MINUTES
GATEWAY City Council Meeting
CITY Council Chamber, Chowchilla City Hall
TO 130 S. 2nd Street, Chowchilla, CA 93610
OSPERT 1923 Tuesday, October 8, 2024
FEBRUARY 1 Open Session: 4:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
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, Deputy Director of Recreation & Community Engagement Stacy Wisener, Finance Director Kerri Williams, IT System Administrator Kurt Wlodarczyk, City Clerk Joann McClendon
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Additions and/or Deletions: None.
OPEN SESSION - 4:05 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION: Pastor Pruitt
PRESENTATIONS/WORKSHOP - Section 1
1.1 Proclamation: Domestic Violence Awareness Month
PUBLIC ADDRESS
Alejandra Velasquez, Dulce Velasquez of VIVA, Voices Inspiring Valley Action, awarded grant to educate Chowchilla residents on the dangers of tobacco and second hand smoke.
Vanesa Barraza Esmeralda Soria's field representative introduced herself to the council, noting that 2025 legislative proposals are now being accepted and to contact her with any proposals the council may have. She also expressed interest in setting up a mobile office in Chowchilla.
Kyle Savage, Congressman John Duarte's field representative, announced that Congressman Duarte co-sponsored HR9531 Farm to Market Road bill and continued with explaining what the bill entails.
Dale Thomas addressed the Council, stated he appreciated the veteran street sign recognition program that Deputy Director Wisener introduced at the last meeting. He noted that 2026 will mark the 80th anniversary of Chowchilla's Spring Festival. It was a welcoming home parade for returning military veterans put on by farmers and ranchers and service clubs and would usually take place on Armed Forces Day.
COUNCIL AND STAFF VERBAL REPORTS - Section 2
City Council Meeting MINUTES October 8, 2024
2.1 COUNCIL VERBAL REPORTS
Legislative, Collaborative Agency, Ad Hoc
Council Member Chavez attended the League of California Cities Central Valley Division dinner, and an event at the catholic church.
Council Member Troost also attended the League of California Cities Central Valley Division dinner.
Council Member Barragan went to a luncheon on Saturday at the downtown park.
Mayor Pro Tem Ahmed attended a MCED meeting where they are in the process of selecting a new Executive Director. He also attended the League of California Cities Central Valley Division dinner.
Mayor Smith participated in the community task force meeting (they meet on the first Tuesday of every month. He received an email regarding the homeless and he let the person know that there will be class offered to become a certified mental health first responder in December.
Madera County is giving out free PPE to dairy farmers to fight against the bird flu.
2.2 STAFF VERBAL REPORTS
Deputy Director of Recreation & Community Engagement Wisener interviews Monday. She is on the committee for the Madera County Local Aging & Disability Action Plan of which they had an unmet needs meeting for seniors at the Senior Center to assess their needs. She also attended the Chowchilla Task Force meeting and encourages people to attend it.
Police Chief Palmer went over stats from the last 2 weeks. He noted that the homeless are contacted twice a week by the County, at least once a week by our police officers, and with each and every contact they are provided with/offered services with Madera County and whether they accept them or not is up to them.
Fire Chief Gaumnitz October is breast cancer awareness month, and the Volunteer Fire Department is selling special t-shirts where all proceeds will go to someone battling breast cancer and in need. They are currently in the middle of fire prevention week. In September there were 82 calls and over 300 responses from volunteers.
Public Works Director Rogers was able to attend the Association of CA Airports conference last week. He was able to meet with FAA representatives regarding potential funding needs of the airport and attend industry update sessions. He attended a meeting with Race Communications with the City Administrator and other city staff. They are planning on bringing fiber optic cable to Chowchilla. They wanted to meet with staff to discuss right-of-ways and city needs. Last week, City staff completed the fencing around the Pickleball Courts. Starting Monday, our arborist will begin our annual palm tree trimming along Robertson Blvd.
City Administrator Pruett updated the council on the Community & Economic Development Director position, it is in its final review with a second interview scheduled for later this week; he also attended the Chowchilla Community Task Force meeting; he and Public Works staff have been communicating with AutoZone group with some issues they've been having trying to get power underneath the railroad, contacted the railroad representative to help push this process along; continuing to work with Caltrans and Rancho Calera on their access road; he also attended the League of California Cities Central Valley Division dinner. A follow-up from the last city council meeting, he has met with the gentleman from the church who addressed the council regarding the goats they have and the community garden project he would like to start, among other things. He also spoke with Annalisa about having an ad hoc meeting regarding the City Council Meeting MINUTES October 8, 2024
downtown appearance, having a unifying paint pallet theme. Also, along with staff, visiting Ed Ray Park due to recent complaints. All of the complaints are in fact related to the current construction project. There is an unused area in the park to continue the fencing from the pickle ball court to create an area for a possible dog park. He addressed the volleyball net vandalism issue, may try to provide the nets again. Also, there is an issue with people parking their vehicles on the park grass, unauthorized areas that needs to stop.
CONSENT CALENDAR - Section 3
3.1 Approval of the September 24, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes (McClendon)
3.2 Consideration and Acceptance of the September 2024 Check Register Report (Williams)
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Ahmed, Seconded by Council Member Troost to Approve the Consent Calendar as Presented. Motion passed by roll call vote.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - Section 4
4.1 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution (55-24) Approving the Measure T Annual Expenditure Plan (AEP) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/25 and Authorizing the Public Works Director or Designee to Submit the Plan to the Madera County Transportation Authority (MCTA) for Adoption (Rogers) Mayor Smith opened the public hearing at 4:36 pm. No one came forward for or against the item.
Mayor Smith closed the public hearing at 4:36 p.m.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Ahmed, Seconded by Council Member Troost to Approve City Council Resolution #55-24, Approving the Measure TAnnual Expenditure Plan (AEP) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/25 and Authorizing the Public Works Director or Designee to Submit the Plan to the Madera County Transportation Authority (MCTA) for Adoption. Motion passed by roll call vote.
DEFERRED BUSINESS - Section 5
5.1 Discussion and/or Direction of the City of Chowchilla's Former Library and Future Use of the Facility (Rogers)
Spoke:
Chris Thomas
Dale Thomas
It was the consensus of the city council to bring the MOU back to council to decide whether or not to amend it.
NEW BUSINESS - Section 6
6.1 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution (56-24) to Extend the Annual Public Review Period for Expenditures Related to Measure T to 30 Days (Rogers) Spoke:
Kendall Flint
Motion by Council Member Troost, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ahmed to Approve City Council Resolution #56-24, to Extend the Annual Public Review Period for Expenditures Related to Measure T to 30 Days. Motion passed by roll call vote.
City Council Meeting MINUTES October 8, 2024
ANNOUNCEMENTS - Section 7
Ост 16 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, CITY HALL, 5PM
Ост 19 TRINITY PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER ANNUAL BANQUET, CORNERSTONE CHURCH, 5:30PM
Ост 26 HALLOWEEN TREAT TRAIL, VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK, 6PM
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Smith Adjourned the October 8, 2024 City Council Meeting at 4:57 p.m.
APPROVED:
155 MayoRkfity smith
Joann McClendon, CMC, City Clerk