City Council Meeting

CITY OF LOS BANOS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES APRIL 18, 2018 ACTION MINUTES – These minutes are prepared to depict action taken for agenda items presented to the City Council. For greater detail of this meeting refer to the electronic media (CD and/or audio) kept as a permanent record. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Villalta called the City Council Meeting to order at the hour of 7:01 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Police Chief Brizzee led the pledge of allegiance. ROLL CALL – MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL PRESENT: Council Members Tom Faria, Daronica Johnson-Santos, Deborah Lewis, Scott Silveira, Mayor Michael Villalta; Absent: None. STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: City Manager Terrazas, City Attorney Vaughn, City Clerk/Human Resources Director Mallonee, Police Chief Brizzee, Fire Chief Hurley, Finance Director Williams, City Treasurer/Accounting & Budget Supervisor Tomas, Public Works Director/City Engineer Fachin. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion by Faria, seconded by Lewis to approve the City Council Meeting agenda as submitted. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all City Council Members present. PUBLIC FORUM: MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ON ANY ITEM OF PUBLIC INTEREST THAT IS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE CITY; INCLUDES AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS. NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS. SPEAKERS ARE LIMITED TO A FIVE (5) MINUTE PRESENTATION. DETAILED GUIDELINES ARE POSTED ON THE COUNCIL CHAMBER INFORMATIONAL TABLE. RICK TOSCANO, Los Banos, Chairman of the American Legion Post Boys State Program, explained what happens at the Boys State Program held at Sacramento State University, a candidate is selected from each high school in Los Banos as well as an alternate, Mike Hughes & Alan Cotta sit with him on the interview panel, this year’s candidates are: Parker Smith of Los Banos High School, Eric Manzaneres of Pacheco High School and Adrian Marquez as the alternate; JENNIFER HALPIN, Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority, spoke regarding the no-cost City’s Spring Clean Up Event being held on April 21, 2018 from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and explained the services offered that day noting the Household Hazardous Waste/Materials Event will take place at the same time and location; SANDY LEMAS, Los Banos, currently the President of Habitat for Humanity and will be talking about agenda item 9, wanted to note that they are clearly a non-profit organization and spoke to how they raise money and to the five homes they have built in the program, a lot of time and work goes into these projects, she asked the Council to not deny the waiver of fees and mentioned that the school district has already waived their fees; RHONDA LOWE, Los Banos, spoke regarding the first planning meeting for Love Los Banos which will be held at the Salvation Army Community Center located at 1235 4th Street at 6:30 p.m., the group will decide on one project they will do this coming year to bring pride to the community, on the second Tuesday of every month at 9:00 a.m. at the Community Center there will be a workshop held for anyone interested in starting a small business within the City; JOHN FULTON, Los Banos, looked at the agenda and thought there must be a typo as there is a recommendation to deny the Habitat for Humanity waiver of fees and feels this goes against Council’s beliefs of wanting to do more for the community, spoke to how City personnel are maintaining landscaping around political signs and are causing a conflict of interest, he believes strong voices are speaking for the wrong people; MARK BODLEY, Los Banos - appointed representative to the Merced County Mosquito Abatement District, spoke to the written report that was provided to Council in regards to the District’s activities for 2017, he spoke to the satellite office located on Deep Well Road which houses a lab and also aircraft that is used to spray for mosquitoes over breeding grounds, their mission is to prevent the spread of diseases carried by mosquitoes, a project they are partaking on this summer is to tackle neglected swimming pools that are becoming breeding grounds. No one else came forward to speak and the public forum was closed. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA. Motion by Lewis, seconded by Johnson-Santos to approve the consent agenda as follows: Check Register for #209933 – #210187 in the Amount of $1,910,386.93; Minutes for the April 4, 2018 City Council Meeting; City Council Resolution No. 5949 – Concerning the Industrial Disability Retirement of Police Officer Preston Jelen; City Council Resolution No. 5950 – Accepting the City Hall Addition as Complete and Authorizing the Filing of a Notice of Completion with the Merced County Recorder for the Construction of City Hall Addition with Arts Construction Company Inc. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all Council Members present. LOS BANOS COMMUNITY SERVICE NETWORK GRANT – BY JEFF KETTERING, MERCED COUNTY CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER. Jeff Kettering, Merced County Chief Probation Officer, spoke regarding the Los Banos Community Service Network Grant and introduced Devon Hillard from SWAG – Students with Aspiring Goals program. He explained what the program was all about and the services they provide to the youth in the community. There was Council Member discussion with the speakers in regards to the program location, the program’s history, and what the activity has been since it has began. There was further talk pertaining to how youth get involved/referred to this program, how these services support these youth and their families and discussion pertaining to funding. Informational item only, no action taken. RECREATION PROGRAM UPDATE PRESENTATION. Rob Baker, Recreation Coordinator II of the Public Works Department, presented the Recreation Program Update, which included a PowerPoint presentation. The Council Members expressed their pride and appreciation for the Recreation Division as there are not many staff members in that Department and they have to work hard to get things done and accomplished. Council additionally expressed their excitement to the fact that that there is a Boys and Girls Club being brought to Los Banos. There was Council Member and Staff discussion pertaining to the sports programs the Recreation Department offers, the fees associated with these programs and what participants get in exchange for these fees. The growing population and the growing number of participants in these programs were discussed and what is being done in order to keep up with these growing numbers. The Council would like to make investments in the future to the Recreation Program as they feel it is important to the youth in the community. Informational item only, no action taken. CONSIDERATON OF A REQUEST FROM HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WESTSIDE TO WAIVE ALL OF THE CITY OF LOS BANOS DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES FOR THE PROJECT LOCATED AT 541 M STREET IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,138.40. Community & Economic Development Director Elms presented the staff report, which included a PowerPoint presentation. There was Council Member and Staff discussion with Ashley Williams from Habitat for Humanity pertaining to the project and why the impact fee waiver is being requested. A history of the project was given and options were discussed pertaining to how these fees could either be waived or minimally impact the new homeowner or Habitat for Humanity. The Council feels the need to proceed with caution as there could be other projects that arise in the future that would expect a fee waiver and they also need to be conscious of how this fee waiver could affect other City funds. Both Council and Staff felt it was best to come up with a policy for future situations. It was decided by Council to continue this item to either the May 16, 2018 meeting or the June 6, 2018 to grant an extension and also give Staff time to analyze the various approaches and options for this situation. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 5951 - APPROVING THE ROAD MAINTENANCE AND REHABILITATION ACCOUNT (RMRA) PROPOSED PROJECT LIST FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018-2019. Public Works Director/City Engineer Fachin presented the staff report. There was Council Member and Staff discussion pertaining to certain roads that are in much need of repair due to natural causes but that road maintenance has never been an issue in the City’s limits. Motion by Silveira, seconded by Faria to adopt City Council Resolution No. 5951 – Approving the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) Proposed Project List for Fiscal Year 2018-2019. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all Council Members present. INDUSTRIAL RECRUITMENT PRESENTATION. Community & Economic Development Director presented the staff report, introducing Audrey Taylor, President and CEO of Chabin Concepts who spoke in detail as to what’s going on with the City’s economic development efforts, which included a PowerPoint presentation. There was Council Member and Staff discussion with Ms. Taylor regarding certain sites and areas in the City that make them attractive to companies as well the large amount of cars that go through town on a daily basis. There are some promising opportunities, especially industrially, for future businesses in the City. CANCELLATION OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018 DUE TO THE MAY. Motion by Silveira, seconded by Faria to cancel the regular City Council Meeting scheduled for May 2, 2018. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all Council Members present. ADVISEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICES (Two Reports). Community & Economic Development Director Elms stated that the first public notice is in regards to a vesting tentative tract map located at 607 Mercey Springs Road for an infill project for sixteen units and the second item is for a conditional use permit for 85 West G Street for an automotive repair and smog shop in the general industrial zoning district. These items will be considered by the Planning Commission on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. CITY MANAGER REPORT. City Manager Terrazas congratulated the candidates who will be attending the Boys State Program. The Police Department will be partnering with 7eleven on Operation Chill where the Department has been provided with a limited number of certificates for free slurpees for the youth in the community showing kindness to the officers. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS. TOM FARIA: Council Member Faria congratulated the candidates that will be going to the Boys State Program. On April 28, 2018, the Los Banos Arts Council will have a Tom Petty tribute band perform. On April 25, 2018 the Los Banos High School Choir will be putting on their spring concert at 7:00 p.m. in the Los Banos High School multi-purpose room with an admission of $3. He hopes to see everyone at the Fair. DARONICA JOHNSON-SANTOS: Council Member Johnson-Santos apologized for missing the firemen’s dinner. She spoke an event regarding a Modesto City worker who was killed when he was working alone out on the job and she wanted to make sure our City employees are careful and monitored. DEBORAH LEWIS: Mayor Pro Tem Lewis had nothing to report. SCOTT SILVEIRA: Council Member Silveira congratulated the candidates that are going to attend the Boys State Program. The May Day Fair will be held on May 2-6, 2018 and discounted fair admissions can be purchased at 403 F Street until May 1, 2018. He attended the Street Faire and thought the Chamber of Commerce did a really nice job with it and it was very well attended. MAYOR MICHAEL VILLALTA: Mayor Villalta spoke to how he attended the hospital lunch to honor all of the hospital volunteers, some who have volunteered for 20-30 years. He thanked Fire Chief Hurley for driving him and Mayor Pro Tem Lewis to the firefighter dinner where former Fire Chief Marrison and Juan Ramirez were honored. Last week he attended a meeting for the improvement of the downtown area where a local developer pledged $1 million towards beautification. That pledge is only valid if matching money comes along with it. The Street Faire was a great event and he thanked all those involved in setting up and preparation. Holding events downtown is a way to get people associated with the downtown area and the merchants located there. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 10:18 p.m. APPROVED: /s/ Michael Villalta__________ Michael Villalta, Mayor ATTEST: /s/ Lucille L. Mallonee______________ Lucille L. Mallonee, City Clerk