Santa Paula Council: Three Hours, No Financials

By Sheryl Hamlin

City Council Flying Blind

fly blind: Feel one’s way, proceed by guesswork, as in “There are no directions for assembling this furniture, so I’m flying blind.” This hyperbolic expression dates from World War II, when it was used by pilots who could not see the horizon and therefore had to rely on instruments. It was transferred to broader use soon afterward.

The February 6, 2017 Santa Paula City council occurred seven (7) months and six (6) days after the close of the fiscal year on June 30, 2016. Why is there still no Audited Financial Report? Similarly, the meeting occurred one month and six(6) days after the mid-year of fiscal year 2016/2017 which started on July 1, 2016. Why was there no mid-year financial report presented to council?

Perhaps the council was treated to a private report from the City Manager or the Finance Director, but that would be skirting the Brown Act. Perhaps the staff is involved in trying to justify the city’s joining of the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD). Or, perhaps the staff is still making manual accounting entries in order to close the books.

Over the last few months, the council has approved several groups of raises, bought a large service vehicle and approved a new Operations and Maintenance Contract for the Wastewater Treatment facility without benefit of any financial documentation. In November 2016 voters approved Measure T. It would be helpful to know what the FY 2015/2016 year end sales tax number was in order to understand how much might be added as a consequence of Measure T for FY 2016/2017.

Vice Mayor Gherardi has repeatedly asked for information comparing the before and after financial conditions of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, but no such analysis has appeared. The budget process has been mentioned, but no schedule has been given for this annual exercise.

Citizen Comments

• Fourth of July 2017 – Al Guilin asked the public to consider supporting the annual fireworks event. The total cost is $15,000. To donate send checks to: Santa Paula Rotary Club – Fireworks, PO Box 809, Santa Paula, CA 93060. Rotary Club Benefit Fund is a non-profit 501c(3) so contributions are tax deductible.
• Ruben Zaragoza, Government and Community Relations Manager for Recology, apologized profusely for the delays in pickup, particularly on Wednesdays, and encouraged complaints be called in to 805-933-0100.
• Four residents spoke against the Sparkuhl project, a small tract of 21 homes approved 13 years ago near the Santa Paula Creek with only one way of ingress-egress. A letter was read which was delivered to council signed by 15 neighbors who live near the proposed project in the Oaks. Issues raised were: expiration of MND, time extension documentation, current compliance with CEQA and General Plan, traffic circulation and service levels based on current volume, air/noise mitigation during construction, drainage and Fire Safety. The citizens want the project to go through the planning cycle again because they have received a letter from the developer saying that work would “start soon”. Note that the city has posted the MND for this project here.
• Pam Fuller reminded the audience of the One Billion Rising Event from 2 to 4 pm on Saturday, February 11 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Churh, 472 N. Oak Street, Santa Paula. Here is a link to their Facebook event page.

Staff and Council Communication

• City Manager Fontes reported on the status of joining the VCFD which will be presented at the next council meeting, as well as an update on the Mission Rock peaker plant. He also reiterated the importance of his Salary Analysis program.
• Vice Mayor Gherardi, who represents the city at the Ventura County Transit Commission (VCTC), said there will be an “Unmet Transit Needs” meeting in March. She is also looking into the signal timing at 10th and 150 whiere only a few cars can pass on a green light. She announced that she will be the Metrolink alternate for VCTC. She met with Recology and city staff to address the pickup issues.
• Chief Araiza presented the contract for the Fourth of July Fireworks to the council just received on Thursday.
• Council Member Procter spoke of the April 29th Relay for Life supporting abused women worldwide.
• Council Member Hernandez spoke of the meeting he attended with Council Member Garman in Sacramento January 18-20 hosted by the California League of California Cities. Council Member 101, he said.
• Attorney Cotti updated the council on the case against Santa Clara Wastewater, which was filed six months ago. The civil cases have been stayed due to the resolution of the criminal matter. The city is being represented by the county. According to the county attorney, they are trying to achieve a “global settlement” for both criminal and civil cases. The city’s cases include property and equipment damage as well as a Workers Comp claim via the JPIA. SCWW has filed an application to restart operations under a new owner, Patriot Environmental Services. He will review the application and prepare potential responses for the council.

Consent Calendar

An item was pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion having to do with Workers Comp and General Liability. The new process will involve the city’s receiving quarterly reports. City Clerk Blanco reported that she is getting the quarterly reports.

The continuation of this report will include:

• Council Opposition to the Caltrans 126 Improvement project
• the Food Service Ordinance
• the Operations and Maintenance Contract for the Wastewater Treatment Facility
• the General Plan Update

To watch the video and download the reports, click here.

For more information about the author, visit sheryhamlin.com

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