CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
December 11, 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
Father Thomas Dome 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)
PRESENTATIONS
5.A)
VISITOR FROM THE NORTH POLE
Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and Elves came from the North Pole to spread good cheer to all for the holidays, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
5.B)
CITY WEBSITE REFRESH
Deputy City Manager Jonathan Royas presented a presentation on the upcoming launch of the City Website. 6)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Vannessa Acosta was called to speak announcing De Colores upcoming events. 7)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Crosswhite:
Attended the Southern California Association of Governments; the Clean Power Alliance meeting; and several holiday events.
Councilmember Juarez:
Attended the Ventura Regional Sanitation District meeting; several holiday events; Citizens Corp meeting; served lunch at the Senior luncheon; and announced upcoming events.
Councilmember Sobel:
Attended the Senior Luncheon; the Roundtable meeting; the Communications Ad Hoc; the Southern California Association of Governments; the Senior Advisory Committee; and the Committee and Commissioner Holiday appreciation event.
Vice Mayor Chavez:
Announced he has a written report of activities available.
Mayor Cornejo:
Attended the Christmas Parade; Committee and Commissioners appreciation event; the Property Business Improvement District meeting; and the Senior Luncheon. 8)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
None.
9)
CONSENT CALENDAR
9.A)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
City Council Special Meeting November 20, 2024
City Council Regular Meeting November 20, 2024
9.B)
IMPLEMENTATION OF CALIFORNIA ADVANCED CLEAN FLEETS REGULATIONS
9.C)
UNION OIL BUILDING FUND AUTHORIZATION
Councilmember Juarez recused himself from Item 9.C.
Parks and Recreation Director Gregory Barnes explained that the title "Operating Fund" can be changed to "Union Oil Building Endowment Fund".
Motion: Approve as amended budget allocation for the $2,000,000 in revenues and $1,000,000 in expenditure allocations for newly created funds 207 and 208 - Union Oil Building Endowment Funds and amend the title from Operating Fund to Union Oil Building Endowment Fund.
Moved by Pedro A Chavez
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Gabriela Ornelas
9.D)
POLICE DEPARTMENT STAFFING CHANGE
9.E)
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 7550 RECITING THE FACT OF A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND DECLARING ITS RESULTS FOR CITY COUNCIL AND MEASURE R Item 9.C was pulled for separate discussion and vote.
Motion: Approve Consent Calendar Items 9.A, 9.B, 9.D, 9.E.
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 10)
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
10.A)
SPECIAL PRESENTATION FOR DEPARTING CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
Mayor Cornejo thanked outgoing Councilmember Sobel for his service and presented him with a tile of the city, recognizing his years of service to the city. Councilmember Sobel spoke of his time on Council. Each Councilmember spoke and thanked him for his service.
John Proctor was called to speak to congratulate Councilmember Sobel and presented Gabriela Ornelas with a Certificate of Appreciation for her prior services to the community.
On behalf of Congresswomen Julia Brownley's office, Armando Gonzales recognized Mayor Leslie Cornejo for her leadership as Mayor, Councilmember Sobel for his years of service, and newly elected Councilmember Ornelas, and presented Councilmember Sobel a Certificate of Congressional Recognition.
On behalf of Assemblymember Steve Bennett's office, Atticus Reyes presented a Certificate of Recognition to Councilmember Sobel and outgoing Mayor Cornejo.
On behalf of Supervisor Kelly Long's office, Mannuel Minjares thanked outgoing Mayor Cornejo for her example of running meetings, congratulated Vice Mayor Chavez for his upcoming service as Mayor, expressed congratulations to Gabriela Ornelas as an incoming Councilmember, and presented Councilmember Sobel with a Certificate of Recognition for his services to the community. 11)
ORDER OF BUSINESS
11.A)
ADMINISTER OATHS OF OFFICE FOR NEWLEY ELECTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS City Clerk Julie Latshaw administered the Oath of Office to re-elected Councilmember Leslie Cornejo, and newly elected Councilmember Gabriela Ornelas.
11.B)
SEATING OF NEWLY ELECTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Re-elected and newly elected Councilmembers took their seats at the Dias.
11.C)
NEW ROLL CALL
Mayor Cornejo called for a new roll call by City Clerk Latshaw.
Members Present: Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, and Gabriela Ornelas
11.D)
COMMENTS FROM NEWLY ELECTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Each newly elected Councilmember spoke of their thanks to family, friends, and community members for their support.
11.E)
COMMENTS FROM OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS
Each Councilmember welcomed and congratulated re-elected Mayor Cornejo and newly elected Councilmember Ornelas.
11.F)
PROCEDURES FOR ELECTION OF MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR
City Clerk Latshaw reviewed the procedures for the election of Mayor and Vice Mayor. Mayor Cornejo directed City Clerk Latshaw to begin the selection process.
11.G)
SELECTION PROCESS FOR MAYOR
City Clerk Latshaw opened nominations for Mayor. Councilmember Ornelas nominated Vice Mayor Chavez. With no other nominations, Councilmember Crosswhite moved to close the nominations for Mayor, second by Councilmember Juarez. Motion passed with the following voice vote: AYES: Cornejo, Chavez, Ornelas, Juarez, Crosswhite. NOES: None. There was no debate on the nomination, therefore, City Clerk Latshaw called a voice vote: AYES: Cornejo, Chavez, Ornelas, Juarez, Crosswhite. NOES: None. City Clerk Latshaw announced, by a unanimous vote, the City Council of the City of Santa Paula appoints Pedro Chavez as Mayor.
11.H)
GAVEL PLAQUE TO OUTGOING MAYOR PRESENTED BY NEW MAYOR
Mayor Chavez presented outgoing Mayor Cornejo with the City Gavel Plaque for her services.
11.I)
SELECTION PROCESS FOR VICE MAYOR
City Clerk Latshaw opened nominations for Vice Mayor. Councilmember Crosswhite nominated Councilmember Juarez. With no other nominations, Councilmember Crosswhite moved to close the nominations for Vice Mayor, second by Councilmember Cornejo. Motion passed with the following voice vote: AYES: Cornejo, Chavez, Ornelas, Juarez, Crosswhite. NOES: None. There was no debate on the nomination, therefore, City Clerk Latshaw called a voice vote: AYES: Cornejo, Chavez, Ornelas, Juarez, Crosswhite. NOES: None. City Clerk Latshaw announced, by a unanimous vote, the City Council of the City of Santa Paula appoints Carlos Juarez as Vice Mayor.
Public Comments:
Amalia Ochoa was called to speak congratulating Pedro Chavez, Leslie Cornejo and Gabriela Ornelas.
Britney Botts was called to speak congratulating Pedro Chavez, Leslie Cornejo and Gabriela Ornelas.
Maria Robles was called to speak congratulating Pedro Chavez, Leslie Cornejo and Gabriela Ornelas. 12)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
12.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.
13)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Chavez adjourned the meeting at 8:16 p.m.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk