CITY OF AVENAL
“Pistachio Capital of the World®”
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING
October 23, 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 Preciado at 5:17 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Councilman Ricardo Verdugo, David Reynosa, Mayor Pro Tem Gamez, Mayor Alvaro Preciado.
ABSENT: Hernandez.
STAFF: López, Curiel, Ortiz, Velasco, Bermudez.
LEGAL COUNSEL: Moses Diaz.
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.
Public comment was opened at 5:20PM by Mayor Preciado.
Frank Lopez, Avenal Resident, thanked the City of Avenal for partnering with the Rotary Club for the Pistachio Festival. He noted that the event had an excellent turnout and expressed hope that the City will continue to collaborate on future community events.
Veronica Aguirre, Avenal Resident (via Zoom), expressed concern regarding trash trucks traveling through Highway 269, which she stated is not permitted. She mentioned that community members have shared videos showing semi-trucks driving through town and offered to provide them to the Council. She encouraged City staff to continue working with the operators to ensure compliance with regulations.
Public comment was closed 5:27 PM by Mayor Preciado.
CLOSED SESSION: (City/Successor Agency):
A. Personnel (Government Code §54957(b)).
Consider Public Employee Performance Evaluation for the Position of: City Manager Council Member/Successor Agency Preciado motioned to table closed session seconded by Councilman/Successor Agency Member Gamez, and motion carried.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Preciado, Gamez, Reynosa, Verdugo.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Hernandez.
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 October 9, 2025, Regular Meeting.
Council Member/Successor Agency Reynosa motioned to approve Consent Calendar seconded by Councilman/Successor Agency Member Reynosa, and motion carried.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Gamez, Reynosa, Preciado, Verdugo.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Hernandez.
ABSTAIN: None.
MAYOR & COUNCIL MEMBER/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY/ ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION:
A. None.
ACTIVITY REPORTS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. Activity Reports:
1. Police Department Activity Report: Cecilio Velasco, Chief of Police.
Chief Velasco presented his report as submitted. He provided additional information regarding the collision involving two semitrucks that occurred earlier in the day. He stated that there will be increased enforcement and that staff will work on developing a new system with the landfill to help prevent future traffic issues. Mayor Preciado inquired who would be taking the lead on the investigation of the collision, and Chief Velasco responded that it would be handled by the Avenal Police Department.
2. Community Development Activity Report: Joshua McDonnell, Contract City Planner, 4Creeks.
Joshua McDonnell presented his report as submitted. Councilmember Verdugo inquired about the purpose of the Housing Element for a city. Joshua explained that the Housing Element is a state-mandated requirement intended to promote housing affordability and higher-density development. It also ensures that each city demonstrates sufficient land capacity to accommodate its allocated number of dwelling units. He added that while he understands the intent, he does not necessarily agree with how these policies apply to certain jurisdictions or higher-income cities. Mayor Preciado requested that Joshua share information from the recent meeting with the hydrogen plant company. Joshua reported that the company has expressed strong interest in developing a hydrogen fueling and manufacturing plant in the Avenal area. He noted that while the City cannot take formal action until an application is submitted, staff can conduct preliminary reviews and discussions to assess whether the project represents an opportunity for the community.
3. Economic Development & Grant Writing Report: Emily Engelsgaard, Grants Manager, the CrisCom Company.
John B. presented report as submitted. Mayor Preciado inquired whether there are any grants being worked on and also asked on a potential timeline for water reservoir fund approval. John responded there is still no clear timeline given the issues in Congress to pass a budget but hopes there will be an update in December.
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 Adoption of the Updated Avenal Police Department Military Equipment Use Policy, Amendment of the 2022 Ordinance, and Acceptance of Retroactive Annual Reports (AB 481 Compliance): (Discussion/Action).
Chief Velasco presented report as submitted. Mayor Preciado asked if there are any penalties if the amended policy were not to be adopted. Chief Velasco responded that there would be no penalties, but the City would have a liability.
Council Member/Successor Agency Verdugo motioned to approve Resolution 2025-52 and waive first reading of Ordinance 2025-03, seconded by Councilman/Successor Agency Member Gamez, and motion carried.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Vedugo, Gamez, Preciado, Reynosa.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Hernandez.
ABSTAIN: None.
RESOLUTION 2025-52: ADOPTION OF THE UPDATED AVENAL POLICE DEPARTMENT MILITARY
EQUIPMENT USE POLICY, INTRODUCTION AND WAIVER OF FIRST READING OF AMENDED ORDINANCE, AND ACCEPTANCE OF RETROACTIVE AND CURRENT ANNUAL REPORTS (AB 481 COMPLIANCE) B. Consider Revised Application Form and Guidelines for Community Fund Requests (Discussion/Action).
Councilmember Verdugo inquired if organizations that already requested funds would have to resubmit. City Manager Antony López stated they would need to submit the new application. Mayor Pro Tem Gamez inquired on who it would apply to and City Manager Antony López stated all non-profit organizations would need to use this new application. This application could also be brought back to Council for any modification.
Council Member/Successor Agency Reynosa motioned to approve the revised application for Community Fund Requests, seconded by Councilman/Successor Agency Member Gamez, and motion carried.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Reynosa, Gamez, Verdugo, Preciado.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Hernandez.
ABSTAIN: None.
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 shared that he hopes the community enjoyed this year’s Pistachio Festival, noting that it offered many activities and was overall a great success. He also remarked that displaying the City’s new fire apparatuses alongside the American flag was a meaningful addition to the event. Fire Consultant Ruben Veliz added that several Avenal residents expressed their appreciation and were very impressed with the new fire apparatuses. Councilmember Reynosa thanked the community for their strong turnout and participation at the Pistachio Festival. Councilmember Verdugo reported that he attended the Kings County Committee on Aging meeting and will be providing the committee with the City’s Community Fund Request Application. He also informed the public of upcoming PG&E update meetings available virtually on October 22 at 2:00 p.m., October 23 at 6:00 p.m., and in person on November 7 at 2:00 p.m. in Fresno. Additionally, he requested that Closed Session items continue to be held at the end of Council meetings and shared examples of financial warrants from other cities for consideration of future formatting. Mayor Pro Tem Gamez expressed her appreciation to the community for attending the Pistachio Festival and shared that she received positive feedback regarding the fire truck display and the live music performances. Mayor Preciado suggested that future Pistachio Festival dates avoid conflicting with Avenal High School football games to prevent overlapping attendance. He also shared his appreciation for the many Wonderful Company employees within the community who were recognized for over 15 years of service. He thanked Keenan Farms and other local businesses for their contributions to the festival. Mayor Preciado further acknowledged the multiple agencies that responded promptly to the semitruck collision earlier that morning and commended their coordinated efforts. He also announced the upcoming grand opening of a new KART facility and shared information about several county road projects scheduled to begin soon.
ADJOURNMENT:
City Council meeting ended and was adjourned by Mayor Preciado at 7:08pm. __ /s/ Karla Curiel
Karla Curiel, Deputy City Clerk