MINUTES
CITY OF DELANO
CITY COUNCIL – Special MEETING
April 17, 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
Eric Juarez offered the invocation.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Alindajao led flag salute.
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Mayor Joe Alindajao, Mayor Pro Tem Salvador Solorio-Ruiz, Liz Morris, Mario Nunez, Jr.
Council members absent: Veronica Vasquez
OFFICIALS PRESENT
City Manager Reyna, City Clerk Garcia, City Attorney Richman, City Engineer Dowling (Via Online), Finance Director Lara Rios, Human Resources Director Zamudio, Chief Davis, Commander Velasco, Interim Community Development Director Monsibais, and Economic Development Specialist Fernandez.
PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS
1) Recognition of Delano Jiu Jitsu Club team for participating at the Jiu Jitsu World League Boston Open.
Mayor Alindajao recognized the Delano Jiu Jitsu Club for participating at the Jiu Jitsu World League Boston Open.
1) Life-Saving Award to Officer Herrera whose actions saved the life of a fellow citizen.
Mayor Alindajao and Chief Davis presented Life-Saving Award to Officer Herrera Recognition from Assembly Member Dr. Jasmeet Bains, presented by Claribel Gutierrez.
Recognition from Senator Melissa Hurtado, presented by Jannett Tapia Recognition from Congressman David G. Valadao, presented by Steven Kemp Agenda Item No. 3
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC
1. Veronica Soto Brandy Wine Apartments. Read a statement because she was not able to attend the previous meeting. She commented on opposition of rent control.
2. Yolanda Vega commented on the March 27th special meeting specifically on Relations to City Council 2.12.30. She read: “The City Council and its members shall deal with the administrative services of the city only through the City Manager. The City Manager shall take orders and instructions from the city council as a body an no individual council member shall give any orders or instruction to the City Manager or subordinates.
When a decision has been made by the Council as a body, it shall be final and conclusive.”
Ms. Vega said that she has noticed that Councilmembers have done special projects and that the way it was explained in the special meeting, unless Council has voted on such project as a body, then direction can be given to the City Manager. She requested further explanation as to why it is not being followed. She said that it seemed that Council is picking and choosing what laws are going to be followed.
Mayor Alindajao asked City Manager Reyna, how the question should be answered if the comments is that they want further explanation on how the rule works.
City Manager Reyna responded that there are times when councilmembers may have requests that she can complete efficiently without expending city resources or staff time and there are times that the requests do have to be voted by council as a full body.
Mayor Alindajao responded that the explanation was good.
3. Fernando Bravo announced that the Seniors Center will be having a Mother’s Day dinner.
He stated that Council gives them 75 dollars monthly for dinners and it is not much. He said that they will be having the dinner on May 12th and requested from Council a donation to the Mother’s Day dinner like Mrs. Rosa Rios did last year by donated roses.
Mr. Bravo also asked when the construction of Albany and Cecil Ave. will begin now that the weather is nicer.
4. Citlalli asked on the status of the construction on South Belmont. She said there is no movement, and it has been 3 weeks that the weather is well. She also made Council aware of the traffic that is located on Woollomes Ave. She said that the traffic gets backed up bad and many cars also block the freeway entrance lane. She said that maybe the timing on the lights can be changed to help with the traffic.
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 $3,111,673.47
3) Minutes of the regular city council meeting of April 3, 2023 4) Minutes of special council meeting of March 27, 2023 5) Minutes of special council meeting of April 18, 2022 6) Authorize City Manager to Execute Agreement for the City’s Health Plans for the Period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024
7) Approval of sponsorship to Delano Chamber of Commerce for the National Day of Prayer event in the total amount of $1,000 for event-related expenses.
Motion was made by: Morris to approved items 1 –6 consent items; 2nd by: Solorio-Ruiz
Vote: 4-0
Ayes: Solorio-Ruiz/ Morris/Nunez/ /Alindajao
Nays: None
Absent: Vasquez
Abstentions: None
Item 7 pulled by: Nunez
Reason for pulling: Nunez wanted to know a breakdown of what the related expenses for the sponsorship are and was hoping that someone from the Chamber would be present. He said he was not against it but wanted to know the expenses.
Council Morris responded since there was no representation from the Chamber of Commerce.
She said that part of the expenses are for the meal and refreshments that are provided and for any rental expenses for equipment, chairs, tables and decorations.
Mayor Pro Tem Solorio-Ruiz asked that normally the types of sponsorship request are usually under Regular Agenda and not Consent Agenda and wanted to know if that was correct.
City Manager Reyna responded that items are considered routine like the National Day of Prayer which is an annual events, are placed in Consent Agenda and that is the reason it was placed in Consent Agenda in which Council at any time can pull it for further discussion.
Mayor Pro Tem Solorio-Ruiz asked if staff had an idea of what the sponsorship amount was last year.
City Manager Reyna responded that it was a similar amount.
Mayor open public comment.
Mayor closed public comment.
Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to approve item No. 7 in consent items; 2nd by: Morris
Vote: 4-0
Ayes: Solorio-Ruiz/ Morris/Nunez/Alindajao
Nays: None
Absent: Vasquez
Abstentions: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
8) Public Hearing and Adoption of Community Development Block Grant Action Plan 2023-2024. (Resolution 2023-12)
Staff Report by Economic Development Specialist Fernandez Mayor Alindajao opened public comment
Mayor Alindajao closed public comment
Mayor Pro Tem thanked the staff and shared that he attended a couple of the meeting and it was executed very well and said that community input was received.
Motion was made by: Nunez
2nd by: Solorio-Ruiz
Vote: 4-0
Ayes: Solorio-Ruiz/ Morris/Nunez/ Alindajao
Nays: None
Absent: Vasquez
Abstentions: None
REGULAR AGENDA
9) Mayor Appointments to General Fund Budget Committee and Enterprise Funds Budgets Committee
Mayor Alindajao appointed: Mayor Alindajao and Council Member Nunez to the General Fund Budget Committee.
Mayor Alindajao appointed: Mayor Pro Tem Solorio-Ruiz and Council Member Morris to the Enterprise Funds Budget Committee.
10) Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Section 2.04.300 of the Delano Municipal Code Removing Robert’s Rules of Order and Adopting Rosenberg’s Rules of Order
Staff Reports by City Attorney Richman
Mayor Alindajao opened public comment
Mr. Martinez questioned that second motion would not be needed to pass a vote and was concerned.
Mayor Alindajao closed public comment
Council Member Morris explained that a second motion was going to continue to be required in the Rosenburg’s Rules of Order.
Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz
2nd by: Nunez
Vote: 4-0
Ayes: Solorio-Ruiz/ Morris/Nunez/Alindajao
Nays: None
Absent: Vasquez
Abstentions: None
11) Consideration and Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Section 2.04.050 changing the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem term from one year to two years.
Mayor Alindajao Motioned to table item 11 for further research on topic.
Second By: Solorio-Ruiz
Motion was made by: Alindajao
2nd by: Solorio-Ruiz
Vote: 4-0
Ayes: Solorio-Ruiz/ Morris/Nunez/Alindajao
Nays: None
Absent: Vasquez
Abstentions: None
12) Adoption of Resolution Amending the City’s Flag Policy (Resolution 2023-13) Staff Reports by City Attorney Richman
Mayor Alindajao opened public comment
Mr. Frazier supports the amending of the resolution.
Mayor Alindajao closed public comment
Mayor Pro-term Solorio-Ruiz said that he was not there when it was first introduced and had some comments that he had saved and wanted to share them to provide his opinion and perspective. He said that as leaders, it is important to trust those that came before them and that they implemented policies in the best interests of the community. He said that he firmly believes that they all want to make an impact and want to make Delano a better place to live for all. He said that today, he believes that they made Delano a better place when the flagpole policy was implemented. He said that the flagpole policy left a clear message to the community and surrounding neighbors. That if someone identified with the LGTBQ community, regardless of who they love, they are welcomed in the city. He said that the flagpole policy allowed to honor fallen fire fighters who make the ultimate sacrifice every day. He said that to address the argument that the United States flag and the State Flag of California, should be the only flag’s flown, although he understands the argument, Delano is not unique to the practice. He said that various surrounding cities across California, including the State Capital, have established the pride flag to be flown. He added that in 2021, the Secretary of the State, Anthony Blinken authorized U.S. Diplomatic Mission across the world to fly the rainbow flag at Embassy’s and Consulates on the same flagpole as the American flag. He said that across the country, AntiLGBTQ bills are being passed at alarming rates. He said that with the flag policy, they are making their position clear as the second largest city in Kern County, that LGTBQ residents have an unwavering support of their government. He shared that he had solutions that were expressed at the previous Council Meeting that could be possibly implemented in a future meeting, which are: Fly the flag on its own pole and use that same pole to implement the current flag policy that is in place. The other is, to welcome a LGBTQ center in Delano. He said that because on the previous vote that took place in the past, he understood where the majority stood and that they can agree to disagree, but he urged his colleagues to consider implementing the solutions that he expressed.
Motion was made by: Nunez
2nd by: Morris
Vote: 3-1
Ayes: Morris/Alindajao/Nunez
Nays: Solorio-Ruiz
Absent: Vasquez
Abstentions: None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
No items
COUNCIL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Council Member Morris: she said that she would like the resolution to be looked at and would like something to be brought to a future agenda the approval to erect a separate pole to celebrate the existing diverse community. She also invited anyone that would like to fly a flag to purchase their own flag instead of the city. She also invited the community to National Day of Prayer on May 4th. She said everyone, as well as the city, needs prayer. She also gave a reminder that the coming week is Public School Week. She also announced the ribbon cutting of Mountain Mikes Pizza.
Council Member Nunez: He also announced the ribbon cutting for the Grand Opening of Mountain Mikes Pizza and that the Police Department would be having a Block Party on the 20th of April. He also reminded that community that Mosquito Abatement will spray their yards at no cost.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz: He said that he attended the Grand Opening of The Beauty Shop.
He also reminded and invited the community to the Cesar Chavez Remembrance at City Hall on Sunday, April 23, 2023.
Mayor Alindajao: Shared that he had the opportunity to join his son in Boston and congratulated them once again on their hard work. He also extended the invitation to the National Day of Prayer to the community.
CLOSED SESSION
No items
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Council Member Nunez seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Solorio-Ruiz and unanimously carried 4-0 to adjourn the meeting at 6:52 p.m.
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Diana Garcia, City Clerk