Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
March 8, 2022
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VALLEJO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 8, 2022
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
555 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo, California
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor McConnell, Vice Mayor Verder-Aliga, Councilmembers Arriola, Brown, Dew, Loera-Diaz, and Miessner
Absent: None
Staff present: Interim City Manager Malone, City Attorney Nebb, and City Clerk Abrahamson
4. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Nebb reported Council provided direction to its real property negotiators with respect to Closed Session Item 3A and no reportable action for Closed Session Item 3B.
5. PRESENTATIONS AND COMMENDATIONS
Action: New employee introductions were made by Police Chief Williams, Acting Public Works Director Tigbao, Acting Water Director Schoenberger, Interim Planning & Development Services Director Ratcliffe, Housing Administrative Analyst Barrera, and Finance Director Nayar. Gabe Lanusse (GVRD General Manager) provided an annual report of GVRD’s accomplishments.
Following GVRD’s presentation, the meeting recessed for approximately 30 minutes and reconvened at 7:35 p.m.
A. NEW EMPLOYEEE INTRODUCTIONS
B. GREATER VALLEJO RECREATION DISTRICT ANNUAL REPORT OF
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
6. FIRST COMMUNITY FORUM
Speakers: David Belef, David Haldane, Anne Carr, David Mersteller, Jason Kishineff, Kemper Stone, Rick Perez, Askari Swonde, Robert Brekke, Andrea Sorce, Pastor Anthony Summers, and Phillip Wilson.
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The meeting recessed at 8:22 p.m. and reconvened at 8:32 p.m. to Action Calendar Item 9A.
At 9:01 p.m., the Council returned to Item 7 following the conclusion of Action Calendar Item 9A.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
Speakers: None.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Action: Moved by Vice Mayor Verder-Aliga and carried unanimously, unless otherwise noted, approval of the Agenda and the Consent Calendar with the reordering of the Action Calendar taking Item 9C before Item 9B.
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Recommendation: Approve minutes for the special and regular meetings of February 22, 2022
Contact: Dawn G. Abrahamson, City Clerk (707) 648-4528
[email protected]
Action: Approved minutes.
B. WAIVE READING AND AUTHORIZE INTRODUCTIONS AND/OR ADOPTION
OF ORDINANCES BY TITLE ONLY
Recommendation: Waive reading and authorize introductions and/or adoption of any and all ordinances on this Agenda, if any, by title only. This is a standard procedural action so the City Council does not have to read an ordinance in its entirety.
Contact: Dawn G. Abrahamson, City clerk (707) 648-4527
[email protected]
Action: Waived reading and authorized introductions and/or adoption of an and all ordinances on this Agenda, if any, by title only. This is a standard procedural action so the City Council does not have to read an ordinance in its entirety.
C. ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH ADVANCE
PEACE AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE SAME Recommendation: Adopt a resolution approving an agreement with Advance Peace for their Peacemaker Fellowship program in an amount not to exceed $700,000 and authorizing the City Manager to execute same.
Contact: Felicia Escover, Assistant to the City Manager (707) 648-4577 [email protected]
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 22-032 N.C.
D. ISSUE A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING RED CROSS MONTH, MARCH 2022
Recommendation: At the request of Red Cross, issue a proclamation proclaiming March 2022 as "Red Cross Month"
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Contact: Mayor McConnell
[email protected]
Action: Issued a proclamation proclaiming March 2022 as “Red Cross Month.”
9. ACTION CALENDAR
The Public Hearing for Action Calendar Item 9A begin at 8:32 p.m. Following the conclusion of this public hearing, Council returned to Public Comment Regarding Consent Calendar Items. Minutes reflect the items in the order as they appeared on the agenda.
A. CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND INTRODUCE A REVISED ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2.01 OF THE VALLEJO MUNICIPAL CODE
REGARDING THE REDRAWING OF ELECTION DISTRICT BOUNDARIES - THIS PUBLIC HEARING WILL BEGIN PROMPTLY AT 8:30 P.M.
Recommendation:
1. Reconsider and repeal action taken by City Council at its February 8, 2022 meeting adopting Draft Map A as the final district map;
2. Following the presentation by the Consultant, open the public hearing to receive input from the community regarding the Draft Maps of election district boundaries;
3. Provide direction to staff and consultants relative to the drawing of draft maps;
4. Make a final draft map selection and introduce an ordinance amending Chapter 2.01 of the Vallejo Municipal Code entitled "City Council District Elections," with either Draft Map A or B as the final district map; or
5. Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
Contact: Dawn G. Abrahamson, City Clerk (707) 648-4528
[email protected]
Mayor McConnell opened the public hearing.
Following announcement of the agenda item and recommendation, City Clerk Abrahamson provided introductory instructions for how to access Spanish and Filipino translation services through the Zoom meeting.
City Clerk Abrahamson introduced the item, provided the purpose of tonight’s public hearing and introduce the City’s demographer, Ken Chawkins.
Mr. Chawkins reviewed the redistricting process to date, rules and goals, shared a demographic summary of existing districts, explained the misguidance provided at the February 8 public hearing with Map B being the map that adjusts and keeps the 26 additional voters in District 5 instead of District 6, reviewed draft Map Public 101 submitted after the January 25, 2022 deadline but before the new deadline for this 5th public hearing and concluded the presentation by requesting council comments and direction on the 3 draft maps.
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Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers.
There being no speakers, the public hearing was closed.
Councilmembers provided comment.
Action: Moved by Vice Mayor Verder-Aliga and carried unanimously to reconsider and repeal action taken by Council at its February 8, 2022 meeting adopting Draft Map A as the final district map.
Action: Moved by Vice Mayor Verder-Aliga and carried unanimously to introduce an ordinance amending Chapter 2.01 of the Vallejo Municipal Code entitled “City Council District Elections,” selecting Draft Map B as the final district map.
B. ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF A
FINANCING APPLICATION TO THE CALIFORNIA INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK (“IBANK”) IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $30,000,000 FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A POLICE HEADQUARTERS FACILITY AT 400 MARE ISLAND WAY
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit a financing application to the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) for an amount not to exceed $30,000,000 to complete the design and construction of 400 Mare Island Way for a headquarters for the Vallejo Police Department.
Contact: Terrance Davis, Interim Assistant City Manager (707) 648-4301 [email protected]
Interim City Manager Malone provided introductory comments.
Interim Assistant City Manager Davis provided background information on the current facility, reviewed the feasibility assessments, outlined the new facility cost comparisons, shared frequent questions asked and response to the questions. Bruce Playle (Indigo + Playle Architects) provided and discussed design illustrations for 400 Mare Island Way. Sarah Hollenbeck discussed the financing strategy. Interim Assistant City Manager Davis outlined next steps and staff recommendation.
Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers.
Speakers: Barbara Gaea, Linda Fuentes Rosner, Laura Pierce, Garrett Toles, Carly Goebel, Bobbie Fleming, David Haldane, Phillip Balbuena, Anne Carr, Geri, Kris Kelley, Andrea Sorce, Brian Harkins, Robert Boyce, Jason Kishineff, Marianne Kearney-Brown, Gretchen Zimmermann, Matthew Finkelstein, Susan George, Mishel Adolph, Briedgete Doherty, Kimberly Nunez-Brandao, Charles Palmares, Diana Lang, Dr. Kay Flavell, Ken Szutu, William Baker, Robert DocuSign Envelope ID: 6E735151-E667-42FE-B4FA-87247EA57C95 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
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Brekke, Noelle Waren, Liz King, Liat Meitzenheimer, Ruscal Cayangyang, Kenneth P, David Cates, Phillip Wilson, Kerstin Svendsen, Kathleen Diohep, Paula Bauer, Jose Carrizales, and Calvin Harrell.
The meeting recessed at 12:28 a.m. and reconvened at 12:36 a.m.
Councilmember Loera-Diaz provided a presentation with proposed options and preliminary recommendations for Council’s consideration.
Interim Assistant City Manager Davis responded to questions from members of the public and provided clarification on comments made to the Council.
Another question and answer period followed. Councilmembers provided comment.
Action: Moved by Mayor McConnell to continue for further hearing Action 9B to include the recommendation before the Council this evening to the first meeting in April (April 12) with further notifications to the public that additional sites will be considered and advised upon by staff and council will consider the formation of a committee, either ad-hoc or whole committee at that meeting.
Councilmember Loera-Diaz requested a friendly amendment, which was accepted by Mayor McConnell to allow 6 months for sufficient time to review alternative locations with Action 9B, including the recommendation before Council this evening to return to Council at its first meeting in September, or sooner, with further notifications to the public that additional sites will be considered and that consideration of the formation of either a Council ad-hoc or citizen’s advisory subcommittee be agendized for the April 12 regular meeting.
Following further discussion on the motion, Mayor McConnell withdrew his motion with friendly amendment.
Action: Mayor McConnell offered a new motion to continue this item to April 12 to include the recommendation before Council this evening with bringing back to council, under a properly noticed process, the appointment of a council and or citizens advisory group and staff can make their recommendations as to the time frame needed by April 12 or date determined by staff.
Following further discussion, Mayor McConnell withdrew his motion.
Action: Moved by Councilmember Dew and carried to direct staff to conduct public outreach seeking the community’s input, suggesting alternative locations for the proposed VPD headquarters and to bring back Item 9B to the Council adding consideration of a Council Ad Hoc Subcommittee or in the alternative, a standing subcommittee (including, potentially councilmembers, members of the community, Vallejo PD, and other staff members) to review potential alternative locations to be brought back to the Council no later than September 13, 2022 (Noes – Brown).
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C. ADOPT A RESOLUTION MAKING APPOINTMENTS TO THE
SURVEILLANCE ADVISORY BOARD
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution making the following appointments to the Surveillance Advisory Board:
1. Mayor McConnell - appointment at-large
2. Vice Mayor Verder-Aliga - District 1 appointment
3. Councilmember Loera-Diaz, District 3 appointment
4. Councilmember Arriola - District 6 appointment
5. Councilmember Brown - at-large appointment
6. Councilmember Dew - at-large appointment
7. Councilmember Miessner - at-large appointment
Contact: Dawn G. Abrahamson, City Clerk (707) 648-4528
[email protected]
Appointments were made by Councilmembers and the Mayor in the following order:
District 1 Appointment: Vice Mayor Verder-Aliga appointed Michael McMillian
District 3 Appointment: Councilmember Loera-Diaz appointed Phillip Balbuena
District 6 Appointment: Councilmember Arriola appointed Brooke Redelle At-Large Appointment: Councilmember Brown appointed Naomi Yun At Large Appointment: Councilmember Dew appointed Adam Bregenzer At-Large Appointment: Councilmember Miessner appointed Lisa Chen At-Large Appointment: Mayor McConnell appointed Andrea Source
Action: Moved by Vice Mayor Verder-Aliga and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 22-033 N.C. making the appointments to the Surveillance Advisory Board as outlined the paragraph immediately above.
10. INFORMATION CALENDAR – None.
11. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT – None.
12. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – None.
13. COMMUNITY FORUM
Speakers: None.
14. REPORT OF THE PRESIDING OFFICER AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilmembers reported on various community events and meetings attended.
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15. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 2:37 a.m.
________________________________
ROBERT H. MCCONNELL, MAYOR
ATTEST:
________________________________
DAWN G. ABRAHAMSON
CITY CLERK
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