HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020_03_26 - Special MINUTES
Special meeting of the City Council of the City of Redlands held as a teleconferencing meeting in the Council
Chambers, Civic Center, 35 Cajon Street, on March 26, 2020 at 2 00 P M
Present Paul Foster,Mayor
Denise Davis,Mayor Pro Tempore-Via Teleconference
Paul Banch, Council Member
Eddie Tejeda, Council Member
Toni Momberger, Council Member-Via Teleconference
Staff Charles M Duggan,Jr, City Manager, Dan McHugh, City Attorney, Jeanne Donaldson, City
Clerk, Carl Baker,Public Information Officer, Danielle Garcia,Management Services/Finance
Director
Mayor Foster called the special meeting to order at 2 00 P M He provided a review of measures the
City has taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic He reassured the public that City staff is doing
everything possible to maintain service levels while also protecting the public health and safety Despite
the turbulent times of uncertainty,police, fire and water are fully staffed and operating under normal
conditions He pointed out the public can access the City's new COVID-19 website, offering valuable
information and resources
Mayor Pro Tempore Davis and Council Member Momberger were present at the meeting via
teleconferencing
PUBLIC COMMENT
As an added layer of protection,all public comment was conducted at the beginning of the meeting
Comments related to specific agenda items are incorporated into the item discussion
Essential City Services-Andy Hoder recognized the City's business must still go on,including the
provision of essential services such as police, fire,trash and water He expressed appreciation for the
City's efforts to maintain levels with no interruption
CONSENT CALENDAR
Workers' Compensation Compromise and Release Agreement
On motion of Council Member Eddie Tejeda,seconded by Council Member Paul Banch,by roll call
vote,the City Council unanimously approved the public disclosure of details of a Settlement
Agreement between the City of Redlands and Breanna Herrera Under the terms of the agreement,the
City agrees to pay Ms Herrera$30,000 00 to settle and dispose of disputes related to action with the
State of California Workers'Compensation Appeals Board, Case No ADJ11998539 and
ADJ12914708
Vote 5 - 0 Passed
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Workers' Compensation Compromise and Release Agreement
On motion of Council Member Eddie Tejeda,seconded by Council Member Paul Barich,by roll call
vote,the City Council unanimously approved the public disclosure of details of a Settlement
Agreement between the City of Redlands and William Van Aken Under the terms of the agreement,
the City agrees to pay Mr Van Aken$30,000 00 to settle and dispose of disputes related to action
taken with the State of California Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, Case No ADJ11880242
and ADJ4019531
Vote 5 - 0 Passed
Maintenance Agreement Bitech Financial Accounting System
On motion of Council Member Eddie Tejeda,seconded by Council Member Paul Barich,by roll call
vote,the City Council unanimously approved the Agreement with Superion in the amount of$267,205
for software and database support and maintenance for the Bitech financial and accounting system for
a period of 24 months
Vote 5 - 0 Passed
Homeless Emergency Aid Program(HEAP) Grant Agreements
On motion of Council Member Eddie Tejeda,seconded by Council Member Paul Barich,by roll call
vote,the City Council unanimously approved the early termination of the Subcontractor Agreement
with Family Service Association of Redlands, and an amendment to the Subcontractor Agreement with
Inland Temporary Homes, dba Inland Housing Solutions,for the provision of services under the
Homeless Emergency Aid Program(HEAP)Grant
Vote: 5 - 0 Passed
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinance No 2908 Temporary Eviction Moratorium
City Manager Duggan,Jr presented Ordinance No 2908 an uncodified,urgency ordinance to enact a
short-term temporary moratorium on evictions until May 31,2020,The moratorium is based on
nonpayment of rents for residential and commercial tenants where they are unable to pay as a result
of income loss resulting from the Novel Coronavirus(COVID-19) City Attorney stated this
ordinance does not cover renters of hotels and motels Mayor Pro Tempore Davis was pleased to see
action on this matter in light of the staggering number of layoffs people are facing As public
comment,Mark Edwards urged Council to adopt the temporary moratorium on evictions based only
for nonpayment of rent due to income loss from COVID-19
On motion of Council Member Eddie Tejeda,seconded by Council Member Paul Barich,by roll call
vote,the City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance No 2908, an uncodified,urgency ordinance of
the City of Redlands enacting a temporary moratorium on residential and commercial evictions due to
nonpayment of rent for tenants where the failure to pay rent results from income loss resulting from the
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Vote: 5 - 0 Passed
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Homelessness
City Manager Duggan,Jr opened the discussion relating to homelessness during the declared existence
of a local emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic He introduced San Bernardino County Director
of Government Legislative Affairs,Josh Candelaria,who detailed recent State and County actions
With recent state orders,there are three funding streams $100 million for Cities and Continuum of
Care Programs, $50 million that is discretionary and the County will be applying in conjunction with
local providers and Cities, and larger allocations the Governor has set aside for trailers statewide These
actions provide agencies the opportunity to be flexible and reprogram funds Council Member
Momberger represents Redlands on the Inter-Agency Council on Homelessness, and they met earlier
today to develop a strategic plan and leverage as many resources as possible within the region
The City Manager presented a recap of current City activities and resources directed towards serving
the homeless, some of which include the Homeless Emergency Aid Program(HEAP)Grant programs,
police resources and mitigation measures taken by Facilities and Community Services Council
Member discussion focused on funding sources,the urgent nature of stopping the spread of the virus,
the vulnerability of the homeless population and County actions taken In order to be flexible and
reprogram the budget, Council Member Momberger requested staff re-priontize and develop a
short-term action plan to include a threat assessment and a list of resources, including input from our
providers and a review of what other Cities are doing and then extend the authority to the COVID-19
Sub-Committee to direct staff without convening the full City Council, since this is a public health
emergency
All Council Members agreed to give authority to the Sub-Committee on COVID-19 and empowered
the Sub-Committee to make decisions without convening the full Council
Public Comment Procedures
City Manager Duggan,Jr introduced the need for guidance from the Council relating to the provision
of public comments for City Council meetings held during the declared existence of a local emergency
due to the COVID-19 pandemic Seventeen California cities were polled with results indicating nine
Council meetings remain open to the public,while eight are closed to the public He thanked Director
Garcia and her staff for their tremendous efforts to resolve technical issues surrounding
teleconferencing meetings He stated the Chamber occupancy is set at twenty-six and if more than
twenty-six members of the public attend, a line will be formed outside the building,using appropriate
social distancing guidelines Staff is prepared to direct the overflow to a line outside the building
As public comment,Denms Bell suggested the Council select Option One,which provides for the
Chambers to remain open to the public, and he requested the City provide a way for the public to
access hard copies of the full agenda packet in advance of meetings Each Council Member offered
their preference,with Mayor Foster, Council Members Barch and Tejeda preferring to remain open to
the public (Option 1)and follow the proper social distancing guidelines Mayor Pro Tempore Davis and
Council Member Momberger opted to close the Chamber to the public (Option 2), and they expressed
their concern that open meetings would encourage the public to attend and increase the likelihood of
spreading the virus
Mayor Foster announced the majority of the City Council selected Option One to keep the Chambers
open and allow public comment during City Council meetings
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further action required the special meeting adjourned at 2 50 P M
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