SALINAS CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MARCH 6, 2007 MEETING MINUTES
Mayor Donohue convened the City Council and Redevelopment
Agency meeting at 5 p.m.
Present:
Mayor/Chairperson Dennis Donohue
Council/Agency member Janet Barnes
Council/Agency member Tony
Barrera
Council/Agency member
Gloria De La Rosa
Council/Agency member Jyl Lutes
Council/Agency member Sergio Sanchez
Council/Agency member Steve Villegas
Also Present:
City Attorney/Agency Counsel Vanessa Vallarta
City Clerk/Secretary Ann Camel
CITY OF CHAMPIONS
Councilmember Barrera commended Jose and Marina Martinez for
their outstanding community service, particularly at the Firehouse Recreation
building.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Al Espindola stated that parents should also be trained to
assist in reducing gang activity.
Jose Castaneda, Alisal Union School District, stated that
residents do report crime, but the Police response is lacking. The Police Chief has not responded to their
invitation to attend the Board meetings, and his inability to speak Spanish
hampers his ability to communicate with monolingual Spanish speakers. Mr. Castaneda stated that the Police Chief
should reach out and establish relationships within the East Salinas community.
JOINT CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CONSENT
RESOLUTION
SALINAS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY/COUNCIL ACTION
Agency/Council member Sanchez abstained on the Consent Items
regarding
Lacey Lane because his wife manages a business in Oldtown Salinas.
Upon motion by Agency member Barnes and second by Agency member De La
Rosa, the Agency unanimously adopted the Consent Resolution, with Agency member
Sanchez abstaining on Consent Item No. 3.
Upon
motion by Councilmember Barnes and second by Councilmember De La Rosa, the
Council voted unanimously to adopt the Consent Resolution, with Councilmember
Sanchez abstaining on Consent Item No. 9.
SALINAS REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY
1.
Approved minutes of
meetings of February 20, 2007.
2. Accepted financial claims report.
3.
Adopted RESOLUTION 848 rescinding SRA Resolution No.
846 and authorizing conveyance of 121 square feet of land on Lacey Lane to
Maya Cinemas and 2,270 square feet to the City of Salinas for public access and
public utilities. Councilmember
Sanchez abstained.
CITY
COUNCIL CONSENT RESOLUTION
1.
Approved minutes of
meeting of February 20, 2007.
2.
Accepted financial claims report.
3. Accepted monthly financial report for January
2007.
4. Adopted
ORDINANCE 2465 adding Section 1-12 to the City Code toestablish
a one-year statute of limitations for filing tax refund claim, introduced on
February 20, 2007.
5.
Adopted RESOLUTION 19156 authorizing the direct
purchase of a Pierce Contender Type III Wildland Fire Engine from Golden State
Fire Apparatus, Inc.
6.
Accepted public improvements for the Boronda Crossing
Development for maintenance and responsibility and admit North Davis Road into
the City street system.
7. Authorized
the Mayor to sign letter in response to Grand Jury findings relating to
residency of elected office holders.
8. Adopted
RESOLUTION 19157 approving Contract Change Order No. 7 in the amount of
$122,281 for the North Main Street Improvements (from Alvin Drive to Lamar
Street), Project 9282 and 9307.
9. Adopted RESOLUTION 19159 rescinding
Resolution No. 19125 and accepting the dedication of property commonly
known as Lacey Lane from the Salinas Redevelopment Agency for public access and
public utilities. Councilmember
Sanchez abstained.
The Redevelopment
Agency adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. First Amendment to Fiscal Year 2006-07 Action Plan: 1) Provide
additional $120,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
funding for City project to provide handicap-accessible restrooms at Closter
and Central Parks; and 2) Provide $350,000 (CDBG) for City project to improve Breadbox
Recreation Center.
David Swanson, Planning Manager,
presented his report.
Mayor Donohue opened the public hearing.
In response to Al Espindola, Deputy City Manager Rob Russell stated that
the existing Closter Park facility would be used for maintenance services, and
he will provide additional information.
COUNCIL ACTION
Upon motion by Councilmember Lutes and second by Councilmember De La
Rosa, the Council approved the First Amendment to the Fiscal Year
2006-07 Action plan, and adopted RESOLUTION 19158 effecting the
Amendment and directing staff to notify HUD.
2. Urgency interim ordinance (moratorium) on medical marijuana
dispensaries pursuant to Government Code §65858.
Trevor Iida, Police Commander, stated that dispensaries have been opened
throughout the State with positive and negative effects. The City must consider safety, quality of
life, and conflict with federal laws prior to adopting an ordinance that would
either allow or disallow dispensaries.
City staff is unable to identify impacts without specified information
being provided by applicant. The
urgency ordinance would allow study of the situation. If the urgency interim moratorium is approved, it would remain in
effect for forty-five days to allow study of the matter. There are not currently any pending
applications.
Councilmember De La Rosa requested
statistics on residents using medically dispensed marijuana.
In response
to Councilmember Sanchez, Commander Iida stated that Santa Cruz is the nearest
dispensary.
Jose Ibarra stated that an elected official has spoken against allowing
such a dispensary before listening to the community. The federal law was based on inaccurate information from the Food
and Drug Administration. The Supreme
Court is considering a case that considers new medical information. Crime would not increase as the result of
marijuana dispensaries. The City should
remain unbiased during the forty-five day period.
Al Espindola stated that the marijuana dispensaries serve a medical
purpose, and the pros and cons should be considered.
Theresa Barajas, Sun Street Centers, stated that approving dispensaries
sends a message to youth that marijuana is acceptable, and they support an
indefinite ban.
Able Villalobos, Sun Street Centers, opposes marijuana dispensaries.
Christina Diaz, Sun Street Centers,
opposes marijuana dispensaries.
Ms. Vallarta noted that the City received an e-mail from Michael Corlett
opposing medicinal marijuana clinics in the City.
Councilmember Lutes stated that she does not believe opening dispensaries
encourages the use of marijuana among children any more than dispensing
prescription drugs would. She stated
that her first husband was part of a trial before he died of cancer in 1984,
and no one questioned the use any more than that for any narcotic that he was
prescribed. It is compassionate and
humane, and the people of California have spoke. However, she agrees that the City should study the issue.
Councilmember
De La Rosa stated that her brother died of AIDS in 1994, and he was given
marijuana in tablet form. As a nurse,
she understands the use of medical marijuana, and the community needs to be
educated on how the highly regulated clinics work. She would like information on how many community members require
medical marijuana, because it is a compassion issue.
Councilmember Barnes stated that she would not like an experience similar
to Santa Cruz’s, because she believes there is potential for abuse. She would like information. She believes it would be different if the
marijuana were being dispensed by a pharmacy.
Councilmember Sanchez stated that he spent fifteen years working for
medical centers, including three years in a cancer unit. He would like Sun Street to educate young
people on the difference between legal and illegal use, and to be compassionate
and sensitive on the subejct. He agrees
that the City Council does not know enough, and he bases his decisions on
necessity and the need of the community.
He visualized a last stage AIDS patient having to drive to Santa Cruz to
obtain medical marijuana.
COUNCIL ACTION
Upon
motion by Councilmember Lutes and second by Councilmember Sanchez, the Council
unanimously adopted urgency moratorium ORDINANCE 2466 on medical marijuana
dispensaries.
COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
Mayor Donohue appointed Councilmembers Barnes, De La Rosa, and Villegas
to the Pool Committee.
Mayor Donohue
requested the City Attorney to return to Council with an analysis and
recommendation regarding prostitution free zone ordinance.
Councilmember Lutes requested the
City Attorney to draft a shopping cart ordinance.
Councilmember Barrera appointed
Cindy Marsh to the Animal Shelter Committee.
Mayor Donohue appointed
Councilmember De La Rosa to the PAL Board.
Councilmember Sanchez reported on the Guanajuato Governor Juan Manuel
Oliva Ramirez’s visit to Salinas and other Monterey County communities. He thanked the Police Department for their
response in escorting the Governor to the event and in locating the missing
child from last night.
Councilmember Sanchez stated that he wants more law enforcement to address
the recent increase in community violence, whether it is the California Highway
Patrol or hiring more Police Officers.
The City needs to get to the root of the lack of community reporting. He would like the Mayor to establish a
committee inviting policy makers, including the City Council and the Police
Community Advisory Committee, to become engaged in addressing the violence. The Acosta Plaza gates should be closed or
officers should be assigned. Landlords
should be required to evict tenants who are in gangs. Monterey County needs to assist with social services. Rewards for information
should be offered as
an incentive for information. Soledad
Correctional Facility should also participate.
Governor Schwarzenegger should come to Salinas to see what is happening.
Mayor Donohue agreed with Councilmember Sanchez that the Council must and
will work together to address this issue.
He is conducting a town hall meeting on this issue during the next two
weeks, which will be announced.
Councilmember De La Rosa thanked the Hebbron Heights Center staff and
young volunteers who hosted a spaghetti luncheon for seniors that she and
Councilmember Barrera attended. They
would like to see monthly lunches. She
thanked the anonymous resident who removes graffiti in Laurel Heights.
Councilmember Barnes thanked the Police Department for working around the
clock on the gang violence and for their presence in Acosta Plaza. Intervention and prevention efforts are
required in addition to the suppression.
She has a forty-page report that she co-wrote with Commander McMillin as
part of their Master degree programs. She
has a slide show of Sister City Cebu that she would like to include on a future
agenda.
Councilmember Lutes stated that some of the City’s prevention efforts are
not reported. McKinnon School’s student
body of approximately 600 children performs 10,000 acts of kindness during
their Acts of Kindness month. They
would like to become a Partner for Peace school that would involve parents and
the community and would serve as a model for the entire city.
Councilmember Villegas stated that as a former Sheriff’s detective, he
knows how frustrating it is to interview residents who do not report crimes
because they are understandably afraid.
They provide residents with business cards with the anonymous tip
line. He urged the media to publicize
the tip line telephone number. He believes Police Chief Ortega is doing
everything possible and is not hampered by not being bilingual.
Councilmember Barrera stated that he has observed parents deny that their
children are in gangs even when weapons are found in the home. He, Commander Iida, and Deputy City Manager
Rifa have been meeting with the Alisal Union School District to discuss
facts. Issues are resolved with
dialogue and when information is shared.
He approached some of the Closter Park drug sellers, and they must be faced, although it is
frightening. He encourages anyone who
has a negative perception of the Police Officers to participate in a ride
along. Chief Ortega has been at every
career day at each school that has invited him. He did a good job at the District 2 meeting.
Mayor Donohue reported on the City Manager’s and his trip to meet with
Sacramento legislators and the Governor.
Salinas’ issues are high on Assemblywoman Caballero’s agenda. He has been asked why there is not more
funding for crime prevention as opposed to funding being allocated primarily to
suppression. He believes this is
beginning to happen and he forecasts that this shift will happen in the next
couple of years.
The City Council/Redevelopment
agency recessed to closed session at 6:30 p.m., pursuant to:
a. Government
Code Section 54956.8, conference with real property negotiators City
Manager/Executive Director Dave Mora, City Attorney/Agency Counsel Vanessa
Vallarta, Redevelopment Director Alan Stumpf, and Assistant Redevelopment
Project Manager Maria Orozco to discuss the price and terms of payment
for the purchase of property located at 229 N. Sanborn Road in the Sunset
Redevelopment Project Area with William and Melanie Winchester, trustees.
b. Government
Code Section 54956.8, conference with real property negotiators City Manager
Dave Mora, City Attorney Vanessa Vallarta, Deputy City Manager Jorge Rifa, and
Planning Manager David Swanson to discuss the price and terms of payment for
the sale or lease of property located at 1081 Buckhorn Drive with Larry Drury,
Executive Director of Go Kids, Inc.
c. Government
Code Section 54956.9(b), conference with legal counsel regarding anticipated
litigation (two potential cases).
d.
Government Code Section 54956.9(a), pending litigation, Morfin-Vargas,
et al v. City of Salinas, California Superior Court Case No. S140911; Sixth
District Case No. H027693.
e.
Government Code Section 54957.6 with its designated labor
representatives Dave Mora, City Manager; Vanessa Vallarta, City Attorney; Jorge
Rifa, Deputy City Manager; Finance Director Tom Kever; and Teri Silva, Human
Resources Manager regarding labor relations with Association of Management
Personnel, Firefighters Association, Fire Supervisors Association, Police
Officers Association, Police Management Association, Confidential Employees,
Confidential Management Employees, and Department Directors. CANCELLED.
f.
Government Code Section 54957.6 with its designated labor
representatives Dave Mora, City Manager; Vanessa Vallarta, City Attorney; Jorge
Rifa, Deputy City Manager; Finance Director Tom Kever; and Teri Silva, Human
Resources Manager regarding labor relations with Service Employees
International Union (SEIU), SEIU Supervisors, and Salinas Municipal Employees
Association/SEIU. CANCELLED.
PUBLIC DISCLOSURE
At 8:15 p.m. in the City Hall
Rotunda, it was publicly reported that the Salinas City Council met in closed
session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8, conference with real
property negotiators, to discuss the price and
terms of payment for the sale or lease of property located at 1081 Buckhorn
Drive with Larry Drury, Executive Director of Go Kids, Inc. By a vote of 7-0, the City Council voted to
direct staff to issue a request for proposals
for the sale or lease of real property located at 1081 Buckhorn Drive for
the disposition, development and operation of
the property as a daycare center.
APPROVED:
_____________________________________
Mayor/Chairperson
ATTEST:
__________________________________
City Clerk/Secretary
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