2175 Cherry Avenue • Signal Hill, California 90755-3799
CITY OF SIGNAL HILL
THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL
WELCOMES YOU TO A REGULAR
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
February 28, 2023
REVISED
* * * Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953 (as amended by AB 361) and City Council Resolution No. 2020-03-6557, this meeting will be conducted using a hybrid meeting format in which members of the City Council, members of the public, and City staff may physically attend the meeting or virtually participate by audio and/or video. To protect members of the City Council, members of the public, and City staff, face masks are encouraged but not required. The City will evaluate the current circumstances before each meeting to decide if it is safe to change COVID-19 safety protocols. * * * Meetings begin at 6:00 pm with the conduct of any business permitted to be conducted in closed session by the Brown Act (Government Code Section 54950, et seq.), if any, and with the public portion of the meeting beginning at 7:00 pm. There is a period for public comment on closed session matters at 6:00 pm prior to the closed session. In the event there is no business to be conducted in closed session, the regular meeting shall begin at 7:00 pm.
There is a public comment period at the beginning of the regular meeting. Any person wishing to comment shall be allotted three minutes per distinct item. Any meeting may be adjourned to a time and place stated in the order of adjournment.
The agenda is posted 72 hours prior to each meeting on the City’s website and outside of City Hall. The agenda and related reports are also available for review online at www.cityofsignalhill.org.
To view or listen to the meeting live at 7:00 p.m.:
• City of Signal Hill website at www.cityofsignalhill.org, select the City Council Meetings Link from the home page.
• Charter Spectrum Channel 3 or Frontier FiOS Channel 38. • Call (408) 638-0968 (audio only) and enter meeting ID: 881-4793-6648, press # when prompted to provide participant ID, and enter passcode: 374778. If you would like to make a public comment, please notify the meeting host by pressing *9 on the telephone keypad.
City Council Regular - Final-Revised February 28, 2023
To view and participate (closed session at 6:00 p.m. and regular meeting at 7:00 p.m.):
• In-person: Council Chambers of City Hall, 2175 Cherry Avenue, Signal Hill, California.
• Visit https://zoom.us/j/88147936648 on your desktop computer or laptop and enter passcode: 374778; or
• Visit www.zoom.us on your desktop computer or laptop, click on “Join a Meeting”, and enter meeting ID: 881-4793-6648 and passcode: 374778 when prompted; or • Download the app from the app store if you are using a smart phone and enter meeting ID: 881-4793-6648 and passcode: 374778 when prompted. • Please note that you will be placed in a “listen only” mode and your video feed will not be shared with the Council or public. If you would like to make a public comment, please notify the meeting host by raising your virtual hand (see hand icon at bottom of screen) and you will be invited to speak when the City Council is taking public comments. Please do not simultaneously use a microphone through Zoom and a cellphone/telephone. That combination results in audio problems for all participants. • To make a general public comment or comment on a specific agenda item, you may also submit your comment, limited to 250 words or less, to the City Clerk at [email protected] not later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.
Written comments will be provided electronically to City Council and attached to the meeting minutes. Written comments will not be read into the record. • The City is not responsible for meeting disruptions or technical difficulties; however, if you are disconnected, please repeat the steps above.
The City of Signal Hill thanks you in advance for taking all precautions to prevent spreading the COVID-19 virus.
City Council Members are compensated $722.18 per month. City Clerk and City Treasurer are compensated $438.22 per month.
(1) CALL TO ORDER – 7:00 P.M.
(2) ROLL CALL
MAYOR HANSEN
VICE MAYOR WOODS
COUNCIL MEMBER COPELAND
COUNCIL MEMBER JONES
COUNCIL MEMBER WILSON
(3) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
(4) PUBLIC BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR ON ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA (SPEAKERS WILL BE GIVEN THREE MINUTES FOR EACH DISTINCT ITEM) (5) COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
(6) PRESENTATIONS
City Council Regular - Final-Revised February 28, 2023
a. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES FROM AMERICAN UNIVERSITY HEALTH
SCIENCES WILL PROVIDE A PRESENTATION ON THE PROPER USE AND
DISPOSAL OF NEEDLES FOR PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND
NARCOTICS.
b. CHRIS GARNER, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE LONG BEACH UTILITIES
DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE A PRESENTATION ON THE STATUS OF
NATURAL GAS COMMODITY PRICES STATEWIDE, IMPACTS TO
CUSTOMERS’ GAS BILLS, AND BILL ASSISTANCE AND PAYMENT PLAN OPTIONS MADE AVAILABLE TO CUSTOMERS.
c. THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE A BRIEF
OVERVIEW OF THE UPCOMING LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS FOR WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH.
d. MAYOR HANSEN WILL PRESENT A PROCLAMATION TO OUTGOING CITY CLERK, CARMEN BROOKS.
(7) ORDINANCE
a. ADOPTION OF THE 2023 STREET TREE MASTER PLAN, APPROVAL OF AN
UPDATE TO THE STREET TREE POLICY AND INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING A PORTION OF CHAPTER 12.05 OF THE SIGNAL
HILL MUNICIPAL CODE
Summary:
The Public Works Department presents for City Council consideration the completed 2023 Street Tree Master Plan, an update to the existing 2010 Street Tree Master Plan. Staff proposes amending the Street Tree Policy and Section
12.05.040 of the Signal Hill Municipal Code to conform to the standards and procedures set forth in the 2023 Street Tree Master Plan.
Recommendations:
1. Receive, file, and adopt the 2023 Street Tree Master Plan.
2. Amend the existing Street Tree Policy.
3. Introduce an ordinance, entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 12.05.040 OF CHAPTER 12.05 OF
THE SIGNAL HILL MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO NEW STREET TREE
PLANTING
(8) CITY MANAGER REPORTS
a. SCHEDULE FOR APPOINTMENTS TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION,
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION, AND CIVIL SERVICE
COMMISSION
City Council Regular - Final-Revised February 28, 2023
Summary:
The City is currently seeking residents who are interested in serving on the Planning, Parks and Recreation, and Civil Service Commissions. The City Council will consider dates to conduct commissioner candidate interviews and appointments.
Recommendation:
Approve the proposed recruitment schedule and select a date to conduct commissioner candidate interviews and appointments. The suggested date is the regular City Council Meeting of April 25, 2023. If the number of commission applicants is greater than ten (10), City Council may wish to call a special meeting for Thursday, April 27, Monday, May 1, or Monday, May 8, 2023; or propose an alternative date to conduct interviews and appointments. b. APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM CHIEF OF POLICE
Summary:
The Chief of Police position, a critical, key executive-level position responsible for managing operations of the Signal Hill Police Department, is currently vacant due to the retirement of former Chief. The City has been actively recruiting for a new Chief of Police since November 10, 2021. Carl D. Charles had been serving in the capacity of Interim Chief of Police as of November 9, 2021, and completed his appointment on February 2, 2023. As of February 3, 2023, Acting Police Captain Kelli Crigler is serving in a department oversight role. The appointment of an Interim Chief of Police is anticipated to be on March 1, 2023.
To ensure continuity of operations and to provide the necessary leadership to the Police Department during this transitional time, the City Council will consider appointing Jonathan Arnold to serve as the Interim Chief of Police until a permanent Chief of Police is selected. Staff further anticipates that at the conclusion of Jonathan Arnold’s appointment as Interim Chief of Police, the City will retain his employment in an “extra help” position in accordance with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) regulations to perform specialized work on a part-time basis for a limited duration to assist the department during the transition phase which includes the filling of a vacant Police Captain position.
Recommendations:
1. Determine an interim assignment to the vacant position of Chief of Police is a necessity for the secure, ongoing operations of the Police Department and that the position of Chief of Police requires specialized skills.
2. In accordance with CalPERS regulations, authorize the appointment of Jonathan Arnold to a limited-term appointment as Interim Chief of Police to end on the date immediately preceding the date on which the permanent replacement for the vacant position of Chief of Police commences his or her employment or, if earlier, the date that this appointment is terminated by the
City Council Regular - Final-Revised February 28, 2023
City Council or Jonathan Arnold, as being in the best interest of the City and the Police Department.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to enter into an employment agreement with Jonathan Arnold as Interim Chief of Police in a form approved by the City Attorney.
4. Adopt a resolution, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL,
CALIFORNIA, APPOINTING JONATHAN ARNOLD AS THE INTERIM
CHIEF OF POLICE UNDER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 21221(h)
c. FISCAL YEAR 2022-23 MID-YEAR BUDGET REVIEW
Summary:
The City Council will conduct a mid-year budget review regarding the City’s financial positions based on the first six months of the fiscal year as of December 31, 2022, and consider proposed budget adjustments.
Recommendation:
Adopt a resolution, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL,
CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING MID-YEAR BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS AND AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2022-23 ANNUAL OPERATING AND
CAPITAL BUDGET
d. IN-PERSON MEETINGS FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND APPOINTED
COMMISSIONERS
Summary:
At the meeting of February 14, 2023, the City Council requested a City Manager Report regarding the logistics of returning to in-person meetings in March along with details regarding related costs to allow for virtual participation by residents and consultants. Webcasting City Council meetings requires two staff members to assist panelists and members of the public who wish to speak, technical support from the Information Technology Division, and a Zoom license. The approximate costs to support webcasting City Council meetings is approximately $21,000 annually. The number of virtual participants is issue-specific, however, based on staff’s research of City Council meetings taking place over the past twelve months, there have been between one and 12 virtual participants at any given meeting. With respect to the City’s Commissions, the Civil Service Commission, Planning Commission, and Parks and Recreation Commission have all recently been meeting in-person. Staff is requesting City Council direction regarding whether to: (1) continue having the City Council and City Commissions meet virtually and (2) continue allowing for virtual participation by
City Council Regular - Final-Revised February 28, 2023
members of the public.
Recommendation:
Provide staff with policy direction as desired.
(9) CONSENT CALENDAR
The following Consent Calendar items are expected to be routine and non-controversial. Items will be acted upon by the Council at one time without discussion. Any item may be removed by a Council Member for discussion. a. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AND MONTHLY TRANSACTION REPORT Summary:
The Schedule of Investments is a listing of all surplus funds invested for both the City and the Successor Agency to the former Signal Hill Redevelopment Agency as of the date shown on the report. The monthly transaction report provides the changes in investments for the prior month.
Recommendation:
Receive and file.
b. WARRANT REGISTER DATED FEBRUARY 28, 2023
Summary:
The Warrant Register is a listing of all general disbursements issued since the prior warrant register and warrants to be released upon City Council approval.
Recommendation:
Authorize payment of the Warrant Register dated February 28, 2023. c. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
Summary:
Regular Meeting of February 14, 2023.
Recommendation:
Approve the meeting minutes.
(10) COUNCIL AGENDA--NEW BUSINESS
COUNCIL MEMBER WILSON
COUNCIL MEMBER JONES
COUNCIL MEMBER COPELAND
VICE MAYOR WOODS
MAYOR HANSEN
City Council Regular - Final-Revised February 28, 2023
(11) ADJOURNMENT
Tonight’s meeting will be adjourned to a special meeting of the Signal Hill City Council to be held on Monday, March 6, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. Instructions to participate in the meeting will be provided on the meeting agenda.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
Routine matters are handled most quickly and efficiently if contact is made with the City department directly concerned. However, if you would like to request that a matter be presented for City Council consideration, you may do so by writing to the City Council, City Clerk, or City Manager. The deadline for agenda items is 12 noon on the Tuesday preceding the Council and Agency meetings. The complete agenda, including back up materials is available on the City website on the Friday preceding the meeting.
If you need special assistance beyond what is normally provided to participate in City meetings, the City will attempt to accommodate you in every reasonable manner.
Please call the City Clerk's office at (562) 989-7305 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to inform us of your particular needs and to determine if accommodation is feasible.