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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022_03_15 - RegularMINUTES Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Redlands held in the Council Chambers, Civic Center, 35 Cajon Street, on March 15, 2022 at 5 00 P M Present Staff Paul Barich, Mayor Eddie Tejeda, Mayor Pro Tempore Denise Davis, Council Member Jenna Guzman -Lowery, Council Member Mick Gallagher, Council Member Charles M Duggan, Jr , City Manager, Dan McHugh, City Attorney, Robert Dawes, City Treasurer, Jeanne Donaldson, City Clerk, Janice McConnell, Assistant City Manager, Chris Boatman, Assistant City Manager, Carl Baker, Public Information Officer, Chris Catren, Police Chief, Danielle Garcia, Management Services/Finance Director, Brian Desatnik, Development Services Director, John Harris, Municipal Utilities and Engineering Director, Rich Sessler, Intermm Fire Chief Mayor Barich called the meeting to order and explained that comments could be presented in -person, via Zoom, via cell phone or landline He offered the public an opportunity to provide comment on any item on the agenda for the closed session PUBLIC COMMENT None forthcoming CLOSED SESSION Conference with legal counsel Anticipated Litigation - Government Code §54956 9(d)(2)(e)(3) (Assistant City Manager Boatman) One Case a Facts and circumstances Receipt of threatened litigation against the City by the American Youth Soccer Organization relating to the operation of the Redlands Sports Park Conference with real property negotiators - Government Code §54956 8 (Assistant City Manager Boatman) Property APN 0292-166-08-0000 Agency Negotiators Charles M Duggan, Jr , Chris Boatman Negotiating Party Andrew Christopherson, The Grove School Under Negotiation Terms of payment and price of possible lease amendment or purchase of property CC_March 15, 2022 Page 1 Conference with labor negotiator - Government Code §54957 6 (Assistant City Manager McConnell) Agency Negotiator Assistant City Manager McConnell Employee Organizations Redlands Association of Department Directors Redlands Association of Management Employees Redlands Association of Mid -Management Employees Redlands Association of Safety Management Employees Redlands Association of Fire Management Employees Redlands Police Officers Association Redlands Professional Firefighters Association Redlands Civilian Safety Employees Teamsters Local 1932 Redlands Chapter RECONVENE CITY COUNCIL MEETING The meeting reconvened at 6 00 P M with an invocation by Mayor Pro Tempore Tejeda followed by the pledge of allegiance to the American flag CLOSED SESSION REPORT City Attorney McHugh announced that Council Member Davis recused herself on Closed Session Item C-2 due to her ownership of property within 500 feet of the property under negotiation Furthermore, he announced that no reportable action was taken during closed session PRESENTATIONS Lifesaving Award Interim Fire Chief Sessler described the brave actions of Nicholas Miller and Kacey Rememan, who acted selflessly to save a woman from a house fire Chief Sessler presented the lifesaving award to Mr Miller Ms Reineman was unable to attend tonight's meeting and will receive her award at a later date PUBLIC COMMENT Public comments were presented either in -person, via Zoom, via cell phone or landline Various Thoughts - Dennis Bell questioned whether the Kiwanis Club had gained the approvals needed to post No -Parking signs that were placed throughout the City in connection with the Run Through Redlands event He thought the Redlands School District appeared to be ignoring certain systemic issues related to the many charges of employee sexual misconduct, and he complained that a Metrohnk public meeting, scheduled via Zoom, conflicted with tonight's Council meeting Property Concerns and the U of R - Steve Rogers referenced an email communication he sent to the City Council earlier this evening, expressing his concerns of possible real estate fraud in connection with two different properties and the University of Redlands CC_March 15, 2022 Page 2 CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes On motion of Council Member Mick Gallagher, seconded by Council Member Denise Davis, the City Council unanimously approved the minutes of the regular meeting of March 1, 2022 Vote: 5 - 0 Passed Proclamation Vietnam War Veterans Day Mayor Barich was grateful for all Vietnam War Veterans and was pleased to announce the Proclamation would declare March 29, 2022, as Vietnam War Veterans Day As a Vietnam War veteran himself, Council Member Gallagher appreciated the Mayor's acknowledgment, and he heartily added, a "Welcome Home" to Veterans On motion of Mayor Pro Tempore Eddie Tejeda, seconded by Council Member Mick Gallagher, the City Council unanimously approved the issuance of a proclamation declaring March 29, 2022, as Vietnam War Veterans Day Vote 5 - 0 Passed Proclamation Cesar Chavez Day Mayor Pro Tem Tejeda highlighted the work of Cesar Chavez who tirelessly fought to improve the plight of the farmworker, and he explained the City had a history rich in agriculture, located in the largest navel orange producing regions in the world On motion of Mayor Pro Tempore Eddie Tejeda, seconded by Council Member Denise Davis, the City Council unanimously approved the issuance of a proclamation declaring March 31, 2022, as Cesar Chavez Day Vote 5 - 0 Passed Resolution No 8312 Remote Teleconference Meetings On motion of Council Member Mick Gallagher, seconded by Council Member Denise Davis, the City Council unanimously approved Resolution No 8312 authorizing remote teleconference meetings by the City Council and all Boards, Commissions, and Committees of the City in accordance with Assembly Bill 361 (2021) for a period of 30 days Vote 5 - 0 Passed CC_March 15, 2022 Page 3 Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Appointment On motion of Council Member Mick Gallagher, seconded by Council Member Denise Davis, the City Council unanimously appointed Justin Weekley to serve the remainder of a four-year term on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission ending January 6, 2026 Vote: 5 - 0 Passed Adopt Ordinance No 2931 Council Member Election District Boundaries On motion of Council Member Mick Gallagher, seconded by Council Member Denise Davis, the City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance No 2931, amending Chapter 2 03 030 of the Redlands Municipal Code relating to the adjustment of current City Council Member Election District Boundaries Vote: 5 - 0 Passed Resolution No 8309 Statement of Investment Policy On motion of Council Member Mick Gallagher, seconded by Council Member Denise Davis, the City Council unanimously approved Resolution No 8309, establishing a Statement of Investment Policy and rescinding Resolution No 8035 Vote 5 - 0 Passed Settlement Agreement Disclosure On motion of Council Member Mick Gallagher, seconded by Council Member Denise Davis, the City Council unanimously approved the public disclosure of details of an Agreement of Settlement and General Release between the City of Redlands and Heidi Kirkendoll Under the terms of the agreement, the City agrees to pay Ms Kirkendoll $20,000 to settle and dispose of disputes and controversies associated with a civil action pending in the San Bernardino Superior Court and entitled, Heidi Kirkendoll, et al , Case No CIVDS 1933311 Vote. 5 - 0 Passed Emergency Resolution No 8065 Report On motion of Council Member Mick Gallagher, seconded by Council Member Denise Davis, the City Council unanimously approved the Report regarding Emergency Resolution No 8065 proclaiming the existence of a local emergency in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) Vote: 5 - 0 Passed CC_March 15, 2022 Page 4 Resolution No 8289 Investment Authority Delegation On motion of Council Member Mick Gallagher, seconded by Council Member Denise Davis, the City Council unanimously approved Resolution No 8289 delegating investment authority to the City Treasurer pursuant to Government Code Section 53607 Vote• 5 - 0 Passed Resolution No 8306 Public Records Destruction On motion of Council Member Mick Gallagher, seconded by Council Member Denise Davis, the City Council unanimously approved Resolution No 8306 approving the destruction of certain Finance/ Revenue department public records Vote. 5 - 0 Passed Alcohol Consumption Request at Sylvan Park On motion of Council Member Mick Gallagher, seconded by Council Member Denise Davis, the City Council unanimously determined that approval of the request is exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the state's guidelines implementing the California Environmental Quality Act, and approved a request for the serving and consumption of alcoholic beverages at Sylvan Park for Carol Jones' Retirement Party to be held on June 18, 2022 Vote• 5 - 0 Passed Purchase Order Modifications On motion of Council Member Mick Gallagher, seconded by Council Member Denise Davis, the City Council unanimously approved a modification to the purchase order with Universal Protection Service, LP, Doing Business As Allied Universal Security Services to amend the total to an amount not to exceed $81,071 39, and to the purchase order with Executive Facilities Services to amend the total to an amount not to exceed $94,916 70 Vote: 5 - 0 Passed General Plan Conformance On motion of Council Member Mick Gallagher, seconded by Council Member Denise Davis, the City Council unanimously determined that the Purchase and Sale Agreement for Assessor's Parcel No 0168-091-07-0000 is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State Guidelines implementing CEQA, accepted the Report and conclusion of the Planning Commission's findings of conformance with the City of Redlands General Plan, approved the Purchase and Sale Agreement with San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District for the acquisition of Assessor's Parcel No 0168-091-07-0000 in the amount of $22,500 and approved an additional appropriation of the same CC_March 15, 2022 Page 5 Vote 5 - 0 Passed Amending Seismic and Structural Assessment Agreement On motion of Council Member Mick Gallagher, seconded by Council Member Denise Davis, the City Council unanimously approved Amendment No 1 to the Agreement with Richard Brady & Associates, Inc for the performance of a seismic and structural assessment of the City's water infrastructure The amendment extends the date for termination of the services to July 31, 2022 Vote• 5 - 0 Passed Amending Environmental Site Assessment Agreement On motion of Council Member Mick Gallagher, seconded by Council Member Denise Davis, the City Council unanimously determined that approval of the Fourth Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Rincon Consultants, Inc is exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State's guidelines implementing the California Environmental Quality Act, and approved the Fourth Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement between the City of Redlands and Rincon Consultants, Inc to continue providing environmental site assessment services at the Alabama Street Septage Disposal Ponds Vote: 5 - 0 Passed Amending Agreement Engineering and Traffic Surveys On motion of Council Member Mick Gallagher, seconded by Council Member Denise Davis, the City Council unanimously approved Amendment No 1 to the Agreement with RK Engineering Group, Inc to perform Engineering and Traffic Surveys on various streets within City limits Vote• 5 - 0 Passed Police Department's Military Equipment Use Policy As public comment, Steve Rogers suggested the City consider donating excess military equipment to Ukraine City Manager Duggan clarified that currently, the only equipment worthy of donating was the one just purchased, which is a replacement for a vehicle considered inoperable On motion of Council Member Jenna Guzman -Lowery, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Eddie Tejeda, the City Council unanimously agreed to receive and file the Redlands Police Department's Military Equipment Use Policy Vote. 5 - 0 Passed CC_March 15, 2022 Page 6 RADD Side Letter On motion of Council Member Mick Gallagher, seconded by Council Member Denise Davis, the City Council unanimously approved the Side Letter between the City and the Redlands Association of Department Directors (RADD), providing Chief Sessler up until August 31, 2023, to utilize or sell his earned leave while continuing to accrue leave Vote: 5 - 0 Passed Proclamation Commending Maestro Frank Paul Fetta Mayor Barich recognized the contributions of Maestro Frank Paul Fetta with a Proclamation commending his over 40 years of service to the Redlands Bowl On motion of Mayor Paul Barich, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Eddie Tejeda, the City Council unanimously issued a Proclamation commending Maestro Frank Paul Fetta for over 40 years of service to the Redlands Bowl Vote: 5 - 0 Passed COMMUNICATIONS Video Series. Redlands Making Progress Public Information Officer Baker introduced a new video series, entitled "Redlands Making Progress" The series will spotlight the progress made on various capital maintenance work and this month's video highlighted the 2021 Citywide Sidewalk and ADA Ramp Replacement Project Filming and production work was performed by Cheryl Williams, Multimedia Production Coordinator American Rescue Plan Act SLFRF Maira Durazo, Grants Coordinator, explained that on March 1, 2022, the City Council directed staff to revise program options for Council's consideration related to the use of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) The overall concept and categories of the programs remained unchanged with the revisions focused on the total program budget, number of beneficiaries to be served, benefit amount, and program duration She provided the revisions and detailed the six categories that were recommended to receive funds Assistance to Households, comprised of grocery gift card program and utility bill assistance, Services for Unhoused Persons, comprised of Steps 4 Life and a homeless coordinator, Business Economic Recovery, including Business Gift Voucher Match Program, Waste Water Rate Reduction, Premium Pay for Eligible Essential Workers and Pandemic Response, incorporating limited -term administrative assistants and public health response As public comment, Roger Uminski, Bev Ching, Erin Mancha and Dom Betro for Michael Ocasio, all from Citrus Counseling Services, spoke in support of redirecting some CC_March 15, 2022 Page 7 ARPA/SLFRF funds to local non-profit groups, who are equipped to provide assistance to those in need within the community They pointed out that non -profits make up about 10% of the economy, already have proven programs in place and can efficiently offer services such as housing, food, clothing and mental health services Heidi Mayer, of Youth Hope and Kyra Steward, of Redlands Family Service Association, highlighted their organization's work and advocated for Council to consider releasing some funding to non-profit groups, as this was an efficient way to help the community Council Members appreciated staffs efforts to rework the funding options and incorporate their input They explored the options to include funding for non-profit groups and considered how best to accomplish that goal They reviewed the grocery gift card program and wondered if there might be some overlap among the different programs Council Member Guzman -Lowery supported setting aside funding for non -profits, especially as it related to homelessness Mayor Pro Tem Tejeda stressed these funds will support people who are in urgent need City Manager Duggan clarified that Council had flexibility to re -assign funding for non -profits and could shift funds between categories, but they must identify which category would be reduced accordingly He announced the City was just awarded a $30 million State of California Homekey grant for development of an existing motel as supportive housing to provide shelter and services for the homeless population, one of 13 new Homekey projects statewide On motion of Mayor Pro Tempore Eddie Tejeda, seconded by Council Member Denise Davis, the City Council unanimously directed staff to initiate the program and authorize the expenditures of $11,508,106 of American Rescue Plan Act SLFRF funds for the programs described, approved shifting up to $200,000 from the Public Health Response category, to be set aside for non-profit group assistance, approved two limited -term, full-time Administrative Assistant I/II positions for the administrative support and facilitation of community programs under the City's American Rescue Plan Act SLFRF allocation, and authorized Finance to move American Rescue Plan Act SLFRF funds as needed in the future within the approved categories Vote 5 - 0 Passed FY 22-23 through FY 27-28 Strategic Plan Assistant City Manager McConnell introduced Strategic Planning consultant, Ms Michelle Kennedy of BerryDunn to present the City's proposed Strategic Plan for FY 22-23 through FY 27-28 The proposed Plan resulted from a collaborative process that engaged the community Residents and businesses were invited to rate how they thought the City was doing and to share their ideas and visions for the future of Redlands The consultants reached out and met with a wide array of community stakeholders, including residents, community organizations and service clubs, business groups, educators, faith -based communities and churches, minority groups, youth organizations, labor groups as well as the City's advisory boards and commissions and City staff In December 2021, the City Council was presented the information gathered through the community engagement process and were led through the exercise of outlining a mission, a vision, core values and strategic priorities Subsequently, a strategic planning workshop was held with the City's management team to develop objectives in support of the Council's strategic priorities The Strategic Plan is a living document that will focus the CC_March 15, 2022 Page 8 City's energy and resources, ensure that City officials and staff are working toward common goals, establish consensus around intended outcomes and allow the City to regularly assess and adjust the organization's direction in a changing environment Ms Kennedy detailed each of the four strategic pnorities These included, PRIORITY A - Quality of Life Ensure Redlands continues to be a vibrant community that honors its heritage, PRIORITY B - Public Health and Safety Enhance services and programs so that all community members are safe, sheltered, PRIORITY C - Equity and Inclusion Cultivate wide-ranging community engagement and a work force that strives to ensure everyone in the community has access to City services and facilities, PRIORITY D - Sustainability Preserve and protect what makes Redlands special by maintaining core services Ms Kennedy briefly reviewed the City's next steps and showed an example of an implementation plan template and a quarterly and annual report template City Manager Duggan stressed the need to establish achievable measures to meet these broader priorities and goals Council Member Gallagher raised concerns with the City's existing infrastructure, as well as, the aging systems of Southern California Edison, and he wondered how these systems would meet the future demands that will come from population growth and the developments planned in the downtown area It was agreed that infrastructure topics would best be handled under the priority labeled Sustainability The Council Members thanked Ms Kennedy for her thoughtful presentation and comprehensive work As public comment, Dennis Bell complained the Strategic Plan was vague, ambiguous and light on details Steve Rogers stated that the public was still waiting for the Transit Villages Specific Plan to be completed, and in his opinion, the General Plan should be used as the guide for the City's future, not this Strategic Plan On motion of Mayor Pro Tempore Eddie Tejeda, seconded by Council Member Jenna Guzman -Lowery, the City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No 8315, approving the City of Redlands Strategic Plan for FY 22-23 through FY 27-28 Vote: 5 - 0 Passed Measure T Citizens' Oversight Committee Annual Report Management Services/Finance Director Garcia introduced Chairperson Toni Momberger to present the annual report of the Measure T Citizens' Oversight Committee for FY 2020-21 The purpose of the one cent tax (approved by voters in November 2020) was to provide funding for safety services, fire protection, paramedics, 911 emergency response, addressing homelessness, police patrols and crime prevention, maintaining library services, parks, sidewalks and roads, keeping public areas well maintained and other general services She provided a brief summary and background of the Oversight Committee, reviewed the City Council's list of prioritization for expenditures, recapped the Committee proceedings, and she highlighted financial summary information The Committee found that funds were collected and appropriately spent in accordance with the City's corresponding fiscal year budget plan, to the extent that timing allowed and that the City's FY 202P22 General Fund Adopted Budget both promoted and maintained the City's core services, including public safety CC_March 15, 2022 Page 9 On motion of Mayor Pro Tempore Eddie Tejeda, seconded by Council Member Mick Gallagher, the City Council unanimously agreed to receive and file the Annual Report from the Measure T Citizens' Oversight Committee for FY 2020-21 Vote: 5 - 0 Passed PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolution Nos 8313 and 8314 CFD Annexation No 26 Mayor Barich opened the hearing and called on John Harris, of Municipal Utilities and Engineering, for a report on a request from Lennar Homes of California, LLC to annex territory to Community Facilities District No 2004-1 for the purposes of performing maintenance of perimeter lettered lots, retention basins, and street trees adjacent to Tract Map No 20257 City Clerk Donaldson agreed to hold the special election within the annexing territory on March 15, 2022 With no further comments, Mayor Barich closed the public hearing City Clerk Donaldson conducted the special election and announced the results, which determined the required two-thirds of the votes cast (38-0) were in favor of levying the tax On motion of Mayor Pro Tempore Eddie Tejeda, seconded by Council Member Denise Davis, the City Council unanimously approved Resolution No 8313, calling a special election of the question of levying special taxes within the territory to be annexed to CFD No 2004-1, and approved Resolution No 8314, declaring the voting results of the special election were in favor of levying the tax, and therefore, the territory will be annexed to the CFD No 2004-1 Vote• 5 - 0 Passed NEW BUSINESS Auditing Services Agreement Management Services/Finance Director Garcia offered details of an agreement for professional auditing services with The Pun Group to provide auditing services for fiscal years ending June 30, 2022, 2023 and 2024 with the option to extend to 2025 and 2026 On motion of Mayor Pro Tempore Eddie Tejeda, seconded by Council Member Denise Davis, the City Council unanimously approved the agreement for professional auditing services with The Pun Group to provide auditing services for fiscal years ending June 30, 2022, 2023 and 2024 with the option to extend to 2025 and 2026 with a total agreement amount not -to -exceed $318,549 Vote: 5 - 0 Passed CC_March 15, 2022 Page 10 Contract Award CDBG Joslyn Center Renovation Protect This item was pulled from tonight's agenda and will be presented to the City Council at a future meeting COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES Council Member Davis hosted the Youth Council last week and thanked Interim Fire Chief Sessler and his staff for providing a lively and informative presentation ADJOURNMENT There being no further action required the meeting adjourned at 8 12 P M The next regular meeting of the City of Redlands City Council will be held on April 5, 2022 CC_March 15, 2022 Page 11