MINUTES
CITY OF DELANO
CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING
July 15, 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 Hensley, Finance Director Lara Rios, Chief of Police Nicholson, Human Resources Director Zamudio, Acting Community Development Director Chavez, IT Manager Enriquez, Transit Manager Alapisco, and City Engineer Dowling
PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS
Assembly Woman Jasmeet Bains presentation on AB 2357
Proclamation for Victims Week accepted by Pastor David Vivas Presentation of Life Saving Awards accepted by Delano Police Officers Recognition Award to Outsiders Boxing Club
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC
1. Saul Ayon, Mayor of McFarland – “Good evening Mayor and Council members and members of the community. My name is Saul Ayon. I'm the Mayor of the City of McFarland. I wanted to take a moment to extend my congratulations to your city staff council for the successful establishment of the new Aquatic Center and Recreation Area for Delano. This edition is a significant achievement that enhances the quality of life for the children and the residents of your community. As the one who grew up in McFarland during the nineties, I finally recall the value of the similar recreation facilities brought to our community that we currently don't have. Such initiatives are vital for enhancing the overall well-being and happiness of your residents. Once again, congratulations on this achievement. I'm also here to address recent statements regarding the quality of life in McFarland, specifically concerning misinformation about our water being contaminated. Council member Vasquez, you made some statements in June that are not accurate. It's important to clarify that the water well that was in question has been shut down since October of 2023.
After the discovery of high levels of nitrate upon discovery of the issue, we immediately took steps to establish both short, and long-term solutions to meet up water quality of our community. Our city staff, water engineers developed comprehensive plans for the short and long-term solution, which we submitted to the state for approval and were granted that funding. Once that funding was awarded, the short-term facility was installed and it was installed, which it was state-approved that met the water quality standards.
I challenge you to find any agency, big or small that executed a solution in such a short amount of time.
Like McFarland has this issue remains a high priority for us. I must highlight the proactive measures taken by our city staff, and our council during the past six months to resolve this situation. This is the first time that misinformation has been spread about McFarland, city administration and the police department In my term previously, an incident in 2020 where your prior mayor Bryan Osorio, protested against our police department about excessive force without having accurate information, you guys just explained how hard it is to be a police officer. So when you have elected official making false statements in our city, it really discredits our police officers such actions tarnish our community police department's reputation and hinder productive partnerships. So I urge you to reach out to me, the city council, or city staff whenever regarding any concerns related to McFarland. Open communication ensures that all parties are wellinformed and that decisions are made based on accurate information rather than assumptions and misinformation for their agendas. Furthermore, I extended a personal invitation to you, Council member Vasquez to visit or tour the city or our water wells. The visit will offer firsthand insight into the diligent work, of our team, and to address the water quality issues swiftly and effectively. I'll leave my information with your city clerk. Thank you for your time.”
2. Arnold Morrison, 1808 Terrace Dr. – “My wife and I have gone over to the park, the new Larry Itliong Park and each time we go over there, the park itself, they have lights, but they're always off. I know that we've mentioned this before, but we've driven by several times and the lights on the pool are there and they look awesome. Maybe because you said it was on a timer, I have a feeling maybe the circuit breaker isn't on right or something like that because the lights are there, but it's still pretty dark at night. We watched one kid minor injury over there, but I just don't want to see anybody really get hurt because they're out there at like 8:45, 9 p.m. without lights. So thank you very much for your time. ”
3. Linda Hernandez, 2005 6th Ave. – “I am the president of the Cesar Chavez High School Dugout Club, which is our baseball booster. I did submit a request for a sponsorship and it was in collaboration with our school district, but since last Thursday that has changed and the school district said that we can go ahead and just request the sponsorship on our own. I just wanted to be here to clarify that and if there was any information that you maybe need further from me or questions regarding some of the projects we have or hoping to accomplish to reach out to me more than happy to give you my contact information. But just to kind of just a little paragraph I have here. The past season was a successful one for our team as they won both the Valley championship and State championship. The first for our city and school district. We established this 5013C nonprofit in February of 2023. In this short time, we have worked with the school district coaching staff and community to address some of the supplemental needs the team may have or has had. Starting with improvements to the varsity fields, such as expanding the batting cage from one lane to two lanes and purchasing a stationary iron mic pitching machine. We currently have no batting cages or anything like that in town, so that was really important for me to get that out there for them. This has been beneficial as our field also doesn't have any lights, so it allows the drills to take place at the same time possibly like with the other levels as well, just because there's only a certain timeframe for lights. So we would like to expand our efforts to all three levels. So that requires obviously funding, also getting on the field, pitching machines, and so forth. The coach has done a lot of work himself and he wants to work on the dugouts. There's just quite a bit. And since they made this accomplishment, I mean in one year maybe there was the motivation that sparked it. So if you can help us in our endeavors to continue that, we'd really appreciate it. So even if it can't be on today's agenda, possibly if you can consider us for next month's meeting.”
4. Claribel Gutierrez – “I'm here on behalf of the Assembly Women, Dr. Bains. We have our certificates of recognition for the kiddos, and police officers as well. I know that you guys with your policies and we do understand, so we want to be accountable for you guys' time, of course, and ours. I wanted to make sure that I tell the parents that it's an honor and a privilege that you guys do put Delano on the map in a positive way. You guys not only give your time and effort emotionally and physically to these kiddos but they're looking for something positive to do. And the outside boxes provide them in conjunction with the police department in saving lives in and out of the work for because that's what you, their integrity and responsibility and all. And so that's the list that we could do. But on behalf of the assembly women, congratulations, Mateo, for always bringing it back home. And the team, you guys are superheroes. So I have certificates of recognition. I will hand it to you though, coaches, thank you for your support. Thank you, mayor.”
5. Janet Tapia – “Thank you mayor. Council, you beat me to it. I was about to stand up, but on behalf of the senator, we also just want to say congratulations to the boxing team. It was an incredible feat for the top three in the nation to be here representing the City of Delano. I always say I'm from Earlimart, so I'm not really from Delano, but I'm basically from Delano. So I'll take that credit too and be like, yeah, that's right by City too. On behalf of the senator, I just want to say congratulations. I want to say thank you also to Chief Nicholson and for all the Delano PD, for all the work that all the work that they do. They make Delano a safe place for our community where they can grow and thrive and we can have even more amazing students reach amazing feats.
On behalf of Senator, thank you all.”
CONSENT AGENDA
1) Authorization to waive the reading of any ordinance in its entirety and consenting to the reading of suco ordinances by title only.
2) Warrant Register in the amount of $3,368,388.00
3) Minutes of Regular Council Meeting of July 3, 2024
4) 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 and Awarding the Project to Bakersfield Well & Pump Co. for $93,275.00, and Associated Actions 5) Authorization for the City Manager to enter into an Agreement with the Delano Joint Union High School District (DJUHSD) for School Resource Officer Services
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) Adopt a resolution of the City Council of the City of Delano approving the project of purchasing 4 DAR Vans for Section 5311 federal funds
8) 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 Clerical error on item 3. Correct date is July 1st, 2024 instead of July 3rd, 2024 Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to approve items 1-8 on consent items; 2nd by: Nunez
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Alindajao / Morris / Nunez / Solorio – Ruiz / Vasquez Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
REGULAR AGENDA
None.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
City Manager provides a departmental report on agendas and expenditures.
COUNCIL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Council member Solorio-Ruiz – “I attended the Star Spangled Spectacular Firework show hosted by the Kiwanis and of course with the help of all the sponsors and the chambers, et cetera. It was a great event. It was a great opportunity for all of us to feel a sense of pride to be an American and to be in this country. And it's a beautiful thing, but I would like to see maybe conversations in the future, just throwing it out there. I know we've had some conversations amongst each other about a potential drone show. I know other cities have had them and they look absolutely beautiful. So just maybe starting that conversation. We also attended the Target groundbreaking as well as AMPM and Arco, the ribbon cutting. And as council member Nunez mentioned, we are definitely growing here in the city, which is a great thing. I did see some comments on social media that I kind of want to address that with all this growth, we're leaving small businesses behind and I don't think that's necessarily true. I think we can do both. I think with our own responsibility of ourselves to choose small businesses, to invest in them, to support them with any grants that we know of, I think we can definitely do both to overall make the city a better place to live in. And of course, I did hear about the comments of city staff, so that made me feel amazing. I always hear that the way to address more opportunities in your community is by how fast you can get permits to the table signed, et cetera. And if that's how we're doing it here, then we're doing a great job. And so I just appreciate it. I also want to of course remind the community and also the mayor and council about the Back to School Open House event happening this Sunday at the 11th Avenue Community Center. From 1 to 3, we collaborated with Kern County Child Services to give away about approximately 600 backpacks and free haircuts to kiddos. So it's going to be a good opportunity, and I believe we shared it on social media. If you know anyone who needs a backpack, no questions asked, I believe it's preschool to high school. We're not going to send a kid away if they need a backpack from 1 to 3 on Sunday. I also kind of want to just mention because I think we need to, with the events that have occurred in the past couple of days nationwide, I think it's important to make sure that we condone it, that we're against violence, especially political violence. We shouldn't take things personally or feel like we have to act in a sense of violence because someone doesn't believe what we believe in. I think we need to bring back a form of civility back to government, to politics. I think we're doing it all of us here. I think we need to love more. We need to respect each other more. And because we so much, I always say we have so much more in common than really what divides us. I think I needed to say that. I also want to close the meeting in honor of a young man who passed away recently. His name is Gregorio Maximiano Solano. And he was of course rooted in the community. I know Mr. Morrison was his teacher. And so my prayers and my condolences go out to his family. So I would like to end the meeting in his honor.” Council member Vasquez – “I told the committee that I will let you know when the next Cal Jobs first was going to be the meeting. It's actually going to be hosted in the City of Delano. Just found out it's going to be at BC on July 23rd at 6:00 PM and that's where they'll be giving a report in regards to possible jobs that they're looking into, what the process is, it's early in the stages, but they do want community input. So if you could attend it would be greatly appreciated.”
Councilmember Nunez – “Over the past weekend or this past week, we've had a couple of groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings. At one of the ribbon cuttings heard a lot of great news about planning upstairs and pulling permits, including our inspectors, specifically Dominic and Tony. I was told that this is the best city to come and pull permits on or get an inspection because the city jumps on it fast. And anytime they had a question all they had to do was make a phone call and they would get their questions answered, and if not, it got answered in a timely manner.
Another thing was that they couldn't believe that they could call for an inspection on a Sunday and that somebody would show up on a Sunday, no questions asked at whatever time they wanted. So congratulations to those departments and specifically Dominic and Tony for going out there and making themselves available for these projects to continue moving.”
Mayor Pro-Tem Morris – “Yeah. I also wanted to thank those who helped support the Spectacular Firework event.
It was kind of funny because we were, as Kiwanis, we were in charge of the games and stuff, but of course we divvied up and the Chamber of Commerce, of course, was in charge of all the vendors out there. And I'm thinking, okay, a few vendors. But when I drive up, there's like 50 vendors out there and there's a whole car show out there, and there are a lot of people there. I think everybody was so ready just to get out and do something fun. We did have fun, but we had a watermelon eating contest. We had a hula hoop contest, we had a pie eating contest, and we had a lot of entertainment. People came even from Bakersfield to participate in the entertainment. We are so grateful for the big success that that was. And so all of those who took part in that, and hopefully this will continue on and the years to come because I think it was so much fun for everybody to be out there together to celebrate our nation's birthday. The other thing I wanted to say, Veronica and I read the proclamation at Albert Soto's services and how appreciative the family was for the proclamation that we presented to their family. They were deeply touched by that. So thank you all of you. Albert was a great contributor to our community, a coach for so many years, and truly a great contributor to our community and city. I can't say enough about his contributions. And lastly, we just want to congratulate Sal tell his name Mr. Delano yesterday. So he'll be representing Delano and a lot of different other little functions too. And with that, I think that'd be it. That's all I have right now. Thank you.” Council member Vasquez – “I was going to thank Liz for being my support system that day. I really appreciate it.
Then staff for getting the proclamation done. I also appreciate that.” Mayor Alindajao – “I also attended with the rest of my colleagues the groundbreaking event of Target. It was a lot of fun. What was also fun was being able to communicate with some, it wasn't just Yk America there with them came a couple of potential investors from China and Taiwan. They were interested in 20 of them to be exact. They're interested in potentially investing the City in the future project, specifically, the Voice of America project. So that was pretty exciting. So I got up, I think it was either a Chinese interpreter or what language was it? Was it a Chinese interpreter? Yeah, I had a Chinese interpreter and they asked me, okay, sell the city to us. So I'm in a room like what, 60, 70 people. And so I give them my best pitch. I was in the insurance sales for a long time, so I hope I did a great job. But I know a lot of conversations came out of that about different industries. So it wasn't just the groundbreaking, which I think is super exciting for the community to have a store like Target, but also the potential of these investors and what YK America brings. It just isn't bringing that particular project, but many, many projects with it. So it was a fun day. The community came out. It was probably about what, 50-60 people out there. We were sort of in a little microwave under the tent. So when you do these groundbreaking, you throw the dirt two inches off the ground, not like up in the air. I hope it didn't give anybody valley fever or anything. Just covered us in dirt. But no, but we had fun. We had a great time. They had a luncheon at the Hyatt Place afterward and it's always a good time with David. And Justin Huang. They've been partners of ours for 20 years or more. So we had a great time.
Also the grand opening for Arco and AMPM, I think it was Mike Sater. It was pretty cool. They had pony rides too.
I've never seen that in the grand opening before. So that was cool. They had a DJ out there. Mike Sater, if you've never met him, he's the owner of Arco and AMPM. He owns many Arco’s and AMPMs throughout the state, one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. And the things that he said about our city staff were just so gracious. And I was super proud to represent the City of Delano at that moment. He just talked so highly of the relationship and about Dominic and Tony. It was almost as though they became really friends really, over the period of this project. And this is not the first time I've heard of the stellar job that our staff does all the way back to the Niagara project, which isn't that far ago. But even then we heard so many positive things about our staff and so I'm proud. Good job guys.
Way to go. Pickleball Courts are now open. I've been out there almost, well, not every night, but a lot of nights have been kind of hot. But if you never played pickleball, come out and play it. I've gone out there at 9:30, 10 p.m. The courts are full. People are playing and using them. It's a lot of fun. We plan to have an event at the end of the month.
Don't quote me on that just yet, but we're going to have a grand opening for our pickleball courts. We're trying to come up with a fundraiser for a local charity. If you challenge the mayor of pickleball, I'm pretty good. So bring it on. I think so, but not sure just yet. Anyway, they're open now. You don't have to wait for the grand opening if you've never played it. It's for all ages. You don't have to be of a certain age or a certain skill level. It's really easy to learn whenever you get a chance. Come on out there. If you want to go out there and play, you can call me. We'll go play.
But it's a really nice court. They did a great job. I want to thank Art Medina and Sumeet. Who else? Roman who had a hand in all that and did a fantastic job. So come and check it out. So before I invite a motion to adjourn tonight's meeting, I just want to have a moment of silence for Gregorio. Thank you. Our prayers go out to his family and yeah, that's tough.”
Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to adjourn at 6:37PM;
2nd by: Nunez
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Alindajao / Nunez / Morris / Solorio-Ruiz / Vasquez Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
CLOSED SESSION
No items.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Solorio-Ruiz seconded by Nunez and unanimously carried 5-0 to adjourn the meeting at 6:37 PM. _____________________________________________
Nancy Garcia, City Clerk