This is the last meeting before the November election. The November 3 meeting (election day) is canceled, as is the 4:00 pm closed session for October 20. The next meeting is November 17. Agendas are posted on the City’s website, typically the Thursday before the meeting: https://fullerton.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

IMPORTANT: Public comments are scheduled for the beginning of the meeting (unless the Mayor moves them). See Item 19 below.

The meeting opens with presentations: certificates for Supervisor Doug Chaffee’s Gun Buyback Program and the Police Department’s On Patrol: Live appearance, and recognition of employees Pete Acosta (49 years) and Melinda West (41 years).

There is also a direct appointment to the Infrastructure and Natural Resources Advisory Committee and a 13-item consent calendar. The consent calendar includes a Republic Services solid waste franchise agreement and several storm drain and traffic signal contracts, so it’s worth a skim.

Beyond that, there are six public hearing and regular business items. Nothing too significant.

Item 14 adopts an Environmental Justice Element as Appendix N of the Fullerton Plan, as required by state law. It includes commendable goals: identifying disadvantaged communities, addressing compounded health risks, promoting fair treatment and meaningful participation, reducing pollution, and improving community engagement. These goals are guidelines, however, and don’t require specific action.

Item 15 is Mills Act contracts for five historic properties: 315 N. Balcom, 332 W. Brookdale, 519 W. Fern, 335 W. Jacaranda, and 542 W. Valley View. Owners receive property tax savings that must go toward repairs and maintenance. These contracts come before Council several times a year, and staff proposes revised program guidelines that would streamline approvals, with the stated aim of moving them to the consent calendar in the future.

Item 16 is a revised annual plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships programs. HUD returned the City’s earlier plan because it left out carry-over funds and program income. The revised plan must be resubmitted by November 1.

Item 17 introduces an ordinance implementing the state ban on irrigating nonfunctional turf with potable water on commercial, industrial and institutional properties, HOA common areas, and local government property. Cities must update their codes to comply. Functional turf, such as playing fields, is exempt.

Item 18 renames the Administrative Services Department the Finance Department and creates Director and Deputy Director of Finance positions, along with a related executive compensation resolution. Some functions formerly under Administrative Services have moved: Risk Management to Human Services and IT to the City Manager’s Office. The director position is currently vacant, and staff wants to recruit a qualified director. It’s unclear why these functions are being shifted.

Item 19 is a discussion, requested by Council Members Zahra and Charles, about the public comment process. Historically, public comments came at the start of meetings. The Mayor has the authority to place them elsewhere and recently, with no notice, has put them at the end, and at times has left during them. Late placement is disrespectful to the public and inconvenient for people who have other obligations or no interest in the rest of the agenda. Based on the last city council discussion, Council Member Zahra has it in mind to make a policy or ordinance to make public comment at the beginning of the meeting the rule rather than at the mayor’s whim.