City Council

MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE JURUPA VALLEY CITY COUNCIL May 9, 2019 The meeting was held at the Jurupa Valley City Council Chamber, 8930 Limonite Avenue, Jurupa Valley, CA 1. 6:00 PM - CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL ● Brian Berkson, Mayor ● Anthony Kelly, Jr., Mayor Pro Tem ● Chris Barajas, Council Member ● Lorena Barajas, Council Member ● Micheal Goodland, Council Member Mayor Berkson called the adjourned regular meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Gary Thompson, City Manager. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Anthony Kelly, seconded by Council Member Chris Barajas, to approve the Agenda with an adjustment to the order of the Agenda moving public comments prior to Item No. 5.A Ayes: C. Barajas, L. Barajas, B. Berkson, M. Goodland, A. Kelly Noes: None Absent: None 4. PRESENTATIONS A. PRESENTATION TO GARY THOMPSON, CITY MANAGER Mayor Berkson and members of the Council recognized Gary Thompson for his guidance, insight, and fiscal management in leading the city. Mayor Berkson presented Mr. Thompson with a plaque and congratulated him on his new position as the Executive Director of LAFCO. Carina Tamayo, representing Senator Richard Roth and Eddie Torres, representing Assembly Member Sabrina Cervantes presented Certificates of Recognition to Mr. Thompson thanking him for his dedication and commitment as City Manager. Mr. Thompson thanked the Council for their recognition. He commended Senator Richard Roth and Assembly Member Sabrina Cervantes for their help in passing Senate Bill 130 which allowed the City of Jurupa Valley to receive millions of dollars in lost revenue. Page - 1 - The following item was taken out of order: 6. PUBLIC APPEARANCE/COMMENTS Spencer Rogers suggested a more affordable option for live streaming of Council meetings. He suggested that the cost for the banner program is not necessary. He suggested using those funds to pay for additional Sheriff’s deputies. 5. FISCAL YEAR 2019-20 BUDGET WORKSHOP A. DISCUSSION OF FISCAL YEAR 2019-20 ANNUAL CITY BUDGET City Manager Gary Thompson presented the proposed 2019-20 Annual City Budget. He highlighted various ongoing items such as revenue neutrality payments, law enforcement costs, legal services, and road infrastructure rehabilitation. He noted that the economy is slowing and the City must plan for that in future years. He reported that building permit activity has gone down and is less than half of what it was last year. He presented the General Fund net revenues and the proposed budget expenditures of approximately $42 million. He gave an overview of the budget for road rehabilitation and some of the major pavement and reconstruction projects. He suggested that the Council make any recommendations for revisions or schedule an additional workshop. Diana Leja, representing the Jurupa Valley Chamber of Commerce, voiced support of the following budget items: 1) she would support funding a banner pole program in some form; noting that the current cost may be too expensive for the average non-profit organization; 2) she is in favor of live streaming Council meetings as it provides a benefit to all residents. She thanked the Council for their financial support to the Chamber of Commerce, noting that it has helped further the interests of Jurupa Valley’s business community. She highlighted some of their activities which include hosting networking events, lobbying against the Riverside Transmission Reliabilitiy project, and working towards the betterment of the community. Cheryl Johnston voiced opposition to funding: 1) the community parade; 2) live streaming Council meetings; and 3) banner poles as those items are not currently necessary. She suggested re-visiting those items at a later date when the City has the extra funds. She suggested that those funds be spent repairing pot holes, installing street lights, cleaning up the community; and hiring more police officers. She suggested that the Council consider working with the Jurupa Area Recreation and Park District to connect the horse trails along Limonite Avenue. Haylie Johnston stated that instead of paying for a parade, the Council could put the money into the roads and helping the City. She stated that the roads are more important than a parade as there are a lot of pot holes and cracks. She suggested adding a small parade at the end of the Christmas Parade. She added that the -2- funds could be used to fix the parking situation near the river bottom as it has turned into a parking lot in some of the residential neighborhoods. Dana Swearington stated that she formerly worked at KFROG radio and part of her job was to produce large events. She would be willing to offer her services in how to plan a major event. She suggested that targeted ads on social media might be a better alternative than using banner poles. Amber Jones spoke in support of Reach Out and the positive impact they have made in the community. She noted their work with the School District and Healthy Jurupa Valley. She concurred with an earlier comment that the cost for the banner program may be too expensive for local non-profits and suggested that a lower cost alternative should be considered. Martha Carrasco spoke in support of Reach Out and the Healthy Jurupa Valley Initiative. She noted their programs promote good nutrition, physical fitness for all ages, community pride and a healthy lifestyle. She encouraged the Council to continue their funding as they are a valuable asset for the community. Lara Shultz stated that she supports the cost to live stream Council meetings as it provides accurate information and full access to residents which is very important. She supports banner poles in some form. She voiced support of a community parade as it can be used as a marketing tool that will promote the City of Jurupa Valley as the unique community it is. She suggested that the parade could be done in conjunction with the Pro Rodeo as a way to promote the equestrian lifestyle. Linda Thompson stated that she was a member of the original City Celebration Committee. She shared a history of the Celebration Committee which was a volunteer organization which was organized to promote the City’s incorporation. She outlined the events and fund raising efforts that were successfully implemented which also included a parade. Many of these individuals worked very hard at no cost to the City. She suggested that many of these volunteers are still in the community and would be willing to support the City. She suggested that the Council re-consider the expense of the parade and ask for the community’s help. Emilee Fox, Chair of the Healthy Jurupa Valley Arts and Recreation Action Team spoke in support of the Healthy Jurupa Valley Initiative. She stated that the Healthy Jurupa Valley Initiative has created a strong voice in the community and has become a model Healthy City Coalition for the region. She thanked the Council for their support. -3- Mayor Brian Berkson discussed the community parade stating that the purpose is to showcase the City and all the groups that comprise the City. He indicated that the budget item is a placeholder and the actual expenses will be brought back for Council approval. Further discussion followed regarding the commercial enforcement activities. Lt. Danny Young provided additional information and responded to Council’s questions. Council Member Chris Barajas stated he is not in favor of spending $250,000 for the banner program, stating that the cost could be used towards other items such as road improvements. He suggested that it be brought back for further research. He supports a community parade and suggested that the budgeted amount could be reduced with the assistance of community volunteers. Further discussion followed. Mayor Pro Tem Anthony Kelly indicated that he does not support the funding budgeted for the banner program or parade as there are other needs in the city such as street lights. He would prefer that this funding be used in a more productive manner to make the city a safer community. Following discussion, Mayor Berkson called a short recess at 7:25 p.m. Mayor Berkson reconvened the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Council Member Micheal Goodland voiced support of a community parade if the City could keep the costs to a reasonable amount. He supports the banner poles as they are necessary to help promote the City’s events. He supports funding the Healthy Jurupa Valley Initiative and the commercial enforcement vehicle. Further discussion followed concerning the cost to live stream Council meetings. Council Member Lorena Barajas stated that she was in support of the community parade, stating that it will showcase the City. She would like to see the banner program come back at a later date to determine whether the banner program could be restructured with more affordable options. She voiced support of the Healthy Jurupa Valley Initiative and more transparent reporting. Further discussion followed. Council Member Chris Barajas asked Diana Fox, Executive Director, Reach Out, why they did not apply for Community Development Block Grant Funds. -4- Diana Fox, Executive Director, Reach Out, responded that there were other agencies that were serving the homeless population and they did not want to “double-dip” into the funds. She noted that Reach Out is helping the City accomplish its Healthy City goals. She explained that all of the funds go to staffing which support the City’s programs. She outlined the staffing and funding sources that are utilized by Reach Out. Council Member Chris Barajas stated that Reach Out contributed to a local measure election in 2018. He requested that non-profits that the City gives money to not get involved in local elections. He asked Ms. Fox if Reach Out would agree to this request. Ms. Fox stated that no grant funds were used for those contributions as it was unrestricted dollars that Reach Out has and that non-profits are allowed to spend. She stated that she could not make that guarantee as it is not a fair request to ask Reach Out to refrain from any activities that they deem necessary to achieve their mission. She added that there are reporting requirements in the Reach Out agreement and those reports are sent to the City Manager on a regular basis. Further discussion followed regarding street light installation. Steve Loriso, City Engineer, provided additional information on the costs and process for installation of street lights, maintenance, and design. He suggested that there is an option to install solar powered street lights. Following discussion, Mayor Berkson suggested that the costs for installation of street lights could be brought back for further discussion at the mid-year budget meeting. Further discussion followed. Mayor Berkson suggested that staff bring back more affordable options for the City’s banner pole program. Gary Thompson, City Manager, suggested leaving the banner pole program in the CIP and mark it unfunded until such time as the program can be funded at a future date. Discussion followed concerning the lobbyist costs and membership in the League of California Cities. Mayor Berkson suggested that the City should have a policy for monetary grants and an application process. He suggested that the formulation of a policy be brought back at a future meeting. -5-  Discussion followed concerning the Jurupa Valley Chamber of Commerce and the desire for a more visible relationship with the City. Mayor Berkson suggested increasing the budgeted amount to the Chamber of Commerce. Diana Leja, President of the Jurupa Valley Chamber of Commerce stated that they are struggling to reach out to all new and existing businesses. She concurred that there are additional costs involved to effectively advocate on behalf of the business community. By consensus, the City Council increased the budgeted amount for the Jurupa Valley Chamber of Commerce from $20,000 to $30,000. Ayes: C. Barajas, L. Barajas, B. Berkson, M. Goodland, A. Kelly Noes: None Absent: None Further discussion followed regarding the budget for Miscellaneous Community Promotion. By consensus, the City Council increased the budgeted amount for the City’s Miscellaneous Community Promotion from $36,500 to $45,000 including an additional $5,000 which would be added to the annual Christmas Tree Lighting program. Ayes: C. Barajas, L. Barajas, B. Berkson, M. Goodland, A. Kelly Noes: None Absent: None Following discussion, Council Member Lorena Barajas requested that the reports for Healthy Jurupa Valley or any other financial reports be made available on the City’s website. Following discussion, Mayor Berkson requested that an Agenda Item be brought back at a future meeting to consider joining the League of California Cities. 7. COUNCIL COMMENTS There were no additional Council comments. 8. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION A. PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO CLOSED SESSION ITEM There were no public comments regarding the closed session item. -6-