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Council approves multiple consent items, Vice Mayor Chavez recuses from developer-related vote
Summary
Council approved consent items 9A, 9C and amended 9D (recusal by Vice Mayor Chavez), advanced the personnel rules update with direction on reserve police officers and CBD/THC testing, and authorized a GAD professional services agreement for $39,969.
The Santa Paula City Council considered consent-calendar items 9A–9E and approved a bundle of items with one recusal and several items pulled for discussion.
Councilmember Crosswhite moved to approve items 9A, 9C and 9D as amended; the motion passed with all present voting yes and Vice Mayor Chavez recusing himself from item 9D because of a personal residency connection with the Harvest development. Councilmembers asked staff clarifying questions about surplus-vehicle fees and CARB emissions compliance for vehicles slated for removal from the fleet.
On personnel rules (item 9B), Councilmember Juarez proposed adding reserve police officers — volunteers who carry a firearm and undergo training — to the random drug-testing pool. Staff and the attorney said that would change a long-standing practice and could add minor per‑test cost (about $100 per test) if applied. The council approved the personnel rules as presented and directed HR and legal to research including reserves in the pool and to examine CBD/THC testing thresholds so the policy can address CBD products that may produce positive results.
Council also convened as the GAD board and authorized the chair to execute a one-year professional services agreement with NGO Incorporated to provide GAD manager services for $39,969 for FY 2024–25; the motion passed.
Why it matters: These consent votes move forward day-to-day city operations (vehicle liquidation, personnel policy and a GAD manager contract) and show the council acting quickly to resolve routine items while reserving the right to revisit policy specifics (reserve officers and CBD testing) if staff research reveals legal or fiscal concerns.
