KINGSBURG CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
May 18, 2022
Council Chamber, 1401 Draper Street, Kingsburg, CA 93631 (559) 897-5821 www.cityofkingsburgca.gov Invocation was given by Cathleen Lawler, Police Chaplain, 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 6:03 pm.
Council Members Present: Jewel Hurtado, Vince Palomar, Brandon Pursell, Jr., Michelle Roman and Mayor Laura North.
Council Members Absent: None.
Staff Present: City Manager Alexander Henderson, City Attorney Michael Noland, Finance Director Alma Colado, Police Chief Neil Dadian, Fire Chief Daniel Perkins, Public Works Director Daniel Galvez and City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard.
Approve Agenda: A motion was made by Council Member Roman, seconded by Council Member Hurtado, to approve the agenda, as published. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
Presentations- None.
Public Comments:
Michael Brewer, resident, asked for June 2022 to be declared pride month.
Lee Darling, resident, said this is not a racist town.
Consent Calendar: A motion was made by Council Member Hurtado, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to approve the items appearing on the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
5.1 Approval of City Council Minutes: Approve the minutes from the May 4, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting as prepared by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard.
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
5.2 Check Register: Ratify/approve payment of bills listed on the check register for the period April 26, 2022 through May 9, 2022 as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Marsha Alves.
Sponsor: Finance Department
5.3 Adopt Resolution 2022-027 Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Kingsburg Calling And Giving Notice Of The Holding Of A General Municipal Election To Be Held In Said City On Tuesday November 8, 2022, For The Election Of Certain Officers Of Said City And Requesting The Board Of Supervisors Of The County Of Fresno To Consolidate And Canvass The General Municipal Election To Kingsburg City Council Minutes
May 18, 2022
Be Held On November 8, 2022 With The Statewide General Election To Be Held On That Date Pursuant To California Elections Code Section 10400 Et Seq.; To Permit The County Clerk/Registrar Of Voters Of The County Of Fresno To Render Specified Services To The City Of Kingsburg Relating To The Conduct Of Said General Municipal Election Pursuant To California Elections Code Section 10002; And Authorizing Reimbursement Funds To Pay For Said Services. - Staff Report by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
5.4 Approve Changes to the Part-Time Firefighter EMT/Firefighter Paramedic Program. - Staff Report by Administrative Services Director Christina Windover.
Sponsor: Administrative Services
5.5 Kingsburg Business Improvement District Board Member Re-AppointmentAffirm Mayor North’s re-appointment of Leslie Carpenter to the Kingsburg Business Improvement District Board to a term that is set to expire November 2023. – Staff Report by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
5.6 Kingsburg Business Improvement District Board Member Re-AppointmentAffirm Mayor North’s re-appointment of Steve Safarjian to the Kingsburg Business Improvement District Board to a term that is set to expire November 2023. – Staff Report by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
5.7 Kingsburg Business Improvement District Board Member Re-AppointmentAffirm Mayor North’s re-appointment of Reggie Gierke to the Kingsburg Business Improvement District Board to a term that is set to expire November 2023. – Staff Report by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
5.8 Kingsburg Business Improvement District Board Member Re-AppointmentAffirm Mayor North’s re-appointment of June Hess to the Kingsburg Business Improvement District Board to a term that is set to expire November 2023. – Staff Report by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
5.9 Kingsburg Business Improvement District Board Member Re-AppointmentAffirm Mayor North’s re-appointment of Lauren Cooper to the Kingsburg Business Improvement District Board to a term that is set to expire November 2023. – Staff Report by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
5.10 Kingsburg Business Improvement District Board Member Re-AppointmentAffirm Mayor North’s re-appointment of Amanda Carrasco to the Kingsburg Business Improvement District Board to a term that is set to expire November 2023. – Staff Report by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
May 18, 2022
5.11 Kingsburg Business Improvement District Board Member Appointment- Affirm Mayor North’s re-appointment of Paiton Lackey to the Kingsburg Business Improvement District Board to a term that is set to expire November 2023. – Staff Report by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
5.12 Award of the 2022 Streets Project to Don Berry Construction, Inc. in the amount of $489,693.00.– Staff Report by City Engineer Dave Peters Sponsor: City Engineer’s Office
Regular Calendar
Solid Waste Rate Study and Prop. 218
Sponsor: Public Works
Public Works Director Daniel Galvez discussed the proposed rates, why we are here now and the proposed rates. Allison Lechowicz, Lechowicz + Tseng Municipal Consultants, reviewed the rate study, rates have not been increased since 2009. Mid Valley increases it’s rate every year, City is in the deficit in that account. One public hearing which includes the Prop 218 process, for 5 years of rate increases. With proposed rates there will be a reserve of 15%. This is to comply with SB 1383. The proposed timetable is for the first rate increase will be September 1, 2022, and then July 1st each year after that. She reviewed streets weeping rates.
Council Member Palomar asked if these are the rates or can they go up? Ms. Lechowicz said that there will be a cap of 10%. Council Member Roman said she understands that we have people on fixed income, conscious of raising the rates for our citizens. Council takes this seriously. Mayor North asked if we have an option for assisting seniors. Ms. Lechowicz said that Mid Valley gives a $1.50 discount for seniors, any more might not be legal as each party has to pay their fair rate.
Council Member Hurtado ask if we can do $4 and then $4 compared to $8 all at once? Ms. Lechowicz said we looked into that at finance committee. Council Member Pursell, Jr. said we are so far behind, we are losing a significant amount of money every month. All of these issues were important to us.
LN- none of us want to do this, we decided to not pay back what we have borrowed to fund this account. BP we have to get in front of this- SB 1383 fines are $10,000 per truck, we are trying to be reasonable. If this was a city of Kingsburg decisions, we probably wouldn’t do it. The state is pushing this on us. AH- we will evaluate the rate- council can chose to not raise if not needed. LN- would like to review this every 2 years to make sure we are not going back in to the red again.
Lee Darling, resident, asked about organics. Staff let Mr. Darling know that organics go in to the green waste can.
Mayor North said we will educate as it gets pushed out. Public Works Director Galvez stated that the ultimate goal is to increase the recycling and organics. Council Member Pursell, Jr. said it is going to have a big impact on businesses, he has had a conversation with the Chamber of Commerce. Council Member Hurtado would like to make sure we educate. Council Member Palomar said we don’t want to raise rates for our families and friends, but we have to do due to the state.
Council Member Pursell, Jr. motioned, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to approve the Rate study as presented and authorize the mailing of the Public Hearing Notice as part of the Prop 218 process and Kingsburg City Council Minutes
May 18, 2022
set a Public Hearing at a regular City Council meeting regarding the Proposed Solid Waste and Street Sweeping Rate Changes on August 3, 2022, at 6pm. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
Council Member Pursell, Jr. motioned, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to approve Resolution No. 2022-028 establishing procedures for the submission and tabulation of protest in connection with the Rate Hearing conducted pursuant to the requirements of Proposition 218. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
Crime Statistics Report for the Month of April 2022 and General Police Department UpdateCrime Statistics Report prepared by Kingsburg Police Department Records Supervisor Corina Padilla.
Sponsor: Police Department
Presentation by Police Lieutenant Stephens- discussed his first day on the job- there was a bank robbery. He discussed ongoing cases, the crime stats and upcoming trainings.
Informational- No Action Necessary
1% Public Safety Sales Tax - Measure E Budget Discussion- Staff Report by City Manager Alexander Henderson.
Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
City Manager Alexander Henderson shared a brief overview. It is a 1% transaction tax for online purchases. The tax was approved June 2018 by voters at 70%. The first estimated revenue was about $1 million, next year we are predicting $2.5 million. Council Member Pursell, Jr. asked if it expires in 2028.
City Manager Henderson said yes.
Police Lieutenant Stephens reviewed past purchases which included lots of equipment to help the department become up to date. He reviewed the current spending plan. They have ordered 4 vehicles but are waiting like everyone else in the state. He discussed trainings. Council Member Palomar asked about the body worn cameras for each officer and vehicle. Lieutenant Stephens said we are working on getting funding so that everyone gets their own.
Fire Chief Perkins presented their budget. They have been able to hire 4 full time personal, 6 full time with shared costs with hospital district and they have added a 2 nd ambulance. They have added 3 support
part time employees. Chief Perkins said the buildings have not been inspected in at least 10 years. It is important to have buildings up to code for safety, especially downtown. He discussed computer programs.
They have replaced the staff vehicle- complete the buildout of the incident command vehicle. They have added radios, SCBA Fill Station, OP plan, training, promote two captains to battalion chiefs, additional PPEs, replace another staff vehicle, replace fire hoses and add a turnout extractor.
Mayor North stated that Measure E is paying for the equipment and training for the school resource officer. City Manager Henderson said the Measure E committee approved the budget last week. Council Member Hurtado said it is nice to see the plan, so structured. Mayor North said it is over and beyond what was expected.
Informational- No Action Necessary
Council Reports and Staff Communications
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
May 18, 2022
Community Services Commission- Mayor North said they have not met.
Public Safety Committee- Council Member Palomar said they met last Monday about use of funds.
Chamber of Commerce- Council Member Pursell, Jr. said the Swedish Festival is Thursday through Saturday. On June 3rd they may host a Food Truck Event.
Economic Development- Mayor North said they have not met.
Finance Committee- Council Member Pursell Jr. said we have not met.
Planning Commission- Mayor North said they met and discussed two items, environmental determination and housing allotments. The housing allotments will be coming to council.
South Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency Joint Powers Authority (SKGSA)- City Manager Henderson said they discussed budget items.
Downtown Business Improvement District- Council Member Hurtado said they haven’t met.
Council of Governments- Council Member Roman said they will meet on the 26th.
Council Member Reports- Council Member Palomar attended the City of Fresno’s State of the City. He got to meet a lot of good people throughout the community. Council Member Roman attended the San Joaquin Policy Conference last week. She said SKF honored public works with lunch. Tomorrow she will be on KSEE 24 and 47 for the Swedish festival. Council Member Pursell, Jr. attended the leadership summit through the League of California Cities. It was good to get updated on the senate bills, proposals including loss of local control regarding housing and zoning. The purpose was to get all city leaders together to have one voice regarding state regulations. Mayor North spoke to the Fresno County Undersheriff Zanoni about dispatch fees and that when they take calls that dispatchers understand Kingsburg, including Summerlyn in Tulare County.
City Manager’s Report
City Manager Henderson said T-Mobile is working on a tour. $54 million investment, reflected in the amenities for the employees. They are ramping up for their recruiting. Governor Newsome released revised budget. The next meeting is 5/31, which is on a Tuesday. Kudos to the newly promoted Lieutenant Stephens.
Future Agenda Items- None.
The Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting was adjourned at 7:46pm.
Submitted by:
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Abigail Palsgaard, City Clerk