MINUTES
CITY OF DELANO
CITY COUNCIL– REGULAR MEETING
April 18, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Osorio called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1015 – 11th Avenue.
INVOCATION
Mayor Osorio offered a moment of silence.
FLAG SALUTE
Council Member Morris led the flag salute.
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Liz Morris, Salvador Solorio-Ruiz, Mayor Bryan Osorio Council members absent: Veronica Vasquez, Joe Alindajao
OFFICIALS PRESENT
City Manager Reyna, City Clerk Chavez, City Attorney Richman, City Engineer Dowling (via teleconference), Finance Director Lara Rios, Human Resources Director Zamudio, Chief of Police Davis, Recreation Manager Batth-Chavez and Interim Community Development Director Mynk
PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS
Finance Director Rios presented pet Luther.
Finance Director Rios presented the Council’s featured business C & H Fence & Patio, Inc.
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC
1) Jesse Hernandez stated he has a problem with the barber across the street because they are opened all day and they drink all day, and urinate in the yard and the street. He also stated they are doing drugs as well. Mr. Hernandez stated that the barber has no license, and the city has already fined him but he is still opened. He also pointed out that the barber has modified his garage so when the door is opened you don’t see the barber shop.
They are leaving trash and urine spots all over and they do it out in the open in public.
Agenda item No 5
Mayor Osorio asked Mr. Hernandez to leave his personal information with the Police Chief.
2) Abraham T. Jimenez inquired about the proposal of the pool and who is going to subsidize the pool.
Mayor Osorio advised that he contact the City Manager for more information.
Mr. Jimenez stated he has been chastised by Rachel Richman twice in one month. 3) Fernando Bravo stated he spoke with the finance manager about the seniors. He stated his complaint is that there are no subaccounts for seniors to see how the funds are being used. He stated he would like to see this information such as basketball and volleyball but would like to see it for the seniors to run the place. Mr. Bravo also commented that they used their own money to sponsor a potluck and they questioned when the senior center was going to open up full-time.
CONSENT AGENDA
1) Authorization to waive the reading of any ordinance in its entirety and consenting to the reading of such ordinances by title only.
2) Warrant Register in the amount of $3,070,752.90.
3) Acceptance of the Rebid 2021 Delano Municipal Airport Slurry Seal Improvement Project and authorizing the filing of the Notice of Completion. 4) Authorize City Manager to Execute Agreements for the City’s Health Plans for the Period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 (Agreement No. 2022-26) 5) Adopt resolution approving Hazard Pay for all Transit Staff and authorize the Finance Director to allocate funds (Resolution No. 2022-18)
6) Cancellation of Regular City Council meeting scheduled for July 5, 2022. 7) Second and Final Reading of City Council Ordinance No. 2022-1334 - an Ordinance to amend section 6.22.040 of the Delano Municipal Code relating to Garage Sale Permit Fees (Ordinance No. 2022-1334)
8) Adopt a Resolution Revising the Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy for the City of Delano (Resolution No. 2022-19)
9) Approval of the co-sponsorship to host the Kern County Elections poll worker trainings in the total amount of $1,400 for the usage of the Civic Center on May 24 and June 1.
Public hearing opened.
Item 5 removed by Mr. Bravo
Motion made to approve consent agenda items 1–4, 6, 8, and 9 by: Morris 2nd by: Solorio-Ruiz
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Osorio/Morris/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: Vasquez/Alindajao
Abstentions: None
Item No. 5 pulled by: Fernando Bravo
Reason for being pulled: Inquired about what is the hazard pay.
Staff report provided by Human Resources Director Zamudio.
Council Member Morris asked if they don’t use would they lose.
Human Resources Director Zamudio responded in the affirmative.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz asked if it can only be used for transit.
Human Resources Director Zamudio responded in the affirmative.
Mr. Bravo asked if this would be a pay increase.
Human Resources Director Zamudio responded it would be a one-time lump sum payment if they only worked between December to March retroactively.
Yolanda Chacon-Serna shared her support of the workers and especially if that’s what the money was for, she stated the Delano workers deserved it during the pandemic.
Suzanne Villaruz shared her support and shared that nurses and doctors got hazard pay, but those at the bottom of the pole are thought of last. She therefore believes those that provide services deserve hazard pay better late than never.
Jaime Mendoza followed on Council Member Morris’ question, he inquired about the funds earmarked for Covid, he believes that it is a “use it or lose it” thing, the regulations is a one-time use and it is not for general fund. He encouraged the Council to exhaust all funds.
Claribel Gutierrez was thankful and share her support.
Council Member Morris shared her support.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz share his support.
Motion made by: Morris
2nd by: Solorio-Ruiz
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Osorio/Alindajao/Morris
Nays: None
Absent: Vasquez/Solorio-Ruiz
Abstentions: None
Item No. 7 pulled by: Anita Lopez
Reason for being pulled: She asked if they are going to drop the fee.
Staff report provided by City Attorney Richman.
Motion made by: Morris
2nd by: Solorio-Ruiz
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Osorio/Alindajao/Morris
Nays: None
Absent: Vasquez/Solorio-Ruiz
Abstentions: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
REGULAR AGENDA
17) Approval of the co-sponsorship to host the Delano Chamber of Commerce National Day of Prayer event in the total amount of $2,350 for the usage of the Jefferson Center on May 5 (Moved ahead of the agenda via Mayor Osorio)
Staff report given by Recreation Manager Batth-Chavez.
Council Member Morris shared her support.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz inquired if they’ve ever done a donation for the food as well.
Recreation Manager Batth-Chavez responded that typically the Chamber has always cosponsored for the facility and this is the first time for food and drinks.
Council Member Morris responded that she believes that they have and the City has helped cosponsor for the food and drink. She further elaborated some history of funding the Delano Chamber of Commerce and how now they are to provide documentation for reimbursement.
Finance Director Rios responded in the affirmative that it is now on a reimbursement basis.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz asked if the Chamber is a 501(c)(3) and get funding from various grantees.
Finance Director Rios responded the Chamber’s funding is from the various activities they do throughout the year.
Mayor Osorio inquired how many funds do they have left in the co-sponsorship account.
Finance Director Rios responded that she does not have off the top of her head, but she can definitely look.
Mayor Osorio opened public comment.
Claribel Gutierrez stated she was the chairperson last year and they are there to serve the community in prayer without differences. She encouraged the City Council for their support.
Suzanne Villaruz gave a history of the prayer breakfast. She also spoke in behalf of Arnold Morris in which she pointed out that the National Day of Prayer is a Christian only event. She stated because she loves to be a bit controversial, she wanted to provide that bit of information, so she can mess with their minds, so she would like it to be more open.
Council Member Morris stated that everyone has a higher God regardless of your faith and they can invite other denominations to come and participate.
Lupe Martinez stated we need the prayers, and he agrees with Council Member Morris in inviting all denominations. He suggested they have the Council meeting invocations done by all the various denominations.
Councilmember Morris stated that is why they have silent prayer, so everyone can pray in their own denomination.
Gina Martinez agreed that all denominations be invited.
Pastor Vivas stated the National Day of Prayer in Delano was started by former Mayor Art Armendariz and he’s attended every year except 2009 due to surgery. He commented that they do invite all denominations, but some denominations do not respond or attend. He further added that they have had people from the Sikh community and were treated just like anyone else. IN addition, he shared that the city did sponsor food when Pedro Rios was on council and ordered steaks, but though that was very generous he doesn’t believe steaks are being requested this year, so the cosponsoring of the light refreshments would be greatly appreciated, as COVID did stifle the donations that the Chamber would have normally received.
Finance Director Rios reported that there is a remaining balance of $7,700 in the cosponsorship account.
Mayor Osorio closed public comment.
Councilmember Solorio-Ruiz stated in the future he would like more collaboration effort with the Chamber for more communication. He also stated that he would be cautious, with eight months left in the year, of cosponsorships and he is agreeable to cosponsoring the building.
Mayor Osorio inquired how many more anticipated sponsorships there might be.
Finance Director Rios responded they do not know and it just depends on who approached City Council between now and June 30th, as on July 1st $10,000 will be reinstated.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz inquired if they do any outreach for these funds.
Council Member Morris commented that there has not been much going on in their community and these are things that have been long standing in the community. She pointed out that these things just do not happen if they do not sponsor them as a community.
Mayor Osorio stated he supports sponsoring the building and hesitant to sponsor the food but would vote in support of the cosponsorship.
Motion made to approve made by: Morris
Councilmember Solorio-Ruiz inquired if Council Member Morris would be in support of decreasing the amount by $500.
Council Member Morris responded that she would support $2,000.
Mayor Osorio stated he is okay with it.
Jaime Mendoza recommended discussing with Council if they can even vote on this item because there might be a conflict with Council Member Morris if she is on the Chamber.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz responded that they are aware of this, but she has no financial gain.
City Attorney Richman clarified that Council Member Morris sits on the Chamber Board as a nonprofit and she is not paid thus there is no financial impact to Council Member Morris.
Mayor Osorio stated that he would be okay with $1,000.
Amended motion made to approve $1,000 made by: Morris
2nd by: Solorio-Ruiz
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Osorio/Morris/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: Vasquez/Alindajao
Abstentions: None
18) Approval of the co-sponsorship to host the Kiwanis Club of Delano’s “International Taco Night” event in the total amount of $1,150 for the usage of the Jefferson Center on May 6 (Moved ahead of the agenda via Mayor Osorio)
Staff report given by Recreation Manager Batth-Chavez
Mayor Osorio opened public comment.
Steve Kinsey representing Kiwanis thanked them for coming out to their Easter event. He shared that the funds generated from this current event will go into their community service account which is used in the community.
Claribel Gutierrez stated she would appreciate the Council’s support.
Suzanne Villaruz inquired if 501(c)(3) organizations get free usage of one facility once a year.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz inquired if they are only asking for the facility and not food.
Mr. Kinsey responded in the affirmative.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz inquired if they would be open to sponsoring five individuals with the $200 they took out.
Mayor Osorio inquired if that can be discussed on this item.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz inquired if it can be amended to include the co-sponsorship for food.
City Attorney Richman responded that the Council can give more than was asked for.
Anita Lopez stated she has spoken with Bruce in Bakersfield about opening up the community at Memorial Park for a three-day event powwow that would generate revenue for parking fees.
Fernando Bravo inquired if this May 6th event will affect the seniors in the morning.
Council Member Morris responded the event is at 6 p.m. in the evening.
Mayor Osorio closed public comment.
Council Member Morris shared her support for this item.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz stated his support for this item.
Motion to approve co-sponsorship the building for the Kiwanis Club of Delano’s to host the “International Taco Night”, as well as providing an additional $200.00 for sponsorship for food made by: Solorio-Ruiz
2nd by: Morris
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Osorio/Morris/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: Vasquez/Alindajao
Abstentions: None
10) Discussion and direction regarding the guidelines and details of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the approved market study regarding local regulation of cannabis (Mayor Osorio) (Continued from April 4, 2022)
City Attorney Richman commented that she believes staff is looking for further direction from Council as she does not know why this is on the agenda. She believes her recollection was that the RFP looking would be looking at all aspects of cannabis, which would be retail sales, manufacturing, cultivation, and delivery.
Mayor Osorio stated he was looking for any combinations of the different components of cannabis business and its impacts, but no specific direction, as whether there is any benefit at all.
City Manager Reyna inquired if it was Council’s request to look at a market study as to the financial impacts to the city, or the cultivation, retail, manufacturing, etc.
Mayor Osorio was inquiring if there was a specific component that is more beneficial for the City or if it’s a combination of different components that would be beneficial such as cultivation versus retail, or cultivation versus manufacturing. He would like to explore the options as he is not biased to any specific component.
City Manager Reyna indicated they will put this information together.
Mayor Osorio opened public comment.
Anthony Cortez stated that at the Council meeting on March 21st, Council Member Solorio-Ruiz and a few others went to Sacramento to advocate for tobacco, so if this item is passed it bothers him that Council Member Solorio is advocating against tobacco, but here he is okay with cannabis.
Anahi Paniaqua stated that she is in support of an unbiased market study because it would help direct the City.
Suzanne Villaruz inquired who will conduct the study and how much it will cost.
Pastor David Vivas previously has agreed to doing a study, but he has also sent an email to all council members providing a study by Harvard University in March 2022 stating that medical marijuana may trigger substance abuse, which he thanked Council Member Solorio-Ruiz for responding in receipt of the email. He encouraged that whoever does the study should explore all avenues and if it will actually benefit the city. He is not sure that people want this type of business in the City as the people previously voted not to have this type of business. Pastor Vivas questioned how this item is even being entertained when there have been so many violations in the past of individuals operating illegally. He stated that he is in favor of a study, but he does not want this type of recreational cannabis business in Delano. He affirmed that he is not against the medical part, as he sees the benefit to many people, but his concern over the recreational part.
Claribel Gutierrez stated that she is not in support of recreational cannabis businesses and thinks they should look for other options to bring in revenues. She stated that she is not opposed to the study being done, but at the end of the day one is too many and a thousand is never enough.
Mayor Osorio closed public comment.
City Attorney Richman clarified that if they have the direction, the Council would have to pick another company to do the study because staff is not qualified. She explained that an RFP would be a request for proposals and a request for proposal would be put out from financial consulting firms that look at the financial impacts, sales tax and how many types of those uses could be supported in the City of Delano, so are the financial benefits would be accurate. City Attorney Richman pointed out that the Council would have to pick a consulting firm and it would have to come back before the Council for a vote.
Councilmember Morris stated that she is not in favor of this project. She stated she does not care how much money it would bring to Delano and they don’t need to spend money on a financial report.
Councilmember Solorio-Ruiz clarified with Mr. Cortez that he as a council member did not go to Sacramento and lobby against tobacco, but that he works for a nonprofit and they don’t lobby, they educate. He stated that they cannot talk about the medical side of cannabis without talking about the recreational side of cannabis. He pointed out that the item being discussed is specifically about doing a study to make sure the Council has the proper information before they make a decision. He invited the community to provide different revenue generating opportunities. He stated he is in support of getting the data.
Mayor Osorio concurred with Council Member Solorio on getting a study and see what an ordinance would look like before moving forward.
City Attorney Richman stated that staff will bring back at another meeting the proposals received and then they will know the costs and will encapsulate what the Council wants.
Mayor Osorio agreed.
City Attorney Richman clarified since they are not adopting a resolution or expending funds, they can provide direction from two council members as she doesn’t believe there are any rules providing direction from two council members since there is a quorum, as she is not aware of any prohibition here at the city. She added that in bringing back the RFPs once they get the proposals.
Mayor Osorio inquired what the Council would like to do with the remaining items since there are only three council members present.
Councilmember Solorio-Ruiz commented that if the Vice Mayor is not on and she is unable to speak he would like to table the items that she is on just to allow the Vice Mayor to provide any input on those items, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16.
Councilmember Morris stated she is okay with tabling Vice Mayor Vasquez’s items.
Mayor Osorio inquired if they could get the update on agenda Item 13.
Mayor Osorio stated they will continue items 12, 14, 15, and 16.
Motion made to table items 12, 14, 15, and 16 until next Council meeting by: Solorio-Ruiz 2nd by: Morris
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Osorio/Morris/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: Vasquez, Alindajao
Abstentions: None
11) Appointment to fill vacancy on the Planning Commission (Continued from April 4, 2022) Staff report given by City Clerk Chavez.
Mayor Osorio opened public comment.
Jose Parra stated he wants to get involved. He’s an HVAC technician with the school district and he would like to offer his services.
Jaime Mendoza stated he is available for any questions the Council may have. He feels he is qualified for the position because he has over 20 years of experience in the real estate and mortgage lending industry, and he has also run a business out of Delano since 1999. He stated he feels he is well versed with the city and its needs. He stated he has working relationships with builders and developers, and he is familiar with Building Codes as well as residential delegations.
Gina Martinez stated she is a life-long community member, and she was taught to follow protocol and she always bases her decisions on what policy and regulations say. She stated that she takes the future of Delano seriously and she possesses a combination of skills and experiences that will be an asset to the commission. Lastly, she added that she built her two houses and drafted the plans.
Yolanda Vega inquired about the applications process as she knows several applicants who applied prior to last meeting and why they were not taken. She inquired what the protocols are for the process as she has an email dated March 2021 indicating that there is no deadline for applications.
Pastor David Vivas stated that he knows that city staff puts the word out that anyone can apply for these positions, and there has been a lot of effort by staff, and it appears that the Council keeps postponing and postponing. He stated that they can’t force people to apply, and people have to pay attention if they are interested in what is going on with the City.
Claribel Gutierrez thanked the Council for answering her questions. She pointed out that two meetings ago there was one position on the committee and two applicants, and the position was filled at that time. Then they came back to another meeting and somebody retired or resigned after the position was filled. She said that the open position was renoticed. She stated that staff is doing their job. She stated that there are two more applicants so the noticing is working. She suggested that they vote on the open position.
Mr. Mendoza stated that with regard to deadlines he was never in those conversations and never heard anything about a deadline. He suggested that his knowledge is that you may advertise that there technically is no deadline, but in reality there is because there is one City Clerk whom must put together the agenda in a timely manner and must post within 72 hours of the meeting by law.
He suggested that the public be advised of the deadline to submit so it can be on the upcoming agenda. He stated that with regard to this specific issue with the Planning Commission it has been out for quite some time so it is odd that if people haven’t already submitted their application and are just doing it now, maybe they missed the boat.
Mayor Osorio closed public comment.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz clarified that he does not belittle staff as he does see the efforts of staff and Mr. Chavez. He stated it is okay to bring forth concerns and he did believe the flyer was vague. He stated with regard to the statement that people are not paying attention he does not believe that is the case as families are trying to survive in families prioritizing their own families and children. He thanked all of the candidates for applying and pointed out the applicants were all good applicants, and he was able to speak with three applicants, Mr. Joey Velasquez, Mr. Jose Parra, and Mrs. Gina Martinez. He stated he was intrigued by Mr. Parra’s enthusiasm toward the City growth and development and he knows Mr. Parra when he has been at food distributions and he has the heart to show up and give back to his community. He would like to entertain a motion to accept Mr. Jose Parra to this position.
Council Member Morris shared that applicants asked to have their names pulled because of all of the extensions. She states she is leaning towards Mr. Velasquez because he’s the only applicant left from those who originally applied.
Councilmember Solorio-Ruiz asked all applicants to please not take it personally.
Mayor Osorio commented that there is not an issue with the outreach that has been done and he thanked Mr. Chavez for his work. He further stated that he wants to avoid a process where they are having candidates withdraw their applications. Mayor Osorio stated he is leaning towards Mr. Parra.
Motion to appoint Jose Parra to the Planning Commission made by: Solorio-Ruiz 2nd by: Osorio
Vote: 2-1 (Motion Fails)
Ayes: Osorio/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: Morris
Absent: Vasquez/Alindajao
Abstentions: None
Councilmember Solorio-Ruiz stated he does not want to leave with a vacancy. He inquired if they can motion another candidate.
City Attorney Richman inquired if there is a rule that the majority of the Council present, two or three have voted for it, so she is not aware if you’re approving money or ordinances, you do need three, but she is not aware of any requirements that it has to be three to make an appointment.
She further clarified that it is a majority of who is here why the motion fails. This is just an appointment, as the Government Code does require for expenditure of funds there does need to be three, ordinances need three, or calling elections, but for appointing to a commission she is not aware of that legal requirement.
City Clerk Chavez clarified upon legal advice, the 2-1 vote is deemed passing and therefore, Mr. Jose Parra is has been appointed on the Planning Commission. 12) Discussion on Municipal Code Chapter 6.22 Garage Sales in residential districts (Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez) (Continued from April 4, 2022)
Item was continued to the next regularly scheduled meeting via Council’s vote. 13) General Plan update discussion regarding whether the City of Delano met the requirements in regard to items not being in other languages and not having interpreters, so meetings are counted (Mayor Osorio & Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez) (Continued from April 4, 2022).
Staff report given by Interim Community Director Mynk.
Steve Brandt from QK made a presentation.
Mayor Osorio opened public comment.
Savannah Sandoval stated after attending the General Plan she was not too thrilled or pleased with the turnout and believes that people could not make it to the meeting, or had no clue about the meeting. She suggested that posting a few more meetings to allow people to see what his going to happen within the city, as well as more social media outreach, and ads targeting Delano people would be beneficial.
Yolanda Chacon-Serna suggested that a public service announcement seems successful in reaching the community. She would encourage a bilingual person be available to translate.
Lupe Martinez stated it is difficult to get a huge portion of the community to participate. He suggested they need to educate the community on having a voice and why they need to participate. He suggested to have a designated person do the outreach and educating the community.
Claribel Gutierrez agreed with educating the community.
Gina Martinez stated that she didn’t know about the meetings. She stated she would have liked to have given her opinion on what the City looks like. She also suggested an outreach committee and if they need one, she is State certified and bilingual.
Valerie Jasso Gorospe, Planning Commissioner for Delano, read comments from the Planning Commission Meeting. She commented that she has offered to do outreach. She pointed out the meeting before the end of the year was attended well and she did her own outreach and so a lot of the people that were there were there because of the direct outreach that she did. She further pointed out that having someone that speaks Spanish is not adequate translation as it is not inclusive. She stated that during the Planning Commissioner Meeting she shared that diversity is when you are having a party and you invite people to your party, and inclusion is when you are at that party and someone asks you to dance, and belonging is when people feel like they can do other things at that party because they are comfortable and feel accepted. She elaborated; her goal is to have people believe that they have genuine say so in what the community is going to look like. She referenced SB 1000. She recommended having another community workshop where people know and are informed that there is a meeting.
Mayor Osorio closed public comment.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz thanked everyone for speaking. He inquired if they are done with the outreach as far as workshops and getting input from the community.
Mr. Brandt responded in the negative.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz inquire if it is a 10 or 20 year plan.
Mr. Brandt responded it’s meant to be roughly a 20 year plan.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz inquired how long GPAC been coordinating the workshops and outreaching
Mr. Brandt responded the first meeting was in April 2021 and they had five Zoom meetings.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz inquired what type of education GPAC provides in regards to showing up to the meetings and what a general plan is.
Mr. Brandt responded they do educate the community about the general plan and the elements of land use, circulation, open space, conservation, noise, safety, air quality, and then through SB 1000 the requirement of environmental justice. He added that the GPAC outreached to about 60 people at the International Night and invited people to the open house. The open houses brought in about 25 people at each event.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz inquired if there were any online surveys filled out to see what people wanted.
Mr. Brandt responded that they had draft policies at the second event that people could take with them, and they could respond to an email address. He added that they pointed out that they posted citizens questions from the first meeting on the city website.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz stated he would like more surveying of the people.
Mr. Brandt responded that this is not something the GPAC has currently, and they are open to doing this type of survey.
Council Member Morris thanked Quad Knof and staff for their outreach to the community. She suggested they hold a gathering the week before the meetings so they can reach out to the people in the community.
Mayor Osorio inquired how the city can help in putting together more meetings Mr. Brandt responded it is just coordinating and getting people out there. He added that they have enough budget to do more meetings.
Mayor Osorio inquired if there is a protocol for providing interpreters.
Mr. Brandt responded they did have interpreters and he spoke to the couple that was there and Quad Knof provides interpreters at every event.
Mayor Osorio inquired if they could also have a Tagalog interpreter.
Mr. Brandt responded they would have to go outside of Quad Knof for that.
Mayor Osorio inquired if the data obtained for where accidents are occurring could be shared with city staff to see where they can start addressing some of those needs.
Mr. Brandt responded that they can provide that information.
Mayor Osorio commented that perhaps the city can establish an outreach committee as an interim solution to the issue of community engagement and a long-term solution could be an outreach specialist. He pointed out that his concern is the funding but immediate steps can be taken on their own rather than asking QuadKnof to do an interim outreach committee.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz stated he thinks that is a great idea. He added in regard to interpreters if there is a formal announcement made at the beginning of the meetings that for anyone present that speaks Spanish there is a Spanish interpreter available.
Mr. Brandt responded that an announcement is made about available interpreters.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz inquired if they can obtain attendees contact information so they can be contacted about future meetings.
Mr. Brandt responded that they have a sign-in sheet at the open houses and anyone who left their email address they can email them for the next events.
11) Appointment to fill vacancy on the Planning Commission (Continued from April 4, 2022) (Item was readdressed)
City Attorney Richman pointed out that there is nothing in the State law that requires a vote of 3, but there is something in the codes under planning commissions that when there is a vacancy other than by expiration of a term, which is appointment is, the language says, “The City Council shall nominate and appoint a replacement member who upon approval of a majority of the full council shall be appointed for the unexpired portion of the term.” She pointed out that the vote actually did not pass. She stated they could make a new motion or continue it until the next meeting. She suggested taking the item back up and then there can be discussion.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz inquired of Councilmember Morris if she would consider Mr.
Parra and vote yes.
Council Member Morris asked if they can do that.
City Attorney Richman responded that obviously she doesn’t have to, but at this point the question is there another motion that the Council would like to consider.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz asked if he can make the same motion.
City Attorney Richman responded that the motion failed, so when it fails it typically needs to be brought up by someone on the failing side, so it would need come from Ms. Morris.
Motion to appoint Jose Parra to the Planning Commission made by: Morris 2nd by: Solorio-Ruiz
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Osorio/Morris/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: Morris
Absent: Vasquez/Alindajao
Abstentions: None
Council Member Morris made a motion to appoint Mr. Parra for the open planning commission position.
2nd by: Councilmember Solorio-Ruiz
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Morris, Solorio-Ruiz, Mayor Osorio
Nays: None.
Absent: Mayor Protem Vasquez, Alindajao
Abstentions: None
14) Discussion regarding Public Relations and direction to staff for contracting out or create a part-time position (Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez and Council Member Solorio-Ruiz) (Continued from April 4, 2022)
Item was continued to the next regularly scheduled meeting via Council’s vote. 15) Discussion regarding Disc Golf in local city parks (Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez) (Continued from April 4, 2022)
Item was continued to the next regularly scheduled meeting via Council’s vote. 16) Discussion in regard to providing zoom capabilities at the Jefferson Center for Council Meetings (Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez) (Continued from April 4, 2022) Item was continued to the next regularly scheduled meeting via Council’s vote. 17) Approval of the co-sponsorship to host the Delano Chamber of Commerce National Day of Prayer event in the total amount of $1,150 for the usage of the Jefferson Center on May 5
Item was brought ahead in the meeting.
18) Approval of the co-sponsorship to host the Kiwanis Club of Delano’s “International Taco Night” event in the total amount of $1,150 for the usage of the Jefferson Center on May 6 Item was brought ahead in the meeting.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Interim Community Development Director Mynk provided a report on the inclusionary housing element.
Mayor Osorio commented on his concern for affordable housing in the community. He inquired how the density bonuses are taken advantage of.
Councilmember Morris inquired how they are doing on affordable housing.
City Attorney Richmond reminded the Council that this is just a report and not a substantive conversation.
COUNCIL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Council Member Alindajao: Absent.
Council Member Morris: She encouraged everyone to come to the National Day of Prayer. She thanked all the volunteers at the Kiwanis Easter event. Lastly, mentioned about Relay for Life is going to be this weekend this coming Saturday from 12-8 p.m.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz: He stated he attended the Planning Commission meeting via Zoom, the Residents for a Clean Delano meeting, the committee workshop as he gave a shoutout to Sumeet and her staff, the Kern Cemetery District Board meeting in which resident are being impacted, and the 40th Annual Easter Drive Thru hosted by the Kiwanis. He also invited the public to the food distribution on the 30th from 2-4 p.m. at the Jefferson Center. He also requested from staff a proclamation to Delano Childcare Providers on May 2nd meeting in addition to allowing them 10 minutes to present on what they have accomplished. He also asked on May 16th or June 6th he would like to have the grant writer agency come in and provide a presentation on what they have accomplished for the City and get input from the community on what grants the community would like to see them get.
Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez: Absent.
Mayor Osorio: He stated that he attended the Easter event hosted by the Kiwanis. He stated he also attended the Residents for a Clean Delano meeting via Zoom and also businesses have expressed concerns to the city. He also stated that he does want to follow up on Ms. Martinez’s recommendation for an outreach committee and have a discussion on a future agenda. Mayor Osorio stated there is a Community Law Enforcement Liaison meeting on Thursday April 21st at 5:30 at the Council Chambers.
CLOSED SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Council Member Solorio-Ruiz, seconded by Morris, and unanimously carried 3-0 to adjourn the meeting at 8:48p.m.
Ricardo Chavez, City Clerk