CITY OF AVENAL
“Pistachio Capital of the World®”
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY/PFA MEETING
October 9, 2025, 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 Pro Tem Gamez at 5:19pm
ROLL CALL: Councilman Ricardo Verdugo, David Reynosa, Pablo Hernandez, Mayor Pro Tem Gamez, Mayor Alvaro Preciado.
Mayor Preciado and Councilmember Verdugo will be participating remotely, from the Courtyard Marriott Long Beach Downtown: 500 East First St. Long Beach CA 90802, for representing the City at the League of California Cities 2025 Annual Conference and Expo.
Council Member/ Successor Agency Gamez motioned to allow Councilmember Verdugo and Mayor Preciado to participate via Zoom, seconded by Council Member/ Successor Agency Reynosa, and motion carried.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Gamez, Reynosa, Hernandez.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: Verdugo, Preciado.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF: López, Price, Curiel, Ortiz, Bermudez, Davis, Velasco, Nevarez.
LEGAL COUNSEL: Zishan
CITY CLERK:
Government Code Section 54952.3: The members of the City Council/Successor Agency are entitled to receive a total of $450.00 per month because of being elected to the City Council. They receive no other compensation for sitting as a member of Successor Agency.
PUBLIC COMMENT/ANNOUNCEMENTS & UNSCHEDULED APPEARANCES:
This time is reserved for members of the audience to address the City Council on items of interest that are both on the Agenda or not on the Agenda, and are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council/Successor Agency. State Law prohibits any member of the Council from commenting or acting on matters not on the agenda. The Council asks that you keep your comments concise and respectful. Criticism, concerns, or support are welcome, provided they are expressed with appropriate courtesy. Each speaker will be allowed three minutes. A timer will notify you when your time is expired. Please begin your comments by stating your name and place of residence.
Francisco Lopez, Avenal Resident, introduced himself as “Frank the Tank,” and invited the community to attend the Pistachio Festival and paid tribute to the memory of Harlin Casida. He announced that a memorial will be held for Mr. Casida during the Festival and requested that October 18th be proclaimed “Harlin Casida Day” in his honor.
Public comment is closed at 5:27pm by Mayor Preciado.
CLOSED SESSION: (City/Successor Agency):
A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR(S) (Government Code § 54957.6).
It is the intent of this governing body to meet in Closed Session to review its position and to instruct its designated representatives: Designated representatives- APOA; Bargaining Units 1, 2, 3 & 5 B. PERSONNEL (Government Code § 54957(b)). It is the intention of this governing body to meet in closed-session to: Hear complaints or charges against a public employee.
C. EXISTING LITIGATION (Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1)). Parties, case/claim no: Jesus A. Mendez, v. City of Avenal (Kings County Superior Court, Case No. 24CU0108) Council Member/ Successor Agency Preciado motioned to table closed session and called for a Special Meeting pending future date, seconded by Council Member/ Successor Agency Gamez and motion carried.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Preciado, Gamez, Verdugo, Reynosa, Hernandez.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
All items listed under the consent calendar are routine or for approval only and are enacted by one motion:
(Action).
A. Consider City of Avenal/Successor Agency’s Approval of Minutes for September 25, 2025, Regular Meeting & September 30, 2025 Special Meeting.
Council Member/ Successor Agency Reynosa motioned to approve Consent Calendar, seconded by Council Member/ Successor Agency Gamez, and motion carried.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Reynosa, Gamez, Verdugo, Preciado Hernandez.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
MAYOR & COUNCIL MEMBER/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY/ ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION:
A. None.
ACTIVITY REPORTS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. Activity Reports:
1. Public Works/Code Enforcement/Animal Control Departments Activity Report: Scott Davis, Public Works Director.
Scott Davis presented his report as submitted. Mayor Preciado announced he will be meeting with Caltrans on Monday, October 13th, to discuss several community projects. Councilmember Verdugo inquired whether Lemoore Animal Control provides notice prior to bringing over dogs, to which Scott responded that a 48-hour notice is given. a. City Engineer’s Activity Report: Javier Andrade –A&M Consulting Engineers Javier Andrade presented his report as submitted. Councilmember Reynosa inquired about the completion timeline for the Community Center. Javier responded that the facility is expected to be completed before the end of the year; however, PG&E will not power the electrical panel until late January or February 2026.
2. IT Department Activity Report: Humberto Bermudez, IT Director.
Humberto Bermudez presented his report as submitted. Mayor Pro Tem Gamez inquired about the CAT6 wiring, and Humberto provided clarification on its definition and noted a slight increase in cost.
3. Recreation Department Activity Report: Anna Lara, Community Activities Senior Leader.
Anna Lara presented her report as submitted. Councilmember Verdugo inquired about the Avenal State Prison family event, and Anna clarified that it is a separate event scheduled for October 22nd. Mayor Preciado added that the Consulate has reported a decrease in attendance at recent events and expressed his hope that the City can continue collaborating to ensure these services remain available to Avenal residents.
4. Avenal Fire Department Development Update & Report: Ruben Veliz, Fire Consultant (Information).
Ruben Veliz presented his report as submitted. Mayor Pro Tem Gamez inquired about future staffing plans. Ruben recommended hiring an Assistant Chief rather than a Battalion Chief and implementing a Paid Call Firefighter (PCF) program as soon as possible. City Clerk Angie asked for clarification on what a PCF is, and Ruben explained it stands for Paid Call Firefighter. Mayor Pro Tem Gamez also inquired about compensation for volunteer firefighters. Ruben stated that volunteer firefighters will not be accepted and that full-time firefighter salaries range between $45,000 and $55,000 per year.
Councilmember Verdugo expressed that a clear process should be established before making any purchases and emphasized that the City Manager should not make purchases without prior City Council approval. He also stated that an action plan should have been presented beforehand. City Manager Antony López responded that Council has been informed about this project, while noting that some matters cannot be disclosed due to closed session confidentiality. He stated he will provide a more detailed breakdown of the ongoing project. Ruben also shared updates on efforts to secure new dispatch services.
PUBLIC HEARING(s):
Joint Hearing of the City of Avenal Successor Agency RDA Trust Obligations Fund/Public Finance Authority:
A. None
OLD BUSINESS:
A. None.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider Ratification of the Urgent Purchase of a 2025 Ford Police Interceptor Utility and Authorization for Vehicle Upfitting (Discussion/Action).
Chief Velasco presented report as submitted.
Mayor Preciado inquired on when the new vehicle would be up and running. Chief responded that in the next 3-4 weeks after upfitting. Preciado also asked if the vehicle would be used daily. Velasco responded that it will be used for DUI checkpoints which should be twice during the grant period and the vehicle will be assigned to an officer with certain DUI training. Velasco also clarified that he has been searching for dispatch services as there has been an upgrade in their case management system and there is no ill intent for looking for other services and has nothing to do with Fire Contract matter. He also stated that there was a conversation of having a contingency plan to move to another agency for dispatch services after Kings County stated in a board of supervisors meeting that there might be a possibility that they will not dispatch for Avenal Police Department in the future.
Council Member/ Successor Agency Gamez motioned to approve Resolution 2025-51 seconded by Council Member/ Successor Agency Reynosa, and motion carried.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Gamez, Reynosa, Verdugo, Preciado, Hernandez.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
RESOLUTION 2025-51: RATIFICATION OF URGENT PURCHASE OF A 2025 FORD POLICE INTERCEPTOR UTILITY AND AUTHORIZATION FOR VEHICLE UPLIFTING.
CORRESPONDENCE/ANNOUNCEMENTS/CLOSING COMMENTS:
Any Council member may request an item be placed on a future agenda, provided that a simple majority also support adding said item.
Discussion or action on any item not on the current agenda is strictly prohibited. Closing comments are intended for Council members to report attendance of any special events and pertinent information back to the public. Upcoming/Future Agenda Items to Consider.
Correspondence/Announcements/Information/Closing Comments.
City Manager Antony López invited the community to attend the Pistachio Festival on October 17–18 and announced that City offices will be closed the following Monday in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Columbus Day. Councilmember Reynosa also invited the community to the Pistachio Festival. Mayor Pro Tem Gamez shared personal memories of Harlin Casida, noting his mentorship, his support of the Girl Scouts program, and his role in planting a willow tree and placing a monument honoring a fallen soldier. Mayor Preciado expressed that Harlin Casida will be forever remembered and encouraged the community to work together toward shared goals. He stated that he does not endorse any recall efforts against any Councilmember and recommended hosting additional town halls to increase community engagement in City projects. He also agreed with Councilmember Verdugo on the importance of providing more detailed reports moving forward. Councilmember Verdugo agreed with dedicating the Pistachio Festival in memory of Harlin Casida and invited the community to attend the homecoming football game.
ADJOURNMENT:
City Council meeting adjourned at 7:26pm.
__ /s/ Karla Curiel
Karla Curiel, Deputy City Clerk