CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
May 15, 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
Rev. Doctor Betty Stapleford provided the Invocation.
3)
FLAG SALUTE
Vice Mayor Chavez led the flag salute.
4)
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, and Andy Sobel Members Absent: Carlos Juarez
5)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Kayleen Gonzalez was called to speak about completing research and a survey on the condition of the streets in Santa Paula.
Diego Trebels was called to speak about completing research and a survey on the condition of the streets in Santa Paula.
Carmen Chavez was called to speak about completing research and a survey on the condition of the streets in Santa Paula. 6)
PRESENTATIONS
6.A)
NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS MONTH - PROCLAMATION
Mayor Cornejo presented the National Small Business Month Proclamation to John Marquez with the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, and a Certificate of Recognition to Maria Godinez founder of Godinez Barbara Shop for their 35th Anniversary.
6.B)
FINANCE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Finance Director, Christy Ramirez, presented the Finance Department Report.
6.C)
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY REPORT
This item was tabled to June.
7)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Sobel:
Participated in interviews for the Request for Proposals on the Union Oil Building; Employee Recognition event; Senior Wellness Fair; Joint Study Session with the Planning Commission on Municipal Code and Housing Element; Police Memorial event: Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau; and announced bike to work week.
Councilmember Crosswhite:
Attended Ventura County Transportation Commission; Local Area Formation Commission; Clean Power Alliance; Southern California Association of Governments Annual Conference and General Assembly; and announced Metrolink will run during the upcoming Strawberry Festival.
Vice Mayor Chavez:
Provided the City Clerk with a Council Report; announced that the Board of Supervisors were informed of a proposal for the closure of two units at Santa Paula Hospital, maternity and ICU, possibly; and proposed item 11A moved earlier in the meeting. Council had no objection to this request.
Mayor Cornejo:
Attended the Senior Wellness Fair; Property Business Improvement District; Ventura Council of Governments; Rotary International scholarship presentation; Police Memorial event; and breakfast with the Vice Mayor. 8)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Dan Singer:
Announced National Municipal Clerk Week recognizing City Clerk Julie Latshaw; thanked the facilities crew for the window replacements in the Council Chamber; attended the Joint City Council and Planning Commission Study Session; Senior Wellness Fair; Police Memorial event; and announced that on Memorial Day, the city office's will be closed. 9)
CONSENT CALENDAR
9.A)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
City Council Regular Minutes May 1, 2024
9.B)
APRIL 2024 WARRANTS AND CERTIFICATIONS
9.C)
WATER RECYCLING FACILITY PROCUREMENT POLICY WAIVER VENDOR LIST
9.D)
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH INTERWEST CONSULTING GROUP FOR PLAN REVIEW AND INSPECTION SERVICES FOR BUILDING & SAFETY, AND ENGINEERING/GRADING.
Motion: Approve Consent Calendar
Moved by Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Andy Sobel 10)
PUBLIC HEARING
10.A)
RESOLUTION NO. 7515 DECLARING THE CITY’S INTENT TO GRANT A FRANCHISE TO ESVOLTA, LP FOR UNDERGROUND INTERCONNECTION AND TRANSMISSION EQUIPMENT IN, ALONG, ACROSS, UPON, AND UNDER CERTAIN PUBLIC STREETS AND RIGHT-OF-WAY WITHIN THE CITY OF SANTA PAULA Mayor Cornejo opened the public hearing. With no public comments, the public hearing was closed. James Mason, Economic Development Director presented this item. Available for questions virtually, Ginger Andersen, Project Representative with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Shreck and Chris Beasley, Senior Project Manager with esVolta.
Motion: Approve as amended Resolution No. 7515 and schedule a public hearing for June 5, 2024 to discuss and consider the adoption of an Ordinance granting a franchise to Black Walnut Energy Storage LLC to use or lay and use interconnection and transmission wiring and appurtenances for the purpose of transmitting and distributing electricity in, along, across, upon, and under certain public streets and right-of-way within the City of Santa Paula.
Moved by Andy Sobel, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Andy Sobel
10.B)
VENTURA COUNTY WATERSHED PROTECTION DISTRICT’S BENEFIT ASSESSMENT PROGRAM FOR FY 2024-2025 Mayor Cornejo opened the public hearing. With no public comments, the public hearing was closed. Clete J. Saunier, Public Works Director presented this item.
Motion: Approve Resolution No. 7516 authorizing the City Manager to allow City participation in the Ventura County Watershed Protection District’s Benefit Assessment Program for FY 2024-25 and continue the City’s assessment of $37.74 per Benefit Assessment Unit (BAU) per year to fund a portion of the City’s Stormwater Management Program.
Moved by Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Andy Sobel
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Andy Sobel 11)
ACTION ITEMS
11.A)
5-YEAR PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE
As there were several public residents with interest in the status of street repair, this item was moved before item 9. Consent Calendar.
Robert Woodward, m6 Consulting, City Engineer provided a presentation on the 5-Year Pavement Management Plan Update.
11.B)
MAIN STREET CROSSWALKS CONTRACT AWARD
Clete Saunier, Public Works Director presented this item.
Motion: Approve Award of Construction Contract to J.L. Plank Inc. dba Cen-Cal Construction for the construction of the Main Street Crosswalk Improvements in the amount of $803,803 and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract in a form approved by the City Attorney; authorize the City Manager or his designee to approve contract change orders to the Construction Contract as required and verified by staff in an amount not to cumulatively exceed $80,380.30 and an allowance of $80,380.30 for construction management, inspection, materials testing, and engineering support services for the Main Street Crosswalk Improvements project; and approve budget adjustments as noted in the Fiscal Impacts section Table 1.
Moved by Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Andy Sobel
11.C)
THIRD QUARTER FISCAL REPORT
Finance Director Christy Ramirez will bring the budget policy resolution back with additional language.
Motion: Approve the budget allocation noted in the Fiscal Impacts Section.
Moved by Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Andy Sobel
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Andy Sobel
11.D)
ANALYSIS OF SANTA PAULA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO VEHICLE CRUISING After Council discussion, Council agreed to holdoff on changes to the ordinance until other changes in the Municipal Code update are completed, or if an earlier opportunity presents earlier.
11.E)
APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
Interim City Attorney announced the guidelines for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Oversite Committee will need to be amended to provide Council with flexibility to appoint Committee members who are not "Santa Paula City employees" and flexibility to appoint outside of the category of a resident of an affordable housing development, with priority given, though not mandatory. This item was tabled for appointments after the guidelines are amended. 12)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
12.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
City Manager Dan Singer announced anticipation of a Study Session on June 5th or 19th, pride month proclamation on June 5th, and a presentation from David Mullinex, Regional League Representative to talk on State-wide measures.
Vice Mayor Chavez discussed speed humps. Council directed staff to incorporate speed humps in the pavement management program. 13)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Cornejo adjourned the meeting at 9:41 p.m.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk