MINUTES
CITY OF DELANO
CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING
November 20, 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 Vivas offered the invocation.
FLAG SALUTE
Interim Chief Nicholson led the flag salute.
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Mayor Joe Alindajao, Mayor Pro Tem Salvador Solorio-Ruiz, Liz Morris Council members absent: Mario Nunez, Jr., Veronica Vasquez
OFFICIALS PRESENT
City Manager Reyna, City Clerk Garcia, Interim City Attorney Hensley, Finance Director Lara Rios (via Zoom), City Engineer Dowling (via Zoom), Interim Chief of Police Nicholson, Human Resources Director Zamudio, Interim Community Development Director Monsibais (via Zoom)
PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS
1. Certificate of Recognition to Lideres Campesinas Inc.
Presented by Mayor Alindajao, Accepted by Yesenia Acosta on behalf of Lideres Campesinas
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC
1. Elsa Pinoliar, 2205 Bellagio St. – “Good evening mayor and city council. I'm here on behalf of spreading help around you. We have our annual 5K run or walk every year and this year we're asking the council to help us out with a permit for the 5K like we did last year. For those of you who don't know, I think everybody knows in the city about what happened. I'm just going to kind of read the letter that I sent to the city clerk. So, spreading help around you is a nonprofit organization and it was established in 2014 in honor of Shaylin Pinoliar who tragically passed away on November 14th, 2012. We have helped families at the time of loss as well as provided care packages to the homeless, donated and helped families in need during the holiday season. Shaylynn 12 years ago was walking to school and on a Wednesday morning just like any other day was struck by a vehicle there. And that's where we have the run or the walk in honor of her. And now we invite the city of Delano to join us and others as well outside to help us promote pedestrian safety awareness. And for our children, especially on Browning where we have a few schools, we have a lot of children walking there. Not just children, but we also have a lot of adults walking throughout the day and things like that. And Browning is a pretty busy road and a lot of vehicles are driving really fast around there and not paying attention to the lights that we have there. We have asked for a stop sign there; however, we haven't been successful, but there is now crosswalk lights there that you're able to handle. But we do invite everyone in the city to come and join us. We have a registration form that you can complete, and we are on social media trying to promote pedestrians and helping families. Anyone that reaches out to us in need of help that has lost a loved one, we're able to help however we can and that's where the funds go towards helping families. If you have questions, please let us know.”
2. Patricia Funtes, 2114 Via Tuscania Ave – “I'm one of the board members for the Shay organization and like we were here last year, we would like to just get the help from the city to continue this every year on Thanksgiving morning. I know everybody wants to be with their families, but it's just an hour, two hours out of your day, first thing in the morning, 7-8am will be pre-registration and the run will be at eight. That way you guys can join us on this walk and then we can give thanks to everyone that will be there. And then we could all join our families, but we would like for the city to help us with this and in honor of Shay and give thanks and hopefully you guys can go out there and join us. Pre-registration right now ends today for $30.
The day of, the registration will be $35. We still have shirts available this year. They'll be a little bit different. We're going to hopefully each year have the year on the back of the shirt, so hopefully we get to see you guys out there.
3. Cheryl Alindajao, 2110 Via Tuscania Ave – “Good evening, honorable mayor, and city council. A little bit awkward being up here, I just have to say, but friendly faces. So, thank you all so much for what you do.
I know it's a sacrifice of course, just being a little close to one member, but thank you all for being here every single time that you do come in staff and council. I didn't even realize that they were presenting here for the walk, but I'm excited too because that's what I wanted to ask and just, I know it's really in the future, but the Voice of America planning, I'm thinking about that first time it was mentioned, super excited about what that could do for Delano and thinking about pedestrians and all the walkers, the runners, the cyclists that are up and down Browning Road, just speaking on their behalf, although they didn't ask me to. But I appreciate so much the growth and development in Delano and everything that has happened lately. It's been very exciting. We know that the bike paths that we have already was a huge start, but the development out there, that area just provides a huge access for families to be able to in the future have undivided and safe access to exercise and just enjoyment for the community. So, I don't know what's in the future as far as committees or ideas planning, but I would love to hear more about it. And again, speaking for all the cyclists here in Delano, it's a growing group, a very exciting growing group between men and women. Kids of course, but I think that's about it. Walkers must include them, right Liz? And it would be really exciting.
The health of our families here in Delano is one thing that we focus on here in the school district. And I know the city is also concerned about that as well. So in the future I'd love to hear more about it. Thank you.”
Public comment closed.
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 $3,803,974.74
3) Ratification of agreement and approval of resolution with the Office of Traffic Safety for traffic safety programs in the amount of $73,000 and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute any necessary documents
4) Acceptance and Approval of the City of Delano Quarterly Investment Report for the period ending September 30, 2023.
5) Cancellation of regular City Council meeting scheduled for January 2, 2024 6) Approving Agreement No. C96973 between the State of California Franchise Tax Board and the City of Delano to continue its participation in exchanging data with the Franchise Tax Board from January 1, 2024, thru December 31, 2026, and authorizing the Mayor to execute the Agreement. 7) Confirmation of Mayor's Appointment to Pension Committee Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to approved items 1-7 on consent items; 2 nd by: Morris
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Alindajao / Solorio-Ruiz / Morris
Nays: None
Absent: Nunez/Vasquez
Abstentions: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
No items.
REGULAR AGENDA
No items.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
No Items.
COUNCIL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Veronica Vasquez – Absent
Mario Nunez - Absent
Councilmember Morris – “I really don't have anything other than I'd like to wish everyone happy Thanksgiving and the holidays are just going to fly by. I know everybody has a lot to do and everybody has a calendars full of things that they're going to volunteer at because there's a lot of opportunity to be of service during these holidays to a lot of people. So get out there and be part of that feeling of being able to help someone and those opportunities, I said come with toys or us shop with a cop. The Thanksgiving dinner in the morning. So many, many opportunities I'm sure you guys think of have a lot of other things on your agenda three that are gone on this month. So that's all I have to add. So again, happy Thanksgiving to everyone and have a safe holiday.” Mayor Pro-Tem Solorio-Ruiz – “Yes. I want to start off by giving a huge thank you to Noemi and her staff and city staff in general for their assistance in helping coordinate the career and resource fair, which in my opinion I think was a huge hit. I just got confirmation. We had about 54 attendees, which is good. I think that helps our community.
Folks who don't have a job are looking for a different opportunity. But also, it helps our economic development and it helps bring in more taxpayers, which is good. And then I also attended a veterans Dinner honoring veterans. I also wanted to provide a shout out as well and a thank you to Mayor Alindajao and the school district for helping to coordinate at the Pioneer School to help coordinate the appreciation for our veterans, our teachers, and our students. So it was a good opportunity for us to tutor our own horns and to give appreciation to those who often we don't really do that. And then also I attended the celebration with Pastor Vivas for his 25-year anniversary at church. And so that was also very nice to attend. And I think that we should all appreciate the pastor and him creating a safe space for families and victims of crime. I also attended the National Night Out event. I was a little bit late, but it looked like a good event that our police officers hosted and coordinated. So, shout out to them. And then I also attended the McFarland vigil for Victims of Crime that was also hosted by pastor and that was a very heartwarming event and an unfortunate event that we have to do, but it was necessary. And then I do want to, of course, I was going to remind folks about the run and walk for Shay, the 5K as well. But I will do my best to be there as well as a volunteer. I was telling Mayor Alindajao I'm like, I don't know about running, but I'll be there to volunteer for sure and to lend a hand. And then also want to remind folks the fifth annual Delano Community Thanksgiving luncheon that's happening at Tony's Firehouse Grill, the county line one, and that's going to be 9:00 AM to 12. That's when folks pick up food. But if you would like to volunteer, I think you could contact Mr. Art Armendariz or Claribel in mornings in the morning, probably about what 7:00 AM when volunteers can arrive to help shred the Turkey. Other than that, that is all on my end. Councilwoman Morris mentioned there are many avenues that folks can get involved and to lend a helping hand. And during the holiday season, I think it's an important time to tell our young folks, it's not about you, it's about our community and to lend a helping hand. So other than that, that is all, and I hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving with their families.” Councilmember Morris – “Just wanted to add also to an opportunity to volunteer at the historical park at the Heritage Park. They are decorating all those old buildings there this coming Saturday. So they would appreciate anyone's help to go out there and help decorate trees and help decorate the houses that are out there to put lights up and decorate it so it looks best. So everybody passes by there will have that Christmas effect.” Mayor Alindajao: “I know Elsa and Fiji are here. I want to remind and encourage everyone to attend the Shaylin 5K, which is this Thursday at seven or, 8 a.m. But get there at seven, warm up. Let's see you run those 3.1 miles quick. That way you'll stay warm. But it's supposed to be a lot warmer than it was last year. I remember last year running it was like 34 degrees. I think this year is going to be about 44 degrees. So that's a positive. But please come out and support that event. It's a great event. It gets you out of the house, gets you moving, and it'll be a good time.
You'll see a lot of folks that you know from the community and it's going to be a great event. I also want to mention what Vice Mayor mentioned about the Community Thanksgiving event at Tony's Firehouse Restaurant. It starts at 7:00 volunteers. So after you run like a 25 minute 5K, just head down to Tony's firehouse for some help and maybe some food. The special meeting was really special. If none of you got to see it or attend it, check it out. You can go to the city's Facebook website. It was such a great event. Thank you to our city clerk, Nancy and Mike, for helping put that together. It was such a beautiful presentation. You guys did a great job with just the way it all turned out and the way it was presented. It was very, very nice and I heard nothing but good things from the community and from the school district. We got to honor our veteran employees from the city of Delano, our veteran school district employees. We got to honor the county teacher of the year, our superintendent, Rosalina Rivera, and it was a great night. I think that's the first time the city has ever had a special meeting off campus. So, we took the show on the road and it was a lot of fun, So thank you to our city staff who helped put that together. Congratulations to CCHS and RFK who won some pretty big awards at a marching band competition this weekend. I hope to invite the band directors and some of their members to come and let us recognize them for their achievements this weekend. We really appreciate it. State champions. So, we got to have them here and we want to hear all about it. I want to also thank the chief and his staff for Delano Night Out. I think it's Jenny, Veronica, and Suzanne for organizing it. I think they were on the committee that put it together. We got a little unlucky with the rain, started to rain off and on and probably kept a lot of people away. But as I told the ladies that whether it be one or 100 folks that have an opportunity to meet people in your community, to meet your police department, to meet the city staff, I think it's a win. We want to be able to be out in the community and connect with our community and let them know we're there to help them and serve them. So anytime we have the opportunity to do that, I think it's always a win for the city and everyone. Also, I wanted to wish everybody a Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the holidays. Do not drink and drive. And think about maybe those that are less fortunate than you are when you're sitting down or planning your week out.
And some of my colleagues have mentioned, if you have an opportunity to volunteer somewhere around the community, please do so or give or help your neighbor out. Please take the opportunity to do that as we have this celebration this week of Thanksgiving.”
Motion to go into closed session at 6:03PM by: Solorio-Ruiz 2 nd by: Morris
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Alindajao / Solorio-Ruiz / Morris
Nays: None
Absent: Nunez/Vasquez
Abstentions: None
CLOSED SESSION
8) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a):
Claimant: Ruven Mancilla; Workers' Compensation Claim No. FR210908 9) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a):
Claimant: Sylvia Bermudez; Workers' Compensation Claim No. FR230429 Motion to go back into general session at 7:02PM by: Solorio-Ruiz 2 nd by: Morris
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Alindajao / Solorio-Ruiz / Morris
Nays: None
Absent: Nunez/Vasquez
Abstentions: None
RETURN TO GENERAL SESSION
No reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Solorio-Ruiz seconded by Morris and unanimously carried 5-0 to adjourn the meeting at 7:02p.m. _____________________________________________
Nancy Garcia, City Clerk