City Council Meeting

CITY OF LOS BANOS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 4, 2020 ACTION MINUTES – These minutes are prepared to depict action taken for agenda items presented to the City Council. For 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 7:02 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, Brett Jones, Mayor Michael Villalta. STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: City Manager Terrazas, City Attorney Vaughn, City Clerk/Human Resources Director Mallonee, City Treasurer/Accounting & Budget Supervisor Tomas, Finance Director Williams, Police Chief Brizzee, Fire Chief Hurley, Public Works Director/City Engineer Fachin. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion by Johnson-Santos, seconded by Faria to approve the City Council Meeting agenda. 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. Mayor Villalta opened the Public Forum. No one came forward to speak and the public forum was closed. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA. Motion by Lewis, seconded by Jones to approve the consent agenda as follows: Check Register for #220548 - #220701 in the Amount of $506,650.15; Minutes for the February 19, 2020 City Council Meeting. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all Council Members present. NEW EMPLOYEE INTRODUCTIONS. Public Works Director/City Engineer Fachin introduced the City’s new Assistant Public Works Director, Fred Pezeshk, P.E. He gave a brief background for Mr. Pezeshk. Mr. Pezeshk thanked him for the opportunity to be at the City Council Meeting tonight and spoke regarding his experience so far, which has been fantastic, and he looks forward to working on future projects alongside everyone. Informational item only, no action taken. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 6186 – ADOPTING A REVISED BUDGET FOR THE 2019-2020 FISCAL YEAR AS IT PERTAINS TO EXPENDITURES AND REVENUES AND AMENDING DIVISION 4 - SALARY SCHEDULE EMPLOYEE CLASSIFICATION RELATING TO CHANGES TO SECTION G – POLICE, ADJUSTING THE SALARY FOR THE POLICE OFFICER TRAINEE POSITION. Finance Director Williams presented the staff report, which included a PowerPoint presentation. There was Council Member and staff discussion regarding the revisions to be made to the 2019-2020 fiscal year budget. The Police Officer Trainee salary increase was spoken to and how this salary increase will close the gap from the Police Officer Trainee position to the Police Officer position and is in line with other agencies. Motion by Faria, seconded by Lewis to approve City Council Resolution No. 6186 – Adopting a Revised Budget for the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year as it pertains to Expenditures and Revenues and Amending Division 4 – Salary Schedule/Employee Classifications Relating to Changes to Section G – Police, Adjusting the Salary for the Police Officer Trainee Position. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all City Council Members present. UPDATE REGARDING EFFORTS TO SUPPORT THOSE AFFECTED BY HOMELESSNESS IN LOS BANOS AND MERCED COUNTY. Police Chief Brizzee presented the staff report and introduced representatives from the Merced County Rescue Mission, New Direction Outreach and Engagement Center, and the County of Merced Executive Office. John Ceccoli, Management Analyst with the Merced County Executive Office spoke in more detail to the efforts underway to support those affected by homelessness in Los Banos and the greater Merced County and included a PowerPoint presentation. There was Council Member and staff discussion regarding the number of homeless in the Merced County cities, the amount of money that is available to provide mental health services for them, and how continuous engagement with that community is essential in order to keep a good relationship. The representatives were thanked for all the work they put in for these people and how their efforts greatly help Los Banos and the other cities in Merced County. Informational item only, no action taken. Mayor Villalta called for a short break. After the City Council reconvened, it was noted that Council Member Johnson-Santos left the meeting during the break at 8:50 p.m. due to her not feeling well. APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONERS TO THE FOLLOWING CITY COMMISSIONS: AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION – THREE (3) VACANCIES, TWO (2) UNEXPIRED TERMS – EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2021 2020*, ONE (1) UNEXPIRED TERMS – EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2020; PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION – ONE (1) VACANCY, ONE (1) UNEXPIRED TERMS – EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2021. Motion by Villalta, seconded by Faria to appoint Larry Leonardo and Robert Calhoun to the Airport Advisory Commission to two unexpired terms expiring December 31, 2021 2020*. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all City Council Members present, Johnson-Santos absent. *After further review of the carried motion above, it was found that there was a typo on the agenda and the two Airport Advisory Commission terms spoken above are to expire on December 31, 2020 instead of December 31, 2021. Motion by Villalta, seconded by Faria to appoint Jesus Rosales to the Parks & Recreation Commission to an unexpired term expiring December 31, 2021. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all City Council Members present, Johnson-Santos absent. It was noted that the City will be re-advertising for the following vacancies: Airport Commission, one (1) vacancy, unexpired term ending December 31, 2021; Economic Development Advisory Commission, three (3) vacancies, two (2) unexpired terms ending December 31, 2020 and one (1) unexpired term ending December 31, 2021; Tree Commission, one (1) vacancy, unexpired term ending December 31, 2021. ADVISEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICES (One Report). City Manager Terrazas stated that a public hearing will be held by the Planning Commission meeting at 7:00 p.m. on March 11, 2020 to consider a categorical exemption for a mobile food vendor permit for Rosa Fabian dba Tacos La Patrona to be located at 520 West I Street. CITY MANAGER REPORT. City Manager Terrazas stated that the new recreation guide is out and how there are a lot of great programs upcoming in the spring and summer for both adults and children. The Arbor Day Event will be held this Friday, March 6 from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Skylark Park. He spoke to how he and Fire Chief Hurley had a meeting with the Merced County Health Department regarding the Coronavirus and what the County’s efforts have been relating to surveillance and prevention. There are currently no confirmed cases of the virus in Merced County. The Merced County Public Health Department is working closely with other state agencies to stay informed. The most proactive ways to stay healthy are to frequently wash your hands, avoid touching your face, avoid close contact with others that are sick, and to stay home from work or school if you become sick. REPORT/UPDATE ON MERCED COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (MCAG) AND MEASURE V COMMITTEE. Mayor Villalta stated that the committee is still working on the Billy Wright dumpsite expansion project. In relation to that, organic and grease waste are going to become part of the 2020 disposal update. By 2022, all cities in Merced County will be following the recycling/disposal rules that Los Banos already follows regarding the different trash/recycling bins. He spoke to the CalTrans Safety Task Force and some of the possible means of decreasing the traffic safety issues that surround Highway 152. BRETT JONES: No report. DEBORAH LEWIS: Council Member Lewis stated that she would like to make a Council Member request for an updated report on the opening of the dog park. TOM FARIA: No report. DARONICA JOHNSON-SANTOS: No report, as she left the City Council Meeting early at the break. MAYOR MICHAEL VILLALTA: Mayor Villalta spoke to how he went to Mercey Springs Elementary School to read Dr. Seuss books to the students. He thanked the school for inviting him to participate in the event. An Arbor Day Breakfast will be held at the Community Center this Friday from approximately 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and the actual Arbor Day celebration event will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. this Friday at Skylark Park. ADJOURNMENT. Motion by Villalta, seconded by Jones to adjourn the City Council Meeting at 9:07 p.m. to 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 13, 2020 at College Greens Building located at 1815 Scripps Drive, Los Banos, California to Conduct a City Council Goals & Objectives Workshop. The motion carried by the affirmative action of all City Council Members present, Johnson-Santos absent. APPROVED: /s/ Michael Villalta__________ Michael Villalta, Mayor ATTEST: /s/ Lucille L. Mallonee________ Lucille L. Mallonee, City Clerk