MINUTES
CITY OF DELANO
CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING
February 3, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Nunez 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
Council Member Osorio led the flag salute.
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Mario Nunez, Bryan Osorio, Salvador Solorio-Ruiz Council members absent: Liz Morris, Joe Alindajao
OFFICIALS PRESENT
City Manager Reyna, City Clerk Chavez, City Attorney Hensley, Finance Director Lara Rios, City Engineer Dowling (via teleconference), Chief of Police Nicholson, Human Resources Director Zamudio, Interim Community Development Director Evanson, Associate Engineer Nunez, Fire Chief Crist and IT Manager Enriquez
PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS
• Proclamation for February 2025 as Safely Surrendered Baby Awareness Month Presented by Mayor Pro Tem Nunez, Accepted by Cindy Uetz, Human Services Chief Deputy Director. • National Pesticide Safety Education Month
Presented by Mayor Pro Tem Nunez, Accepted by Yesenia Acosta, Lideres Campesinas.
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC
1. Anthony Cortez – “Anthony Cortez, 282 Shelby Beach Court. Delano. Mayor Pro Tem, Council Members, I would just like to have the city consider putting a crosswalk on the corner of La Jolla Lane and Morris Boulevard. We live in the house that's right behind the Maya Theater in that area there. My wife and I do a lot of walking and there's a lot of people in the neighborhood that walk too. And there's no crosswalk in that area to go to the Maya Theater. We like to go to Juice It Up, grab a juice, we like to walk as we're getting a little bit older. I think it's good for you. So hint, hint. Anyways. And then not only that, but I believe there's some other businesses coming up in that area, food, businesses and stuff. So, we can go grab a bite to eat and then walk those calories off when we go home. So, I would like the city to consider putting a crosswalk somewhere in that area so we can get across the street without having to dodge cars and trucks.
Thank you very much. Appreciate it.”
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 $ 2,651,891.15
3) Minutes of regular Council meeting of January 6, 2025 4) Minutes of regular Council meeting of January 21, 2025 5) Minutes of special Citizen Review Committee meeting of December 12, 2023 6) Adopt a Resolution approving the revised Department Head Salary Schedule with an equity change for the Community Development Director (Resolution No. 2025-04) 7) Adopt resolution approving the new class specification for City Engineer and authorize the Finance Director to appropriate funds for one Full-time City Engineer to the City’s Budget and delete the City Engineer/Public Works Director effective March 1, 2025 (Resolution No. 2025-05)
8) Approval of license agreement for the city’s use of the exhibit building located at Kern County Memorial Park for a term of eight (8) years and authorizing the City Manager to execute all required documents (Agreement No. 2025-04)
9) Report on the Status of the Local Emergency regarding the failed Water Main located on 8th Avenue under State Route 99 from Ellington Street to Fremont Street Pursuant to Public Contracts Code § 22050
10) Resolution approving the Final Map and Subdivision Agreement for Tract 7404, Phase 1, with Leora LLC, located adjacent to and south of 11th Ave., between Melcher Rd. and Timmons Ave., and authorizing the City Manager to sign the agreement and the City Clerk to file the Final Map with the County Recorder (Resolution No. 2025-06) (Agreement No. 2025-05)
11) Resolution declaring its Intention to Establish a Community Facilities District and to authorize the Levy of Special Taxes (Resolution No. 2025-07) 12) 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 $132,145.00, and Associated Actions (Resolution No. 2025-08)
13) Approval of Agreement with QK Inc. for contract city engineering and land surveying services (Agreement No. 2025-06)
Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to approved items 1-13 on consent items; 2nd by: Osorio
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Nunez/Osorio/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: Morris/Alindajao
Abstentions: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
14) Development Agreement; Site Plan Review No. SPR-2024-007; Conditional Use Permit Application No. 2024-007, and Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); Applicant is requesting approval of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Delano approving a Development Agreement and associated land use entitlements for redevelopment of the service station and various retail uses (including a drive through/in restaurant) on the two parcels located at and near the intersection of County Line Road and High Street (Assessor Parcel Numbers: 410-020-03, 04 and 05) (Agreement No. 2025-07) Staff report provided by Interim Community Development Director Evanson.
Mayor Pro Tem Nunez opened public comment.
Max Becerra – “Good afternoon, mayor Pro Tem. Members of the city council staff and audience. Max Bacerra, principal of Pacificus IV Company representing the project developer and property owner of, at least at this time, one of the properties the city owns the other half. We are here. We've been patient. We look forward to working on this project to bring about in the year 2025, a full project both on the development of the inline commercial building as well as complete new C-store and gas station that will carry a national flag. The project developer is here and we look forward to a positive outcome. Thank you.”
Nav Brar – “Hello everyone, my name is Nav Brar. Very nice to see you all again, city council staff and everyone. Thank you. My name is Nav Brar again. I'm with the Lucky Seven Development off 2340 High Street. Just wanted to say a couple remarks. Thank you Staff City Council for getting us to this point. I believe this is going to be our eighth or ninth meeting on this project and we've had a very good dialogue on every aspect of this project and ultimately as have made it to a good result at the end. And we appreciate your support. I'm here if we need any questions on behalf of property ownership and ultimately just thank you for your support in this and we're look into break ground in the near future as we head to the finish line. Thank you”
Anthony Cortez – “Anthony Cortez, 282 Shelby Beach Court. Just a quick question on this development, that general area during the harvest time is really bottlenecked with a lot of cars coming through there.
So, is the project also include stoplights or is that city, is that up to the city to do? I mean that's something that we really need to think about for that area because it gets really, really bad when our laborers from the farm come home and it's just really, really bad. So, I'm just kind of curious, is that the city's responsibility or is that part of the project? Have you guys looked into that? Just that's all I wanted to say about that, so Okay. Thank you.”
Interim Community Development Director Evanson – “Sorry. As part of the development agreement part of this project, there will be some road improvements, striping signage done at the intersection. There is not a signal planned at this point. It did not appear in the traffic analysis that the warrants would trigger the need for that. But if it does become a problem, that's something that we can work with through the Public Works department to reassess and see if there is a need to work on having a signal installed there.
If the warrants trigger that.”
Mayor Pro Tem Nunez closed public comment.
Council Member Osorio – “I think I can go first. This is the second time I see this project. I first saw it when I was on the planning commission and I think it's just a great opportunity to develop on that side of town to the point of traffic. I believe this was also something raised, but given the number of entrances and exits, that was to mitigate traffic. Yes. I see a nod. And so I feel comfortable with moving forward with this project and just wish the developers best of luck.” Council Member Solorio-Ruiz – “Yeah, it's been a couple of meetings and glad that we're here and glad that we are finally hopefully getting the ball rolling. And I know that last couple of meetings, we've had some Q and A both from the public and council, some concerns, some questions answered, which was good. And so just thank you for investing in our city and hope we can move smoothly as possible. Thank you.”
Mayor Pro Tem Nunez – “I just have, I look forward to this project. Max. I know Max every time he gets involved in projects, it involves the city Delano or anything around Delano. It's great projects for City Delano. So, I’m all in favor.”
City Attorney Hensley – “I note this will be brought back for a second. Reading and adoption at your next council meeting because it's an ordinance.”
Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz for approval;
2nd by: Osorio
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Nunez/Osorio/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: Morris/Alindajao
Abstentions: None
REGULAR AGENDA
No Items.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
No Items.
COUNCIL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Council Member Bryan Osorio – “Yeah. Very quickly related to today's agenda, I want to thank Ms.
Reyna and Mr. Dowling for the clarification on several of the items that we just voted on today. Also over the last two weeks, Mr. Nunez and I attended a grand opening. We were invited by Sunshine with the Chamber of Commerce. And it was for, sorry, yes, I'm just trying to be accurate. I think it was. Yep. It was a grand opening of Income Taxes Zarapio y Presiso, I believe they also had another grand opening in Bakersfield within the same day or two days. Also last week, Mr. Nunez and I participated in the California League of Cities and attended trainings related to improved governance as well as two mandatory trainings that we as council members are required to partake in. And I think that'll be it for me.”
“I'll move on to Vice Mayor if I may. I also, councilor Mr. Lawyer highlighted it, but I think Ms. Re, you took note of the intersection of Morris Boulevard and La Jolla and I'd also be in favor of looking waste and how can support better pedestrian safety on that side of town. Thanks.” Council Member Alindajao – Absent.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz – “Great. So I want to, today, I believe some of us saw on social media and in the news that today was categorized by our immigrant community and those allies as ‘A day without immigrants.’ Of course some businesses closed today to stand in solidarity with our undocumented community and our immigrant community because they are the backbone of our country and the backbone of our economy. And of course, some did not, which of course is their right to do so.
But I wanted to make sure that those who did in fact close in solidarity, that I provide a shout out to them.
Tacos Humildes, La Preciosa Market, MGS Glam Beauty, Kern Bakery, El Puesto, Dona Susy’s Antojitos, Mariscos Las Islitas and Sunflower Bridal Boutique. Of course there's potentially more, but these are the ones that I am aware of. And so, I appreciate their solidarity with our immigrant community. And as we've seen, there's protests and marches happening nationwide to make sure that we are uplifting our immigrant community. And I just wanted to note that I also want to, on that topic, I wanted to also thank the efforts of the Delano Police Department. I can't see the chief, but the Delano Police Department. There was a video that went viral for Delano and it was our Delano police officers. I don't know if anyone saw it. It was our Delano police officers with farm workers interacting with them in the fields. And it was beautiful. And I think it speaks highly of our community, of our city and our police department. And the reason that I saw it was because someone outside, I think they're from Visalia, they were like, oh look, this is your city. And so I enjoyed seeing it and I enjoyed that it was going viral and it touches on the greatness of our community. And of course, thank you to Delano PD for that. I also attended the State of the County. The address was given by Chairwoman Supervisor Leticia Perez. It was a beautiful speech on how Kern County is moving forward and the growth and expansion that's being provided in our county. And so I was glad to represent the city in that front. And I did of course also want to know, Mr. Cortez did mention the potential crosswalks in those areas. And I think it's important for us to moving forward and all the time when we're looking at things that we're approving, especially the marketplace, that area that's expanding, how can we make it more equitable to walk our community, to be able to walk around those areas. Like he mentioned someone to just leave their home walk, grab a bite to eat. And I think that that's the importance of accessibility. And so I just wanted to note that. Other than that, I just wanted to thank city staff for their work and our law enforcement for their work as well in our community. But that'll be all on my end. Thank you.”
Mayor Pro-Tem Nunez – “I have a few items for staff. Several months ago we were working on a sponsorship policy and it was tabled. I'd like to see if we can get that brought back. Hopefully by the second meeting in March. We also had a fireworks ordinance that we had brought up sometime in September I believe. And it was also tabled, and we can also get it brought back up. We do have our city ordinance coming up here, I believe in the middle of March so we can get it at our next meeting to update that ordinance. And then over the past week I've met with several businesses here in Delano regarding food trucks and reviewing our City of Delano's ordinance, it contradicts itself on there. So within the next 60 days, if we can get together and clean up that ordinance, get it ready to go so if something does come down the line, we are ready and our ordinance doesn't contradict itself. And then to make sure that we can add to within the next month discussion regarding the special election. I know we're coming special election regarding the once in sales tax. It's going to expire here with the city. We can bring it back and discuss and see what our options are too, if we can move this forward.” Mayor Morris - Absent.
Motion to continue closed session item no. 15 to next council meeting by: Solorio-Ruiz 2nd by: Osorio
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Nunez/Osorio/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: Morris/Alindajao
Abstentions: None
CLOSED SESSION
15) PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION - Govt. Code Section 54957:
City Manager
Continue to February 18, 2025.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Solorio-Ruiz seconded by Osorio and unanimously carried 3-0 to adjourn the meeting at 6:04pm.
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Ricardo G. Chavez, City Clerk