Meeting Date: April 17, 2018
MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
LIVINGSTON CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
A Regular Meeting of the Livingston City Council was held on February 6, 2018, in the City Council Chambers with Mayor Soria presiding.
REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Soria called the meeting to order at 7:13 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The pledge of allegiance to the flag was recited.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Jim Soria
Mayor Pro-Tem Gurpal Samra (Excused Absence)
Council Member Arturo Sicairos (Late Attendance)
Council Member Alex McCabe
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Item No. 9 and Item No. 4 were pulled from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS
1. Presentation by Lupe Winton – Head Start Program. Head Start is a program of the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families. The program’s services and resources are designed to foster stable family relationships, enhance children’s physical and emotional well-being and establish an environment to develop strong cognitive skills.
Lupe Winton gave an overview of the Head Start Program and qualification requirements. The program targets disadvantaged families. The local Head Start program is located at Shelby School. There is a morning session and an afternoon session. The goal of the program is to help children develop cognitive and social skills. Head Start also provides health screenings by reviewing vision, dental, and physical health.
Council Member Aguilar asked how many children are currently enrolled in the local Head Start Program.
Lupe Winton replied that there are currently 64 children enrolled in the program.
2. Presentation by Mayor Jim Soria: Certificate of Recognition to Matt Winton, Livingston High School, for being named Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), Region 8, Division 3. ABCA in the largest coaches association in the United States. Region 8 is made up of schools in California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii and Alaska. Mr. Winton has been a member of ABCA for 25 years.
Mayor Soria introduced this item. He presented a Certificate of Recognition to Matt Winton for being named Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association.
3. Presentation by Mayor Jim Soria: Post-Humus Plaques in Honor of Frank Vierra and Roy Soria, former City Council Members, and Vanessa Robledo, City Building Permit Technician.
Mayor Soria presented a Post-Humus Plaque of Recognition to the families of Frank Vierra, Roy Soria, and Vanessa Robledo.
City Manager Ramirez recognized the families for being in attendance.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
Supervisor Rodrigo Espinoza Announcements and Reports.
Nothing to report.
City Staff Announcements and Reports.
City Engineer Gouveia gave an update on the Winton Parkway overpass widening project. The projects near Winton Parkway could include updating lane striping and pavement markings, and installing new signage. The total estimate for this project is $175,000. Another option is to pulverize the existing pavement and re-install traffic signal loops. The total estimate for this option is $570,000.
City Manager Ramirez noted that the City will work with the surrounding businesses to ensure that traffic improvements in this area have a limited impact on their business.
Finance Director Grant announced that this project is not part of the current budget cycle, but it can be included soon.
Fire Department staff gave an Emergency Activity Report, noting that there were over 100 incidents reported since the start of the year (most incidents were medical aids, approximately 87). About 60% of the incidents occurred within City jurisdiction and approximately 40% occurred within County jurisdiction. Moreover, recent Fire Department community programs include Cool Off for Kids, the MDA Fill a Boot, Relay for Life, Boys and Girls Scouts, and Neighborhood Santa Claus.
City Manager Announcements and Reports.
City Manager Ramirez reported that the City is working on establishing goals for the City’s Art Commission. He attended the scoping meeting for the ACE train in Ceres. The City is looking for community members who would like to join the Utility Rates Stakeholders Committee. The City has begun negotiations with City labor unions. The City is looking to continue making progress on the City’s Visioning Workshop goals. The City would like to host a health and safety workshop in October for the community.
City Council Members’ Announcements and Reports.
Council Member McCabe noted that he met with a construction company in Los Angeles looking to construct government buildings in northern California. Moreover, he represented the City at the last MCAG meeting. They discussed adopting a formal resolution removing the City from the Regional Transportation Impact Fee Program.
Council Member Aguilar attended the last Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting. They discussed bringing different sport activities and sports facilities to town. The Volunteer Fire Department will have their Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, May 5th.
Mayor’s Announcements and Reports.
Mayor Soria announced that the City Hall and Council of Chambers remodel projects were a success. He would like to see City school mascots or logos represented somewhere in the Council Chambers.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Mayor Soria opened Citizens Comments at 8:27 p.m.
Katherine Schell-Rodriguez, P.O. Box 163, noted that the City’s vehicle towing procedure was passed in the early 2000’s. The notification process required sending notifications by registered mail, which may be difficult for people who have a P.O. Box and can’t go to the post office while it is open. She recommends that the City adopt another notification process. In addition, she noted that the Minutes of December 5th should be corrected to show that Mayor Soria did not vote in favor of the Cannabis Business Ordinance.
Mike Sperry, 864 6th St., recommends that the City host a Home Fair, encouraging home improvement projects and business improvement projects. Moreover, he is concerned about residents driving around speed bumps at reckless speeds.
Mayor Soria closed Citizens Comments at 8:37 p.m., as there were no further comments from the public.
CONSENT AGENDA
- Resolution Approving an Agreement with SCI Consulting Group for Cannabis-Related Consulting Services.
- Approval of Minutes of Special Meeting Held on November 21, 2017.
- Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting Held on November 21, 2017.
- Approval of Minutes of Special Meeting Held on December 5, 2017.
- Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting Held on December 5, 2017.
- Approval of Warrant Register Dated February 2, 2018.
Motion: M/S McCabe/Sicairos to approve Consent Agenda items number 5 through 8, with a modification to the Minutes of Regular Meeting of December 5, 2017, showing that Mayor Soria did not vote in favor of the Cannabis Business Ordinance. The motion carried 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members: McCabe, Aguilar, Sicairos, Soria
NOES: Council Members: None
ABSENT: Council Members: Samra
- Resolution Approving an Agreement with SCI Consulting Group for Cannabis-Related Consulting Services.
Finance Director Grant introduced this item. The City would like to work with SCI for Cannabis-Related Consulting Services. They can assist with creating a fee schedule and a revenue recovery fee.
Neil Hall from SCI Consulting, introduced himself and provided an overview of SCI’s services. His company has done several inspections in Coalinga, Shasta Lake, Woodlake, and West Hollywood. They have extensive experience and do work with other local jurisdictions, such as the City of Merced.
Council Member McCabe asked for the cost of his services.
Neil Hall replied that the services cost approximately $20,000.00.
Council Member McCabe asked why the City is seeking consulting services.
City Manager Ramirez replied that SCI has the ability to create a fee schedule instead of having developer agreements with cannabis businesses.
Mayor Soria opened and closed Public Comments 9:00 p.m., as there were no comments from the public.
Motion: M/S McCabe/Aguilar to adopt Resolution No. 2018-05 Approving an Agreement with SCI Consulting Group for Cannabis-Related Consulting Services. The motion carried 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members: McCabe, Aguilar, Sicairos, Soria
NOES: Council Members: None
ABSENT: Council Members: Samra
- Approval of Warrant Register Dated February 2, 2018.
Council Member McCabe asked why a payment was made to the Livingston Police Association.
Finance Director Grant replied that those payments are union dues that are withheld from Police Department employee’s payroll checks.
Motion: M/S McCabe/Aguilar to approve Warrant Register Dated February 2, 2018. The motion carried 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members: McCabe, Aguilar, Sicairos, Soria
NOES: Council Members: None
ABSENT: Council Members: Samra
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
5. Resolution Approving the Water/Wastewater Operator Trainee, Water/Wastewater Operator I, Water/Wastewater Operator II, Water/Wastewater Operator III and Water/Wastewater Manager Job Descriptions and Corresponding Salary Schedules.
This item was tabled to a future meeting (date unannounced).
6. Resolution Supporting the Expansion of the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) Train to Merced County and the Study of a Potential Train Stop in the City of Livingston.
City Manager Ramirez introduced this item. The intent of this item is to show the feasibility and potential ridership demand for bringing an ACE train station to Livingston.
Mayor Soria opened and closed Public Comments at 9:03 p.m., as there were no comments from the public.
Motion: M/S Soria/McCabe to adopt Resolution No. 2018-06 Supporting the Expansion of the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) Train to Merced County and the Study of a Potential Train Stop in the City of Livingston. The motion carried 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members: McCabe, Aguilar, Sicairos, Soria
NOES: Council Members: None
ABSENT: Council Members: Samra
7. Waive the First Reading and Introduce an Ordinance Repealing and Replacing the Parks and Recreation Commission, Renaming the Commission “Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission” and Making Other Minor Amendments.
City Attorney Sanchez introduced this item.
Mayor Soria opened and closed Public Comments at 9:07 p.m., as there were no comments from the public.
Motion: M/S McCabe/Sicairos to Waive the First Reading and Introduce Ordinance No. 633 Repealing and Replacing the Parks and Recreation Commission, Renaming the Commission “Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission” and Making Other Minor Amendments. The motion carried 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members: McCabe, Aguilar, Sicairos, Soria
NOES: Council Members: None
ABSENT: Council Members: Samra
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at approximately 9:09 p.m.
__________________________________ City Clerk of the City of Livingston
APPROVED: April 17, 2018
_____________________________
Mayor or Mayor ProTempore
The written meeting minutes reflect a summary of specific actions taken by the City Council. They do not necessarily reflect all of the comments or dialogue leading up to the action. All meetings are digitally recorded and are an official record of the meeting’s proceedings. Digitally recorded verbatim minutes are available, upon request, and may be obtained at Livingston City Hall.
The Gardening Snail 2 