MINUTES
CITY OF DELANO
CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING
June 2, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Morris called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1015 – 11th Avenue.
INVOCATION
Pastor David Vivas offered the invocation.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Pro Tem Nunez led the flag salute.
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Liz Morris, Mario Nunez, Joe Alindajao, Bryan Osorio, Salvador Solorio-Ruiz Council members absent: None
OFFICIALS PRESENT
City Manager Reyna, City Clerk Chavez, City Attorney Hensley, 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
No Items
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC
1. Joan Smith – “Good evening. My name is Joan Smith, 1302 Round Street. I want to thank our council for always being open to our community for being good listeners. And I know your tasks aren't easy. I'm here because I've been a community volunteer for a long time and I know that several of you up on the council are very involved with food insecurity in our community through different agencies. I'm a volunteer at Cap K in Bakersfield and at Delano Lifehouse. And I know that you gave them a recommendation and award last month. So I'm curious on behalf of our Delano navigation center for our homeless community. And I know that we're in a fiscal crisis right now. I'm an instructor at CSUB, so I know that the May revise was not good and every service agency in California is facing tough decisions. When I think about food insecurity, it's not exactly quantitative. When we give out those boxes of food, we know that we're helping people.
We can't exactly measure. As a former educator, I believe that having a good healthy meal helps students do better in school, but it's not really quantitative and I don't think homeless assistance is quantitative either. I don't know if we're able to pull statistics. And I know that the homeless issue is more than just providing those showers and providing that meal or giving them clothing.
I'm sure some of you have probably also donated to flood. I started donating to flood about 20 years ago with my girls at church and we would donate when they were in a little teeny building on Norris. I know that the supervisors provided the funding originally for flood and I don't know what the agreement was with the city or if there even was an agreement, but I'm just here to ask you what was the plan for sustainability and if there wasn't one, what was our plan? I'm hopeful that the council will find a way to continue flooding the Navigation Center. I would encourage you to contract with Flood. They have a history in our county, they have a history of providing services and it's what they do. They aren't involved in many other ministries. I say ministries because they started as flood ministries, but that's what they do. That's their mission. I know there are others. I know that we have other people coming into our city now, like Garden Pathways that are providing services. But I would ask you to consider allowing Flood to continue and to look for sources of funding. I know that at least four of the board members have my phone number if you would like to talk to me. And I thank you for your time.”
2. Virginia Aguirre – “Good afternoon. My name is Virginia Aguirre. My address is 4441 North Cabrillo Way at your service. I imagine with my heart and I can elect and reelect Mr. Mario Nunez because anywhere where they're helping someone, he's right there. Not only that, all the kids in Delano and this also helps the kids go to sports and to not allow the kids to be wondering about. I think that since they come and tell you this is wrong, I also think that it's good for you guys to hear this is what you're doing right. To me, he's an excellent person. He's not rude, he's not a bad person and I support him. Thank you.” (via interpreter)
3. Irma Arredondo – “Afternoon, honorable City Council members. My name is Irma Arredondo. I live in 1926, 46, I'm sorry, 12th Avenue and here in Delano. The reason I'm here is because I have a son, his little family, they bought a house behind the Maya where is the Morris Street, and it's a park there across the street in front of his house. And he was telling me, mom, please, when you go to the city council member, let them know that we need a kind of sign here or stuff to slow down the cars. Because last week a little child was almost run over, car was run over her. And I'm afraid from my little girl when we opened the door, she just run on her skateboarding. She wants to go to the park. And I say, okay, I will mention it to them if there's some kind of safety they can be put in there, the park across the street from the park. And also I want to be grateful that you are letting us as a citizens to elect who we want for a mayor. I know all of you, each of you have your own good things. And I said good things more than bad because you are there for us and you always been there. So I would be very grateful that you leave it for us as a citizens to elect because I remember years back, the city council elects themselves between you guys and none of the citizens we were agree with it, but I really appreciate what you guys were talking about and that let me know that we're in good hands and you are finding the best for us. Okay, thank you.”
4. Fernando Bravo – “Good evening, mayor. Council, city Council named Ms. Fernando Bravo 1417 Bauman Street. And I'm here because I got two questions on the item of items 12 and 13.
And item 12 is about the Jefferson for the elementary school agreement. And I just want to clarify if that's just for the cafeteria section.”
Mayor Morris – “You want to pull that item and discuss that?” Fernando Bravo – “Yeah. Okay. Later. And then the second one is number 13, the donation. And since it's donated for us seniors, I just want to know how can we spend that money in our buildings over there for supplies or whatever.” Mayor Morris – “Okay. We'll put those two items aside and then you can come up and talk on those two items.”
Fernando Bravo – “Alright. And then a while back, and I believe October, November, I spoke to Roman Dowling who was an engineer about the road on Garces and Fremont Street. And he had mentioned to me that it will be completed by Caltran by May of this year. And the only construction I saw there were lane pipes and that road is still bumpy.
And then also I mentioned the corner of Cecil and Ellington right across the Fastrips. I think that's also Caltrans and there's a lot of bumps there. And as I recall Councilman Nunez mentioned about I guess measure I or U about you guys want to fix these roads because it's turned up our cars, which is true and it's, I'm sure he is passed through there hitting those bumps. So I mean, what's the deal? Are they going to be fixed?” Mayor Morris – “Caltrans I believe is in charge. Of those roads. And so what they need to contact Caltrans for that. Yeah.”
Fernando Bravo – “Well I guess from the impression I got from Mr. Darling was that it was in a process that he had talked to Caltran.”
City Manager Reyna – “Honorable mayor. That is in the process. But as we know, the state moves slowly. They're not city roads at this time.” Fernando Bravo – “That's a highway. That's why highway versus highway. Yeah.” Mayor Morris – “Yeah, they said but they move kind of slow. Okay. So I'm sure it's been properly referred to him by…”
Fernando Bravo – “I'm sure we got workers that can push him. I mean that's part of his job. I mean, what the heck?”
5. Carlos Herrera – “Carlos Herrera from Hope in the Valley. We're teaming up with Flood. We've been together for three months. We're grant funded, so we focus on rural areas and we try to help the homeless community. It was very moving. Hearing you guys talk about the 15% reduction to one of your most vulnerable populations, senior citizens. Our vision is to work with the police department, the city, take advantage of rural areas. There's a lot of focus right now on grant funding and we would love to work with you guys to try to bring in resources to help this homelessness issue. And we would like to just at some point hear your vision and how we can help that vision get executed. We have a website, it's hopeinthevalleyca.org. And we're very passionate. We're not here trying to make any money. Once again, we're grant funded. We were just out today with the flood team. And it is a challenge because I'm a veteran with PTSD. I served in the Persian Gulf War and I'm also part of the social services from East Los Angeles. So I know what it is to get a lunch on Saturday and not know that it was actually public service. In these trying times with the funding, I get it, emotions in many subjects get difficult, but if we don't work together, we're bound to fail. So, I hope you guys see us as an asset as and we really want to help. We're working at St. Vincent DePaul in Bakersfield. We're consistent. We're working at the Beyond C navigation and also in Bakersfield. We're out in Oildale and we're here and we're not asking for a penny.”
Mayor Morris – “What's the name of your organization or are you connected with blood ministry? They're separate.”
Carlos Herrera – “We're separate. They just allow us to tag along with them, but we are not tied whatsoever. So once again, there is a ton of opportunities because a lot of focus is in rural communities, which is what I believe you guys could qualify as. And I hope we can work together and thank you so much.”
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 $3,204,025.92
3) Minutes of regular Council meeting of May 19, 2025
4) Approval of Master Licensing Agreement with Symbium Corporation for Cloud-Based Software to provide self-serve solar building permits and Authorization for the City Manager or her designee to sign (Agreement No. 2025-40)
5) Approval for the purchase of Axon Body Worn Cameras (BWC) and Taser CEW (Conducted Electrical Weapon) Systems from Axon Enterprise in the amount of $79,131.12 and authorize the City Manager or her designee to execute any necessary documents (Agreement No. 2025-41)
6) Approval of agreement with Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group to provide plans and specifications for the “ATP-6 SRTS Sidewalk Gap and Crosswalk Improvement Project ATPL-5227(075)” (Agreement No. 2025-42)
7) Resolution adopting the 2022 Local Roads Safety Plan and commitment to a “Towards Zero Deaths” vision (Resolution No. 2025-46)
8) Report on the Status of the Local Emergency regarding the failed Sewer Line located on the 700 block of Main Street and Jefferson Street Alley Pursuant to Public Contracts Code § 22050
9) Report on the Status of the Local Emergency regarding the failed Well 31 located at Diaz Ave. and Channa Dr. Bridge Pursuant to Public Contracts Code § 22050 10) Adoption of Resolutions Initiating Annual Assessment Proceedings, Intention to Levy Assessments, and Scheduling of a Public Hearing for the Landscape Maintenance Districts within the City of Delano and to Authorize the County of Kern to Make Collection of the same (Resolution No. 2025-47) (Resolution No. 2025-48)
11) Approval of Agreement between Agile Occupational Medicine and the City of Delano to perform medical services for the City of Delano (Agreement No. 2025-43) 12) Approval of the City of Delano Authorizing a License Agreement for the use of 436 Jefferson Street (the Jefferson Center) by the Delano Union Elementary School District and authorize the Mayor to sign agreement (Agreement No. 2025-44)
13) Approval of the acceptance of a donation in the amount of $700.00 for City of Delano's Senior Center on behalf of the Wonderful Company
14) Approval of the acceptance of several donations in the amount of $1,500.00 for City of Delano Recreation on behalf of the Wonderful Company
15) Approval of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the City of Delano and the Kern County Library to provide access for summer reading and lunch programs at the 11th Avenue Community Center and authorize the City Manager or her designee to execute any necessary documents (Agreement No. 2025-45)
Motion was made by: Alindajao to approved items 1-8, 10, 11, 14, 15 on consent items; 2nd by: Nunez
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Morris/Nunez/Alindajao/Osorio /Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
Item No. 9 pulled by: Gloria Herrera
Staff Report provided by Public Works Director Nunez.
Motion was made by: Nunez to approved item 9 on consent items; 2nd by: Solorio-Ruiz
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Morris/Nunez/Alindajao/Osorio /Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
Item No. 12 pulled by: Fernando Bravo
Fernando Bravo – “Well, the question was, it says that the license agreement, what did it actually mean by the license agreement for the Jefferson Center, for the elementary school? Are they going to be leasing it out or for the contract or what?”
Staff Report provided by Recreation Manager Batth-Chavez.
Motion was made by: Nunez to approved item 12 on consent items; 2nd by: Solorio-Ruiz
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Morris/Nunez/Alindajao/Osorio /Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
Item No. 13 pulled by: Fernando Bravo
Fernando Bravo – “The question. Okay. I know there's a budget for the senior senate facility which includes all the materials in there and as of this donation, it's separate from this budget. Okay. What can we actually spend that money on from the donation from…”
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz – “Mr. Bravo? If you can come up here and say it in the mic, I think that would be more effective. But I think his question is more based on finances. How can we, can the seniors execute it and figure out details?”
Mayor Pro Tem Nunez – “Ms. Chavez, if I'm correct, we do not have a budget for senior center, correct?” Staff Report provided by Recreation Manager Batth-Chavez.
Motion was made by: Alindajao to approved item 13 on consent items; 2nd by: Nunez
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Morris/Nunez/Alindajao/Osorio /Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
16) Public Hearing to present information on the status of job vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts for the City of Delano under AB 2561
Mayor Morris opened the public hearing.
Staff report provide by Human Resources Director Zamudio.
Mayor Morris opened public comment.
No public comment.
Mayor Morris closed public comment.
Motion was made by: Nunez for approval;
2nd by: Alindajao
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Morris/Nunez/Alindajao/Osorio/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
REGULAR AGENDA
17) 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 5:15 p.m.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz – “I can provide the staff report and then if Mark, you want to provide the legal aspect of it after if that's appropriate. Okay, so I brought this item forward. I think that we always have to ask ourselves as elected officials, how are we making sure that we have an effective government, that the meetings are ran in a way that is really working smoothly. And previously for the past few council meetings, I recall that really I think the presentations and awards have taken about if not more than an hour. And while I love presentations and awards, I think they're important, but I think that we need to sometimes folks wait here because we have a grueling item that folks are very passionate about and I think that it's important to be mindful of those who are here for specific items to move the meeting appropriately and smoothly. Sometimes we have it where we have folks attend the council meeting even before five 30. The council is packed at 5:15, 5, sometimes even five. There's already folks trickling in.
And so I think it's also important if folks are here present at the council meeting and they come here in the front and they say, Hey, I have a concern about this, or I need a permit for my yard sale, or you name it, whatever it may be, we can actively say, Hey, go to the second floor and go figure it out and we'll be able to help you out. Now if we don't allow ourselves that little wiggle room, then we potentially of course just need to tell folks, Hey, we'll come back tomorrow or speak to the city manager and we'll direct you some other time. I think that, like I mentioned, we need to get to city business at hand potentially, of course, maybe even in the future, limiting presentations and awards to a few items. I also spoke to some other council members in other communities and they mentioned that instead of the players or if it's sports or you name it coming here, then we can go to their events and present something. Then I think that initially I did want this to be at 5:00 PM instead of 5:15 as what's proposed and which of course my colleagues, whatever the majority decides. But having a conversation with Mayor Morris, I thought it was appropriate to of course see the direction of the council ultimately, but to put down five 15 to give us that little wiggle room. The city of Bakersfield has their meetings actually at 3:30 and then following a meeting at 5:15 actually. And of course they have a much larger community than we do. On top of that, I did some investigative work as in communicated to our school board members and both our elementary and our high school both begin at 5:00 PM and they both serve the same population and community we do. And so I'm really trying to look at this in an objective approach. What I've also shared with the Mayor is as policy, policy can always change and if we accept it as a council to say, you know what, it's okay, 5:15, a little wiggle room and if it's not working later on, then by all means we can change it. Nothing is always set in stone. Policy is always moving at the discretion of community, at the discretion of council.
Let me think if I have any other points I wanted to make. Of course, also really, I think the biggest point that we just need to think about is really the people. How can we be more effective as leaders? Like I mentioned, this is public service and we serve the community and the people that we serve. And so that's in a way, in a sense, my report. I'm more than happy to answer any questions both from the audience as well as my colleagues and of course if Mark would like to provide any information on the legal realm and all that stuff.”
City Attorney Hensley – “Well just briefly, this is done. This is set by the municipal code as far as when the regular meeting starts. It's currently set at five 30. If the council wants to change, it requires a reduction of an ordinance and a second reading of an ordinance. Clearly just a policy question.” Mayor Morris opened public comment.
Irma Arredondo – “Excuse me Irma Arredondo again. You know what? One time I remember I came and you were giving awards to different groups and things forever. I was tired. I was, oh, we going to was going to be our turn when and it will be nice. I know you are the ones that take the decisions to have a special day for those awards, for those events. It's nice. I really like it to hear and see the children's with happy face receiving their trophies or congratulations, but it was too long, believe me. So I'm agree with what he says. Thank you.”
Mayor Morris closed public comment.
Council Member Osorio – “Thanks, Mayor. I think this is definitely a unique item and this will be my fifth year on the city council and I've been used to 5:30. I know if as originally presented, five o'clock would've been tough for me to make it out on time. And I know I cut it close multiple times, but for 5:15, if the council, if there's general public support, I could make it work. I think if the intention here is to make it a bit more accommodating to people's schedules so that they can address the actual city council agenda items, then maybe 15 minutes will help or suffice. But yeah, all to say, I'm hearing some comments around the awards and recognitions. I know that has drastically changed since my first few years on the city council, but I also appreciate that practice that we have. I think it makes it a more livelier environment, a more welcoming environment. And so if there's a way to balance both what we are gradually evolving to do, which is recognize more youth activities, more individuals, and also at the same time get to our city business, I'd be open to it.”
Council Member Alindajao – “Thank you Mayor. Everybody on the council has a different station in life.
I know two of our council members are retired. I'm not so lucky yet, but I'm a regular contract employee for the county. I work eight to five. I don't work in town, I work out of town. So it would definitely impact my schedule also depending on whether things are, my workday gets extended for trial purposes or other issues that I'm dealing with. So it certainly impact me personally. So I'm speaking from my position only.
Also, I'm not sure if 15 minutes really is a material change and the overall goal of the policy. It doesn't seem like that would make a big difference in trying to get City business done. I think the presentations and awards have long been a tradition in the staple of city council meetings and I think we should continue to have those. I think another connection that I make to this ask is that a couple of, I think it was last year, this council voted to increase the pay of council members and to really make the position of city council member more accessible. I think the time you can argue also is part of making the position more accessible because arguably there's going to be people in the future and not just in the now that are going to work regular jobs, perhaps even to 5:30 and they'll just have to make decisions about that. So that's another thought about that. Another thought that I had was oftentimes maybe I'm the only council member that's heard this kind of thing, but I know sometimes we've had special meetings at very strange hours, not strange, but just necessary times noon, one o'clock, two o'clock. And the assumption has always been what is the council trying to hide? And I think if you start to change the time, the traditional time that the city has been accustomed to, arguably you'll have a part of the community that'll say like, okay, why are they changing? I can't make the meetings more difficult for me to make the meetings. That's another concern that I have in terms changing the time. So I would be opposed to changing the time to the traditionally times that it's set already.”
Mayor Pro Tem Nunez – “So I also did my homework on this. I actually spoke with staff, I spoke with several people within our community and some of the homework I did, and again, I'm going to do like my daughter says, I'm going to use my girl math. She calls it my girl math. In the past two and a half years that I've been here, we've had one meeting to go until 10 o'clock. We've had two meetings to go to nine o'clock and 85% if not better, of our meetings have finished between six and seven, the 5:30 meetings.
What they do is those who do work the traditional eight to five, nine to five or get off of work at five o'clock, that gives you 30 minutes to get in your car and get here to the meeting and you're not rushing because I'm pretty sure as soon as one of us starts rushing to get here, it's going to be one of us council members are going to get pulled over for speeding trying to get to one of these meetings. It never fails anytime when I was in law enforcement, when somebody complained about something, speeders, the people who got caught were people who were calling it in. So I don't think 15 minutes is going to make a difference. We can look at when we do have our meetings, if we have a busy night, maybe cut some of our stuff back, but over 85% or nearly 90% of our meetings have all been done between six and seven. As long as we don't have any special meetings or any joint meetings, I still feel 5:30 is an adequate time.” Council Member Solorio-Ruiz – “Yeah, I can respond if that's appropriate. Mayor, can I respond to some of their questions? Yeah, so let's do it. So in regards to work schedules, of course I do want to be mindful of Council Member Alindajao, how in no way do I want to make it difficult for him, but at least speaking from of course myself. And when it comes to scheduling, my employer is accommodating. One of the things about being an elected official as well as we communicate to our employer that we are an elected official and that sometimes that means leaving work, coming in earlier and getting out at a certain time.
We've seen some council members be able to be released from work to attend events to attend different meetings, and it's only 15 minutes extra. I do agree. The question is important. Well, how much does it really help, in my opinion, I think it helps a ton because in my role and in my view, looking at this objectively, every minute matters for anyone, for our community. And so I think that that's an important thing to know. And like I mentioned, at least my employer, I work for a nonprofit and so the nonprofit that I work for is always accommodating for when I need to do any city business. And so hopefully, of course, I don't know, and I don't want to speak for the district attorney's office, but hopefully the district attorney's office is able to accommodate a council member simply just 10, 15 minutes of their schedule to leave earlier, like I mentioned, I think 15 minutes. I understand. I think of course, like I mentioned in the beginning, I was arguing for five quite frankly because of how long our presentations and awards have been going forward. But I decided to meet at least the Mayor in the middle, having conversations with her, meet her in the middle. And I think, yes, 15 minutes will still allow for us to get through some presentations and awards. And again, going back to ultimately always an effective government, making sure that if folks are here to direct them of where they need to go and to provide them with the well needed information. Council member Alindajao, how brought up the council pay that was increased previously and to note I mentioned the city of Bakersfield. City of Bakersfield has their meetings at 3:30 and then 5:15 and of course they serve a much larger community. Their stipend is $100 a month. Our stipend is close to a thousand. And so I'm not trying to say we should do more because we get paid more, but I think it's appropriate to say and to look at ourselves and to reflect and to say how much better can we serve our community in a more effective way. And I think that that is 15 minutes is not too much to ask for to see if we can have more effective council meetings. Again, like I mentioned, this is not a forever thing. We can try it, we can see if it works. If all counsel is missing, then hey, maybe we go back to 5:30.
If Mario comes back to us saying he has some speeding tickets. Lemme see. I overheard, of course the council member mentioned, well, what if some folks can't make it? I know Council Member Alindajao mentioned that sometimes he stays later from work. And I think that's appropriate to note. If that happens, it's okay. I think council members are always accommodating to everyone's schedule, but ultimately as well. Previously, Council Member Alindajao was the mayor? So I'm going to quote the former mayor is that previously, and I agree with what he has said continuously, which is that if you come here and you did not get your point across, you missed public comment, whatever it may be, you are always more than happy to communicate to your elected officials via telephone, via email, via text, via call. I do it, I did it this past weekend on a Sunday. I got to constituent their concerns. And I think that that's appropriate to note is that we can be called and emailed at any time, anytime of the day. Sometimes they do respond late at night, but of course we're always accessible to the community. And so when it comes to also the community, I think especially the hours being more hot, I think for them sometimes you get off of work, you just want to come straight here instead of going and showering and then coming back. And then as I've noted, parents are here, they're waiting some time for presentations and awards to even begin and the room is packed and I think 15 minutes is a little appropriate to just say, Hey, just a little wiggle room and courtesy for when we also talk about working class schedules. For example, our farm workers, our farm workers aren't getting out at five at times. Sometimes they're getting off at because they start at 5:00 AM or 6:00 AM they get off of work at four or three. It depends of course on the temperature. Sometimes they send 'em home a lot sooner. And of course other occupations as well. But again, we are always and should always be accessible to the community regardless what time our meetings start. And again, I'm advocating for 5:15 if the council does not wish to. Ultimately it is the majority and I respect it. But those are my responses and that's my point. But ultimately it's at the pleasure of the counsel. I respect it fully. I really do.”
Council Member Alindajao – “I just wanted to respond briefly. Okay. I think Council Member Solorio misunderstands the work of an attorney. It's not that the issue isn't, can I get permission from my employer? They're going to give me permission if I ask. But is the work done and should you walk away from work when it's not done? So many times I'm in trial. Sometimes we have overruns, there's issues, there's motions to write and that you don't leave that we stay until the work's done. It's not a matter of asking the employer whether I can get offered or not.”
Mayor Morris – “Thank you. Well, I would be open to 5:15. We really try it out for a bit and if it doesn't work, then we'll change it back. If we'd get a lot of complaints from our community, then it's not set in stone. So I'd say we could move it back to five 30, but I'd be willing to try 5:15.” Council Member Solorio-Ruiz – “Motion to approve.”
Council Member Osorio – “Before you make a motion. Council member Solorio, is there a window you want to have this go through trial?”
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz – “Like a sunset?”
Council Member Osorio – “A sunset, but just to see if it's being as effective as we're talking about.” Council Member Solorio-Ruiz – “It's at the pleasure of the council. I'm open to, do we have to have a timeframe or can council member bring it back at any time? At any moment?” City Attorney Hensley – “This will take, if this is introduced tonight, we'll have to come back for a second reading at the next meeting. Then 30 days after that will take effect. Although the process will always take approximately 60 days to change. The start time was your first reading, the second reading, et cetera. Okay.”
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz – “But as far as, I guess Council Member Osorio is mentioning as far as a trial run, I don't want to, again, I mentioned that, but I think what I want to get the point across is a council member can bring this item back in the near future at any time for any reason or no reason at all.”
City Attorney Hensley – “Right.”
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz – “Okay.”
Council Member Alindajao – “Well Mark the prevailing parties can bring the issue back.” City Attorney Hensley – “No, anyone can. I mean after it becomes effective, after it becomes policy, you're not, then it's not like a reconsideration issue at that point.” Council Member Alindajao – “You're positive about that?” Council Member Solorio-Ruiz – “Yes.”
Council Member Alindajao – “I never understood that historically to be an issue that the losing party on an issue and bringing the issue back before the Council for reconsideration.” City Attorney Hensley – “That rule deals with the meeting that it's occurring at. If you vote on something at this meeting and then during the meeting you change your mind, you need to be on the winning side of that vote, if you will. If you want to reconsider that. But if in the future, months from now you voted against something, we can still bring it up.”
Council Member Alindajao – “So the reconsideration period, how long is that period? I think it's set in the rules.”
City Attorney Hensley – “Well really because of the Brown Act. It's just the same me.” Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz for approval;
2nd by: Morris
Vote: 3-2
Ayes: Morris/Osorio/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: Nunez/Alindajao
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
No Items.
COUNCIL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Council Member Bryan Osorio – “Thanks Mayor. Just really quickly this morning, there was a discovery of graffiti at the 40 acres. I don't believe any active vandalism is acceptable, especially the 40 acres being a historical site for our community. Just want to say, I appreciate our police chief and DPD for their response and their ongoing investigation into this matter. As others have mentioned, happy Pride month to the LGBTQ+ community. If any are listening in, you are welcome and you are seen and to close out. If there is any report that we can provide at an upcoming council meeting on our response to homelessness, I'd be in support.
Council Member Alindajao – “Mayor. I just have one issue. My wife and I did attend the celebration of life for Mr. Collins. Mr. Collins was the staple of this community, was my seventh grade and eighth grade math teacher. And he's been actively involved in the community and youth sports for probably decades, probably over 50 years. He was a good man. His wife, they're good people. Got a great family and we're going to miss Mr. Collins.. Thank you.
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz – “Yes. Let's see. I also attended the hundred and 10th birthday celebration. Thank you to the Delano Historical Society for their work and dedication in making that happen. It was a beautiful event. I'm like, it was about a hundred degrees and these ladies were covered.
They were covered in kind of old timers back in the day. What they wore, the dresses long sleeve. I'm like, I did not envy them because it was hot. But again, kudos to them for really dedicating their time and making sure that this event is as beautiful as it was. We saw, of course, a lot of our local folks there, law enforcement and others. And I think that's what continues to make our community a great community is that it's diverse with lots of folks in it. Armed workers, doctors, police officers, you name it. I can go on and on. I also want to of course, state happy pride month to those in the community and those not in the community. Our Pride community, L-G-B-T-Q community is everywhere. Whether we see it or not, they have made an impact in our community. And of course, if appropriate, I would like to see if we can potentially do a proclamation for next meeting. And I have an organization who's going to receive it and I could talk to the city clerk about that if appropriate. I also want to see if the next agenda, if at the next meeting we could bring forward a discussion if appropriate for authorization amount. As right now the city manager is authorized to approve $35,000 on her end. Anything above that is taken to the city council. I think we are above and beyond the growth of our community. That is appropriate to say that maybe we give her a little bit more leeway in order to approve more items. Of course, I don't want to set a specific item, a specific amount at the moment, but of course if we can have that discussion as a council to dictate if we wish to do that. Lastly, without going into too much detail, I would like to address of course, our homeless issue that we're having and conversation that we're having in the community. I know as far, and I like to also of course speak for myself, but I know that I would like to speak for the body in regards to saying that we all care about this issue and we're all going to figure it out however it comes out. But ultimately it's going to be a process that's going to be objective and appropriate and it's going to hopefully be fair. I know that that's how we work. And of course if you have any specific questions, you're more than welcome to contact me, to give me a call to meet with me, whatever it may be to go over at least the idea that was brought forward. This, I would also, of course, without going into too much detail, recommend you to also go to your current county board of supervisors. I think that that is the appropriate avenue to dictate and to bring forward your energy that you have to the county. As I know they're also getting cuts, but it's important I think, to dictate that and to communicate that to your county representatives. But of course, I'm more than happy to chat after at a different time. But other than that, that is all” Mayor Pro-Tem Nunez – “Hi. Yeah. I have a few myself along with several council members this past weekend attended 110 years City anniversary. Great show put on together by the staff out at the Historical Society. Again, very, very grateful through the three Ladies out and everybody who volunteered and got involved. Great. Great job. Also like to think I missed the last city council meeting where city staff was here from the recreation and all those kids that were brought in here and recognized for outstanding job. All I've heard is nothing but positive, positive, positive regarding that recreation and that it's grown and growing and growing and they can't wait for the next event in the next sport, in the next whatever's coming up. They're just waiting. So great job can please pass it on to everybody. I know I've been in your ear and Rosa's ear quite a bit, but it is truly appreciated. Everything that's done. I was in Las Vegas a couple of weekends ago with the ICSC. Pretty much you've seen quite a bit of what's going on through social media right now with all these businesses that have signed either letters of intent or very, very interested in coming to Delano. City Manager, I spoke to her that everywhere we went, everybody wanted to know how they can come to Delano. They need franchisees in Delano. Delano is the hot market right now. They say if anybody wants to be a franchisee, please give us their name and address. We will help them get a business. We want to be in Delano, Delano's where we want to be.
Probably over 50% of some of the vendors we went to that said, yes, we'll come to Delano. Just give us somebody who wants to be a franchisee. We'll do it. We don't care. We'll do it. Fortunately, we picked up quite a few. I'll let those businesses announce. Another one that we're business that been striving for almost a year and a half to get as our steakhouse. Hopefully it opens up by Tuesday, Wednesday next week. I was down there with him earlier today and I had a steak and he's about ready to go. That's a good one. Mayor Pro Tem Nunez Oh, the New Steakhouse is going to be at 502 County Line Road at the old Tony Firehouse Pizza Place. He's ready to go. He's training staff as we speak. They were out there today.
They'll be back out there tomorrow. They'll be back out there Thursday and then over the weekend training staff up to get going for a multitude of peoples. Also for my friends, my family, and some coworkers. Happy Pride Month. Hope you enjoy the month. I know we've been giving each other some up and backs for a couple weeks, so happy pride month. And then the last one, I don't tell my wife Happy birthday. I will never regret this. So happy birthday to my wife, she'll be 27 now. That's all I have. Oh, I forgot this weekend, through our recreation use of our city soccer fields, we have 91 football teams from up and down the valley as far as North is Fresno, the north end of Fresno. All the way to Bakersfield's coming to Delano to play in a football tournament, black football tournament. So, 91 teams, every team averaging about 20 players. So we have a lot of people if you plan on coming out, don't expect to show up at a game at eight o'clock and walking at eight o'clock. You need to get to like at 6:30, 7 o'clock in the morning just to get into the gates for an eight o'clock game. It is that packed. A huge revenue to our city, It's at the Delano soccer fields off of Stradley 11255 Stradley Road. First game starts at eight. You need to be there by 6:30-7:00 to try to get in through the gates. We have four man gates. Come on out, come and look. If you're going to go, let me know. I can get you guys into the back gates.
Mayor Morris - “Yeah, thank you. Also, on that same day, we celebrated a life for Shay Hill, Councilman Hill's daughter who passed away also. And so those families are pretty prominent in our community with Stu Collins and great loss for our community. And we grateful for the community service that he gave and touched the lives of so many kids in this town. So, the other thing I just wanted to mention, kudos to Janie Cole, who is the president of the Historical Society for the 110th anniversary of our city. And it was so cool if you've never been out there now, there's a lot of historical, well, there's always been a lot of historical history in our community, but I bet you a lot of you have not ever been out there to see what they really have. And I don't know if you know, but if you've ever been to the jailhouse there, the jailhouse literally has a log you can open up. It's a big old book like that of people that are actually when they went in and when they went out there. And it's also cool because it's all written in calligraphy and people didn't even know that it's there. And so there is a lot of history there. If you've been to the Weaver House every October, they put this mannequin up the window and when the kids go there to visit for the pumpkin patches, see that woman up there in the attic and she's looking out the window, she comes out at night. So, it really gives a little spooky effect to the kids. And they're looking and they kind of move her around a little bit. But there is a lot of history, a lot of information out there.
And Janie Cole has certainly done some great work out there and decorate it nicely. And she is constantly doing fundraisers out there to support the work and to support what they want to preserve out there. And so we're grateful to the city because the city does fund for the historical society and we're grateful that they keep our history alive. So, when you get a chance, go out there and visit and support the history of Delano. And that's all I have at this time.”
Moved for Closed Session by: Nunez at 7:07pm
2nd by: Solorio-Ruiz
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Morris/Nunez/Alindajao/Osorio/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: None
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
18) LIABILITY CLAIMS Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.95 Claimant: Estate of Tomas Venegas
Claim No. 2025-12
Agency Claimed Against: City of Delano
No reportable action.
19) LIABILITY CLAIMS Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.95 Claimant: Maria Lopez
Claim No. 2025-13
Agency Claimed Against: City of Delano
No reportable action.
20) 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: Nunez at 7:37pm
2nd by: Solorio-Ruiz
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Morris/Nunez/Alindajao/Osorio/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
RETURN TO GENERAL SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Nunez seconded by Solorio-Ruiz and unanimously carried 5-0 to adjourn the closed session meeting at 7:37 pm.
_____________________________________________
Ricardo G. Chavez, City Clerk