MINUTES
GATEWAS City Council Meeting
CITY OF RNIA Council Chamber, Chowchilla City Hall
TO 130 S. Second Street, Chowchilla, CA 93610
PROSPERE 1923 Tuesday, April 9, 2024
FEBRUARY
No Closed Session
Open Session: 4:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL - 4:04 p.m.
Mayor: Kelly Smith
Mayor Pro Tem: Waseem Ahmed
Council Members: Ray Barragan, John Chavez, Jeff Troost City staff and contract employees present: City Administrator Rod Pruett, City Attorney Mary Lerner, Police Chief Jeff Palmer, Fire Chief Fred Gaumnitz, Public Works Director Jason Rogers, Community & Economic Development Director Mark Hamilton, Finance Director Kerri Williams (remote), Deputy Director of Recreation & Community Engagement Stacy Wisener, IT System Administrator Carlos Berrocal, City Clerk Joann McClendon
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Additions and/or Deletions:
Item 6.6 will be heard right after the Invocation due to a time constraint the item is tied to.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Ahmed, Seconded by Council Member Barragan to Approve the Agenda as Amended. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
OPEN SESSION - 4:05 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION: Pastor Pruitt
6.6 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution (14-24) Authorizing the Submittal of an Application to the California State Department of Housing & Community Development for Funding Under the HOME Investment Partnership Program (Hamilton)
Motion by Council member Troost, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ahmed to Approve City Council Resolution #14-24, Authorizing the Submittal of an Application to the California State Department of Housing and Community Development for Funding Under the HOME Investment Partnership Program. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
PRESENTATIONS/WORKSHOP - Section 1
1.1 Proclamation: Sexual Assault Awareness Month
1.2 Centennial Clock Dedication
PUBLIC ADDRESS
City Council Meeting MINUTES April 9, 2024
A group of people addressed the City Council requesting a cease fire proclamation.
Robert Pence addressed the City Council regarding speeding vehicles in the area of Palm Parkway and Lincoln Drive; and, the stop sign at Palm Parkway and Robertson Boulevard, semi- trucks parked there are prohibiting the view of people driving out onto Robertson.
Mrs. Katerina Stojanovski, Art teacher at Wilson Middle School, invited Council/staff to attend their Recycled Runway & Fashion Show event her class is putting on to raise funds for the children in need on Thursday April 18, 5:30 p.m. at the Multi-Purpose Room, 1209 Robertson Blvd.
COUNCIL AND STAFF VERBAL REPORTS - Section 2
2.1 COUNCIL VERBAL REPORTS
Legislative, Collaborative Agency, Ad Hoc
Mayor Pro Tem Ahmed attended Madera County LAFCO meeting in which the budget was passed.
Council Member Chavez attended the Annual Chowchilla Fair dinner.
Council Member Troost attended the ICS Monterey 2024 event, the Chowchilla Fair dinner, and the Citizens Advisory Committee at the Valley Air Board.
Mayor Smith attended and reported on the beautification event during spring break, planted 15 trees, painted, spread bark out, with close to 40 participants; and, attended the Chowchilla Fair dinner.
Council Members Troost and Chavez gave their comments on a cease fire resolution, and it was the consensus of the City Council not to take any action nor place any item on an agenda to consider a resolution or proclamation.
2.2 STAFF VERBAL REPORTS
Police Chief Palmer gave departmental stats which occurred over the last two weeks; Citizens Academy 11-week program sign ups deadline is on April 15; K9 dinner Saturday April 20.
Fire Chief Gaumnitz noted that weed abatement program forthcoming and people who have overgrown weeds on their property should take care of the issue now before they are noticed.
Public Works Director Rogers attended a Measure T Renewal Steering Committee. The discussion topic was regarding how to allocate the funds to the agencies. Historically, it has been allocated by population. The Steering Committee is looking at alternative allocation models, including having it be based off a combination of population and road miles formula, or even sales tax model. This has not been determined yet and the committee is meeting again on April 23rd to discuss further. The Urban Runoff Project, or Sonoma Storm Drainage Project, is scheduled to begin next week. Rolfe Construction will be starting with the infiltration chamber at Ed Ray Park first and the whole project is expected to be completed by December. Bids for the Chowchilla Blvd project are closing this week and the Clean CA Project is closing next week. He thanked staff, particularly Mari Meza and Brandon Strang for completing the Clock project. Additional thanks to Anderson Pump with crane assistance. And finally, partnered with Cornerstone Church for a volunteer event last month. We planted 15 new trees at the Ed Ray Parking Lot, applied mulch to the Chowchilla Service Clubs sign and applied rubberized bark to the Ed Ray Playground. He thanked Cornerstone Church, the many volunteers that showed up and our Public Works staff for a successful project.
City Council Meeting MINUTES April 9, 2024
Community & Economic Development Director Hamilton reported that Central Communities is grading their pad on Washington soon.
Finance Director Williams met with municipal advisors to go over some bonds that matured; She is working with Cleargov for digital budget book software implementation; she also sent out budget sheets to departments, kicking off the 2024/25 budget planning.
Recreation and Community Engagement Deputy Director Wisener reported that the Lifeguard recruitment is struggling, and will be looking for additional ways to get the word out. She met with Madera County Arts Council where they will partner with the City at our Friday Night event to host creating a mural. Deputy Director Wisener is introducing a new event in August, Summer Nights Star Gazing, where she will invite astronomers to educate attendees on a meteor shower that is going to occur at the time of the event, and will be held at Ed Ray Park.
City Administrator Pruett attended the ICSC conference in Monterey where he had a few follow up appointments with developers and businesses, a few new ones; attended a County Oversight Board of the Successor Agency to obtain the authority to close escrow on property at Mid Valley Pipe; working with Lew Edwards for the Measure N renewal; he and Director Hamilton met with Senator Padilla's representative and Darren Rose of MCEDC to go over projects within the City, toured the new Autozone facility. Attended the Community Task Force meeting; met with investment team to finalize treasury investments; continuing to work with LOCC representative to try to get the annual golf tournament location to be in Chowchilla.
CONSENT CALENDAR - Section 3
3.1 Approval of the March 12, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes (McClendon)
3.2 Approval of the March 21, 2024 Special City Council Meeting Minutes (6pm) (McClendon)
3.3 Approval of the March 21, 2024 Special City Council Meeting Minutes (6:30pm) (McClendon)
3.4 Consideration and Acceptance of the February 2024 Financial Statements (Williams)
3.5 Consideration and Acceptance of the March 2024 Check Register Report (Williams)
3.6 Consideration and Adoption of an Ordinance (520-24) Amending Sections 8.12.020,
8.12.060, 8.12.070, and 8.12.080 of Chapter 8.12 - Weeds, of Title 8 of the Chowchilla Municipal Code (Gaumnitz)
3.7 Consideration and Approval of the Investment Policy Update (Williams)
3.8 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution (08-24) Approving the Amendment to the Application for Local Transportation Funds (LTF) for Fiscal Year 2022/23 and 2023/24, and Authorizing the City Administrator or Designee to Execute and Submit the Amendments to MCTC (Williams)
3.9 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution (09-24) Accepting a Land Donation from John and Marjolien Warkentin, Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute all Related Documents Thereto (Hamilton)
3.10 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution (10-24) Approving a Right- of-Entry and License Agreement with Rancho Calera LLC, Allowing the City to Enter City Council Meeting MINUTES April 9, 2024
Upon, Construct, and Install a Test Well Within the Rancho Calera Development Area, Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute the Agreement (Hamilton) Motion by Council Member Barragan, Seconded by Council member Troost to Approve the Consent Calendar as Presented. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - Section 4
4.1 Presentation from Demographer Regarding the Transition to By-District Elections (Lerner)
Mayor Smith opened the public hearing. Josue Diaz addressed the Council regarding his public comment submission he had emailed to the City Clerk and City Attorney at 3:04 p.m. He was advised that his submitted comment will be read aloud by the City Clerk under Item 4.2. Mayor Smith Closed the public hearing.
4.2 Public Hearing Regarding Demographic Process to Draw District Boundaries; First Public Hearing to Gather Community Input Regarding Composition of District Boundaries (Lerner)
Mayor Smith opened the public hearing at 5:14 p.m.
City Clerk McClendon read into the record Josue Diaz' comment he submitted via email. It was noted that he did not include the description of the "district 5" boundaries as he did the others.
Mayor Smith closed the public hearing at 5:21 p.m.
DEFERRED BUSINESS - Section 5
NEW BUSINESS - Section 6
Item 6.1, Presentation from Demographer Regarding the Transition to By-District Elections, was moved before Item 4.1, becoming the new 4.1; the original 4.1, Public Hearing Regarding Demographic Process to Draw District Boundaries; First Public Hearing to Gather Community Input Regarding Composition of District Boundaries, became Item 4.2.
6.1 Presentation from Demographer Regarding the Transition to By District Elections (Lerner)
6.2 Presentation of the City's Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Financial Statement Audit (Williams)
6.3 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution (11-24) Awarding the Contract for Preparation of the Project Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) to Support the City's Industrial Specific Plan Bid to Precision Engineering in the Amount of $189,585; Authorizing the Task Order to Peer-Review the PEIR to QK in the Amount of $48,900; and, Authorizing the City Administrator or Designee to Execute all Related Documents Thereto (Hamilton)
Motion by Council Member Troost, Seconded by Council/member Chavez to Approve City Council Resolution 11-24, Awarding the Contract for Preparation of the Project Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) to Support the City's Industrial Specific Plan Bid to Precision Engineering in the Amount of $189,585; Authorizing the Task Order to Peer-Review the PEIR to QK in the Amount of $48,900; and, Authorizing the City Administrator or Designee to Execute all Related Documents Thereto. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
City Council Meeting MINUTES April 9, 2024
6.4 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution (12-24) Approving a Measure N Budget Amendment to Purchase License Plate Reader Cameras (Denny) Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Ahmed, Seconded by Council Member Barragan to Approve City Council Resolution 12-24, Approving a Measure N Budget Amendment to Purchase License Plate Reader Cameras. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
6.5 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution (13-24) Approving a Memorandum of Agreement for Fire and Emergency Services and a Site Use Agreement Between the City of Chowchilla and the Chowchilla Fire Department, Inc., a California Nonprofit Corporation (Gaumnitz)
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Ahmed, Seconded by Council Member Troost to Approve City Council Resolution 13-24, Approving a Memorandum of Agreement for Fire and Emergency Services and a Site Use Agreement Between the City of Chowchilla and the Chowchilla Fire Department, Inc., a California Nonprofit Corporation. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
6.6 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution (14-24) Authorizing the Submittal of an Application to the California State Department of Housing & Community Development for Funding Under the HOME Investment Partnership Program (Hamilton)
Item 6.6 was moved and presented after the invocation due to time constraints of needing to submit to the state before 4:30 p.m. and was unanimously approved by City Council Resolution 14-24.
ANNOUNCEMENTS - Section 7
APR 17 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING CANCELLED
APR 20 CPD K9 DINNER, CHOWCHILLA FAIRGROUNDS, 5:30PM
APR 23 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, CITY HALL, 4PM
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Smith Adjourned the April 9, 2024 City Council Meeting at 5:55 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
She
Joann McClendon, CMC, City Clerk