MINUTES
CITY OF DELANO
CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING
June 6, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Osorio called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1015 – 11th Avenue.
INVOCATION
Mayor Osorio offered a moment of silence.
FLAG SALUTE
Chief of Police Davis led the flag salute.
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Bryan Osorio, Joe Alindajao, Liz Morris Council members absent: Veronica Vasquez, Salvador Solorio-Ruiz
OFFICIALS PRESENT
City Manager Reyna, City Clerk Chavez, City Attorney Richman, City Engineer Dowling, Human Resources Director Zamudio, Chief of Police Davis, Interim Community Development Director Mynk, Transit Manager Zamora, Finance Manager Bermudez and Interim Senior Planner Monsibais
PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS
Finance Director Rios presented the Featured Pet – Featured Pet – Sophia.
Finance Director Rios presented the Featured Business– Johnny’s Barber Shop.
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC
1. Yolanda Vega stated that’s she’s been coming to the city council meetings for quite some time and one of the main reasons she started attending meetings was due to some of the unfortunate events that were occurring at the little league field. She added that it was brought to my attention, in which she disclosed that she’s advocated for quite some time, over the last few years there is a specific field that the city had developed specifically for Little League softball back in early 2000s and that was when Art Armendariz was was the mayor. She further stated that one of her biggest concerns is that the City of Delano, on more than one occasion, in the last previous meetings talked about how they want to help with the quality of life and the betterment of the community, especially for the youth. She clarified that her concern now is that the City of Delano no is trying to take the little league softball field because of the renovations and the money invested in those field, and they're telling little league that in order for them to utilize the fields, they have to pay $20 an hour and that the city rental lease agreement is no longer valid. She shared that back when she was advocating, knowing that the little league contract was agreement was not valid. They honored it on the honor system and now because over $200,000 of renovation has been made, the city is now negating that contract as she referenced verbatim, “they can no longer honor it because it's expired and the city no longer has a lease,” but further added that they offered little league an application form and the fees would be $20 an hour. She inquired why they're stating because federal grant funds were used and literally would only utilize those fields anywhere from three to four months. She also shared that was also indicated in the information provided to, so she would like to see a little league back on the agenda, and an explanation regarding this. She stressed that she finds it to be a very great disservice to the community and little league has been in Delano for many years and for the city to disregard them like that, in which the field that was built specifically for little league to be taken from them is very unfortunate. She stated that she finds it to be very disrespectful to the community, to the children and to the youth and she finds it to be a slap in the face especially when the current city council says that they are here to help for the betterment of the community.
2. Irene Mendez shared about her concern regarding the trimming the trees at Albany and Cecil during this time. She stated that they should have done this earlier because of the shade and oxygen, so she asked if anyone foresaw this. She also shared her support for Frank Herrera. Lastly, she asked why she couldn’t be able to have a yard sale in her property whenever she wants since she pays her taxes.
3. Jesse Hernandez complained about a barber who lives across the street and has taken up the entire street with semi-tractor trailers. He added that there are people out there parking on the wrong side of the street as well as drinking and yelling. He said that barbershops should not be at a home because they are interrupting everything.
4. Claribel Gutierrez shared that she attended a meeting at the Cemetery District and asked about the Delano Police Department cannot get involved in driving through the cemetery which is within the City of Delano.
5. Lupe Martinez supported Ms. Vega’s request. He shared about complaints from the community that their streets haven’t been swept. He asked how many sweepers does the city have, does it have enough to cover the city, how many drivers and do they sweep every day. He would like some answers so he can inform them.
6. Marivel Servin extended a Happy Pride to everyone and they’re happy for being acknowledged as a community brought them happiness. Secondly, she gave a shout out to the council members who are present and decided to prioritize their jobs. Lastly, she wanted to say that she loves the short agenda and she hopes, for accessibility reasons , they can continue to have shorter agendas with less items so that these meetings don't have to be six hours every time.
7. Marcel Martinez would like to know what are the shoes on power lines near 11th and Madison. She further asked about a condemned home with a lot of tagging on it which is 11th and Norwalk. She further shared about her seeing on Facebook a couple of weeks ago, people were complaining that they didn't feel safe in multi-unit residents, because there was hostility amongst neighbors. Therefore, she asked what type of management the city enforces when they do approve multi-residence homes. She added if there's no type of management in place, but the current ones, will there be on the new units to be approved.
8. Fernando Bravo asked about the sweepers as he spoke with Art Medina, so he asked how many sweepers the city has, as he knows the city has problems getting drivers. He also asked about the cemetery to at least making drive by there because they’re smoking pot.
He stated the city has not presented him with a budget and his calls haven’t been returned. He also added about food being promised to the seniors, but nothing was served. He referenced a flyer for the seniors.
9. Gina Martinez shared her concern regarding seniors who are on a fixed income, and they don't get senior rates for the water bill. She was hoping that perhaps they can put them on an agenda and work on something. She specifically referenced two people that she’s speaking of are widows, making less than 800 in their social security, so because they are not the owner of the home, they are renters, so they don’t qualify to get a senior rate. She stated that she’d appreciate it that way it she’d be able to better help them because she’s been trying to help them with resources such as Southern California Edison has a care program, dial-a-ride, Meals on Wheels, Medicare and Medicaid.
10. Javier Cruz stated he supports the women that just spoke 100% because he believes the representatives should look ahead. He complained about the trimming of the trees because they didn’t think ahead. He also complained about the engineer’s employees being lazy and don’t know how to do anything manually.
11. Anita Lopez asked about as to how long people can ride the transit service for free. She referenced about the seniors being promised twice a week outside food. Lastly, she asked if they city can put a cap on the gas prices.
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 $1,802,709.75
3) Minutes of special City Council meeting of December 6, 2021 4) Minutes of regular City Council meeting of March 7, 2022 5) Minutes of regular City Council meeting of March 21, 2022 6) Minutes of regular City Council meeting of April 4, 2022 7) Minutes of regular Planning Commission meeting of March 9, 2022 8) Adopt Resolution approving the new Class Specification of Police Officer Trainee and adding it to the Miscellaneous Unit complement at Salary Grade 115 (Resolution No. 2022-27)
9) Acceptance of $260 donation from The Wonderful Company for Community and Crime prevention Events.
10) Authorizing the purchase of SC3000 asphalt paving material in the amount of $299,982.33 from Jaxon Enterprise dba Deer Creek Asphalt from Redding, CA, based on the approved 2022/2023 Budget, effective July 1, 2022, and authorization for the City Manager to sign any change orders up to the approved amount
11) Resolution approving the purchase of one (1) new 2022 Backhoe Loader Caterpillar Model 420 for $169,948.71 from Quinn Company and authorizing the city manager, or her designee, to execute all required documents (Resolution No. 2022-28)
12) Adoption of Resolutions Initiating Annual Assessment Proceedings, Intention to Levy Assessments, and Scheduling of a Public Hearing for the Landscape Maintenance Districts within the City of Delano and to Authorize the County of Kern to Make Collection of the same (Resolution No. 2022-29) (Resolution No. 2022-30)
13) Approval of agreement with Ruettgers & Schuler Civil Engineers for $62,000.00 to provide design services for the construction of traffic signals at the intersections of Fremont and Ellington Streets with 11th Avenue, and authorization for the city manager to execute the agreement and any other documents needed to carry this out (Agreement No. 2022-37) Motion was made by: Morris to approved items 1 – 13 on consent; 2nd by: Alindajao
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Osorio/ Alindajao/Morris
Nays: None
Absent: Vasquez/Solorio-Ruiz
Abstentions: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
14) Public hearing to obtain public comments for the proposed City of Delano's Rapid Transit Program of projects for fiscal year 2022/2023
Staff report provided by Transit Manager Zamora.
Mayor Osorio opened public hearing.
Mayor Osorio opened public comment.
Anita Lopez asked how long the general public will be able to ride transit for free.
Transit Manager Zamora responded until June 30, 2023.
Mayor Osorio Closed public comment.
Mayor Osorio shared his approval for the free service.
Motion made by: Morris
2nd by: Alindajao
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Osorio/ Alindajao/Morris
Nays: None
Absent: Vasquez/Solorio-Ruiz
Abstentions: None
REGULAR AGENDA
15) Discussion and direction for an appointment regarding an expiring term on the Planning Commission
Staff report provided by City Clerk Chavez.
Mayor Osorio opened public comment.
Frank Herrera III shared about his background and qualifications.
Pastor David Vivas shared his support for Frank Herrera.
Marcela Martinez shared her support for Frank Herrera.
Yolanda Vega shared her support for Frank Herrera.
Ida Ramirez shared her support for Frank Herrera.
Suzanne Villaruz shared her support for Frank Herrera.
Claribel Gutierrez shared his support for Frank Herrera.
Arthur Rodriguez shared his support for Frank Herrera.
Guadalupe Martinez shared his support for Frank Herrera.
Anthony Cortez shared his support for Frank Herrera.
Mayor Osorio closed public comment.
Council Member Morris shared her support for Frank Herrera.
Council Member Alindajao shared his support for Frank Herrera.
Motion made by: Alindajao
2nd by: Morris
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Osorio/ Alindajao/Morris
Absent: Vasquez/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Abstentions: None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Engineer Dowling’s update on street improvements was tabled.
COUNCIL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Council Member Alindajao: Shared that he attended the Memorial Day ceremony event with American Legion in honoring the veterans from Delano. He congratulated Sylvia Bermudez’s daughter for graduation from Howard Law School. Lastly, he encouraged the Mayor to try and keep the agendas short in order to provide accessibility to the public for participation and input.
Council Member Morris: She provided the Cal Cities – San Joaquin Division Legislative Report for Community Services Group. She stated the top five issues facing the State of California are 1.
Homelessness, 2. Childcare, 3. Seniors & Aging, 4. Parks & Open Spaces and Disaster Preparedness. She also shared about her term on LAFCO coming to an end. Lastly, she shared her condolences to Council Member Solorio-Ruiz for the loss of his brother.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz: Absent.
Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez: Absent.
Mayor Osorio: He extended his condolences to Council Member Solorio-Ruiz and his family.
He thanked staff for their work and would like staff to follow up on residents’ concerns. He requested a discussion and a letter of support for Vision Act at future meeting. He also asked for a presentation from Bakersfield College regarding grant funding at a future meeting.
Moved for Closed Session by: Morris
2nd by: Alindajao
Time: 6:47PM
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Osorio/Alindajao/Morris
Nays: None
Absent: Vasquez/Solorio-Ruiz
Abstentions: None
The City Clerk was excused. City Manager Reyna was appointed as Acting City Clerk. City Manager Reyna, City Attorney Richman and Chief of Police Davis were present.
CLOSED SESSION
16) PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION - Govt. Code Section 54957: City Manager
Action: No reportable action.
Moved for Opened Session by: Morris
2nd by: Alindajao
Time: 7:15PM
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Osorio/Alindajao/Morris
Nays: None
Absent: Vasquez/Solorio-Ruiz
Abstentions: None
RETURN TO GENERAL SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Council Member Morris, seconded by Alindajao, and unanimously carried 3-0 to adjourn the meeting at 7:16p.m.
_____________________________________________
Ricardo G. Chavez, City Clerk