39 Vol 66 Min-CC022522
MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
February 25, 2022 City of Watsonville
Civic Plaza Community Rooms
275 Main Street, Top Floor
3:14 p.m.
1. ROLL CALL
Mayor Parker, and Council Members Dutra (arrived at 3:50), Estrada, Hurst, García, and QuirozCarter were present. Mayor Pro Tempore Montesino was absent.
Also present were Senator John Laird (17th Senate District), District Representative Jonathan Engleman for Senator Laird, Assembly Member Robert Rivas (30th Assembly District), District Director Dominic Dursa for Assembly Member Robert Rivas, District Field Representative Perla Ornelas-Perez for Assembly Member Stone (29th Assembly District), and Congressional Aide Kent-Harris Repass for Congressman Jimmy Panetta (20th Congressional District).
Staff members present were City Manager Pro Tempore Vides, City Clerk Vázquez Flores, Public Works & Utilities Director Di Renzo, Police Chief Zamora, Administrative Services Director Czerwin, Community Development Director Merriam, Parks & Community Services Director Calubaquib, Library Director Martinez, Environmental Sustainability Manager McCloud, Public Information Officer Pulido, Assistant City Clerk Ortiz, and Multimedia & Communications Analyst Vasquez
2. MAYOR’S WELCOME
3. INTRODUCTIONS
4. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
1) City Manager “State of Watsonville”
City Manager Pro Tempore Vides spoke about the use of American Rescue Plan Act funding allocated to the City. She asked legislators to prioritize bicycle and pedestrian safety in State highways within City limits. She spoke about efforts to build affordable housing and investment in the Downtown Specific Plan.
Parks & Community Services Director Calubaquib spoke about the state allocated funding received for the Ramsay Park Master Plan and thanked Assembly Member Rivas for his support. He spoke about a potential sales tax measure to further support parks improvements.
2) Community Development & Housing
Community Development Director Merriam provided an update on cannabis equity programs at the local and state levels and stated they would apply for cannabis equity grant funding. She requested aid from legislators to obtain funding. 3) Public Safety
Police Chief Zamora spoke about challenges faced by Police in handling homelessness, mental health, and drug addiction related calls. He requested specialized funding for residential care shelters and long term care facilities.
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4) Public Works & Utilities
Environmental Sustainability Manager McCloud spoke about the potential effects of homelessness on the environment. She spoke about the need for collaboration among various agencies to protect the waterways.
Public Works & Utilities Director Di Renzo spoke about the need to invest in the renewal of aging infrastructure and the challenges to obtain funding to address water quality obligations.
Environmental Sustainability Manager McCloud spoke about the need for funding to address climate change.
5. LEGISLATORS PRESENTATIONS
Senator Laird spoke about his collaboration with Congressman Panetta and Senator Padilla on the Pájaro River Levee Restoration Project. He spoke about the approval of SB 418 which allowed the formation of Pájaro Valley Healthcare District. He spoke about organic waste diversion and efforts to ensure equal access to parks. He stated he was working on a bill to ensure all children of non-legally married officers killed in the line of duty were included in receiving survivor pension benefits.
Assembly Member Rivas spoke about efforts to obtain funding for parks. He spoke about exploring options for affordable housing and challenges in moving forward.
Congressional Aide Repass stated Congressman Panetta’s office was exploring potential funding to assist with the purchase of Watsonville Community Hospital. He stated they were working to obtain additional funding for the Pájaro River Levee Restoration project. He spoke about the approval of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
In answering Member García, Senator Laird spoke about funding for Pájaro Valley Healthcare District’s purchase of Watsonville Community Hospital.
Assembly Member Rivas and Senator Laird, in answering Member Dutra, spoke about potential legislative action to address homelessness.
Member García requested individual cities be considered at the legislative level when exploring potential ways to address homelessness.
6. PUBLIC INPUT – None
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:29 p.m.
__________________________ __
Ari Parker, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________ _________
Beatriz Vazquez Flores, City Clerk
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