CLOVIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING
January 13, 2025 6:00 P.M. Council Chamber
Meeting called to order by Mayor Mouanoutoua at 6:01
Flag Salute led by Councilmember Basgall
Roll Call: Present: Councilmembers Ashbeck, Basgall, Pearce Mayor Mouanoutoua
Absent: Councilmember Bessinger
PRESENTATION - 6:02
6:02 - ITEM 1 - Presentation of Proclamation Honoring the Life of Mouage Mouanoutoua.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - 6:10
Upon call, there was no public comment.
CONSENT CALENDAR - 6:10
Upon call, there was no public comment.
Motion by Councilmember Ashbeck, Consent Calendar be approved. Motion carried by 4-0-1 vote; With Councilmember Bessinger e, that the items on the Administration - Approval - Minutes from the January 6, 2025, Council Meeting.
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS - 6:10
ITEM 3 - Workshop - Discussion on the potential transition of the City of Clovis to a Charter Brian Wilson, resident, addressed concerns about the increased power a charter city would give the Council, particularly regarding taxes, and suggested forming a Charter commission with elected members to oversee the process.
Carl Roberts, resident, inquired about the list of charter cities in California and whether any had reverted to general law status.
Jenny Krens, resident, raised concerns about the potential legal costs and the risks of engaging in legal battles with the state, questioning the wisdom of pursuing a charter.
Steven Trevino, resident, asked why the City is considering transitioning to a charter.
Mike Carlson, resident, spoke regarding the benefits of local control and the opportunity to challenge state authority.
The Council directed staff to come back to Council with a detailed analysis of the pros and cons of transitioning to a charter city, focusing on local control, legal implications, and areas ilke housing, voter ID laws, prevailing wage laws, and municipal fines. The Council emphasized the importance of understanding the long-term strategy for the City of Clovis, including tax authority, legal costs, and the experiences of other Charter cities.
COUNCIL ITEMS - 6:50
6:50 ITEM 4 - Consider Approval - Various City Council Committee Appointments.
Upon call, there was no public comment.
The following appointments were made to the City Council Committees with a term two- year term:
1. Airport Land Use Committee - Councilmember Lynne Ashbeck (Member).
2. City Selection Committee - Mayor Vong Mouanoutoua (Member) and Mayor Pro Tem Diane Pearce (Alternate) with a term ending December 2026.
3. Council of Fresno County Governments (COG) - Mayor Vong Mouanoutoua (Member) and Mayor Pro Tem Diane Pearce (Alternate).
4. Fresno Conty Regional Transportation Mitigation Fee Agency - Mayor Vong Mouanoutoua (Member) and Mayor Pro Tem Diane Pearce (Member).
5. Fresno County Transportation Authority Board (FCTA) - Councilmember Lynne Ashbeck (Member) with a term ending January 2027.
6. Joint Subcommittee on School Issues - Councilmember Lynne Ashbeck (Member) and Mayor Pro Tem Diane Pearce (Member) with a term ending December 2026.
North Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency (NKGSA) Board of Directors - Councilmember Matt Basgall (Member), and Councilmember Drew Bessinger (Alternate)
Motion for approval by Councilmember Ashbeck, seconded by Councilmember Basgall.
Motion carried by 4-0-1 vote; with Councilmember Bessinger absent.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS - 7:01
City Manager Haussler thanked the community for attending the January 9, 2025, district map workshop, reminded everyone of the upcoming Council District map public hearing on January 21, 2025, and congratulated Paul Armendariz on his recent appointment as Interim Assistant City Manager.
COUNCIL COMMENTS - 7:02
There was consensus of the Council to move forward with a proclamation for Russell Ralph Crow, a Clovis resident turning 104 in April, and to bring it back to the Council for formal presentation.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Mouanoutoua adjourned the meeting of the Council to January 21, 2025.
Meeting adjourned: 7:02 p.m.
Buana Paua
City Clerk
BY OF CLOVIS