MINUTES
CITY OF DELANO
CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING
July 01, 2024
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
Councilmember Nunez led the flag salute.
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Mayor Joe Alindajao, Mayor Pro Tem Morris, Councilmember Nunez, Councilmember Solorio-Ruiz, Councilmember Vasquez
Council members absent: None
OFFICIALS PRESENT
City Manager Reyna, City Clerk Garcia, City Attorney Vasquez, Finance Director Lara Rios, Chief of Police Nicholson, Human Resources Director Zamudio, Acting Community Development Director Chavez, IT Manager Enriquez, Fire Chief Crist, Recreation Manager Batth-Chavez, Transit Manager Alapisco, and City Engineer Dowling
PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS
- Retirement – Rolando Monje, Transit Bus Driver, 12+ Years of Service
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC
1. Janice Cole, 1836 Terrace Pl. – “I'm a community person here in Delano for the youth group in Delano. I was just wanting some help for next time for somebody else who needed to go through what I had to go through to get the right permits for everything for vendors. When I came here to the city, I kind of got a little bit confused because I was getting a little run around to get my permit for everything I need for the fireworks show tomorrow, the health permit. Then I went and got my health permit, then they brought it back and they told me I had to get a seller's permit. Then I had to go run and get a seller's permit and I went back and I just want to let you guys would help. The next person that has to go through what I did to help us because we're not all know what the new rule's about no more. We got a lot of vendors that would like to help, but my vendor is for the community of the youth group here in Delano. It's not for me, it's for our youth groups to get help here in Delano. I know the City would like all these vendors and sellers to help the community, but my community is Delano Ag Youth Group. I was involved in junior livestock. I've been involved with a lot of events here in Delano and I retired for a little while. I'm a four H leader finishing 19 years, and we just need help whoever does this again. I'm not here to complain. I know we all have a job. We all need help and we just need a little bit help with all this permit if you guys want the community to do everything the proper way. And that's my speak for the day and I thank you for your time.”
2. David Vivas, 925 Jefferson St. – “I don't know if any of you have, well, I'm sure that you have nieces, maybe a younger sister, granddaughter, daughter, and I know you'd be horrified if you were to find out that they were shot and killed. It would horrify you. It's a nightmare that you would live with for the rest of your natural life. Well, right now we have families that have to live with that nightmare. Tomorrow's going to be July the second and four years ago in 2020 12-year-old Elena Dori and 11-year-old McKayla Sono were shot and killed near the 22nd hundred block of Olender Street here in Delano. And a heartless individual pulled up between seven and seven 30 at a birthday party where these children and family members were just in the front yard enjoying their time. And somebody thought it was a good idea to pull up while the sun was still out at that time and thought it was a good idea to shoot into a crowd of individuals. And these young girls' lives were taken. These young girls will never experience what it's like to graduate from high school. They will never experience what it's like to have a career and go on to college. They will never experience what it is to get married and have children. And right now they've got family members who live here in Delano, your constituents, our neighbors, and whoever pulled the trigger still to my knowledge, has not yet been caught. Wouldn't this outrage the heck out of each and every one of you? If this was your little sister, if this was your daughter, your granddaughter, I know that each and every one of you, all of us here, we advocate for good causes and every single one of you is to be commended for the causes that you stand for. And I'm an advocate too. And one of the advocacies I do is an advocate for victims of crime. The police department and the detectives can only do so much because they have so much information that they can go with. And as a community, I know that we could always do more. I know that our city can do more and I have some ideas that I'm going to discuss with our chief of police that may or may not work. And if they work, great, if they don't, at least I tried. But for the rest of my natural life as the good Lord permits, I'm going to continue to be an advocate for victims of crime. And I want us to remember these two young ladies. By the way, Elena's Father Omar is sitting out in the audience today. Thank you so much for your time.”
3. Steve Kinsey, 2101 5th Dr. – “I just want to remind you about the tomorrow's events, the Star Spangled spectacular events that will take place at Memorial Park along with the Chamber of Commerce. We have a family fun day. Activities start about four o'clock. They're at Memorial Park and we'll go till about 8:30, 9 o'clock. I know it's going to be a warm afternoon and evening, but come out, we have over 50 vendors. The chamber is arranged food and other type of activities. We will have bounce houses and a water slide for the kids that are free. There's going to be a watermelon eating contest, a pie eating contest, and a Hulu hoop contest. I challenge all of you to come out and be part of that. There are cash prizes for that. There's also the car show that's going to take place and you got several vehicles that are going to be out showing it at that event. Live music, some DJ music, and just a lot of fun. Hope you come out and join us and then we'll follow that evening at approximately 9:15 or so, depending on how light it is or how dark it is. And then we'll have that firework show that you helped donate towards. Thank you for that and come on out and have some fun.”
4. Fernando Bravo, 1417 Belmont St. – “I haven't been here in a while, so I just got three items that I just want to bring up here in the meeting. My first one is they're at the seniors at the parking lot. We've only have two handicap spaces that are designated for handicap and normally there's more people that are handicapped that we have a hard time walking across the street from tennis courts to the entrances. So I would like to see what you guys can do about adding a couple more spaces. And then secondly about this, I just turned in my recycling protest and reading through it. Okay, if it's a protest, it states here that its effective on September, it's going to go up to $16 and 32 cents. So what's the purpose of signing the protest if you guys already made the decision? And then again, it's going to go up again in January, 2025. So I don't know what the purpose of us signing this protest. And then my third one is pertaining to the road which runs from Glenwood to Fremont going west. It's so bumpy, it's just a small stretch, a road that you go there, boom, boom, boom, boom. And I'm surprised how city ambulance has not protested or complained because they, we will shoot that route all the way to the prisons.”
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 $3,148,690.51
3) Warrant Register in the amount of $2,483,053.58
4) Minutes of Regular Council Meeting of May 6, 2024
5) Minutes of Regular Council Meeting of May 20, 2024
6) Minutes of Regular Council Meeting of June 3, 2024
7) Minutes of Special Council Meeting of June 5, 2024
8) Minutes of Special Council Meeting of June 12, 2024
9) Minutes of Regular Council Meeting of June 17, 2024
10) Minutes of Regular Police Liaison Meeting of March 21, 2024 11) Minutes of Special Pension Committee Meeting of December 13, 2023 12) Minutes of Regular Pension Committee Meeting of February 13, 2024 13) Approve Resolution Approving Destruction of Finance Department Public Records as Listed in Exhibit “A”
14) Adopt resolution approving the new class specification for Administrative Grant Analyst and authorize the Finance Director to appropriate funds for one Full-Time Administrative Grant Analyst to the Police Department Budget
15) Purchase of 30 New TAIT TP9800 Handheld Police Radios through 661 Communications 16) Award of Contract for the “2023 Randolph & High Pavement Resurfacing and Rehabilitation Project STPL-5227(071) Re-bid” to Bowman Asphalt Inc., in the amount of $1,070,115.00 and authorize the City Manager or her designee to sign any documents needed to complete the project 17) Award of contract for the “SB-1 Project No. 6 Browning Road Pavement Resurfacing & Rehabilitation Project” to Mac General Engineering Inc., in the amount of $1,814,094.00 and authorization for the City Manager, or her designee, to sign any documents needed to complete the project 18) A Resolution Finding that a Local Emergency Has Existed Within the City, Authorizing Contracting Without the Need for Bidding Pursuant to Public Contracts Code § 22050. Awarding the Project to JM Pipeline Construction, Inc. for $350,000.00, and Associated Actions 19) Accepting Irrevocable Offers of Dedication within SR 155 Right of Way (Caltrans) and authorizing the City Manager to sign the Certificates of Acceptance and ordering the recordation of the same 20) Award of the “2024 Garces Hwy WWTP Fence Project” to C&H Fence & Patio Inc. in the amount of $49,464.32, and authorization for the City Manager or her designee to sign any documents needed to carry this project to completion
21) Award of the “2024 Cecil Storm Drain Improvement Project” to JM Pipeline Construction Inc. in the amount of $184,988.00, and authorization for the City Manager or her designee to sign any documents needed to carry this project to completion
22) Award of the “2024 Shooting Range Concrete Project” to King Lion Construction in the amount of $60,174.00, and authorization for the City Manager or her designee to sign any documents needed to carry this project to completion
23) Award of the “2024 1104 Eleventh Ave Block Wall Project” to Rios Masonry Corporation in the amount of $51,525.00, and authorization for the City Manager or her designee to sign any documents needed to carry this project to completion
24) Resolution ordering the Levy and Collection of Special Taxes for Community Facilities District No. 2021-1 within the City of Delano and to Authorize the County of Kern for Fiscal Year 2024/25 25) Approval of Purchase of One (1) New 16 ft. Toro Groundmaster 5900 T4 Final Lawnmower for $150,440.28 from Turf Star Western under Sourcewell Contract # 031121-TTC and authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute all required documents 26) Elections Official Report on “Fair Rents for Delano Initiative” Insufficiency Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to approve items 26 on consent items; 2nd by: Morris
Vote: 4-0
Ayes: Morris / Nunez / Solorio – Ruiz / Vasquez
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: Alindajao
Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to approve items 1-25 on consent items; 2nd by: Nunez
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Alindajao / Morris / Nunez / Solorio – Ruiz / Vasquez Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
27) Public Hearing and Resolution ordering the Levy and Collection of Assessments for the Landscape Maintenance Districts within the City of Delano and Authorizing the County of Kern for Fiscal Year 2024/2025
Staff Report provided by Public Works Director Dowling.
Mayor Alindajao opened public comment.
Steve Kinsey had a question as to why there hasn’t been a lot of maintenance done in his area. He also mentions how there is an ivy problem on the sidewalk and many people walk through there.
Mayor Alindajao closed public comment.
Council member Vasquez asked what is the timeline and if there are more issues from residents who do they call.
PW Director Dowling mentioned for them to call Public Works.
Motion was made by: Nunez to adopt item 27 on public hearing; 2nd by: Solorio-Ruiz
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Alindajao / Morris / Nunez / Solorio – Ruiz / Vasquez Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
28) Public hearing and resolution approving the route adjustment for the City of Delano Transit (DART) Program
Mayor Alindajao opened public comment.
No public comment.
Mayor Alindajao closed public comment.
Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to adopt item 28 on public hearing; 2nd by: Morris
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Alindajao / Morris / Nunez / Solorio – Ruiz / Vasquez Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
29) Public hearing to obtain public comments for the proposed Transit projects for 5311 for fiscal year 2024/2025
Mayor Alindajao opened public comment.
No public comment.
Mayor Alindajao closed public comment.
Council member Vasquez asks if this will be in addition or if it will be replaced.
Transit Manager Alapisco responds that three will be replacements and one will be an expansion.
No action taken.
30) Public Hearing to Consider Establishing a New Fee for Sidewalk Vending Licenses and Permits pursuant to Delano Municipal Code § 6.26.080
Staff Report provided by Finance Director Rios.
Mayor Alindajao opened public comment.
No public comment.
Mayor Alindajao closed public comment.
Council member Solorio-Ruiz was interested in knowing how staff came with the proposed amount.
Finance Director Rios shared that they compared it to surrounding cities and tried to remain cost neutral.
Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to adopt item 20 with a fee of $137 on public hearing; 2nd by: Nunez
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Alindajao / Morris / Nunez / Solorio – Ruiz / Vasquez Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
REGULAR AGENDA
31) Designate Specific Events as City Events That are Fully or Partially Funded by the City and Authorized to Use the City Seal and Logo and the Funding Amount for These Events; Determine That any Event Seeking to be Deemed a City Event Must Receive Prior Approval from the City Council; Establish a Process for the Public to Request Financial Assistance from the City for non-City Events; and Establish a Maximum Financial Assistance Level for non-City Events and an Annual Maximum Budget for Financial Assistance for these Events
Motion was made by: Vasquez to table item 31 on regular agenda 2nd by: Morris
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Alindajao / Morris / Nunez / Solorio – Ruiz / Vasquez Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
32) Approval of Ballot Measure Questions for the November 5, 2024, Election to Establish the Office of an Elected Mayor
Staff Report provided by City Attorney Vasquez.
Mayor Alindajao opens public comment.
Steve Kinsey is interested in knowing how this came about. He shares that there is no authority as Mayor other than they get to appoint to other committees.
Mayor Alindajao closes public comment.
Council member Solorio-Ruiz questions how much this will cost by being on the ballot.
City Attorney Vasquez responds that it can be approximately $20,000.
Solorio-Ruiz shares he is in favor of the public electing the Mayor.
Council member Vasquez wants to know what fund this comes from.
Finance Director Rios shares it comes from the general fund.
Vice Mayor Morris shares that she is not in favor of the public electing the Mayor.
Council member Solorio-Ruiz asks if there is going to be a specific amount that the Mayor is going to earn as a stipend that’s more than a Council member and if they are going to have different duties or privileges that a Council member does not have.
City Attorney Vasquez shares that the salary will have to be approved by the full council and the only other additional power that the Mayor has is that the Mayor appoints subject to majority council.
Mayor Alindajao shares he is in favor of the public electing the Mayor.
Motion was made by: Nunez to approve item 32 on regular agenda; 2nd by: Solorio-Ruiz
Vote: 4-1
Ayes: Alindajao / Nunez / Solorio – Ruiz / Vasquez
Nays: Morris
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to desginate himself and Mayor Alindajao to prepare the “pro” 2nd by: Nunez
Vote: 4-1
Ayes: Alindajao / Nunez / Solorio – Ruiz / Vasquez
Nays: Morris
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Recreation Manager Batth-Chavez provides a report on the grand opening of the pickleball courts and upcoming recreation programs. She also addresses the Jefferson Center being offline because the Senior Center hours were elongated, but the Senior Center will be relocated to the Ellington Center and then the Jefferson will be back online for rentals.
COUNCIL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Council member Solorio-Ruiz – “I don't think this was brought up last time, but I just want to remind the community about our new alert system. Civic Ready. It launched a while back recently, and basically you enroll in this texting system or it can also alert you, I believe by email and other forms. You enroll and you receive a notification whether it's an event or an important thing that's happening in the city. There actually, I believe was one recently for it, which was pretty cool. All you have to do is go on to our City of Delano website and it's going to tell you right there to enroll, just want to give, of course, a special thanks to the staff for their work on getting that done.
I also want to give a special thanks to Sumeet and her staff. My little sister, of course is out of school, and I decided to put her into our summer camp that we have here in the city. She was actually in two of the sessions and she spoke in high regard of your staff, of the work that you all do with our young people. And she's like, I want to go again.
And I'm like, it's over, but really thank you for all the work that you're doing with our kids. That also speaks to the idea that there we always hear about, well, let's do more for the youth. Of course I agree, but there is so much that we offer already. We have the Junior Police Academy, we have so much that we offer. So enroll your kiddos and just thank you to yourself and your team. I also wanted to, of course, Sumeet invited everyone, but I also wanted to invite everyone to the recreation back-to-school, open house from 1 to 3. On July 21st, I was able to get some donations from Kern County Child Services. They're providing, I believe 600 backpacks to our kiddos, so that's going to be great. And potentially also some free haircuts to our girls and boys, and that's going to be a fun event. That's going to be at our 11th Avenue Community Center, similar to last year. Also I have been having conversations for the past couple of months with the attorney's office about creating a youth commission here in the city of Delano. I would like for that to be a potential discussion on the next meeting if possible. Everyone have a good 4th of July. Of course, like Mr. Kinsey reminded everyone to attend our Star Spangled Spectacular event. Also inviting everyone to, I believe most of you saw on social media Target. We're going to have the groundbreaking of that soon. And so if anyone, of course would like to go, the invitation is there. It's a big deal. And of course, thank you to city staff for all the work on that. And then it's also getting really hot. Of course, as we see, it's over a hundred degrees. And so just wanted to remind folks that we do have cooling centers, and I believe when it's 105 above, it is able to be utilized.
The Jefferson Center and the 11th Avenue Community Center. And of course, our pool, which by the way, again, like I mentioned last time, I loved driving past there. It is packed. Let me tell you. It is always packed, which is also a great thing. And then other than that, I do want to send my condolences to the Soto family for the loss of Albert. So I second what Councilwoman Vasquez mentioned. Other than that, that's all on my end.” Council member Vasquez – “I wanted to ask staff and possibly give direction. Is there a checklist for vendors? I've been hearing that the process is different depending on who's throwing the actual event. Sometimes vendors need a permit, sometimes they don't. Just for consistency, if we can get something in writing on what that looks like. A checklist I think would be very helpful if we can get something sooner than later. The other thing is I wanted to let the community know I, I've been on, it's called Jobs First. It's an elected position through the state and the goal is to bring decent paying jobs. I'm part of the North Kern Committee, which is Wasco, Shafter, Delano, and McFarland.
And once we are getting meetings, we just had one in McFarland not too long ago, but it was last minute and we didn't have a council meeting. But moving forward when those meetings come about, I will be informing the community. The meetings do move though. Like I said, Wasco, McFarland, Shafter, Delano, the last one that was in McFarland. And I think it's important for our community folks to go there because at the end of the day, what that committee is going to do is use funding from the state and we're going to have bids come in so that we can start bringing in jobs. The goal is to have decent livable jobs, paying jobs. The cost right now, or what they're looking at is between $21 and $43. So that's like the minimum requirement that we're looking at, and then there'll be more rules and regulations in regards to that. The other thing I wanted to bring up and get some assistance from which staff I would talk to is we have somebody, a pillar in our community that passed away. Sorry, I'm get a little teary eyed. Albert Soto, he has been a coach, in the City of Delano, I want to say 35, 40 years. He was my coach. He was my neighbor, went to school with his kids and he just recently passed away. If we can present something to the family, he also coached football and he's also a veteran. So I used to always see 'em at either the Elks or the American Legion, and it just seemed like it was a sudden death. So if we can give something to the family, whatever staff I need to speak to create something, I can do that. I can also look at the bio. I think that's the least we can do for someone like that in our, we're losing somebody important. That's my statement. Thank you. Oh, and if we can end the meeting in his honor.”
Councilmember Nunez – “Yes, I have two items. I'm glad Sumeet is here. For the past several months, the recreation staff has been outstanding in taking the direction that the council gave them a couple of months ago regarding competitive sports and other items. All I hear is nothing but positive about the number of coaches that are signing up for it, the number of parents that are happy and excited that they're going down to the facility, and that both Ellington and 11th Avenue and everything, so many programs more have come out. So many more items that they're showing a lot more stuff coming online. They're happy and they're excited for this coming fall. So I'd like to thank Sumeet and all your staff for you guys moving a lot faster on this and than we anticipated. The second one is everybody's afraid of mosquitoes. Delano Mosquito Abatement just started a new Facebook page. If people can friend it, it's got a lot of good advice on how to deal with mosquitoes. The biggest issues we're having right now with mosquitoes in Delano. Delano has a big mosquito problem and the problem is us. We have plants in our yard that we put a little tray underneath and we add water to it, and that little tray is breeding mosquitoes right now. You would not believe it if you get bit by mosquitoes during the daytime. That is the major cause of that is your little trays with water or your plants so they can stay moist. Mosquitoes are breeding like you would not believe. Also, if you have swimming pools, make sure they're not green. Make sure you're treating them correctly. The City of Delano had about 62 swimming pools that were green at the last flyover they did, and they started dealing with those pools. That is a big problem for mosquitoes. That's all I have.” Mayor Pro-Tem Morris – “Yeah, I just wanted to add, they covered a lot of things that I was going to say, but I went out to the aquatic center, spent about an hour out there on a Saturday, and I just did my heart so good. So see all the people and the kids that were out there and our new aquatic center. It's a beautiful center and people just kept, I think they'd been full capacity since the day that they opened, right? Yeah. So as I was standing there, they had a break in between I think 12 and 1230 because I think they do maintenance on the pool or check safety issues or something like that. And of course, people were coming in, I didn't realize what was going on, how come, people, aren't in the pool? And I was a director out there saying, oh, they're going to open up at 1230. So I just got to wait around. But it was awesome to see so many kids and parents out there. My only complaint was that there wasn't enough shade out there for them. And we really do need to either put up new umbrellas or allow them to bring chairs in or something because there's not enough seating places. I had people hugging the walls where the shade was so they could get some shade somewhere, but people just kept coming in and coming in. It did my heart good to see because I had thought long and hard for that pool and so needed in our community, and so glad to see so many people and kids enjoying their summers out there. We do need to extend the hours on Saturday though right now they close at 5:00pm, and that's just way too early. So hopefully maybe we can stay open a little longer until 8:00 or something to have people enjoy that beautiful pool and extend the time. Our contract is there also for another month or so, because it's still going to be hot in September or October or whenever. So thank you, all of you out there, the people that are out there are contracted to are doing a beautiful job and so knowledgeable about what they're doing and the programs that they have out there for everyone. So do bring your kiddos out there if you have any little ones out there who can enjoy that fabulous pool we have out there. My condolences, again to Albert Soto and his family. I know what a great contributor he was to our community. So we do it. We can't get enough people from the city to do it. Let me know, and we certainly will contribute something to get something to his family just to show our appreciation for all that he's done for our community. As a representative to the California League of Cities, we have an area that the League Services and Sal, I think sits on a committee. As well as I do, I sit on a committee for community services and things that happen in communities. What happens is that we go to Sacramento to help legislate for issues that are affecting cities. We fight for or against any issues that come up that will affect cities.
This year we are focused primarily on homelessness as well as behavioral issues. So the state is pouring a lot of money into behavioral and emotional problems that people may have. So we're trying to combat that as well as homelessness. And we're fighting and lobbying for those money so that we can help those people. It's a great committee. We don't see that here as we see it locally, but I can tell you that we have many representatives who are fighting for us. They're fighting for our communities and representing our cities so that cities can thrive and good things happen to city. They let us know what monies are available for grants and monies that come up so that we can help people and to help our communities be better. I don’t know if you have any report on your committee or not at this time. That's all I wanted to add.”
Mayor Alindajao – “There is going to be an immigration clinic hosted by the California Farm Workers Foundation on July 8th, between 2:00PM and 8:00 PM So if you know anyone, friends, families, acquaintances that might benefit from immigration legal services, they're going to be having that event on July 8th. If you want more specific information, I think you have to register or make an appointment through there, I think it's a scan code, QR code, and you can go to their Instagram page or their Facebook page, and that's going to be held on July 8th. I believe it's going to be here at their offices, which is right around the corner from City Hall. So make yourself available to those services. I did attend along with the Vice Mayor, the California League of Cities chapter meeting on, what was that last Thursday? It was especially a great event for the City of Delano because we got to hear from Juan, who's the head of Garden Pathways, who is an important and strategic partner addressing violence and crime in our city.
He had some really awesome statistics to share about gun violence and violent crime in the city between 2023 and 2024. We're just as excited to have them as partners in the community. I think they're going to finally open their own office here, I think in a couple of weeks or a couple of months. So we're excited for them too, sorry. It's going to be, I think, across the street from the Greyhound bus station in those offices near the restaurant. We're excited that they're going to, it's been a slow process, I think. When did we receive the CalVIP grant? 2022 or some time around there. So it's been a work in progress, but I know they're serving and helping quite a number of families now, getting referrals from school districts and whatnot. So I'm really excited about what they're doing in our community. Also, thank you, Sumeet and Art Medina. I know he is not here today. And all our city workers who helped work on the conversion of pickleball courts. I go there every day, almost, not kidding, not every day, every other day, but the courts look great. So if you've never played pickleball, it's very addicting. It's easy to play. Anyone can learn. You don't have to be super fit or anything like that. The court is small. It's almost like playing giant ping pong. You can play as singles or doubles, and if you go to any pickleball court throughout the valley or even at the coast, you'll see a whole range of ages that play the sport. And it's the fastest-growing sport in America. I think this community is really going to, I know the fire department really going to enjoy it. They play pickleball court in their building, engine 34. So I have a couple of friends who work there, but they're really going to enjoy it. So I'm happy for them as well. I think they're going to be available to play on, I think this Wednesday. The grand opening won't happen until July 13th, I think, don't quote me on that. We'll have to double-check with Art on when they're done. I think they were putting the finishing touches on some painting and some bench seating. But if you go out there and look at 'em, they're beautiful. 4th of July, thank you Steve and the Kiwanis for putting on the show. Again, I know we had a little twists and turns in that process, but I'm glad it's happening. And everybody please try to make your way to that event. It's tomorrow, right? Starting at 4:00PM, and the firework show begins at 9:15 PM So please make your way out there. Council member Solorio-Ruiz mentioned the groundbreaking for Target. If you have time on July 12th, on Friday, I think it's 11:00 AM go out there. It's super exciting to see these major retailers and regional retailers come to Delano or create jobs paying to the tax rolls. I mean, it's exciting all round for the consumer shopping, more options, more services. So we're super excited about that. Council member Solorio-Ruiz always told you about the cooling centers because I think it's supposed to get to what, 115 this Thursday or something ridiculous. Yeah, hopefully not. But please make your, if you know someone, ask. If you don't know anyone, ask around to your friends and family. Just let them know. You never know who might need it. Maybe some folks might have their air conditioning broken or swamp cooler broken that might benefit from the Cooling Center. So please mention to your friends and family. The Aquatic Center again, the Vice Mayor said it's been, I think, sold out every day that it's open. It's so much fun to watch. My son was there today for the first time, so it's really cool. Please go there and visit the Aquatic Center. It's, it's beautiful. One more thing I did want to say about Civic Ready, Mike, if we can add to the text alert some indication that it's from the City of Delano. I saw the alert, but I didn't know it didn't say who was it from. So if we can add some blurb maybe as to each alert, City of Delano, that way we know who it's from. I mean, eventually we would find out because you file the link and it goes to the city page, but it'd be nice to sometimes just delete them if I don't know who it's from or whatnot. So if we can do that, that'd be great.” Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to go into closed session at 7:01PM; 2nd by: Nunez
Vote: 4-0
Ayes: Alindajao / Nunez / Morris / Solorio-Ruiz / Vasquez Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
CLOSED SESSION
33) LIABILITY CLAIMS Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.95 Claimant: Lionel Hernandez Claim No. FR102144 Agency claimed against: City of Delano
34) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a): Claimant: Michael Kraft; Workers’ Compensation Claim No. FR230295
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Solorio-Ruiz seconded by Nunez and unanimously carried 5-0 to adjourn the meeting at 7:11 PM. _____________________________________________
Nancy Garcia, City Clerk