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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-22 - MINUTES - REGCITY 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 Tuesday, April 22, 2025 INVOCATION Mayor Miranda delivered the invocation. —Minutes— 6:00 PM City Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER Mayor Miranda called to order the Joint Regular meeting of the City Council and Board of Library Trustees at 6:17 p.m. ROLL CALL All Councilmembers were present. FLAG SALUTE Councilmember Ayala 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. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS Mayor Miranda announced that the City proclaims the week of April 20 through the 26 as National Volunteer Week and invited the City's volunteer team to the dais to accept the proclamation, as well as the President's Volunteer Service Award recipients to take a photo. Councilmember Gibbs recognized Girl Scout Troop 1912 for their achievement in earning the prestigious Gold President's Volunteer Service Award and invited Girl Scouts Airi Mejia and Harper Woodworth to the dais to accept their recognitions and to take a photo. Mayor Miranda recognized the Community Court Volunteers and invited those present, as well as City staff, to the dais to accept their recognitions. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Mayor Pro Tem Weste addressed Agenda Item 41, sharing that out of an abundance of caution, she would not participate in the public hearing. Addressing the City Council was Alan Ferdman regarding conflict of interest; Betsy Thatt thanking the City Council for their support to the Jewish community; Diane Zimmerman regarding lithium battery storage facilities; Nancy (no last name provided) regarding noise pollution; Tony Maldonado regarding lithium battery storage facilities; Spitfire Streets regarding a junkyard in Canyon Country; and Dr. Abruhan regarding a shooting at a short-term rental home in Santa Clarita. STAFF COMMENTS City Manager Ken Striplin commented that subsequent to the shooting, the City sent notices of violation to the property owner and letters to the property rental businesses where the property is listed. Mr. Striplin remarked that that property owner will be responsible for all associated costs to the Sheriffs Department, further mentioning that City staff would reach out to Dr. Abruhan, gather more information, and address the concerns regarding the property. Mr. Striplin clarified that Los Angeles County authorized the junkyard off State Route 14 (SR-14). Councilwoman McLean inquired who the responsibility would fall under for an evacuation plan within the vicinity of a lithium battery storage facility, and Mr. Striplin responded that City staff had met with the Fire Department and determined that based on the Fire Department's training and understanding of the facility, there is no anticipated need for a specific evacuation plan due to the structure of the battery storage facility. Councilwoman McLean, along with Councilmember Ayala and Mayor Pro Tem Weste, expressed concerns regarding the absence of an evacuation plan. Councilwoman McLean requested that staff help facilitate with the Fire Department a public education event with the residents of the surrounding community; Councilmember Ayala recommended that staff create and investigate an emergency plan; and Mayor Pro Tem Weste commented that residents could benefit from a Fire Department emergency plan. COMMITTEE REPORTS/COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS Councilmember Ayala commented on the organizations she had been working with and remarked on meeting with the Fire Department as well as attending City events including Arbor Day, Fostering Youth Independence, the Census Block Party, Cowboy Festival, Splash N' Dash, and the Neighborhood Clean-up. Mayor Miranda remarked on the City Council attending the Arbor Day celebration held on April 19 at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex and thanked all those in attendance for honoring Arbor Day. He also spoke on honoring photographer Ken Lubas, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Page 2 at the 29th Annual Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, and remarked on Mr. Lubas' donation of a collage of photographs depicting the City. PUBLIC HEARINGS ITEM 1 NEWHALL MIXED USE (MASTER CASE 24-134) Public Hearing regarding a request for a new five -story mixed -use building with 78 units and approximately 5,200 square -feet of commercial on the corner of Main Street, Market Street, and Railroad Avenue. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Conduct the public hearing. 2. Determine that the project is exempt from additional review under the California Environmental Quality Act as the project was contemplated and will comply with all mitigation measures established under the Old Town Newhall Specific Plan Final Environmental Impact Report. 3. Adopt a resolution approving Master Case 24-134 (Conditional Use Permit 24-007, Minor Use Permit 24-015, Adjustment Permit 24-005, Architectural Design Review 24-017, and Development Review 24-012) for the construction of a new five -story, mixed -use building and demolition and delisting of the Masonic Lodge/Courthouse building at the corner of Main Street, Market Street, and Railroad Avenue, subject to the attached Conditions of Approval (Exhibit A). Mayor Pro Tem Weste read aloud a statement regarding her decision to not participate in the proceedings involving Agenda Item #1. Mayor Pro Tern Weste recused herself, left the dais for the duration of this item, and returned at 10:40 p.m. for the remainder of the Consent Calendar. Mayor Miranda opened the Public Hearing. Senior Planner Erika Iverson provided the staff presentation and stated that all notices required by law have been provided. Jason Tolleson representing Serrano Development Group provided the applicant presentation. Addressing the City Council in support were R.L Younkin, investor on Main Street, regarding economic impact on Old Town Newhall (OTN); Lindsey Schlick, Chamber board member and small business owner, regarding economic revitalization of OTN; Laurie Randall regarding economic progress for OTN; Dean Cox regarding letter of intent for The Rafters Group to relocate; Joelle Danahy, board member of Old Town Newhall Association, regarding parking in OTN; Robert Younkin regarding lack of community involvement in OTN; Michael Miller regarding the need for investment in OTN; Josh Pitts, owner of The Break Room in OTN, regarding the need for community growth in OTN; Jeff Paul, representing Newhall Crossing, Page 3 regarding the need for development in OTN; Ben Jarvis regarding the need for development in OTN; Jordan Pereyra, representing Hart and Main, regarding business challenges during the workweek; David Rendall, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Santa Clarita Valencia Gateway, regarding the struggles businesses face in OTN; Travis Teel regarding the struggles businesses face in OTN; Kim McBride, representing Hart and Main, regarding the struggles businesses face in OTN; and Ashe Mahoney regarding economic opportunity for OTN. Addressing the City Council in opposition were Mark Hershey regarding parking concerns; Jeri Seratti regarding environmental impacts on KHTS; Alan Ferdman regarding preservation of OTN; Jade Aubuchon reading a letter from Brad Keeler, an acoustic professional unable to attend; Cindy Josten regarding her concerns for KHTS; TimBen Boydston, representing the Canyon Theatre Guild, regarding concerns with the development's plans; Diane Zimmerman regarding concerns about overspending; Felicia Grady regarding parking concerns in OTN; Nancy (no last name provided) regarding construction noise; Ted Tobin, board member of the Canyon Theater Guild, regarding parking concerns in OTN; Spitfire Streets regarding concerns about urbanization; Ingrid Boydston regarding parking concerns for seniors; Dr. Aakash Ahuja regarding construction impacts to KHTS; Cindy Russo regarding concerns on proposed development; unnamed speaker on behalf of Karen Frost regarding building requirements in the City; Marie Schab regarding historical preservation; and Emily Nuss regarding historical preservation. Addressing the City Council in a neutral position were Carl Goldman, representing KHTS, regarding compromise between KHTS and developer; Fred Arnold regarding compromise .� between KHTS and developer; John Lauermann, representing The Rafters Group, regarding relocation assistance; David Doyle, Chairperson of The Rafters Group, regarding relocation assistance; Aireana Pierson, representing The Rafters Group, regarding relocation concerns; Del Ferguson, representing The Rafters Group, regarding relocation support for The Rafters Group; Tony Maldonado regarding the impact on Metrolink parking for commuters; and John K. regarding traffic lane safety concerns. Thirty-six written comment cards were received; nine were in support of the item; eight were in opposition of the item; fourteen were neutral; and five did not indicate a position. Mayor Miranda closed the public comment portion of the public hearing. Mr. Tolleson exercised his time for rebuttal to the public comments, noting that there are ongoing negotiations with The Rafters Group; was amenable to a construction hours restriction; foresees a proposed reduction in the impact fee paid to the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society from $750,000 to $300,000 due to the reallocation of funds to provide noise mitigation elements; and noted that the developer is following the Specific Plan. Councilmember Ayala commented that she would not want to remove access to parking spots currently available; would like to see the project be parking auto -sustainable; recommended to the developer that traffic safety and collision mitigation be incorporated into the project's design; and inquired about the construction schedule for a secondary parking structure. City Manager Ken Striplin responded that a parking structure is envisioned as part of a larger development, Page 4 with a Request for Proposal about to commence to seek a partnership with a developer. Councilmember Ayala commented on parking concerns for commuters at the Newhall Metrolink Station; overall impacts of the project; and inquired whether a public hearing on the item took place at the Planning Commission review of the project, to which Mr. Striplin responded the hearing had previously taken place at City Hall. Councilmember Ayala inquired if the City could require a parking quota, to which City Attorney Joseph Montes stated AB 2097 prohibits the City from requiring parking on certain projects, unless the City determines that the lack of parking would have a substantially negative impact on existing residential and commercial parking. Councilmember Gibbs requested to know if the project expands an entire city block under the OTN Specific Plan, to which Ms. Iverson noted that it did; to know when and why the number of parking spaces in the OTN Specific Plan grew from 1.53 to 2 per residential unit, to which Planning Manager Patrick Leclair responded that it happened in 2022 as an update to the Unified Development Code; to know if any portion of Railroad Avenue would be closed as a result of this project, to which Mr. Tolleson confirmed it would not; to know why the cost to relocate the historical building was not discussed at the Planning Commission meeting, to which Mr. Tolleson responded that he thought it obvious that relocation would be cost prohibitive and that an impact fee would be paid as a compromise; and to know where in the historical ordinance it stated that an impact fee needed to be paid, to which Ms. Iverson responded it was not included in the ordinance, rather it would be included as a mitigation factor as determined by the Council. Councilmember Gibbs also commented that the discussion over the project issues and details should have been brought up and deliberated at the Planning Commission. Councilwoman McLean stated the Planning Commissioned failed to make a recommendation to the City Council; she would like to have more discussion and study over the details of the project; she was not convinced that the proposed development was consistent with the OTN theme; parking concerns had not yet been adequately addressed; and efforts to preserve historical elements were not being sufficiently undertaken. Councilwoman McLean inquired about the feasibility of a smaller -scale project and expressed the importance of preserving the historical materials of the location of The Rafters Group. Mr. Tolleson responded that a smaller -scale project would not be feasible option, and the project would not move forward with that modification. Mayor Miranda commented he was in favor of the project; parking issues exist in OTN outside of the proposed project; discussion is underway between the developer and KHTS; and alternatives to the development may not be in the best interest of the City. Councilwoman McLean asked what is the amount of the parking in lieu fee, to which Ms. Iverson responded that it totals just over $70,000. City Attorney Joe Montes recommended that the Council continue the hearing with public comment open in anticipation of new information being presented to the public at the next hearing on the item. Upon further deliberation, Councilwoman McLean agreed with Mr. Tolleson to work together to address her issues with the project. Councilmember Ayala requested that there be a design Page 5 proposal that included traffic safety mitigation elements. Councilmember Gibbs requested that staff present the proposed changes from the developer at the next Council meeting. Mr. Striplin requested clarification from Council on direction to staff, to which the Council requested modifications to traffic safety elements and building design architectural elements. Councilmember Gibbs made the motion to continue the Public Hearing with the public comment open to a date certain for the May 13 City Council Meeting. Councilmember Ayala seconded the motion. RESULT: CONTINUED 14 TO 01 Next: 5/13/2025 6:00 PM MOVER: Jason Gibbs, Councilmember SECONDER: Patsy Ayala, Councilmember AYES: Miranda, McLean, Gibbs, Ayala NAYS: None RECUSED: Weste ITEM 2 2025 MUNICIPAL CODE UPDATES - FIRST READING Public Hearing regarding proposed amendments to the Santa Clarita Municipal Code, Old Town Newhall Specific Plan; the Lyons Corridor Plan; and the Soledad Canyon Road Corridor Plan for 2025. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Conduct the public hearing. 2. Determine that the project is exempt from environmental review pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the common-sense exemption. Introduce an ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING MASTER CASE 24-112, CONSISTING OF UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT 24-001 (UDC24- 001) AND SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 24-001 (SP24-001), AMENDING THE SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE, OLD TOWN NEWHALL SPECIFIC PLAN, LYONS CORRIDOR PLAN, AND SOLEDAD CORRIDOR PLAN AS SHOWN IN EXHIBITS A-H," waive reading of the text and consent to read by title only, as listed on the agenda, and pass to a second reading. Councilmember Gibbs under one motion, moved to continue Agenda Items #2 and #3 to the May 13 City Council Meeting. Councilmember Ayala seconded the motion. Page 6 RESULT: CONTINUED [4 TO 01 Next: 5/13/2025 6:00 PM MOVER: Jason Gibbs, Councilmember SECONDER: Patsy Ayala, Councilmember AYES: Miranda, McLean, Gibbs, Ayala NAYS: None ABSENT: Weste NEW BUSINESS ITEM 3 FIRST RESPONDER TRIBUTE PROJECT City Council to receive a presentation sharing proposed location and approach to honor Santa Clarita's first responders. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council review and discuss the proposed concept for the First Responder Tribute Project, and provide direction to staff. Councilmember Gibbs under one motion, moved to continue Agenda Items #2 and #3 to the May 13 City Council Meeting. Councilmember Ayala seconded the motion. RESULT: CONTINUED [4 TO 01 Next: 5/13/2025 6:00 PM MOVER: Jason Gibbs, Councilmember SECONDER: Patsy Ayala, Councilmember AYES: Miranda, McLean, Gibbs, Ayala NAYS: None ABSENT: Weste CONSENT CALENDAR RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Jason Gibbs, Councilmember SECONDER: Laurene Weste, Mayor Pro Tern AYES: Ayala, Miranda, Gibbs, McLean, Weste ITEM 4 APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES — The minutes are submitted for approval. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council approve the minutes of the April 8, 2025, Regular Meeting Page 7 ITEM 5 CHECK REGISTER NO. 08 Check Register No. 08 for the Period 03/07/25 through 03/20/25 and 03/27/25. Electronic Funds Transfers for the Period of 03/10/25 through 03/21/25. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council approve and ratify for payment the demands presented in Check Register No. 08. ITEM 6 STATE LEGISLATION: AB 507, AB 893, AB 1154, AB 1206, AND SB 677 The following state legislative items were presented to the City Council Legislative Committee on March 27, 2025, and are being presented to the City Council for consideration to adopt a position: AB 507 (Haney), AB 893 (Fong), AB 1154 (Carrillo), AB 1206 (Harabedian), and SB 677 (Wiener). RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Oppose AB 507 (Haney), AB 893 (Fong), AB 1154 (Carrillo), AB 1206 (Harabedian), and SB 677 (Wiener). 2. Transmit position statements to the authors of the bills, Santa Clarita's state legislative delegation, appropriate legislative committees, Governor Newsom, and other stakeholder organizations. ITEM 7 PURCHASE OF A SPECIALIZED EXCAVATOR City Council consider the purchase of a Caterpillar Excavator Model 306 to support maintenance of the City's stormwater basins and outfalls. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Approve the "piggyback" purchase of a new Caterpillar Excavator Model 306, using Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract #020223-CAT in an amount not to exceed $153,762. 2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, subject to City Attorney approval. ITEM 8 VISTA CANYON ROAD BRIDGE, PROJECT S3037 - DESIGN CONTRACT MODIFICATION This item considers approving a design contract modification for the Vista Canyon Road Bridge project. The modification will allow the design consultant to provide additional construction support services. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: Page 8 1. Extend the current design contract and authorize an increased expenditure authority for bridge engineering design services with Dokken Engineering, in the amount of $200,000, for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $1,058,000. 2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, subject to City Attorney approval. Addressing the City Council was Tony Maldonado. ITEM 9 RESOLUTION FOR THE APPLICATION AND RECEIPT OF STATE TRANSIT ASSISTANCE FUNDS City Council consideration to adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to submit an annual claim to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for State Transit Assistance funds. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council adopt a resolution allowing the City Manager or designee to submit an annual claim to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for State Transit Assistance funds. Addressing the City Council was Tony Maldonado. Adopted Resolution No. 25-11 ITEM 10 2024-25 OVERLAY AND SLURRY SEAL PROGRAM - OVERLAY A AND B, PROJECT M0157 - PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS This item considers awarding construction contracts for the 2024-25 Overlay and Slurry Seal Program - Overlay A and Overlay B projects. The annual overlay and slurry seal projects are an integral part of the City of Santa Clarita's pavement management program. Each year, streets are evaluated and identified for needed pavement preservation and rehabilitation treatments. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Approve the plans and specifications for the 2024-25 Overlay and Slurry Seal Program — Overlay A, Project MO157. 2. Approve the plans and specifications for the 2024-25 Overlay and Slurry Seal Program — Overlay B, Project MO157. 3. Find the 2024-25 Overlay and Slurry Seal Program is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Article 19 Section 15301. 4. Award the construction contract for the 2024-25 Overlay and Slurry Seal Program — Overlay A project to Sully -Miller Contracting Company, in the amount of $1,816,805 and authorize a contingency in the amount of $272,520, for a total contract amount not to exceed $2,089,325. Page 9 5. Award the construction contract for the 2024-25 Overlay and Slurry Seal Program — Overlay B project to Onyx Paving Company, Inc., in the amount of $5,826,000 and authorize a contingency in the amount of $873,900, for a total contract amount not to exceed $6,699,900. 6. Award the professional services contract to Twining, Inc., to provide project inspection, materials testing, and construction management support services for the 2024-25 Overlay and Slurry Seal Program, in the amount of $1,382,150 and authorize a contingency in the amount of $138,215, for a total contract amount not to exceed $1,520,365. 7. Award the professional services contract to Hunsaker and Associates, Los Angeles, Inc., to provide surveying and monument preservation services for the 2024-25 Overlay and Slurry Seal Program, in the amount of $746,464 and authorize a contingency in the amount of $74,646, for a total contract amount not to exceed $821,110. 8. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval. ITEM 11 AGREEMENT WITH LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF MEASURE A GRANT FUNDS AND PRESERVATION OF 457 +/- ACRES OF REAL PROPERTY IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, VASQUEZ CANYON RANCH The item considers the authorization to execute an agreement with Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District to accept Measure A grant funds and acquire Vasquez Canyon Ranch for the purpose of open space preservation. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Approve and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute an agreement with the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District to accept Measure A grant funds for a total amount of $1,437,195, subject to City Attorney approval. 2. Approve the purchase of 457+/- acres of real property, Assessor Parcel Numbers 2813-013- 0032, 2813-013-033, 2813-014-003, 2813-015-008, 2813-015-010, 2813-015-014, 2813-015- 015, and 2813-016-011, at a total cost of $2,589,314, which includes property purchase price, escrow, title, due diligence costs, trail head improvements, and payment of annual property taxes. 3. Appropriate one-time funds of $1,437,195 from Measure A Fund (Fund 269) to Measure A Acquisition Grant Account R0037269-520104. 4. Appropriate one-time funds of $1,152,119 from Open Space Preservation District Fund (Fund 358) to Open Space Preservation District Expenditure Accounts 3587501-520104 ($1,141,719), 3587501-518503 ($8,400), and 3587501-511101 ($2,000) for the purchase of the property, property taxes, and maintenance fees. Page 10 Appropriate ongoing funds beginning in Fiscal Year 2025-26 of $62,000 from the Open Space Preservation District Fund (Fund 358) to Open Space Expenditure Accounts 3587501- 518503 ($50,000) and 3587501-511101 ($12,000) for annual property taxes and ongoing maintenance. 6. Find this acquisition exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Article 19, Section 15313 (Class 13); Section 15317 (Class 17); and Section 15325 (Class 25). Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval. ITEM 12 CONTRACTS FOR BUILDING PLAN REVIEW, BUILDING INSPECTION, AND PERMIT - RELATED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES This item considers awarding contracts to Scott Fazekas & Associates, JAS Pacific, TRB and Associates, and Shums Coda Associates for building plan review, building inspection, and permit -related professional services. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Award one-year contracts to Scott Fazekas & Associates, JAS Pacific, TRB and Associates, and Shums Coda Associates for building plan review, building inspection, and permit -related professional services for a combined total annual amount not to exceed $1,000,000, effective Fiscal Year 2025-26. 2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute up to four additional one-year renewal options beginning in Fiscal Year 2026-27, not to exceed the combined total annual contract amount and contingent upon the appropriation of funds by the City Council in the annual budget for such Fiscal Year. 3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, subject to City Attorney approval. ITEM 13 LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR LMD ZONE 32 (VISTA CANYON RANCH) City Council consideration to award a contract to Marina Landscape Services, Inc., to provide recurring landscape maintenance services for Landscape Maintenance District Zone 32 Vista Canyon Ranch. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Award a five-year contract to Marina Landscape Services, Inc., to provide landscape maintenance services for Landscape Maintenance District Zone 32 (Vista Canyon Ranch), Page 11 for a total contract amount not to exceed $99,580. 2. Appropriate ongoing funds in the amount of $2,916 from the Landscape Maintenance District Fund (Fund 357) to expenditure account 3572464-516110 beginning in Fiscal Year 2025-26. 3. Find that the award of contract is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Article 19 — Categorical Exemptions, Section 15301, Existing Facilities, (h) Maintenance of Existing Landscaping. 4. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, subject to City Attorney approval. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION II No additional requests to speak were received. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Miranda adjourned the Regular Meeting in memory of Diana Cusumano at 10:48 p.m. ATTEST: CITY CLERK -". kk"t-�L MAYOR Page 12