MINUTES
CITY OF DELANO
CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING
May 19, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Morris 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
Jacob Ott led the flag salute.
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Liz Morris, Joe Alindajao, Bryan Osorio, Salvador Solorio-Ruiz Council members absent: Mario Nunez
OFFICIALS PRESENT
City Manager Reyna, City Clerk Chavez, City Attorney Vasquez (via teleconference), Finance Director Lara Rios, Chief of Police Nicholson, Human Resources Director Zamudio, Interim Community Development Director Dowling (via teleconference), Recreation Manager Batth-Chavez, Public Works Director Nunez, City Engineer Rodriguez, Fire Chief Crist and IT Manager Enriquez
PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS
Council Member Alindajao left the dais at 5:36pm.
Council Member Alindajao returned to the dais at 5:38pm. • Mayor Morris recognized the City of Delano’s 2025 8-9u and 10-12u Basketball Champions • Mayor Morris recognized the 70th Annual Henry Greve Speech Contest winner - Kumba Cariño Diallo
• Mayor Morris presented a Proclamation for Peace Officer Memorial Day and Police Week May 2025
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz left the dais at 6:34pm.
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC
No public comments.
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 $2,817,670.07
3) Minutes of regular Council meeting of May 5, 2025
4) Minutes of special joint Council & Successor Agency meeting of May 5, 2025 5) Minutes of regular Planning Commission meeting of March 12, 2025 6) Minutes of regular Planning Commission meeting of April 9, 2025 7) Minutes of regular Pension Committee meeting of February 11, 2025 8) Acceptance and Approval of the City of Delano Quarterly Investment Report for the period ending March 31, 2025
9) Authorization to amend contract with Data Ticket, Inc. for collection of services on accounts for code enforcement citations (Agreement No. 2025-35)
10) 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 $95,050.00, and associated actions (Resolution No. 2025-34)
11) 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 JM Pipeline Construction Inc. for $350,000.00, and associated actions actions (Resolution No. 2025-35) (Agreement No. 2025-36)
12) Approval of additional cost of $25,000 to Agreement 2020-57 with IB Consulting, LLC., for preparation of the Utility Rate Studies for Water and Sanitary Sewer and authorization for the City Manager to execute any documents needed to complete this project (Agreement No. 2025-37)
13) Award of contract for 2025 Grounds and Landscape Service Contract for maintenance districts with Perfect Care Landscape and Maintenance from Tulare, CA and authorization for the City Manager to sign the agreement (Agreement No. 2025-38)
14) Acceptance of the “2024 1002 Eleventh Ave. Re-Roof Project” and authorizing the filing of the Notice of Completion
15) Authorizing the purchase of SC3000 asphalt paving material in the amount of $349,988.40 from Jaxon Enterprises from Redding, CA, with this expense to be entered into the 2025/2026 Budget, effective July 1, 2025, and authorization for the City Manager, or her designee, to sign any change orders up to the approved amount (Agreement No. 2025-39) 16) Resolution authorizing the filing of an application for reprogramming projects for the Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) funding and committing the necessary local match and stating the assurance to complete the proposed projects (Resolution No. 2025-36) 17) Request from Delano Historical Society for authorization of use of City of Delano’s logo for Delano Historical Society’s 110th Birthday Celebration of the City of Delano Event 18) Approval and Submission of Ballot Measure Questions for the November 4, 2025 Special Municipal Election to Establish the Office of an Elected Mayor (Tabled to June 2, 2025) Motion was made by: Osorio to approved items 1-17 on consent items; 2nd by: Alindajao
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Morris/Alindajao/Osorio
Nays: None
Absent: Nunez/Solorio-Ruiz
Abstentions: None
Item No. 18 tabled by Mayor Morris.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
19) Adopt resolution declaring the condition of the property located at 320 10th Avenue to constitute a public nuisance as defined in Civil Code Section 3749 and Delano Municipal Code Sections 7.32.010 and 7.32.015, ordering the abatement of said nuisance, and authorizing the City Manager to cause the nuisance to be abated should the property owner fail to do so (Resolution No. 2025-37)
Mayor Morris opened the public hearing.
Staff report provide by Chief Nicholson.
Mayor Morris opened public comment.
No public comment.
Mayor Morris closed public comment.
City Attorney Vasquez – “Madam Mayor, as a point of information if I may, this is Joaquin Vasquez from the City Attorney's Office. Hi there. For this particular resolution, I just wanted to note that on the posted agenda, there's a placeholder for the number of days that the property owner would have to abate the nuisance. And since posting, that's been clarified to be 30 days for this item 19 resolution. And the other two items already have the 30 plugged in there. But for this particular one, I just wanted to note that as posted it was missing that number, but it's been reposted and I understand the city clerk has copies of this resolution with the updated 30 days indication available for the public or for the council as well. Thank you.”
Motion was made by: Alindajao for approval;
2nd by: Osorio
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Morris/Alindajao/Osorio
Nays: None
Absent: Nunez/Solorio-Ruiz
Abstentions: None
20) Adopt resolution declaring the condition of the property located at 603 Main Street (a.k.a. 605 Main Street) to constitute a public nuisance as defined in Civil Code Section 3749 and Delano Municipal Code Sections 7.32.010 and 7.32.015, ordering the abatement of said nuisance, and authorizing the City Manager to cause the nuisance to be abated should the property owner fail to do so (Resolution No. 2025-38)
Mayor Morris opened the public hearing.
Staff report provide by Chief of Police Nicholson.
Mayor Morris opened public comment.
Samantha Ronk – ”Hello, my name is Samantha Ronk. My address is 2237 Chaparral Drive, Delano, California 93215. I'm the owner of 603 (aka 605 Main Street). On May 5th, I had pulled, submitted to abatement, I'm sorry, the asbestos for inspection and they performed it last week and I just got the report in this morning. This Monday, the guy who's doing the job, his name King's Dynasty, his name is Jason Rivera and he's performing to demolition the property on May 24th. That's the first day they could actually give me bins for my property because the locations for two locations STRR and also McFarland. There's no bins available until that day to do demolition.”
Mayor Morris – “On what day?”
Samantha Ronk – ”They told me the 24th is the earliest they could provide me any type of bins on my property. That was the earliest they could provide me. From that point on they no refuse center could provide me any bins. So I asked you today if you could give me leniency. I'm doing it myself. I start demolition on the 24th. That's my start date because I already have the asbestos done and I already have my permit pulled from the Sea of Delano at this time.”
Mayor Morris closed public comment.
City Attorney Vasquez – “Thank you Mayor. I just wanted to add that the 30 day clock, assuming the council takes Chief Nicholson's recommendation and approves the 30 day clock starts running from when the city subsequently posts the approved resolution on site. So that's when that 30 day window will begin.
Thank you.”
Mayor Morris – “Today is what? 19th, today? Will that give her time because it'll pass that 30 day period.” City Attorney Vasquez – “That's when the 30 day clock will start.” Mayor Morris – “It'll start today?”
City Attorney Vasquez – “It'll start from when If you approve it today, if let's say hypothetically staff post tomorrow, it would be 30 days from tomorrow, May 20th for the work to be completed.” Mayor Morris – “Yeah. But she's not having the services done until the 24th, is that correct?” City Attorney Vasquez – “That is what I heard, yes.”
Mayor Morris – “Is that going to be all right?”
City Attorney Vasquez – “I mean, assuming there's enough time, I mean it's good that that's within a few days that demolition will start and there is a scenario where the city sees substantial progress and can provide if needed additional time. But I think a lot of these get to where they are for there being a failure to see any activity. But as the chief did mention, as we did hear from the speaker, there is some progress on getting things in motion. And then as the chief mentioned, this does have a safety net to where the city can step in if needed to undertake the demo and abatement. But it is definitely more cost effective if we have a cooperative property owner that takes it on themselves. It is much more, it is a less expensive scenario.” Council Member Alindajao – “Quick question, Joaquin. So are you saying that the order is told if we see that the owner is in the process of demolition.”
City Attorney Vasquez – “Not on its own, but the city manager could enter into an agreement with a property owner or perhaps it could come back to authorize additional time given if there is substantial progress in the direction towards abatement?”
Motion was made by: Alindajao for approval;
2nd by: Osorio
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Morris/Alindajao/Osorio
Nays: None
Absent: Nunez/Solorio-Ruiz
Abstentions: None
21) Adopt resolution declaring the condition of the property located at 1222 Glenwood Street to constitute a public nuisance as defined in Civil Code Section 3749 and Delano Municipal Code Sections 7.32.010 and 7.32.015, ordering the abatement of said nuisance, and authorizing the City Manager to cause the nuisance to be abated should the property owner fail to do so (Resolution No. 2025-39)
Mayor Morris opened the public hearing.
Staff report provide by Chief of Police Nicholson.
Mayor Morris opened public comment.
No public comment.
Mayor Morris closed public comment.
Mayor Morris – “This house actually has some real sentiment to me. Okay. Because this is the house that Leonard Velasco who served 20 years on this city council lived in, and his late wife who passed away last year lived in that house, which was a dear friend, but in this, because my understanding is, or something that they had reverse mortgage on it or something. So in that case, Joaquin, who is responsible for that? Or is it the title company or who?”
City Attorney Vasquez – “I mean, so if there are other lien holders, they would get it paid out pending any foreclosure on the property. So I'm not sure which one popped up on title for this, but they were notified any lien holder and given an opportunity to oppose the declaration of nuisance or the amount. But yeah, any lien holder or anyone with an interest would've received notice for the abatement.” Mayor Morris – “Okay, thank you. Okay”
Council Member Alindajao – “I didn't know that.”
Mayor Morris – “Yeah, that was where he lived for years.” Motion was made by: Morris/Alindajao/Osorio/Solorio-Ruiz for approval; 2nd by: Morris/Alindajao/Osorio/Solorio-Ruiz
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Morris/Alindajao/Osorio/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: Nunez
Abstentions: None
REGULAR AGENDA
22) Adoption of a Resolution Declaring a Fiscal Emergency in the City of Delano and Adoption of a Resolution Approving and Submitting a Ballot Measure Relating to the Extension of an Existing 1% Sales Tax at the November 4, 2025 Special Municipal Election (Tabled to June 2, 2025)
Item tabled by Mayor Morris.
23) Resolution Calling and Giving Notice of the Holding of a Special Municipal Election for the Consideration of Certain Ballot Measures to be Held on November 4, 2025, and Requesting the Kern County Board of Supervisors to Render Specified Services Relating to the Conduct of the Special Municipal Election (Tabled to June 2, 2025) Item tabled by Mayor Morris.
24) Consideration of introduction of first reading of an ordinance amending Delano Municipal Code (“DMC”) § 2.04.010 to change the City Council regular meeting time from 5:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Tabled to June 2, 2025)
Item tabled by Mayor Morris.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Recreation Manager Batth-Chavez provided an update on competitive sports. (Moved ahead to Presentations and awards)
COUNCIL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Council Member Bryan Osorio – “Just want to say I've seen our city staff and contracted businesses doing work, especially repaving the streets, so kudos to the city and our staff making that happen. No further comments from your mayor.”
Council Member Alindajao – “No other comments other than to recognize a pillar of our community. Mr.
Stu Collins, passed away recently. He was my junior high teacher growing up and I remember him vividly because he used to kick me in the shins with his boots. No, but he was such a great person. His wife Joan, they're just great people. They've been involved in the community through sports and whatnot and the city's going to miss him tremendously.”
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz – Absent (Left at 6:34pm)
Mayor Pro-Tem Nunez – Absent.
Mayor Morris - “I don't really have anything other than it's been a really busy, busy month, so I know I personally have been trying to get, to each one of the events. Sometimes there's two or three events in one day and trying to meet all of those. And Claribel knows working for Assemblywoman where you've got to be everywhere. But I know that many of you went to Mina's services the other day. We are truly going to miss her. I think of her as a ray of light when you come into permitting and how she always smiled and she always didn't know any strangers and always had something to say or struck a conversation with whatsoever. So we are going to miss her.”
Moved for Closed Session by: Alindajao at 7:08pm
2nd by: Osorio
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Morris/Alindajao/Osorio
Nays: None
Absent: Nunez/Solorio-Ruiz
Abstentions: None
The City Clerk was excused. City Manager Reyna was appointed as Acting City Clerk. City Manager, Finance Director, Human Resources Director and Attorney Johnson were present.
CLOSED SESSION
25) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a):
Claimant: Richard Stites
Workers’ Compensation Claim No. FR240342 and FR240022
No reportable action.
26) LIABILITY CLAIMS Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.95 Claimant: Sharon Daniels and Rosie Jackson
Claim No. FR102981
Agency Claimed Against: City of Delano
No reportable action.
27) CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency negotiator: City Manager, Finance Director, Attorney Che Johnson (Liebert Cassidy Whitmore) and Human Resources Director
Negotiating parties: Delano Police Officers Association No reportable action.
Moved for Open Session by: Alindajao
2nd by: Osorio
Time: 7:46 PM
Vote: 3-0
Ayes: Morris/Alindajao/Osorio
Nays: None
Absent: Nunez/Solorio-Ruiz
Abstentions: None
RETURN TO GENERAL SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Osorio seconded by Alindajao and unanimously carried 3-0 to adjourn the closed session meeting at 7:46 pm.
_____________________________________________
Ricardo G. Chavez, City Clerk