Meeting Summary
Present: Jr., Villegas, Hernandez, Jolene
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Insurance and Parking Enforcement Concerns
- Residents requested a future agenda item to address significant insurance premium hikes affecting fixed-income households.
- A complaint regarding unclear signage and towing near the Guadalupe Laundromat was heard by the Police Chief.
Consent Calendar Approvals
- The council approved all consent items after clarifying details on a website redesign, software subscription, and police vehicle purchases.
- Staff confirmed the implementation of weekly check runs to prevent future late fees on cleaning service invoices.
Capital Projects and Facility Updates
- Groundbreaking is scheduled for the Last Project, while earthwork has begun on the 303 Courtyard and Amtrak projects.
- The Royal Theater project will transition to city-led management as gas lines are capped and structural assessments continue.
Fire Protection Rating and Staffing
- The city's ISO fire rating dropped to Class 10 due to insufficient staffing levels for initial structure fire alarms.
- Council discussed potential solutions including cross-training police, hiring part-time or full-time firefighters, or seeking legislative changes.
Personnel and Recruitment Status
- Interviews for the City Administrator and Fire Captain positions are pending, while new hires for police and wastewater operations are underway.
- The employee handbook is currently under council review, and driver safety training is nearly complete.
Recreation Events and Field Maintenance
- Upcoming events include a movie night and Father-Daughter Dance, with the memorial plaza name corrected to Veterans Memorial Plaza.
- Volunteers are being organized to repair a local ball field for the upcoming Junior Giants youth program and adult softball.
Food Truck Regulation Public Hearing
- The public hearing on adding Chapter 18.59 to regulate food trucks was continued to February 24 as the proposal was not ready for final action.
City Hall Structural Assessment
- Architects identified critical deficiencies including roof damage, dry rot, and seismic risks requiring a six-phase repair plan.
- Council directed staff to prioritize seismic retrofitting and roof repairs while exploring state grants for essential facilities.
Six-Month Financial Report
- A projected structural shortfall of approximately $837,000 was identified due to revenue timing and an overestimation of Measure A transfers.
- The reserve fund balance remains undetermined pending the completion of a multi-year audit of prior years.
Future Agenda and Community Announcements
- Requests were made to add an abandoned buildings ordinance and support a resolution for the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden.
- A Royal Theater financial update is scheduled for February 10, followed by an Oversight Committee discussion on February 24.
Youth Support Strategies
- A public speaker highlighted that 40% of local youth live below the poverty line and requested a dedicated agenda item for youth support.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was provided in the meeting summary.
Full summary
Call to Order and Administrative Matters
- The regular meeting of the City of Guadalupe City Council was called to order. Roll call established a quorum with all council members and the mayor present. The council recited the Pledge of Allegiance and observed a moment of silence to honor deceased residents. The agenda was reviewed with no changes requested. The mayor outlined rules for public comment, including a three-minute limit per speaker and restrictions on addressing items not listed on the agenda.
Community Participation
- During the initial public comment period, residents addressed two primary concerns. Regarding insurance increases, speakers expressed concern over significant premium hikes and their impact on fixed-income residents, requesting the matter be placed on a future agenda to determine accountability and resolution steps. Regarding parking enforcement, a resident reported issues with tickets and towing near the Guadalupe Laundromat due to unclear signage, noting the financial impact on fixed-income households. The police chief was present to hear the complaint.
Consent Calendar
- The consent calendar was presented. A motion was made to approve all items except Item B (Warrants), which was seconded. Council members requested clarification on specific warrant items before full approval. Staff provided details on a $13,000 warrant for a marketing website redesign to address broken links and integrate department information; a $3,000 subscription for GovPilot software for compliance and citation tracking; the purchase of new police vehicles as part of a rotation process to replace high-maintenance units; and late invoices for cleaning services, noting the implementation of weekly check runs to avoid late fees. Following this discussion, a motion was made to approve Item B and the remainder of the consent calendar. The motion was seconded and passed.
Management Reports
- Interim City Administrator Mr. Verheel provided updates on several projects:
- Last Project: Groundbreaking is scheduled for Friday at 3 PM.
- 303 Courtyard: Earthwork has begun, and the SCADA system is nearing completion.
- Amtrak Project: Requests for information are being processed, and a portable restroom has been ordered. Groundbreaking will commence after the caboose is moved.
- Fleet Management: Enterprise is scheduled to present a fleet management and lease program in February.
- Royal Theater: Gas lines will be capped next week for meter relocation. The lobby has been cleared of abatements, and structural damage is being assessed. The marquee is scheduled for removal. The project manager will step down from that role, with the city absorbing project management duties while the manager continues to lead the capital campaign and seek operators.
Director of Public Safety Report
- Chief Cash reported on a theft of clothing at the Laundromat, noting that a suspect has been identified with Crime Stoppers assistance and a warrant is being prepared. The council was informed of a public announcement clarifying that local and state police have the authority to investigate crimes committed by federal agents. Chief Cash presented a detailed report on the city's ISO fire protection rating, which dropped from Class 4 to Class 10. The drop was attributed to the city not meeting the minimum requirement of four firefighters on the initial alarm for structure fires. The city currently has six total firefighters and no part-time staff. While the city scored 49.74 out of 105 points (technically warranting a Class 6), the failure to meet the staffing threshold resulted in a Class 10 rating. Staffing fluctuations were attributed to a cyclical hiring market. Proposed solutions discussed included cross-training police officers (estimated cost $80,000–$100,000/year), hiring six part-time firefighters, or hiring six full-time firefighters (estimated cost $696,000/year). Contracting with the county was deemed cost-prohibitive. Council members noted financial constraints and the need to explore state-level solutions or legislative changes. It was noted that volunteer firefighters do not count toward the ISO rating.
Human Resources Report
- Human Resources Manager Sylvia provided updates on recruitment and training. Applications for the City Administrator position have been screened, and interview scheduling is pending council availability. An airport police officer and a newly graduated officer have been hired. Interviews for the fire captain position are scheduled for the second week of February, and paid call firefighter positions have been reposted. A building attendant for Parks and Rec has started, and a wastewater operator has accepted an offer and is undergoing background checks. A finance director offer was declined, with another interview scheduled. The OSHA log was submitted, noting two injuries in December. Driver safety training is 98% complete, and mandatory anti-harassment training was conducted for new hires. The employee handbook is with the council for review. An employee recognition lunch is scheduled for mid-February.
Recreation Services Report
- Recreation Service Manager Mr. Navarro reported on recent events, including movie nights, the "Guadalupe Will Be Back" celebration, a mentors event at the cemetery, a Poetry Jam, a Holly Market, a volunteer Santa appearance, and a free volleyball tournament with over 80 attendees. Upcoming events include a movie night on February 13 and a Father-Daughter Dance on February 28. Council members corrected the name of the memorial plaza to "Veterans Memorial Plaza" and inquired about the status of adult softball and weed control at the baseball field.
Item 10: Community Sports Programs and Field Maintenance
- Discussion focused on organizing volunteers to repair a local ball field to accommodate upcoming adult softball and the "Junior Giants" youth baseball and softball program, a partnership with the San Francisco Giants. The Junior Giants program is free for youth ages six through junior high, including equipment and registration. Speakers noted the need to activate the field to encourage community participation. A council member offered to share contact information for the California Conservation Corps regarding volunteer assistance for outdoor maintenance. The upcoming Blue Heads Groundbreak Ceremony was confirmed for January 30 at 3 p.m. No formal motion was made or voted upon.
Item 11: Public Hearing on Food Truck Regulation (Chapter 18.59)
- A public hearing was held to consider adding Chapter 18.59 to the Guadalupe Municipal Code to regulate food trucks. Staff recommended continuing the hearing to the next meeting, stating the proposal was not yet ready for final action. A motion was made to continue the public hearing to February 24. The motion was seconded and passed.
Item 12: City Hall Repair Project Presentation
- Architects from Ravat and Albrecht presented findings from a 3D survey and structural assessment of the City Hall building, constructed in the 1930s. Significant deficiencies were identified, including roof damage, dry rot, lack of shear transfer between floors, non-compliant doors and windows, and inadequate ADA accessibility. A proposed six-phase repair plan was outlined: Phase 1 involves seismic retrofitting, roof replacement, and gutter installation; Phases 2–5 involve department-specific renovations for Police, Fire, City Hall, and Public Works, including electrical, mechanical, and plumbing upgrades; and Phase 6 involves full ADA compliance. Staff and council discussed estimated costs, noting that seismic retrofitting and roof repair are immediate priorities due to safety concerns and the building's status as housing essential facilities. It was noted that the gym roof had already been retrofitted. Discussions included the potential for temporary facilities during construction and the possibility of pursuing a state grant for essential facilities, which could cover up to $5.5 million. The council acknowledged the need to prioritize the roof and seismic work and directed staff to proceed with planning based on the presentation's recommendations. No formal motion was made or voted upon.
Item 13: Six-Month Financial Report (July 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025)
- The Interim Finance Director presented the six-month financial report.
- General Fund: Total revenue received was 39.9% of the approved budget, attributed to the timing of property tax collections. Sales tax revenue was ahead of budget at 62.9%. Total expenditures were 50.4% of the budget. A projected structural shortfall of approximately $837,000 for the fiscal year was identified, driven by budgeted expenditures exceeding revenues and an overestimation of transfers from other funds (specifically Measure A) by approximately $800,000.
- Enterprise Funds: The Water Fund revenue was at 53% of budget with expenditures at 42.8%. The Wastewater Fund revenue was at 75.2% of budget, boosted by a $601,912 grant, with expenditures at 46.2%.
- Reserves: The status of the reserve fund remains undetermined pending the completion of a multi-year audit.
- Council members discussed the projected deficit, the impact of the Measure A transfer error, and the need to monitor expenditures. It was noted that the reserve fund balance cannot be confirmed until the audit of prior years is finalized. No formal motion was made or voted upon.
Item 14: Future Agenda Items and Announcements
- Requests were made to add an ordinance regarding abandoned buildings to a future agenda. Requests were also made to support a resolution for the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden's centennial regarding biodiversity and native plants, and to submit a public comment opposing offshore drilling in California waters. It was confirmed that a Royal Theatre update, including financials, will be discussed on February 10, followed by an Oversight Committee discussion on February 24. Staff noted they are currently reconciling invoice discrepancies regarding the project. Various community events were noted, including a fire appreciation dinner, a forum on human trafficking, and a presentation on Japanese internment camps. A meeting with Caltrans regarding issues at Paso De La was anticipated for early February. No formal motions were made or voted upon.
Public Comment
- A member of the public addressed the meeting regarding a recent community listening tour held at the Boys & Girls Club. The speaker noted the presence of Santa Maria Police Chief Williams, who shared a philosophy focused on supporting youth through dialogue. The speaker highlighted that 40% of youth in Guadalupe live below the poverty line and suggested that a future agenda item be dedicated to youth support strategies.
Adjournment
- A motion to adjourn the meeting was made and seconded. The motion was put to a vote and passed. The meeting was subsequently adjourned.