CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
January 15, 2025,
6:30
PM
MINUTES
REGULAR MATTERS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Chavez called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2)
INVOCATION
Chaplain Kay Wilson-Bolton provided the Invocation.
3)
FLAG SALUTE
Councilmember Gabriela Ornelas led the flag salute.
4)
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Gabriela Ornelas, and Leslie Cornejo 5)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Kay Wilson-Bolton was called to speak regarding illegal activity with fireworks.
Joseph Alexander was called to speak regarding illegal activity with fireworks. Also, spoke on behalf of Knights of Columbus speaking on blood drive. 6)
PRESENTATIONS
6.A)
EXTREME BOXING RECOGNITION
Mayor Chavez presented Gilbert Perez Fuentes with Extreme Boxing a Certificate of Recognition, along with fellow boxing members, Jorge Perez, Eduardo Elizarraraz "Coach Blue", Juan Fajardo, Edgar Quiroz, Omar Mercado.
6.B)
SPIRIT OF HOLIDAY SERVICE RECOGNITION
Mayor Chavez presented a Certificate of Recognition for the Spirit of Holiday Service to Rotary Members Lisa Tate Soury, Jenny Arana, Brittany Botts-Volaski, and the Rotary Club of Santa Paula; and the organizing and work with Santa & Me Toy Drive, Gilbert Gomez, Rick De Leon, Jessica De Leon, E&D Hat Company, and Gabriela Ornelas.
6.C)
CITY MANAGER’S DEPARTMENT REPORT - JULY 2024 - DECEMBER 2024 City Manager Dan Singer presented the City Manager's Department Activities from July through December 2024.
6.D)
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY REPORT
Parks & Recreation Director Gregory Barnes presented the Parks & Recreation Department Activity Report October through December 2024. 7)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Crosswhite:
Asked City Attorney Castillo to look at the Municipal Code Fire Ordinance on fireworks, to verify if editing is needed. City Attorney Castillo explained there will be a Municipal Code review soon on penalties, which also include penalties on fireworks.
Councilmember Crosswhite announced attending the Economic Development Standing Committee meeting; announced the upcoming Business Roundtable meeting; attended the Local Agency Formation Committee meeting; the Ventura County Transportation Committee; and attended negotiations meeting for the ad hoc development on Peoples Self-Help.
Councilmember Cornejo:
Attended negotiating meeting for the ad hoc development on Peoples Self-Help; the Union Oil Building; was sworn in with the Ventura Regional Sanitation District; attended the Ventura Council of Governments; the Property Business Improvement District; and the Senior Advisory Committee.
Councilmember Ornelas:
Attended the Citizen Corp meeting.
Vice Mayor Juarez:
Attended the Ventura Regional Sanitation District meeting; assisted with Rotary Baskets; worked on the Rose Parade float with the Odd Fellows; and attended zoom with Southern California Edison regarding the wildfires taking place.
Mayor Chavez:
Thanked First Responders fighting the wildfires; honored the passing of individuals that have passed away from recent accidents; announced retirement of Rev. Dr. Betty Stapleford; announced Councilmember Cornejo will cover as alternate on the Senior Advisory Committee; reminded residents to sign up for city email and SCE.com for alerts; shop locally; keep dogs on a leash; work together on fire prevention; and do not use fireworks. 8)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
This item was not presented.
9)
CONSENT CALENDAR
9.A)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
City Council Regular Meeting December 11, 2024
City Council Special Meeting December 18, 2024
City Council Regular Meeting December 18, 2024
9.B)
DECEMBER 2024 WARRANTS AND CERTIFICATIONS
9.C)
MEASURE R - CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TAX AND FEE ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT FOR COLLECTION OF TRANSACTION AND USE TAX Motion: Approve Consent Calendar.
Moved by Leslie Cornejo, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Gabriela Ornelas, Leslie Cornejo 10)
ACTION ITEMS
10.A)
DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CREATION OF A MEASURE R SALES TAX OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE Deputy City Manager Jonathan Royas presented a presentation to Council for discussion regarding the creation and appointment of a sales tax oversight committee.
Council discussed the different options of oversight versus advisory, providing staff with criteria and direction, requesting to return for further discussion.
Brittany Botts-Volaski was called to speak in support of the creation of an oversight committee.
Cytialli Salgado was called to speak in support of the creation of an oversite committee.
Luz Gomez was called to speak in support of the creation of an oversite committee.
Graciano Magana was called to speak in support of the creation of an oversite committee.
Ricardo Soto was called to speak in support of the creation of an oversite committee.
Amalia Ochoa was called to speak in morning for the people who have losses from the wildfires. Also, spoke in support of the creation of an oversite committee.
Connie Tushla was called to speak in support of the creation of an oversite committee.
10.B)
SANTA PAULA CREEK BRIDGE DESIGN - HARVEST
Mayor Chavez recused himself on this item and left the Dias.
Doug Fredricks with Somis Engineering firm, provided a presentation on the Santa Paula Creek Bridge Design. 11)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
11.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
City Manager Singer announced anticipating a televised study session on the use of the triangle property later in the month or in February. 12)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Chavez adjourned the meeting at 10:05 p.m. in memory and honor of Carlos Perez and Maria Ceja and those that we have recently lost.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk