CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
May 7, 2025,
6:30
PM
MINUTES
REGULAR MATTERS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Chavez called the meeting to order at 6:44 p.m.
2)
INVOCATION
Rev Seikai provided the Invocation.
3)
FLAG SALUTE
Councilmember Juarez led the flag salute.
4)
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, and Leslie Cornejo Members Absent: Gabriela Ornelas
5)
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Monica Castillo reported 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 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
Mary Ann Krause was called to speak regarding the proposed Medicaid cuts and the impact on the County. 7)
PRESENTATIONS
7.A)
OLDER AMERICANS’ MONTH PROCLAMATION
Mayor Chavez presented the Older Americans' Month Proclamation.
7.B)
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY REPORT
Item pulled for a future agenda.
7.C)
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY STATUS REPORT DECEMBER 2024 - MARCH 2025 Public Works Director Dale Goodman presented the Public Works Department Activity Report December 2024 through March 2025.
7.D)
SANTA PAULA BIKE TRAIL CONNECTIVITY PROJECT UPDATE
Deputy City Manager Jonathan Royas provided the Santa Paula Bike Trail connectivity Project Update.
Joy Cummings was called to speak in support of the access point at Arbor Homes. 8)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Crosswhite:
Announced that she was voted in as the Second Vice President for Southern California Association of Governments; attended the Clean Power Alliance meeting; read at the Library for Take 5; and attended the grand opening of the Sports Park.
Councilmember Cornejo:
Attended the continuing Labor Negotiation meetings; the Harding Park Advisory Board meeting; volunteered at the Santa Paula Police and K9 Foundation fundraising event; and attended the Ventura Regional Sanitation District meeting.
Vice Mayor Carlos:
Volunteered to give the history of the Police Department to the newest Officer Mendez; attended Cruise Night; the grand opening of the Sports Park; and the Senior Wellness Fair.
Mayo Chavez:
Attended the grand opening of the Sports Park.
9)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
Attended the grand opening of the Sports Park; the Measure R Committee Orientation meeting; the Southern California Association of Governments Conference; the VCLA awards lunch; and the Santa Paula Police and K9 Foundation fundraising event.
Police Chief Aguilar announced the upcoming Santa Paula Police Memorial event; and celebrating National Police Week. 10)
CONSENT CALENDAR
10.A)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
City Council Special Meeting March 31, 2025
City Council Special Meeting April 1, 2025
City Council special Meeting April 2, 2025
City Council Regular Meeting April 2, 2025
City Council Special Meeting April 14, 2025
10.B)
RESOLUTION INCREASING CITY MANAGER AUTHORITY TO ALLOW, COMPROMISE, OR SETTLE CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY TO FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS Motion: Approve as amended Consent Calendar with amended item 10.B redline resolution.
Moved by Carlos Juarez, seconded by Leslie Cornejo
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo 11)
ACTION ITEMS
11.A)
DRAFT SANTA PAULA CITY COUNCIL 2-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2025-2027 This item was presented by Deputy City Manager Jonathan Royas.
Council provided staff with feedback for additional changes to the Council's 2025-2027 Strategic Plan.
11.B)
ORDINANCE AMENDING SANTA PAULA MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 130 FIREWORKS Police Chief Aguliar provided a presentation on the citations for fireworks and explained the changes in the redline version provided to Council at the Dias.
Council provided direction on bringing back a resolution to update the current administrative citation fine schedule that applies to the Fireworks Ordinance with fines doubled.
Motion: Approve as amended Introduce, read by title only, and waive first reading of Ordinance No. 1344 entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA PAULA, CALIFORNIA AMENDING CHAPTER 103 OF THE SANTA PAULA MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING FIREWORKS, including the redline items.
Moved by Carlos Juarez, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo 12)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
12.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
13)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Chavez adjourned the meeting at 9:39 p.m.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk