MINUTES
GATEWAP City Council, * Redevelopment Successor Agency, & * * Public Finance Authority Joint Meeting
TO Council Chamber, Chowchilla City Hall
PROSPERIT 19723 130 S. 2nd Street, Chowchilla, CA 93610 FEBRUARY 1 Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Closed Session: 3:00 p.m. | Open Session: 4:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: 3:04 p.m.
Mayor: Kelly Smith
Mayor Pro Tem: Jeff Troost
Council Members: Waseem Ahmed (absent), Ray Barragan, John Chavez (absent) City staff and contract employees present: City Administrator Pruett, City Attorney Mary Lerner, Police Chief Jeff Palmer, Public Works Director Jason Rogers, Community & Economic Development Director Jaime Quintana, Finance Director Kerri Williams, 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: Consent Item 3.3, Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Adding Section 9.29 - Abandoned Shopping Carts to the Chowchilla Municipal Code, was tabled to the next City Council Meeting.
PUBLIC ADDRESS - CLOSED SESSION
No one spoke.
CLOSED SESSION - 3:06 PM
1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Designated Representatives: City Administrator Rod Pruett Employee Organizations: City Office Employees Association, City Employees Association, Mid Management/Confidential Association, and Unrepresented Employees
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant Exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d) (2) or (3) Number of Cases: One case.
OPEN SESSION - 4:04 PM
CLOSED SESSION REPORT: No reportable action.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION: Pastor Pruitt
PRESENTATIONS/WORKSHOP - Section 1
City Council Meeting MINUTES June 24, 2025
PUBLIC ADDRESS
No one spoke.
COUNCIL AND STAFF VERBAL REPORTS - Section 2
2.1 COUNCIL VERBAL REPORTS
Legislative, Collaborative Agency, Ad Hoc
Mayor Pro Tem Troost and his wife attended the concert in the park noting it was a great event.
Council Member Barragan also attended Music in the park where there were a lot of people, and he thanked staff for all their hard work.
Mayor Smith will be attending Music in the Park on June 27. He apologized for missing the last two.
2.2 STAFF VERBAL REPORTS
Police Chief Palmer reported that since last meeting, officers responded to 1200 calls for service, conducted 574 proactive stops, resulting in 30 misdemeanor arrests, 5 felony arrests, 56 citations were issued. Code enforcement responded to 62 calls for service and took 20 different actions. This Thursday he will be attending a police academy graduation for two of our sponsor cadets, so they're happy to get them here and they'll be right to work right away and into their next training phase, which is with police staff.
Public Works Director Rogers gave an update on the Fairmead Sewer Consolidation Project, noting surveying has been completed and being incorporated into the basis of design for identifying the locations for sewer mains and lift stations. Design work is on schedule and they still estimate going out to bid in the first quarter of 2026. Staff regularly look for grants to improve our community. Currently working on a U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant application to construct sidewalks near schools where they are currently missing and will be submitting by the end of this week.
Community & Economic Development Director Quintana stated, our staff is working on building permits and inspections. There are several projects going around town. People are doing bathroom remodels, solar installation, and more importantly we have Maple Meadows under construction and it's moving forward very quickly. He hopes to attend Music in the Park.
Finance Director Williams finished the budget that will be presented tonight and was working with the bargaining units and updating MOU's and salary scales that will also be presented tonight, She also met with the City's municipal advisor to go over some upcoming investment Director Wisener stated, as council have already noted, there have been two Music in the Park concerts and two movies and they've gone great, the community loves them. They're well received. The wind last Saturday at the movie event was really something. She was thankful that Public Works staff goes out before the events and has our arborist evaluate all the branches and cut down everything that is a potential hazard. [Veterans Park] was just a safe haven from the wind that was blowing so hard. We've done the Open Swim program for 12 days and average about 70 swimmers a day. Fourth of July weekend there aren't any events, the Lions Club will do the Fourth of July fireworks event this year out at the fairgrounds with live music on July 6.
City Council Meeting MINUTES June 24, 2025
City Administrator Pruett reiterated a few things that had already been discussed; he's worked with finance on negotiations and budget and met together to go over the reinvestment of some of the City's maturities of our treasuries. Staff is still trying to take advantage of the interest rates until things go back to normal. He has started having biweekly meetings with staff.
CONSENT CALENDAR - Section 3
3.1 Approval of the June 10, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes (McClendon)
3.2 Consideration and Acceptance of the May 2025 Financials Report (Williams)
3.3 Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Adding Section 9.29 - Abandoned Shopping Carts to the Chowchilla Municipal Gode (Palmer)
3.4 Consideration and Approval of the Aerial Fireworks Display at the Chowchilla Fairgrounds on July 6, 2025 (Gaumnitz)
3.5 Consideration and Adoption of Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) of the Chowchilla City Office Employees Association; the City Employees Association, and the Mid-Management/Confidential Employees Association for the Period Covering July 1, 2025 Through June 30, 2028 (Pruett)
#I# The MOU's will be available at the meeting ###
Regarding Item 3.5, Attorney Lerner noted for the record that along with the adoption of the Mid Management-Confidential MOU it also includes what is referred to as a "me too" agreement for Management and the tentative agreements therein.
Motion by Council Member Barragan, Seconded by Council Member Troost to Approve the Consent Calendar as Amended. Motion passed with Council Members Ahmed and Chavez absent.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - Section 4
4.1 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Amending the Master User Fee Schedule (Williams)
Mayor Smith opened the public hearing at 4:14 p.m. No one came forward for or against the item.
Mayor Smith closed the public hearing at 4:14 p.m.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Troost, Seconded by Council Member Barragan to Approve City Council Resolution # 40-25, Amending the Master User Fee Schedule. Motion passed with Council Members Ahmed and Chavez absent.
4.2 Consideration and Adoption of City Council Resolutions Related to Increases in Water, Sewer and Solid Waste as Follows:
a. Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Establishing Monthly Rates to be Charged for Water Furnished by the City and Repealing Resolution 47-20 and all Other Resolutions in Conflict Herewith; Mayor Smith opened the public hearing at 4:40 p.m. Eric Smith, Dustin Smith, and David Macias spoke against item 4.2a. Mayor Smith closed the public hearing at 4:47 p.m.
City Council Meeting MINUTES June 24, 2025
There are 4,956 customer accounts that are subject to the protest hearing. In order to constitute a majority protest, 2,749 customers (50% +1) would need to provide written protests. One (1) protest letter had been received and three (3) more protests occurred at the meeting.
Motion by Mayor Smith, Seconded by Council Member Barragan to Approve City Council Resolution # 41-25, Option 2 Rate and Current Tier; Establishing Monthly Rates to be Charged for Water Furnished by the City and Repealing Resolution 47-20 and all Other Resolutions in Conflict Herewith. Motion passed with Council Members Ahmed and Chavez absent. b. Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Establishing Monthly Rates to be Charged for Sewer Service Furnished by the City and Repealing Resolution 48-20 and all Other Resolutions in Conflict Herewith; Mayor Smith opened the public hearing at 4:58 p.m. No one came forward for or against item
4.2b. Mayor Smith closed the public hearing at 4:59 p.m.
There are 4,956 customer accounts that are subject to the protest hearing. In order to constitute a majority protest, 2,749 customers (50% +1) would need to provide written protests. One (1) protest letter had been received.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Troost, Seconded by Council Member Barragan to Approve City Council Resolution # 42-25, Option 1; Establishing Monthly Rates to be Charged for Sewer Service Furnished by the City and Repealing Resolution 48-20 and all Other Resolutions in Conflict Herewith. Motion passed with Council Members Ahmed and Chavez absent. c. Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Establishing Monthly Rates to be Charged for Solid Waste Service Furnished by the City and Repealing Resolution 49-20 and all Other Resolutions in Conflict Herewith. (Williams)
Mayor Smith opened the public hearing at 5:08 p.m. David Macias came forward neither for or against the item. Mayor Smith closed the public hearing at 5:10 p.m.
There are 4,956 customer accounts that are subject to the protest hearing. In order to constitute a majority protest, 2,749 customers (50% +1) would need to provide written protests. One (1) protest letter had been received.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Troost, Seconded by Council Member Barragan to Approve City Council Resolution #43-25, Option 1; Establishing Monthly Rates to be Charged for Solid Waste Service Furnished by the City and Repealing Resolution 49-20 and all Other Resolutions in Conflict Herewith. Motion passed with Council Members Ahmed and Chavez absent.
DEFERRED BUSINESS - Section 5
5.1 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Designating Various Streets as Through Streets in Downtown Chowchilla (Rogers)
Motion by Council Member Barragan, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Troost to Approve City Council Resolution #44-25, Designating Various Streets as Through Streets in Downtown Chowchilla. Motion passed with Council Members Ahmed and Chavez absent.
5.2 Second Reading and Adoption of Municipal Code Chapter 18 Zone Text Amendment Application No. 25-0094; and Approval of a City Council Resolution Approving General Plan Amendment Application No. 25-0094 to Implement 19 Programs Within City Council Meeting MINUTES June 24, 2025
the City's Adopted Housing Element and the Accompanied Notice of Exemption (Quintana)
Motion by Council Member Barragan, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Troost to Approve City Ordinance #529-25, Municipal Code Chapter 18 Zone Text Amendment Application No. 25-0094, as Amended; and City Council Resolution #45-25, Approving General Plan Amendment Application No. 25-0094 to Implement 19 Programs Within the City's Adopted Housing Element and the Accompanied Notice of Exemption. Motion passed with Council Members Ahmed and Chavez absent.
5.3 Request for Direction Regarding Continuation of Development Impact Fee Reductions or Amendment of Development Agreements with Current Fee Schedule (Quintana)
Spoke: Dustin Smith
It was the consensus of the City Council to reduce the Development Impact Fee Reduction from 50% to 25% for one year and revisit at that time.
NEW BUSINESS - Section 6
6.1 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Declaring its Intention to Establish Community Facilities District No. 2025-1 (Rancho Calera), to Authorize the Levy of Special Taxes Therein, and to Incur a Bonded Indebtedness to Pay for Certain Public Facilities (Pruett)
Spoke: Glenn Pace
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Troost, Seconded by Council Member Barragan to Approve City Council Resolution #46-25, Declaring its Intention to Establish Community Facilities District No. 2025-1 (Rancho Calera), to Authorize the Levy of Special Taxes Therein, and to Incur a Bonded Indebtedness to Pay for Certain Public Facilities. Motion passed with Council Members Ahmed and Chavez absent.
6.2 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Approving Offers from the California Department of Transportation for Temporary Construction Easements Regarding City Property (Rogers)
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Troost, Seconded by Council Member Barragan to Approve City Council Resolution #47-25, Approving Offers from the California Department of Transportation for Temporary Construction Easements Regarding City Property. Motion passed with Council Members Ahmed and Chavez absent.
6.3 Discussion and Direction Regarding Creating a New City Slogan (Pruett) Spoke: Glenn Pace; Katherine Hardt-Mason
It was the consensus of the City Council to obtain feedback from the community by creating an online survey with all suggested slogans.
Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution of Intention to Levy and Collect the Annual Assessment for Landscape Maintenance and Lighting District No. 90-1 of the City of Chowchilla (Rogers)
City Council Meeting MINUTES June 24, 2025
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Troost, Seconded by Council Member Barragan to Approve City Council Resolution #48-25, of Intention to Levy and Collect the Annual Assessment for Landscape Maintenance and Lighting District No. 90-1 of the City of Chowchilla. Motion passed with Council Members Ahmed and Chavez absent.
6.5 Consideration and Adoption of Resolutions Adopting the 2025/26 Fiscal Year Annual Budgets for:
a) City Operating and Capital Budget;
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Troost, Seconded by Council Member Barragan to Approve City Council Resolution #49-25, Adopting the Budget of the City of Chowchilla for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2025 Through June 30, 2026. Motion passed with Council Members Ahmed and Chavez absent.
* b) Redevelopment Successor Agency Budget;
Motion by Vice Chair Troost, Seconded by Board Member Barragan to Approve Redevelopment Successor Agency Resolution #02-25, Adopting the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Motion passed with Board Members Ahmed and Chavez absent. * * c) Public Finance Authority Budget;
Motion by Vice Chair Troost, Seconded by Board Member Barragan to Approve Public Finance Resolution #01-25, Approving the Chowchilla Public Financing Authority Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Motion passed with Board Members Ahmed and Chavez absent. d) Gann Appropriation Limit; and
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Troost, Seconded by Council Member Barragan to Approve City Council Resolution #50-25, Establishing the Appropriation Limit for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Motion passed with Council Members Ahmed and Chavez absent.
e) Amending the Salary Scale (Williams)
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Troost, Seconded by Council Member Barragan to Approve City Ahmed and Chavez absent.
ANNOUNCEMENTS - Section 7
JUN 27 MUSIC IN THE PARK & VENDOR FAIR, VETERANS PARK, 5:30PM MOVIES IN THE PARK, SONIC 3, VETERANS PARK, 8PM
CITY COUNCIL MEETING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 4PM
BEGINNING JUNE 9 THROUGH JULY 25, SUMMER OPEN SWIM PROGRAM, CUHS SWIMMING POOL
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Smith Adjourned the June 24, 2025 Joint City Council, RSA, and PFA Meeting at 6:17 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Joann McClendon, CMC, City Clerk Mayor Prd Tem Jeff Troost