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MINUTES
REGULAR JOINT CITY COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR HOUSING AGENCY, &
SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING
August 27, 2024
City of Watsonville
Council Chambers
275 Main Street, Top Floor
5:00 p.m.
1. ROLL CALL
Mayor Quiroz-Carter, Mayor Pro Tempore Orozco, and Council Members Dutra (arrived at 5:04 p.m.), Montesino, Parker, and Salcido (arrived at 5:29 p.m.) were present. Member Clark was absent.
Staff members present were City Manager Vides, City Attorney Zutler, City Clerk Ortiz, Public Works & Utilities Director Lindberg, Police Chief Zamora, Administrative Services Director Duran, Community Development Director Merriam, I.T. Director Gill, Parks & Community Services Director Calubaquib, Airport Director Williams, Deputy City Manager Manning, Assistant Public Works & Utilities Director Green, Assistant Police Chief Rodriguez, Fire Division Chief Avila, Police Captain Radich, Construction Manager Berry, Senior Administrative Analyst Flores, Senior Administrative Analyst Zavala, Police Officer Pisturino, Deputy City Clerk Pacheco, and Interpreter Jauregui.
1.a. MOTION TO EXCUSE ABSENT COUNCIL MEMBER(S) (If Any) MOTION: It was moved by Member Parker, seconded by Member Montesino and carried by the following vote to excuse Member Clark’s absence.
AYES: MEMBERS: Montesino, Orozco, Parker, Quiroz-Carter NOES: MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: MEMBERS: Dutra, Clark, Salcido
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. INFORMATION ITEMS
3.a. REPORT OF DISBURSEMENTS
3.b. MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS REPORT
4. CONSENT AGENDA
PUBLIC INPUT
Paul Bruno spoke in support of awarding the bid listed under Item 4.c. without the City’s Project Labor Agreement (PLA) requirements. He expressed concerns over budget implications and potential negative impact of the PLA. He spoke in support of exempting City projects from PLA requirements.
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Mayor Quiroz-Carter read the following statement regarding Item 4.l.:
California Government Code Section 54953(c)(3) requires the City to report an oral summary prior to taking action on executive compensation.
This is that summary. Item 4.l. is approval of an employment contract appointing Tamara Vides as City Manager and setting her compensation. The compensation includes an annual salary, contribution to a deferred compensation plan, vacation accrual and a limited cash out, and the same economic benefits as other employees covered by the City’s Compensation and Benefits Plan for Executive team, all as indicated in the staff report and contract included with Item 4.l.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tempore Orozco, seconded by Member Parker to approve the Consent Agenda.
Member Montesino stated his support for Interim City Manager Vides’ appointment as City Manager.
Member Parker congratulated Interim City Manager Vides and spoke in support of her appointment to the City Manager position.
Member Dutra spoke in support of Interim City Manager Vides’ permanent appointment to the position.
MOTION: The above motion carried by the following vote.
AYES: MEMBERS: Dutra, Montesino, Orozco, Parker, Quiroz-Carter NOES: MEMBERS: Quiroz-Carter (Item 4.l. only)
ABSENT: MEMBERS: Clark, Salcido
4.a. MOTION APPROVING MINUTES OF JULY 9 & 20, 2024 & AUGUST 8 & 20, 2024
4.b. RESOLUTION NO. 164-24 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE APPROVING
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND CALLING FOR BIDS FOR THE BRIDGE STREET
PAVEMENT RESTORATION PROJECT, BLACKBURN STREET TO BECK STREET, NO. ST-24-14816 (ESTIMATED COST OF $1,141,233.00 WILL BE FUNDED FROM
MEASURE D AND MEASURE R FUNDS)
4.c. RESOLUTION NO. 165-24 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE AWARDING
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO ANDERSON PACIFIC ENGINEERING
CONSTRUCTION, INC., A CORPORATION, FOR THE WWTF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAZARD MITIGATION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, NO. WW-22-14797, IN THE AMOUNT OF $19,974,600, WHICH WILL BE FUNDED FROM THE SEWER ENTERPRISE FUND
4.d. RESOLUTION NO. 166-24 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE APPROVING
FIRST AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE AND BEECHER ENGINEERING INC., A CORPORATION, FOR DESIGN SERVICES Docusign Envelope ID: 420EA43C-F923-4CB6-B680-6C13D662D529 Vol 66 Min-CC082724
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THROUGH CONSTRUCTION FOR THE WWTF ELECTRICAL HAZARD MITIGATION PROJECT, NO WW-22-14797, AMENDING THE SCOPE OF WORK, ADDING TO THE COMPENSATION AMOUNT BY $507,780 AND EXTENDING THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT FROM JUNE 30, 2025 TO DECEMBER 31, 2027; AND DIRECTING THE
INTERIM CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAME
4.e. RESOLUTION NO. 167-24 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE APPROVING FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH VERDE DESIGN, INC., A CORPORATION,
FOR LANDSCAPE ARTCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES AND CONSULTANT
SERVICES FOR RAMSAY PARK IMPROVEMENTS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,016,786; AND AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAME
4.f. RESOLUTION NO. 168-24 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE APPROVING
FIRST AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT FOR CONSULTANT SERVICES BETWEEN THE
CITY OF WATSONVILLE AND STERNS, CONRAD AND SCHMIDT CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC., DBA SCS FIELD SERVICES, A CORPORATION, FOR LANDFILL GAS
SUPPORT SERVICES AT THE CITY LANDFILL, EXTENDING THE CONTRACT TERM TO JUNE 30, 2025, INCREASING THE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY $100,000 AND UPDATING THE ENGINEERING HOURLY RATES FOR 2024, AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING
THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAME
4.g. RESOLUTION NO. 169-24 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE AWARDING PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES CONTRACT CARLSON CM, INC., A
CORPORATION, FOR ENGINEERING STAFF AUGMENTATION SERVICES FOR THE WWTF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAZARD MITIGATION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, NO.
WW-22-14797, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $756,907, AND AUTHORIZING AND
DIRECTING THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAME
4.h. RESOLUTION NO. 170-24 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE AWARDING A
CONTRACT TO WATSONVILLE WETLANDS WATCH FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE SANTA CRUZ INTEGRATED REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT GRANT PROPOSITION 1, ROUND 2, FOR THE ATKINSON LANE INTEGRATED FLOOD
MANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION PROJECT, IN AN AMOUNT OF $341,920.00; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAME, AND APPROPRIATE SUCH FUNDS FROM THE 0260 SPECIAL
GRANTS ACCOUNT
4.i. RESOLUTION NO. 171-24 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE (1)
APPROVING THE FINANCING LOAN DOCUMENTS FOR THE PERMANENT LOCAL
HOUSING ALLOCATION PROGRAM (PLHA) FINANCING FOR TABASA GARDENS AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT LOCATED AT 1482 FREEDOM BOULEVARD (APN: 019-226-41) WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA; (2) APPROPRIATING $1,000,000 IN GRANT MONEY AWARDED FOR THE PROJECT; (3) AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING
THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE THE LOAN DOCUMENTS AND
SUBORDINATION AGREEMENTS WHICH WILL CONTAIN TERMS OF THE USE OF THE LOAN FOR THE PROJECT; AND (4) AUTHORIZING A BUDGET APPROPRIATION OF Docusign Envelope ID: 420EA43C-F923-4CB6-B680-6C13D662D529 Vol 66 Min-CC082724
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$1,000,000 FROM THE CITY’S PLHA SPECIAL REVENUE FUND
4.j. RESOLUTION NO. 172-24 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANGER ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF
WATSONVILLE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION AS CO-APPLICANT TO THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION’S CHARGING & FUELING INFRASTRUCTURE DISCRETIONARY GRANT COMMUNITY PROGRAM, IN AN AMOUNT OF $10,000,000 FOR THE MONTEREY BAY REGION EQUITABLE EV CHARGING PROJECT; AND IF
AWARDED, TO EXECUTE ALL AGREEMENTS AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO AND
ANY NECESSARY DOCUMENTS WHICH MAY BE NECESSARY FOR THE COMPLETION
OF THE PROJECT AND ACCEPTING SUCH FUNDS PERTAINING TO WATSONVILLE OF THE $10 MILLION GRANTTO THE SPECIAL GRANTS FUND [0260]
4.k. APPROVE & AUTHORIZE NEW & REVISED PUBLIC WORKS & UTILITIES JOB
CLASSIFICATIONS
1) RESOLUTION NO. 173-24 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE
APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE NEW JOB CLASSIFICATION AND JOB
DESCRIPTION FOR INTEGRATED WASTE SUPERINTENDENT (MANAGEMENT UNIT) AT THE ESTABLISHED SALARY RANGE OF $41.85-$56.08 PER HOUR OR $7,253.47-$9,720.33 PER MONTH
2) RESOLUTION NO. 174-24 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE
APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE NEW JOB CLASSIFICATION AND JOB DESCRIPTION FOR LANDFILL EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I (OE3 UNIT) AT THE ESTABLISHED SALARY RANGE OF $23.41- $31.38 PER HOUR OR $4,058.54- $5,438.83 PER MONTH
3) RESOLUTION NO. 175-24 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE
APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE NEW JOBCLASSIFICATION AND JOB DESCRIPTION FOR LANDFILL EQUIPMENT OPERATOR II (OE3 UNIT) AT THE ESTABLISHED SALARY RANGE OF $26.45-$35.45 PER HOUR OR $4,584.84- $6,144.15 PER MONTH
4) RESOLUTION NO. 176-24 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE
APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE NEW JOB CLASSIFICATION AND JOB DESCRIPTION FOR LANDFILL EQUIPMENT OPERATOR III (OE3 UNIT) AT THE ESTABLISHED SALARY RANGE OF $30.67- $41.10 PER HOUR OR $5,315.81- $7,123.70 PER MONTH
5) RESOLUTION NO. 177-24 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE
APPROVING THE REVISED JOB DESCRIPTION OF WASTEWATER DIVISION
MANAGER (MANAGEMENT UNIT) AND REAFFIRMING THE ESTABLISHED SALARY RANGE OF $61.12-$81.90 PER HOUR OR $10,593.59-$14,196.43 PER MONTH
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4.l. RESOLUTION NO. 178-24 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE APPOINTING
TAMARA VIDES AS CITY MANAGER AND APPROVING CONTRACT FOR EMPLOYMENT AS CITY MANAGER; AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
5. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA – None
6. PRESENTATIONS & ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
6.a. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Steve Trujillo, Cabrillo Community College Governing Board Area VII Trustee, stated he had been re-elected to the position. He stated four bids had been received for construction of student dormitories at the Aptos campus. He spoke about continuing efforts to rename Cabrillo College. He suggested a plaque with history on Judge Watson be displayed in the Civic Plaza.
Isaac Rodriguez, El Pajaro CDC, invited the community to their Women in Business and Leadership Conference on September 28th.
David Toriumi expressed concerns with waste and litter on the street where his business is located. He spoke about his family’s history and ties to the community. He suggested finding an alternate location for the tiny homes project.
Michael Kaselica spoke about several topics including homelessness, traffic lights and streets needing maintenance, management of the local indoor sports field, the need for additional space for pickleball players during winter months, and the need for more local entertainment options.
6.b. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COUNCIL
Member Montesino spoke about the success of the Strawberry Festival and thanked staff involved in organizing it.
Mayor Pro Tempore Orozco spoke about events she attended, including a presentation by Ballet Folklorico del Puerto de Veracruz, the Assumption Church Festival, a fundraiser with Member Salcido for Speaker of the Assembly Rivas, and National Night Out.
Member Parker thanked everyone who attended the meeting. She spoke about her recent out-of-state vacation. She stated she would be holding a District 7 meeting on September 5th at McQuiddy Elementary School and invited the public to attend.
Member Dutra spoke about events he attended over the summer, including National Night Out, the Strawberry Festival, a tour of the City landfill, and Second Harvest Food Bank’s Party in the Parking Lot. He expressed concerns with a social media post from the City regarding spacing between garbage bins. He spoke about the need for continued street maintenance and garbage removal.
Mayor Quiroz-Carter spoke about recent activities and events she attended including a drive around the City with Public Works & Utilities Director Lindberg to highlight areas needing maintenance, a Xilonen Ceremony, a guest spot on a podcast, Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Awards Dinner, the Strawberry Festival, National Night Out, Pajaro Docusign Envelope ID: 420EA43C-F923-4CB6-B680-6C13D662D529 Vol 66 Min-CC082724
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Valley Pride, and a community bicycle ride. She invited the public to attend a District 2 meeting on Thursday and Fire in the Sky. She spoke about the upcoming 20-year high school reunions for Watsonville and Aptos High Schools.
7. REPORTS TO COUNCIL – No Action Required
7.a. CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE REPORT
In answering Member Montesino, City Manager Vides spoke about continuing to work towards development of an action plan to address homelessness.
Member Parker requested exploring funding sources and identifying agencies responsible for implementing strategies be part of the next homelessness workshop.
Member Dutra requested exploring long term strategies to address homelessness.
Mayor Pro Tempore Orozco spoke about developing a master plan to facilitate pursuing funding, establishing metrics to measure progress, and exploring solutions that have been successfully implemented in other cities. She spoke about the possibility of hiring a grant writer.
Mayor Quiroz-Carter spoke about the importance of collaborating with partner agencies and exploring available funding and programs to create solutions and make services available to those in need.
7.b. CITY PLAZA REVITALIZATION PROJECT UPDATE BY PARKS & COMMUNITY
SERVICES DIRECTOR CALUBAQUIB & CONSTRUCTION MANAGER BERRY In answering Mayor Quiroz-Carter, Parks & Community Services Director Calubaquib spoke about the value of the Plaza’s historical designation, including potential grant funding opportunities.
Construction Manager Berry, in answering Mayor Quiroz-Carter, spoke about the gazebo’s earthquake resistance with the repair and restoration options presented. He spoke about the timeline for completion of the project based on the various options.
In answering Member Parker, Parks & Community Services Director Calubaquib stated the reasons an option for removing the gazebo and adding a stage was included in the presentation.
Construction Manager Berry, in answering Member Parker, spoke about the cost and lifespan of each repair and restoration option for the gazebo.
In answering Member Dutra, Construction Manager Berry and Parks & Community Services Director Calubaquib spoke about the light fixtures in the gazebo, what a full restoration would entail, and funding sources for the project.
Construction Manager Berry, in answering Member Dutra, stated the reasons the project needed to be put out for bids according to the State Code.
City Manager Vides added that a capital campaign or alternative community contribution methods could be explored.
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Construction Manager Berry further spoke about other options for the community to contribute to the project.
In answering Member Dutra, Construction Manager Berry stated performing cosmetic and structural repairs to the gazebo at the same time would be more cost effective. He spoke about potential impacts on public use of renovating the Plaza.
Parks & Community Services Director Calubaquib, in answering Mayor Pro Tempore Orozco, spoke about possible funding sources for the project.
In answering Mayor Pro Tempore Orozco, City Manager Vides spoke about bonding opportunities and potential impacts on the City’s ability to move forward with other projects in the future due to the cost of restoring the gazebo.
Parks & Community Services Director Calubaquib, in answering Mayor Pro Tempore Orozco, spoke about exploring other funding opportunities and requirements of grant funding that was being utilized for the project.
In answering Member Parker, Parks & Community Services Director Calubaquib stated the City had received an extension on the deadline for using grant funding awarded for the project.
City Manager Vides, in answering Member Salcido, spoke about the City’s bonding capacity and the timeline for paying back that funding.
Administrative Services Director Duran provided additional details on funding options and bonding implications.
In answering Mayor Quiroz-Carter, Parks & Community Services Director Calubaquib spoke about prioritizing parks requiring renovations according to the City’s Parks Assessment. He stated there was some funding set aside for that purpose.
Public Input – None
Council Members expressed their support for the options presented by staff as follows:
Restoration Options for Gazebo
Option 1- Cosmetic upgrades
Option 2- Cosmetic and minor structural retrofitting
Option 3- Complete Renovation
Option 4- Remove gazebo to expand stage
Cannon Relocation or Removal
Relocate in Plaza
Remove from Plaza
Member Dutra – Option 3 and relocating cannons
Member Montesino – Option 3
Member Parker – Option 3 and relocating cannons
Member Salcido – Option 3 and relocating cannons
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Member Salcido requested creating a comprehensive plan for spending Measure R funds.
Mayor Pro Tempore Orozco- Option 3 and relocating cannons Mayor Quiroz-Carter – Option 3, keeping Old Betsy, one of the cannons, and removing the other cannon if possible and if not, relocating both cannons Mayor Quiroz-Carter requested exploring installation of a stage at Callaghan Park.
In answering Member Parker, Construction Manager Berry spoke about the art pieces that would be installed in the Plaza.
7.c. REPORT ON 2024 FIREWORKS ENFORCEMENT BY POLICE CAPTAIN RADICH Fire Division Chief Avila was also present.
In answering Member Salcido, Police Captain Radich stated Police had not explored potential arson charges for individuals causing fires when setting off illegal fireworks. He spoke about the possibility of a fireworks buy-back program.
Fire Division Chief Avila added that Fire did not currently have a designated fire investigator.
In answering Member Parker, Fire Division Chief Avila spoke about the use of safe and sane fireworks and stated there was no known connection to the use of illegal fireworks.
Police Captain Radich, in answering Member Parker, spoke about the cost of fines that could be imposed for use of illegal fireworks and spoke about the cost of both safe and sane and illegal fireworks. He provided additional details on Police’s seizure of a large number of illegal fireworks prior to the Fourth of July.
Member Parker stated she was in support of increasing fines and exploring additional avenues for collecting them.
Member Dutra stated he would support increasing fines for the use of illegal fireworks.
In answering Member Dutra, Police Captain Radich spoke about how many of the citations issued for illegal fireworks had already been paid.
City Manager Vides, in answering Member Dutra, stated staff could explore fine increases and adding unpaid fines for the use of illegal fireworks to the responsible party’s utility bill.
In answering Member Dutra, Police Captain Radich spoke about Police’s illegal fireworks disposal process.
Mayor Pro Tempore Orozco expressed support for staff suggestions to decrease use of illegal fireworks. She stated many local non-profit organizations relied on the sale of safe and sane fireworks to raise funds.
In answering Mayor Pro Tempore Orozco, Fire Division Chief Avila spoke about available data regarding Fire response to use of fireworks.
Mayor Pro Tempore Orozco provided a suggestion from the community to implement safe zones for the use of safe and sane fireworks.
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In answering Mayor Quiroz-Carter, City Manager Vides stated that money collected from citations went into the General Fund.
Mayor Quiroz-Carter spoke about the negative effects of fireworks and in support of creating safe zones. She suggested allowing community members to participate in an illegal fireworks taskforce in the future.
In answering Member Parker, Police Captain Radich spoke about how the proposed illegal fireworks taskforce would function and which agencies could participate in it.
Mayor Quiroz-Carter suggested an advisory group composed of City residents to provide input on the impacts of the use of fireworks in their neighborhoods.
Public Input
Dominic, District 2, expressed privacy concerns due to drone usage and the number of fireworks related calls made to Police dispatch. He spoke about residents enjoying fireworks and disagreed with increasing fines for the use of illegal fireworks.
Ilia Bulaich, District 1, spoke about predictive policing and its negative impacts. He expressed concerns that some suggestions for enforcement of illegal fireworks use could disproportionately affect some residents.
8. EMERGENCY ITEMS ADDED TO AGENDA – None
9. REQUESTS & SCHEDULING FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Member Montesino requested an item regarding cleaning of City streets.
Member Salcido expressed support for City Manager Vides’ appointment to the position.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
______________________________ __
Vanessa Quiroz-Carter, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________ _______
Irwin I. Ortiz, City Clerk
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