Johnathan Ryan HernandezVoted no
6:06:04Said he was not ready to approve any contracts until parameters and his concerns had been discussed.
7May
2024
2024
Regular City Council, Housing Authority, and Special Public Financing Authority Meeting · One key issue
The longest argument of the night was about the councilmembers' own aides and what they are allowed to do.
▶ Check this moment · 6:20:04
7.6 hours
39 agenda items
25 located in video
49% attributed to a named speaker
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What happened
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
- 01
The contracts themselves passed six votes to one, with Councilmember Hernandez against.
▶6:06:19Explore this issue
Related agenda item 28Open agenda item →Approve Amendments to Consultant Agreements with Claudia Perez (Mayor Amezcua), Andrew Linares (Councilmember Bacerra), and Valerie…
Member positions
- 02
He said he was not ready to vote because he wanted parameters around the contracts settled first.
▶6:06:04Explore this issue
Related agenda item 28Open agenda item →Approve Amendments to Consultant Agreements with Claudia Perez (Mayor Amezcua), Andrew Linares (Councilmember Bacerra), and Valerie…
Member positions
Johnathan Ryan HernandezVoted no6:06:04Said he was not ready to approve any contracts until parameters and his concerns had been discussed.
Thai Viet PhanVoted yes6:20:04Wanted the aides able to approach staff directly with members copied, rather than everything going through one person.
Benjamin VazquezVoted yes6:30:01Voted for the contracts but wanted it explicit that aides are not city staff and need training on their limits.
- 03
The council then spent close to another hour on those parameters, without taking a further vote.
▶6:53:26Explore this issue
Related agenda item 28Open agenda item →Approve Amendments to Consultant Agreements with Claudia Perez (Mayor Amezcua), Andrew Linares (Councilmember Bacerra), and Valerie…
Member positions
Johnathan Ryan HernandezVoted no6:06:04Said he was not ready to approve any contracts until parameters and his concerns had been discussed.
Thai Viet PhanVoted yes6:20:04Wanted the aides able to approach staff directly with members copied, rather than everything going through one person.
Benjamin VazquezVoted yes6:30:01Voted for the contracts but wanted it explicit that aides are not city staff and need training on their limits.
- 04
Mayor Pro Tem Phan argued the aides need some latitude to approach staff directly, because routing everything through one staffer had caused problems before.
▶6:20:04Explore this issue
Related agenda item 28Open agenda item →Approve Amendments to Consultant Agreements with Claudia Perez (Mayor Amezcua), Andrew Linares (Councilmember Bacerra), and Valerie…
Member positions
Johnathan Ryan HernandezVoted no6:06:04Said he was not ready to approve any contracts until parameters and his concerns had been discussed.
Thai Viet PhanVoted yes6:20:04Wanted the aides able to approach staff directly with members copied, rather than everything going through one person.
Benjamin VazquezVoted yes6:30:01Voted for the contracts but wanted it explicit that aides are not city staff and need training on their limits.
- 05
Councilmember Vazquez wanted it clear that aides are not city staff and answer to councilmembers rather than to the public.
▶6:30:01Explore this issue
Related agenda item 28Open agenda item →Approve Amendments to Consultant Agreements with Claudia Perez (Mayor Amezcua), Andrew Linares (Councilmember Bacerra), and Valerie…
Member positions
Johnathan Ryan HernandezVoted no6:06:04Said he was not ready to approve any contracts until parameters and his concerns had been discussed.
Thai Viet PhanVoted yes6:20:04Wanted the aides able to approach staff directly with members copied, rather than everything going through one person.
Benjamin VazquezVoted yes6:30:01Voted for the contracts but wanted it explicit that aides are not city staff and need training on their limits.
- 06
City Attorney Carvalho suggested treating them as contractors with pay steps, the way the city does with employees.
▶6:43:06Explore this issue
Related agenda item 28Open agenda item →Approve Amendments to Consultant Agreements with Claudia Perez (Mayor Amezcua), Andrew Linares (Councilmember Bacerra), and Valerie…
Member positions
Johnathan Ryan HernandezVoted no6:06:04Said he was not ready to approve any contracts until parameters and his concerns had been discussed.
Thai Viet PhanVoted yes6:20:04Wanted the aides able to approach staff directly with members copied, rather than everything going through one person.
Benjamin VazquezVoted yes6:30:01Voted for the contracts but wanted it explicit that aides are not city staff and need training on their limits.
- 07
The budget work study was reached with eight minutes of the meeting left and was continued, Councilmember Bacerra saying the budget is the single most important thing the council does.
▶7:31:09Explore this issue
Related agenda item 30Open agenda item →Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Work Study Session
What councilmembers said
Representative transcript excerpts—not inferred positions.
Valerie AmezcuaMayor7:33:40it's really up to you it sounds like we have five now for on the 16th and let's let's have a special meeting so that the only issue we are discussing is the budget because it is certainly one of the most you're correct one of the most important items that we…
Jennifer L. HallCity Clerk7:33:00There is a hold on your calendars for that date now. And provided that's the date that Mayor would call for a special meeting, we can move forward with that date. Staff is prepared to do that. if you wanted to continue it to a different date then that would be…
David PenalozaCouncilmember7:36:25Let's close it out. this meeting is major yeah the only clarification i have madam city attorney for what i asked earlier about ab1234 disclosure um you can make that quickly can we make that quickly okay i just wanted to disclose to the public that the city…
Phil BacerraCouncilmember7:31:09»» Madam Mayor, I think that the budget is the single most important thing that this Council does. And to do it at 11 o'clock when we've got a very empty chamber tonight, I think it would be wise for us to move this item to a later date so that we can start…
- 08
The council also created a Public Financing Authority and declared its intent to issue lease revenue bonds through it.
▶7:30:04Explore this issue
Related agenda item 2Open agenda item →Board Consideration of Resolutions to Approve and Adopt City of Santa Ana Public Financing Authority Bylaws and to Declare its…
No named councilmember contribution could be reliably linked to this item.
How this brief was made
The current summaries were prepared during an in-session review of the transcripts. This prototype shows only sentences with a timestamp citation. 0 uncited sentences were withheld from this page.
Focus
Where they differed
Splits in votes or reasoning
Councilmember Hernandez alone voted against renewing the council aide contracts, wanting the rules governing the aides settled first. The council then proved his point by spending another hour arguing about exactly those rules.
Said he was not ready to approve any contracts until parameters and his concerns had been discussed.
Wanted the aides able to approach staff directly with members copied, rather than everything going through one person.
Voted for the contracts but wanted it explicit that aides are not city staff and need training on their limits.
Agenda
Every item
39 items in agenda order
Closed Session Items
Not located Closed-session labor negotiations with city employee organizations
- The council met privately with its labour negotiator.43:51
Closed Session Items
Not located PUBLIC EMPLOYEE EMPLOYMENT/APPOINTMENT pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1): Title: City Manager
- The council met privately about the employment and appointment of a city manager.43:51
Closed Session Items
Not located Closed-session labor negotiations with city employee organizations
- The council met privately with a second labour negotiator.43:51
Ceremonial Presentations
▶3:00:52 Proclamation presented by Mayor Amezcua to Brandy Figueroa for Exemplary Academic Achievements
- Mayor Amezcua presented a proclamation to Brandy Figueroa for her academic achievements.3:00:53
Ceremonial Presentations
▶3:17:58 Proclamation presented by Mayor Pro Tem Phan declaring May 2024 as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- Mayor Pro Tem Phan presented a proclamation declaring May 2024 Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.3:18:05
Ceremonial Presentations
▶3:10:11 Proclamation presented by Councilmember Bacerra declaring May 12-18, 2024 as National Police Week and May 15, 2024 as Peace Officers…
- Councilmember Bacerra presented a proclamation declaring 12 to 18 May 2024 National Police Week, and 15 May Peace Officers Memorial Day.3:10:11
Ceremonial Presentations
▶3:24:25 Proclamation presented by Councilmember Hernandez to Diego Sarmiento for Exemplary Academic Achievements
- Councilmember Hernandez presented a proclamation to Diego Sarmiento for his academic achievements.3:24:28
Ceremonial Presentations
▶3:32:36 Proclamation presented by Councilmember Penaloza to the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency’s Aquatics Division…
- Councilmember Penaloza presented a proclamation to the aquatics division declaring May 2024 Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Month.3:32:55
Ceremonial Presentations
▶3:40:22 Certificate of Recognition presented by Councilmember Lopez to The Desperados Band for Outstanding Contributions to the Community
- Councilmember Lopez presented a certificate of recognition to The Desperados Band.3:40:31
Ceremonial Presentations
▶3:47:22 Proclamation presented by Councilmember Vazquez to Fernanda Meza for Exemplary Academic Achievements
- Councilmember Vazquez presented a proclamation to Fernanda Meza for her academic achievements.3:47:43
Consent Calendar
Not located Excused Absences
- A routine item excusing members who missed earlier meetings.5:08:21
Consent Calendar
Not located Minutes from the Regular Meeting of April 16, 2024 and the Special Meeting of April 20, 2024
- The council approved the written record of its meeting of 16 April and its special meeting of 20 April 2024.5:08:21
Consent Calendar
▶5:08:39 Appoint Alfonso Ceja Villa Nominated by Councilmember Lopez as the Ward 3 Representative to the Community Development Commission for…
- The council appointed Alfonso Ceja Villa, nominated by Councilmember Lopez, as the Ward 3 representative on the Community Development Commission.5:08:21
Consent Calendar
▶5:08:43 Appoint Emily Parra-Diaz Nominated by Councilmember Vazquez as the Ward 2 Representative to the Youth Commission for a Partial Term…
- The council appointed Emily Parra-Diaz, nominated by Councilmember Vazquez, as the Ward 2 representative on the Youth Commission.5:08:39
Consent Calendar
Not located Appoint a Member to the Santa Ana Workforce Development Board
- An appointment to the Santa Ana Workforce Development Board.5:08:21
Consent Calendar
▶5:12:23 Quarterly Report for Housing Division Projects and Activities
Consent Calendar
▶5:35:50 Homeless Services Division Third Quarter Report
Consent Calendar
Not located Ten-Day Written Report Pursuant to California Government Code Section 65858(d) Following Adoption of Urgency Interim Ordinance No.…
- The ten-day written report state law requires after the council adopts an urgency interim ordinance, in this case the industrial moratorium adopted on 16 April.5:08:21
Consent Calendar
Not located Receive and File Single Audit Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023
- The single audit report for the year ended 30 June 2023, received and filed.5:08:21
Consent Calendar
Not located Award Blanket Order Contract to Quadient, Inc. for Postage, Supplies, and Shipping Parcels in an Annual Amount Not to Exceed…
- A blanket contract with Quadient for postage and shipping, not exceeding $200,000 a year.5:08:21
Consent Calendar
▶5:59:08 Award a Purchase Order to Guaranty Chevrolet for Three Chevrolet Equinox SUVs in an Amount Not to Exceed $109,290 (Specification No.…
- A purchase order of up to $109,290 to Guaranty Chevrolet for three Equinox SUVs.5:08:21
Consent Calendar
▶3:53:35 Receive and File the Notification by the City Engineer of the Final Tract Map No. 2022-03, County Tract Map No. 19195 at 717 South…
- Notification from the city engineer of a final tract map on South Main Street.5:08:21
Consent Calendar
▶5:59:24 Approve an Amendment to the Agreement with Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Art Center to Expand Workforce Readiness and Skills…
- An amendment with the Orange County Children's Therapeutic Art Center expanding workforce readiness and skills work.5:08:21
Consent Calendar
Not located Award a Contract to CliftonLarsonAllen LLP for Professional Auditing Services, in an Aggregate Amount Not to Exceed $1,020,030, for…
- An auditing contract with CliftonLarsonAllen, not exceeding $1,020,030 in total.5:08:21
Consent Calendar
Not located Approve an Agreement with Meeder Public Funds, Inc. for Investment Manager and Portfolio Services
- An agreement with Meeder Public Funds to manage the city's investments and portfolio.5:08:21
Consent Calendar
Not located Historic Property Preservation Agreements for the Properties Located at 925 N. Lowell Street, 801 N. Minter Street, and 944 W.…
- Historic property preservation agreements for three houses, on North Lowell, North Minter and West Bush Streets.5:08:21
Consent Calendar
▶5:08:07 Resolution and Agreement Amendment Reflecting the Positive City Clerk Evaluation Conducted on April 16, 2024, and Approving an…
- A resolution and contract amendment following the positive evaluation of the city clerk on 16 April, with the pay adjustment that goes with it.5:08:21
Consent Calendar
Not located Resolution Repealing Resolution 2017-016 and Designating the Officers and Employees of the City Authorized to Exercise the Authority…
- A resolution replacing a 2017 one and redesignating which officers and employees may act on the city's behalf.5:08:21
Consent Calendar
Not located Council Consideration of Resolution Establishing the City of Santa Ana Public Financing Authority
- The council's side of establishing a Santa Ana Public Financing Authority.5:08:21
Consent Calendar
▶6:00:33 Adopt a Resolution and Approve an Appropriation Adjustment Accepting the Grant Funds from Kaiser Permanente’s Operation Splash
- A resolution accepting grant money from Kaiser Permanente's Operation Splash.5:08:21
Business Calendar
▶6:00:51 Approve Amendments to Consultant Agreements with Claudia Perez (Mayor Amezcua), Andrew Linares (Councilmember Bacerra), and Valerie…
- Amendments to the consultancy agreements covering the aides who work for individual councilmembers.6:06:19
- Councilmember Hernandez said he was not ready to vote and would be a no, because he wanted parameters and some concerns settled before approving any contracts.6:06:04
- The first recommended action passed six votes to one on that basis.6:06:19
- Mayor Pro Tem Phan argued the aides need some flexibility to reach staff directly, with members copied in, because funnelling every question through one staffer had caused problems before.6:20:04
- Councilmember Vazquez wanted it written down that aides are not city staff, that they answer to councilmembers rather than to the public, and that they should be trained on what they may and may not do.6:30:01
- Mayor Pro Tem Phan said pay should reflect experience, since someone with a track record is worth more than a first-year hire.6:42:46
- City Attorney Carvalho suggested keeping them as independent contractors but banding the pay in steps, as the city does with employees.6:43:06
- She said she would resend the memo she had circulated in the last election cycle, and add parameters for the city manager to bring back.6:53:18
Public Hearings Public Comments
▶6:53:32 Public hearing: Approve the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Action Plan and Budgets for the Community Development Block Grant, HOME…
- The public hearing on the annual action plan and budgets for the city's federal housing and community development grants.7:25:57
- Mayor Pro Tem Phan recused herself, saying America on Track is a client of her employer and receives free legal work from the firm.6:53:58
- It passed six votes to nothing with that recusal recorded.7:25:57
Work Study Session
▶7:30:37 Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Work Study Session
- The first work study session on the 2024-25 budget.7:30:17
- It was reached with eight minutes of the meeting left, after the city attorney reminded the council its own rules end the meeting at a fixed hour.7:30:39
- Councilmember Bacerra said the budget is the single most important thing the council does and moved to continue it.7:31:09
- Councilmember Hernandez said there was not sufficient time to debate something that important.7:32:24
- The motion to continue it, seconded by Councilmember Lopez, carried.7:35:06
Consent Calendar
▶7:27:18 Excused Absences
- A routine item excusing authority members who missed earlier meetings.7:27:38
Consent Calendar
▶7:27:18 Minutes from the Regular Meeting of April 2, 2024
- The authority approved the written record of its meeting of 2 April 2024.7:27:38
Consent Calendar
▶5:46:56 Quarterly Report for Housing Choice Voucher Program
- The quarterly report on the Housing Choice Voucher programme.7:27:38
Consent Calendar
▶7:27:18 Board Consideration of Resolution Establishing the City of Santa Ana Public Financing Authority
- The authority's side of establishing the Santa Ana Public Financing Authority, passed six votes to nothing with Authority Member Vazquez absent.7:27:38
Consent Calendar
▶7:28:40 Excused Absences
- A routine item excusing authority members who missed earlier meetings.7:28:59
Business Calendar
▶7:29:23 Board Consideration of Resolutions to Approve and Adopt City of Santa Ana Public Financing Authority Bylaws and to Declare its…
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