CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
September 4, 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
Councilmember Sobel led the flag salute.
4)
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, and Andy Sobel 5)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Everado Magana was called to speak explaining issues he has had building ADU on property for elderly parents. Berenice Ruiz provided her 3 minutes of speaking time to Everado Magana. 6)
PRESENTATIONS
6.A)
SPIRIT OF SANTA PAULA ANNUAL REPORT
Spirit of Santa Paula provided a presentation and Management Report for the period ended August 31, 2024.
Presented by Jenny Cooksey, President, Veronica Nava, Executive Director, and Kay Wilson-Bolton, Founder of the Spirit of Santa Paula.
Council requested the staff work on a temporary solution in order to get money sooner. If the City Manager determines that Council action is needed, bring back by a special meeting or add to a future agenda. 7)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Crosswhite:
Met the new Ventura College President; attended the Latino Town Hall Awards; the National Night Out; the Police Department promotions; the retirement lunch for videographer; with the Southern California Association of Governments, toured the Port of Hueneme; attended the Harvard Boulevard Ribbon Cutting event; the Labor Day Parade, the Farmworker monument; and the Energy and Environment Committee premeeting for Southern California Association of Governments.
Councilmember Juarez:
Announced they have reestablished the Santa Paula Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee for the Santa Paula Hospital; attended the Latino Town Hall Awards; the National Night Out; the Police Department promotions; the retirement lunch for videographer; the Harvard Boulevard Ribbon Cutting event; the Labor Day Parade; the Citizen Corp meeting; and announced upcoming Cruise Night.
Councilmember Sobel:
Attended the Latino Town Hall Awards; the Communications Ad Hoc Committee meeting, and an appreciation to NRG, Limoneira, and the Gunderson family for their work on the SP with videos during the Labor Day Parade.
Vice Mayor Chavez:
Attended the burial service of Cecilio "Chilo" Rangel Gomez, former owner of Los Arcos restaurant. He requested if the Mayor would close the meeting in his honor. Thanked Father Tom for setting up the kids walking in the Labor Day Parade as City Couiclmembers, City Manager and Chief of Police.
Mayor Cornejo:
It was a pleasure to welcome the new Ventura College President; attended the Police Department promotions; the Harvard Boulevard Ribbon Cutting event; the Latino Town Hall Awards; and the Labor Day Parade. 8)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Singer:
Attended many of the same events. Announced the National Night Out was well attended and thanked the Chief of Police and the Police Department team for revitalizing this event that was done on a regular basis before COVID. 9)
CONSENT CALENDAR
9.A)
SURPLUS VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT
9.B)
AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY’S PERSONNEL RULES AND REGULATIONS Motion: Approve as amended Adopt Resolution No. 7536 amending the City’s Personnel Rules and Regulations, adding Reserve Officers. Motion failed for a lack of a second.
Moved by Carlos Juarez
Vote: Motion failed -
Yes: None
Motion: Approve Resolution No. 7536 amending the City’s Personnel Rules and Regulations. City Attorney and Human Resources will research if Reserve Officers can be added to the Personnel Rules and Regulations.
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 Council requested staff to research other Cities procedures on CDB use and bring the item back if any concerns are found.
9.C)
TERMINATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY DELARED IN RESPONSE TO BREACH OF CITY’S MAIN WATER RESERVOIR
9.D)
HARVEST AT LIMONEIRA WELL 7 AND WELL 8 OFFSITE IMPROVEMENT AGREEMENTS Vice Mayor Chavez recused himself from this item.
Motion: Approve as amended Resolution No. 7538 Approving Well 7 and Well 8 Offsite Improvement Agreements, with redline copy provided to Council.
Moved by Jenny Crosswhite, seconded by Andy Sobel
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Andy Sobel
9.E)
ENGEO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
Council convened as GHAD Board.
Motion: Approve authorizing the Chair to execute a One-Year Professional Services Agreement with ENGEO Incorporated to provide GHAD Manager services for the Santa Paula GHAD in a form approved by the GHAD Attorney, in the amount of $39,969.00 for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 based on the City’s approved two-year budget.
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 Vice Mayor Chavez recused himself from item 9.D. Item 9.B was pulled for separate discussion and vote. Item 9.E was pulled for Council to convene as the GHAD Board, for separate vote.
Motion: Approve Consent Calendar Items 9.A and 9.C.
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)
PUBLIC HEARING
10.A)
ESTABLISHING UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1 IN CONJUNCTION WITH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON ’RULE 20A’ PROGRAM Mayor Cornejo opened the public hearing. With no public speakers the public hearing was closed.
Motion: Approve adoption of Resolution No. 7532 establishing Underground Utility District No. 1 in conjunction with the Southern California Edison “Rule 20A” program.
Moved by Andy Sobel, seconded by Pedro A Chavez
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Andy Sobel 11)
ACTION ITEMS
11.A)
2023-2025 CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLAN PROGRESS REPORT
Deputy City Manager Jonathan Royas provided a presentation and progress report on the Council's Strategic Plan 2023-2025.
Council provided staff with recommendations.
12)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
12.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Vice Mayor Chavez submitted request for a future agenda item regarding ADA lawsuits on the Santa Paula small businesses. Council was in consensus.
Council requested that staff work on a temporary solution with Spirit of Santa Paula in order to get money sooner. If the City Manager determines that Council action is needed, bring back by a special meeting or add to a future agenda.
Motion: Approve staff working with agencies to advocate the County of Ventura by fulfilling their MOU and work on a temporary solution with Spirit of Santa Paula in order to get money sooner. If the City Manager determines that Council action is needed, bring back by a special meeting or add to a future agenda.
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 14)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Cornejo adjourned the meeting at 9:06 p.m. in memory of Cecelio "Chilo" Rangel Gomez.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk