MINUTES
CITY OF DELANO
CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING
August 15, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Osorio called the meeting to order at 5:32 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: Bryan Osorio, Veronica Vasquez, Joe Alindajao, Liz Morris, Salvador Solorio-Ruiz
Council members absent: None
OFFICIALS PRESENT
City Manager Reyna, City Clerk Chavez, City Attorney Richman, City Engineer Dowling, Finance Director Rios, Human Resources Director Zamudio, Chief of Police Davis, Interim Community Development Director Planner Monsibais and Transit Manager Alapisco
PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS
No Items
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC
1. Maria Martinez shared her concern regarding changing the resolution to allow the police at the cemetery.
2. Anthony Cortez congratulated the Delano Police Department for the arrest of the 65 lbs. methamphetamine being taken off the streets of Delano.
3. Javier Cruz was happy about the interpreter. He referenced that there were millions spent for the facility that is only used from 3pm to 6pm. He stated that they should open it to people that don’t have air conditioning. They should also be embarrassed to give the town a little bit of what the public gives to them. He would also like to have the city be open five days a week.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz asked Mr. Cruz to provide his contact information to City Manager Reyna and suggested to him to get his business card.
4. Fernando Bravo asked why they don’t get answers for questions they ask. He asked why it takes so long to get an appointment with Maribel and referenced that he’s met with her three times. He asked why the offices are only four days. He stated that they should go back to 8 hours, 5 days a week and ask whether labor laws would be an overtime issue for 10-hour days. He also complained about tinting windows. He asked if the new housing is being installed water meters in the westside.
5. Suzanne Villaruz thanked City Manager Reyna regarding her concern at the cemetery.
She also shared that there should be courtesy for translating Spanish to English.
6. Gina Martinez was grateful for the follow phone calls from Sumeet and Rosa. She shared about her experience at the Senior Center and appreciates what they’re doing.
7. Abraham Jimenez thanked Mr. Dowling for working with City of Tulare regarding a signal on County Line. He also shared that the AutoZone is a complete disaster because it’s a mess. He asked City Manager Reyna if she’d put in a work order for the Cecil Ave. sidewalks because he’d like her to walk from Randolph to Delano High School because its dangerous.
8. Lupe Martinez shared his concern regarding Cecil Avenue and Lexington.
9. Arthur Rodriguez asked about who donates to senior citizens.
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 $2,339,120.95
3) Minutes of regular City Council meeting of August 1, 2022 4) Authorization to accept the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Grant and enter into Alcohol Policing Partnership Program Agreement 5) Approve and Adopt the Title VI Equity Analysis Study 6) Acceptance of the 2020 Larry Morris Park Project and authorizing the filing of the Notice of Completion
7) Lease agreement between the City of Delano (“CITY”) and Lizeth Joana Martinez (“TENANT”) aka D. Martinez Contracting, Inc. at the Delano Municipal Airport
8) Approve the addition of one Full-Time Human Resources Specialist to the Human Resources’ budget and authorize the Finance Director to appropriate funds 9) Acceptance and Approval of the City of Delano Quarterly Investment Report Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to approved items 1 – 5 , 7 – 9 on consent; 2nd by: Morris
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Osorio/Vasquez/Alindajao/Morris/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
Item No. 6 pulled by: Council Member Morris
Reason for being pulled: Council Member Morris shared some personal thoughts and asked for an update.
City Engineer Dowling provide the staff report.
Mayor Osorio opened public comment.
Fernando Bravo asked where was the park.
City Engineer Dowling provided the location.
Mayor Osorio closed public comment.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz stated it was an honor to vote and approve this item.
Motion made by: Morris
2nd by: Solorio-Ruiz
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Osorio/Vasquez/Alindajao/Morris/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
No Items.
REGULAR AGENDA
10) Second and Final Reading and Adopt Ordinance Amending Chapter 10.10 Parking Violations - Fines, Penalties and Administrative Fees Section
10.10.020.B Fines and Penalties for Delano Municipal Code Parking Violations Staff report provided by Interim Community Development Director Monsibais.
Mayor Osorio opened public comment.
Arthur Rodriguez asked if this is on the street.
Fernando Bravo asked if this is for big rigs and specifically at Albany, Cecil or Ellington.
Veronica Soto asked if this is included on County Line Road by Brandywine Apartments.
Interim Community Development Director Monsibais responded in the affirmative.
Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez asked if there are designated areas for diesel to park and if that has been advertised.
Interim Community Development Director Monsibais responded that they have called often and are aware that they are aware of not parking in residential areas.
Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez asked if that can be reflected on our website.
Council Member Morris shared about Browning Road at Brar’s property being in private property and they are allowed to park there.
Motion made by: Solorio-Ruiz
2nd by: Morris
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Osorio/Vasquez/Alindajao/Morris/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
11) Discussion regarding Ad Hoc Public Relations Outreach Committee (Mayor Osorio & Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez)
Staff report provided by Mayor Osorio and Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez.
Mayor Osorio opened public comment.
Fernando Bravo asked about what’s involved.
Mayor Osorio provided more details.
Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez provided further logistics.
Javier Cruz stated that this group would help the Council.
Council Member Morris asked about methods of outreach.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz shared his support and provided some feedback. He also nominated Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez.
Mayor Osorio shared his support of Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez’s nomination.
City Attorney Richman stated the less formal they make, then they shouldn’t make requirements of meetings because they would be subject to the Brown Act. She further stated that a discussion has occurred and they would then proceed with volunteers with Mayor Osorio and Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez to take the lead.
No Motion taken.
12) Authorization for the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Delano Joint Union High School District for school resource officer services Staff report provided by Chief of Police Davis.
Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez asked if this extra help is something new and if they are a part DPOA or MISC union groups.
Chief Davis responded this is new that they’re exploring and not a part either group.
Mayor Osorio opened public comment.
Gina Martinez shared her support.
Arnold Morrison shared his support.
Suzanne Villaruz shared her support.
Claribel Gutierrez shared her support.
Maria Martinez shared her support, but her concern as well as she has a grandson who has autism and hopes there is training for them to deal with kids with special needs.
Edith Torres, President of the Delano School District for Parents, shared her support.
Pastor David Vivas shared his support.
Franke Herrera, Jr. shared his support and offered to help better the communication.
Rosalina Rivera, Superintendent for Delano Union School District, shared her support.
Lupe Martinez shared about his concerns regarding those kids going through difficult times such as his grandchild and asked about training for officers to deal with special need kids.
Mayor Osorio closed public comment.
Chief Davis responded that he’s working such type of training with Kern County Behavioral Health.
Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez asked for an update regarding that training and wanted to follow up on the collaboration brought up by Board Member Herrera.
Council Member Morris stated that she’d like to see more officers in the schools and added that it’s not only for the students but the safety of the teachers as well.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz inquired about suicicde prevention training. He further added about his experience being a brother and uncle after the Uvalde event and how everyone wants their students to be as safest as possible. He also extended his hand to the school districts for future collaboration.
Mayor Osorio thanked Chief Davis for meeting with some of the Council Members regarding the strategy. He asked the Chief if there has been any negative interaction with students and SROs.
Chief Davis responded in the negative.
Mayor Osorio echoed the comments of Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez regarding an update on the training.
Motion made to approve item No. 12 and No. 13 by: Solorio-Ruiz 2nd by: Morris
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Osorio/Vasquez/Alindajao/Morris/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
13) Authorization for the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Delano Union School District for school resource officer services Staff report provided by Chief of Police Davis during item no. 12.
Motion made to approve item No. 12 and No. 13 by: Solorio-Ruiz 2nd by: Morris
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Osorio/Vasquez/Alindajao/Morris/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
14) Discussion and direction regarding a letter of support for AB 937 (Carrillo) - The VISION Act (Voiding Inequality and Seeking Inclusion for Our Immigrant Neighbors) (Mayor Osorio)
Staff report provided by Mayor Osorio and Maira Rios from ACLU.
Mayor Osorio opened public comment.
Pastor David Vivas shared his opposition.
Anthony Cortez shared his opposition and criticism of utilizing the city’s letterhead.
Mars Reyes shared his opposition.
Lupe Martinez shared his support of the Council to make a decision good or bad.
Mayor Osorio closed public comment.
Mayor Osorio and Ms. Rios provided clarification with an explanation and elaborated on AB937.
Council Member Alindajao shared his opposition and thoughts regarding the Council take such actions regarding legislation.
Mayor Osorio stated about prior practice.
Council Member Morris shared her opposition.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz read two articles to the public. He also shared his support.
Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez asked for clarification and policy regarding utilizing the city letterhead.
City Attorney Richman responded that the City of Delano does not have such a policy.
Motion made to modify letter of support to only Mayor Osorio, Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez and Council Member Solorio-Ruiz by: Solorio-Ruiz
2nd by: Vasquez
Vote: 4-1
Ayes: Osorio/Vasquez/Morris/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: Alindajao
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
No items.
COUNCIL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Council Member Alindajao: None.
Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez: She attended the UFW evento in support of AB2183. She also hosted two of the marchers and had a documentary crew in her home. She attended National Night Out.
She also has a meeting with the Carpenter’s Union for a project she’s wanting to do. She went out to the Senior Center and got to know them. She affirmed that they’re not forgotten and they’re near and dear to her heart.
Council Member Morris: She gave condolences to Suzanne Villaruz for the loss of her mother.
She also complemented Ms. Maria Martinez for her bold colored hair.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz: He shared that he attended the UFW march in support of AB2183. He also attended the National Night Out event and hopes for more block parties in the future. Lastly he asked if the bill is not passed, that a resolution in support of the bill be at the next council meeting. He also disclosed that he’s working with staff to coordinate a job and resource fair.
Mayor Osorio: He stated he participated in the march from Delano to Richgrove. Lastly, he thanked staff for the last couple of weeks.
Moved for Closed Session by: Solorio-Ruiz
2nd by: Morris
Time: 7:37PM
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Osorio/Vasquez/Alindajao/Morris/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
The City Clerk was excused. City Manager Reyna was appointed as Acting City Clerk. City Manager Reyna, Finance Director Rios and Human Resources Director Zamudio were present.
CLOSED SESSION
15) CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency negotiator: City Manager, Finance Director and Human Resources Director
Negotiating parties: Delano City Employee Association (miscellaneous unit) Action: No reportable action.
16) CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency negotiator: City Manager, Finance Director and Human Resources Director
Negotiating parties: MEG employee group
Action: No reportable action.
17) CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency negotiator: City Manager, Finance Director and Human Resources Director
Negotiating parties: Delano Police Officers Association Action: No reportable action.
Moved for Open Session by: Solorio-Ruiz
2nd by: Vasquez
Time: 8:37PM
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Osorio/Vasquez/Alindajao/Morris/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Council Member Morris, seconded by Vasquez, and unanimously carried 5-0 to adjourn the meeting at 8:37p.m.
_____________________________________________
Ricardo G. Chavez, City Clerk