Pedro A Chavez
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Andy Sobel
10.C)
CONSIDERATION OF A RESIDENT ACADEMY PROGRAM
Mirka Vargas, Management Fellow, presented a presentation on a Resident Academy Program.
Council was in support and provided staff with direction on the creation of a resident academy program, including an application fee with a maximum of $50.
10.D)
APPOINTMENTS TO THE MAYOR’S STANDING AND AD HOC COMMITTEES Mayor Cornejo ratified the 2024 Standing Committees, with the following additional changes: Remove "s" from Citizen Corp and add Councilmember Sobel as an alternate; remove Mayor Cornejo and add Councilmember Sobel to the Economic Development Standing Committee; and dissolve City Facilities and Infrastructure Committee.
Council was not in support of a Public Safety Ad-Hoc Committee at this time. 11)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
11.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Chavez requested not to add an item to a future agenda, though would like to receive updates on the progress of the utility bill issue. 12)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Cornejo adjourned the meeting at 10:00 p.m.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk