CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
February 19, 2025,
6:45
PM
MINUTES
REGULAR MATTERS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Chavez called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m.
2)
INVOCATION
Deacon Al Guilin provided the Invocation.
3)
FLAG SALUTE
Vice Mayor Juarez led the flag salute.
4)
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, and Gabriela Ornelas 5)
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Monica Castillo reported there was no reportable action taken on the following closed session item:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code 54956.9(d)(2) and (e)(1): 1 potential case 6)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Richard Abbott was called to speak asking Council to ban rodent glue traps due to cruelty and would like to know why this has not been done yet. City Attorney Monica Castillo explained that Council cannot discuss items that are not listed on the agenda.
Mike Caulfiek was called to speak regarding the landscaping and parking lots condition at the Post Office and Vons parking lot.
Constance Leshin was called to speak regarding the deportation of immigrants.
Vanessa Acosta was called to speak regarding deportation of immigrants, asking the City of Santa Paula to become a sanctuary city for undocumented people. 7)
PRESENTATIONS
7.A)
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REPORT
This item was moved to follow Action items.
Community and Economic Development Director James Mason provided the Community and Economic Department Report. 8)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Crosswhite:
Attended the Southern California Association of Government meeting; the Clean Power Alliance; the Ventura County Transportation Commission meeting; and the Economic Development Committee meeting.
Councilmember Ornelas:
Announced there is nothing to report.
Councilmember Cornejo:
Attended the Ventura Regional Sanitation District meeting; the Boys & Girls Club auction; the Property Business Improvement District meeting; the Blue Ribbon Committee meeting; met with Cause regarding Measure R; and the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District Advisory Committee.
Vice Mayor Juarez:
Attended the Senior Advisory Committee meeting; the Boys & Girls Club auction; the Finance Committee meeting, met with Cause regarding Measure R; and the Blue Ribbon Committee meeting; and met Rondi Guthrie with Athen Mayor Chavez:
Announced leaving routine activities for his written report; was appointed to the Air Pollution Control District Board and renewed for the Association of Water Agencies. 9)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
This item was moved to follow Action items.
City Manager Singer:
Attended the Newly Elected Leadership Acadamy; the City Managers Conference; announced appointment to the League of Cities Public Safety Policy Committee; attended the annual employee recognition breakfast; and provided an update on relationship with SPARC, announcing the city animal control officer is still handling the picking up of stray animals and other animal concerns. 10)
CONSENT CALENDAR
10.A)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
City Council Regular Meeting February 5, 2025
10.B)
JANUARY 2025 WARRANTS AND CERTIFICATIONS
10.C)
SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1341 DESIGNATING THE TOWER THEATER AT 982 E. MAIN STREET AS A CITY HISTORIC LANDMARK Daniel Paul was called to speak thanking the city for being supportive on this project.
Jose Abmillo was called to speak in support of restoring the Tower Theater.
10.D)
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE WATER RECYCLING FACILITY PHASE 1 BLOWER REPLACEMENT PROJECT Motion: Approve Consent Calendar Items 10.A through 10.D.
Moved by Carlos Juarez, seconded by Leslie Cornejo
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Gabriela Ornelas 11)
PUBLIC HEARING
11.A)
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1342 AMENDING CHAPTER 16.79 "REGULATION OF CANNABIS ACTIVITIES" OF THE SANTA PAULA MUNICIPAL CODE AND OTHER AFFECTED CODE SECTIONS TO ALIGN WITH SENATE BILL (SB) 1186 Mayor Chavez opened the public hearing.
Tom Tarantino, Planning & Economic Development Manager presented a presentation on Cannabis Activities.
Council discussed amending for allowance of delivery into the city from a different city to be in compliance with State law and reintroduce at the next meeting.
Mary Bagtuzion was called to speak with concerns of safety even though it is mandated by the state.
Brittany Botts-Volaski was called to speak in support of cannabis activities.
With no further public comments, Mayor Chavez closed the public hearing.
Motion: Amend Chapter 16.79 "Regulation of Cannabis Activities" of the Santa Paula Municipal Code to be in compliance with Senate Bill (SB) 1186, and bring back at a future meeting for reintroduction with amendments.
Moved by Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Gabriela Ornelas
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Gabriela Ornelas 12)
ACTION ITEMS
12.A)
DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CREATION OF A MEASURE R SALES TAX OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE Jonathan Royas, Deputy City Manager, provided a presentation regarding the creation of a Measure R Sales Tax Oversight Committee.
Brittany Botts-Volaski was called to speak supporting a separate Measure R Committee.
Cytlalli Salgado was called to speak in support of a Measure R Committee.
Nidia Bello was called to speak in support of a Measure R Committee.
Fabiola Gomez was called to speak in support of Measure R Committee.
Ricardo Soto was called to speak in support of a Measure R Committee.
Amalia Ochoa was called to speak in support of Measure R Committee.
Zuleth Lucero was called to speak in support of Measure R Committee.
Council provided staff with direction and to return with amended resolution and guideline.
12.B)
MID-YEAR FISCAL REPORT 24/25
Finance Director Christy Ramirez provided a presentation on the Mid-Year Fiscal Report 24/25.
There was consensus by Council to bring back after incorporated into the budget process, phase 2 of the Police Office project.
Motion: Approve budget recommendations as noted in the fiscal impact section.
Moved by Jenny Crosswhite, seconded by Carlos Juarez
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Gabriela Ornelas 13)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
13.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Discussed agenda request by Mayor Chavez for an establishment of a Public Safety Committee.
Councilmember Cornejo objected the request to place this on a future agenda.
Mayor Chavez motioned, second by Councilmember Ornelas, to approve placing on a future agenda, the possibility of creating an establishment of a Public Safety Committee.
After discussion, Councilmember Cornejo withdrew her objection. Mayor Chavez withdrew his motion to make a new motion.
Mayor Chavez motioned to approve placing on a future agenda, discussion of public safety needs, including the potential for a public safety committee. All Councilmembers were in consensus. 14)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Chavez adjourned the meeting at 10:21 p.m.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk