City Council/Successor Agency/Public Finance Authority

AGENDA ITEM NO. 5. B. CITY OF AVENAL “Pistachio Capital of the World®” SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020; 6:00 P.M. (Due to gathering limits and social distancing requirements, the City Council and limited City Staff will attend at this location.) Public Participation: VIA ZOOM VIDEO/WEB CONFERENCING: (PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE ZOOM APPLICATION TO YOUR COMPUTER OR SMART DEVICE) Web Link: bit.ly/AvenalCouncil Meeting ID to Join: 126 696 761 Or call +1 669 900 6833 MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: at 6:02 p.m. ROLL CALL: Councilman Hernandez, Councilman Verdugo, Councilman Gravelle, Mayor Pro Tem Ramirez, Mayor Preciado STAFF: Lopez, Ortiz, Santillan, Davis, Bermudez. LEGAL COUNCEL: Moses Diaz CITY CLERK: Government Code Section 54952.3: The members of the City Council/Successor Agency are entitled to receive a total of $300.00 per month because of being elected to the City Council. They receive no other compensation for sitting as a member of Successor Agency. PUBLIC COMMENT/ANNOUNCEMNETS & UNSCEDULED APPERANCES: There were No Public comments issued. ACTIVITY REPORTS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & COMMITTEE REPORTS: A. Activity Reports: 1) Public Works/Building/Code Enforcement/ Animal Control Activity Report: Scott Davis, Public Works Supervisor; Scott Davis, Public Works Supervisor, reported on the following: 1) Building Department; 2) Code Enforcement; 3) Park & Landscaping; 4) Streets; 5) Water Distribution; 6) Wastewater Collection; and, 7) Vehicle, Equipment, & Building Maintenance. Councilman Verdugo has a concern regarding semi-trucks being in residential streets and resident with multiple cars seems to have a business and how can these be addressed. Mr. Davis, mentioned that Code Enforcement has been to that site they have moved vehicles. He will follow up with Code Enforcement. As to the semi-trucks they can park in town during the day, but not overnight. Code Enforcement and Law Enforcement can work to address that issue. Councilman Verdugo did suggested giving warnings to semi-trucks staying overnight and will be cited if they stay overnight again. Mayor Preciado had a concern regarding trenching the sewer-lines for the new homes on south Corcoran Avenue will it go straight to the Water Plant. Mr. Davis mentioned that new development had to install a sewer line all the way to Hwy 33 and last manhole is straight across old Waste Water Facility. They tied into 18-inch main line that runs to Waste Water facility and up sized to 12-inch to the Union easement and 10-inches to Corcoran easements to 8-inch all the way to Corcoran. It’s about 4 ½ to 6-feet deep. PUBLIC HEARING(s): Special Joint Meeting City Council/Successor Agency December 16, 2020 Page 2 of 4 A. Consider Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Funding:  Staff Report  Public Hearing  Discussion/Action: Approval by Resolution Fernando Santillan, Community Development, stated The CA Housing and Community Development Department has released a NOFA (Notice of Funding Availability) for the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) program, which would provide funding of $104,652 annually for five years, for a total of $523,260 for purposes of making affordable housing available in Avenal. This funding amount is based on a formula and may change depending on revenues received by the State for this program. Currently, we have homebuilder and multifamily/senior housing development interest in various areas of town, including near Tamarack Elementary and near Reef-Sunset Middle School. If for any reason financial assistance to developers in the form of loans is not deemed to be favored by the City Council, Staff can always allocate all of the funds towards our existing First-Time Home buyer Program, which is currently funded with 19-HOME funds. Originally, Staff was planning on applying for this funding prior to the December 31 deadline. However, after conversations with HCD, it was decided that it would be better to apply for the next NOFA (around February or March), which would give us more time to plan with developers, builders, and other stakeholders. We would not miss out on any funds, as this funding has already been allocated to Avenal. At this point, it is just a matter of developing a feasible plan that is acceptable to HCD for use of the funds. Staff is seeking input from the City Council regarding potential uses of the PLHA funding, including low-interest loans to builders and developers and construction of ADUs. Staff recommends that the City Council table the planned Public Hearing until a later date to be determined. Moses Diaz, City Attorney mentioned that if the ground of the development are going to change need to close this public hearing and re-notice Mayor Preciado asked if this was same property discussed for senior living. Mr. Santillan mentioned yes. Mayor Preciado mentioned that there is a need for an easement to the Sports Complex. Mr. Lopez mentioned that the City did secure additional land for the Sports Complex and problems were running into is drainage. Mayor Preciado stated that there needs to install lift station and due the infrastructure to develop these properties to be ready for development. Mr. Davis reported that some lots will need to be elevated but most lots will drain to Union Avenue Mayor Preciado opened Public Hearing Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Funding at 6:30 p.m. closed due to no public comments. There will be no action on tis item. OLD BUSINESS: A. Consider Extending Local Emergency Declared on March 24, 2020: Mr. Lopez reported that the Local Emergency continues to exist or threatened existence of a local emergency: COVID-19 pandemic. The declaration must be reviewed to consider the following action: 1) Reaffirm that a local emergency continues to exist; or, 2) make a finding that a local emergency no longer exists. Staff is recommending that the City Council consider the following action by motion: Approve and support the ongoing local emergency Resolution, and specifically, move to renew the emergency Resolution by thirty (30) days, unless a Councilmember or member of the public request that the Council convene to consider the ongoing emergency Resolution, at which time a special meeting would be scheduled. Special Joint Meeting City Council/Successor Agency December 16, 2020 Page 3 of 4 A motion was made by Councilman Gravelle to approve as recommended, seconded by Councilman Hernandez and carried. Roll Call Vote: AYES: Gravelle, Hernández, Ramírez, Verdugo, Preciado. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. B. Consider Extending Local Emergency Declared on November 5, 2020 Mr. Lopez reported that on November 5, 2020 the City Council adopted Resolution 2020-55 declaring Local Emergency due existence or threatened existence of a local emergency: Sever Water Shortage. The declaration must be reviewed to consider the following action: 1) reaffirm that a local emergency continues to exist; or, 2) make a finding that a local emergency no longer exists. Due to the fact the City has not received news of additional water allotment, Staff is recommending that the City Council consider the following action by motion: Approve and support the ongoing local emergency Resolution, and specifically, move to renew the emergency Resolution by thirty (30) days, unless a Councilmember or member of the public request that the Council convene to consider the ongoing emergency Resolution, at which time a special meeting would be scheduled. A motion was made by Councilman Verdugo to approve as recommended, seconded by Councilman Hernandez and carried. Roll Call Vote: AYES: Verdugo, Hernandez, Ramirez, Gravelle, Preciado. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. NEW BUSINESS: A. None CORRESPONDENCE/ANNOUNCEMENTS/CLOSING COMMENTS: Antony Lopez, City Manager commented on the following: 1) He closed on his new house and happy to continue calling Avenal “home”; 2) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Councilman Hernandez, Councilman Verdugo, Councilman Gravelle and Mayor Pro Tem Ramirez stated Merry Christmas and Happy New Years for the community and everyone be safe. The City Council went into Closed Session at 6:45 p.m. CLOSED SESSION: (City/Successor Agency): It is the intent of this governing body to meet in closed session to review its position and to instruct its designated representatives: A. PERSONNEL (Government Code§ 54957). CalPERS Industrial Disability Application B. Pending Litigation (Government Code § 54956.9). Special Joint Meeting City Council/Successor Agency December 16, 2020 Page 4 of 4 Conference with legal counsel – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Government Code § 54956.9(d)). Significant exposure to litigation (Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2)). EAMS Case #s: ADJ12362245; ADJ12443888; ADJ12443885 AIMS Claim #:FR180100 ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Preciado reopen meeting at 7:21 p.m. reporting that a disability retirement claim was approved and passed: A motion was made by Councilman Verdugo to approve as recommended, seconded by Councilman Gravelle, and carried. Roll Call Vote: AYES: Verdugo, Gravelle, Hernández, Ramírez, Preciado. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. The resolution will be made public once it has been prepared and signed. There being no further business the City Council meeting was adjourned at 7:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Maria Ortiz, City Clerk