September 26, 2023
MINUTES
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Nerio-Guerrero, Launer, Thus, Reynosa
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
Prado.
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Alaniz, Avila, James, Hurtado, Iriarte, Montejano, Patlan, Solis, Watts, Chastain, Yanez
1. OPENING CEREMONIES
1.1. Welcome and Call to Order
Mayor Reynosa called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
1.2. Invocation
The invocation was led by Chaplain Susee.
1.3. Pledge of Allegiance
The pledge of allegiance was led by Lieutenant Ashford.
2. AGENDA CHANGES OR DELETIONS
To better accommodate members of the public or convenience in the order of presentation, items on the agenda may not be presented or acted upon in the order listed. Additions to Agenda may be added only pursuant to California Government Code section 54954.2(b).
Mayor Reynosa requested item 5.3 be pulled for further discussion.
3. REQUEST TO ADDRESS COUNCIL
This portion of the meeting is reserved for any person who would like to address the Council on any item that is not on the agenda. Please be advised that State law does not allow the City Council to discuss or take any action on any issue not on the agenda. The City Council may direct staff to follow up on such item(s). Speakers are limited to three (3) minutes. If there is any person wishing to address the City Council at this time please approach the podium and state your name and nature of the request.
None.
4. NEW EMPLOYEES AND PROMOTIONS
4.1. Introduction of Full-Time Evidence Technician Norman Menjivar (AI) Police Chief Iriarte introduced Full-Time Evidence Technician, Norman Menjivar.
Menjivar was raised in Woodlake and is a graduate of Woodlake High School.
Menjivar was accepted to serve as a volunteer for the City of Woodlay in 2009.
Menjivar was joined by his family and pinned by his mother Nelida.
Menjivar thanked the staff for the opportunity and expressed his excitement.
The council offered congratulations and words of support.
4.2. Thaddeus Ashford, Lieutenant (AI)
Police Chief Iriarte introduced Lieutenant Thaddeus Ashford. Ashford has been employed with the City of Dinuba for 24 1/2 years and will oversee the Operations Division of the Dinuba Police Department. Ashford has served as a supervisor for over 16 years and was promoted in May 2023 to Lieutenant. Ashford was joined by his family and pinned by his wife Emmy.
Mayor Reynosa administered the Oath of Office.
Ashford thanked staff for the opportunity and his family for their support.
The council offered congratulations and words of support.
4.3. Ubaldo DeHaro, Sergeant (AI)
Police Chief Iriarte introduced Sergeant Ubaldo DeHaro. DeHaro was raised in Dinuba and is a Graduate of Dinuba High School. DeHaro joined the Marin Corp. and is a College of the Sequoia Police Academy graduate. DeHaro was previously employed with the City of Woodlake Police Department, then with the Tulare County Sheriff's Office. DeHaro has 10 years of experience as a Field Training Officer and is a Police Academy Instructor. DeHaro was promoted to Sergeant in May 2023. DeHaro was joined by his family and pinned by his wife Mayor Reynosa administered the Oath of Office.
DeHaro thanked the council for the opportunity to serve the community.
The council offered congratulations and words of support.
4.4. Introduction and Oath of Office for Police Officer Angel Landeros (AI) Police Chief Iriarte introduced Police Officer Angel Landeros. Landeros was raised in the Central Valley and attended Orange Cove High School. Landeros joined the Army and in 2021 graduated from the Fresno City Police Academy.
Landeros was previously employed by the Reedley Police Department.
Landeros was joined by his family and pinned by his wife.
Mayor Reynosa administered the Oath of Office.
Landeros thanked staff for their support.
The council offered congratulations and words of support.
4.5. Introduction and Oath of Office for Police Officer Cesar Morales (AI) Police Chief Iriarte introduced Police Officer Cesar Morales. Morales was raised in Visalia and is a first-generation Law Enforcement Officer. Morales attended College of the Sequoias and is a graduate of Sacramento State. Morales is a graduate of the College of the Sequoia Police Academy and was ranked 4th in his class. Morales was joined by his family and was pinned by his mother Alma and father Rojelio.
Mayor Reynosa administered the Oath of Office.
Morales thanked staff for the opportunity.
The council offered words of encouragement and support.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion and one vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, a member of the audience or a Council Member may request an item be removed from the Consent Calendar and it will be considered separately.
5.1. SUBJECT
Proclamation No. 2023-05 Proclaiming September 2023 as Railroad Safety Month (GA)
a
RECOMMENDATION
Council to adopt Proclamation No. 2023-05 proclaiming September 2023 as Railroad Safety Month.
5.2. SUBJECT
Resolution No. 2023-51 Granting of a Public Utility Easement for PG&E (JW)
a
RECOMMENDATION
Council adopts Resolution No. 2023-51 by one motion for the following action:
1. Authorizes the City Manager or designee to sign the agreement on behalf of the City for granting of a Public Utility Easement for PG&E.
2. Grants a 10 foot wide Easement for Public Utility Purposes to PG&E.
5.3. SUBJECT
Letter of Support for ACA 13 (Ward) - Voting Thresholds (DJ) a
RECOMMENDATION
Council to authorize the City manager or designee to submit a letter of support for proposed ACA 13, Voting Thresholds legislation.
Assistant City Manager James advised the Council that the proposed letter of support for ACA- 13 Voting Threshold is for preserving the general majority threshold of 50 plus 1 that the California League of Cities has voted to support.
Launer asked for clarification on the initiative.
Patlan clarified that the city is simply in support of the already passed voting threshold of 50% plus 1, a simple majority.
Launer wants to hold off on the letter of support until more research is done.
No action was taken.
5.4. SUBJECT
Latino Health Awareness Month Celebration (SH)
a
RECOMMENDATION
Council approve co-sponsorship for the annual Latino Health Awareness Month Celebration hosted by Kaweah Delta Health Hospital and waive the park rental fee of $220.
5.5. SUBJECT
Kiwanis Multi-Cultural Event Sponsorship (SH)
a
RECOMMENDATION
Council to approve sponsorship in the amount of $1,000 for the Kiwanis Bilingual Multi-Cultural Event on September 24, 2023.
5.6. SUBJECT
Resolution No. 2023-46 Approving and Adopting the Adjustment of User Fees (KS)
a
RECOMMENDATION
Council approve and adopt Resolution No. 2023-46 adjusting certain user fees effective retroactively to July 1, 2023.
5.7. SUBJECT
Resolution No. 2023-48 Adopting Subscription Based Information Technology Arrangements (SBITA) Materiality Policy (KS) a
RECOMMENDATION
Council approve Resolution No. 2023-48 Adopting the Subscription Based Informational Technology Arrangement (SBITA) Materiality Policy.
5.8. SUBJECT
Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes (MA)
a
RECOMMENDATION
Council to review and approve the City Council meeting minutes of August 22, 2023 as presented.
5.9. SUBJECT
Second Reading of Ordinance No. 2023-06 "Shopping Carts" (DY) a
RECOMMENDATION
City Council to approve of second reading of Ordinance No. 2023-06 by title “Adding Chapter 50, ‘Shopping Carts’ to Title 9, Public Peace, Safety, and Morals of the Dinuba Municipal Code”; waive further reading of Ordinance 2023- 06 and approve revisions agreed to by the Dinuba City Council.
Consent Calendar was approved with the exception of item 5.3.
A motion was made by Council Member Launer, second by Council Member Thusu, to review and approve the Consent Calender as presented.
Ayes: Launer, Nerio-Guerrero, Reynosa, Thusu
Absent: Prado
6. WARRANT REGISTER
6.1. SUBJECT
Warrant Register August 25 & September 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023 (KS) a
RECOMMENDATION
Council to review and approve the Warrant Register as presented.
A motion was made by Council Member Launer, second by Council Member Thusu, to review and approve the Warrant Register as presented.
Ayes: Launer, Nerio-Guerrero, Reynosa, Thusu
Absent: Prado
7. PUBLIC HEARING
7.1. SUBJECT
Resolutions Number 2023-49 and 2023-50, Adoption of Water and Sewer Utility Rate Adjustments (GA)
a
RECOMMENDATION
Council conduct a public hearing to accept public comment and any written protest regarding the proposed water and sewer utility rate adjustments. Upon conclusion of the public hearing, the City Clerk shall tabulate the filed written protests. If a majority protest does not exist, City staff recommends the Council take the following actions:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-49 approving a Water Utility Rate adjustment effective October 2, 2023, July 1, 2024, July 1, 2025, July 1, 2026 and July 1, 2027; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-50 approving a Sewer Utility Rate adjustment effective October 2, 2023, July 1, 2024, July 1, 2025, July 1, 2026 and July 1, 2027.
Interim Public Works Director, Avila presented to the council a recap of the proposed water and sewer rate increase. Avila advised that this is the last step in the rate adoption process and that the last time rates were increased was 4-5 years ago. Since then, the consumer price index has increased by about 15%.
Avila advised that a rate increase is needed to maintain service levels and support 90-day reserves as well as system repairs and improvements. Avila shared that the rate study has been in progress since December 2021.
Mayor Reynosa opened the Public Hearing.
Robert Cervantes approached the podium in support of the rate study and the rate increase.
Mayor Reynosa closed the Public Hearing.
A motion was made by Council Member Launer, second by Vice Mayor NerioGuerrero, Council conduct a public hearing to accept public comment and any written protest regarding the proposed water and sewer utility rate adjustments.
Upon conclusion of the public hearing, the City Clerk shall tabulate the filed written protests. If a majority protest does not exist, City staff recommends the Council adopt Resolution No. 2023-49 approving a Water Utility Rate adjustment effective October 2, 2023, July 1, 2024, July 1, 2025, July 1, 2026 and July 1, 2027; and adopt Resolution No. 2023-50 approving a Sewer Utility Rate adjustment effective October 2, 2023, July 1, 2024, July 1, 2025, July 1, 2026 and July 1, 2027.
Ayes: Launer, Nerio-Guerrero, Reynosa, Thusu
Absent: Prado
8. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
9. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORTS
Council Member Thusu reported attending the League of California Cities Conference and informed that the TCRTA is in the process of recruiting for a director.
Council Member Launer reported attending the League of California Cities Conference and National Night Out.
Vice Mayor Nerio-Guerrero attended National Night Out. Nerio-Guerrero toured the colonial building in Fresno that is being considered as a city center to help the community. Nerio-Guerrero attended the League of California Cities Conference.
Mayor Reynosa shared her attendance at the League of California Cities Conference and Raisin Day where she rode the fire engine during the parade. Reynosa thanked the staff for their work during Raisin Day. Reynosa reported attending Good Morning Dinuba and the Leadership Northern Tulare County welcome event.
Absent: Prado
10. CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Patlan shared his attendance at the League of California Cities Conference. Patlan shared that there are several ongoing street projects. The Nebraska segment and the Englehart and Nebraska projects are underway. Next will be the Crawford Nebraska intersection. Patlan shared that the downtown alleyway is being reconstructed and the Alta and Kamm Avenue Roundabout is upcoming. Patlan reported that he may be out for the October 10th Council Meeting.
Patlan will discuss a traffic analysis between Engelhart and Crawford with City Engineer Watts. Council Member Launer is concerned about speeders in this area.
Absent: Prado
11. CITY STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Interim Fire Chief Chastain clarified inaccurate information on Instagram, that there will not be an open house at the Fire Station this year.
Police Chief Iriarte reported that all went well during Raisin Day. Iriarte shared that there were 30 Officers patrolling the park, with no issues to report. Iriarted shared that 3 officers are in the background phase of recruitment and that Brick and Stone is hosting Coffee with a Cop from 7-9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 4th.
Director Hurtado thanked the council for feedback on Raisin Day and for the CoSponsorship approval of the Multi-Cultural event in conjunction with Kaweah Health to be held on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Entertainment Plaza. Hurtado advised of a change in date for the Brew Fest event to March 16, 2024. Hurtado shared that the Dog Days event is coming soon.
Engineer Watts reported that there are a lot of ongoing construction projects around town and that city residents have been gracious and understanding. Watts advised that paving on Nebraska and alleys will be completed together next week. Watts has had an influx of plan checks and has a lot of projects moving forward.
Interim Public Works Director Avila reported that a new Code Enforcement Officer started last week and Melissa Renteria has been appointed as the new Permit Technician. Avila shared that the Fall Clean Up event will be held on October 14th. Avila reported that his department is working on graffiti abatement, the goal is to cover graffiti within 24 hours. Council Member Launer provided resources available for graffiti cleanup.
City Attorney Yanez provided an update on Harvard Avenue. Yanez reported that California cities are asking the Supreme Court for assistance with the homeless issue.
Absent: Prado
12. CLOSED SESSION
12.1. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation (DJ) Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 54956.9(b); One (1) case.
13. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
Absent: Prado