EXETER CITY COUNCIL ACTION MINUTES
September 12, 2023
A closed session of the City Council, City of Exeter was held on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., in the Exeter City Council Chambers, 137 North F Street.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Frankie Alves, Barbara Sally, Jacob Johnson at 6:37pm, and Vicki Riddle.
COUNCIL ABSENT: Justin Mills
STAFF PRESENT: Adam Ennis, Shonna Oneal, and Julia Lew
A. CALL TO ORDER CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Alves called the closed session to order at 6:30 p.m.
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING CLOSED SESSION MATTERS
Mayor Alves requested those who wish to speak on matters listed on the Closed Session Agenda to do so at this time.
There were no public comments presented.
C. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION(S):
Mayor Alves adjourned to closed session at 6:30 p.m.
1. 54956.9(d)(1) Conference with Legal Counsel re: Existing Litigation Exeter Irrigation District v. Smee Homes, Inc. et al.
Tulare County Superior Court Case No. 301384
A regular session of the City Council, City of Exeter was held on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 7:00p.m., in the Exeter City Council Chambers, 137 North F Street.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Frankie Alves, Barbara Sally, Jacob Johnson, and Vicki Riddle.
COUNCIL ABSENT: Justin Mills
STAFF PRESENT: Adam Ennis, Julia Lew, Eekhong Franco, Shonna Oneal, Tristan Suire and Christina Arias D. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION AND REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS (if any) Mayor Alves called the regular session to order at 7:02 p.m. City Attorney Julia Lew advised there was nothing to report from Closed Session.
E. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION
The Pledge of Allegiance was given by Council Member Sally and an invocation was given by Council Member Johnson.
F. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
a. Resolution of Commendation – Presentation of Resolution of Commendation to Operations Manager Dan Espinola. City Administrator Adam Ennis pulled and continued this item for consideration at the September 26th council meeting.
G. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mike Giefer, EPOA President, addressed the Council to raise concerns on Consent Item #11 and requested the Council to pull it for discussion.
ACTION MINUTES
EXETER CITY COUNCIL
PAGE 2, September 12, 2023
H. CONSENT CALENDAR:
It was moved by Council Member Riddle, seconded by Council Member Sally, and carried 4-0 ( Mayor Pro Tem Mills absent) that the items on the Consent Calendar be approved as presented with the exception of # 7 and #11.
1. Approve regular minutes of August 22, 2023
2. Payment of Bills
3. Payroll August 18, 2023 & September 1, 2023
4. Treasurer Report: January 2023, February 2023, March 2023, April 2023, and May 2023
5. Authorize the City Administrator to enter into a purchase agreement for one (1) 2022 Dodge Ram 5500 utility truck with Jim Manning Dodge, Inc. of Dinuba, CA in the amount of $81,580.99.
6. Authorize the City Administrator to execute a sole source agreement with Liebert, Cassidy, Whitmore of Fresno, California for special services to assist with labor negotiations in an amount not to exceed $30,000 and appoint Shelline Bennett as lead negotiator for the City.
7. Award and authorize the City Administrator to execute an agreement with the lowest responsible bidder, Pavement Coatings Co., of Sacramento, CA in an amount of $330,606.80 for construction of the SB 1 FY 23 Cape Seal and Micro Surfacing Project and authorize a 10% contingency amount ($33,060.68) for potential extra work. City Administrator Adam Ennis pulled and continued this item for consideration at a future meeting.
8. Approve a revision to a portion of the previously approved street closure for the annual Fall Festival, to reflect the opening of Pine St. and Rocky Hill between B St. and D St. and continuing the street closure on Pine St. from D St to F St. after the conclusion of the parade until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday October 14, 2023, subject to the conditions outlined.
9. Authorize the City Administrator to execute an Extra Work Authorization with the City’s contract City Engineer firm – QK, in an amount not to exceed $38,001 for construction observation services for the Yokohl Landing Subdivision Project.
10. Authorize the City Administrator to enter into an agreement with Technicon Engineering Services of Fresno, CA to perform testing and inspection services on the Police Department/City Administration Building in the amount of $12,216.00.
11. Adopt Resolution 2023-25 amending the 2023/24 salary schedule and personnel allocation effective September 25, 2023, to reflect the following: Adding the classifications and setting the salary range of a Finance Manager, deleting the Financial Analyst classification and adding the Finance Manager classification to the personnel allocation, and increasing the rate of pay by 5% for the Finance Director.
Council pulled this item for discussion. City Administrator Adam Ennis provided a report for Council’s review and Consideration. Council posed questions and Mr. Ennis provided answers thereto. Mike Giefer, EPOA President addressed the Council and provided comments. Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Riddle, seconded by Council Member Sally and carried 4-0 (Mayor Pro Tem Mills absent) to adopt resolution 2023-25 as presented.
12. Adopt resolution 2023-26 permitting the exemption from the sign ordinance for the proposed Kiwanis Club gateway sign, located in the public right-of-way at the intersection of N. B Street and E. Pine Street.
I. INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS ITEMS:
1. Consideration of appointment of Eekhong Franco to the position of Finance Director/City Treasurer effective September 25, 2023, and authorization for the Mayor and City Administrator to execute a contract with Ms. Franco to serve in that capacity until June 30, 2024, beginning at Step A in the salary schedule for the position (currently at a monthly rate of $8,327). City Administrator Adam Ennis provided a report for Council’s review and consideration. Council posed questions and Mr. Ennis provided responses thereto. Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Johnson, seconded by Council Member Sally and carried 4-0 (Mayor Pro Tem Mills absent) to approve the item as presented.
ACTION MINUTES
EXETER CITY COUNCIL
PAGE 3, September 12, 2023
2. Appoint either Virginia Padilla or Joel A. Miller to the Measure R Citizens Oversight Committee Representative position for a two-year term. City Administrator Adam Ennis provided a report for Council’s review and consideration. Council posed questions and Mr. Ennis and City Attorney Julia Lew provided responses thereto. Mike Giefer addressed the council to express his support for Virginia Padilla. Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Sally, seconded by Council Member Johnson and carried 4-0 (Mayor Pro Tem Mills absent) to direct staff to reopen and post the Measure R Citizens Oversight Committee position.
3. Receive information regarding the 2023 Audit of the City’s Southern California Edison accounts.
City Administrator Adam Ennis pulled and continued this item for consideration at the September 26th council meeting.
J. CITY COUNCIL ITEMS OF INTEREST
Council discussed items of interest.
K. CITY ADMINISTRATOR/DEPARTMENT COMMENTS
City Administrator Adam Ennis provided a brief update on City related items.
L. ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Alves adjourned the regular meeting at 7:49 p.m.
Christina Arias, Deputy City Clerk