MINUTES
CITY OF DELANO & NORTH KERN CEMETERY DISTRICT BOARD
Special Joint Meeting
June 13, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
a) Mayor Alindajao called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m. in the 11th Avenue Community Center, 200 W. llth Ave., Delano, CA 93215
b) North Kern Cemetery District Board
FLAG SALUTE
Council Member Vasquez led the flag salute.
ROLL CALL
a) Council members present: Mayor Joe Alindajao, Mario Nunez, Jr., Veronica Vasquez, Liz Morris
Council members absent: Salvador Solorio-Ruiz
b) North Kern Cemetery District Board Members: Pearl Rivera & Jose Hernandez
OFFICIALS PRESENT
City Manager Reyna, City Clerk Garcia, Chief Davis
SPECIAL AGENDA ITEM
1) Discussion of Law Enforcement jurisdiction within the cemetery.
Mayor Alindajao opened public comments.
1. Alvarez shared that there have been shootings and fights because of the access. They were told about the alley but why did the cemetery have them call. He said they called the cops and they never showed up.
2. Teresa Ruiz shared she walks in the morning and finds trash. People take flowers. She shared that people are stealing and being disrespectful.
3. Eva Arredondo shared that there are boys drinking at the cemetery and smoking marijuana. It seems to have a party setting; she has witnessed fights and vandalism.
4. Anthony Cortez asked if the cemetery must deal with the sheriffs instead of Delano Police department because it’s in county jurisdiction? Is this a recent or ongoing issue? How did it get to this point without enforcement of rules?
5. Sergio Alvarez would like to know what will happen with the alley. There are vehicles parked in the back that can’t be removed.
6. Rivera asked that all these topics be added to a future agenda.
7. Sylvia Vera has stopped taking items to graves because they are taken. She’s upset that this has been going on for 25 years. She notices the trash is always full, there is no running water, and people are drinking on the premises.
8. Gina Martinez asked when will the public know what the protocol is and what is going to be done. Are they going to close the gates? The community is asking for respect, and they need security.
9. David Vivas shared that this is an ongoing issue. There is a lot of drinking and gang members. Law Enforcement drives by the cemetery patrolling. He would not like to see the same issue after this meeting. Mr. Jaime gets harassed, the center needs help.
10. Claribel Gutierrez stated that police do what they can, but it’s simply not done fast enough.
The issue is determining who the alley belongs to.
11. Gloria Herrera shared that this problem has been going on for a long time. Through discussions at previous meetings, it is still happening. We need to find a way to come up with a solution. She walks through the cemetery and notices the trash is always full and the wind blows the trash.
12. Fernando Bravo stated that the city should pass an ordinance to ban alcohol. How many people have been cited for a violation? What is PD going to do? More patrolling? It is an ongoing issue. People party and have loud music.
13. Jaime Mendoza suggested having a county cemetery inside the city. Both entities should put funds towards getting security to help with the issue of loud music and drinking.
14. Trujillo shared comments about the access way. He stated he must go to one meeting and then get told to go to another entity. He shared that they have permits for the block wall and gate.
ADJOURNMENT
a) Moved by Morris seconded by Nunez and unanimously carried 4-0 to adjourn the meeting at 6:49 pm.
b) North Kern Cemetery
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Diana A. Garcia, City Clerk