CITY OF WINTERS M / 11 Est. 1875 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Winters City Council held on February 18, 2025 Mayor Albert Vallecillo Called the meeting to order at 6:32 PM Present: Council Members Richard Casavecchia, Jesse Loren, Carol Scianna, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Biasi, Mayor Albert Vallecillo Absent: None Staff: Acting City Manager Joe Gorton, Assistant City Attorney Joanna Gin, Director of Administrative Services Cathy Matthews, Chief of Police John Miller, Senior Planner Kelly Mumper, Chief of Fire Jack Synder, Contract Planner David Storer. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Senior Planner Kelly Mumper led the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Motion by Council Member Loren, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Biasi, to approve Item 7.A., Proclamation Recognizing the Month of February as National Senior Independence Month, to be taken up before the consent calendar. The motion carried unanimously by the following vote. AYES: Council Members Richard Casavecchia, Jesse Loren, Carol Scianna, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Biasi, Mayor Albert Vallecillo NOES: None ABSENT: None COUNCILSTAFF COMMENTS Verbal updates were provided by Council Members. PUBLIC COMMENTS None Item 7.A. was taken up before the consent calendar, and a summary of that item is listed below. CONSENT CALENDAR 6.A. Warrant Register and Payment of Claims for the Month of December 2024 6.B. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Winters City Council Held on February 4, 2025 6.C. Resolution 2025-06 Authorizing Updates and Additions to Job DeserplonsClassications 6.D. Consideration of a 3% Wage Increase for the Human Resources Technician and the Executive Assistant to the City Manager/Deputy City Clerk retroactive to the pay period ending 7/21/24. Motion by Council Member Loren, seconded by Council Member Casavecchia, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion carried with the following vote: AYES: Council Members Richard Casavecchia, Jesse Loren, Carol Scianna, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Biasi, Mayor Albert Vallecillo NOES: None ABSENT: None PRESENTATIONS 7.A. Proclamation Recognizing the Month of February as National Senior Independence Month Mayor Vallecillo introduced a Proclamation designating February as National Senior Independence Month to honor the contributions of seniors and promote initiatives supporting their independence. The Proclamation recognizes the vital role seniors play in the community and aims to raise awareness of programs that enhance their well-being. Senior community members Tina and Jerry Lowden expressed their appreciation for the Proclamation, emphasizing the importance of local organizations such as Meals on Wheels and the Elder Foundation in supporting senior independence. Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Bill Biasi, seconded by Council Member Loren, to approve the Proclamation with the following vote: AYES: Council Members Richard Casavecchia, Jesse Loren, Carol Scianna, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Biasi, Mayor Albert Vallecillo NOES: None ABSENT: None DISCUSSION ITEMS 8.A. Presentation of annual report and adoption of Resolution 2025-07 renewing Ordinance 2022-03 "Military Equipment Use" Policy for the Winters Police Department per. Assembly bill 481 (Government Code $7072 et seq.) Chief Miller presented the annual report and Resolution 2025-07, renewing Ordinance 2022-03 regarding the military equipment use policy for compliance with Assembly Bill 481 (Government Code 7072). Miller confirmed that the Winters Police Department does not possess any equipment classified as military under AB 481. Maintaining the resolution and policy ensures readiness should equipment be acquired in the future. There are no plans to purchase military equipment in the upcoming year, but the policy remains in place as a precaution. The discussion also served as a community meeting with AB 481 requirements. Kate Laddish thanked Miller for his transparency and for bringing this item forward as a discussion. Motion made by Council Member Loren, seconded by Council Member Scianna, to approve and adopt Resolution 2025-07 renewing Ordinance 2022-03 "Military Equipment Use Policy" for the Winters Police Department per Assembly Bill 481 (Govt. Code $7070 et seq.). Motion carried with the following vote: AYES: Council Members Richard Casavecchia, Jesse Loren, Carol Scianna, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Biasi, Mayor Albert Vallecillo NOES: None ABSENT: None 8.B. Discussion and Consideration of a Proclamation Calendar for Calendar Year 2025 Acting City Manager Joe Gorton introduced the item, explaining that proclamations have historically been requested on an ad hoc basis, but no formal calendar has been established for recurring recognition. The proposed calendar aims to streamline the process while allowing for additional non-routine proclamations. Tina Louden - expressed appreciation for the introduction of a formal proclamation calendar. Kate Laddish supported the advance planning of proclamations as a means of engaging the community and bringing awareness to important issues. Crystal Apilado encouraged collaboration with the school district to engage youth in community recognition efforts. The Council reviewed the proposed proclamation calendar, suggested revisions, and acknowledged its potential to improve organization and awareness of important dates. Motion by Council Member Loren, seconded by Council Member Scianna, to adopt a proclamation calendar for Calendar Year 2025. Motion carried with the following vote: AYES: Council Members Richard Casavecchia, Jesse Loren, Carol Scianna, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Biasi, Mayor Albert Vallecillo NOES: None ABSENT: None 8.C. Public Hearing: Introduce and Waive First Reading of Ordinance No. 2025-01 amending Chapter 5.36 of the Winters Municipal Code relating to Food Vendors. Contract Planner Kelly Mumper presented the ordinance, explaining that staff had incorporated Council feedback, consulted the City Attorney's office, and reviewed regulations in neighboring jurisdictions. Council Members discussed various aspects of the ordinance, including eliminating the conditional use permit requirement for stationary food vendors, zoning regulations, enforcement challenges, vendor operating hours, and the potential impact of allowing tables and chairs. Concerns were raised about the consistency of enforcement, the necessity of a cap on the number of vendors allowed to operate in the city, and whether to adjust designated vending in specific zones/areas. The council also considered requiring food vendors to display business licenses and health department certifications for easier compliance monitoring. Staff acknowledged that some revisions might require Planning Commission review and expressed readiness to adjust the ordinance based on council direction. The discussion concluded with an understanding that refinement may be made before final adoption. Tina Lowden expressed concerns about safety due to the layout of food trucks and additional vendors in the area, particularly after an incident involving a fire truck responding to a car accident. The owner of the Winters Market shared his experience about the food truck allowed to operate on his property, stating they comply with all codes and permits. The owner requested reconsideration of the Council deleting the four-hour minimum threshold before stationary food vendors obtain a conditional use permit, especially during summer when people stay out later. The owner suggested that each stationary food vendor should be evaluated separately based on their needs and compliance. Corinne Martinez expressed support for allowing late-night food trucks since other restaurants close early. Ms. Martinez opposed allowing tables and chairs for sidewalk vendors and suggesting maintaining a cap on the number of vendors to prevent oversaturation. Kate Laddish supported banning tables and chairs, encouraged maintaining a cap on food trucks, and raised concerns about food truck noise from generators and fumes. The Mayor requested a matrixlspreadsheet of the requirements for stationary food vendors, mobile food vendors, and sidewalk vendors. The Mayor requested a seasonal element for the proposed hours that stationary food vendors can operate. Council Member Loren proposed a cap of six stationary food vendors. Generally, the Council recommended a cap on the number of stationary food vendors allowed to operate, changing the definition of "stationary food vendor" to remove the four-hour threshold before a CUP is required, a map of the locations that food vendors can operate, operating hours, prohibiting chairs/tables in connection with vendor operation, and the display of the county permit and business permit requirement. Motion by Council Member Loren, seconded by Council Member Scianna, to continue this item to the April 1st, 2025, Council Meeting. AYES: Council Members Richard Casavecchia, Jesse Loren, Carol Scianna, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Biasi, Mayor Albert Vallecillo NOES: None ABSENT: None 8.D. Public Hearing: Introduce and Waive First Reading of Ordinance No. 2025-02 amending the Winters Municipal Code, Sections 17.04.140 (Definitions), 17.52.020 (Land Use/Zone Matrix), and 17.205.030 (Commercial Cannabis Uses and Requirements. Contract Planner Dave Storer introduced the item regarding Ordinance No. 2025-02, amending sections of the Winters Municipal Code related to cannabis. He provided an overview of previous council discussions and key considerations, including zoning regulations, buffer zones around sensitive areas, and Planning Commission recommendations. Discussion included input from staff, law enforcement, and council members, addressing security measures, financial implications, and the city's obligations under the grant funding. Chief Miller provided insight from discussions with police departments in Davis and Dixon, addressing concerns about potential increases in crime. Both departments reported no significant rise in crime related to dispensaries, though Davis noted some additional workload for compliance monitoring. Security measures were deemed effective in mitigating risks, and revenue generation was identified as a positive aspect. Staff confirmed that the city had received approximately $115,000 in grant funding. David Storer clarified that if the council chose not to move forward with the ordinance, the City would not be required to repay any funds already spent. The deadline for utilizing the funds was confirmed as June 30, 2026. Public Hearing was reopened at 7:15 PM. Jim Hyer expressed skepticism about the financial benefits of allowing a cannabis dispensary and raised concerns about police resources. Corinne Martinez noted that the proposal has changed significantly from earlier planning discussions. stressing that such businesses could negatively impact the town's character and economy. Angelica Sanchez thanked city staff for their work on the ordinance and expressed support for establishing a legal framework for dispensaries. Ms. Sanchez stated that proper oversight ensures responsible operations and allows for revoking permits if necessary. Kate Laddish appreciated the police chief's research on crime rates in nearby cities with dispensaries, noting there were no alarming increases in crime. Ms. Laddish supported allowing a dispensary, stating that many residents already use cannabis for medical or recreational purposes. Marianne Boyer (Written Comment) noted that dispensaries in Davis and Dixon operate smoothly with security guards and without police involvement and supported having a dispensary in Winters, arguing it would keep revenue in the city and reduce pollution from residents driving to other locations for legal cannabis. Revalee Hemken (Written Comment) disagreed that marijuana has no medical benefits. Ms. Hemken shared a personal story about how cannabis improved her husband's quality of life during cancer. Public hearing closed at 9:04 PM The public hearing was reopened and closed for two additional commenters. Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Biasi, seconded by Mayor Albert Vallecillo, to decline proceeding with the proposed ordinance. A substitute motion was made by Council Member Loren, seconded by Council Member Scianna, to approve the proposed ordinance for one retail storefront in the areas identified by Mr. Storer's Exhibit as Areas 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 8. Motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Richard Casavecchia, Jesse Loren, and Carol Scianna NOES: Mayor Pro Tem Biasi and Mayor Albert Vallecillo ABSENT: None CITY MANAGER REPORT None INFORMATION ONLY None ADJOURMMENT Meeting Adjourned at 9:47 PM Ohbb / Albért Vallecillo, Mayor ATTEST: CUNO Buoot Zorina Treat, Deputy City Clerk Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting Held on February 18, 2025 2