MINUTES
CITY OF DELANO
CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING
July 20, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Solorio-Ruiz 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
Mayor Solorio-Ruiz led the flag salute.
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Salvador Solorio-Ruiz, Mario Nunez Joe Alindajao, Liz Morris, Bryan Osorio(arrived at 5:17pm)
Council members absent: None
OFFICIALS PRESENT
City Manager Reyna, City Clerk Chavez, City Attorney Hensley, Police Chief Nicholson, Human Resources Director Zamudio, Public Works Director Nunez, City Engineer Rodriguez, Fire Chief Crist and Commander Nino
PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS
• Mayor Solorio-Ruiz presented the proclamation recognizing GRID Alternatives Central Valley.
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC
1. Amelia Gonzalez – “Good afternoon board members. My name is Amelia Gonzalez, 1804 Terrace Drive, Delano. I'm here today because I own several properties here in Delano and I don't pay the utilities for them. I only charge them rent. They pay all the utilities, which is the water with the City of Delano. This is the second time it has happened to me. The first time I had a tenant that left and left me with the $1,900 water bill, which I paid. This other tenant that a month ago, another tenant left me. Their bill for the City of Delano for water is $4,732.26. It's in their name. They put the bill in their name when they come to you, but never was I notified. Never did I get a letter. I'm stuck with this $4,700 bill. Then I come across the hall here to the cashiers over there and they're not able to give me any information because the bill is not in my name. But I saw their bill. It's $4,732.26. They said, "Oh, don't worry about it. The tenant that left you now is making payment arrangements. $20 a month on $4,700.” It's going to take them 20 years plus to pay that. " She said, "But we're not worried about it because we end up getting our money at the end of the day because we'll put a lien on your house." So, I really, really hope that you guys can look into this ordinance. I called Shafter. I called Wasco, I called Tulare, even Earlimart Public Utility District. It does not follow the landlord. It follows the tenant, which is the name on that bill. And here I'm going to be stuck with $4,700 because they're not going to pay me. They're not going to pay you and I don't want a lien on my house. And I have quite a bit of properties here in Delano. And is this what's going to be happening every day? Well, first of all, how did it get to $4,700? When was it going to get turned off? Tulare, Wasco, Shafter, Earlimart, they turn your water off after 90 days. She said, oh, it's because COVID. COVID was six years ago. So, we don't turn off water at all. Even if you owe $4,700, paying $20 a month, we don't turn your service off. I just hope that you guys can look into it and see what we can do because it's not fair to the homeowners that that bill follows the homeowners. It should follow the tenant like every other city around us. I called every city around us, even Earlimart. It doesn't follow the landlord, it follows the tenant. So I guess for now I'm stuck with another $4,700 to you. So, I hope you guys can look into that ordinance.”
2. Pastor David Vivas - “Good evening, council members, Pastor David Vivas. Just wanted to report that this month, the 2nd of July marked six years since the shooting death of 11-year-old Makeliah Osorno and 12-year-old Elayna Dorig. Elayna and Makeliah, that's someone's daughter. Might not be anyone related to us here tonight, but I'm sure if it was related to us, we would be horrified just like these families are horrified. Those two young girls did not deserve for their lives to be taken. And yet to this day, the case is unresolved. And I don't blame Delano Police Department. I blame the person that drove away the car. I blame the people that knows about who was involved in this case, the coward that got out there and shot into that crowd. At the time, Vice Mayor Nunez was sergeant at Delano Police Department. And I'm sure that those images are vivid in his mind and that's just an image that most likely doesn't go away. And I know he was out there that evening and the other officers that were there, and I'm sure they were just horrific. And this is just something that is unacceptable. I am thankful that the 14th of this month marked three years since there has been a gang related shooting here in the City of Delano. Now, I stay in contact with many people, various groups that do these religious outreaches. And some of them have this odd imagination that there is so much violence continuing here in our city. And now we got to bring a famous preacher in here to save the city. It's the good people that we have in this room and other stakeholders that keep this city where it is right now. We don't need an outsider coming in here pretending that he's going to come and solve all the problems of the world. We've had other groups come in here and they made a mess out of things by way of confusion. They would misstate situations and make statements that were non-factual about the City of Delano and just downplaying and putting us down. And I don't appreciate that at all. I don't appreciate people making things up about our police department, about our city, namecalling. And so, I do what I can to be an outstanding citizen and stand up for this community. But I just wanted to just say thank you so much to not only Delano Police Department, but all the stakeholders and everyone here that does what they can to keep our city safe. I think that's remarkable that we have not had a gang-related shooting. One thing that is disturbing is that, and I'm thankful that the police department puts out these reports of the crimes that have taken place each month. And crime has gone down, but we know that sometimes certain crimes are just one is too much. This is very bothersome if there had been three sex offenses and I don't know what offenses they are, but whoever these people are, the victims need justice and these people need to be held accountable. But again, thank you council members. Thank you, police department.”
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 $2,745,198.12
3) Warrant Register in the amount of $3,165,109.75
4) Minutes of regular Council meeting of June 15, 2026
5) Minutes of regular Council meeting of July 6, 2026
6) Adopt an Ordinance approving the second reading and final adoption of an ordinance renewing the City's Military Equipment Use Policy No. 706 and approving the updated military equipment inventory, including the addition of an unmanned aerial system (Skydio X10) (Ordinance No. 2026-1376)
7) Adopt a Resolution accepting a grant agreement with the California Office of Traffic Safety for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program in the amount of $51,000, and authorizing the Chief of Police to execute the agreement and all related documents (Resolution No. 2026-39) (Agreement No. 2026-41)
8) Second reading and adoption of an ordinance prohibiting parking, stopping, or standing of a vehicle or trailer in front of community and cluster mailboxes (Ordinance No. 2026- 1377)
9) Award of contract for the “2026 Ellington Park Block Wall Project” to Covenant Construction Company, Inc. in the amount of $70,500.00 and authorize the City Manager, or her designee, to sign any documents needed to complete the project (Agreement No. 2026-42)
10) Adopt a Resolution revising the new Police Officer Hiring Bonus Program effective July 20, 2026 (Resolution No. 2026-40)
11) Approve large open purchase orders for the Water Division for July through December of 2026
12) Adopt four Resolutions ordering the Levy and Collection of Special Taxes for Community Facilities District No. 2021-1, No. 2024-01, No. 2025-01 and No. 2026-1 within the City of Delano and to Authorize the County of Kern for Fiscal Year 2026/27 (Resolution No. 2026-41) (Resolution No. 2026-42) (Resolution No. 2026-43) (Resolution No. 2026-44)
13) Adopt a Resolution finding that a local emergency has existed within the City located on the intersection of Woollomes Ave. and Lexington Street, 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 (Resolution No. 2026-45) (Agreement No. 2026-43a) (Agreement No. 2026-43b) 14) Adopt a Resolution approving the revised class specification for the Assistant City Manager and add the classification of Assistant City Manager to the City's classification complement (Resolution No. 2026-46)
15) Adopt a Resolution approving the revised class specification for the Community Services Director and add the classification of Community Services Director to the City's classification complement (Resolution No. 2026-47)
16) Adopt a Resolution approving the new Department Director Personnel Salary Schedule by adding the Community Services Director and the Assistant City Manager effective July 20, 2026 (Resolution No. 2026-48)
17) Adopt a Resolution approving the revised class specification for Community Services Manager (Resolution No. 2026-49)
Council Member Osorio – “Not necessarily wanting to pull, but just wanted to congratulate our Delano Police Department for the Office of Traffic Safety for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program in the amount of $51,000, which is to help ensure that there's pedestrian safety. And also for number nine, we're going to get a block wall at the Ellington Park and I just wanted to highlight those two projects.” Motion was made by: Alindajao to approved items 1-15, 17 on consent items; 2nd by: Nunez
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Solorio-Ruiz/Nunez/Alindajao/Morris/ Osorio
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
Item No. 16 pulled by: Council Member Morris
Reason for pulling item: “Yeah. My question is, Maribel, can you just kind of explain, or Noemi, what that actually means? The salary services director, are they the person that adjusts and looks at all the salary steps or what does it do?”
Human Resources Director Zamudio – “Good evening, Honorable Mayor and Council Members. The two positions being added, one is a community services director, and basically this director's going to oversee the recreation department and any department that falls under there.” Council Member Morris – “Oh, the recreation? Yes.”
Human Resources Director Zamudio - “Yes.”
Council Member Morris – “Okay. I wasn't sure.”
City Manager Reyna – “It's basically parks and rec.”
Council Member Morris – “Okay.”
Mayor Solorio-Ruiz – “And our assistant city manager.”
Human Resources Director Zamudio – “Yes. And the other one is the assistant city manager.” Council Member Morris – “Yeah, I know that there was one quite similar to it, right? That had something to do with the acqatic center and all that.”
Human Resources Director Zamudio – “Did I have a typo on it? I don't have a copy of it.” Mayor Solorio-Ruiz – “Approving the revised class specification.” City Manager Reyna – “Number 15 approves the job description and then number 16 places it on the salary table.”
Council Member Morris – “Oh, okay.”
City Manager Reyna – “It's two different things that it does for the same position.” Council Member Morris – “Okay. Okay. That's all the questions I have. Motion to approve.” Motion was made to approved item no. 15 by: Morris;
2nd by: Alindajao
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Solorio-Ruiz/Nunez/Alindajao/Morris/ Osorio
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
18) Adopt a resolution approving a sixth amendment to Agreement No. 1996-82 authorizing an increase in the maximum rates chargeable by USA Waste of California, Inc. (Waste Management) for roll-off container and industrial waste container services in the City of Delano (Resolution No. 2026-50) (Agreement No. 2026-45) Mayor Solorio-Ruiz declared the public hearing open.
Public Works Director Nunez provided the staff report.
Mayor Solorio-Ruiz opened public comment.
No public comments in person.
No public comments online.
Mayor Solorio-Ruiz closed public comment.
Mayor Pro Tem Nunez – “Just confirm, this is part of the contract that we already have in line with them and we are not exceeding anything that's required by law through our contract, correct?” Public Works Director Nunez – “No, it's all within the contract agreements.” Council Member Alindajao – “That's a net increase of what… $3? Public Works Director Nunez – “Just about. Yeah.”
Council Member Alindajao – “And what is the other provision and take care of other action as desired? What does that cover? What does that mean”
Public Works Director Nunez – “So that's open to the council. If you guys don't agree to the rate, there's other action that can be, but this is the maximum that they can allowable through their contract every two years.”
Council Member Osorio – “And I just want to thank Mr. Nunez for clarifying that this doesn't affect residential homes for those who may have that question. As he was mentioning, this is more for industrial sites.”
Motion was made to approval by: Nunez;
2nd by: Alindajao
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Solorio-Ruiz/Nunez/Alindajao/Morris/ Osorio
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
19) Public hearing and adopt a resolution ordering the levy and collection of assessments for the landscape maintenance districts within the City of Delano and authorizing the County of Kern for Fiscal Year 2026/27 (Resolution No. 2026-51) Mayor Solorio-Ruiz declared the public hearing open.
Public Works Director Nunez provided the staff report.
Mayor Solorio-Ruiz opened public comment.
No public comments in person.
No public comments online.
Mayor Solorio-Ruiz closed public comment.
Council Member Alindajao – “Yes. Okay. Pedro, this is for maintenance only. Does it include any improvements to those?”
Public Works Director Nunez – “Just maintenance. But it covered, let's say somebody crashes into a block wall, that's maintenance. It'll fix the block wall, but not adding anything to it.” Council Member Alindajao – “Got it. Thank you.”
Mayor Pro Tem Nunez – “An additional question related to that. When the trees fall, is this covered under this particular funding source?”
Public Works Director Nunez – “Correct. Tree trimming, tree replacement.” Motion was made to approval by: Alindajao;
2nd by: Osorio
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Solorio-Ruiz/Nunez/Alindajao/Morris/ Osorio
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
REGULAR AGENDA
20) Introduction and first reading regarding an ordinance of the City of Delano amending chapter amending Section 2.08.025 of the Municipal Code to increase compensation for deputy city clerk I and city clerk II
City Manager Reyna provided the staff report.
Mayor Solorio-Ruiz opened public comment.
No public comments.
No public comments in person.
No public comments online.
Mayor Solorio-Ruiz closed public comment.
Council Member Osorio – “I guess, are these increases or the revised total comparable to nearby cities?”
City Manager Reyna – “In actuality, council member, most cities have a full-time deputy city clerk to assist. These rates of $60 a month are first established in 1997, so they're a little dated. What we're wanting to do is bring them up to current and again, to attract existing staff to assist. But there is no really comparable for a stipend in surrounding cities. They're usually a full-time position.” Council Member Osorio – “Got it.”
Council Member Alindajao – “And do you think the stipend will have the effect of trying to attract folks to those positions or is it the salary itself? How are you making the difference?” City Manager Reyna – “We've always operated on a stipend deputy city clerk. Again, it's kind of not a volunteer, but an additional duty that an existing employee might be willing to take on as opposed to creating a full position. So, we are hoping that increasing the $60 to $250 a month and the $125 to $500 a month, that would be enough of an incentive to get somebody to take on the additional duty. And this is, again, used in the event that the city clerk is out, they're out ill, they're on vacation, they're unavailable.
And so, the deputy city clerk fills in for that position at that time.” Council Member Alindajao – “And is it always the same person that fills in… assigned to a person to take duties?”
City Manager Reyna – “Yes. Once a person volunteers to take on that additional duty, then it gets processed and that stipend is provided to that employee on a monthly basis regardless of the amount of work that might be for that month. So maybe it's just something as easy as helping to collate the agenda for those two meetings. And maybe it's something where the city clerk is on a two-week vacation, which I've never seen happen, but it could happen. Yeah. So it just, again, provides a peace of mind that there's somebody to fill in for you when you're not available.” Council Member Morris – “Yeah. Why is there such a significant difference between the deputy city clerk one and the deputy clerk two? Because I see one is from $60 to $250 and the other one is from $125 to $500.”
City Manager Reyna – “I think what we did is since it was $60 and then $125, which was kind of double the amount, we went the same route and we did the $250 and we doubled it to $500. But council is free to adjust that as you guys see fit. It's a suggestion that staff is recommending. We just wanted to create an amount that we felt could entice people to take on, again, those additional duties.” Council Member Morris – “Yeah. Well, I understand the city clerk does a lot because we've seen our city clerk work and usually doesn't take a whole lot of time off either trying to do his job.” City Manager Reyna – “And that is correct. We usually do see him at every council meeting, but again, the city clerk is entitled to be sick. He's entitled to take some time off. And in that event, we do need somebody to fill in. And sometimes behind the scenes, we scramble who's going to be taking the minutes at the meeting, who's going to be preparing the agenda. And so we have to, again, try to make due and make it seem seamless at the same time, but we're hoping that this position that's already in the ordinance as a stipend position, that we're able to increase the salary or increase the stipend amount in order to entice somebody.”
Council Member Alindajao – “Have been some problems recruiting for that position. Okay. All right.” Mayor Solorio-Ruiz – “Okay. I only have one just for clarification. So there's of course a deputy city clerk one and a deputy city clerk two. Now, are those two separate or is that levels? I know in government there's different levels pertaining on the years that you've had.” City Manager Reyna – “Ricardo and I hadn't talked about it, but it is a level. So you might come in as a deputy city clerk one and then maybe after a year... Year or two, you may be able to elevate to a deputy city clerk two. To have two separate bodies, a city clerk on deputy clerk one and a deputy clerk two, we have not.”
Mayor Solorio-Ruiz – “Just wanted to clarify on that. Okay. Well, if there's no other questions, I'll go ahead and entertain a motion to approve.”
Motion was made to approval by: Nunez;
2nd by: Alindajao
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Solorio-Ruiz/Nunez/Alindajao/Morris/ Osorio
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
No items.
COUNCIL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Council Member Bryan Osorio – “Yeah, it's been a while since we last met, but for this evening, I just want to share my sincerest condolences to the family of Ivan Garza who was in a tragic incident recently.
And it's just a really sad moment for our community. I've seen different mutuals across social media, family members sharing how much of a loss this was for our community. And so just sharing my sincerest condolences. Thanks.”
Council Member Alindajao – None.
Council Member Morris – “Yeah, I just got a couple of things. This week, Pastor Vivas and I belong to the advisory committee at the state prison, and we sit on that advisory committee, and I think the chief sits on that committee also. But we go there actually to see and how we can just correlate to see what they're doing and what we're doing and how each one of us has taken an active role in how we can make our relationship with the prison better. And so, they tell us what they're doing. We tell them what the city is doing. But I can tell you by attending that meeting is that we can see that the prison certainly has taken an active role in our community. And that's always good to hear because in the past we never used to hear from them or they never took part in our community and the activities that happen in this community. But as we see, whenever things happen in our community and we have festivities, they always seem to be there participating and making themselves visible and contributing to our community. So, our relationship is well with them. Now financially, I can't tell you that because I don't know how the city saw something other than about water or they're fixing something out there. But I can tell you that the relationship is quite well and we're glad that they're participating with us. We had two ribbon cuttings this week or this past week, I believe, and one of them happened to be Nothing Bundt Cake, I guess is what it is. But we're happy to have them in our community. If you get a chance, certainly go and go check out the store and we need to support those new businesses that come into town. And I hope that we're able to do that because I know the last store that was there didn't quite make it and they left town. And so now we have another business that's there. So, we hope with much success there. So, I was thinking about that the other day because I was going to go buy something that I needed to get for an activity we were having. And I said, "Well gosh, I haven't been to that store in such a long time." And I said, "I really should spend my money in some of those stores to help support them." So, I hope that we all kind of have a mentality that we can go out and support some of these new businesses that come into town so that we can keep them here in town. The other place we had a ribbon cutting was at Coco's Dental. So it's Cocoa Kids, but I can tell you that Dr. Sun, who is the owner out there, says she takes any kids that are up to 80 years old or older. And it's a fun place. I mean what kid would want to go there? If you see all the work that they've done in there, they have TVs on the ceiling so the kids can watch cartoons or whatever else on the TV. I'm sure they can put something adult-wise too if you're an adult going there. But that's another place that we've seen them quite active in our community. So, if you're looking for a dentist, of course go take your business over or try them out or take your kids there or if you need dental work.
Certainly, if I didn't have a dentist that had for 30 years, I'd probably go there because it looks like it's a pretty fun place to go. And also too, they do orthodontist work there too. I think her husband, she said, comes in once a week from LA to do orthodontist work there. So not only do they do dentistry, but orthodontist work too. Those are kind of things that have been happening in our community. I'm sure there's a lot of other things going on, but let's keep in mind that when we do get new businesses in town that we can encourage them to stay here and that we can support them to be here. Thank you.” Mayor Pro-Tem Nunez – None.
Mayor Solorio-Ruiz – “On my end, I know it's been a while since we've been here, but I want to give a special thanks to our city staff for helping and coordinating the career and resource fair. Noemi, thank you for that. I know it's always well attended and so that's always a priority on your end to make sure to help folks get a job, which is very important. Also, of course, thank you to the Kiwanis Club and everyone who participated in help for the 4th of July Family Fun Day. It was absolutely fun with myself and the vice mayor getting dunked. It was an absolute unique experience and very fun. Also wanted to give a special thanks to Sumeet and her staff as well as Kern County Child Support Services. This past Sunday yesterday they ended up giving out about 200 backpacks to young people. Delano Police Department was also present. I appreciate them and all of the partners and organizations who were there present.
Appreciate their efforts. And similar to what Councilwoman Morris mentioned, if there are new businesses, please let's support them showing up and sharing on social media as well. And then I also want to give my condolences to Ivan Garza's family. I know that is a sentiment that we all express and we've seen it on the social media and on the news and our hearts and prayers and thoughts go out to him and his family. And I'd actually like to adjourn the meeting tonight in his honor.” Motion to go into closed session at 5:54PM by: Nunez
2nd by: Osorio
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Solorio-Ruiz /Nunez/Alindajao/Morris/Osorio
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
The City Clerk was excused. City Manager was appointed as Acting City Clerk. City Manager Reyna, Public Works Director Nunez and City Attorney Hensley were present.
CLOSED SESSION
21) CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8.
Property: Memorial Park (APN 424-020-08 & APN 521-010-07) Agency negotiator: Kern County
Negotiating parties: City Manager, Public Works Director, and City Attorney Under negotiation: price and/or terms of payment
Direction given. No reportable action.
Motion to go into open session at 6:15PM by: Solorio-Ruiz 2nd by: Osorio
Vote: 5-0
Ayes: Solorio-Ruiz /Nunez/Alindajao/Morris/Osorio
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstentions: None
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Nunez seconded by Alindajao and unanimously carried 5-0 to adjourn the meeting at 6:15pm. _____________________________________________
Ricardo G. Chavez, City Clerk