MINUTES
CITY OF DELANO
CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING
September 15, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Morris called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1015 – 11th Avenue.
INVOCATION
Pastor David Vivas offered the invocation.
FLAG SALUTE
Ryan Torres led the flag salute.
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Liz Morris (left at 7:04pm), Mario Nunez, Joe Alindajao (arrived at 5:36 pm), Bryan Osorio, Salvador Solorio-Ruiz
Council members absent: None
OFFICIALS PRESENT
City Manager Reyna, City Clerk Chavez, Assistant City Attorney King, Finance Director Lara Rios, Chief of Police Nicholson, Human Resources Director Zamudio (via teleconference), Interim Community Development Director Dowling (via teleconference), Public Works Director Nunez, City Engineer Rodriguez, Transit Manager Alapisco, Recreation Manager Batth-Chavez, Fire Chief Crist and IT Manager Enriquez
PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS
• Mayor Morris presented a Proclamation declaring September 2025 as Hunger Action Month (CAPK Food Bank)
• Mayor Morris presented Proclamations for Harvest Holidays Week; Harvest Holidays Grand Marshals: Agriculture: Pandol Bros, Education: Rosalina Rivera, Community: Matthew Cauthron, Business: Wonderful Citrus; Harvest Holidays Queen & King Show Court; and Harvest Holidays Tiny Tots Show Court
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC
1. Roberto Ibarra – “Yes, good evening. My name is Roberto Do, city of Orlando resident. And I appreciate the presentations very nice. But I do have things that I need to address that you should address. And I'm taking into consideration the, I don't know if somebody, I remember council member Aguirre opposed the marijuana, marijuana stores, all that nonsense stuff. The only one that entered the stores are the youth, our youth, not people on wheelchairs and none of that stuff.
I go on my bike, I walk and I smells marijuana all over somewhere, whatever on cars passing by.
So why it was allowed back into the city, somebody put a stop, you should put a stop. I don't know why it was allowed back in. Now they say it is medical marijuana. Yeah, right. So, it was nonsense. And I have another thing is that the commuter train, you had the RT bus going to from Delano to Bakersfield, if I understand why not having the train, get with the railroad, the Pacific Railroad so you can coordinate instead of who's footing the bus that goes to Bakersfield or the gas and having the bus driver who's putting his bill. I mean we got to work or something. Plus it's commuter. Have our kids commute to Bakersfield, drive insurance car and all that stuff when they can just hop on the bus train or go to Fresno or Bakersfield. I mean, come on, we got to work something. Now the third one is the, we talked about long time ago about the airport moved to the Voice of America. Have you ever thought about it? The younger generation of council members ever. Do you ever thought about that? Do you ever, so you should consider that because I mean it's in the midst of the city. What if a airplane happens to drop by drop from the sky on the residential area? I've seen the planes that don't reach the landing air strip, so that's another one.
So I hope you really get into it. And also I like to be on my bike, huh? Is it three minutes already? Oh man. I better buy me a watch so I can, okay, I need the bike lanes from Cecil, Cecil to Randolph please. Bike lanes.”
2. Gina Martinez – “Good evening Mayor and City Council and staff. Gina Martinez, 1409 10th Avenue. I come as a community member volunteer. We're going to be having a worker rights legal clinic along with some departments that are going to be at the state of Department of industrial relations, division of Workers' Compensation, agricultural Labor Relations Board, Cal OSHA and Employment development department. This is a free clinic that's going to be taking place at Saturday, September 27th from four to eight in the evening. And it's for workplace safety, wage theft, benefits, resources, claim filing, and a little bit of everything. So I'll kind of repeat that real quick in Spanish.”
3. Anthony Cortez – “Good evening Mayor, City Council. Anthony Cortez, 282 Shell Beach Court.
A few months ago I came up and requested a crossing pedestrian intersection on La Jolla and Morris Road. I'm sure you all remember that. Well, we took a walk around the Target that's coming up and that pedestrian crossway wasn't there, but as we went around the Target area there, we came around another street there and behold, there is a crossway right there. So, when I requested that maybe I was thinking about Anthony and his needs, but you guys put that thing right in the center of La Jolla and the other street over for those two areas. So good looking out for that other neighborhood. I wasn't too much thinking about them. I was thinking more about myself. So anyways, thank you very much. I just wanted to say that and thank you. I've been up here a couple of times to request certain things when the, I think it's Dover Expressway or Parkway was closed there when they were doing all that construction for the new DMV I had come up and my concerns was traffic coming in through our neighborhood and stuff. And so that's another area that you all took care of. So I want to thank you for listening to the concerns of the citizens that come up here and taking care of those issues in a timely manner. Appreciate it.
Thank you.”
4. Malachai Ramirez – “Hello. Good afternoon. Malachi Ramirez, resident of Delano and I have a concern when we stepped in and we were being introduced, I noticed that we were given, we were seeing a prayer, which is kind of, it's a little questionable being a city council meeting and I would assume we wouldn't be involving any religious stuff, anything religious city council meeting since it is a state thing. So yeah, just a concern because if we would have to go for Christianity, we would've to involve any other religion as well. So we going to pray to the Buddha and any other religion too or how's that going to work? Just a concern. Have a good night.”
5. Monike Reynozo – “Hello, my name is Monike at Santa Barbara Circle, and I just want to echo as well, my concern is the prayer in the beginning as this is a state building and just per the constitution that's been established since the beginning of this country, it just seems like we are unlawfully not recognizing that as well as wanting to be an inclusive city. I will hope our city council members recognize that there's so many diverse people in our community that we want to make them feel included, not to just prioritize one religion over another. So I think we could definitely look into creating solutions and this is my first time hearing this, coming to a city council meeting. This wasn't like this previously. So yeah, I just hope that our city, city council members understand true meaning of empathy and understanding and can understand our law that's been established since the beginning of this country to change how we start this meeting.
Thank you.”
6. Eva Madrigal (via interpreter) – “Afternoon. My name is Eva Madrigal. I believe that some of you already know me.I wouldn't like to be here with all these problems, but in all honesty, I'm really stressed out about everything that's happening to me and I have this letter, I am really stressed out, I don't know how to solve this issue. You allow me for this letter to be read in English so you guys can understand me a little more. To the board of directors. I respectfully request that you take my situation into consideration. I have been working for the community of Delano for 24 years and in recent months I have faced several setbacks as doors have been closed to me that prevent me from working, I have received fines, but I ask myself how can I pay them if I'm not allowed to work? My situation does not allow me to receive government assistance. On the contrary, I have worked honestly for all these years to support my family. I understand that these are the rules and regulations, but there are also circumstances that make it difficult for us to comply with everything that is required. I don't have $20,000 to buy a food card. I live from day to day and I can barely cover my utility bills. At this moment. I am even having trouble gathering the money for my rent because I have not been able to work. I am worried and afraid of becoming homeless. It would be very difficult and unfair because I have the ability and willingness to work.
I do not understand how there are people who do not work and do nothing and nothing is done about it. While I wake up early and work hard, I'm being prevented from doing so. Thankfully I still have customers who place orders for me to deliver. Those blessings are what have kept me going. Otherwise I don't know where I would be today. It pains me to see people sleeping on the street and now I fear being in the same position. I'm not asking for your money. I'm only asking for you to allow me to work. I am a single woman who dedicates part of her time to her church. I attend the mission of Jesus. You may ask my pastor or anyone who knows me, I am a hardworking and service oriented woman. Please help me find a solution as this situation is causing me significant stress and I need to continue working. God willing, you can have compassion and offer me your support. Sincerely, Eva, Madrigal. And I have so many tickets right here and how would I fix this? I hope you guys can help me out. I haven't been able to sleep because I'm so stressed out. This is a lot of money.”
7. Fernando Bravo – “Good evening, Mayor. Council City Council. Name is Fernando Bravo. And my concern again today has to deal with the last council meeting about the potluck and we would like to request in writing from the council about allowing a waiver for us to eat in the facility. So we've got no answers. The last meeting to this waiver situation. Secondly, is since you guys limit us to one Tuesday of bingo per month, we at the facility, we have our own bingo machine where we would like to continue to play on Tuesdays because according to Mrs. Chavez, you guys are low in staff. And these Tuesdays that we would be calling bingo, I would call the bingo. You guys don't need a staff member. So, I would like to start that next Tuesday, if possible. And then also on the budgets. You guys brought this up on the screen here and I didn't get a chance to look at it.
Wow. But I got a copy or it has the seniors with a budget of $2,950 and the expenses are $80,950.
I guess this was done by Microsoft Excel, and according to this budget here, budget runs from July 1st through June the 30th. And according to this here, the $80,000. So, we're in the red for two months already. So, July and August, how does this happen? And according to this summary here, the budget amount is $95,000, not 196. So, what do we spend that much money in two months. Have you guys questioned that with the city? No thank you.”
8. Yolanda Vega – “Hi, good evening. Name is Yolanda Vega. My address is 1803 Terrace Place.
And I kind of wanted to piggyback on something Mr. Bravo mentioned here. I was able to listen to the last meeting and in the last meeting it was indicated that the seniors are no longer allowed to do potlucks because of a liability. Now does that liability, is that across the board? Because the city's responsible for their employees and the employees continuously have potlucks here. So is that something that will also be looked at for the employee staff as well? Because we don't know what people's living conditions are. We don't know the food that they're bringing. Are they bringing store-bought products or are they making food at home? I hope that that's also being taken into consideration as well because I think that the seniors continuously are coming here addressing their concerns and it seems as though they're going unheard. So, I hope that that is something that the council is considering as well across the board because the employees are also a liability to the city staff.”
9. Pastor David Vivas – “Good evening council members, pastor David Vivas here in Delano. I'd like to just ask, first of all, I'd like to just thank the two department heads, Sumeet Chavez and also Rosa Rios. I had questions for the different departments and they answered quite promptly the questions that I had. And so I appreciate the well-thought responses that they had given. I had like to also just ask about the senior citizens in regards to the potlucks. I'm hearing that they're having to move it outdoors at Jefferson Park. As far as I know, Jefferson Park is also part of the city property. So whether they're eating indoors or outdoors, they're still on city property. And so would it be a liability if something happens? God forbid if they're walking, they trip and fall during one of their gatherings. I think Mr. Bravo might have an idea there in signing a waiver. I know that when citizens go on a ride along with the police department, they also sign a waiver of liability. Should again, something happened. The city is not liable for any injuries that is caused on a citizen who chooses to go on a ride along. So I believe that that's something that should be taken into consideration. We should afford all of the privileges and activities that the city can possibly permit the senior citizens to have because some of these senior citizens live alone. They live by themselves, and this is the only type of interactions that they get at times. And three hours a day is not a whole lot of time to interact, but it's very important to them. And so that's something that we should give consideration to our seniors, their lifelong residents. Here in Delano, they've chosen to live here in Delano. Some of their children have moved away from Delano, but they choose to stay here. And so I would kindly ask that the city would give the highest consideration for our seniors because they have worked here, they've invested here, and they continue to stay here. Let's maybe look into ways in which the city is not liable for any type of injuries. If they have a potluck, things happen. I've eaten at restaurants here in Delano. There's one restaurant I just don't like going to because I found dried food on a fork, lipstick on their glass. And so I don't go back to that restaurant and it's a popular restaurant here in town, but we live in an imperfect world. Only in a perfect world, none of those things would happen. And so anyway, I'm just asking the city for that consideration. Thank you.”
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 $3,579,851.71
3) Minutes of regular Council meeting of September 2, 2025 4) Minutes of regular Planning Commission meeting of August 13, 2025 5) Authorization to Purchase Three-Year Subscription to Thomson Reuters CLEAR – A Law Enforcement Investigative Database under the Kern County Fentanyl Misuse and Overdose Prevention Task Force Fund and authorize the City Manager or her designee to execute any necessary documents (Agreement No. 2025-73)
6) Approve and authorize phase 2 implementation of OpenGov Platform to include, accounts receivable, cash receipts and utility billing (Agreement No. 2025-74) 7) Approval of Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Company for Preliminary Engineering Services for the County Line Road and High Street Traffic Control Signal project for $60,000.00 and authorize the City Manager or her designee to sign any documents needed to complete the project (Agreement No. 2025-75)
8) Approval of professional services agreement with 4 Creeks Inc. to provide engineering design services in the amount of $160,000.00 for the FY 2025-2026 SB-1 Project No. 9 Local Streets and Roads Pavement Resurfacing, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Project for various streets in Delano and Authorization for the City Manager, or her designee, to execute the agreement and any other documents needed to complete this work (Agreement No. 2025- 76)
9) Approval of payment of Southern California Edison invoice for $291,000.00 for undergrounding and relocating the overhead power lines associated with the County Line Road and Randolph Street Traffic Control Signal project and authorize the City Manager or her designee to sign any documents needed to complete this work (Agreement No. 2025-77) 10) Approve and Authorize the Amendment to the Electric Vehicle Ready Agreement with Kern COG and authorize City Manager to execute necessary documents (Agreement No. 2025-78) 11) Approval of First Addendum to Lease Agreement 2012-119 for Municipal Farm Property with B&D Morris Farms and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the same (Agreement No. 2025-79)
12) Approval of a 20-year lease extension agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the continued use of approximately six (6) linear feet of wall space at the Delano Municipal Airport from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2045, under the same terms and conditions, with no monetary consideration, and authorization for the City Manager or her designee to execute the agreement (Agreement No. 2025-80) 13) Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Caltrans Art Maintenance Agreement related to the Transportation Art Project “ARTWORK” located within the State Right of Way on State Route 99, Post Miles 55.52 to 55.65, Ellington St. and Fremont St. just north of Garces Highway, as depicted in Exhibit A (attached) (Agreement No. 2025-81) 14) Approval of purchase of water main materials and associated infrastructure materials for the Housing Authority Tract Watermain Replacement Project located from Graces Highway to 3rd Avenue and in between Dover St. to Dover Pl. and an Authorize staff to proceed with procurement and installation as part of the City's ongoing water system upgrades (Resolution No. 2025-71) (Agreement No. 2025-82)
15) Resolution Awarding a Contract Lease Servicing Center, Inc. dba NCL Government Capital for the Lease Purchase of One (1) New/Unused PB Loader Dump Body, 15 Ft 12-14 Yard with 2026 Freightliner M2 106 Chassis (58,000 lbs. GVWR) from National Auto Fleet Group, authorizing the expenditure of funds in the amount of $237,387.28 over a term of six (6) years, with annual payments of $48,108.20 and authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute all required documents (Resolution No. 2025-71) (Agreement No. 2025-83a) (Agreement No. 2025-83b)
16) Government Capital for the Lease Purchase of One (1) New/Unused 2026 Ford Super Duty F-450 DRW (F4GA) XLT 2WD Reg Cab 169" WB 84" CA, Roadline Products Inc. installed TPMT Stencil Truck (PDI/Delivery: Included) from National Auto Fleet Group, authorizing the expenditure of funds in the amount of $183, 629.02 over a term of six (6) years, with annual payments of $37,260.76 and authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute all required documents (Resolution No. 2025-72) (Agreement No. 2025-84a) (Agreement No. 2025-84b)
17) Resolution Awarding a Contract to Lease Servicing Center, Inc. dba NCL Government Capital for the Lease Purchase of One (1) New/Unused PB Loader Model BC-5 Asphalt Patcher with 2026 Freightliner M2 106 Chassis, 33,000 GVWR from PB Loader, authorizing the expenditure of funds in the amount of $316,443.58 over a term of six (6) years, with annual payments of $64,129.52 and authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute all required documents (Resolution No. 2025-73) (Agreement No. 2025-85a) (Agreement No. 2025-85b)
18) Ratification of Emergency Repair Work on Well 39 by Bakersfield Well & Pump Co. in the amount of $55,366.00 and authorize the City Manager, or her designee, to sign any documents needed to carry this out (Agreement No. 2025-86) 19) Award of Contract to American Fabrication for Restroom Roof Enclosure at Kalibo Park in the amount of $42,434.00 (Agreement No. 2025-87)
20) Award of Contract to C&H Fencing for Ballfield Backstop Removal and Installation, Dugouts, and Shade Structures at Cesar Chavez Park in the amount of $80,050.00 (Agreement No. 2025-88)
21) Approval to utilize funds not to exceed $6,000 for various expenses in hosting the Sister City Delegation of Tangancícuaro, Michoacán, Mexico
Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to approved items 1–4, 6, 8–11, 13–22 on consent items; 2nd by: Nunez
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Morris/Nunez/Alindajao/Osorio/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
Item No. 5 pulled by: Roberto Ibarra
Reason for pulling item: “Hello, Roberto Ibarra. Just a follow up on what I just said before, on the Fentanyl, I mean, usage is drug. It's a drug. People, once they get their hands on it, I've seen kids, older people, especially on the stores, all these stores, and they don't go far enough. They don't wander off too much from the dumpster. They looking into it. I try to get, and we just recently had one lady on fast trip, died of an overdose. And my question is, are you going to have control over it? That's my concern for the youth of Delano. So I guess this you can answer, right? Yes.” Staff report provided by City Manager Reyna – “Yes. Honorable Mayor. This item is not necessarily for the enforcement. It's utilizing fentanyl funds and requesting counsel approve a purchase of a subscription for law enforcement database.”
Mayor Morris – “So it's just for subscription, Mr. Ibarra? Yeah, but it still wants to inform the PD of what's going on with Fentanyl.”
Roberto Ibarra – “I just wish that you have really good control over it because people really wants to keep their hands on it.”
Mayor Pro Tem Nunez – “We're not buying drugs, we're just buying a program. We're buying a program, not drugs.”
Roberto Ibarra – “Yeah. People want to get a shortcut. Thank you.” Mayor Morris – “Does that answer your question?”
Roberto Ibarra – “Yes.”
Motion was made by: Nunez to approved item 5 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. 7 pulled by: Roberto Ibarra
Reason for pulling item: “Again, it's the same as I was addressing the council on the public comment. Is the, I mean, are we going to have any usage of the railroad track that crosses the City of Delano? Is there any thinking, you putting a station so we can commute from here to Fresno, Tulare or Bakersfield?” Mayor Morris – “Yeah. Well, this isn't about that.”
Roberto Ibarra – “It's still the same. Still the same. No.” Mayor Morris – “No. It isn't. It says on here.”
Staff report provided by City Manager Reyna – “The item does not pertain. You are correct. However, in discussions that the city has had with the railroad, there is no intention on their part to ever put a stop here.
Yes. The train just doesn't, it's not going to, we just don't have the population. It just sees Bakersfield as its next stop. I mean, it does stop, I think, in Wasco, but they don't even have really a station there either. They have a bench. So as of this point, there isn't those plans. Not to say that someday there couldn't be, but again, we deal with the railroad as indicated in the item. We do have discussions with them and at this point they just don't have that on their sites.:
Roberto Ibarra – “Have you ever discussed to them asked them by any chance they're willing to.” City Manager Reyna – “The city was purchasing property and we were looking at railroad property. We did approach that issue with them and that's how I know at that point they were just like, no.” Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to approved item 7 on consent items; 2nd by: Nunez
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Morris/Nunez/Alindajao/Osorio /Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
Item No. 12 pulled by: Roberto Ibarra
Reason for pulling item: “Again, I guess he's like a recording session as moving the airport to the Voice of America. I was years ago back, I brought it up but I stopped coming in. But I'm back in the circle again and I addressed the same thing. It's by any chance.”
Staff report provided by City Manager Reyna – “Honorable mayor Mr. Ibarra is absolutely correct And the city did explore that quite extensively to the point where a city staff and council member flew to Washington DC through the assistance of I believe Ms. Julie Chavez, she was able to get us a meeting with the director of the FAA. And at that time sir, there was no wanting or indication of moving airports. It's very difficult for them to move an airport. And so the city eventually, as council is aware, we've made other plans for the VOA. Although we do hope to slightly relocate the airport to the east. We do not have plans any longer. It was explored, we did hire a consultant. There was a design, we took it, we advocated it to Washington. But the FAA was strongly opposed to relocating the airport out there. But again, there are hopes that we can slightly relocate it to the east in its current location. And the VOA also has additional plans for that development.”
Roberto Ibarra – “I guess once we have started having accidents. More excellence.” Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to approved item 12 on consent items; 2nd by: Nunez
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Morris/Nunez/Alindajao/Osorio /Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
Item No. 21 pulled by: Roberto Ibarra
Reason for pulling item: “I'm just curious, I'm just curious about this delegation that it's coming to Delano.
I'd like to see the date when they're coming or what they're bringing up.” Staff report provided by City Manager Reyna.
Roberto Ibarra – “Is there any date they coming in?”
City Manager Reyna – “Yes sir. They are coming September 24th and 25th. The city does have plans to provide the delegation from Mexico to tour a couple of our city wells, our wastewater treatment plant. They want to come, they want to see Niagara, the bottling company. They're going to come and tour the pd. They just want to see how the city is operating. Things that they can learn, things that they can emulate in their own community.”
Motion was made by: Solorio-Ruiz to approved item 5 on consent items; 2nd by: Nunez
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Morris/Nunez/Alindajao/Osorio /Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
PUBLIC HEARING
22) Resolution of Initiation of Annexation and Pre-Zoning Ordinance related to Pre-Zoning Application No. 25-0001: A request to (i) pre-zone an approximately one acre parcel (APN 521-040-37) from the Kern County Highway Commercial (CH) zoning district to the City of Delano Industrial (I) zoning district, and (ii) pre-zone an approximately eight-acre parcel (APN 521-120-09) from the Kern County Exclusive Agriculture (A) zoning district to the City of Delano Industrial (I) zoning district. Staff has determined the project to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to Section 15183 of the CEQA Guidelines (Projects Consistent with a Community Plan, General Plan, or Zoning) (Resolution No. 2025-74) (Agreement No. 2025-89)
Mayor Morris opened the public hearing.
Staff report provide by Interim Community Development Director Dowling.
Mayor Morris opened public comment.
No public comment.
Mayor Morris closed public comment.
Council Member Osorio – “Thanks Mayor. Mr. Dowling, good to hear from you as well. I just have two quick questions. The first being just a learning lesson for me in the future, given that this EIR was certified in January, 2000, is there an expiration for when it's no longer viable or is that something that's consistent?”
Interim Community Development Director Dowling – “I'm told that it isn't, but I guess we would have to check with our city attorney as to the common sense of it. But I know that this is the VEIR that backs up our current general plan that is currently being updated. But perhaps Mr. King would have more to add to that.”
Assistant City Attorney King – “Honorable mayor members of the city council. Yeah, there's no expiration on the EIR that was certified until the general plan has changed and then we'll have another EIR for that. But as of now, yeah, it hasn't expired because it's from 2000.” Assistant City Attorney King – “Honorable Mayor and members of the council, because this is an ordinance, I'll go ahead and read the title into the record before you make your motion, before you vote.
What's before the city council is the ordinance number 2025 and then the number will be filled in an ordinance of the city council of the city of Delano, approving the prezoning of an approximately one acre parcel, A PN 521-040-37 From the Kern County Highway commercial CH zoning district to the city of Delano industrial zoning district. And number two, the prezoning of an approximately eight acre parcel.
APN 521-120-09 From the Kern County exclusive agriculture zoning district to the city of Delano industrial zoning district. And finding the same to be exempt from review under CQA pursuant to section 15183 of the C QA guidelines. So that ordinance is now before the city council. Thank you.” Motion was made by: Alindajao for approval;
2nd by: Solorio-Ruiz
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Morris/Nunez/Alindajao/Osorio/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
REGULAR AGENDA
No items.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
No items.
COUNCIL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Council Member Bryan Osorio – “No problem at all. So thank you Mayor. Just yes. Want to echo my gratitude to Ms. Reyna? To Ms. Batth-Chavez and to Chief Nicholson for their openness to have this frank discussion on Wednesday. And this comes as a result of a number of incidents most recently where there was misinformation about our local law enforcement's collaboration with the federal agency. And so I just hope that we use Wednesday as an opportunity to clarify our local law enforcement's enforcement of SB 54 and its limitations. That said, again, just want to thank everyone who has commented and shared with us their concerns. I think I do want to follow up on a question if we're going to have another discussions regarding the senior center or senior services that we provide around this issue of liability. Because now I'm curious as well as to whether if seniors are eating still on city property, if that's still a liability. And so if there can be clarification on that at a future meeting, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks Mayor.”
Council Member Alindajao – “I don't have anything other than just address a few matters that the public brought up in terms of prayer and the food for seniors. I want to address the issue with prayer first. I know we can't have a back and forth and litigate this issue now, but there's the Supreme Court of the United States addressed this very issue in the case of town of Greece, New York versus Galloway in 2014 found that prayer opening prayers at board meetings or municipal board meetings was not constitutional. If you'd like to read the case, it's 572 US 565. It was decided in 2014. So, for your reference, you can look up that case as far as the seniors’ food. Ms. Vega brought up, I think a logical point. If the seniors can't have food and there's issues of liability or whatnot, why doesn't that apply to employees? I think the difference here is that there's specific law that governs meals to seniors. And so, I think that implicates the seniors in a way that doesn't affect employees. And my understanding that's the issue. I believe there is a prohibition against or against food that's brought outside of the senior center process. I believe the school district is servicing the seniors at this time. But I think that's the difference why it wouldn't apply here. But I'd love to have a discussion in private with anyone who has any questions or whatnot and maybe it might be an issue for a future student council. Thank you.”
Council Member Solorio-Ruiz – “I don't have a lot. I just want to invite the public to a town hall that's happening this Wednesday, September 17th from five to six 30 at the Jefferson Center. 4 3 6 Jefferson Street. We're going to have a conversation about the role that our law enforcement plays when dealing with immigration issues. And I want to also give some recognition and some gratitude to the chief as well as the city manager for meeting with myself and council member Osorio on this topic and this issue. And I think it's something that I think is of to a lot of people in the community and I hope to see everyone there if we wish to do so. Thank you. But that's all.”
Mayor Pro-Tem Nunez – None
Mayor Morris - “Did I catch everybody okay? Did I catch you? Okay? We're good. Again, I just wanted to invite everyone to come out to the show on Saturday. Ms. Martinez's son is running. So we've seen Ryan, we have a great group of kids. I am so proud of the work they put out. And as I gather information and get to know them better, it's amazing what amazing kids are going to be up there presenting and putting themselves. It takes a lot of courage, don't get me wrong, because anytime you stand up and do something in front of a lot of people, it's scary. But what a confidence builder for all of these kids. And I truly have seen a great big difference in the time they started to the time that we are at this point. And so that's what those programs are really all about, is to teach these kids confidence and to prepare them for what's out there for the interview part and facing people and getting in front of people. And so we're so proud of them.
So come out and support them if you can. And I think you'll find that it's a great show. The kids are going to put on a great show. And so do come out at 6:30 on Saturday at Delano High School. And other than that, guys, I'm sorry I'm not going to be there for your meeting on Wednesday, but like I said, I run practice every single night this week at the auditorium to get those kids prepared. So, thank you everyone. And so we have no other things happening in our agenda here.”
Moved for Closed Session by: Nunez at 7:02pm
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, Human Resources Director and Assistant City Attorney were present.
Mayor Morris left at 7:04pm.
CLOSED SESSION
23) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a):
Claimant: Richard Stites
Workers’ Compensation Claim No. FR240022, FR240659, FR230568, FR240342 No Reportable Action.
Moved for Open Session by: Nunez at 7:07pm
2nd by: Solorio-Ruiz
Vote: 4-0
Ayes: Nunez/Alindajao/Osorio/Solorio-Ruiz
Nays: None
Absent: Morris
Abstentions: None
RETURN TO GENERAL SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Nunez seconded by Solorio-Ruiz and unanimously carried 4-0 to adjourn the closed session meeting at 7:07 pm.
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Ricardo G. Chavez, City Clerk