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MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
January 10, 2023 City of Watsonville
City Council Chambers
4:30 p.m.
1. ROLL CALL
Mayor Montesino, Mayor Pro Tempore Quiroz-Carter and Council Members Clark, Dutra, Orozco, Parker, and Salcido were present.
Staff members present were City Manager Mendez, City Attorney Zutler, City Clerk Ortiz, Assistant City Manager Vides, Interim Public Works & Utilities Director Vides, Police Chief Zamora, Fire Chief Lopez, Interim Administrative Services Director Duran, Community Development Director Merriam, Parks & Community Services Director Calubaquib, Library Director Martinez, Airport Director Williams, Assistant Public Works & Utilities Director Green, Environmental Sustainability Manager McCloud, Principal Planner Meek, and Deputy City Clerk Pacheco.
1.a. MOTION TO EXCUSE ABSENT COUNCIL MEMBERS – None
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. CONSENT AGENDA
PUBLIC INPUT
Adita McQuary, District 7, requested information regarding the City’s response time to the flooding that occurred in her neighborhood on New Year’s Eve.
Elizabeth Williams, District 7, spoke about the importance of storm drain maintenance.
Robin Spring, District 7, spoke about flooding in her neighborhood and requested information regarding responsibility of maintenance of the Corralitos Creek and what steps could be taken to prevent flooding in the future.
Jan Vieda, District 7, thanked the City for their storm response efforts, and Members Dutra and Parker for assisting the community.
Gustavo, District 7, requested an account of the New Year’s Eve storm events and the City’s response.
Kirby Harris, District 7, spoke about unsafe conditions created by the New Year’s Eve storm, and the importance of system maintenance and preparation for similar events in the future. She thanked Parks & Community Services and Public Works staff, as well as others that assisted with response efforts. She requested assistance for those impacted by flooding.
Eileen Clark-Nagaoka, District 6 and member of Regeneración, spoke about climate change in relation to the intensity of recent storms and the importance of the City continuing to implement its Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
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Maria, District 6 and member of Regeneración, spoke about the impact of climate change and the importance of the City’s Climate Action Adaptation Plan. She requested assistance for those who were impacted by flooding.
Judy Leighsenbee, District 7, spoke about volunteer efforts to distribute resource flyers in District 7 and invited residents to an informational meeting where insurance agents would be available for questions regarding claims.
Christine Kelsey, Pajaro Village Homeowners Association President, spoke about her experience with flood insurance and potential challenges with submitting claims.
Elizabeth Williams, District 7, spoke about challenges she faced during the evacuation process and arriving at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds shelter. She thanked the City for its response efforts and expressed concern with availability of accurate and timely information.
Tamara Vides, Assistant City Manager, thanked Judy Leighsenbee for assisting the City in facilitating a space for the informational meeting. She spoke about the City’s collaboration with various local organizations on recovery efforts, providing resources, and insurance claim assistance.
MOTION: It was moved by Member Parker, seconded by Member Dutra and carried by the following vote to approve Consent Agenda Item 3.a.:
AYES: MEMBERS: Clark, Dutra, Orozco, Parker, Quiroz- Carter, Salcido, Montesino
NOES: MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: MEMBERS: None
3.a. RESOLUTION NO. 1-23 (CM)
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS WITH
THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TAX & FEE ADMINISTRATION FOR
IMPLEMENTATION OF A LOCAL TRANSACTIONS & USE TAX
3.b. RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE CITY MANAGER’S PROCLAMATION OF THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY DUE TO SEVERE FLOODING – Removed by Mayor Montesino. See Item 4.
4. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA
3.b. RESOLUTION NO. 2-23 (CM)
RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE CITY MANAGER’S PROCLAMATION OF THE EXISTENCE
OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY DUE TO SEVERE FLOODING
Staff Report by Assistant City Manager Vides and Environmental Sustainability Manager McCloud
Member Dutra thanked City staff for their response efforts and the local Presbyterian Church for providing shelter for the homeless. He spoke about importance of the levee maintenance project.
Assistant City Manager Vides, in answering Member Dutra, spoke about the function of the DocuSign Envelope ID: 2EDE4B29-3F62-432F-A13B-955FA2CA8144 229
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City’s water pumps and stated they were all working during the New Year’s Eve storm. She explained they are equipped with generators in case of power outages.
In answering Member Dutra, Assistant City Manager Vides spoke about street repair efforts, documentation and assessment of damages, and potential funding and resources from the State to repair infrastructure.
Member Dutra requested staff follow up with residents’ concerns regarding accommodations at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds shelter. He spoke about the impact of climate change and the City’s efforts to address it at a local level.
Member Parker spoke about her experience with the flooding that occurred on New Year’s Eve.
She thanked Member Clark and other volunteers for providing immediate assistance to residents in impacted areas.
In answering Member Parker, Environmental Sustainability Manager McCloud spoke about the timeline for completion of the levee maintenance project and stated the Corralitos Creek area where a breach occurred was being prioritized due to vulnerability. She added the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers performed a feasibility study and would move to the next phase of the project.
Assistant City Manager Vides, in answering Member Parker, spoke about efforts to gather volunteers and collaboration among various organizations and other community stakeholders to assist impacted residents.
Environmental Sustainability Manager McCloud stated the City participated in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System that could assist residents in obtaining reduced rates.
Member Salcido thanked residents who attended the meeting to share their experiences. She spoke about importance of verifying information regarding flood insurance. She thanked Council members who helped the community, staff that was part of the City’s Emergency Operations Center, first responders, and Governor Newsom for visiting the area to assess damages. She spoke about the importance of understanding the events that led to the flooding that occurred on New Year’s Eve.
In answering Member Salcido, Environmental Sustainability Manager McCloud spoke about when and how City staff became aware of the Corralitos Creek breach, which caused the initial flooding.
Member Orozco thanked all community members and volunteers who were part of the response efforts. She spoke about concerns raised by residents regarding access to the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds due to flooding and potentially looking into alternate shelter sites, and hotels that increased their rates for evacuees.
Assistant City Manager Vides, in answering Member Orozco, spoke about the City’s emergency response, identifying shelter locations, and efforts to negotiate rates with hotels.
Member Parker commended hotels that offered discounted rates to residents that were evacuated. She spoke about efforts to provide resource and assistance information to those that were impacted.
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Mayor Pro Tempore Quiroz-Carter thanked everyone involved in the response efforts and spoke about the importance of emergency preparation. She thanked the volunteers that assisted with filling sandbags.
In answering Member Quiroz-Carter, Assistant City Manager Vides stated the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds was currently allowing RVs and campers.
Assistant City Manager Vides spoke about various resources available at shelters.
Member Clark thanked staff and all others who assisted residents. He spoke about continuing efforts to aid those who were impacted.
Mayor Montesino thanked Council, staff, and all volunteers who were involved in the response efforts.
MOTION: It was moved by Member Dutra, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Quiroz-Carter and carried by the following vote to approve Item 3.b.
AYES: MEMBERS: Clark, Dutra, Orozco, Parker, Quiroz- Carter, Salcido, Montesino
NOES: MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: MEMBERS: None
5. EMERGENCY ITEMS ADDED TO AGENDA – None
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Eduardo Montesino, Mayor
ATTEST:
Irwin I. Ortiz, City Clerk
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