CITY OF AVENAL
“Pistachio Capital of the World®”
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY/PFA MEETING
March 28, 2024, 5:15 P.M.
AVENAL THEATER & EVENT CENTER, 233 E. KINGS ST., AVENAL, CA VIA ZOOM VIDEO/WEB CONFERENCING:
Web Link: bit.ly/AvenalCouncil or use https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87243440488 Or by calling +1 669 900 6833 and use meeting ID 872 4344 0488 to join.
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: by Mayor Preciado at 5:16 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Councilmen’s: Lou Gravelle, Pablo Hernandez, Councilman Ricardo Verdugo joined meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Alejandro Ramirez, Mayor Alvaro Preciado.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF: Lopez, Ortiz, Price, Bermudez, Davis, Velasco. Williams.
LEGAL COUNCEL: Moses Diaz.
CITY CLERK:
Government Code Section 54952.3: The members of the City Council/Successor Agency are entitled to receive a total of $300.00 per month because of being elected to the City Council. They receive no other compensation for sitting as a member of Successor Agency.
The City Council went into Closed Session at 5:19 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION: (City/Successor Agency):
It isthe intent of this governing body to meet in closed session to review its position and to instruct its designated representatives:
Any person may directly address the Council/Agency at this time on items of interest regarding Closed Session.
A. Conference with Real Property Negotiator(s) (Government Code § 54956.8).
It is the intent of this governing body to meet in Closed Session to confer with its real property negotiator(s) concerning. The purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of real property by or for this agency as follows:
1. Property Description: APN: 040-320-009-000; & 040-320-014-000 Negotiator(s): City Manager / City Attorney. Party with whom negotiating: CrisCom Company. Instructions to negotiator concerning: Terms of Payment.
2. Property Description: APN: 040-165-007. Negotiator(s): City Manager / City Attorney.
Party with whom negotiating: CrisCom Company. Instructions to negotiator concerning: Terms.
B. Initiate Litigation (Government Code § 54956.9).
Conference with legal counsel – EXISTING LITIGATION (Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1)).
Parties, case/claim no: Ross Family Properties, LLC, v. City of Avenal (Kings County Superior Court, Case No. 24CU0071)
Mayor Preciado reopened meeting at 6:16 p.m. with nothing to report.
PUBLIC COMMENT/ANNOUNCEMENTS & UNSCHEDULED APPEARANCES:
Maria Ortiz, City Clerk announced: no public comment form submitted.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 5. – A.
Joint Meeting City Council/Successor Agency/PFA – March 28, 2024
Cecilio Velasco, Chief of Police introduced Irma Soto, Senior Police Officer & Michael Harding, Police Officer to the Council. Chief Velasco stated that they are experienced and professional police and happy they’re on board. Senior Officer Soto and Officer Harding thanked the City Council now Avenal is their community.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
All items listed under the consent calendar are routine and enacted by one motion: (Action).
A. Consider City of Avenal/Successor Agency’s Approval of Minutes for March 14, 2024.
B. Consider Approval for Traffic Lines (striping) for South Seventh Ave. Road Project.
Councilman/Council Member/Successor Agency Member Gravelle motioned to approve Consent Calendar, second by Councilman/Successor Agency Member Hernandez, and motion carried.
Roll Call Vote:
AYES: Gravelle, Hernandez, Verdugo, Ramirez, Preciado.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
MAYOR & COUNCIL MEMBERS/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY/ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION:
A. Updates Regarding City Warrants, and Financial Statements (Informational) Griselda Price, Director of Administrative Services reported that Warrants & Financial Statements: As the Council is aware, City Staff is working with Price Paige & Company to help clean and organize the City’s financial books and bring all its numbers to actuality. Over the past few months, the Finance Department has worked closely with PP&C to provide all necessary information. The hope was to have an update and caught up on warrants and financial statements by the end of 2023, but many factors hindered PP&C from completing these tasks City Staff spoke to Josh Giosa, partner at PP&C who indicated they would provide a memo updating progress and current timeline for completing tasks for the City, as well as bank statements and General Ledger to show the status.
Audit: The 2020/2021 audit work is completed, per Sotomayor, as of Monday March 25th, 2024 (see attached email). The report is being drafted and staff expects to have it to Council before the April 11th meeting. Sotomayor is already preparing to initiate the 2021/2022 audit soon after.
ACTIVITY REPORTS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. Activity Reports:
1) Police Department Activity Report: Cecilio Velasco, Chief of Police.
Cecilio Velasco, Chief of Police reported the following: 1) Avenal Police Department announces the return of Police Explore; 2) Leadership Stability; 3) Recruit and Retain the Best; 4) International Model of Community Trust; 5) Amongst the safest cities in America; and 6) Embrace wellness amongst our employees.
B. Special Presentations/Reports:
1) None.
PUBLIC HEARING(s):
A. None
OLD BUSINESS:
A. None.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider Establishing One Additional Employment Position (Property & Evidence Officer) within Avenal Police Department (Resolution 2024-16): Chief Velasco.
Chief Velasco reported the following the strategic review of the Avenal Police Department's needs, it has been identified that the succession planning for the Property and Evidence responsibilities would be significantly enhanced by the creation of a Joint Meeting City Council/Successor Agency/PFA – March 28, 2024
part-time Property and Evidence Officer. This action is aimed at ensuring the department's long-term operational stability and maintaining the integrity of our evidence management process, which is crucial for the justice system's effectiveness.
Creating the Property and Evidence Officer position is critical to the department's operation, and while the workload has remained consistent, the importance of preparing for future needs cannot be overstated. Currently these auxiliary duties are fulfilled by a Reserve Officer, who is also a retiree, and could plan to take time off in the future, creating a gap in fulfilling these duties.
Chief Velasco continues that to address this, the creation of a new part-time position within APD will serve as a key component in our succession planning efforts. This proactive approach will facilitate a smooth transition and continuous operation, safeguarding against potential operational vulnerabilities. Funding for this position will be allocated from existing personnel funds, capitalizing on savings from current vacancies. The use of existing funds ensures that the addition of this role is financially responsible and sustainable. Staff would recommend making any necessary adjustments in the next Fiscal Year budget to accommodate for the new position. Given the critical nature of the Property and Evidence Officer's role in our department and the necessity of robust succession planning, it is recommended that the City Council approve the establishment of an additional part-time Property and Evidence Officer position. This decision will reflect our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of operation within the Avenal Police Department and our foresight in planning for its future needs.
Staff recommends by Resolution, establishing one additional employment position within the Avenal Police Department, a part time Property and Evidence Officer. The Police Department- Utilize existing funds in the Personnel Budget for FY 2023/2024, and budget accordingly for FY 2024/2025.
RESOLUTION 2024-15: AMENDING AN EXISTING EMPOYMENT POSITION WITHIN CITY HALL PROPERTY & EVIDENCE OFFICER. Councilman Verdugo approved, second by Councilman Hernandez, and motion carried.
Roll Call Vote:
AYES: Verdugo, Hernandez, Gravelle, Ramirez, Preciado.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
CORRESPONDENCE/ANNOUNCEMENTS/CLOSING COMMENTS:
City Manager Lopez reported the following: 1) Financials will be presented at the next meeting; 2) Measure A brought in $700,00 and thanked the City Council.
Councilman Verdugo reported the following: 1) attended the Easter Egg Extravaganza great event and well attended.
Mayor Preciado reported the following: 1) attended many meetings and thanked all for attending.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Preciado re-opened meeting at 7:22 with no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Maria Ortiz, City Clerk