HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-18-2025 MinutesREGULAR CITY COUNCIL AND HOUSING AUTHORITY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2025 - MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER The Closed Session meeting was called to order by Mayor Stephens at
4:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Council Member Buley, Council Member Gameros, Council Member Pettis, Council
Member Marr, Council Member Reynolds, Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, and Mayor
Stephens.
Absent: None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NONE.
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS:
1.Public Employment, Workers' Compensation Claim, Pursuant to California Government
Code Section 54956.9 (b)(l), WCAB NO. ADJ18072347
2.Public Employment, Workers' Compensation Claim, Pursuant to California Government
Code Section 54956.9 (b)(1), WCAB NO. ADJ18438457
3.CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATION OF LITIGATION - ONE
CASE
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2), Potential Litigation.
4.CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.8
APN: 424-21 "l -01 ; Property: 695 W. I 9th Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Agency Negotiators: Lori Ann Farrell Harrison, City Manager
Negotiating Parties: Jamboree Housing
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
5.CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL EXISTING LITIGATION-ONE CASE
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(l )
Name of Case: City of Costa Mesa v. D'Alessio; 1963 Wallace Ave.
Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30 2020 01133479
City Council recessed at 4:02 p.m. for Closed Session.
Closed Session adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
Minutes - Regular Meeting February 18, 2025 Page 1 of 10
CALL TO ORDER - The Regular City Council and Housing Authority meeting was called to
order by Mayor Stephens at 6:00 p.m.
NATIONAL ANTHEM AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Chara Wondercheck led the
National Anthem and Mayor Stephens led the Pledge of Allegiance.
MOMENT OF SOLEMN EXPRESSION - Led by The Rev. Dr. George Okusi, St. John the
Divine Episcopal Church.
ROLL CALL
Present: Council Member Buley, Council Member Gameros, Council Member Pettis, Council
Member Marr, Council Member Reynolds, Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, and Mayor
Stephens.
Absent: None.
CITY ATTORNEY CLOSED SESSION REPORT - The City Council gave staff direction, no
reportable action.
PRESENT ATIONS:
Bobby McDonald, President and Executive Director of the Black Chamber of Commerce of
Orange County, and Dr. Stephen Glass, member of the QC Alphas Nu Tau Lambda Chapter,
accepted a proclamation on behalf of their organizations in recognition of Black History Month,
and Debora Wondercheck, Arts Commissioner introduced Alfred Jackson who performed "Lift
Every Voice and Sing" and "A Change is Gonna Come".
PUBLIC COMMENTS - MATTERS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA
Flo Martin, Costa Mesa, spoke on John Lewis books titled "March" books 'l through 3 and
recommended the City Council read the John Lewis book titled "RUN".
Jose Toscano, Costa Mesa, spoke on the California State Primary Election System, and
conducting a runoff election where the top two candidates move onto a new election to ensure
a candidate receives 50% of the vote.
Speaker, spoke on government openness and transparency, and customer service.
Karen Wolf, Costa Mesa, requested liquid amber trees to be removed.
Speaker, spoke on Proposition 4 regarding climate prevention, and emergency preparedness.
Speaker, spoke on the City liabilities, expenses, and paying down debt.
Speaker, spoke on speeding on the streets, requested police patrols, and spoke against street
improvements on I 9th Street.
Rob Miller requested the 311 App to be accessible in Spanish.
Minutes - Regular Meeting February 18, 2025 Page 2 of 10
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS, COMMENTS, AND SUGGESTIONS
Council Member Reynolds spoke on the messages and presentations in recognition of Black
History Month, thanked staff, business leaders, and residents for all their time supporting the
community, and requested pro-active messaging to the public for reporting issues with
sidewalks on the 3'l I App.
Council Member Pettis spoke on concerns with the 311 App, spoke on infrastructure as a
priority, spoke on resolving issues and improvements at Harper Park, Jordan Park, and
Brentwood Park, and requested an estimate on when renovations will be complete.
Council Member Buley spoke on Tessa and that permits need to be closed out in the system,
and that some coding and implementing issues are being corrected, spoke on the 311 App and
reporting graffiti abatement, and requested a notification when requests are completed.
Council Member Gameros reported a skate park conceptual design community meeting on
March 12'h, spoke on the February 7'h DUI Checkpoint, recognized the Police Department for
emergency preparedness during the rainstorm, and thanked volunteers for planting native
vegetation at Fairview Park.
Council Member Marr spoke on the Black History Month presentation, spoke on a series of fire
preparedness community meetings, and the first one is on Tuesday, February 25'h at 5:30 p.m.
at the Senior Center, and spoke on volunteering with Congressman Min and Mayor Stephens
at the Senior Center for the Meals on Wheels program.
Mayor Pro Tem Chavez spoke on sidewalk maintenance, the need for sidewalks on all city
streets, requested an update if the 311 App can be made available in Spanish, spoke on
customer service, efficiency, and responsiveness.
Mayor Stephens spoke on the Black History Month presentation, spoke on meeting with
Congressman Min regarding Meals on Wheels, requested an update on federal funding risks
at the 2nd meeting in March, spoke on an OCTA tour in San Clemente with Congressman Min,
spoke on providing a presentation at SOY on local government, thanked city departments and
community partners who assisted during the rainstorm, and wished his sister Lori a Happy
75th Birthday.
REPORT - CITY MANAGER - Ms. Farrell Harrison stated staff will follow up on comments
and questions brought up during public comments, stated that the Costa Mesa 3'l I App does
not currently have availability in Spanish but is working on providing, and stated that staff will
provide an update on federal funding and risks in March during the mid-year budget
discussion.
REPORT - CITY ATTORNEY - NONE.
Minutes - Regular Meeting February 18, 2025 Page 3 of 10
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOVED/SECOND: Mayor Pro Tem Chavez/Mayor Stephens
MOTION: Approve the Consent Calendar except for item nos. 5 and 6.
The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Buley, Council Member Gameros, Council Member Marr, Council
Member Pettis, Council Member Reynolds, Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, and Mayor Stephens.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
Motion carried: 7-0
1.PROCEDURAL WAIVER: WAIVE THE FULL READING OF ALL ORDINANCES AND
RESOLUTIONS
ACTION:
City Council and Housing Authority approved the reading by title only and waived further
reading of Ordinances and Resolutions.
2.READING FOLDER
ACTION:
City Council received and filed Claims received by the City Clerk and authorized staff to
reject any and all Claims: Mark Gnesin, Cody Grant, Lori Harvey, Edward Kao.
3.ADOPTION OF WARRANT RESOLUTION
ACTION:
City Council approved Warrant Resolution No. 2728.
4.MINUTES
ACTION:
City Council approved the minutes of the special meeting of January 28, 2025 and the
regular meeting of February 4, 2025.
7.EXTENSION OF OPTION TO LEASE AGREEMENT TO CONSTRUCT AND
OPERATE A 70-UNIT AFFORDABLE SENIOR AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
PROJECT LOCATED AT THE CITY'S SENIOR CENTER, 695 WEST 19TH STREET
ACTION:
City Council reviewed and approved the "Extension of Option to Lease Agreement" for
an additional 60-day term that will expire on April 30, 2025 to finalize lease negotiations
with appropriate affordable housing terms and complete assembling funding for the
project.
Minutes - Regular Meeting February 18, 2025 Page 4 of 10
ITEMS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
AWARD OF THE COSTA MESA CITY HALL TRAINING ROOM BASEMENT
REMODEL PROJECT, CITY PROJECT N0. 24-'I'l, AND FINDING OF CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENT AL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
Public Comments:
Speaker, spoke on using monies for reducing city debt, spoke on options of leasing
space from Vanguard, inquired on the necessity of a training room, and spoke on
allowing both union and non-union to bid.
Danielle Wilson spoke on Spanish lessons for employees.
MOVED/SECOND: Council member Marr/Council Member Gameros
MOTION: Approve staff recommendation.
The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Buley, Council Member Gameros, Council Member Marr,
Council Member Pettis, Council Member Reynolds, Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, and Mayor
Stephens.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
Motion carried: 7-0
ACTION:
1. City Council made a finding of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
categorical exemption pursuant to CEQA guidelines Section 15301 and adopted
plans, specifications, and working details for the Costa Mesa City Hall Training
Room Basement Remodel Project, City Project No. 24-11.
2. Rejected the bid submitted by Triangle DeCon Services, Inc., 25422 Adriana Street,
Mission Viejo, California 92691 as non-responsive.
3. Awarded a Public Works Agreement (PWA) for construction to American
Construction Company, LLC (ACC), 1130 North Kraemer Boulevard, No. 1,
Anaheim, California 92806 in the amount of $490,000 with an additional ten percent
(10%) contingency in the amount of $49,000, as needed for any unforeseen costs
related to this project.
4. Authorized the City Manager and
amendments to the agreement within
City Clerk to execute the PWA and future
Council authorized limits.
Minutes - Regular Meeting February 18, 2025 Page 5 of 10
EMERGENCY GENERATOR UNITS FOR CITY HALL AND THE COMMUNICATIONS
BUILDING
Public Comments:
Speaker, spoke on using Tesla batteries and solar as an option, spoke on allowing both
union and non-union to bid.
Speaker, spoke on including the Senior Center, inquired if the Police Department has its
own generator and its condition, spoke on bond funding, inquired if the generators were
regularly checked for maintenance issues, inquired on a plan if there is a power outage
before the new generators are installed, and spoke on long range planning for Capital
Improvement Projects.
Speaker, spoke on sustainability and municipal battery storage, and spoke on electric
options.
Speaker, spoke on the shelf life of lithium batteries, that they are a good use for
motorcycles but not for generators with a long shelf life, spoke against Elon Musk
businesses, and supports buying from other companies.
MOVED/SECOND: Mayor Stephens/Council Member Gameros
MOTION: Approve staff recommendation.
The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Buley, Council Member Gameros, Council Member Marr,
Council Member Pettis, Council Member Reynolds, Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, and Mayor
Stephens.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
Motion carried: 7-0
ACTION:
1. City Council authorized the use of Sourcewell's Cooperative Agreement
#092222-CAT with Caterpillar Inc. for the purchase of two (2) diesel emergency
generators, two (2) automatic transfer switches, and two (2) double wall day tanks
for fuel for City Hall and the Communications Building through Quinn Power
Systems totaling $389,543.19.
2. Approved an appropriation of $700,000 in the Capital Improvement Fund (Fund 401)
fund balance to purchase the equipment outlined above totaling $389,543.19, and
an additional $300,000 for a separate design and installation contract to be brought
under separate cover in the future, ensuring sufficient funds are available to
complete the project.
---------------------------------------END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Minutes - Regular Meeting February 18, 2025 Page 6 of 10
PUBLIC HEARINGS: NONE.
(Pursuant to Resolution No. 05-55, Public Hearings begin at 7:00 p.m.)
OLD BUSINESS: NONE.
City Council recessed into a break at 7:52 p.m.
City Council reconvened at 8:05 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS:
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH DUDEK FOR HOUSING ELEMENT
REZONING PROGRAM AND ENVIRONMENT AL IMPACT REPORT
Presentation by Ms. McGill, Planning & Sustainable Development Manager.
Public Comments:
Speaker, spoke in opposition of the item, the costs, heavy traffic, and is opposed to
more housing.
Jay Humphrey, Costa Mesa, spoke in support of more outreach and supports an
advisory committee.
Speaker, spoke on a project next to Estancia High School and that residents were
relocated, spoke on a cost benefit analysis on projects implemented for housing, and to
not displace current residents.
Speaker, spoke on not having a certified Housing Element, spoke on the lengthy permit
process, and spoke on reinstituting the permit streamlining act.
Dianne Russell, Costa Mesa, spoke in support of Measure K, encourages development
of affordable housing, expressed concern that affordable housing will be excluded in the
rezoning process, stated Measure K requires strong community input, requested an
advisory committee, and spoke on beautifying Newport Blvd and Harbor Blvd.
Speaker, spoke on RHNA numbers, Measure Y, and Measure K.
Cynthia McDonald, Costa Mesa, requested an advisory committee.
Richard Huffman requested an advisory committee.
Minutes - Regular Meeting February 18, 2025 Page 7 of 10
MOVED/SECOND: Council member Marr/Mayor Stephens
MOTION: Approve staff recommendation with the addition of being intentional with
community engagement.
The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Buley, Council Member Gameros, Council Member Marr,
Council Member Pettis, Council Member Reynolds, Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, and Mayor
Stephens.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
Motion carried: 7-0
ACTION:
'). City Council approved the Professional Services Agreement (PSA) to Dudek (an
environmental, planning and engineering firm) in the amount of $1,850,611 for
consulting services, for a three-year term, with up to two one-year extensions, if
necessary, with the initial three-year term effective February 18, 2025 - February 17,
2028.
2. Authorized a ten percent (10%) contingency in the amount of $185,061 for
unforeseen costs related to the project.
3. Authorized the City Manager, or designee, and City Clerk to execute the PSA and
any future amendments to the agreement.
CITY OF COSTA MESA, COSTA MESA FINANCE AUTHORITY, AND COSTA MESA
HOUSING AUTHORITY AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, AND HOUSING
SUCCESSOR ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDING JUNE 30, 2024.
Presentation by Ms. Molina, Finance Director and Ms. Acosta-Reyes, Finance Manager.
Public Comments:
Speaker, spoke about a letter submitted to the Finance and Pension Advisory
Committee and staff response times, requested to dismantle or reconstitute the Finance
and Pension Advisory Committee, spoke on the increase in spending in general
government, and the need for 5-year budget projections.
MOVED/SECOND: Council member Marr/Mayor Pro Tem Chavez
MOTION: Approve staff recommendation.
The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Buley, Council Member Gameros, Council Member Marr,
Council Member Pettis, Council Member Reynolds, Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, and Mayor
Stephens.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
Motion carried: 7-0
Minutes - Regular Meeting February 18, 2025 Page 8 of I 0
ACTION:
1. City Council received and filed the following reports for the fiscal year ended June
30, 2024:
Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
Air Quality Improvement Fund Compliance Report.
Audit Communication Letter.
Independent Accountant's Report on Agreed-Upon Procedures Applied to
Appropriation Limit Worksheets.
2. City Council and Costa Mesa Financing Authority received and filed the Costa Mesa
Financing Authority audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2024.
3. City Council and Housing Authority received and filed the following reports for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2024:
a. Independent Financial Audit of the Costa Mesa Housing Authority, including the
Low and Moderate-Income Housing Asset Fund; and
b. The Fiscal Year 2023-24 Housing Successor Annual Report prepared under the
California Health and Safety Code section 34176.1 as the housing successor and
section 34328 as a housing authority.
ADDITIONAL COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS, COMMENTS, AND
SUGGESTIONS - NONE.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Stephens adjourned the meeting at 10:41 p.m.
Minutes - Regular Meeting February 18, 2025 Page 9 of 10
John
ATTEST:
A"da ?e&""'tyClerk
Minutes - Regular Meeting February 18, 2025 Page 10 of 10