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MINUTES REGULAR JOINT CITY COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR HOUSING
AGENCY, & SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING
October 10, 2023
Hybrid Meeting
City of Watsonville
Council Chambers
275 Main Street, Top Floor
& Remote/Teleconference
4:32 p.m.
1. ROLL CALL
Mayor Montesino, Mayor Pro Tempore Quiroz-Carter (arrived at 5:02 p.m.), and Council Members Clark, Dutra (arrived at 4:42 p.m.), Parker, and Salcido were present.
1.a. INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES & RECOGNITION OF RETIREES (None)
2. CLOSED SESSION CORRESPONDENCE
3. CLOSED SESSION
(a) Public Comments
(b) Closed Session Announcement:
The City Council recessed the regular meeting to discuss the matters that follow at 4:33 p.m.
3.a. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (Government Code Section 54956.9(a))
Name of Case: Aldo Gonzalez v City of Watsonville, et al – Superior Court of California County of Santa Cruz (Case No. 23CV01862)
3.b. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Government Code Section 54956.9(b))
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Section 54956.9 (b): [1 Case]
3.c. PERSONNEL MATTERS
(Government Code Section 54957)
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Title: City Manager and City Attorney
6:36 pm City Council
4. ROLL CALL
Mayor Montesino, Mayor Pro Tempore Quiroz-Carter, and Council Members Clark, Dutra, Orozco, Parker, and Salcido were present.
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4.a. MOTION TO EXCUSE ABSENT COUNCIL MEMBER(S) (If any)
5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
6. INFORMATION ITEMS
6.a. REPORT OF DISBURSEMENTS
6.b. MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS REPORT
6.c. WRITTEN REPORTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
7. PRESENTATIONS & ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
7.a. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (2 MINUTES EACH) Patrick Orozco, Pájaro Valley Ohlone Indian Council Tribal Chairman, requested Council consider waiving fees for yard sales and increasing the number of sales allowed per year for non-profit organizations.
Aurelio Gonzalez, District 2, stated it was Breast Cancer Awareness Month and spoke about his attendance at the Senior Prom hosted by the City.
Daniel Dodge, Monterey Bay Central Labor Council President, spoke in support of the efforts made by various unions to improve work opportunities, conditions, and wages He stressed the importance of continued collaboration among the City, unions, and community.
Lowell Hurst, District 3, spoke about the importance of organized labor and in support of the City’s Project Labor Agreement. He requested Council work with all stakeholders prior to making any changes.
Manuel Pinero, Monterey/ Santa Cruz Building & Construction Trades Council Chief Executive Officer, spoke about the positive impacts of the Project Labor Agreement, especially for youth interested in trade schools.
? female spoke about her family’s involvement with unions and expressed support for the Project Labor Agreement.
Steve Trujillo, District 7, stated it was World Mental Health Day and spoke about the challenges faced by those experiencing mental health issues. He spoke about the importance of Senate Bill (SB) 43- Behavioral Health signed by Governor Newsom regarding voluntary conservatorship. He requested the City make use of SB 43 as a tool to address homelessness.
7.b. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COUNCIL (2 MINUTES EACH) Member Salcido spoke about her participation at Watsonville Community Hospital’s (WCH) One Year Anniversary and about the importance of continuing to work towards the long-term sustainability of WCH.
Member Parker spoke about her attendance at the Police Badge Pinning and Awards Ceremony and at WCH’s One Year Anniversary. She thanked City staff for their work in DocuSign Envelope ID: B8A19178-BF54-483B-9B63-965BE630F3DD 5076
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preparing the District 7 Strom Preparedness meeting held on October 7th. She also spoke about Staff of Life’s Harvest Festival and wished the late Rhea DeHart a happy birthday.
Member Orozco spoke about the Esperanza Community Farms tour she participated in with her family. She also spoke about a gathering with local art advocates, including Notre Dame Center for Arts and Culture Executive Director Gilberto Cárdenas, regarding strengthening the City’s partnership with the arts community. She stated she would be participating in a Charter Amendment Subcommittee meeting the following day.
Member Dutra spoke about his attendance at the wall raising event for the Sparrow Terrace housing project on Marin Street. He reflected on the acts of violence carried out in Israel and expressed condolences for all victims. He stated he attended the groundbreaking event for the Golden Brands Distribution Center and the unveiling of a mural at Ramsay Park.
Mayor Pro Tempore Quiroz-Carter thanked staff for the upgrades made to the audio/visual system in the Council Chambers. She spoke about her participation at various events including the Queer Youth Summit at Watsonville High School, where she was a keynote speaker. She expressed concerns with safety for queer people and stated the importance of inclusivity and acceptance for all.
Mayor Montesino spoke about various events he attended over the past weeks and acknowledged the Council for being active in the community and attending City events despite busy schedules. He requested a moment of silence in memory of his father-in-law, who recently passed away.
7.c. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Montesino stated Council received reports on all items but took no reportable action.
7.d. MAYOR’S PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING ALICIA ZENTENO
8. REPORTS TO COUNCIL – No Action Required
8.a. TEEN ACTION COUNCIL UPDATE BY RECREATION SUPERVISOR NICK MEROLLA
AND LIBRARY CLERK CELESTE CARRILLO
The following Teen Action Council Members introduced themselves to Council.
Co- Chair Yamilex Diaz
Co-Chair Izabella Brandon
Secretary Sofia Ibarra Bucio
Treasurer Isabella Alvarado
Activities Chair Anahi Cortez- Jacobo
Marketing Chair Elizabeth Provi
Library Board of Trustees Representative Daniela Hernandez did not attend but Recreation Supervisor Merolla read an introduction on her behalf.
Parks & Recreation Commission Representative Gael Oscar Perez Aptos High School ASB Ambassador Vivian Macias-Rodriguez Empower Watsonville Ambassador Eli Romero
Mayor Montesino spoke about his participation in forming the Youth City Council during his previous tenure as a Council member, and the importance of fostering youth interest in civic DocuSign Envelope ID: B8A19178-BF54-483B-9B63-965BE630F3DD 5074
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matters. He congratulated the Teen Action Council for their involvement in the community.
Member Parker expressed appreciation for the Teen Action Council’s interest in community matters.
Member Dutra spoke about the importance of embracing change and the role of youth in bringing new ideas and perspectives to the community.
8.b. STUDY SESSION ON POTENTIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE WATSONVILLE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 14-53 (CANNABIS FACILITIES)
Staff Report by Community Development Director Merriam
In answering Mayor Montesino, Community Development Director Merriam stated that staff did not yet have data regarding surveillance and security requirements at cannabis facilities in nearby jurisdictions.
Community Development Director Merriam, in answering Member Clark, spoke about what criminal activity checks for license renewals entailed and other renewal requirements including ensuring payment of taxes and Police issued identification badge requirements for all cannabis business employees.
Member Dutra expressed his opinion on various topics presented by staff which could result in potential changes to the City’s Cannabis Ordinance.
In answering Member Dutra, Community Development Director Merriam spoke about the number of cannabis growers that had permits and the amount of tax paid by cannabis businesses. She described the process for determining ownership of cannabis businesses and the reasons that information was tracked.
Member Salcido requested additional information on Police interactions at cannabis dispensaries as well as input from other City departments, including Police, and other community partners prior to Council giving direction on potential changes to the Cannabis Ordinance. She spoke about several topics in the staff presentation that she wanted more information on.
In answering Mayor Pro Tempore Quiroz-Carter, Community Development Director Merriam stated the City’s regulations for cannabis businesses were stricter than the State of California’s.
Mayor Pro Tempore Quiroz-Carter expressed her support for all requests made by existing cannabis businesses included in the presentation and stated that many of the existing requirements were overly complex.
Public Input
Aurelio Gonzalez, District 2, spoke about the work done to establish the Cannabis Ordinance when he was a Planning Commissioner and a Council Member. He asked Council to consider costs for conducting studies on all requests made by existing cannabis businesses. He spoke against allowing flavored vaporizers and drive-in retail services, and about potential for modifying application and on-site security requirements.
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Aaron Newsome, local cannabis business owner, spoke in support of potential changes to the Cannabis Ordinance and streamlining the application process for interested parties.
James Cunningham, Fog City Farms Founder, stated the business was seeking a retail license. He spoke about oversaturation of the cannabis market, the negative impact of the black market on legitimate businesses, and benefits of obtaining a retail license. He listed the reasons he had proposed allowing cannabis plant hoop houses.
In answering Member Salcido, Mr. Cunningham provided additional details regarding security and sizing for hoop houses should the City decide to to amend the Cannabis Ordinance to allow such cultivation.
? male commended the City for their work with the cannabis ordinance and maintaining its issued licenses. He spoke about the importance of the cannabis industry being competitive, in support of the proposed changes to the Ordinance, and requested Council explore the possibility of decriminalizing psychoactive drugs.
Jose Moreno expressed equity concerns with cannabis being viewed as a greater health and safety risk than alcohol. He spoke about benefits of the cannabis industry for the City.
Alan Flores social equity cannabis licensee, requested retailers be allowed in commercial zones, standardizing of signage requirements according to the City’s sign ordinance, streamlining of the annual renewal process, and expanding hours of operation.
Bryce Berryessa, The Hook Dispensary Operator, expressed concerns with adding additional retail licenses and spoke about community input being a factor in the City’s current Cannabis Ordinance. He requested the City allow additional signage and marketing options for dispensaries.
Lowell Hurst, District 3, requested Council explore options to help the City be consistent with cannabis policies of other local jurisdictions.
Jonathan Kolodinski, Crème De Canna and Catalyst Cannabis Founder, spoke about current business challenges due to zoning requirements, allowing cannabis businesses to use the City’s sign ordinance guidelines, exploring changes to background check requirements for owners, eliminating annual ID requirement renewals, extending hours of operation, decriminalizing psychoactive drugs, and allowing drive-in services.
Yesenia, District 7, spoke in support of allowing cannabis businesses to use the City’s sign ordinance and expanding allowed hours of operation. She expressed concerns over flavored vaporizers potentially attracting youth to smoke.
Steve Trujillo, District 7, expressed support for cannabis businesses and expressed concerns over the amount of liquor and tobacco stores in the City. He spoke about allowing cannabis businesses to use the City’s sign ordinance, extending hours of operation, and the importance of incentivizing business owners to remain in the City.
Anthony spoke about challenges faced by those in the cannabis industry, including perceived over-regulation and over-taxation. He stated the City would benefit from being as business friendly as possible.
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Heath Baron expressed concerns with the term “marijuana” and requested the term “cannabis” be used instead.
Member Orozco spoke about the importance of community input before making changes to the Cannabis Ordinance and in support of some of the suggested changes. She asked for additional community input.
In answering Member Clark, Community Development Director Merriam stated she was requesting Council’s direction on for potential changes to the cannabis ordinance.
In answering Member Dutra, Community Development Director Merriam spoke about potential requirements for hoop houses and drive-in services at dispensaries.
Member Salcido stated additional input from other City departments as well as community engagement was needed before voting to make any changes to the cannabis ordinance and expressed concerns with some of the possible changes listed in the presentation.
City Manager Mendez explained staff was looking for direction from Council regarding potential changes to the cannabis ordinance that they wished to further explore.
The following list of topics was included in the staff presentation as potential changes to the existing cannabis ordinance.
1. Add another retail license
2. Consider another commercial zoning district for retail
3. Consider waivers to distance requirements
4. Change signage regulations
5. Modify the annual renewal process
6. Modify owner definition
7. Identification badges for owners only
8. Rolling application period for non-retail
9. Increase hours
10. On-site 24-hour security requirement
11. Flavored vaporizers
12. Decriminalization of psychoactive drugs
13. Drive-in retail service
14. Allow hoophouses for nursery plants
15. Cannabis events with onsite consumption
16. Background checks for owners only
Council Members listed the proposed changes from the above list that they would not wish to consider as follows:
Member Salcido - Items 11 and 12
Member Parker - Item 12
Member Orozco - Items 1, 10 ,11, 12, and 13
Member Dutra - Items 1, 2, 3, 11, 12, and 14
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Member Clark - None
Mayor Pro Tempore Quiroz-Carter – possibly Item 11
Mayor Montesino - Items 1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15
City Manager Mendez stated that based on Council’s opinions, Items 11 and 12 would not be further explored by staff.
Members Clark, Dutra, and Parker spoke about the potential for prioritizing some amendments to the cannabis ordinance to simplify the process and potentially increase revenue for the City.
8.c. CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE REPORT – None
9. CONSENT AGENDA
PUBLIC INPUT – None
MOTION: It was moved by Member Clark, seconded by Member Parker, and carried by the following vote to approve the Consent Agenda.
AYES: MEMBERS: Clark, Dutra, Orozco, Parker, Quiroz-Carter, Salcido, Montesino NOES: MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: MEMBERS: None
9.a. MOTION APPROVING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2023
9.b. RESOLUTION NO. 195-23 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE ADOPTING
AND CONFIRMING THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE INVESTMENT POLICY FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2023 AND DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
DIRECTOR TO IMPLEMENT THE POLICY
9.c. RESOLUTION NO. 196-23 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF
WATSONVILLE, TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR AN AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM (AIP) STATE MATCHING GRANT FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION (CALTRANS) FOR THE FEDERAL AVIATION
ADMINISTRATION (FAA) BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW - AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT (AIG) PROJECT NO. 3-06-0272- 024-2023, AND IF
AWARDED, TO EXECUTE A STANDARD AGREEMENT AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO AND NECESSARY DOCUMENTS; AND APPROPRIATING SUCH FUNDS TO
THE AIRPORT ENTERPRISE GRANT FUND
9.d. RESOLUTION NO. 197-23 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF DocuSign Envelope ID: B8A19178-BF54-483B-9B63-965BE630F3DD 5764
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WATSONVILLE, TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR AN AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM (AIP) STATE MATCHING GRANT FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION (CALTRANS) FOR THE FEDERAL AVIATION
ADMINISTRATION (FAA) AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM GRANT (AIP), PROJECT NO. 3-06-0272-025-2023, AND IF AWARDED, TO EXECUTE A STANDARD AGREEMENT AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO AND NECESSARY DOCUMENTS;
AND APPROPRIATING SUCH FUNDS TO THE AIRPORT ENTERPRISE GRANT FUND
10. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS, ORDINANCES, & APPEALS
11.a. DOWNTOWN WATSONVILLE SPECIFIC PLAN (Recommended by Community Development Director Merriam)
1) Staff Report by Assistant Community Development Director Meek, Community Development Director Merriam, and Raimi and Associates Vice President and Principal Simran Malhotra
2) City Council Clarifying & Technical Questions
In answering Member Parker, Assistant Community Development Director Meek spoke about zoning changes and allowed uses for areas included in the Downtown Watsonville Specific Plan (DWSP).
Assistant Community Development Director Meek and Community Development Director Merriam, in answering Member Salcido, spoke about potential benefits of zoning changes in the downtown area in terms of commercial and housing development, such as developers not being required to prepare additional environmental impact reports. They answered questions on impacts of traffic levels due to the lane reduction on Main Street as well as potential ways to alleviate traffic. 3) Public Comments
Aurelio Gonzalez, District 2, spoke about the importance of economic development and housing, both of which could be aided by the DWSP. He stated alternate modes of transportation were an important tool to help reduce traffic and create safer conditions for pedestrians. He asked Council to approve the DWSP.
Dr. Nancy Bilicich, District 7, stated Watsonville had the largest senior community in Santa Cruz County, many of whom used their cars as their primary transportation mode.
She expressed concerns with potential diversion of traffic from Main Street to other streets and requested the public be allowed additional opportunities for input prior to Council approval of the DWSP.
Kirby Harris, District 7, stated residents be allowed to vote on approval of the DWSP and requested additional opportunities for community input through district meetings. She expressed concerns over the lane reduction on Main Street.
Lowell Hurst, District 3, stated the public had received ample opportunities to provide input on the DWSP, spoke about the importance of improving the downtown area through collaboration among property owners, tenants, the City, and the California DocuSign Envelope ID: B8A19178-BF54-483B-9B63-965BE630F3DD 5210
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Department of Transportation (Caltrans). He spoke in support of the DWSP.
Manuel Pinero, Monterey/ Santa Cruz Building & Construction Trades Council Chief Executive Officer, spoke in support of the DWSP and in support of continued youth involvement in the City.
Yesenia, District 7, spoke in support of the DWSP and stated the community was given many opportunities to provide input. She stated the potential benefits of lane reduction on Main Street, mixed use developments, and higher density housing developments.
She spoke about possibly utilizing grant funding to plant trees downtown. 4) MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Montesino, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore QuirozCarter to approve Items 11.a.6 through 11.a.10. listed below. 5) City Council Deliberation on Motion
Member Dutra expressed concerns with traffic congestion due to lane reduction on Main Street.
Assistant Community Development Director Meek, in answering Member Dutra and Member Clark, spoke about the potential relocation of the truck route on Main Street by utilizing grant funding and through collaboration with Caltrans.
In answering Member Dutra, Assistant Community Development Director spoke about Morgan Hill’s lane reduction process and about Caltrans’ role in exploring reduction of lanes on Main Street.
City Manager Mendez, in answering Member Dutra, stated the DWSP could provide greater potential for business development and making Watsonville a destination. He spoke about the shifting focus from traditional downtown shops to seeing the whole location as an experience, including retail, music, and art.
Member Parker expressed concerns with traffic issues due to lane reductions along Main Street and spoke about potential impact on Fire being able to maneuver their trucks in reduced lanes.
In answering Member Parker, Assistant Community Development Director Meek spoke about timelines for moving forward with certain aspects of the DWSP, potential benefits of lane reductions, Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District’s improvements to the transit service, and possible ways to alleviate traffic on streets adjacent to Main Street to aid in reducing impacts for surrounding neighborhoods and businesses.
Member Salcido spoke in support of the DWSP, the importance of creating favorable conditions for property development, and exploring alternative solutions for transportation issues.
MOTION: The above motion was carried by the following vote.
AYES: MEMBERS: Clark, Dutra, Orozco, Quiroz-Carter, Parker, Salcido, Montesino NOES: MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: MEMBERS: None
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6) RESOLUTION NO. 198-23 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE,
ADOPTING AND CERTIFYING A FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE DOWNTOWN WATSONVILLE SPECIFIC PLAN; AND ADOPTING
CONCURRENTLY ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF
OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE PROJECT, AND A MITIGATION
MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
7) RESOLUTION NO. 199-23 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE APPROVING THE TWENTY-NINTH (29TH) AMENDMENT TO THE WATSONVILLE 2005 GENERAL PLAN TO (1) ADD TWO NEW MIXED USE LAND USE DESIGNATIONS TO CHAPTER 4 (LAND USE), (2) AMEND THE LAND USE DIAGRAM TO INCLUDE THESE TWO NEW LAND USE DESIGNATIONS, (3) AMEND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES 4.A.3, 4.C.6, AND 10.C.2, AND (4) ADD A NEW IMPLEMENTATION MEASURE 4.A.7
8) By Motion, Introduce for First Reading, by Title Only, Waiving the Full Reading of the Text, an Ordinance an Uncodified Ordinance adopting the Downtown Watsonville Specific Plan, a Specific Plan Pursuant to Government Code Section 65460 Et Seq.
9) By Motion, Introduce for First Reading, by Title Only, Waiving the Full Reading of the Text, an Ordinance an Uncodified Ordinance Amending the Zoning Map to Reflect the Boundaries of the Downtown Watsonville Specific Plan Area 10) By Motion, Introduce for First Reading, by Title Only, Waiving the Full Reading of the Text, an Ordinance an Ordinance Amending Section 14-16.100 (Districts) and Adding Part 26 (Downtown Watsonville Specific Plan District) to Chapter 14-16 (District Regulations) of Title 14 (Zoning) of the Watsonville Municipal Code in Order to Refer to the Permitted Uses and Development Standards in Chapter 6 of the Downtown Watsonville Specific Plan
12. EMERGENCY ITEMS ADDED TO AGENDA – None
13. REQUESTS & SCHEDULING FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Member Parker requested an item to explore potential solutions for enforcement of speeding through an ordinance.
14. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:04 p.m.
______________________________ __
Eduardo Montesino, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________ _________
Irwin I. Ortiz, City Clerk
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