Meeting Summary
Present: Jr., Villegas, Hernandez, Julian
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
Proclamation of Black History Month
- The council adopted a proclamation designating February 2026 as Black History Month to honor African American contributions.
- A guest speaker accepted the proclamation on behalf of the community during the session.
- The motion to adopt the proclamation passed unanimously.
Consent Calendar Warrants
- Item 7B was pulled from the consent calendar for specific discussion regarding police equipment and facility repairs.
- Staff provided explanations for expenditures including a lawn tractor repair, police computers, and wastewater services.
- Following the inquiry, the council approved the warrant item.
CDBG Application for Bridging Generations
- Resolution 2026-05 was adopted to authorize a $280,000 state grant application for senior and youth enrichment programs.
- The proposal partners with Youth Evolution Activities to manage operations while the city retains oversight and branding.
- Council members discussed the nonprofit selection process, funding structure, and long-term program clarity before voting.
Management Reports
- Public Works reported on infrastructure updates including speed bumps, irrigation repairs, and the upcoming Amtrak caboose relocation.
- The Interim City Administrator provided construction updates on the Royal Theater and announced a Senior Center earmark award.
- Finance confirmed that offers have been accepted for the Finance Director and Wastewater Operator positions.
- Police and Fire departments discussed generator installation schedules and the need for a future agenda item on fire rating policies.
Royal Theater Financial Status
- Staff presented a preliminary report showing a reduced discrepancy between project manager invoices and city records.
- Council members requested a comprehensive financial report detailing total expenditures and available funds.
- The vote on establishing a Capital Oversight Committee was deferred to the next meeting to allow for a complete financial review.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Agenda Item 3: Moment of Thanks, Appreciation, or Condolences
- No council member requested to speak on this item.
Agenda Item 4: Agenda Review
- The council reviewed the order of business. No changes to the agenda order were requested. Discussion ensued regarding the timing of Item 7E (CDBG application) and Item 10 (Royal Theater financials). It was noted that Item 10 would likely be tabled until the next meeting to allow for a more complete report.
Agenda Item 6: Proclamation of Black History Month
- The council discussed and adopted a proclamation designating February 2026 as Black History Month. The proclamation acknowledged the history and contributions of African Americans and encouraged community celebration. A guest speaker was invited to the podium to accept the proclamation on behalf of the community. The motion to adopt the proclamation passed.
Agenda Item 7: Consent Calendar
- Items 7A, 7C, and 7D: A motion was made and seconded to approve these items. The motion passed.
- Item 7B (Warrants): This item was pulled from the consent calendar for discussion. Council members asked questions regarding specific line items, including a $20,000 repair for a lawn tractor, the purchase of police vehicle computers (Toughbooks), new police badges, and wastewater services. Staff provided explanations for the costs and purposes of these expenditures. Following the discussion, a motion was made and seconded to approve Item 7B. The motion passed.
- Item 7E (CDBG Application): This item was pulled from the consent calendar for discussion. The item concerned the adoption of Resolution 2026-05 to authorize the submission of a 2026 State CDBG application for the "Bridging Generations" senior and youth community enrichment program.
- Discussion: Staff and a representative from the nonprofit partner, Youth Evolution Activities, presented the proposal. The presentation outlined a plan to provide no-cost recreational programs for seniors, youth, and families, utilizing the Royal Theater and other city facilities. Key points included the state requirement to partner with a nonprofit for this specific grant, the city's lack of current staffing to manage such programs, and the plan for the city to retain oversight and branding while the nonprofit handles day-to-day operations.
- Questions: Council members inquired about the selection of the nonprofit partner, the financial breakdown of the requested $280,000 grant (noting that a detailed breakdown would be available only after award), the duration of the program (two years, nine months), and the oversight structure involving the Recreation Commission. Concerns were raised regarding the potential impact on existing community programs and the clarity of the long-term plan. Staff clarified that the city receives the grant funds, not the nonprofit, and that the nonprofit would use its own funds to support local programs alongside the city's initiatives.
- Action: A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution 2026-05. The motion passed.
Agenda Item 8: Management Reports
- Public Works: Staff reported on the installation of speed bumps, the cow recycling program, and upcoming CalRecycle inspections. Updates were provided on ball field irrigation repairs, graffiti removal, and storm drain cleaning. The Amtrak caboose relocation project was discussed, with a target move date of February 24th. The city water tower was taken offline due to rust concerns, though the structure remains standing. Wastewater operations reported on manhole repairs and a recent power outage affecting influent pumps.
- Interim City Administrator: Updates were provided on the Royal Theater construction, including earthwork, water level adjustments, and structural assessments of the marquee. The air purifier program was noted as active. An earmark award for the Senior Center was announced, with a scheduled visit from Senator Skiff.
- Finance: Staff reported that offers have been extended and accepted for the Finance Director and Wastewater Operator positions.
- Police Department: The Chief reported on the installation schedule for new generators at City Hall and the Police Department, scheduled for mid-to-late March. This will enable the city hall to serve as an emergency shelter. The Chief also addressed a Grand Jury request regarding fire ratings, noting that fact-finding meetings are scheduled.
- Fire Ratings Discussion: Council members discussed the need for a future agenda item to address fire rating policies and staffing levels to ensure transparency and prevent future issues. It was agreed to add this as a standing agenda item for future discussion.
Agenda Item 10: Royal Theater Financial Status Update
- This item was discussed as part of the management report rather than as a separate agenda item due to the incomplete nature of the financial data.
- Discussion: Staff presented a preliminary comparison of invoices held by the former project manager versus city records. The report highlighted a reduction in the discrepancy between the two sets of records from approximately $116,000 to $49,000, attributing the difference largely to coding errors in city invoices.
- Questions: Council members requested a comprehensive report detailing total expenditures, planned expenditures, and available funds, rather than just a discrepancy report. Staff indicated that a full comprehensive report was not ready for the current meeting but could be provided in the future.
- Public Comment: A member of the public expressed concern regarding the lack of clear information on the project's financial gap and the delays in providing updates.
- Action: The council discussed the need for a Capital Oversight Committee. It was decided to defer the vote on the oversight committee to the next meeting (February 24th) to allow for a more complete financial report and further discussion.
Announcements and Adjournment
- Council members shared announcements regarding upcoming Black History Month events, a food bank distribution, the Las Mujeres park groundbreaking, and a pottery class. A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed.