SALINAS CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MAY 8, 2007 MEETING MINUTES
Mayor Donohue convened the joint City Council and
Redevelopment Agency meeting at 5:05 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 (arrived at 8:35 p.m.)
Also Present:
City Attorney/Agency Counsel Vanessa Vallarta
City Clerk/Secretary Ann Camel
CITY OF CHAMPIONS
Councilmember Tony Barrera commended Al
Espindola, Recreation Commissioner, on his nineteen years on the
Recreation-Park Commission.
The Salinas City Council commended the City’s
Human Resources Officer Teri Silva on receiving the League of California
Cities’ Professional Excellence Award.
PROCLAMATION
The City Council proclaimed the week of May 13th
through May 19th, 2007 as “Bike Week.”
The City Council proclaimed the week of May 13th
through May 19th as Red Poppy Week in tribute to military war
veterans.
The City Council proclaimed May 8, 2007 as
National Nurses Day.
The City Council proclaimed the week of May 8
through May 13th as Teachers’ Appreciation Week.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Alma Almanza commended the Development and Engineering staff for
participating in the disability awareness training.
Al Espindola stated that May 15th is the day that fallen
Police Officers are recognized.
CONSENT RESOLUTION
Upon motion by Councilmember De la Rosa and second by Councilmember
Barnes, Council voted unanimously to adopt the Consent Resolution, with
Councilmember De La Rosa abstaining on approval of the May 1, 2007
minutes. Absent: Councilmember Villegas.
SALINAS CITY COUNCIL
1.
Approved minutes of
April 17th, April 27th and May 1, 2007 meetings. Councilmember De La Rosa abstained from
the May 1, 2007 minutes as she was absent from this meeting.
2. Accepted financial claims report.
3. Adopted RESOLUTION 19196 awarding Bid No.
07/0420 to LC Action Police Supply for light bars, sirens and other related
equipment for the fourteen new police vehicles.
4. Adopted
RESOLUTION 19197 summarily vacating easements on portions of North Davis
Road at Boronda Road pursuant to Section 8333 of the California Streets and
Highway Code.
5. Adopted
RESOLUTION 19198 awarding the 2007 Concrete Sidewalk Repairs, Measure V
on call contract, Project 9926, to Granite Construction with a work order
amount not to exceed $1,200,000.
6. Adopted
RESOLUTION 19199 summarily vacating portions of Central Avenue at Main
Street and Salinas Street, pursuant to Section 8356 of the California Streets
and Highways Code.
7. Adopted
Fiscal Year 2007-08 City Council goals and objectives.
SALINAS
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
1. Approved minutes of April 17th
and May 1, 2007 meetings.
2. Accepted financial claims report.
The
Redevelopment Agency recessed.
PUBLIC
HEARING
1. Fiscal Year 2007-08 Action
Plan for Community Development Block Grant, HOME, and Emergency Shelter Grant
Funding.
Dave Swanson, Planning
Manager, highlighted the public service funding changes made in keeping with
the City Council’s direction at the April 10th meeting, including
allocating $10,000 each to Partners for Peace and the Visiting Nurse
Association and reducing the following programs accordingly: Conflict Resolution Center - $5,000; Food
Bank - $1,000; Police Activity League - $1,500; Second Chance - $1,500; Sun
Street Centers - $5,000; YMCA - $1,000; City’s Safe Haven - $5,000.
The following persons spoke
in support of funding for the respective organizations:
Pat Overberg, Women’s Crisis
Center/Central Coast Crisis Center
Elena Hernandez, Suicide
Prevention Services
Alma Almanza, Central Coast
Center for Independent Living
Tina Del Piero, Visiting
Nurses Association (VNA)
Elva Perez, VNA
Aileen Sanchez, Partners for
Peace
Ken Seen, Partners for Peace
Kathryn
Thoeni, John XXIII AIDS Ministry
Gabriel Torres, CHISPA
Gil Bacias, Salinas Police
Activities League (PAL)
Cesar Lara, Central Coast
Citizenship Project
Dorene Matthews, Conflict
Resolution and Mediation Center for Monterey County
Paul Ashenbrenner, Conflict
Resolution and Mediation Center
Esperanza Romero, YMCA
Eric Peterson, PAL
Laura
Tinajero, Caminos Program
Alicia Lampley, Big Brothers and Big
Sisters
Al Espindola, Breadbox and
Hebbron Heights Center
Brian Contreras, Second
Chance Youth Program
Patty Hernandez, Girls, Inc.
MOTION
Councilmember Barnes moved
and Councilmember Lutes seconded the motion to adopt RESOLUTION 19200 approving
the new discharge policy relating to publicly funded care institutions and
adopt RESOLUTION 19201 approving the FY 2007-08 Action Plan and authorizing the
Mayor to sign the three (3) applications for Federal Assistance (including
Certifications), and directing staff to file the complete packet with the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in keeping with the City
Council’s April 10, 2007 direction.
Councilmember Sanchez stated
that he is unable to support the motion because he does not want to fund new
programs absent the ability to fund on-going programs. He requested a friendly amendment to find
General Fund monies and monies from Councilmembers’ accounts to restore the
programs whose recommended allocations were reduced in order to fund the new
programs.
Councilmember De La Rosa
cannot support cutting the Food Bank.
She would like to restore the funding for PAL and the Safe Haven
program, in keeping with the Committee’s recommendations.
Councilmember Barnes stated
that allocating General Funds would result in additional General Fund requests
being received. She does not have a
problem with allocating funding from Councilmembers’ budgets. The Council’s policy stated there would be
new programs funded each year.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION
Councilmember Sanchez made a
motion to consider a substitute motion to approve the HUD funding
recommendations as directed by the City Council on April 10th and
that the reduced funding recommendations be restored from Councilmembers’
travel budgets and the General Fund.
Councilmember De La Rosa seconded the substitute motion.
Councilmember Barrera stated
that his travel budget is already committed.
Councilmember Lutes stated
that the General Fund budget is completely committed. She has $1,500 in her travel account that she can commit, but the
balance of the other Councilmembers’ travel budgets is unknown.
In response to Councilmember
Sanchez, Mr. Mora stated that there generally is a $2 million carryover, which
is used to fund the City’s Capital Improvement Program.
COUNCIL ACTION
The City Council voted on
whether to consider the substitute motion.
Ayes: Councilmembers De La Rosa
and Sanchez. Noes: Councilmembers Barnes, Barrera, Lutes, and
Mayor Donohue. Absent: Councilmember Villegas. The motion to consider the substitute motion
failed.
Mayor Donohue stated that he
would like to consider if there is a way to restore funding at a later
time.
COUNCIL ACTION
The Council voted on the
motion to adopt RESOLUTION 19200 approving the new discharge policy relating to
publicly funded care institutions and adopt RESOLUTION 19201 approving the FY
2007-08 Action Plan and authorizing the Mayor to sign the three (3)
applications for Federal Assistance (including Certifications), and directing
staff to file the complete packet with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) in keeping with the City Council’s April 10, 2007 direction.
Ayes: Councilmember Barnes, Barrera, De La Rosa,
Lutes, and Mayor Donohue. Noes: Councilmember Sanchez. Absent:
Councilmember Villegas.
CONSIDERATION
1. Leadership
Salinas Entry/Monument Sign Committee’s Request for the City of Salinas to act
as lead agency for the Entry Sign Project.
Gill Sterling
Nelson, Leadership Salinas, stated that they are seeking support to erect an
entry sign on the Main Street train trestle.
They are not requesting funding at this time, but require the City’s
endorsement to approach civic and business organizations.
Madeline
Clark, Leadership Salinas Committee Member, stated they propose to work with
the City on a master signage plan for all gateways.
Gloria Moore
spoke in support. She knows of
individuals who would be interested in assisting with beautifying the Market
Street median.
Al Espindola
spoke in support but expressed concern regarding graffiti and maintenance.
COUNCIL
ACTION
Upon
motion by Councilmember Lutes and second by Councilmember Sanchez, Council
voted unanimously to become a lead agency for the entry sign improvements as
proposed by the Leadership Sign Project Committee. Absent: Councilmember
Villegas.
2. Salinas
Sports Complex Request for Extension of
Amplified Sound Hours by the California Rodeo Association.
Jorge Rifa,
Deputy City Manager, stated that the Rodeo Association is requesting to add one
hour to the authorized hours for amplified sound for three summer concerts.,
extending the time until 11 p.m.
Al Espindola spoke in support of extending hours to
give young people entertainment venues.
Roger La
Fountain, General Manager for the Salinas Sports Complex, spoke in support of
extending the hours to allow sufficient concert time for these nationally
acclaimed headliners.
Brian Contreras spoke in support.
COUNCIL ACTION
Upon
motion by Councilmember De La Rosa and second by Councilmember Barnes, the
Council voted unanimously to authorize extending the amplified sound hours
until 11 p.m. for these three shows.
Absent: Councilmember Villegas.
Councilmember
Sanchez suggested that City staff could approve the extensions
administratively.
Mayor Donohue
stated that the process should be simplified and perhaps the request should be
put on the Consent Resolution for consideration.
ADMINISTRATIVE
REPORT
1. Annual
Fire Department Report.
Fire Chief Ed
Montez stated that there was a 4.2% increase in emergency responses in
2006. The average response time dropped
ten seconds.
Al Espindola expressed concern regarding hydrant water pressure. Fire Chief Montez stated that current
testing indicates that the pressure is adequate in most call areas.
Gloria Moore
stated that the report should be publicized to the public. An alternatives to the 911 emergency number
should be provided for non-emergency calls.
Eric Peterson spoke of the Fire Department’s
response to a recent house fire.
The City Council recessed to closed session at 7:40
p.m..
The
Redevelopment Agency met in closed session pursuant to:
a. Government Code Section 54956.8, conference with real
property negotiators to discuss the price and terms of payment for the purchase
of properties located in the Sunset Avenue Redevelopment Project Area, at 229
N. Sanborn Road, William and Melanie Winchester, trustees; 130 Division Street,
General Teamsters Warehousemen and Helpers Union Local 890; 127, 145 and 151
Division Street, Hector and Guadalupe Campos; and 123 Division Street, David
and Madeline Clark.
The City Council met in closed session
pursuant to:
a. Government
Code Section 54956.9(a), pending litigation, Goodman v. City of Salinas, et
al., United States District Court Case No. C06-07161.
b. Government
Code Section 54956. (a), conference with legal counsel regarding existing
litigation, United States of America v. Alisal Water Corporation, et al.,
Case No. C97-20099.
c. 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, Confidential Employees, Confidential
Management Employees, and Department Directors.
d. 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
The City Council reconvened in the Rotunda at 8:30
p.m..
CONSIDERATION
3. Proposed Neighborhood Services Work Plan
for Balance of Fiscal Year 2006-07 and Fiscal Year 2007-2008.
Jesse Juarez,
Neighborhood Services Coordinator, stated that the program reflects Council’s
priorities, including creating civic engagement and connecting to the
community. Based on Councilmember
interviews, the work plan proposes two meetings and one community clean up in
each district every year. The community
clean up would require six to eight weeks of advance planning.
Councilmember Villegas arrived at the meeting at
8:35 p.m..
Neighborhood
Services Colin Gallagher reviewed the plan to update and train community
organizations to utilize the Neighborhood Problem Solver that was developed by
former Neighborhood Services Coordinator Anna Velasquez. The Neighborhood Services Program would also
assist in developing a community network database to assist the Community Safety
Director and the Weed and Seed program, and assist with a Youth forum. They would coordinate volunteers for
one-time events such as clean ups and adopt a park programs. They propose to refer volunteers to departments
for on-going activities, and departments would be responsible for the record
keeping of their volunteers.
Gloria Moore stated that employers should be
approached to allow employee volunteerism.
In response
to Councilmember Barnes, Deputy City Manager Jorge Rifa stated that the two
annual meetings were part of the previous engagement strategy. The cost for the community clean up is
estimated at $4,000, because the four dumpsters provided per clean up would be
inadequate.
Councilmember
Sanchez stated that technology such as the website should be utilized, e.g.
downloadable templates. He asked for
flexibility to exchange the community meetings within the same budget
parameters.
Mayor Donohue
stated that the work plan is ambitious but he appreciates the Coordinators’
enthusiasm.
COUNCIL ACTION
Upon
motion by Councilmember De La Rosa and second by Councilmember Lutes, Council
voted unanimously to approve the proposed Neighborhood Services program’s work
plan. Ayes: Councilmembers Barnes, Barrera, De La Rosa, Lutes, Sanchez,
Villegas, and Mayor Donohue.
COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS/APPOINTMENTS/FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember De La Rosa stated that she would refer the addresses on
properties that require weed abatement.
Councilmember Sanchez asked for a report on the transfer station
expansion. He stated that bilingual signage
is required directing visitors to City Hall and the Rotunda, providing hours of
business, and directions to departments within City Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m..
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