City Council Chambers
Victowille 14343 Civic Drive
Victorville, CA
www.victorvilleca.gov
VICTORVILLE CITY COUNCIL
VICTORVILLE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOGISTICS AIRPORT AUTHORITY
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
THE CITY AS HOUSING ASSETS SUCCESSOR
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
VICTORVILLE WATER DISTRICT
Regular Meeting Minutes 5:00 p.m. Closed Session
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 6:00 p.m. Regular Session
5:00 p.m. Closed Session
Call to Order
Roll Call
Present: Council Member Gomez, Council Member Irving, Council Member Jones, Mayor Pro Tem Harriman, Mayor Becerra
Absent: None
Public Comments for Closed Session Items
None
Declaration of Closed Session Item(s) by City Attorney
City Attorney Andre de Bortnowsky announced two (2) closed session items as set forth on the agenda.
CITY COUNCIL
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1)
Case name unspecified: (Disclosure would jeopardize existing settlement negotiations)
B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1)
Case name unspecified: (Disclosure would jeopardize existing settlement negotiations)
Recess to Closed Session
6:00 p.m. Regular Session
Call to Order
Roll Call
Present: Council Member Gomez, Council Member Irving, Council Member Jones, Mayor Pro Tem Harriman, Mayor Becerra
Absent: None
Also Present: City Manager Keith C. Metzler, Deputy City Manager Sophie Smith, Deputy City Manager Jenele Davidson, City Clerk
Jennifer Thompson, City Attorney Andre de Bortnowsky
Closed Session Announcements by the City Attorney
City Attorney Andre de Bortnowsky announced two (2) closed session items as set forth on the agenda. There were no reportable actions with respect to these items.
Invocation: Pastor Dane Davis of Impact Christian Church Pledge of Allegiance: Police Captain John Wickum
City Clerk Presents Agenda/Revisions to Agenda
Agenda presented with no revisions reported.
Conflict of Interest Declarations
Mayor Becerra declared a conflict of interest. Mayor Becerra will recuse herself for item
15. Introduction to Public Comments
City Clerk Thompson provided an opening statement regarding public comments.
Public Comments
The following people spoke:
Stephanie Pazarin spoke on agenda item 14
Adrienne Myles spoke on agenda item 14
Derrick Addison spoke on general items
Al Cutillo spoke on general items
Heather Mathews spoke on general items
Michael Grabhorn spoke on agenda item 14
Paulette Morris spoke on general items
Greg Williamson spoke on general items
Roshanda Roberts spoke on general items
Stevevonna Evans spoke on agenda item 14
Julianna Riley spoke on general items
Quinn Hutchins spoke on agenda item 14
Sir Duplechan spoke on agenda item 14
Jose Chavez spoke on agenda item 14
Morgan Guillen spoke on general items
Yvonne Molles spoke on agenda item 14
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Payroll Warrant List
Recommendation:
That the City Council and Board of Directors ratify Payroll Demand Schedule No. 5B for Payroll Period November 10, 2023, through November 24, 2023, in the amount of $2,180,001.95 covering Check No. 33770 through 33792, including Vendor checks. Please note employee Check Nos. 33777 and 33779 have a live Check and an EFT Advice. Also included are Advice Nos. 307247 through 307765, 307767-307768 and 307770, per adopted budget for Fiscal Year 2023- 2024 (period covering July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024).
2. Commercial Demand Schedule No. 13
Recommendation:
That the City Council and Board of Directors ratify Commercial Demand Schedule No. 13 in the amount of $7,687,532. 15, covering Electronic Fund Transfers No. 337533 through 337710 and Warrant No. 793522 through 793798 for 01/03/2024 through 01/17/2024 and Wire Transfers dated 01/08/2024 through 01/25/2024, per the adopted budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 for the period covering July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
3. Public Works O&M Statistics for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2024 Recommendation:
That the Honorable Victorville City Council review and file.
4. Notice of Completion - VMUS Gas Replacement Project Phase - IV Recommendation:
That the Honorable City Council accept as complete and approve the Notice of Completion for VMUS Gas Replacement Project Phase - IV and authorize the City Manager to execute the Notice of Completion.
5. Environmental Programs Quarterly Report for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2024
Recommendation:
That the Honorable Victorville City Council review and file.
6. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 2448
Recommendation:
That the City Council adopt, by second reading, Ordinance No. 2448 amending the Victorville Municipal Code with an Environmental Exemption Making Changes to Title 16 to Address the Recently Adopted Land Use Element of the General Plan.
7. City Council Members' Proof of Residency
Recommendation:
That the City Council receive the proof of residency information as provided herein.
Economic Development Activity Report
Recommendation:
That the Honorable City Council review and file the attached Economic Development Activity Report.
9. Automatic License Plate Reader Annual Report
Recommendation:
That the Honorable City Council review and file the attached Automatic License Plate Reader Annual Report.
Questions ensued for items 2, 3, 6, and 7
Motion was made to approve staff recommendations for Consent Calendar items 1 through 9
Moved: Council Member Irving
Seconded: Mayor Pro Tem Harriman
Motion passed 5-0 with Council Member Gomez voting no on item 7 Ayes: Council Member Gomez, Council Member Irving, Council Member Jones Mayor Pro Tem Harriman, Mayor Becerra
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
10. Award of Consultant/Professional Services Provider Standard Agreement for Fire Sprinkler Analysis & Design, Project #ESC24-062
Recommendation:
That the Southern California Logistics Airport Authority (Authority) Board of Directors approve the Award of a Consultant/Professional Services Provider Standard Agreement ("Agreement") to Jensen Hughes, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $192,700 for Hangar Fire Sprinkler Analysis and Design, Project #ESC24-062.
Questions ensued
Motion was made to approve staff recommendation
Moved: Council Member Jones
Seconded: Mayor Pro Tem Harriman
Comments ensued
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Council Member Gomez, Mayor Pro Tem Harriman, Council Member Irving, Council Member Jones, Mayor Pro Tem Harriman, Mayor Becerra
11. Amendment No. 3 to the General Services Provider Standard Agreement with Robert Half International, Inc. for Temporary Staffing, Direct-Hire, and Other Employer Services, Project ESC23-069
Recommendation:
That the Honorable City Council:
(1) Approve Amendment No. 3 to the General Services Provider Agreement with Robert Half International, Inc. ("Robert Half"), increasing the total compensation by $190,000.00 to an amount not to exceed $408,000.00, to continue providing temporary staffing, direct-hire, and other professional services. (2) Authorize the City Manager to execute any documents related to this transaction.
Questions ensued
Motion was made to approve staff recommendations
Moved: Mayor Pro Tem Harriman
Seconded: Council Member Jones
Comments ensued
Motion passed 4-1
Ayes: Council Member Irving, Council Member Jones, Mayor Pro Tem Harriman, Mayor Becerra
Noes: Council Member Gomez
12. Advanced Metering Infrastructure Gateway Data Collectors Procurement Recommendation:
That the Honorable City Council/Board of Directors:
(1) Find that Ferguson Enterprises, LLC is the sole distributor for Neptune Technology Group's products, the forementioned products are proprietary in nature, and a sole source is approved in accordance with VMC 2.28.100(b)(2); and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to approve and execute the procurement of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Neptune R900 System data collector equipment with Ferguson Enterprises LLC, in the amount of $594,384.00.
Questions ensued
Motion was made to approve staff recommendations
Moved: Council Member Jones
Seconded: Mayor Pro Tem Harriman
Comments ensued
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Council Member Gomez, Council Member Irving, Council Member Jones, Mayor Pro Tem Harriman, Mayor Becerra
13. Fentanyl Awareness Program
That your Honorable City Council approve the attached Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Victorville and Institute for Public Strategies to provide substance misuse prevention services and activities to the residents of Victorville and surrounding communities.
Questions ensued
Motion was made to approve staff recommendation
Moved: Council Member Jones
Seconded: Mayor Pro Tem Harriman
Comments ensued
Motion passed 4-1
Ayes: Council Member Irving, Council Member Jones, Mayor Pro Tem Harriman, Mayor Becerra
Noes: Council Member Gomez
14. Tiny Home Village - Letter of Acknowledgement
Recommendation:
Any action is at the discretion of Your Honorable City Council.
Questions ensued
Motion was made to direct staff to draft a Letter of Acknowledgment Moved: Council Member Irving
Seconded: Council Member Gomez
Comments ensued
Motion passed 3-2
Ayes: Council Member Gomez, Council Member Irving, Mayor Becerra Noes: Council Member Jones, Mayor Pro Tem Harriman
Council Member Jones requested that the following statement be entered into the minutes pursuant to Chapter 5, Section 2 Subsection N - "Protest Against Council Action":
"I would like the minutes to show that I'm opposed to this action for the following reasons: today's action sets a precedent contrary to best practices in the conduct of City business. It effectively undermines the hard work and faithful deliberation of the Planning Commission, which rightly should be autonomous and without undue influence from Councilmembers, or the Council as a whole. Planning commission decisions are binding, absent successful appeal. And this action calls into question whether those decisions are good enough, without the Council's blessing. Today, this Council potentially open the floodgates for every business to come forward, demanding a letter of affirmation lest this Council appear to prefer one business over another"
Mayor Becerra recused herself at 8:03 p.m.
15. Fringe Benefits Update - Resolution No. 24-006 or Resolution No. 24-007 Recommendation:
That the Honorable City Council adopt Resolution No. 24-006 which revises the fringe benefits available to Council members who are also CaPERS retirees, retroactive to July 1, 2023, or Resolution No. 24-007 which revises the fringe benefits available to Council members who are also CaPERS retirees incorporating updated language from the Council meeting of January 16, 2024, retroactive to July 1, 2023.
Questions ensued
Motion was made to approve Resolution 24-007, to be retroactive to the date when Member Becerra's expanded health care coverage became effective; that would be September 1
Moved: Council Member Jones
Seconded: Council Member Irving
Comments ensued
Motion passed 3-1
Ayes: Council Member Irving, Council Member Jones, Mayor Pro Tem Harriman Noes: Council Member Gomez
Recused: Mayor Becerra
Mayor Becerra returned to the dais at 8:23 p.m.
16. City Manager Reports
City Manager, Keith C. Metzler, announced that the City has taken many 2024, the City Library's new hours of operation will be Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. He announced that Animal Care and Control held an adoption event at Costco on February 3rd 1, 2024, and they were able to secure 12 adoptions. He also announced Sprouts passed their Pre-Final Inspection and are on track for their Grand Opening in March.
17. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Upcoming Agenda Items Motion was made for discussion and possible action to suspend the rules of reconsideration for the realignment of City Council health benefits to match those of City employees
Moved: Council Member Jones
Seconded: Mayor Pro Tem Harriman
Motion failed 3-2
Ayes: Council Member Jones, Mayor Pro Tem Harriman, Mayor Becerra Noes: Council Member Gomez, Council Member Irving
Mayor Becerra called for a recess at 8:35 p.m.
Recess concluded at 8:40 p.m.
Motion was made to agendize an item for discussion and possible action at the soonest possible City Council meeting to align City Council Member's Health Benefits to that of City Employee benefits and to suspend the rules of reconsideration
Moved: Council Member Jones
Seconded: Mayor Pro Tem Harriman
Motion failed 3-2
Ayes: Council Member Jones, Mayor Pro Tem Harriman, Mayor Becerra Noes: Council Member Irving, Council Member Gomez
Motion was made for City Council to receive a report on the Wellness Center from the date of opening to 3 months and every 3 months thereafter Moved: Mayor Becerra
Seconded: Council Member Irving
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Council Member Gomez, Council Member Irving, Council Member Jones, Mayor Pro Tem Harriman, Mayor Becerra
18. Reports from Council Members
Mayor Pro Tem Harriman reported his gratitude towards the City Employees for their hard work against the storm.
Council Member Gomez reported on her involvement with the community.
Council Member Jones reported on her attendance of several meetings. She also reported her excitement on Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority moving forward with One Water Plan.
Mayor Becerra reported her gratitude towards the City Employees for their hard work against the storm.
Adjournment
Mayor Becerra adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m.
Attest:
SuM
Elizabeth Becerra, Mayor Jennifer Thompson, City Clerk