CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA

Tuesday, February 06, 2024 at 5:30 P.m. - 7:30 P.m.

City Hall Council Chambers

110 East Cook Street

Santa Maria

Roll Call:

• Mayor Alice Patino, 
• Councilmember Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez, 
• Councilmember Mike Cordero, 
• Councilmember Carlos Escobedo, 
• and Councilmember Gloria Soto (remotely) 

Staff Present:

• Interim City Manager Alex Posada, 
• City Attorney Thomas Watson, 
• Fire Chief Bradley Dandridge, 
• Director of Public Works Brett Fulgoni, 
• Interim Chief Human Resources Officer Dawn Jackson, 
• Chief Information Officer Jeffrey Marecic, 
• Interim Director of Recreation and Parks Angela Oslund, 
• Chief of Police Marc Schneider, 
• Director of Utilities Shad Springer, 
• Interim Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu, 
• Chief Deputy City Clerk Sarah Lansburgh, 
• and Assistant City Clerk Alexandra Valadez 

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CLOSED SESSION

1.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Patino called the meeting to order at 4:33 p.m.

ROLL CALL:

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Councilmembers Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez, Mike Cordero, Carlos Escobedo, Gloria Soto, and Mayor Alice Patino

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

Interim City Manager Posada, City Attorney Watson, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Lansburgh (for roll call only).

• Moved by: Mayor Patino
  Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez

  Mayor Pro Tem Soto requested remote participation via "emergency circumstances" per AB-2449 due to a physical or family emergency that prevents her from attending in-person.

  For (4)	Mayor Patino, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
  Conflict (1)	Councilmember Soto

  Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)

2.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Mayor invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Jeremy Goldberg, Leo Decasaus, Nicole Bryant, Matt Chircop, Stephen Gilman, Jeremy Mace, and Shea Weidler.

3.

RECESS-CLOSED SESSION

3.a

Conference with Labor Negotiators, Pursuant to California Government Code §54957.6

Mayor Patino recessed to a Closed Session at 4:54 p.m.

4.

RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION

OPEN SESSION - 5:30 P.M.

5.

INVOCATION

Pastor Tim Mossholder of Santa Maria Foursquare Church gave the Invocation.

6.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Councilmember Cordero led the Pledge of Allegiance.

7.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Patino convened the meeting and called the meeting to order at 5:42 p.m.

8.

REPORT BY THE CITY ATTORNEY FROM CLOSED SESSION

City Attorney Watson reported that instructions were provided to the City's Labor Negotiators.

9.

PROCLAMATIONS

9.a

Proclamation – “2-1-1 Day” February 10, 2024

The City Council presented a Proclamation recognizing February 10, 2024, as “2-1-1 Day” in the City of Santa Maria.

9.b

Proclamation – “National Black History Month” February 2024

The City Council present a Proclamation recognizing February 2024 as “National Black History Month”.

10.

PRESENTATIONS

10.a

Winter 2024 Santa Maria Hometown Heroes

The City Council received a presentation of the Winter 2024 Class of Honorees for the Hometown Heroes program recognizing Santa Maria residents who are actively serving in the military, veterans of the United States military, first responders, or essential workers by displaying a celebratory banner with the honoree’s photograph and branch of service. The honorees were Richard "Rocky" Arnold Amundson (Navy); Hank Antolini (Army); Jay A. Connor (Army); Captain David P. Cook (Army); Leonard A. Gonzales (Air Force); Jack Lara (Army); Nickolas Lara (Navy); Tony Lara (Navy); Dr. Robert Okerblom (Essential Worker - Healthcare); Michael Pagaling (Marine Corps); Santos Rosas (Army); Blas Torres (Army); Robert Villa (Essential Worker - Education).

10.b

Code Enforcement Annual Report

The City Council received a presentation regarding outreach efforts and accomplishments for the 2023 calendar year, and goals for the upcoming 2024 calendar year for the Code Enforcement Division. Presentation was given by Code Enforcement Manager Dawn Palacios and Code Enforcement Supervisor Yvette Fuentes.

11.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Not to exceed 15 Minutes)

Mayor Patino invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Yolanda Rodrigues, Gary Hall, Esther Jensen, Steve Baird, Rex Pritchard, Charlie Martinez, Jerry May, Nicole Bryant, Gavin Harrington, Trinidad Ramos (by proxy), Kristine Jacobs, Darryl Scheck, and Don Def (via zoom). 

Interim City Manager Posada added that the City Council and the City appreciates City employees participating in the Council meeting and staff is listening to comments and will continue to do its best to continue negotiations.

12.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Consent Calendar Items 12.a.1 through 12.e.1 (except 12.a.2 and 12.b.1) were approved as presented, including the adoption of Resolution Nos. 2024-12 and 2024-13.  The recorded vote appears with each item below.

Councilmember Cordero commented on item 12.d.1 to recognize all of the contributions made to the Santa Maria Police Department by the Santa Maria Police Council. He thanked the organization for all of their work.

Mayor Patino asked about if the length of lease of item 12.e.1 was able to be longer. Mayor Pro Tem Soto commented that five years was the agreed upon term and she felt that was the best amount of time they would be able to agree to. 

• Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto

  Adopt the Consent Calendar as submitted.

  For (5)

  Mayor Patino, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, Councilmember Soto, and Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez

  Motion carried by a recorded vote (5 to 0)

12.a

CITY MANAGER/CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

12.a.1

Ordinances and Resolutions

• Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto

  Waive the reading in full of all Ordinances and Resolutions. Ordinances on the Consent Agenda will be adopted by the same vote cast at the first meeting, unless City Council indicates otherwise.

  Motion carried by a recorded vote

12.a.2

Approval of Minutes

• Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
  Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo

  Approve the Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of January 16, 2024.

  For (4)	Mayor Patino, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
  Abstain (1)	Councilmember Soto

  Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)

12.b

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

12.b.1

Conduct the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2024-01 to Amend the Santa Maria Airport Business Park Specific Plan

• Action: Adopted as Ordinance No. 2024-01
  Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
  Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo

  Conduct the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 2024-01 to 1) Amend the text of the Santa Maria Business Park Specific Plan’s PD/LI/PF-A zone by the addition of a definition of “Heavy Retail Business”, and the addition of the “Heavy Retail Business” use to the zone’s list of permitted uses, as depicted on Attachment B of the Council Agenda Report dated January 16, 2024, incorporated herein by reference; and 2) Amend the Specific Plan’s Foxenwood Lane street section design (Specific Plan Exhibit 39a) as depicted on Attachment C of the Council Agenda Report dated January 16, 2024, incorporated herein by reference.

  For (4)	Mayor Patino, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
  Abstain (1)	Councilmember Soto

  Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)

12.c

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

12.c.1

Payment of Warrants

• Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto

  Order ratified subject to having been certified as being in conformity with the budget and having been approved for payment by the Director of Finance.

  Motion carried by a recorded vote

12.c.2

Payment of Payroll

• Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto

  Order ratified subject to having been certified by the proper Department Directors, as shown on records on file in the Department of Finance, and having been approved for payment by the Director of Finance.

  Motion carried by a recorded vote

12.d

POLICE DEPARTMENT

12.d.1

Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Donation of Gas Mask Equipment to the Santa Maria Police Department from the Santa Maria Police Council

• Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-12
  Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto

  Adopt a Resolution approving the donation of gas mask equipment to the Santa Maria Police Department from the Santa Maria Police Council.

  Motion carried by a recorded vote

12.e

RECREATION & PARKS DEPARTMENT

12.e.1

Adoption of a Resolution Approving a Five-Year Lease Extension Ammendment to the Land Lease between the Santa Maria Public Airport District and the City of Santa Maria

• Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-13
  Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto

  Adopt a Resolution approving the Five-Year Lease Extension of the existing land lease, effective February 1, 2024, and expiring on January 31, 2029, unless sooner terminated. No options to extend beyond the specified term are granted, and any additional extension of this Lease shall be by mutual agreement of the parties only.

  Motion carried by a recorded vote

13.

REPORT BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER

Interim City Manager Posada reported that the next City Council Meeting would be February 20th. Items on the agenda would include a Closed Session for Labor, an Economic Development Manager item, Awards of Contracts for Veterans Memorial Project, Phase II and Citywide Pedestrian Safety Project, an Annual Fire Department Report, and a Fire Master Plan Update, a 2nd Quarter Financial Report, and an Update to ADU Ordinance, Time Extensions, and Permit Revocations.

Interim City Manager Posada also commented on the storm and staff's ability to keep the damage to a minimum. He recognized the numerous amounts of calls Santa Maria Police Dispatchers have taken as a result of the storm.

14.

ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB1234 REPORTS)

Councilmember Cordero reported that he attended the Ben Heighes Show (twice), the Elks Fire Appreciation Dinner, the United Way Board Meeting, the Cottonwood Winery Ribbon Cutting, Central Coast Water Authority Board Meeting, Acorn Paper Company event, and Chamber of Commerce State of Education event.

Councilmember Escobedo reported that he attended the Elks Fire Appreciation Dinner, the Chamber of Commerce State of Education event, and was a Guest Speaker for the Leadership Academy.

Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez reported that she attended the Elks Fire Appreciation Dinner and the Chamber of Commerce State of Education event.

Councilmember Soto reported that she gave birth to her daughter on January 18th.

Mayor Patino reported that she attended the Elks Fire Appreciation Dinner, Project Opioid Meeting, SBCAG Meeting, APCD Meeting, Rick Blaemire Show, Rotary Human Trafficking Awareness Forum, Sisters Residence Groundbreaking, Larry Lavagnino Post Office Renaming Press Conference, Encampment Response Efforts Meeting, Mayors and Councilmembers Academy, Space Activation and Assumption of Command Ceremony at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Guest Speaker at the inaugural meeting of Blue Campaign, LAFCO Meeting, and a Celebration of Life for Russ Weed. 

15.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.