CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
April 2, 2025,
6:30
PM
MINUTES
REGULAR MATTERS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Chavez called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.
2)
INVOCATION
Deacon Al Guilin provided the Invocation.
3)
FLAG SALUTE
City Attorney Monica Castillo 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 announced Council met in closed session on the below item, reporting there was no reportable action taken.
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 Administrator 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
Elma Aguilar was called to speak on the rental increase at the mobile home park.
Cytlali Salgado was called to speak on the need for a climate change plan.
Nidia Bello was called to speak on the need for a climate change plan.
John Marquez was called to speak announcing upcoming events.
Raffaela Moreno was called to speak on secondhand smoke.
Rocardo Soto was called to speak on secondhand smoke.
Susan Barrand was called to speak asking for a dispensary to help generate revenue.
Richard Abbott was called to speak requesting information on animal control and SPARC. Deputy City Manager Jonathan Royas will provide information. 7)
PRESENTATIONS
7.A)
SANTA PAULA CREEK FEMA FLOOD MAP REVISIONS
City Engineer Robert Woodward presented a presentation on the Santa Paula Creek FEMA Flood Map Revisions, explaining that after the presentation, he will be available for any public question outside the Council Chambers.
Eric King was called to speak requesting more information on the properties that are affected by the maps. He will meet with City Engineer Robert Woodward after the presentation.
7.B)
HOUSING TRUST FUND OF VENTURA COUNTY PRESENTATION
Linda Braunschweiger provided a presentation on the Housing Trust Fund of Ventura County. 8)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Crosswhite:
Attended the Arbor and Earth Day celebration; the Women of the year celebration; the Santa Paula Business Roundtable; the Chamber Mixer; the Clean Power Alliance Executive Committee meeting; was re-elected as the Southern California Association of Governments Representative of District 47; and attended two Strategic Planning Workshops.
Councilmember Cornejo:
Attended the city Employee Birthday and Anniversary celebration; it was an honor to vote for Councilmember Crosswhite as the representative for Southern California Association of Governments; the Police and K-9 Foundation fundraiser; the Ventura Regional Sanitation District; the Arbor Day celebration; and attended two Strategic Planning Workshops.
Councilmember Ornelas:
Congratulated Councilmember Crosswhite on her election as the representative for Southern California Association of Governments; and attended the second Strategic Planning Workshop.
Councilmember Juarez:
Attended the city Employee Birthday and Anniversary celebration; it was an honor to vote for Councilmember Crosswhite as the representative for Southern California Association of Governments; attended the Santa Paula Business Roundtable; the Arbor Day celebration; two Strategic Planning Workshops; and announced there is a Senior Advisory Committee opening.
Mayor Chavez:
Attended advocacy meetings in Washington DC, lobbying to bring in funding to the city; two Strategic Planning Workshops; announced Cruise Night; and spoke about community engagement. 9)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
Attended the city Employee Birthday and Anniversary celebration; the Arbor Day celebration; represented the city at the League of Cities, advocating for the city's interest; and thanked the council for their commitment to work on the Strategic Plan. 10)
CONSENT CALENDAR
10.A)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
City Council Special Meeting March 5, 2025
City Council Regular Meeting March 5, 2025
City Council Special Meeting March 17, 2025
City Council Regular Meeting March 19, 2025
10.B)
SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1343 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
10.C)
WATER RECYCLING FACILITY ON-CALL EMERGENCY SLUDGE HAULING AGREEMENT Motion: Approve Consent Calendar
Moved by Carlos Juarez, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Gabriela Ornelas 11)
ACTION ITEMS
11.A)
UTILITY RATE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (URAP) REPORT
Mirka Vargas provided a presentation on the Utility Rate Assistance Program (URAP) Report.
Council provided staff with feedback to put together a plan later this year to assess in the future.
11.B)
REQUEST FOR LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE HARMONY PROJECT
James Lantiegne provided information to Council of his request for a letter of support for The Harmony Project.
Motion: Approve the issuance of a letter of support from the Mayor, using the revised draft letter attached as Exhibit B, with the amended language to include a disclaimer that this is not to be considered a financial endorsement.
Moved by Carlos Juarez, seconded by Leslie Cornejo
Vote: Motion carried 3-2
Yes: Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo
No: Pedro A Chavez, Gabriela Ornelas
11.C)
CITY COUNCIL TWO-YEAR STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP #3
City Manager Dan Singer provided an update on the last two Strategic Planning Workshops, announcing the plan to bring it back in the future for a final overview for any additional changes. 12)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
12.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
City Manager Dan Singer announced the city is seeking applicants for the Measure R committee, and several other committee openings, and the plan to schedule interviews by the Council either April 14th, or 15th. City Attorney Monica Castillo announced bringing amendments to the city fireworks ordinance. 13)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Chavez adjourned the meeting at 9:21 p.m.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk