HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-23 - MINUTES - REGULARCITY OF SANTA CLARITA
City Council
Regular Meeting
Joint Meeting with
Board of Library Trustees
Hereinafter the titles Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, Councilmember, City Manager, City Attorney, and City
Clerk may be used also to indicate Mayor/Chair/President, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chair/Vice President,
City Manager/Executive Director, City Attorney/Counsel, and City Clerk/Secretary
-Minutes-
Tuesday, January 23, 2024 6:00 PM City Council Chambers
INVOCATION
Councilmember Gibbs delivered the invocation.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Smyth called to order the Joint Regular meeting of the City Council and Board of Library
Trustees at 6:16 p.m.
ROLL CALL
All Councilmembers were present, with Councilmember Gibbs participating remotely.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Smyth led the flag salute.
EXECUTIVE MEETING
This time has been set aside for Councilmembers to review the agenda and obtain any further
information that may be needed. Council will also discuss each individual item during the course
of the meeting with the exception of the Consent Calendar, which may be approved in its entirety
by one motion, unless there is a request to pull an item for discussion. No action will be taken on
public agenda items during the Executive Meeting.
Requests to speak were received for items 7 and 10.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Mayor Smyth congratulated the Valencia High School Pride of the Vikings Marching Band and
Color Guard that earned silver in the 2A Division of the 2023 Southern California Schools Band
and Orchestra Association Championship in November. Mayor Smyth invited Valencia High
School Band Director Kevin Flores and members of the band and color guard to the dais to
receive a certificate and take a photo.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Addressing the Council were Douglas (no last name provided) regarding mobile home park
hearings and small claims court location; Diane Zimmerman regarding New California State;
John McKinney regarding his candidacy for Los Angeles County District Attorney; Elaine (no
last name provided) regarding City Manager Ken Striplin's assistance with mobile home park
issues, the City's mayoral selection process, and animal control.
Councilmember Weste commented on the loss of Los Angeles County Animal Control officers
during the pandemic and that Animal Control is still shorthanded.
STAFF COMMENTS
There were none.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Councilmember Weste acknowledged 101 years -old Joe Alexander, who will be recounting his
experience of survival during World War II at an event at Hart High Auditorium on February 4.
Councilmember Weste stated that the event will be filmed by SCVTV and encouraged all to
attend.
Mayor Pro Tem Miranda announced that at the last Council meeting, his nomination for the
Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission was chosen; however, the nominee
withdrew his nomination. Mayor Pro Tem Miranda commented that with the City Manager's 0=4
guidance, a new recruitment will begin shortly.
Mayor Smyth requested that the City Manager explain the appointment process, and Mr. Striplin
explained that the vacancy will be declared, the application process will open, and an item will
return to Council in late February or early March for nomination. Councilmember McLean
expressed that she had concerns about the process and requested Council consensus to agendize
discussion of the appointment process. Council did not concur. Councilwoman McLean
commented on misconceptions, maintaining public trust, and the need for Council to address it.
Councilwoman McLean commented that residents who are not in the fire district received letters
to comply with brush clearance, which has led to confusion. Councilwoman McLean advised
residents to check if they are in the district on the CAL FIRE website. Councilwoman McLean
stated that the County will consider using new maps and expansion of the fire zone, with the
amount taxed of $151.00 per year on individual's property taxes. Councilwoman McLean
continued that the only way to protest is to show up at the Los Angeles County Board of
Supervisors' meeting on March 12, and let your voices be heard; and spoke of a protest meeting
in Santa Clarita on February 24. Councilwoman McLean commented on the 30th anniversary of
the Northridge earthquake and encouraged all to prepare the next earthquake with emergency
kits and lights.
Councilmember Gibbs echoed Councilmember Weste's comments and encouraged all to attend
Mr. Alexander's event. P"
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Mayor Smyth commented on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity Walk that was a well -
attended, inspirational community event and thanked staff for working with the community.
Mayor Smyth announced the upcoming Big I Do wedding event on Valentine's day where
couples will get a chance to win a cruise, donated by Princess Cruises.
NEW BUSINESS
ITEM 1
COUNCIL COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
On an annual basis, the Mayor and City Council undertake a discussion in open session for the
purpose of updating the Council Committee Appointments List.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Review, discuss, make changes to, and approve the City Council Committee Appointments
for 2024.
2. Direct the City Clerk to update the Agency Report of Public Official Appointments Form 806
based on the appointments made, delegate the City Manager as signatory on said form, and
direct the City Clerk to place updated Form 806 on the City of Santa Clarita website.
Addressing the Council was Steve Petzold.
Mayor Smyth reviewed the list of Council Committee Delegates and Alternates for 2024.
After brief discussion, the following changes were made to the list of appointments set forth the
in the agenda materials:
Committee 2023 2024
City Selection Committee Gibbs/Smyth Alt. Smyth/Miranda Alt.
Sanitation Districts 1st Dir. Gibbs/2°d Dir. 1st Dir. Smyth/2°d Dir.
Weste/McLean Alt. Weste/McLean Alt.
Santa Clara River Watershed Gibbs Weste
Area Steering Committee
Budget Committee Gibbs/Smyth/Miranda Alt. Smyth/Miranda/Gibbs Alt.
Legislative Committee Weste Alt. McLean Alt.
Homeless Issues Ad Hoc Smyth/McLean/Miranda Alt. McLean/Smyth Alt.
Committee
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Laurene Weste, Councilmember
SECONDER: Bill Miranda, Mayor Pro Tern
AYES: Smyth, Miranda, Gibbs, McLean, Weste
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OEM
ITEM 2
ADJUSTMENTS TO LOS ANGELES COUNTY BUSINESS LICENSING REGULATIONS
FOR GUN AND AMMUNITION DEALERS
On November 7, 2023, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted a Gun and
Ammunition Dealers Ordinance, establishing new business licensing requirements for gun and
ammunition dealers in unincorporated areas of the County. Since the Ordinance has taken effect,
the City of Santa Clarita has the option to either adopt an ordinance in conformance with the
County's regulations and continue to have the County Treasurer Tax Collector regulate gun and
ammunition dealers located within the City, or the City may decide not to adopt the County's
changes and defer to existing state and federal laws governing gun and ammunition dealers. This
item is for the City Council to review the two options and provide direction to staff.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council receive a presentation on recent changes to Los Angeles County business licensing
regulations for gun and ammunition dealers, review the options presented, and provide direction
to staff.
Community Preservation Manager Tracy Sullivan provided the staff report.
Addressing the Council were Steve Petzold, Elaine (no last name provided), and Dennis Fuller.
Council discussed current safety measures regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol and Firearms and
the Department of Justice, the increased costs of doing business without additional safety, and 'E"
the fact that the County's ordinance is duplicative of current State and Federal laws.
Mayor Smyth requested that the City Attorney explain the implications of not adopting the
County's ordinance, and Mr. Montes replied that if the City does not adopt the additional gun
regulations in the County ordinance, the County will no longer enforce or require business
licenses for gun and ammunition dealers. Mr. Montes continued that the City would then need to
issue letters to local firearms businesses, stating that there are no local requirements to comply,
and that these letters would prove to the State that they are in compliance with local regulations.
Councilmember Gibbs made a motion to approve Option 2 outlined in the agenda report: not
adopt the County Gun and Ammunition Dealers Ordinance and authorize the City Manager or
designee to issue letters to local firearms dealers of this decision, pursuant to Penal Code Section
26700.
RESULT:
APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER:
Jason Gibbs, Councilmember
SECONDER:
Laurene Weste, Councilmember
AYES:
Smyth, Miranda, Gibbs, McLean, Weste
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OEM CONSENT CALENDAR
RESULT:
APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER:
Jason Gibbs, Councilmember
SECONDER:
Laurene Weste, Councilmember
AYES:
Smyth, Miranda, Gibbs, McLean, Weste
ITEM 3
APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES — The minutes are submitted for approval.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council approve the minutes of the January 9, 2024, Regular
Meeting.
ITEM 4
CHECK REGISTER NO. 01
Check Register No. 01 for Period 12/01/23 through 12/14/23 and 12/21/23. Electronic Funds
Transfers for the Period 12/04/23 through 12/15/23.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council approve and ratify for payment the demands presented in Check Register No. 01.
ITEM 5
FISCAL YEAR 2022-23 ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT AND OTHER
ON% RELATED REPORTS
The City's independent audit firm, The Pun Group, LLP, has completed the City's annual audit
for fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. Based on the audit performed, The Pun Group, LLP, issued
an unmodified "clean" audit opinion letter, which reflects the best level an organization can
receive on its financial statements.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council approve the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and other related reports for
fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.
ITEM 6
AMENDMENT TO MICROSOFT ENTERPRISE LICENSE AGREEMENT
The City of Santa Clarita utilizes Microsoft software to operate desktop computers, servers,
databases, applications, and email. This item makes a recommendation to amend the existing
contract for the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement to add additional Client Access Licenses.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Amend the existing three-year contract with SoftwareOne, Inc., to include additional
Microsoft Client Access Licenses and authorize an expenditure authority increase in the
amount of $72,754 for a total contract amount not to exceed $213,637.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents,
subject to City Attorney approval.
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ITEM 7
CRYWOLF FALSE ALARM AND NOISE DISTURBANCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES
CONTRACT
City Council to consider awarding a three-year contract with an option for two one-year renewals
to CentralSquare Technologies for false alarm and noise disturbance management services.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Award a three-year contract in an amount of $270,000 with an option for two one-year
renewals in an amount of $90,000 annually, not to exceed a 26 percent net revenue share paid
to CentralSquare Technologies for false alarm and noise disturbance management services.
2. Appropriate an ongoing annual amount of $45,000 to Treasury expenditure account
1002102-516137 (General Fund); increase revenue account 100-451102 (General Fund) by
$140,000.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute contract and all associated documents,
subject to City Attorney approval.
Addressing the Council was Elaine (no last name provided).
Mayor Smyth requested comments from the City Manager, and Mr. Striplin replied that he will 0004
have staff meet with Elaine to explain the item.
ITEM 8
2024 COMMUNITY SERVICES AND ARTS GRANTS
City Council consideration to approve the 2024 Community Services and Arts Grants program
funding recommendations by the Grants Committee and Peer Review Rating Panel.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Approve the 2024 Community Services and Arts Grants Committee's program funding
recommendations in an amount not to exceed $99,545 for Community Services Grants and
$99,500 for Arts Grants, for a total not to exceed $199,045.
2. Direct staff to execute Grants Program Agreements with the agencies approved for funding.
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ITEM 9
NEWHALL RANCH ROAD AND BOUQUET CANYON ROAD INTERSECTION
IMPROVEMENTS, PROJECT C4017 - PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND CONSTRUCTION
CONTRACT
This item awards a construction contract for the Newhall Ranch Road and Bouquet Canyon Road
Intersection Improvements project. The improvements include modifying the existing roadway
improvements to enhance circulation, traffic flow, and accommodate future traffic volumes at the
intersection.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Approve the plans and specifications for the Newhall Ranch Road and Bouquet Canyon
Road Intersection Improvements, Project C4017.
2. Award the construction contract to Toro Enterprises, Inc., in the amount of $418,593 and
authorize a contingency in the amount of $62,789, for a total contract amount not to exceed
$481,382.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney
approval.
ITEM 10
FINAL TRACT MAP AND ACCEPTANCE OF OFFERS OF DEDICATION FOR TRACT
NO. 61924 (GOLDEN TRIANGLE)
Pursuant to Section 66474.1 of the Subdivision Map Act, this item would approve the final tract
map and accept offers of dedication for Tract No. 61924. The map is for subdivision purposes
and is located at the southwest corner of Golden Triangle Road and Isabella Parkway.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Approve the Final Tract Map for Tract No. 61924.
2. Accept on behalf of the public the offer of dedication and grant of. (1) the easements for
public use and road purposes; (2) the easements for sanitary sewers and sanitary sewers
ingress and egress purposes; (3) all sanitary sewers and appurtenant structures; (4) the
easements for sight distance purposes; (5) the easements for public use and sidewalk
purposes; and (6) the right to restrict or prohibit any and all allowable uses, including but not
limited to any and/or all development within lot 4.
3. Make findings as follows: This map is consistent with the provisions of Sections 66474 and
66474.1 of the Subdivision Map Act and should be approved.
4. Instruct the Director of Administrative Services to endorse the Special Assessment Statement
on the face of Final Tract Map for Tract No. 61924, which indicates all special assessments
levied by the City of Santa Clarita are paid.
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5. Instruct the City Clerk to endorse the City Clerk's Statement on the face of Final Tract Map
for Tract No. 61924, which embodies the approval of said map and the acceptance of the
dedications shown thereon.
6. Instruct the City Surveyor to endorse the City Surveyor's Statement on the face of Final
Tract Map for Tract No. 61924, which provides for verification that the map is technically
correct.
7. Instruct the City Engineer to endorse the City Engineer's Statement on the face of Final Tract
Map for Tract No. 61924, which provides for verification of substantial conformance with
the Tentative Tract Map and all provisions of local ordinances and state laws applicable at
the time of approval.
Addressing the Council was Ashe Mahoney.
Councilmember Weste inquired if the plan is to build condominiums or rental apartments, and
Assistant City Engineer Shannon Pickett responded that the entitlement is a condominium
project, however, the developer is not required to sell the units and the units could become
rentals.
Councilmember Gibbs requested clarification on when entitlement was given, and Assistant City
Engineer Amalia Marreh responded that the Planning Commission approved the master case in
2021.
ITEM 11
CONTRACT EXPENDITURE AUTHORITY FOR SOUND AND STAGE SERVICES FOR
EVENTS
A request for an increase in expenditure authority for a contract with Advantage Productions,
which will provide as -needed sound and stage services to the City of Santa Clarita, due to
unanticipated events.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Authorize an expenditure authority increase to the existing contract with Advantage
Productions in the amount of $30,000, for an annual contract amount not to exceed $75,720,
plus the cost of any Consumer Price Index (CPI) increases.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents,
subject to City Attorney approval.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION II .�.
Addressing the Council was Steve Petzold regarding the local appointment process and Paul
Kessler.
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Councilmember Weste commented that an adjournment was provided a few weeks ago in honor
of Mr. Kessler.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Smyth adjourned the Regular Meeting at 7:33 p.m.
ATTEST:
CITfCL M `
ON%
MAYOR
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