MINUTES
GATEWAP City Council /* Redevelopment Successor Agency
CITY Joint Meeting
TO Council Chamber, Chowchilla City Hall
FROSPERI 1923 130 S. 2nd Street, Chowchilla, CA 93610
FEBRUARY Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Closed Session: 3:00 p.m. | Open Session: 4:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL at 3:02 p.m.
Mayor: Kelly Smith
Mayor Pro Tem: Jeff Troost
Council Members: Waseem Ahmed, Ray Barragan, John Chavez 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, Finance Director Kerri Williams, 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: None.
PUBLIC ADDRESS - CLOSED SESSION
None.
CLOSED SESSION - 3:03 PM
* 1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d) (1)
Name of Case: Chowchilla Real Estate Holdings, LLC v. City of Chowchilla, Madera Superior Court Case No. MCV090718
2. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Administrator
OPEN SESSION - 4:00 PM
CLOSED SESSION REPORT: No reportable action.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION: Pastor Pruitt
PRESENTATIONS/WORKSHOP - Section 1
1.1 Mid Valley Disposal Annual Update & Recycler of the Year Award - Billy Hansen
PUBLIC ADDRESS
Kristina Gallagher, the new Executive Director for Madera County EDC, introduced herself to the council.
City Council Meeting MINUTES January 14, 2025
Nathan Alonzo, PG&E Representative, addressed the council regarding rates and local issues.
Vanessa Berazza field representative for Assembly Member Soria, introduced herself to council.
Steve Branco, Western Stampede, addressed the council regarding the event's insurance premium increase for their annual stampede and requested the City's financial assistance.
COUNCIL AND STAFF VERBAL REPORTS - Section 2
2.1 COUNCIL VERBAL REPORTS
Legislative, Collaborative Agency, Ad Hoc
Mayor Pro Tem Troost attended a CAC Valley Air Board and CAPMC meeting.
Council Member Barragan attended the Stampede dinner.
Council Member Ahmed attended a Madera County Economic Development Commission meeting.
Mayor Smith also attended the Stampede dinner and Community Task Force meeting..
2.2 STAFF VERBAL REPORTS
Police Chief Palmer went over departmental stats since the last council meeting. He read into record a statement regarding recent public safety incidents and what the PD is allowed to report out to the public.
Fire Chief Gaumnitz went over 2024 departmental stats, noting the rising daily averages. He thanked the Volunteer Firefighters for their dedication.
Public Works Director Rogers reported that his staff took down the Christmas decorations and tree at Veterans Park. He attended SR 99/233 Chowchilla Interchange Project update meeting.
The Right-of-Way limits have been set and Caltrans will begin the process to acquire the ROW.
The ROW acquisition will be near the northbound off-ramp. As stated at the previous council meeting, the Local Participation Program (LPP) grant application for the project was completed and submitted to the State. Yesterday, MCTC stated that the State is expected to announce awards in June 2025; the last time it was mentioned, Spring was the estimated timeframe so he wanted provide that update. City staff installed a new speed feedback radar sign on Howell Rd for those entering from the County. Additionally, we are going to be installing another sign on Washington Rd. for those coming in from the County. The Fairmead Sewer Consolidation Project High Speed Rail reimbursement agreement is nearly complete. It is being circulated for signatures so we should have the fully executed agreement soon.
Finance Director Williams updated the council regarding the annual audit. She completed one of State Controller and CEDIAC reports. Staff has been updating the payroll system in relation to open enrollment changes as well as all of the federal and state tax updates. She will b sending out budget worksheets to all the department for mid-year budget.
Deputy Director of Recreation & Community Engagement Wisener thanked the council for having the week off for Christmas break. Before the holiday season, she visited the Senior Center and handed out City swag as a small gesture and was well received. There are many website updates and continuing to connect with the community through social media and newsletters. She will bring all of the facility use agreements to the next council meeting for consideration. A new program called the Kiddos Workshop will be held at the Ed Ray Park building periodically. Busy preparing for the Easter event and beginning to look at bands and City Council Meeting MINUTES January 14, 2025
movies for the summer events program. Additionally, planning the annual employee picnic gathering.
IT System Administrator Berrocal has been working with the current phone system carrier to update it citywide.
City Administrator Pruett noted that AutoZone will be getting their PG&E sooner than anticipated; met with FAA representative with Jason to assist with the white buildings issue; working on Rancho Calera Specific CFD; regarding the High Speed Rail reimbursement agreement, it has been signed by the city; next week he will be at the Mayors and City Council Seminar in Sacramento; labor negotiations will start up soon as the current MOU's expire June 30, 2025.
CONSENT CALENDAR - Section 3
3.1 Approval of the December 10, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes (McClendon)
3.2 Approval of the December 20, 2024 Special City Council Meeting Minutes (McClendon)
3.3 Consideration and Acceptance of the December 2024 Check Register (Williams)
3.4 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Ordinance (524-25) Approving a Text Amendment Modifying Chapter 9.07 - Food Truck Vendor and the Accompanied Notice of Exemption (Perea
3.5 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Ordinance (525-25) Amending the Chowchilla Municipal Code Section 18.56 - Signs and Outdoor Advertising Structures, and the Accompanied Notice of Exemption (Perea
3.6 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution (01-25) Approving the Continued Use of Office Space Within the Civic Center by the Madera County Action Partnership to House a Victim Services Advocate (McClendon)
3.7 Consideration and Acceptance of the November 2024 Financials Report (Williams)
3.8 Consideration and Acceptance of the Quarterly Fee Waiver Report (Pruett) Motion by Council Member Ahmed, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Troost to Approve the Consent Calendar as Presented. Motion passed by roll call vote.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - Section 4
4.1 Consideration and Adoption of City Council Resolution (02-25) Accepting the Annual Report on Development Impact Fees for Fiscal Year 2023/2024 and Making Certain Findings Related Thereto (Williams)
Mayor Smith opened the public hearing at 4:47 p.m. No one came forward for or against the item.
Mayor Smith closed the public hearing at 4:47 p.m.
Motion by Council Member Chavez, Seconded by Council Member Barragan to Approve City Council Resolution #02-25, Accepting the Annual Report on Development Impact Fees for Fiscal Year 2023/2024 and Making Certain Findings Related Thereto. Motion passed by roll call vote.
City Council Meeting MINUTES January 14, 2025
DEFERRED BUSINESS - Section 5
NEW BUSINESS - Section 6
6.1 Consideration of Planning Commission and Airport Advisory Committee Appointments (McClendon)
Motion by Council Member Barragan, Seconded by Council Member Ahmed to Appoint: Tricia Plascencia and Timothy Coelho to the Planning Commission. Motion passed by roll call vote.
Motion by Council Member Barragan, Seconded by Council Member Ahmed to Appoint Paul Kelly and Michael Wallen to the Airport Advisory Committee. Motion passed by roll call vote.
6.2 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution to Approve a Budget Amendment and Distribute a Financial Contribution to the Chowchilla District Chamber of Commerce for the 2025 Calendar Year (Wisener) It was the consensus of the Council to table the item and bring it back after the Chamber Director meets with two Council Members.
6.3 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution (03-25) Authorizing the Disposal of Surplus City Property in the Form of Donating a 2020 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor to the Chowchilla Union High School Public Safety Department (Palmer) Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Troost, Seconded by Council Member Ahmed to Approve City Council Resolution #03-25, Authorizing the Disposal of Surplus City Property in the Form of Donating a 2020 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor to the Chowchilla Union High School Public Safety Department. Motion passed by roll call vote.
ANNOUNCEMENTS - Section 7
JAN 15 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, COUNCIL CHAMBER, 5PM JAN 20 MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY, CITY OFFICES CLOSED
JAN 25 KIDDOS CRAFT WORKSHOP, ED RAY PARK BUILDING, 10AM - 1PM JAN 25 CHOWCHILLA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER JAN 28 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4PM
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Smith closed the January 14, 2025 City Council meeting at 5:21 p.m. in memory of Matthew Zimmer.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Joann McClendon, CMC, City Clerk Mayor Kelly Smith