CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
June 5, 2024,
6:30
PM
MINUTES
REGULAR MATTERS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Cornejo called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.
2)
INVOCATION
Rev. Audrey Vincent 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, Carlos Juarez, and Andy Sobel 5)
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Monica Castillo reported Council convened in closed session at 5:00 p.m. There was no reportable action taken on the following item:
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Pursuant to Government Code § 54947(b)(1), Title: City Manager. 6)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mary Ann Krause was called to speak with concerns of the possible closing of the Maternity Unit and ICU at Santa Paula Hospital.
Richard Rudman was called to speak on the importance of the Farmer's Market and making it grow.
Connie Romero was called to speak with concerns of safety at the pedestrian crossing at the intersection of 4th and Main Street. City Manager Dan Singer explained that new equipment is in the works to upgrade that intersection. 7)
PRESENTATIONS
7.A)
PRIDE MONTH PROCLAMATION
Mayor Cornejo presented the Pride Month Proclamation to Brittany Botts-Volaski and the Members of the Santa Clara River Valley Pride Committee.
AJ Holmes was called to speak in support of the Pride Month Proclamation.
Dr. Nancy Grass was called to speak in support of the Pride Month Proclamation.
Cynthia Salas was called to speak in support of the Pride Month Proclamation.
Francisco Estrada was called to speak in support of the Pride Month Proclamation.
7.B)
LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
This item was postponed.
7.C)
UNITED WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT PRESENTATION
John Lindquist, Water Resources Supervisor, presented the United Water Conservation district Presentation.
7.D)
VENTURA COUNTY HEALTH CARE AGENCY & SANTA PAULA HOSPITAL PRESENTATION Barry Zimmerman, VCHCA Director provided a presentation on the Ventura County Health Care Agency.
John Fankhauser, M.D., CEO VCMC/Santa Paula provided a presentation on the Santa Paula Hospital.
Cynthia Salas was called to speak expressing she would have liked to have known earlier on the status of the down cline of the use of the Santa Paula Hospital in order to assist in getting the word out to the public. 8)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Sobel:
Attended the Bobcat opening; Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance Energy meeting; Santa Paula Unified School District Career and Education Celebration; Women Economic Venture Event Community Impact Report; Volunteer Appreciation Evening; Santo Niño de Atocha Welcoming Walk; Memorial Day Celebration; Isabella Project Meetings; Fire Station 29 groundbreaking event; 2x2 meeting with Santa Paula Unified School District and was at Harvest Forum; and the Celebration for Maddie Sifantus.
Vice Mayor Chavez:
Announced upcoming community events: Santa Paula Cruise Night; Farmers Market; Guadalupe Church Santo Nino de Atocha Procession and Closing Mass; Santa Paula Social Services Coalition Fair & Social Services Fair; Cirtus Festival; and 4th of July drone show.
Councilmember Crosswhite:
Attended the Volunteer Appreciation Event; Bobcat opening; and Southern California Association of Governments meetings.
Councilmember Juarez:
Announced that the Senior Advisory Committee meeting was canceled for May and June; attended the Employee Appreciation and Cinco de Mayo event; assisted with the orientation of new Police employee; attended the Senior Wellness Fair; Joint Planning Commission meeting; Police Memorial Ceremony; Rotary Scholarship Ceremony; Odd Fellows Function; Isbell School, The Challenge Event; Santa Paula Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee; Memorial Day Service at the Cemetary; announced landslide pedestrian pass on the Hwy 150; Fire Station Groundbreaking; Business Roundtable; Citizen Corp Liaison meeting and announced upcoming Cruise Night.
Mayor Conejo:
Attended Memorial Day Ceremony at the Cemetary; Santa Paula Unified School District 2x2 meeting; Business Roundtable meeting; the Santa Paula Unified School District presentation; Ventura County Taxpayers Foundation Outlook Conference; Zoom Discussion regarding Universal Income with CEO Vanessa Bechtel from the Ventura County Community Foundation; meeting with Supervisor Long; Bobcat opening; Employee Appreciation event; Santa Paula Unified School District Career and Education Event; and Santa Paula Basin Pumpers Annual Meeting. 9)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Singer:
Attended the Fire Station Groundbreaking; Santa Paula Unified School District 2x2 meeting; and Business Roundtable meeting. 10)
CONSENT CALENDAR
10.A)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Joint City Council and Planning Commission Special Minutes May 9, 2024 City Council Special Meeting May 15, 2024
City Council Regular Meeting May 15, 2024
Councilmember Juarez recused from the May 15, 2024 minutes.
10.B)
RESOLUTION NO. 7520 OPPOSING INITIATIVE NO. 21-0042A1 - THE TAXPAYER PROTECTION AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY ACT This item was postponed.
10.C)
APPLICATION TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (HCD) SEEKING A PROHOUSING DESIGNATION BY THE STATE This item was pulled for separate discussion and vote.
Council was in consensus to move this item to the June 19, 2024, meeting, providing time to further study the item.
10.D)
THIRD AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH TRIPEPI SMITH AND ASSOCIATES FOR MEDIA RELATIONS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION SERVICES
10.E)
EAST AREA 1 TRACT 5854 - RESOLUTION NO. 7513 PARTIALLY ACCEPTING PHASE ONE OF THE SPORTS PARK IMPROVEMENTS WITH A ONE YEAR WARRANTY This item was pulled for separate discussion and vote.
City Attorney Monica Castillo provided information of changes as follows:
1. Remove from the staff report, the second paragraph under Analysis "Consistent with DA Amendment No. 4 Developer will deposit $200,000 to ensure the successful establishment of turf using sod. This provision is also consistent with Section 11 of the Acquisition Agreement that allows for a retention of 150% of the value of remaining work to ensure completion." The Development Agreement does not require Limoneira Lewis to make a deposit. They are going to put up that cash contribution, which they may have already.; and
2. Amend the resolution, deleting the existing recital, Section 1. K., and replace with "Under Section 11 of the Acquisition Agreement, upon acceptance of the Sports Park Phase 1 Improvements, the City must issue payments from CFD funds in the amount of the acquisition price, "provided and to the extent that funds are available, except that [LLCB] shall choose one of the following options prior to release of the final five percent (5%) [of the acquisition price]: (1) City shall retain five percent (5%) of the acquisition price until expiration of the one-year warranty period for the subject [Sports Park Phase 1 Improvements]; or (2) [LLCB) shall obtain a maintenance bond until expiration of the one-year warranty period for the subject [Sports Park Phase 1 Improvements]."; and deleting the recital, Section 2. D. and replace with "LLCB will provide for a warranty agreement for a period of one (1) year in an amount equal to a maximum of five percent (5%) of the acquisition price of the Sports Park Phase 1 Improvements (i.e., $678,217.50) accepted by the City in satisfaction of Section 11 of the Acquisition Agreement." Motion: Approve as amended Resolution No. 7513 partially accepting the East Area 1 Tract 5854 Phase One of the Sports Park Improvements with a One Year Warranty, amending the staff report and resolution as provided by the City Attorney.
Moved by Jenny Crosswhite, seconded by Carlos Juarez
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Andy Sobel Item 10.B was postponed to a later date. Items 10.C and 10.E were pulled for separate discussion and vote.
Motion: Approve Consent Calendar items 10.A and 10.D. with Councilmember Juarez recusing on item 10.A, minutes dated May 15, 2024.
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 11)
PUBLIC HEARING
11.A)
INTRODUCTION AND WAIVER OF FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1337 TO GRANT A FRANCHISE TO BLACK WALNUT ENERGY STORAGE, LLC 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.
This item was presented by Tom Tarantino, Planning & Economic Development Manager and Ginger Andersen, Project Representative with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Shreck.
City Clerk Julie Latshaw announced there was no protests received.
Motion: Approve waiving the first reading and introduction by title only Ordinance No. 1337 entitled "Ordinance to Grant 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 Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Andy Sobel
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Andy Sobel
11.B)
SANTA PAULA GEOLOGIC HAZARD ABATEMENT DISTRICT FISCAL YEAR 2024/25 ANNUAL BUDGET AND ASSESSMENT LEVY Mayor Cornejo opened the public hearing. With no public comments, the public hearing was closed.
This item was presented by Clete Saunier, Public Works Director and Haley Ralston, Project Geologist with ENGEO Incorporated.
Motion: Approve Resolution No. 7519 approving the fiscal year 2024/2025 budget and extending a $1,246.00 assessment levy per residential parcel onto the fiscal year 2024/2025 tax roll for the Santa Paula Geologic Hazard Abatement District.
Moved by Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Andy Sobel
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Andy Sobel 12)
ACTION ITEMS
12.A)
CITYWIDE GOVERNANCE POLICY CONSIDERATION
This item was presented by Deputy City Manager Jonathan Royas.
Cynthia Salas was called to speak opposing a citywide governance policy.
Motion: Table this item until after the November 5, 2024 election, on the establishment of a Citywide Governance Policy.
Moved by Carlos Juarez, seconded by Pedro A Chavez
Vote: Motion carried 3-2
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez
No: Jenny Crosswhite, Andy Sobel
12.B)
FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE GUIDELINES Motion: Approve as amended Resolution 7522 amending the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Oversight Committee Guidelines to further refine the definition of "public employee" and add Section 2.D providing some flexibility to the Council relative to appointments outside the enumerated membership categories, and add additional amendments as follows: 1) Section 2.B., strike "A U.S Citizen"; 2) Section 2.B., add the word "someone" in the paragraph of Not a public employee; and 3) Section 5.3, add "in consultation with staff".
Moved by Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Carlos Juarez
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Andy Sobel Motion: Approve to continue the meeting past 10:30 p.m.
Moved by Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Andy Sobel
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Andy Sobel
12.C)
APPOINTMENTS TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND OVERSITE COMMITTEE Motion: Approve Appointment of applicants to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Oversite Committee as follows:
Three-year term (6/5/2024-6/5/2027) Gloria Martinez, Olav Hassel, and Gayle Washburn Two-year term (6/5/2024-6/5/2026) Joseph Beerhalter and Christen Lopez Moved by Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Andy Sobel
12.D)
CONSIDERATION OF AN AD HOC COMMITTEE TO ADDRESS AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDING REQUEST Vice Mayor Chavez recommended Mayor Cornejo and Councilmember Crosswhite to serve on Ad Hoc Committee on Affordable Housing. Council was in consensus with the recommendation. 13)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
13.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Looking to possibly schedule for June 26th, a joint City Council and Planning Commission meeting to go over the findings of Citygate.
City Manager Dan Singer will verify if there is a legislative platform that will allow the Mayor to send a letter to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors opposing the closing of Santa Paula Hospital units.
Vice Mayor Chavez indicated that his request to place on a future agenda regarding a vacant property ordinance, can be discussed after hearing from the Community Development Department report on June 19th. 14)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Cornejo adjourned the meeting at 10:52 p.m.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk