ACTION MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF VILLA PARK, CALIFORNIA
July 26, 2022
Regular Meeting
GENERAL SESSION
6:30 p.m. - City Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL - Mayor Zimmerman called the General Session to order at 6:30 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS
PRESENT: Collacott, Miles, Pitts, Rossini, and Zimmerman ABSENT: None
INVOCATION/DEDICATION
Mayor Zimmerman led an invocation encouraging residents to strive to make a better world.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG - The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro Tem Rossini.
PRESENTATIONS / ANNOUNCEMENTS / COUNCIL MEETING REPORTS • Villa Park Distinguished Citizen
Mayor Zimmerman applauded the work of Carolyn Richert as a local educator, academic administrator, and community advocate including her role as co-founder of the Villa Park Women's League in 1969. He commended her on a long lifetime of service to Villa Park. • Presentation from Southern California Gas Company
Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) Public Affairs Manager Clarissa Serpas stated they are the nation's largest natural gas provider servicing over 21 million customers with a mission to build the nation's cleanest, safest, and most efficient energy company. She stated her goal is to create and maintain a strong relationship with Villa Park and other cities to help achieve a clean energy future. • Presentation from the Orange Unified School District
Orange Unified School District (OUSD) Deputy Superintendent David Rivera conveyed greetings from OUSD's governing board and Superintendent Gunn Marie Hansen.
July 26, 2022 Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
OUSD Senior Executive Director Scott Harvey reported on its past solar projects in other cities, improving its carbon footprint while also saving money through a Power Purchase Agreement with Ameresco, Inc. in 2018. He reported projects are ongoing at Cerro Villa Middle School, Serrano Elementary School, and Villa Park High School. He stated the complete program, including schools in other cities, will save OUSD $13 million over 25 years.
Mr. Harvey lamented some trees had to be removed for the solar panel-covered carports but added they were in the only spots available for the project on those campuses. He promised to replant new trees on the school properties, noting it was four trees at Cerro Villa Middle School and one tree at Serrano Elementary School. He added Villa Park High School's Science Center is equipped to have solar panels on its roof and OUSD will consider adding them in the future but noted the height could be a concern for neighbors.
He stated OUSD would discuss this matter with the Council if it does desire to add these solar panels in the future.
Mr. Harvey reported Villa Park High School can generate 90% of the school's power needs through the carports due to the large size of the school's parking lot. He stated the projects at the three Villa Park schools will be completed within the next two weeks.
In response to Mayor Zimmerman's inquiry, Mr. Harvey confirmed the funding for the project came through the agreement with Ameresco and did not include any bond funds.
He added all costs incurred by OUSD come from its General Fund similar to how it pays its other utility bills.
In response to Mayor Pro Tem Rossini's inquiry, Mr. Rivera noted there is no capital cost to OUSD because of the Power Purchase Agreement with Ameresco, saving the District about $11-12 million in construction costs. He added Ameresco recoups its costs through the rates it charges OUSD.
In response to Mayor Pro Tem Rossini's inquiry, Mr. Harvey stated Southern California Edison's current kilowatt-hour cost is around 28 cents and Ameresco's 25-year fixed rate is 13.9 cents. He added he will provide the Council with a more detailed description of how the savings estimate was calculated by combining this discrepancy with usage statistics.
Mayor Pro Tem Rossini noted the structures provide shaded parking spaces for vehicles in addition to saving on electrical costs.
Councilmember Miles noted the national attention Villa Park High School is receiving from its nationally ranked baseball team whose roster includes her two sons. He encouraged OUSD to use some of the savings to improve Villa Park High School's athletic fields.
July 26, 2022 Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
Mr. Rivera pledged to carry Councilmember Miles' message to the OUSD Board of Directors for further discussion.
• Villa Park Library
Villa Park Library Branch Manager Kristina Jones reported the 2022 Orange County Public Libraries Annual Report is now available on their website. She reported this is the final week of summer reading with Barnes & Noble Booksellers gift cards to be awarded as prizes in each age bracket provided by the Friends of the Villa Park Library. She reported the library has children's story time on Saturdays and added its popularity is increasing. She discussed the successful Reading Buddies program where teenagers read with children from kindergarten through fourth grade. She reported the library recently held a program on drought-tolerant gardening for adults and has an August 6th informational program scheduled on organic composting. She added there will be a new book event on September 24th with author Randi Biederman discussing her novel "Schindler's Listed." She reported the library's monthly book chat will be held tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. She noted the County's library system has many virtual offerings and added the library's smartphone application offers many eBooks to download.
In response to Councilmember Miles' inquiry, Ms. Jones stated the transition has been as enjoyable as she has expected. She stated she has worked at much larger libraries where there was less time to interact with patrons than there is in Villa Park, allowing for better service.
• Orange County Sheriff's Department
Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) Captain Gary Knutson reported that 75% of the department's body-worn cameras are being deployed, enhancing transparency and accountability. He reported the Sheriff's mental health initiative for custody operations allows OCSD to provide services to people in custody and help meet the mental health needs of the jailed population. He added the program will help link jailed residents to services upon release to continue treatment for substance abuse or other mental health concerns. He reported National Night Out is on August 2nd at City Hall, including the OCSD's popular K-9 units.
Captain Knutson reported the total number of calls for service in June was 266, including a petty theft on Beardsley Circle at a residence under construction, a burglary at Villa Park High School with minor items taken, vandalism on Santiago Blvd. where a car was keyed, domestic violence incidents on both Ridgeview Road and Leatrice Drive, and two narcotics possession arrests.
Captain Knutson reported six traffic collisions, four parking citations, 20 traffic citations issued by the patrol deputy, and 16 traffic citations issued by enhanced traffic enforcement.
July 26, 2022 Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor Zimmerman encouraged residents to attend the National Night Out.
In response to Councilmember Pitts' inquiry, Captain Knutson stated the City is in good shape overall in terms of crime levels. He encouraged residents to be proactive in their security through things like having extra lights and home security cameras along with not leaving valuables in exposed locations.
• Orange County Fire Authority
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Chief Baryic Hunter reported that OCFA has responded to 34 incidents since the last meeting with one structure fire contained to a trash can inside of the house.
Chief Hunter provided drowning safety tips for the monthly safety message. He encouraged residents to have multiple barriers in place to help prevent drowning, including non-climbable fences with patio furniture kept safely away from the fence preventing children from crawling over a fence. He encouraged self-latching closing gates on fences and added many cities have an ordinance requiring one. He expressed support for pool covers, alarms, and indoor barriers around drowning threats inside a house for small children.
Councilmember Pitts requested Chief Hunter and Chief Knutson provide a headcount of their departments' expected attendees at National Night Out to City Manager Steve Franks so the Women's League knows how many meals to prepare for them.
In response to Councilmember Miles' inquiry, Chief Hunter stated different cities and counties have different regulations for pool fencing and gates, including their height.
City Attorney Todd Liftin clarified there are State Building Codes governing pools and spas but cities can differ from the standards. He added if she wants to have a fence and gate height codified, the Council could do it.
• Councilmember meeting attendance reports:
• Orange County Mosquito & Vector Control District
• Councilmember Miles reported a July 21s' meeting.
• She reported the District is partnering with the Greater Los Angeles County Mosquito and Vector Control District on a mosquito sterilization program.
• She reported two West Nile human infections but neither is in Orange County with 356 Orange County mosquitos testing positive for West Nile and 24 positive dead birds. She noted there has been a noted increase in positivity in the City of La Habra. She added there are 11 human typhus cases in Orange County but none in Villa Park. She added there was a positive rocky mountain spotted fever tick found in the City of Laguna Niguel.
Orange County Sanitation District
July 26, 2022 Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
• Mayor Zimmerman provided an update on the District's new Chair and Vice Chair.
• He repeated his report from the last meeting about Heal the Bay's report card showing A-plus ratings for Southern California beaches.
Orange County Fire Authority
• Mayor Pro Tem Rossini reported attending a Budget and Finance Committee meeting on July 13th.
• He reported the OCFA aircraft replacement process was reviewed, noting they are wrestling with the size of some helicopters compared to landing pads in addition to budgetary restraints.
• Orange County Library Advisory Board
• Councilmember Pitts reported no meeting was held.
• Orange Unified School District City Schools Committee • Mayor Zimmerman reported no meeting was held.
• Law Enforcement Advisory
• Mayor Pro Tem Rossini reported no meeting was held.
• Villa Park Community Services Foundation
• Councilmember Miles reported there is a meeting scheduled for tomorrow.
• Housing Legislative Committee
• Councilmember Collacott reported no meeting was held. • Bridges at Kraemer Place Advisory Committee
• Councilmember Miles reported no meeting was held.
• Senior Citizens Advisory Committee
• Councilmember Miles reported attending a July 20th meeting. • She reported five Villa Park seniors will be receiving iPads through the Committee's GetSetUp program to help bridge the digital technology gap. She added 3,400 iPads were distributed
Countywide.
• She reported statistics about Alzheimer's Disease presented at the meeting, noting it is the fourth-leading cause of death in Orange County and sixth-highest in the nation. She added the number of Americans with Alzheimer's Disease is expected to double by 2030 as the population ages. She reported many suggestions presented at the meeting to help slow the disease's progress.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Zimmerman reviewed the rules of decorum.
Mayor Zimmerman opened public comments.
City Manager Franks reported there were no requests to speak.
Mayor Zimmerman closed public comments.
July 26, 2022 Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Waive reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions on the agenda.
City Manager Franks presented a brief staff report.
Mayor Zimmerman opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, the public hearing was closed.
A motion was made by Councilmember Miles, seconded by Councilmember Collacott, and approved by the following roll call vote, to waive the reading in full of all ordinances, resolutions, and meeting minutes on the agenda, and direct the City Clerk to read by title AYES: Collacott, Miles, Pitts, Rossini, and Zimmerman
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
2. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 2022-627 Pertaining to the Unlawful Possession of a Catalytic Converter.
City Manager Franks reported the first reading of the ordinance was held at the last meeting. He reported the theft of catalytic converters has become a cottage industry and this ordinance will allow OCSD deputies to cite criminals for possessing stolen catalytic converters. He stated there have been no changes to the ordinance since the first reading and the City has received no public input. He recommended approval.
Mayor Zimmerman opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, the public hearing was closed.
Mayor Pro Tem Rossini's motion, seconded by Councilmember Miles, to approve and adopt the ordinance was approved by the following roll call vote.
AYES: Collacott, Miles, Pitts, Rossini, and Zimmerman
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
July 26, 2022 Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
CONSENT CALENDAR (ITEMS # 3-5)
Councilmember Miles pulled Item No. 05.
Mayor Zimmerman opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, the public hearing was closed.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Rossini, seconded by Councilmember Miles, and approved by the following roll call vote, to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar.
AYES: Collacott, Miles, Pitts, Rossini, and Zimmerman
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
June's Cash and Investment Transparency.
The City Council received and filed the June Cash and Investment Transparency reports.
Conflict of Interest Code.
The City Council approved the 2022 Local Agency Biennial Notice.
Review of and response to the 2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Report titled "How is Orange County addressing homelessness?"
Councilmember Miles commended the staff on its work with this item as the Council's liaison to the Bridges at Kramer Place Advisory Committee. She stated the City's response was perfect, encapsulating how complex the issue of homelessness can be, noting how many unhoused residents refuse shelter.
A motion was made by Councilmember Miles, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rossini, and approved by the following roll call vote, to adopt the resolution as presented.
AYES: Collacott, Miles, Pitts, Rossini, and Zimmerman
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
July 26, 2022 Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
CITY MANAGER REPORT
6. Information from City Manager and/or City Staff.
City Manager Franks reported staff has been working with the community on some traffic and parking issues to be discussed by the City Council at the August 23rd meeting. He confirmed that impacted residents will be noticed 15 days in advance of the meeting.
Mayor Zimmerman thanked City Manager Franks, reporting many residents have expressed to him their appreciation for City Manager Franks' responsiveness to their concerns.
In response to Councilmember Miles' inquiry, City Manager Franks confirmed OUSD will be alerted about the item about traffic flow around Cerro Villa Middle School at the next meeting and encouraged to participate.
MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER MATTERS
7. Re-appointment of Alternate Representative to the Orange County Sanitation District (Requested by Mayor Chad Zimmerman).
Mayor Zimmerman reported there was discussion within the Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) about establishing a succession plan for Board members who may be leaving their positions. He stated he is unlikely to run for reelection and OC San alternate Councilmember Collacott is terming out so it could leave the City with no one possessing OC San experience. He added a request has been made to start training a potential successor on OC San matters and policies.
Mayor Zimmerman noted Mayor Pro Tem Rossini and Councilmember Pitts are the two Councilmembers who are assured of continuing on the Council in 2023. He reported there has been discussion about transitioning Councilmember Pitts to the alternate role so there will be no lapse in knowledge moving forward.
In response to Councilmember Miles' inquiry, clarified Councilmember Pitts would replace Councilmember Collacott as the alternate. He added he is also open to allowing Councilmember Pitts to replace him instead.
Councilmember Miles stated this change is logical and reasonable but added it is unfair to remove Councilmember Collacott. She noted Mayor Pro Tem Rossini has a lot on his plate.
Mayor Zimmerman clarified this discussion is not intended to be punitive to Councilmember Collacott.
July 26, 2022 Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
In response to Mayor Zimmerman's inquiry, Councilmember Collacott confirmed he has not seen any OC San responsibilities over the last year and a half.
Councilmember Miles stated it would be a gesture of goodwill to allow Councilmember Collacott to remain as an alternate and instead have Councilmember Pitts assume Mayor Zimmerman's position.
Mayor Zimmerman stated he is amiable to Councilmember Pitts replacing him if OC San would permit it.
Mayor Pro Tem Rossini stated next year's Mayor should make the selection when these appointments are regularly made at the start of a term. He lauded the concept of succession planning but questioned the timing and called to keep the assignments the same.
Councilmember Pitts stated he agreed to this because he felt like the extra time would allow him to gain momentum and background knowledge ahead of next year so he could be more effective in the position.
Mayor Zimmerman stated his two years as an alternate helped him be a better director and contributor when he assumed his current seat.
Councilmember Miles stated that should she run for reelection and win, she has no desire to serve on the OC San Board.
Mayor Pro Tem Rossini noted Councilmember Collacott has extensive OC San experience and a strong interest in water. He stated it would behoove the City to have Councilmember Collacott serve as a director and Councilmember Pitts as an alternate for mentoring purposes.
Councilmember Miles and Mayor Zimmerman agreed.
In response to Mayor Zimmerman's inquiry, Councilmember Collacott stated OC San is the most fun assignment on the Council and he would be happy to reassume the director role.
In response to Mayor Zimmerman's inquiry, City Manager Franks confirmed OC San appointments are at the discretion of the Council.
Councilmember Pitts stated he agreed to serve as an alternate to help Mayor Zimmerman and ease the transition.
Mayor Zimmerman suggested waiting a month and collecting feedback from OC San.
The Council unanimously agreed.
July 26, 2022 Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
City Manager Franks recommended the City Council make a motion to continue the item.
A motion was made by Mayor Zimmerman, seconded by Councilmember Miles, and approved by the following roll call vote, to continue the item.
AYES: Collacott, Miles, Pitts, Rossini, and Zimmerman
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
City Attorney Liftin stated the City merely has to notify OC San of the change. He noted other boards are different, including a resolution requirement for an OCFA change and an almost complete inability to change a Vector District appointment.
Mayor Zimmerman clarified it has been an honor to serve OC San and this action would simply be to move in the best interests of the City.
Councilmember Miles commended how Mayor Zimmerman has handled the decision and added this is a great concept she agrees with.
Mayor Zimmerman apologized for not opening the item for public comments. It was noted there was no one wishing to comment on the item.
8. Individual Councilmember Information Items.
Councilmember Pitts stated he was honored to be a guest at the Orange Chamber of Commerce officer installation and Board meeting on July 7th. He reported Pat Buttress was honored for her service to Villa Park and Orange County at the meeting and he recognized and thanked her as well.
Ms. Buttress thanked Councilmember Pitts for the recognition and added it has been her pleasure to care for a community like Villa Park for 46 years.
Councilmember Pitts reported attending the ribbon-cutting for Knowles Park on June 28th and stated it was an honor to be alongside long-time City employee Mike Knowles for the event. He stated it was a wonderful tribute to Mr. Knowles. He reported attending the City of Orange Fourth of July celebration, the Villa Park Fourth of July parade, and the Concert in the Park sponsored by the Villa Park Community Services Foundation (VPCSF). He lauded the work of VPCSF Director of Events Forrest Case and Director of Communications Jill Kuli put into the parade and concert.
July 26, 2022 Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
Councilmember Miles reported attending many of the same events as Councilmember Pitts. She encouraged residents to attend the National Night Out on August 2nd.
Mayor Zimmerman stated Ms. Buttress is a community treasure and lamented his inability to attend the Orange Chamber of Commerce event. He commended her on how well she has represented the City. He stated the Knowles Park dedication was an amazing event and commended the staff for putting it together. He added the long-overdue park's dedication has also received great news coverage. He commended how Councilmember Miles' and Councilmember Pitts' speeches at the event and how well they complimented each other.
Mayor Zimmerman commended the parade and Concert in the Park and added that community events seem to get bigger every year. He applauded the work of Mr. Case in putting on the two events. He reported attending the Orange County Fair's elected officials' event on July 12th and encouraged his peers to take advantage of it in the future.
He stated the fair will be great this year and added the crowds have been large.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m. to the next regular Council meeting to be held whether in person or via teleconference on Tuesday, August 23, 2022.
Chad Zimmerman, Mayor
City of Villa Park
City of Villa Park
Note: The above minutes are a summary of actions. A DVD recording of this meeting additionally serves as an official record and is available upon request from City Hall.