CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
June 19, 2024,
6:30
PM
MINUTES
REGULAR MATTERS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Cornejo called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
2)
INVOCATION
Deacon Al Guillin provided the Invocation.
3)
FLAG SALUTE
Councilmember Crosswhite led the flag salute.
4)
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, and Andy Sobel 5)
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
Mayor Cornejo announced item 11C has been postponed to the July 2, 2024 Regular City Council meeting.
City Attorney Monica Castillo reported Council convened into Closed Session with no reportable action taken on the following:
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Pursuant to Government Code § 54957(b)(1), Title: City Manager. 6)
PRESENTATIONS
6.A)
CHARRAS UNIDAS TEAM RECOGNITION
Mayor Cornejo presented a Proclamation to the Charras Unidas Team. Nancy Villegas, along with team members accepted the award.
6.B)
VENTURA COUNTY TRANSPORTATION - PRESENTATION ON NEW SERVICESPresented by: Matt Miller, Program Manager Regional Transit Services Ventura County Transportation Commission, Executive Director Martin Erickson presented a presentation on new services provided on the Valley Express, Bus and Dial-A-Ride.
6.C)
ISABELLA PROJECT PRESENTATION
Presented by: Vanessa Bechtel, President & CEO Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) Vanessa Bechtel, President and CEO Ventura County Community Foundation, Dr. Gabino Aguirre, Co-Chair of Isabella Project, Matt Carroll, Isabella Project Consultant, and Steering Committee, presented a presentation on the Isabella Project Presentation on early childhood education.
6.D)
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY REPORT
Parks and Recreation Director Greg Barnes presented the Parks & Recreation Department Activity Report. 7)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Sobel:
Attended the flag raising of the pride flag at the county, the Ventura County Housing Coalition forum; the welcoming of the Niño de Atocha and the farewell/despedida; Poder Popular community action event; Union Oil Building Use Ad Hoc Committee meeting; Poder Popular's Economic Development possibility to get goats and sheep for fire prevention meeting; and the County Budget public hearing on Monday.
Vice Mayor Chavez:
Pushed his report until the next meeting; though was involved in the advocacy around Santa Paula Hospital. Announced that today is Juneteenth day reflecting on the slavery that once existed in the United States, requested Mayor Cornejo and the Council to close the meeting in honor of Juneteenth.
Councilmember Juarez:
Attended the Ventura Regional Sanitation District meeting; Cruise Night; Farmers Market; Leadership Academy held at the Odd Fellows Hall and spoke about service clubs; Senior lunch at the community center; rally at the Government Center to support the nurses, ICU units, and OB units at Santa Paula Hospital, involved in the advocacy around Santa Paula Hospital; and announced upcoming Cruise Night.
Councilmember Crosswhite:
Attended the Southern California Association of Governments; Clean Power Alliance; Legislative Committee; the departure of the Santo Niño de Atocha event; involved in the advocacy around Santa Paula Hospital; the Musuem of Ventura County Art Show opening; and the Ventura County Transportation Commision alongside Southern California Association of Governments.
Mayor Cornejo:
Attended the services of the last day of Santo Niño de Atocha at Las Piedras Park and gave a brief speech in Spanish welcoming all to the City that respects all cultures, traditions, and religions; the zoom meeting with the consultant firm regarding the one cent tax ballot measure; Union Oil Building Use Ad Hoc Committee; and the Property Business Improvement District Liaison meeting. 8)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Singer:
Announced Parks & Recreation Director Barnes celebrated his five-year anniversary, Finance Director Ramirez anniversary, and James Mason's birthday; attended the third annual social services fair; announced upcoming joint meeting with the Planning Commission; Future Leaders Academy graduation; memorial service for Gary Nasalrod; and Harvard Blvd paving project beginning next week. 9)
CONSENT CALENDAR
9.A)
MAY 2024 WARRANTS AND CERTIFICATIONS
9.B)
CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE - BIENNIAL REVIEW
9.C)
SECOND READING AND ADOPTION 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
9.D)
FIRST AMENDMENT TO 2023 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH MIKE ARANDA FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES
9.E)
DISASTER RECOVERY AND EMERGENCY FUNDING REIMBURSEMENT UPDATE
9.F)
VCTC VCSAFE GRANT BUDGET APPROPRIATION AND VECHICLE PURCHASE APPROVAL
9.G)
MILL STREET WATERLINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT BID AUTHORIZATION
9.H)
EAST AREA 1 TRACTS 5854, 5985-5992, 6074 - RESOLUTION NO. 7509 ACCEPTING PUBLIC WATER AND SEWER IMPROVEMENTS, ACCEPTING WARRANTY SECURITY AND REDUCING PERFORMANCE SECURITY Vice Mayor Chavez recused himself from this item.
Motion: Approve Consent Calendar 9.A through 9.H with Vice Mayor Chavez recusing himself from item 9.H.
Moved by Carlos Juarez, seconded by Andy Sobel
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Andy Sobel 10)
PUBLIC HEARING
10.A)
HILLSBOROUGH OPEN SPACE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT ASSESSMENT Mayor Cornejo opened the public hearing. With no public comments, the public hearing was closed.
Robert P. Woodward with m6 Consulting, presented this item.
Motion: Approve Resolution No. 7524 placing a $150 per parcel special assessment onto the December 2024 tax roll for the Hillsborough Open Space Maintenance District.
Moved by Andy Sobel, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Andy Sobel 11)
ACTION ITEMS
11.A)
CONSIDER ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS PLACING A GENERAL TAX MEASURE ON THE NOVEMBER 5, 2024 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION BALLOT TO ESTABLISH A 1 PERCENT GENERAL TRANSACTIONS AND USE (SALES) TAX Deputy City Manager Jonathan Royas presented this item. Attorney William Priest with Best, Best and Krieger was available for questions.
Shawn Virani, President of the Santa Paula Officers Association was called to speak in support of the tax measure.
Aaron Dunkel was called to speak providing other recommendations on raising funds for the youth sports, maybe expand Measure T to include services.
Motion: Approve as amended 1) Resolution No. 7527 calling for the placement of a 1 percent general transactions and use (sales) tax measure on the November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election ballot; 2) Resolution No. 7528 setting deadlines and rules for the submission of primary and rebuttal arguments for and against the proposed sales tax measure; and 3) Resolution No. 7529 requesting the County of Ventura to consolidate this election with the Statewide General Election also to be held on November 5, 2024, amending Section 2. Measure Language, removing "crime/gang/drug".
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
11.B)
CALLING THE NOVEMBER MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND REQUESTING CONSOLIDATION WITH THE STATEWIDE ELECTION Motion: Approve 1) Resolution 7525 calling a General Municipal Election on November 5, 2024, and requesting consolidation with other elections held on the same date; and 2) Resolution No. 7526 to establish requirements for Candidate Statements that will be included with voter information.
Moved by Andy Sobel, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Andy Sobel
11.C)
APPLICATION TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (HCD) SEEKING A PROHOUSING DESIGNATION BY THE STATE This item was postponed to the July 2, 2024 Regular City Council meeting. 12)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
12.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
City Manager Singer announced some upcoming meetings. Vice Mayor Chavez requested discussion on vacant properties. Staff plans to come back with recommendations on a future meeting. Vice Mayor Chavez requested to bring to the next meeting a discussion regarding a position Argument regarding the sales increase ballot. Council was in agreement. Councilmember Juarez may request a future agenda item, after elections, regarding term limits. 13)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Cornejo adjourned the meeting in honor of Juneteenth Day of Freedom at 9:35 p.m.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk