MINUTES
CITY OF DELANO
CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING
August 21, 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
Pastor David Vivas offered the invocation.
FLAG SALUTE
Interim Chief Nicholson led flag the salute.
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Mayor Joe Alindajao, Mayor Pro Tem 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, Finance Director Lara Rios, City Engineer Dowling (VIA Zoom), Interim Community Development Director Monsibais, Human Resources Director Zamudio, Interim Chief Nicholson, Recreation Manager BatthChavez, Transit Manager Alapisco
PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS
None
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC
1. Mariah Lopez shared that she is a competitive cheerleader. She has been invited to cheer in London, UK. This is a one-week experience and would like to participate. She shared it is a cost of $4,000. She is looking for donations and sponsors.
2. Pastor David Vivas commended officers and the Delano Police Department for saving 3-4 individuals that were found suffering from overdose on August 5. This is why he is a strong supporter of the police department. He hopes the anti-cop movement across our nation to defund the police never comes back to the City of Delano. We don’t need that mentality and do not need those types of people serving in any elected capacity. He counsels people with drug addictions, and gang members. We all know someone that struggles with these addictions. Delano can be a better place if we unite as a family to help those going through struggles. The police can’t do it by themselves.
3. Mario Villasenor resident of Rancho Fiesta shared he is here with concerns with the fence the cemetery put up. He would like to know what will happen since they have not been taken into consideration.
4. Gloria Lopez is also a resident of Rancho Fiesta and is here with concerns about the fence the cemetery put up. She would like to know if there is space on the agenda for her concerns since she has been ignored with this concern. She would like a response. During elections there are a lot of smiles and promises and all are with the city but we have been ignored.
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 $3,063,451.46
3) Minutes of the regular Pension meeting of May 9, 2023 4) Minutes of the Special Joint Council meeting of June 13, 2023 5) Minutes of the regular Council meeting of August 7, 2023 6) Authorization for the City Manager to enter into an Agreement with the Delano Union Elementary School District (DUESD) for School Resource Officer Services
7) Authorization to enter into an Agreement with Tulare County pertaining to assistance under the Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Plan
8) Resolution of the City Council of the City of Delano declaring various used Police Department Dispatch furniture and office equipment as surplus and donating the same to the City of Wasco Police Department, authorizing the City Manager or her designee to carry out said transfer and execute any documents as needed
9) Award of Contract for the “2023 CDBG Glenwood Facilities HVAC Replacement Project” to Vortex Construction from Bakersfield, CA, in the amount of $307,915.44 and authorization for the City Manager to sign the construction contract and any other documents needed to complete the project 10) Approval of license agreement for use of the Exhibit Building located at Kern County Memorial Park for a term of nine (9) years (retroactive to 2019) as a gratuitous service to the City and authorizing the City Manager to execute all required documents
11) Resolution of the City Council of the City of Delano authorizing designated positions to execute any actions necessary for obtaining financial assistance provided by the California State of Good Repair
12) Approval of the co-sponsorship in the amount of $450 for the Kern County Public Works Department to host a public informational meeting on October 5 13) Resolution of the City of Delano, California, authorizing the City Manager or designee to submit a grant application to the Strategic Growth Council Community Resilience Centers (CRC) Program in the amount of $2,500,000.00 for the City of Delano New Civic Center Retrofit and execute all related documents if awarded
14) Resolution of the City Council of the City of Delano authorizing City Manager/designee to purchase computer equipment from Dell Technologies.
Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to approved items 1-8, 11-14 on consent items; 2 nd by: Morris
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Alindajao/ Morris/ Nunez/ Solorio-Ruiz/ Vasquez
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
Item No. 9
Pulled by Anthony Cortez
Reason: Mr. Cortez drove by the locations and didn’t see any building there. Is there a problem in that area?
City Engineer Dowling clarified that the city has two facilities located on the north side between Freemont and Glenwood. These two facilities are leased out as childcare facilities and would be using the funding to replace the HVAC system and make kitchen fire suppression replacements.
Councilmember Morris further clarifies that the facility is ‘La Mariposa’ a childcare center next to the Filipino Community.
City Engineer Dowling confirmed there is a typo on the address.
Item No. 10
Pulled by Councilmember Morris
Reason: Is this exhibit building going to be closed to the public? City Engineer Dowling shared that the operator of the golf course will use this to charge the golf carts. Nothing changes, the operation will stay the same as past agreements. The agreement is for it to be used for that purpose, when there are events, the operator will remove the golf carts. For insurance purposes we need to make sure the agreement is active.
Councilmember Morris shared her concern that it would be closed to the public. Organization events are coming back, and I didn’t want any more closed buildings.
City Engineer Dowling confirmed that there is a clause on the agreement that states the county requires the golf course operator to vacate the building for scheduled annual events.
Councilmember Nunez confirmed the scheduled food give away that is hosted there would stay the same?
City Engineer Dowling confirmed that is correct.
Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to approved items 9 and 10 on consent items; 2 nd by: Morris
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Alindajao/ Morris/ Nunez/ Solorio-Ruiz/ Vasquez
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
No items.
REGULAR AGENDA
15) Martin Luther King Jr. Park Concept Expansion
Interim Community Development Director provided the staff report.
Public Comment: None
Councilmember Vasquez asked if QK has done outreach in regard to any organizations wanting to do the community garden? Have they discussed the interest of basketball or pickleball? Interim Community Development Director shared that based on feedback that they have received overall, community gardens are very hard to maintain. During outreach there has not been an organization that has stated they would like to establish a community garden. Without that ownership QK has found that is a hard task. Most of the time the city does have to go back to clean it out and replace it with landscaping. At this time, we don’t have an organization coming forward.
Councilmember Vasquez asked if there was any outreach done by the city during that time? McFarland just opened one not even a month ago.
Interim Community Development Director stated QK did the consultations for this, not the city.
Councilmember Vasquez stated we had brought this to the City’s attention a while back, when you communicate with QK was it not brought up?
Interim Community Development Director stated it was brought up, but no organization came forward to want to create this community garden. As far as basketball and pickle ball, there have been discussions. QK has found that in the long rage basketball is traditional and does not go out of style. Pickleball is now picking up momentum. Is a range between the two.
Councilmember Morris shared she believes a basketball court would be more active.
Councilmember Nunez asked if we could make this a multipurpose court, basketball and pickleball?
Interim Community Development Director shared that we could look at that option however fencing would be required for pickleball. I am not sure if we would have the space. For we would need to look at where the equipment would be stored. Who would be putting up the pickleball courts? How long would they stay out? We can potentially figure out if it could be a portable situation if you recommend us moving in that direction.
Councilmember Morris asked if we could convert the tennis courts Jefferson Park to pickleball?
Recreation Manager Batth-Chavez shared that the city will be pursuing a Wonderful Community Grant and we will be looking at converting one of our three tennis courts into a multipurpose court.
Mayor Pro Tem Solorio-Ruiz asked if we know when we will be finishing the project? Interim Community Development Director shared that there have not been any funds allocated at this time. The first step is to have a clear concept of the design to look into applying for grants. Right now with the basketball court as the revised plan shows we are looking at a $1,4 million park.
Mayor Pro Tem Solorio-Ruiz stated he is ok with the basketball courts. In regards the garden, he shared that we already have a garden in the community. It’s about what is obtainable and what we are able to maintain and sustain on a daily basis.
Mayor Alindajao agreed that basketball is a more popular sport. His question for the basketball courts is if there are going to be nightlights for playing on that court.
Interim Community Development Director stated that lights at the courts have been implemented on the revised plan along with lights surrounding the loop trail. As well as the shade structures that were requested.
Mayor Alindajao shared that the lights are great. He hears a lot of times you have to go other places to find lights for outdoor playing. He likes the revised concept.
Mayor Pro Tem Solorio-Ruiz asked if this park will be smoke free and have smoke free signs? City Manager Reyna shared that all parks are frug free zones.
Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to approve the revised plan; 2 nd by: Nunez
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Alindajao/ Morris/ Nunez/ Solorio-Ruiz/ Vasquez
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Recreation Department – Department Presentation
Presentation was provided by Recreation Manager Batth-Chavez Councilmember Morris shared that she has heard people take their kids of town to play yearround sports with all ages.
Councilmember Vasquez shared that she hears the same concerns. She notices people from Delano going to neighboring cities to play.
Councilmember Nunez asked what have we done to streamline the HR process or approaches to get their stuff done? When can we go to the competitive league? Is recreation looking at bringing other things to the city? Are we taking on the City Walk, Street Fairs, Taco Tuesdays? Why are facilities closed on weekends and afternoons? Other times a building is closed but one employee is there using the utilities. What are we looking for senior expansion as far as hours and things to do after hours.
Recreation Manager Batth-Chavez stated we can have a meeting with HR and see what we can do. We can look into the competitive programs, right now we are working on bringing programs back.
Councilmember Nunez shared that the reason people do go to those neighboring cities is for the competitiveness.
Recreation Manager Batth-Chavez continued with bringing other things to the city. She mentioned that they are waiting for Larry Itliong to finish because it would be a great park to host events like the ones mentioned. We can talk to the chamber about hosting more street fairs.
Councilmember Nunez shared that neighboring cities are taking them away from the chamber and making them city events.
Recreation Manager Batth-Chavez stated that with councils’ direction we can look into that.
As far as buildings, the fitness center is now open to 8:00pm, as far as the 11th Ave Community Center it is only open after school hours from 3:00pm – 7:00pm. We have administrative offices there where staff do admin work. That is why we have some facilities open earlier. We don’t run extra utilities if there are no active programs. With councils’ direction we can extend senior hours and programs. It is currently Monday through Friday 9:00am-1:00pm.
Mayor Alindajao thanked her for the presentation. Shared that the size of our city is very different from other cities. He understands COVID did impact programs and staffing. It sounds like we are on the right track to come back and have a good vision for the future.
Mayor Pro Tem Solorio-Ruiz expressed his gratitude to her and her team for all they do. He is grateful for all they do.
Mayor Alindajao also supports bringing in more competitiveness.
COUNCIL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Council Member Morris: None
Council Member Nunez: Shared that they will be having a food giveaway tomorrow at 9:30am at Memorial Park.
Council Member Vasquez: Thanked the Social Servants that brought many organizations to the Senior Center this weekend to help the houseless. We had Flood Ministries, CCH Cheerleaders, Glamour Girls Senior Volunteers, CAP K, Awakening Aging and Adults and Mental Health. It was a great event. Delano Guardians and Mr. Gonzalez helped with the outreach.
Mayor Pro Tem Solorio-Ruiz: Gave recognition to staff for coordinating and assisting in the dog adoption event. In two hours, we secured three dogs on hold. Heard concerns about people wanting it to be longer. We are working in that direction. He commended the police department for hosting and coordinating the Gun Buyback Program. We collected about 23 guns.
Congratulated the Delano Dirtbags on their success in the world series.
Mayor Alindajao: Commended the police department on the Gun Buyback Program. We collected 23 firearms, 3 ghost guns, 11 pistols and 12 long guns. The city spent $2900 for those weapons. Our babe ruth team made it to the knockout round and were disqualified at that round.
Mayor Pro Tem Solorio-Ruiz: In Spanish clarified that the cemetery comments can be addressed by city staff.
Motion was made by: Nunez to go into closed session at 6:41pm; 2 nd by: Vasquez
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Alindajao/ Morris/ Nunez/ Solorio-Ruiz/ Vasquez
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
The City Clerk was excused. City Manager Reyna was appointed as Acting City Clerk. City Manager Reyna, Human Resources Director Zamudio and City Attorney Richman were present.
CLOSED SESSION
16) LIABILITY CLAIMS Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.95 Claimant: Victoria Jean Navin
Claim No. 2023-15 (FR101434)
Agency claimed against: City of Delano
No reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved to open session and to adjourn and unanimously carried 5-0 to adjourn the meeting at 7:02 p.m.
_____________________________________________
Nancy Garcia, City Clerk