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00:00:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting on April 11, 2023, the council reconvenes out of closed session and starts the regular meeting with an invocation by Councilwoman McLean. The DMV Donate Life California month Proclamation is also presented, emphasizing the importance of organ and tissue donors in potentially saving lives. The meeting proceeds with questions on items on the agenda and approval of the agenda.
00:05:00 In this section, it is discussed how more than 100,000 people in the U.S are currently waiting for an organ transplant, with 20,000 of those people residing in California alone. Last year, over 42,000 organ transplants were performed in the United States, made possible through deceased and living donors. The City of Santa Clarita proclaims the month of April 2023 as DMV Donate Life California month and welcomes longtime resident and heart recipient Richard Adam to accept the proclamation. Richard expresses his gratitude for recognizing Donate Life month and shares pictures of how he was able to walk his daughter down the aisle and now able to spend time with his grandson due to receiving a heart transplant.
00:10:00 In this section, the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting of April 11, 2023, highlights the importance of donations and volunteering towards their community. The councilwoman recognizes the volunteers throughout Santa Clarita who contributed almost 30,000 hours of their time to City programs and projects. She also announces the recipients of the prestigious National Volunteer Week Proclamation and President’s Volunteer Service Award, presenting them with a certificate, a medal, and a congratulatory letter from President Joe Biden. The council proclaims the week of April 16-22 as the national volunteer week in Santa Clarita and encourages recognition to create positive impacts of volunteerism in the community.
00:15:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting, the Vice President of the Helpful Honda campaign thanks the city and discusses some “very nice surprises” coming to Santa Clarita. After this, the council moves on to public participation, where members of the public take the time to address the council on issues not listed on the agenda, such as the controversy surrounding the city’s support for Angela Davis. One member of the public expresses disappointment in the representatives’ failure to address their concerns, stating that the community’s reputation is suffering and that the council has failed to represent the citizens’ voices.
00:20:00 In this section, three speakers addressed the Santa Clarita City Council with different topics. Alan Ferdman, the president of the Santa Clarita Community Council, talked about the importance of celebrating diversity every month, not just during special occasions like Easter and Ramadan. Steve Petzold asked for an invitation to the railroad that runs commercial trains in Santa Clarita to know what those trains are carrying in case there is an incident. Lastly, Sherry McFarland did not speak as the video has been cut.
00:25:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council meeting, a woman expresses her frustration with a speaker who will be paid $25,000 for speaking about anti-racism. She questions the meaning of anti-racism and asks the council to pull the $80,000 memorandum of understanding that the city gives to the institution each year. Following her, a patient care advocate speaks about the need for a fair contract at Henry Mayo Hospital, citing understaffing and turnover problems that are negatively affecting both the employees and patients. The union represents 740 support staff at the hospital and requests the council’s help in finding a resolution that will allow the hospital to recruit and retain dedicated staff.
00:30:00 his supporters spoke about the need to fight against corrupt leadership and protect the Constitution while acknowledging the potential conflicts between Progressive ideas and constitutional protections. They emphasized the importance of standing up against Progressive indoctrination and preserving individual rights, such as the Second Amendment and religious liberty, while promoting social justice. They also called for the need to support law enforcement and maintain safe communities, highlighting Jonathan Atami as the best candidate for LA district attorney due to his experience and commitment to public safety and justice.
00:35:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council meeting, the issue of districting and the potential consequences of exacerbating racial divides within the community were discussed by Tony Maldonado. Maldonado emphasized the need for robust communication campaigns to maintain community unity, listening to all voices within the community, and avoiding a focus solely on race. In addition, Maldonado addressed the issue of insufficient citizen engagement in decision-making processes and urged the City Council to create a Citizens committee to provide a valid and robust platform for positive developments within the city.
00:40:00 In this section, a speaker identifies as an atheist and a humanist who values supporting homeless organizations and promoting kindness to animals. The speaker urges the council to prioritize addressing the homeless crisis and promoting access to healthcare in the city. The council is also advised to consider the values that the community shares and to act accordingly. Another speaker opposes the idea of district voting and criticizes the transgender community, while another emphasizes the importance of unity and the golden rule. The council members are encouraged to prioritize actions based on community consensus.
00:45:00 In this section, a spokesperson for the subliminal woman speaks in support of the UE Local 1004 workers at the Henry Mayo Hospital, urging the hospital to work with the union to resolve the workers’ rights issue. Following the speakers, council members discuss upcoming agenda items, including the issue of fire developer fees and a potential expansion of fire districts, which could restrict residents from parking motorhomes in proximity to their homes. The councilman expresses concern about the lack of communication and consensus on the matter, urging the council to stand up for residents and demand to be kept in the loop about any new rules implemented by the authorities. The council also briefly mentions the governor’s intent to decrease budgets.
00:50:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting, the council discusses their ongoing efforts to secure funding for local transit and road safety projects. They also mention their coalition letter sent to legislators and the governor for support. The council also mentions a fire district fee and asks for an update on any potential regulations. However, they have not received any proposed regulations yet and suggest waiting until they have the pertinent information before discussing it in a future meeting. Additionally, Councilman Miranda reminds everyone about the upcoming Celebrate Series event, which celebrates various cultures in the community.
00:55:00 In this section of the transcript from the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting, the council discusses various initiatives and events in the community. They mention a series of cultural events to promote diversity and education at the Canyon Country Community Center and plans to have a cultural museum in the future. The council also discusses the availability of tennis and pickleball courts for public use at local high schools and the upcoming Cowboy Festival. Additionally, councilmembers mention attending the second-year anniversary of a local record company and the Winter Color Guard Invitational at Valencia High School. The meeting then moves on to the first public hearing for adjusting Consolidated Fire Protection developer fees.
01:00:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting, Acting Assistant Fire Chief Patrick Sprinkle presented the annual update on the Consolidated Fire Protection District developer fee, which is assessed for new residential and commercial buildings, accessory structures, and additions over 2,000 square feet. The proposed increase of the current fee of $1.4316 per square foot to $1.5499 per square foot was approved by the Board of Supervisors in January of the same year. However, during the public comments portion, Tony Maldonado expressed the need for the fee to consider the cost of installing sustainable green energy equipment as mandated in the California energy commission’s energy code. Despite this concern, the city council approved the resolution authorizing the proposed increase to take effect on July 1st, 2023.
01:05:00 In this section of the transcript, Michael Villegas, Assistant to the City Manager, presents the amendment and waiver requests for the Vista Canyon development. The developer requests that the required Transit Center Parking be developed in three phases due to the declined ridership caused by the pandemic. To accommodate the request, the City Council’s approval to amend the original Transit funding agreement is needed to outline the conditions. Additionally, the developer has incurred penalties and interest, and the request to waive the combined total estimate of $414,000 is recommended by the city’s Bond Council.
01:10:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting, April 11, 2023, the council discusses amendments to the budget for the CFD in the Water Factory. One speaker, Tony Maldonado, raises concerns about a proposal to reduce the number of required parking spaces from 500 to 400 in a transit funding agreement, stating that it is a short-sighted approach and not in the best interest of the community. However, city staff argues that the reduction is a short-term solution based on the current demand and that the developer is still obligated to provide the additional 750 spaces as needed in the long term. The council also discusses triggers built into the funding agreement that would require the developer to provide more parking once demand hits certain levels.
01:15:00 In this section, the Community Preservation Manager for the city of Santa Clarita presents amendments to the municipal code regarding oversized vehicle parking regulations and vehicles parked over 72 hours. The city’s parking enforcement program enforces city and state parking regulations primarily on a reactive or complaint-driven basis. The amendments recommend establishing a minimum distance requirement of 150 feet for vehicles to comply with the 72-hour rule and eliminating weekend and holiday exemptions for oversized vehicle parking, allowing up to three permits per registered owner every 120 days instead of 90. These changes aim to address residents’ concerns more effectively while still allowing appropriate parking time on public right-of-ways.
01:20:00 In this section of the video, two speakers address the proposed changes to Chapter 12.64 of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code, which would establish a minimum distance of 150 feet for vehicles to be moved within the 72-hour required parking period. The first speaker, Alan Ferdman, expresses his strong opposition to the ordinance, citing his history of helping neighbors during natural emergencies as evidence of the need for on-street parking. The second speaker, Tony Maldonado, supports the changes but asks the council to consider adding a provision that would allow residents to apply for a one-time permit per month to avoid unintended consequences, such as towing visitors’ cars parked on the street for a few extra days.
01:25:00 In this section, a resident expresses concerns about the abuse of vehicle parking for over 72 hours in neighborhoods and a particular case of inconsideration from one resident who has been parking up to five to seven vehicles in a cul-de-sac meant for 22 vehicles. The resident hopes that the new parking ordinance will help with this issue, and council members clarify that parking enforcement is complaint-driven and not proactive, meaning that vehicles can still park in a spot for a couple of days until a complaint is raised and parking enforcement marks the car.
01:30:00 In this section, the Santa Clarita City Council discusses the need for regulations regarding the parking of oversized vehicles, such as motorhomes, on public streets. They note that while it may be difficult for some residents to find RV parking options, having these vehicles parked on the streets for extended periods impacts safety and quality of life for neighbors. The Council approves the regulations, though they acknowledge the possible need for exceptions during emergencies, such as earthquakes or fires. They also express reluctance to introduce special permits for RV parking, as this would create too much bureaucracy.
01:35:00 In this section, a written comment card was cited by a council member, expressing concerns about the proposed vehicle parking restrictions in residential neighborhoods that could impact responsible RV owners. While it is sensible to enforce parking restrictions for non-operable or roadway obstructing vehicles, the card questioned why every vehicle must be monitored, even when there are no issues or complaints. The card suggested that restrictive laws would penalize everyone based on problems occurring in certain areas. The council member proposed better solutions that do not punish all RV owners, while addressing problem areas individually. Additionally, they advised caution on passing the voting, suggesting that staff should come up with more equitable and fairer language.
01:40:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council meeting, council members are discussing the oversized vehicle ordinance and its requirements. The ordinance allows for a 48-hour parking allowance with the exception of a permit that grants an additional 72 hours, with a limit of three permits within 120 days. The ordinance is complaint-driven and is enforced by both parking enforcement and sworn officers. The council discusses changing the language to clarify the ordinance is reactive rather than proactive. They also clarify that the definition of streets and highways is not changing.
01:45:00 In this section, the Santa Clarita City Council discusses changes to the definition of “Highway” in the city ordinance, noting that it is simply providing greater clarification and does not change where they enforce parking regulations. They also recommend a change in the time limit for parking of oversized vehicles from 90 to 120 hours, with the intention of limiting the number of times individuals can take advantage of the longer permit. The council clarifies that this is a complaint-driven, reactive ordinance and not proactive. During the consent section, a speaker expresses concern about the minutes of a previous meeting and asks for clarification on speaker positions and whether her request was recorded, while also criticizing a newspaper article for misleading readers.
01:50:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting, speakers expressed concerns regarding district voting and its potential for fraud and division among communities. The discussion then shifted to the topic of Fentanyl and government intervention in the FDA’s approval process for certain drugs. One speaker called for more clarity and scrutiny in the approval process, citing examples of FDA-approved drugs causing harm. Finally, a speaker expressed frustration with the city’s priorities, questioning why resources are being allocated towards projects like a roller rink and BMX park while neglecting the arts and entertainment for adults.
01:55:00 In this section, multiple members of the Santa Clarita City Council meeting express frustration with the allocation of funds towards non-essential projects such as a proposed indoor skate arena for “roller mamas” and a BMX trail overlay in Haskell open space. They argue that the city should instead prioritize more important projects, such as facilities for the arts, and that funds from the American Rescue Plan should not be used for unnecessary recreational activities. Additionally, council members suggest that alternative locations for these activities should be considered before moving forward with expensive projects.
02:00:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting, concerns were raised about the safety of hiking trails in the park used by BMX bikers who do not use horns or ringer bells. A request was made to table the redesign of the trail and consider the appropriateness of its name. On the other hand, a written comment card was presented in support of the completion of a BMX race facility. Council members reflected on the importance of considering the safety of all trail users and worked on ensuring design points are thoroughly thought through. They also agreed to support building the roller-skating rink, a multi-use shared facility that could be used for various activities, primarily for roller-skating, indoor soccer, dance, art shows, and karate tournaments.
02:05:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting, council members discuss the proposed bike park, which includes 15 miles of trails and a BMX component. They discuss the need to design the park to accommodate both mountain bikers and hikers, and to ensure safety for all visitors. Council members express excitement about the unique opportunity this bike park could provide, and discuss the feasibility of a sanctioned BMX track. They suggest looking into the cost of a BMX track without permanent sewage facilities and inquire about the differences between the proposed bike park and the Trek Park at the activity center.
02:10:00 In this section of the video, the council members discuss BMX tournaments and legislation coming out of Sacramento that could potentially bypass local input and control on housing projects and developments in the city. They urge everyone to read item seven and be aware of what is happening in Huntington Beach, where the attorney general has just ruled that high-density projects can go through without any city review. The section ends with a member of the public expressing disappointment with the council’s acknowledgement of Ramadan and calling for more attention on Passover, which she believes is more representative of American traditions.
02:15:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council Meeting, one individual speaks about the Judaic-Christian beliefs and how they align with Christian beliefs. They argue that submitting to a non-traditional and non-historic cultural belief system such as Islam is what tears the fabric of the nation apart. Another individual, Roberto Dubon, speaks on behalf of the employees of Henry Mayo hospital, who are struggling to get a fair contract. They urge the council members to intervene and ask the new CEO to provide better working conditions for the employees so that they can provide the best possible service to the community.
02:20:00 In this section of the Santa Clarita City Council meeting, several essential workers including surgical technicians, Ed techs, respiratory and X-ray techs, transporters, and sterilization technicians pleaded with the council members to sign an open letter to the new CEO in order to obtain better wages for the hospital’s 700+ employees. Many workers expressed their concern about the lack of loyalty shown by the hospital to its employees, despite the importance of their roles in surgical procedures, organ donations, and emergency situations, such as school shootings. The workers hope to receive a fair contract that will keep them from leaving for other hospitals in the area.