CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
March 19, 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
Rev. Maddie Sifantus provided the Invocation.
3)
FLAG SALUTE
Councilmember Cornejo led the flag salute.
4)
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, and Gabriela Ornelas Councilmember Crosswhite was absent at time of roll call, arriving at 7:03 p.m. 5)
CLOSED SESSION REPORT FOR MARCH 17, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING City Attorney Monica Castillo reported Council met in closed session on March 17, 2025, reporting there was no reportable action taken on the following:
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE §54957.6 - City Representatives: Chief Labor Negotiator Irma Rodriguez Moisa, City Manager Dan Singer, Finance Director Christy Ramirez, and Human Resources Manager Lorena Alvarez; Employee Organizations: Community Services Officer Association; Mid-Management Association; Professional & Supervisory Association; Service Employee International Union, Local 721 (SEIU); Santa Paula Police Officers Association (SPPOA); and Unrepresented Employees: Executive Management; Confidential employees; Part-time employees. 6)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Rich Abbott was called to speak asking to speak with the Deputy City Manager. Jonathan Royas, Deputy City Manager announced he would be available for discussion after public comments.
Mike Caulfield was called to speak providing a petition signed by the residents for the city to install pickle ball courts and dog park.
John Marquez with the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce was called to speak announcing upcoming events in the city.
Maria Robles was called to speak thanking the city for supporting Cesar Chavez Day. 7)
PRESENTATIONS
7.A)
CESAR CHAVEZ DAY PROCLAMATION
Mayor Chavez presented Cesar Chavez Day Proclamation.
7.B)
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH PROCLAMATION
Mayor Chavez presented Women's History Month Proclamation.
Councilmember Crosswhite arrived at 7:03 p.m.
7.C)
ARBOR DAY PROCLAMATION
Mayor Chavez presented the Arbor Day Proclamation.
8)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Ornelas:
No items to report.
Councilmember Cornejo:
Attended Ventura Regional Sanitation District meeting; the employee appreciation lunch; a zoom interview with the city consultant on strategic planning; the Ventura Council of Governments meeting; League of California Cities dinner; walked in the Saint Patrick's Day parade; and the Labor Negations meeting.
Councilmember Crosswhite:
Attended the Southern California Association of Governments Conference; also attended the previous Southern California Association of Governments meeting; the Clean Power Alliance meeting; several Ventura County Transportation Commission meetings; the Ventura Council of Governments meeting; strategic planning meeting with the city consultant; and Channel Counties Division dinner.
Vice Mayor Juarez:
Attended the Senior Advisory Committee meeting; employee appreciation lunch; strategic planning meeting with the city consultant; the Tri-County Youth of the Year for the Boys and Girls Club; the League of California Cities Division dinner; the Santa Paula Museum Art Show; participated in the Santa Paula Police Officers Association Shamrock Cornhole Tournament; and closed session on labor negotiations.
Mayor Chavez:
Sending condolences to the family of David Perez Jr.; participated in the Santa Paula Police Officers Association Shamrock Cornhole Tournament; attended the Isabella Project mural unveiling; reminder to vote to support local businesses; announced opportunities to serve on the Measure R Oversite Committee or other Committees; opportunities for the public feedback on the upcoming strategic plan workshops during the March 27th Harvard Boulevard Business Roundtable, March 31st at Flight 126 Cafe, April 1st at the Santa Paula Community Center and April 2nd in the City Council Chambers; and provided a reminder to visit the city website for updates on what is going on in the city and signup for the monthly newsletter. 9)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Dan Singer:
Announced the upcoming bike planning project meeting; attended the employee appreciation lunch; the League of California Cities dinner; and the Santa Paula Officers Association Shamrock Cornhole Tournament.
Deputy City Manager Jonathan Royas provided an update that there are over 1200 signed up for the city newsletter. 10)
CONSENT CALENDAR
10.A)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
City Council Special Meeting February 19, 2025
City Council Regular Meeting February 19, 2025
10.B)
FEBRUARY 2025 WARRANTS AND CERTIFICATIONS
10.C)
SECOND READING AND ADOPTION 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
10.D)
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH WILLDAN ENGINEERING FOR LABOR COMPLIANCE MONITORING AND ENFORCEMENT SERVICES COMMERCIAL FACADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM
10.E)
RESOLUTION NO. 7561 ESTABLISHING THE MEASURE R OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE & ADOPTING OPERATING GUIDELINES Ricardo soto was called to speak in support of the Measure R Oversite Committee, and would like the committee to meet quarterly.
Nidia Bello was called to speak in support of the Measure R Oversite Committee, and would like the committee to meet quarterly.
Amalia Ochoa was called to speak in support of the Measure R Oversite Committee, and would like the committee to meet quarterly.
Graciano Magana was called to speak in support of the Measure R Oversite Committee, and would like the committee to meet quarterly.
City Manager Dan Singer explained the redline copy of the guideline showing the correct amount of the committee shall consist of five members, one member from each district, and if no member is appointed, then the Council may choose a member-at-large. Also noting in Section 5.3., it was incorporated in the guidelines as follows: "when the Chairperson of the Committee deems appropriate in order to fulfill the duties of the Committee." Amend Section 5.3., "or when the Chairperson of the Committee deems appropriate in order to fulfill the duties of the Committee as needed".
Motion: Approve as amended Resolution No. 7561 to establish the Measure R Oversight Committee and adopt Operating Guidelines; and approve amendments in the redline copy of the guideline showing the correct amount of the committee shall consist of five members, one member from each district, and if no member is appointed, then the Council may choose a member-at-large. Also amend Section 5.3., incorporate in the guidelines as follows: when the Chairperson of the Committee deems appropriate in order to fulfill the duties of the Committee.
Moved by Leslie Cornejo, seconded by Carlos Juarez
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Gabriela Ornelas Item 10.E. was pulled for separate discussion and vote.
Motion: Approve Consent Calendar items 10.A - 10.D with changes on the February 19, 2025, Regular meeting minutes, item 11.A the additional wording "to be in compliance with State law".
Moved by Carlos Juarez, seconded by Leslie Cornejo
Vote: Motion failed -
Yes: None
Members Present: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, and Gabriela Ornelas 11)
PUBLIC HEARING
11.A)
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1343 AMENDING CHAPTERS 160 (DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES), 16.01 (ENACTMENT AND APPLICABILITY), 16.03 (AMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT), AND 16.05 (DEFINITIONS) OF THE SANTA PAULA MUNICIPAL CODE IN ORDER TO REFLECT RECENT CHANGES IN STATE LAW, IDENTIFY AND CORRECT INCONSISTENCIES, OUTDATED LANGUAGE AND FORMATTING, AND FINDING THE ORDINANCE EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT Mayor Chavez opened the public hearing.
City Attorney Monica Castillo provided a presentation on the amendments to the municipal code and the development code update process.
With no public comments, Mayor Chavez closed the public hearing.
Motion: Approve as amended waiving first reading, read by title only, and introduce Ordinance No. 1343, entitled "An Ordinance amending Chapters 160 (Development Impact Fees), 16.01 (Enactment and Applicability), 16.03 (Administration and Enforcement), and 16.05 (Definitions) of the Santa Paula Municipal Code in order to reflect recent changes in State Law, identify and correct inconsistencies, outdated language and formatting, and finding the Ordinance exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.", with changes provided in the redline amendments.
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 12)
ACTION ITEMS
12.A)
2025 CRUISE NIGHT REQUEST FOR FEE WAIVER
Deputy City Manager Jonathan Royas presented this item.
Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, John Marquez provided information on the event.
Motion: Approve Waive and sponsor up to 50% of the entire event costs, not to exceed $22,000, for City services for the 2025 Cruise Night season.
Moved by Gabriela Ornelas, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Gabriela Ornelas
12.B)
STREET AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS AND COSTS
This item was presented by City Engineer Bob Woodward.
Council directed staff to return in April to discuss funding and financing options.
12.C)
2023-2025 CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLAN PROGRESS REPORT
Deputy City Manager Jonathan Royas provided a presentation on the Strategic Plan Progress Report. 13)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
13.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.
14)
CLOSED SESSION
14.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 City Attorney Monica Castillo announced they do not anticipate any reportable action.
Council then recessed to closed session.
15)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Chavez adjourned the meeting at 11:00 p.m.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk