Meeting Date: December 02, 2014
Agenda Item #8. Approval of Minutes of Meeting Held on September 2, 2014.
MEETING MINUTES
CONCURRENT MEETING OF THE CITY
COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO
THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE
CITY OF LIVINGSTON
SEPTEMBER 2, 2014
A Concurrent Meeting of the City Council and Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Livingston was held on September 2, 2014, in the City Council Chambers with Mayor Pro-Tem Samra presiding.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro-Tem Samra called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Rodrigo Espinoza (Excused Absence)
Mayor Pro-Tem Gurpal Samra
Council Member Jim Soria
Council Member Arturo Sicairos
Council Member David Mendoza
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Mayor Pro-Tem Samra opened and subsequently closed Citizen Comments at 6:06 p.m. as there were no comments from the public.
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Pro-Tem Samra 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 matters:
1. Conference with Labor Negotiator
(Government Code Section 54957.6)
Labor Negotiator: City Manager Jose Antonio Ramirez
Employee Organizations: All Represented City Employees
2. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation
(Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1))
California River Watch v. City of Livingston
United States District Court – Eastern District of California
Case No. 1:14CV-00437-AWI-MJS
REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Pro-Tem Samra called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The pledge of allegiance to the flag was recited.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Rodrigo Espinoza (Excused Absence)
Mayor Pro-Tem Gurpal Samra
Council Member Jim Soria
Council Member Arturo Sicairos (Excused Absence)
Council Member David Mendoza
Mayor Pro-Tem Samra announced that he would like the record to reflect that Mayor Espinoza was unable to attend today’s City Council meeting because he was out of town receiving training from the League of California Cities. In addition, Mayor Pro-Tem Samra announced that Council Member Sicairos was feeling ill and went home immediately after Closed Session.
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENTS
No reportable action was taken
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
None.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
1. Presentation by Greg Yun, Solar City, “Residential Solar Energy Systems.”
Greg Yun, representative from Solar City, gave a presentation about the financial and environmental benefits of switching from conventional energy to solar energy. He also discussed the “Ambassador Program,” in which referrals made by City Council would produce a $250.00 donation from Solar City to the City of Livingston. Mr. Yun believes that Livingston’s regional climate is perfect for solar energy production.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
Supervisor John Pedrozo Announcements and Reports.
Supervisor Pedrozo was not in attendance.
City Staff Announcements and Reports.
Police Chief Chavez played a video clip from ABC News. The video showed Police Chief Chavez and City Manager Ramirez talking about the latest equipment that police officers will be using to document encounters on the field.
Parks and Recreation Superintendent Jacqueline Benoit gave City Council and the community an update on recent Parks and Recreation related activities. In particular, she talked about the progress on the City’s upcoming Sweet Potato Festival. She stated that, like last year, this year’s Sweet Potato Festival will be a three day celebration that will include carnival rides, live entertainment, food vendors, and craft vendors. In addition, this year’s festivities will include a mascot, Sweet Potato Joe, who will walk around to take pictures with families.
City Manager Ramirez added that the Sweet Potato Festival has been receiving a lot of press and coverage. This is the 3rd annual Sweet Potato Festival. He expects the festivities, attractions, and attendance to increase every year. In addition, he shared that he is proud of all of the hard work that Superintendent Benoit and her staff put into this event.
City Manager Announcements and Reports.
City Manager Ramirez had nothing to report.
City Council Members’ Announcements and Reports.
Council Member Soria announced that football season is upon us. He urged the community to support local programs by attending football games when possible.
Mayor’s Announcements and Reports.
Presiding Mayor, Mayor Pro-Tem Samra, had nothing to report.
GRANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
2. Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP)
The Livingston Police Department has received a 50% matching grant for officer ballistic
body armor in the amount of $6,203.59 ($12,960.00 grant) from Bulletproof Vest Partnership.
Police Chief Chavez introduced this item.
Mayor Pro-Tem Samra announced that if officers on duty wear body cameras, it will help keep officers and residents accountable for their actions. It’s a significant tool that can help clarify discrepancies and accusations.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Mayor Pro-Tem Samra opened Citizen Comments at 7:39 p.m.
Katherine Schell-Rodriguez, P.O. Box 163, urged the community to be as resourceful as possible with water usage. For example, she discussed how people have the tendency to let water, from their shower head, run into the drainage system while it heats up to a desirable temperature. She suggested that residents can capture cold water and use it for other needs such as watering plants.
Pedro Valencia, 916 Hilltop Avenue, announced that he noticed that the City’s water rate was increased. He asked how these funds will be used to address the City’s water quality issues. He also asked how the City monitors water quality.
City Manager Ramirez replied that staff samples City water on a daily basis. These samples are sent to a lab that is monitored by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The State looks at different aspects of water quality and various constituents such as arsenic, manganese, etc. The City reviews said results to mail a Consumer Confidence Report every quarter.
Warren Urnberg, 1331 8th Street, asked how the City will fund future water related projects.
City Manager Ramirez replied that the City will take a broad approach and seek Federal, State, and Regional grants in addition to applying for low interest loans.
Mayor Pro-Tem Samra closed Citizen Comments at 8:02 p.m. as there were no more comments from the public.
CONSENT CALENDAR
3. Approval of Minutes of Meeting Held on July 1, 2014.
4. Approval of Warrant Register Dated August 28, 2014.
The Consent Calendar was passed by consensus as shown below:
AYES: Council Members: Mendoza, Soria, Samra
NOES: Council Members: None
ABSENT: Council Members: Sicairos, Espinoza
“CONSENT CALENDAR – SUCCESSOR AGENCY”
5. Resolution No. 2014-49 of the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Livingston Approving the Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS 14-15B) Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 34177 for the Period January through June 30, 2015.
Mayor Pro-Tem Samra opened and subsequently closed Public Comments at 8:04 p.m. due to a lack of comments from the public.
Motion: M/S Soria/Mendoza to adopt Resolution No. 2014-49 of the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Livingston Approving the Recognized
Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS 14-15B) Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 34177 for the Period January through June 30, 2015.
The motion carried 3-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members: Samra, Mendoza, Soria
NOES: Council Members: None
ABSENT: Council Members: Sicairos, Espinoza
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
6. Authorize Work for the Well 14-Well 8 Intertie Pipeline Project.
This item was introduced by City Engineer Mario Gouveia. The goal of this project is to blend water from each Well to improve the overall quality of the water.
City Manager Ramirez announced that interconnecting Wells and blending water will occur only when it’s cost effective.
Mayor Pro-Tem Samra opened and subsequently closed Public Comments at 8:08 p.m. due to a lack of comments from the public.
Mayor Pro-Tem Samra asked for an expected timeline for this project.
City Engineer Gouveia replied that he expects the drawings to be complete by the end of the year.
Motion: M/S Mendoza/Soria to Authorize Work for the Well 14-Well 8 Intertie Pipeline Project. The motion carried 3-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members: Mendoza, Soria, Samra
NOES: Council Members: None
ABSENT: Council Members: Sicairos, Espinoza
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 8:13 p.m.
Thegardeningsnail's Weblog (because not every critter is hiding under a rock...) 