1 MINUTES OF THE FOWLER CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday January 18, 2022
Mayor Cardenas called the meeting to order at 7:05 p. m.
Councilmembers Present: Cardenas, Kazarian (via teleconference), Mejia (via teleconference), Parra
Councilmembers Absent: Rodriquez
City Staff Present: City Manager Quan, City Attorney Carlson, Police Chief Alcaraz, Public Works Director Dominguez, Community Development
Director Gaffery, Recreation Coordinator Hernandez, Fire Chief Lopez, City Planner Marple, Finance Director Moreno, City Engineer Peters, Deputy City Clerk Vasquez
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Gary Serrato addressed the Council.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Parra pulled item 6-G for discussion. He asked for clarification on the payment timeline and City Manager Quan stated the first payment of $25,000 will be made prior to May 2022 for 2021-2022 school year and the second payment of $25,000 will be made prior to September 2022 for the 2022-2023 school year.
Councilmember Kazarian inquired if the MOU could be for one year instead of two.
He also inquired if cities must compensate schools for citizens to use the school’s recreational facilities. City Attorney Carlson stated the Civic Center Act allows school districts to cover its costs and seek reimbursement from the user. Councilmember Kazarian noted he would prefer the MOU be for one year. City Manager Quan stated that staff has been tracking the city’s involvement at the school and staff could begin tracking the community’s use as well.
Councilmember Kazarian pulled item 6-F for discussion and inquired if the grant funds could be used for a bike or walk path connecting the City and if there is a limited time to apply for the grant. Public Works Director Dominguez stated the grant was very specific to parks. Community Development Director Gaffery noted staff is currently reviewing other grant opportunities.
Councilmember Parra made a motion to approve consent calendar items 6-A through 6-F, seconded by Councilmember Mejia. The motion carried by roll call vote: Ayes: Parra, Mejia, Cardenas, Kazarian.
2 Councilmember Parra made a motion to approve consent calendar item 6-G with a condition that moving forward a study be completed that monies are being spent adequately and a study to research whether the city should have their own park to facilitate the needs of the public, seconded by Councilmember Mejia. The motion carried by roll call vote: Ayes: Parra, Mejia, Cardenas, Kazarian
7. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
7-A. PLANNING
i. ADOPT Ordinance 2022-02, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Fowler Amending the Official Zoning Map of the City to Reflect a Change of Zone for Assessor’s Parcel No. 340-130-14, submitted by Sunshine Raisin Corporation for approximately
29.04 acres on the east side of South Armstrong Avenue between East Adams and East Hogan Avenues
Councilmember Kazarian recused himself due to owning interest in real property within 500 feet of the project.
City Planner Marple reported that Ordinance No. 2022-02 was introduced at the January 4, 2022 regular City Council meeting and the Planning Commission recommended approval at its November 4, 2021 regular meeting. She stated that Ordinance No. 2022-02 is a prezone to change the zoning of the parcel to the R-1-10 (One Family Residential – 10,000 square foot minimum lot) zone district, which would allow lots with a minimum area of 10,000 square feet and would facilitate development at a density consistent with the General Plan.
Councilmember Parra made a motion to ADOPT Ordinance 2022- 02, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Fowler Amending the Official Zoning Map of the City to Reflect a Change of Zone for Assessor’s Parcel No. 340-130-14, submitted by Sunshine Raisin Corporation for approximately 29.04 acres on the east side of South Armstrong Avenue between East Adams and East Hogan Avenues, seconded by Councilmember Mejia. The motion carried by roll call vote: Ayes: Parra, Mejia, Cardenas. 3 7-B. PUBLIC WORKS
i. 2022 Special Events Update (Informational)
Public Works Director Dominguez provided an informational calendar of events and their road closure impacts for the 2022 calendar year. He reported staff continue to track event related costs which are currently absorbed by individual departments and will provide a report at a future Council meeting. Councilmember Mejia announced that there is a possibility of a new Spring event called Pancakes and Pets. ii. ADOPT revised improvement standards regarding street name signs
City Engineer Peters presented a revision to Standard Plan ST-18, Street Name Signs to include the City logo on street name signs.
Councilmember Kazarian made a motion to ADOPT revised
improvement standards regarding street name signs, seconded by Councilmember Mejia. The motion carried by roll call vote:
Kazarian, Mejia, Cardenas, Parra.
7-C. CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
i. COVID-19 Update
Community Development Director Gaffery reported the Fresno County Department of Public Health’s data shows Fowler’s vaccination rate is
74.1% and staff continue to keep in close communication with FCDPH on any regulatory changes. He stated that staff has taken several additional mitigation strategies due to the omicron variant. City Manager Quan shared an invitation with Council for the upcoming Boy Scouts Eagle Court of Honor reception.
ii. Direct the City Manager to form a committee of City staff and community members to plan the Fowler Sesquicentennial and appoint a City Council liaison to the committee
Councilmembers Kazarian and Mejia volunteered to be the liaisons for the Fowler Sesquicentennial event committee. City Manager Quan reported staff members Yvonne Hernandez and Thomas Gaffery, and community member Stephanie Mejia will be on the committee as well. 4 8. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS – (CITY MANAGER)
8-A. CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
Deputy City Clerk Vasquez reminded Council of mandatory Harassment in the Workplace training and Form 700 deadlines.
8-B. PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Community Development Director Gaffery reported the Kb Home Marshall Estates I subdivision has met the offsite improvements substantial progress requirement of the subdivision agreement and certificates of occupancy are being issued.
9. COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Mayor Cardenas announced he will meet with Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula later this month and extended an invitation to a fellow Councilmember wishing to participate in the meeting.
Councilmember Mejia reported the Recreation Commission is preparing for the Spring Fest Yard Sale on Saturday, March 26, 2022.
Councilmember Parra thanked Chief Alcaraz and the Police Department for their hard work and dedication.
10. CLOSED SESSION
No reportable action was taken on the two items.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Having no further business, Council member Kazarian made a motion to adjourn, Councilmember Parra seconded. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.