CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
September 18, 2024,
6:30
PM
MINUTES
REGULAR MATTERS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Mayor Chavez called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. 2)
INVOCATION
Rev. Seikai provided the Invocation.
3)
FLAG SALUTE
City Manager Singer led the flag salute.
4)
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, and Andy Sobel Members Absent: Leslie Cornejo
5)
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Monica Castillo reported Council met in closed session with no reportable action taken on the following:
5.A) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION - Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1) - Fred and Elaine Malzacher Revocable Trust v. The City of Santa Paula; Ventura County Superior Court Case No. 56-2021-00552735-CU-TT-VTA;
5.B) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION - Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1), Verdun et al. v. City of Santa Paula, et al., U.S. District Court, Central District, Western Division, Case No. 2:24-cv-06021 CAS (RAOx);
5.C) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(4) – Initiation of litigation: Cases: 1; and
5.D) CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE § 54956.8 - Property: 1430 Santa Clara Street (91,590 square feet); Ventura County APN: 104-0-220-115; Agency Negotiator: James Mason, Community and Economic Development Director; Negotiating Parties: City of Santa Paula, CEMEX and Santa Paula Materials; Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Lease. 6)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Tim Eubanks was called to speak explaining he did not know if his email sent as public comment was sent to the council.
Jeanette Ortega was called to speak of the traumatic arrest of her son by the police.
Thomas Weisbecker was called to speak representing the Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula (UCSP), asking this council to be mindful of the use of plastic bottles. UCSP would like to assistant the city and police department in matters of disability services. Would also like to see the use of the Union Oil Building dedicated space for the cultural history of Native Americans in the Santa Clara River Valley. 7)
PRESENTATIONS
7.A)
VENTURA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Fire Chief Joe Williams presented the Ventura County Fire Department Report.
7.B)
FINANCE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Finance Director Christy Ramirez presented the Finance Department Report. 8)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Crosswhite:
Attended several Southern California Association of Government meetings; the Clean Power Alliance meeting, the Ventura County Transportation Commission meeting; the Local Agency Formation Commission meeting; and the Blanchard Library exhibit celebrating 100 years for the Santa Paula football team.
Councilmember Sobel:
Attended the Assemblymember Bennett climate change forum; Cruise Night; the Ventura College Foundation during the introduction of the new president; the Employee Appreciation Lunch; and the Local Agency formation Commission meeting.
Councilmember Juarez:
Attended the Senior Advisory Committee meeting; the Employee Appreciation Lunch; the Fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club; and Cruise Night.
Vice Mayor Chavez:
Spoke of Albino Rivera Pineda, who passed away, and shared all of the involvement he partook in Santa Paula. 9)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Singer:
Attended the Employee Appreciation Lunch; internal meetings with Spirit and the County on the funding and use of the triangle property; announced kickoff projects with MNS Consultants; and attended the Property Business Improvement District meeting.
Vice Mayor Chavez asked for the City Manager to report to Council, a follow-up on Ms. Ochoa, who reported out to council at a recent meeting. 10)
CONSENT CALENDAR
10.A)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
City Council Special Meeting August 21, 2024
City Council Regular Meeting August 21, 2024
City Council Regular Meeting September 4, 2024
10.B)
AUGUST 2024 WARRANTS AND CERTIFICATIONS
10.C)
CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE - BIENNIAL UPDATE
This item was approved as amended, adding consultant.
10.D)
CALIFORNIA EMERGING TECHNOLOGY FUND GRANT BUDGET APPROPRIATION
10.E)
SANTA MARIA INDUSTRIAL PARK - PUBLIC STORM DRAIN IMPROVEMENTS ACCEPTANCE AND GRADING SECURITY RELEASE
10.F)
AXON BODY WORN CAMERA AND TASER FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT
Police Commander Starna answered questions from Council on the use of the equipment. Daniel Birt with Axon was available by zoom for questions.
Motion: Approve entering into the proposed Axon purchase contract for Axon Body Worn Camera and Taser offered through a cooperative purchasing program; and authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute the Axon purchase contract and any documents necessary to implement the agreement.
Moved by Carlos Juarez, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Andy Sobel
10.G)
MESA TANKS REPLACEMENT PROJECT TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT EXTENSION Motion: Approve Consent Calendar items 10.A, 10.B, 10.E, 10.G and 10.C as amended, adding consultants.
Moved by Jenny Crosswhite, seconded by Carlos Juarez
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Andy Sobel 11)
ACTION ITEMS
11.A)
WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM CHLORIDE SOURCE IDENTIFICATION STUDY FINAL REPORT This item was presented by Public Works Director, Clete Saunier, Mike Nunley with MKN, and Betsy Elzufon with Larry Walker Associates.
Motion: Approve staff to develop proposed scope and costs associated with one or more of the recommended source control measures, which will be in addition to the previously authorized construction of the AWTF.
Moved by Carlos Juarez, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Andy Sobel 12)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
12.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
City Manager Dan Singer report the Joint City Council and Planning Commission Special meeting on the development code is scheduled for September 30th, and the study session on October 2nd may need to be moved to the mid-October meeting. Also, a reminder that the October 15th meeting will be held on a Tuesday due to the League of California Cities Annual Conference that will be held October 16-18. As requested in a past meeting, the ADA Lawsuits will be added to a future date. 13)
ADJOURNMENT
Vice Mayor Chavez adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m. in honor of Albino Rivera Pineda.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk