MINUTES
CITY OF DELANO
CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING
March 6, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Alindajao called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1015 – 11th Avenue.
INVOCATION
Dan Madrillaga offered the invocation.
FLAG SALUTE
Council Member Nunez led the flag salute.
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Joe Alindajao, Salvador Solorio-Ruiz, Liz Morris, Mario Nunez, Jr., Veronica Vasquez
Council members absent: none
OFFICIALS PRESENT
City Manager Reyna, City Clerk Garcia, City Attorney Richman, City Engineer Dowling, Finance Director Lara Rios, Human Resources Director Zamudio, Commander Velasco, Interim Community Development Director Monsibais, Senior Planner Chavez, Recreation Manager Batth-Chavez and Transit Manager Alapisco
PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS
Mayor Alindajao recognized the 2023 Central Section Division IV Champions – Cesar E.
Chavez Wrestling team.
Mayor Alindajao recognized the Robert F. Kennedy Cheerleading Team winning 2023 USA Spirit & Junior Nationals/Collegiate Championships at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Mayor Alindajao recognized Robert F. Kennedy High School for being designated as a 2022- 2023 California Exemplary Dual Enrollment school by the California Department of Education.
Mayor Alindajao recognized Delano High School being designated as a 2022-2023 California Exemplary Dual Enrollment school by the California Department of Education.
Presentation regarding services was provided by Delano Adult School with Mr. James Donahue.
Agenda Item No. 3
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC
1. Abraham Jimenez thanked City Manager Maribel Reyna for the road repair on Cecil Avenue. Mr. Jimenez also thanked City Manager for the great job that was done with the road repair and that no one was hurt in the process.
Mr. Jimenez would like the city to consider adding a bench at the bus stop that is off County Line Road. Mr. Jimenez is unsure of the street name, but believes a bench is of great need because various individuals stand on rocks and in the yard.
Mr. Jimenez believes there are too many Holidays and upset that the transit not operating during President’s Day.
Mr. Jimenez brought up another concern with transit. Mr. Jimenez believes that there are two transit drivers that are reckless, seem to want to rush back to the bus station, and the drivers park far from the curb when picking up passengers. Mr. Jimenez mentioned that he has taken his concerns to the Transit Manager and believes that the concerns are being addressed.
Mr. Jimenez would like to see the city population sign reinstalled.
2. Danny Sanchez congratulated the local schools on all the accomplishments. Mr. Sanchez shared concern that the Chief of the Delano Police Department has been absent on a regular basis. Mr. Gonzales questioned the reasons and the number of times the Chief has missed the various meetings. Mr. Gonzalez also questioned the Chief’s plan to combat gangs and shootings and would like to know what the Chief has done to benefit the city and what the Chief’s plans are for the future. Mr. Gonzalez is also concerned that the Chief is in a lawsuit with the county.
3. Yolanda Chacon is excited to see all the great things the youth is doing as well as all the teachers and community leaders. Ms. Chacon believes that is it inspiring to see the commitment that is coming from both and grateful for all the information given.
4. Fernando Bravo is concerned that the road on Cecil from Albany Street to Ellington Street has not been paved as he was told and has not seen any equipment on site.
Mr. Bravo is concern that an individual, which he believes is homeless, sleeps on the sidewalk located on Cecil Avenue. Mr. Bravo mentioned the individual blocks the students and parents school pathway and believes it is unsafe. Mr. Bravo would like the individual to removed.
Mr. Bravo is also concern for the senior citizens safety during the use of the center. Mr.
Bravo would like to have an evacuation plan incase of a fire or earthquake. Mr. Bravo is concerned that there are only 2 fire extinguishers inside the center and that there is no hatchet to break the glass.
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 $2,695,635.33
3) Minutes of the regular city council meeting of February 21, 2023 4) Approval of the co-sponsorship in the amount of $450 for the Kern County Public Works Department to host a public informational meeting on May 4 5) Resolution to add On-Demand (DART-N-GO) during the week to areas currently not served by fixed routes for the City of Delano Transit (DART) Program (Resolution No. 2023-05)
6) Approval of payment of Southern California Edison invoice for $167,423.95 for undergrounding the overhead power lines on Garces Hwy. west of its intersection with Albany St. in conjunction with the 2021 SB-1 Local Streets and Roads Resurfacing, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Maintenance Project and authorization for the City Manager or her designee to sign any documents needed to carry that project to completion
7) Acceptance of the “2022 Water Meter Contract Installer Project” and authorizing the filing of the Notice of Completion
8) Approval of agreement of purchase & sale and joint escrow instructions with Double Eagle Dover Investments, LLC, for 8.23 acres of vacant land (APN 521- 020-18) for the future High St. flyover right of way, for $2,510,000.00, and authorization for the city manager to sign it and any other documents needed to complete this purchase and to settle any final details of a non-material nature (Agreement No. 2023-09)
9) Approval of Amendment No. 5 to Agreement 2013-77 (Airport Farm Lease) between the City of Delano and Joe Paesano Farms and authorization for the City Manager to execute any documents needed to carry this out (Agreement No. 2023-10)
10) Approval of Closure Statement Agreement with the State of California for the completion of the Improvements to the Intersection of SR155 (Garces Highway) and Browning Road (Agreement No. 2023-11)
Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to approved items 1 – 10 on consent; 2 nd by: Nunez
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Alindajao/Solorio-Ruiz/Morris/Nunez/Vasquez
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
11) Public Hearing to receive comments regarding Delano Area Rapid Transit (DART) proposing to add On-Demand (DART~N~GO) during the week to areas not served currently by fixed routes
Mayor Alindajao opened the public hearing.
Staff Report provided by Transit Manager Alapisco.
Council Member Vasquez asked if any comments have been received after posting the Public Hearing.
Transit Manager Alipisco responded that only one comment was received.
Mayor Alindajao opened public comment.
No public comment.
Mayor Alindajao closed public comment.
No action taken.
REGULAR AGENDA
No Items.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Engineer Dowling provided an update on the Aquatic Center and on road improvements.
COUNCIL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Council Member Nunez: Said that a lot was learned and that there are a lot of students teaching us stuff. Congratulated everyone that received an award. Also mentioned that the students as a whole represent one entity which is Delano and that as Council they need to take a part in that as well.
He also thanks Mr. Chavez for his time as City Clerk and welcomed the new City Clerk.
Council Member Morris: She thanked fellow council members and everyone that participated in the Read Across America event. She said it was a great event for the schools and that all the children were very excited to have someone read to them in the classroom. She said it takes a lot of time and effort to be able to attend and that it is amazing how fun it is to read to kids.
She thanked Mr. Chavez for all the help he gave her every time she would go into City Hall and also said she had already met the new City Clerk and already warned her that she will be calling her for help and welcomed the new City Clerk.
Council Member Vasquez: She thanked City Clerk Ricardo Chavez and welcomed the new City Clerk.
Mayor Pro Tem Solorio-Ruiz: He second Council Member Morris appreciation for Reading Across America and the crowd of kids now are not like before and that council meetings are easier. He said that overall, it was meaningful for the children and saw many photos on social media of various individuals that also participated. He also mentioned that he attended the San Joaquin Valley Air monitoring meeting and gave a shout out to Sumeet for assisting coordination for him to attend. He said that he is also working with city staff and City Manager on upcoming events. He mentioned that on April 23rd he will possibly host “Day of Remembrance” for Cesar Chavez 30th anniversary of his passing. He said that the City of Delano is the hometown and birthplace of the farm labor worker movement and believes it is appropriate for the event. He hopes to see everyone there and as soon as the flyers are developed, they will be posted and shared. He also mentioned that on March 25th the Dog Adoption Fair will be hosted at the Delano Animal Shelter. He said it is going to be a huge event because currently the Delano shelter, as well as many other shelters across the county, are overcrowded. Meaning that dogs cannot be accepted and hoping for a good turnout. He invited everyone to visit the shelter and adopt a dog. He said that he will be having future discussions with community leaders to possibly coordinate and establish a circle group where they heal and talk about help for tough issues and invited anyone that is interested to let him know. He also addressed the comment given by Mr. Bravo and has a solution because it did come up during his day job. He believes that the Delano Police Department, per request, can go in and possibly conduct a type of protocol scenario to show them what to do in case of an emergency.
He said he that is not directing staff but it is a possible solution.
Mr. Solorio Ruiz also responded to Mayor Alindajao invitation to say a few words to Mr. Chavez in his last council meeting as City Clerk. He said he felt emotional that Mr. Chavez was moving but that he would still be with the city. He shared that he feels that Mr. Chavez has always been there and has always been a good mentor for council members because he feels that he has the capacity, having been a council member himself and that is phenomenal the way he gives feedback. He also welcomed the new City Clerk Diana Garcia and congratulated them both.
Mayor Alindajao: He did not have any additional comments other than directed City Attorney Rachel Richman to place for discussion and approval to adopt the Rosenberg Rules of Order for the second city council meeting in April. He believes no rules have been adopted on how meetings are ordered in the code section. He also informed everyone that it was Mr. Ricardo Chavez last council meeting as City Clerk and wished him well in his new position and expressed his appreciation of the growing friendship that has grown between him and Mr.
Chavez and welcomed the new Delano City Clerk, Mrs. Diana Garcia.
Moved for Closed Session by: Councilmember Solorio-Ruiz 2nd by: Councilmember Morris
Time: 7:13 PM