Only three residents attended San Juan Bautista’s City Council
meeting Tuesday night.
Even without the usual public comment on the chicken situation,
the city’s feathered friends were still deliberated on by council
members for almost 20 minutes.
Only three residents attended San Juan Bautista’s City Council meeting Tuesday night.
Even without the usual public comment on the chicken situation, the city’s feathered friends were still deliberated on by council members for almost 20 minutes.
An ordinance to prohibit feeding the wild chickens was discussed, with City Manager Larry Cain stating he and City Attorney Patrick Whitnell would discuss bringing such an ordinance to the council to vote on in the future.
Whitnell asked the council to approve a motion to authorize the city attorney, city manager and the mayor to represent the city in any upcoming litigation concerning Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s repeal of the increase of the vehicle license fee tax (VLF).
The repeal of the VLF increase was the first action the governor took when he came to office, which has been devastating to many cities and counties who were previously receiving that money, Whitnell said.
The League of California Cities is now looking at litigation to challenge the governor’s actions.
“I request that the council give authorization to support the League’s efforts,” Whitnell said.
Whether it be joining the possible lawsuit by sending letters to the governor asking him to expedite a backfill, or simply by adding San Juan Bautista’s name to the list of counties and cities that are asking to have VLF funds restored, would be at no cost to the city, he said.
“The hope is that the court sees the long list of plaintiffs and sees that it’s valid,” Whitnell said. “I’d like to have authorization to jump on as a named plaintiff if it happens.”
There would be no cost to San Juan because most of the funding is coming from larger cities such as Los Angeles, which has been hard hit by the loss in revenue, he said.
The council was concerned that joining the suit could cost the city money it doesn’t have in the long run, but Whitnell assured them that wouldn’t be the case.
Councilman Arturo Medina moved to give Whitnell, Cain or the mayor, George Rowe, the authorization to sign off on a document that would support California cities’ efforts to have the state backfill the fees.
The council unanimously approved the motion.
In other business:
– The council discussed the consideration of an ordinance relating to the city manager’s office. Because Councilmember Dan Reed was not present due to health reasons, they continued the matter to January’s meeting.
