KINGSBURG CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
April 20, 2022
THE COUNCIL CHAMBER IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT 100% CAPACITY The Invocation was given by Father Greg Beaumont, Holy Family Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Laura North
6 P.M. REGULAR SESSION MEETING:
Call to Order and Roll Call – Mayor Laura North called the regular meeting of the Kingsburg City Council to order at 6:06 P. M.
Council Members Present: Vince Palomar, Brandon Pursell, Jr., Michelle Roman and Mayor Laura North.
Council Members Absent: Jewel Hurtado.
Staff Present: City Manager Alexander Henderson, City Attorney Michael Noland, Finance Director Alma Colado, Police Chief Neil Dadian, Fire Chief Daniel Perkins, Public Works Supervisor Daniel Galvez, and City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard.
Approve Agenda: A motion was made by Council Member Pursell, Jr., seconded by Council Member Palomar, to approve the agenda, as published. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote of those Council Members present.
Presentations:
Swearing In of Fire Department Community Emergency Response Team Volunteers:
Chief Perkins describe what CERT is. At it’s core it is being self-sufficient in disasters and having the ability and training to help others. To become certified, they had 36 hours of training including CPR, AED and smoke detector training. City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard administer the oath of office.
Certified CERT Volunteers:
Cathleen Lawler
Robert Gonzales
Linda Sward
Jacob Wiggs
Karen Wright
John Wright
Adale Van Dam
Michele Lapcevich
Lisa Swartz
John Palms
Rob Gong, Assistant CERT Coordinator
Rolinda Hernandez, CERT Coordinator
Sponsor: Fire Department
Pinning and Swearing In of Police Department Employees
Police Chief Neil Dadian conducted the badge pinning ceremony and City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard administer the oath of office to Police Officer Josefino Arevalo III, Police Volunteer Halle Sembritzki, and Police Volunteer Myra Boland.
Sponsor: Police Department
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
April 20, 2022
Public Comments:
Brenda Prado, resident, would like an animal control officer. Has a problem with the contract with the Second Chance. Would like to talk to someone about cats.
Michelle Lopez, Bambi’s Rescues, would like to help with TNR with cats. Needs help with funding.
Esperanza Reyna, resident, would like to volunteer and support TNR.
Laura Strait, non-resident, spoke about a poll on Facebook about an animal control officer. Spoke about TNR experience.
Consent Calendar: Items considered routine in nature are to be placed on the Consent Calendar. They will be considered as one item and voted upon in one vote unless individual consideration is requested.
Each vote in favor of the Consent Calendar is considered and recorded as a separate affirmative vote in favor of each action listed. Approval of the Consent Calendar items include recitals reading ordinance(s) by titles(s) only and adoption of recommended action(s) contained in Staff Reports. A motion was made by Council Member Pursell, Jr., seconded by Council Member Palomar, to approve the items appearing on the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote of those Council Members present.
5.1 Approval of City Council Minutes: Approve the minutes from the April 6, 2022 Regular City Council Meetings as prepared by Community Development Administrative Assistant Karyl Bartel.
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
5.2 Check Register: Ratify/approve payment of bills listed on the check register for the period March 29, 2022 through April 11, 2022 as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Marsha Alves.
Sponsor: Finance Department
5.3 Adopt Resolution 2022-022- A Resolution Authorizing The City Of Kingsburg To Participate In The Fresno County Multijurisdictional Housing Element Update And Cost Sharing Agreement and authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement to participate in the process. - Staff Report by Community Development Director Holly Owen
Sponsor: Community Development Department
5.4 Adopt Resolution No. 2022-023 approving the final map for Tract 6167 accepting on behalf of the public the streets and easements as offered on the map in accordance with the terms of the dedications and Authorize the City Manager to execute the Subdivision Agreement on behalf of the City, subject to review as to form by the City Attorney. – Staff Report by City Engineer Dave Peters Sponsor: City Engineer’s Office
5.5 Approve the Reimbursement Agreement between the City of Kingsburg and Presidio JJR Summerlyn 123, LLC for reconstruction of Avenue 396 beyond the scope of work required by the project conditions of approval and authorize the City Manager to sign the agreement on behalf of the City – Staff Report by City Engineer Dave Peters
Sponsor: City Engineer’s Office
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
April 20, 2022
Regular Calendar
Financial Statements for the Year Ended June 30, 2021 – Consider Statements as prepared by Price Paige & Company. Staff report prepared by Finance Director Alma Colado Sponsor: Finance Department
Osvaldo Gutierrez and Anthony Gonzalez presented for Price Page & Company. Mr. Gutierrez explained the process of the audit, it can take up to 9 months. They look at cash, capitol assets, revenues and receivables. The City received an un-modified/clean opinion, it is best you can get.
They congratulated Finance Director Alma Colado. They discussed some areas that can be improved, issues that are common for smaller cities with limited staff. They found no issues with internal controls. Talked about different fund balances. Council Member Pursell, Jr. asked about the areas of focus, who chooses them. Mr. Gonzalez said we do, also open for discussions. Council Member Palomar asked about the profile of the city. Mr. Gutierrez said it is a requirement. Council thanked Finance Director Alma Colado and staff for the nice clean audit.
A motion was made by Council Member Roman, seconded by Council Member Pursell, Jr., to accept the Financial Statements for Year Ended June 30, 2021, as presented. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote of those Council Members present.
Solid Waste Rate Study and Prop. 218 Update
Sponsor: Public Works
Public Works Director Daniel Galvez discussed the history of the solid waste rates. The costs are higher for additional street sweeping locations and street sweeping waste disposal. Solid waste has not had an increase in 13 years. If passed, rate increases will be in effect 9/1/2022. Alison Lechowicz, Lechowicz + Tseng Municipal Consultants, said they have updated the presented rates since the March Finance Committee meeting. Mid Valley rates go up every year even though the city doesn’t charge more. Solid waste is an enterprise fund, should be self-supported by rates. 5 year period of rate changes. Described the prop 218 process including protest ballot. There are higher costs from Mid Valley, higher operating and maintenance costs, additional street weeping costs, and the City would like to reverse the deficit. A lot of the additional costs come from having to comply with SB 1383.
There are three rate options. First option is to break even, payback for past transfers is not required.
Staff is recommending council direct staff to choose option two, which will have the fund break even and have a reserve in case of unforeseen costs and public education. The third option has the fund break even, builds a surplus and repays the funds transferred. Council Member Roman asked about the Central Valley Sweeping. City Manager Henderson said they gave us a rate lock for 5 years. There are additional cost because of how we have to dispose of the waste. Mayor North asked about clarification about repaying and what was suggested at Finance Committee.
Ms. Lechowicz explained that there was a typo in the explanation of rates in the chart. Council Member Pursell Jr. said this not fun, but the State is forcing it on us. We didn’t want to raise rates.
Mayor North said without rate increases since 2009, all costs have gone up. We will have to educate the citizens regarding the need of a rate increase. Public Works Direct Galvez said we will need to educate about green waste. Council Member Pursell Jr. said he will put this on the radar for the Chamber of Commerce since it will effect businesses. Council Member Roman said all costs have gone up, and it is us, the consumers that have to pay for it. Council Member Palomar said we do need a rate increase, haven’t had one since 2009. Homeowners will understand, but it will also affect the Kingsburg City Council Minutes
April 20, 2022
renters. Staff is looking for direction regarding which option. City Manager Henderson said if we get fined by the state for SB 1383, the city will get fined. Council Member Pursell Jr. would like option 1, but realistically we need a reserve for fines. Option 1 is not sustainable. We have to be forecast to pay for something in the future. He votes for option 2. City Manager Henderson said the Mid Valleys cost is including the additional cost of reporting and other compliance issues that comes from SB 1383.
Council Member Pursell Jr. motioned, seconded by Council Member Roman to move forward with the option 2 as the rate. The motion passed by an unanimous voice vote by all members present.
Crime Statistics Report for the Month of March 2022 and General Police Department UpdateCrime Statistics Report prepared by Kingsburg Police Department Records Supervisor Corina Padilla.
Sponsor: Police Department
Police Chief Neil Dadian thanked council for allowing new employees to come before council. Chief Dadian reviewed crime stats. Spike in theft from vehicles. Shared a 10 year report. Council Member Palomar said crime seems low, that is the way we like. Council Member Pursell Jr. said the 10 year report fives a good perspective, a testament of the work the police department is doing.
Council Reports and Staff Communications
Community Services Commission- Mayor North said they have not met.
Public Safety Committee- Council Member Palomar said we have not met.
Chamber of Commerce- Council Member Pursell Jr. said the car show and cruise night was successful.
Economic Development- Council Member Roman said they have not met.
Finance Committee- Council Member Pursell Jr. said we have not met.
Planning Commission- Mayor North reported on a workshop regarding Accessory Dwelling Units and garage conversions. Updating our code, looking at what other cities are doing. Staff will bring it back to planning commission and then council.
South Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency Joint Powers Authority (SKGSA)- City Manager Henderson said the board adopted the development impact fees.
Downtown Business Improvement District- City Manager Henderson said they have not met.
Council of Governments- Council Member Roman said they will meet next week.
Council Member ReportsCouncil Member Palomar reported on walking around District 5 with Mayor North to look at the areas that the citizens have been concerned about.
Council Member Roman meet with Moses Stites of FCRTA to look at the micro grid system with potential sites. Spoke about charging stations regarding grants- there is a company that has the flowers that bloom as chargers. She volunteered at the senior center pancake breakfast and went on a ride along with the fire department. Council Member Pursell Jr. went to a California League of Cities event last Kingsburg City Council Minutes
April 20, 2022
Thursday- eye opening with issues in Sacramento, we need to engage at a higher level in fighting big government taking away local control.
City Manager’s Report
City Manager Henderson said tomorrow Economic Development Coordinator Jolene Polyack and Fresno County EDC will have a videographer to shoot cities for potential new businesses. Linnaea Villa’s poles should be down by next Friday. Kudos for Finance Director Alma Colado for the audit.
Future Agenda Items:
None.
At 7:52pm the Kingsburg City Council adjourned out of the Regular Calendar into Closed Session to discuss the following item(s):
9.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING LITIGATION
California Government Code Section 54956.9(a)
Vernon Franklin v. City of Kingsburg, et.al.
Fresno County Superior Court Case No. 18CECG01029
9.2 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
California Government Code Section 54956.8
Fresno County Assessor’s Parcel Number: APN: 394-042-04 City Negotiator: Alexander J. Henderson
Under Negotiation: Rental Terms and Conditions
9.3 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
California Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: City of Kingsburg street right-of-way in various locations within the City of Kingsburg.
City Negotiator: Alexander Henderson
Negotiation parties: Fiber-Optic Contractors
Under Negotiation: Terms and conditions of lease of City of Kingsburg street rightof-way for installation of fiber-optic cable.
At 8:53 P. M. the City Council Adjourned out of Closed Session into the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting and report out of Closed Session.
City Attorney Michael Noland said that there is nothing to report.
The Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting was adjourned at 8:53 P. M.
Submitted by:
____________________________________
Abigail Palsgaard, City Clerk