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Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
MEETING MINUTES
CLOSED SESSION/REGULAR MEETING
LIVINGSTON CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 4, 2015
A Closed Session/Regular Meeting of the Livingston City Council was held on August 4, 2015, in the City Council Chambers with Mayor Espinoza presiding.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Espinoza called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Rodrigo Espinoza
Mayor Pro-Tem Gurpal Samra
Council Member Jim Soria
Council Member Arturo Sicairos
Council Member Alex McCabe
Mayor Espinoza opened and subsequently closed Citizen Comments at 6:07 p.m., as there were no comments from the audience.
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Espinoza opened the meeting for public comments at 6:08 p.m. There were no comments and the Council went into Closed Session immediately thereafter to discuss the following matter:
1. Conference with Labor Negotiator: City Attorney Jose M. Sanchez
Unrepresented Employee: City Manager
(Government Code Section 54957.6)
2. Public Employee Appointment
(Government Code Section 54957)
Title: City Manager
3. Conference with Labor Negotiator
(Government Code Section 54957.6)
Labor Negotiator: Interim City Manager Odi Ortiz
Employee Organizations: All Represented and
Unrepresented City Employees
4. Conference with Legal Counsel – Potential Litigation
((Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2))
Number of Cases: 1
REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Espinoza called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The pledge of allegiance to the flag was recited.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Rodrigo Espinoza
Mayor Pro-Tem Gurpal Samra
Council Member Jim Soria
Council Member Arturo Sicairos
Council Member Alex McCabe
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENTS
No reportable action was taken.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Espinoza announced that Eddie Duque was recently appointed to the position of City Manager. The recruitment firm determined that he is qualified to serve as City Manager. A live scan and background check may be conducted as part of protocol.
Council Member Soria announced that he will be leaving today at 7:40 p.m., due to a prior engagement.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
None.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
1. Presentation by 4th of July Committee of a $5,000 check to the Central Valley Honor Flight on behalf of the Committee and the City of Livingston.
The Chairman of the 4th of July Committee, Julio Valadez, introduced this item. A check for $10,000 was donated by the 4th of July Committee and the City of Livingston to the Central Valley Honor Flight organization so that they may fly war veterans to Washington D.C. to see war memorials and monuments. He mentioned that the Knights of Columbus also made a generous contribution to this cause.
Mayor Espinoza thanked everyone who contributed to this foundation. In addition, he thanked those who volunteered their time at the 4th of July Festival.
2. Presentation by Ricco Guerrero, Al Perry and Larry McFarland, representing the Central Valley Honor Flight – Discussion on the purpose of their organization.
Ricco Guerrero and Larry McFarland discussed the organization’s mission and objectives.
3. Presentation by Hicham Heltal, Merced Irrigation District – Establishment of an IRWMP Governing Board Advisory Committee.
Merced Irrigation District Representative, Hicham Heltal, gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding IRWMP’s history, governance structure, revenue sources, and budgetary goals.
Council Member Soria excused himself from the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
Jean Okuye, 10181 Olive Avenue, announced that she participates in various IRWMP events. She mentioned that the City of Livingston is part of a project where City water is tested for contamination twice a year.
Interim City Manager Ortiz announced that he may attend a follow-up meeting about regional water issues in early August.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
Supervisor John Pedrozo Announcements and Reports.
Merced County Supervisor John Pedrozo announced that he saw veterans depart with the Central Valley Honor Flight last year and that he was very impressed with the event. He encouraged the community to participate in their fundraisers. Moreover, he announced that various emergency water relief programs are currently being implemented. One particular program provides a large mobile water tank and water bottles to County residents with dry wells.
Interim City Manager Ortiz added that this program may be a viable option for County residents requesting to connect to City water.
City Staff Announcements and Reports.
Police Chief Chavez announced that he was at National Night Out and participated in two neighborhood visits. There was a large audience at both neighborhoods. The community received information about public safety and police programs. In addition, he mentioned that body cameras and vehicle cameras for police officers are being activated.
Mayor Espinoza announced that vandal and theft activities have been brought to his attention by concerned citizens. The City should consider installing cameras throughout town to catch vandals and discourage theft.
Mayor Pro-Tem Samra announced that he would like the Police Department to provide City Council with a presentation showing how body cameras and vehicle cameras function.
City Engineer Mario Gouveia reported that Well #13 is being developed.
Mayor Pro-Tem Samra announced that there are vehicle accessibility issues at Winton Parkway along driveway entrances. He suggested stripping a portion of the road to prevent cars from blocking driveway entrances.
City Engineer Gouveia replied that this may be possible.
City Council Members’ Announcements and Reports.
Council Member McCabe encouraged the community to attend the Livingston Downtown Open Market to support local vendors and to have a fun family night out. Moreover, his gang transition program is focusing on painting murals depicting “Livingston Pride” to give gang youth a way of expressing themselves and utilizing their talents. In closing, Council Member McCabe announced that True Value recently celebrated their 50th anniversary since opening in Livingston. He thanked True Value for all of their contributions to the community.
City Manager Announcements and Reports
Interim City Manager Ortiz announced that residential water consumption decreased by 33% compared to 2013. However, the City’s primary water user, Foster Farms, consumes approximately 70% of the City’s water and they have issues reducing water consumption to satisfy the State’s goal.
Merced County Supervisor Pedrozo announced that he will make himself available to advocate for Livingston regarding water reduction requirements.
Mayor’s Announcements and Reports.
Mayor Espinoza thanked City staff for their hard work and commitment to the City of Livingston.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Mayor Espinoza opened and closed Citizen Comments at 8:19 p.m., as there were no comments from the audience.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
4. Resolution No. 2015-44 Establishing Certain Findings and Approving Energy Service Contract for Energy Related Improvements to City Facilities with Axis LED Lighting (LED Street Lighting Project).
Interim City Manager Ortiz introduced this item. Dennis Mueller, representing Axis LED Lighting, was in attendance to answer questions.
Mayor Espinoza opened and closed the Public Hearing at 8:21 p.m., as there were no comments from the public.
Mayor Pro-Tem Samra asked if the newest street lights should be replaced even though they are new and efficient.
Axis LED Lighting representative, Marty DePaoli, replied that LED lights are much more efficient and effective than the existing street lights, indifferent of how new they are because even the newest street lights will start deteriorating after six months.
Motion: M/S Samra/Sicairos to adopt Resolution No. 2015-44 Establishing Certain Findings and Approving an Energy Service Contract for Energy Related Improvements to City Facilities with Axis LED Lighting (LED Street Lighting Project). The motion carried 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members: Sicairos, McCabe, Samra, Espinoza
NOES: Council Members: None
ABSENT: Council Members: Soria
5. Resolution No. 2015-45 Approving the Site Plan / Design Review 2015-02 for the 51 Fifty Enterprise Youth Boxing Gym and Sports Facility at 430 Second Street (northwest corner of “B” and Second Street).
Contract City Planner Hatch introduced this item.
Mayor Espinoza opened and closed Public Comments at 8:42 p.m., as there were no comments from the audience.
Council Member McCabe inquired about the building that is currently occupied by 51 Fifty Enterprises.
Applicant Carlos Vieira replied that the property owners will determine what to do with their property.
Mayor Pro-Tem Samra mentioned that he supports the boxing club and applauds their mission to help youth reach their academic potential.
Mayor Espinoza thanked the applicant for organizing this program.
Council Member Sicairos commended the applicant for investing in a program that helps the youth in Livingston.
Motion: M/S Sicairos/McCabe to adopt Resolution No. 2015-45 Approving the Site Plan / Design Review 2015-02 for the 51 Fifty Enterprise Youth Boxing Gym and Sports Facility at 430 Second Street (northwest corner of “B” and Second Street). The motion carried 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members: Sicairos, McCabe, Samra, Espinoza
NOES: Council Members: None
ABSENT: Council Members: Soria
CONSENT CALENDAR
6. Resolution No. 2015-46Approving a Three (3) Year Concessions Agreement with Paul Maurer Shows (PMS) and Authorizing the Interim City Manager to Execute the Agreement.
7. Approval of Warrant Register Dated July 29, 2015.
Motion: M/S Sicairos/McCabe to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members: Sicairos, McCabe, Samra, Espinoza
NOES: Council Members: None
ABSENT: Council Members: Soria
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
8. Provide Direction to Staff Regarding Updating the Housing Element.
Contract City Planner Hatch announced that a new Housing Element is needed to apply for certain grants. This is the only General Plan Element that needs to be reviewed and approved by the State. This project will most likely be contracted-out to an experienced firm. This item is being presented to City Council so that they may indicate how they would like to select a firm.
Mayor Espinoza opened and closed Public Comments at 8:54 p.m., as there were no comments from the public.
The City Council directed City staff to select the firm responsible for creating the City’s new Housing Element.
9. Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Continuance of Sister City Efforts with Zapotlanejo, Jalisco, Mexico.
Mayor Espinoza introduced this item and announced that some of the objectives of having a Sister City in Mexico include building a relationship with international communities and working with international investors interested in investing in Livingston.
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