KINGSBURG CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
August 3, 2022
Council Chamber, 1401 Draper Street, Kingsburg, CA 93631 (559) 897-5821 www.cityofkingsburgca.gov Invocation was given by Pastor Ricky Chambers, Kingsburg Community 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 6:05 pm.
Council Members Present: Vince Palomar, Brandon Pursell, Jr., Michelle Roman and Mayor Laura North.
Council Members Absent: Jewel Hurtado.
Approve Agenda: A motion was made by Council Member Palomar, seconded by Council Member Pursell, Jr., to approve the agenda, as published. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote of those Council Members present.
Presentations:
None
Public Comments:
Garrison Jones, resident, parking is terrible during the concerts in park. Attendees move recycle cans.
Would like to eliminate the cannons and have cones for parking.
Steve Lane, resident, South Kings GSA, city is paying more than Selma for recharging water through the CID. It is a bad deal.
Davis Silva, resident and farmer, the South Kings GSA it is a bad deal. We will be spending more on water.
Consent Calendar:
Council Member Pursell, Jr. asked that 5.3 be pulled.
A motion was made by Council Member Roman, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to 5.1, 5.2, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6 and 5.7 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 July 20, 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 July 12, 2022 through July 25, 2022 as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Marsha Alves.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
August 3, 2022
Sponsor: Finance Department
5.4 Adopt Resolution No. 2022-041- A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Kingsburg Supporting The Measure C Renewal Expenditure Plan. – Staff Report by City Manager Alexander Henderson.
Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
5.5 Approve the proposed Inflation Relief Package for all eligible employees – Staff Report by Director of Administrative Services Christina Windover.
Sponsor: Administrative Services
5.6 Approve the Request for Proposals – Compensation Study – Staff Report by Director of Administrative Services Christina Windover.
Sponsor: Administrative Services
5.7 Approve the Cancellation of the September 7, 2022, Regular City Council Meeting– Staff Report by City Manager Alexander Henderson.
Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
PULLED:
5.3 Award of the FY 22-23 Street Striping & Marking Project to Anderson Striping & Construction, Inc. in the amount of $149,978.95– Staff Report by City Engineer Dave Peters.
Sponsor: City Engineer’s Office
Council Member Pursell, Jr. asked about the striping project, do we have a timeline? City Engineer Dave Peters said striping around the schools will be done by Tuesday night.
A motion was made by Council Member Pursell Jr., seconded by Council Member Palomar, to approve
5.3 on the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote of those Council Members present.
Regular Calendar
PUBLIC HEARING-Prop 218 Election- Solid Waste Staff Report by Public Works Director Daniel Galvez.
Sponsor: Public Works Department
Open Public Hearing: Mayor North opened the public hearing at 6:27pm.
Public Works Director Daniel Galvez and Allison Lechowicz, Lechowicz + Tseng Municipal Consultants, reviewed the Senate Bill 1383 mandating that cities must provide organics to all businesses and residents with the goal of reducing organic waste going to landfills. The rate study is reflecting the actual cost. Without the fee increase, the city will lose $2 per account per month and would not achieve financial stability in the solid waste fund. Street sweeping rates need to double to cover costs. The public can submit their protest. If there is not a majority protest, the rates can go into effect 9/1/2022
Council Discussion: 6:39pm.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
August 3, 2022
Mayor North asked about the comparisons with other cities. The rates show as of April 2022. Ms.
Lechowicz those are current as of April, she wasn’t able to get updated rates from local municipalities.
Mr. Galvez said staff recommends the Council open the public hearing and at the conclusion of the public hearing absent a majority protest as determined by the City Clerk, approve Resolution 2022- 042 implementing the proposed rates as presented effective on or after September 1, 2022 and authorize annual increases on July 1, though 2026. There are also alternatives Absent a majority protest as determined by the City Clerk, Council has the option to reduce the proposed rate increases but may not increase the rates above that proposed or Council could take no action.
OpenPublicComment: 6:41pm.
Robert Allen, resident, opposes the rate increase.
Terry Lane, resident, asked if there is a person who applies for grants.
Lee Darling, resident, opposes the street sweeper increase.
ClosePublic Comment: 6:47pm.
Continued Council Discussion: 6:47pm.
Council discussed how this is a difficult decision, haven’t raised fees since 2008. State policies are forcing the raising of the rates from the state. Council Member Pursell, Jr. and City Manager Henderson went to Sacramento, and they are lobbying against our state government for these nonfunded mandates. Council Member Pursell, Jr. said we can’t stop this other than lobbying in Sacramento. We have been up there to fight this. Trying to make the right decision. Council discussed how all of our contracts are sent out to bid- we always go with the lowest costs. Anyone that is qualified, they can bid. Mayor North said they are even going to put geo trackers in the truckswe can’t pass off a $10,000 fine if you throw away lettuce in the trash. We have to be fiscally responsible.
Mr. Galvez said we have worked with Mid Valley to get grants for procurement of mulch and for educational information. We are actively working on ways to cut down on the cost, but they are limited. Council Member Palomar said it is a tough situation for us up here. We haven’t increased the fees since 2009 and unfortunately due to SB 1383 we need to raise rates. We are in a recession, and we don’t want to raise them, we just hope that you guys see as leaders in the community, we are just trying to make the right decision for our city and be fiscally responsible. It is tough on us. LN- asked how much we are in the hole because we haven’t raised rates? A roughly $250,000 a year. BP- even if this passes, we will continue to fight Sacramento for these unfunded mandates. They need to hear from everyone, not just us that this on the backs of the citizens.
Close Public Hearing: 6:55pm.
City Clerk Palsgaard announced the election results. To have a majority protest, there would need to be 1,916 valid protest ballots submitted. There were 238 valid protest ballots submitted. The result of the election is an absence of a majority protest.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
August 3, 2022
Absent a majority protest as determined by the City Clerk, Council Member Pursell, Jr. motioned to approve Resolution 2022-042 implementing the proposed rates as presented effective on or after September 1, 2022 and authorize annual increases on July 1, though 2026.
The motion carried by unanimous voice vote of those Council Members present.
Kingsburg Tri-County Health Care District Grant Awards 2022- Staff Report by Community Services Director Adam Castaneda
Sponsor: Community Services & Fire Departments
Community Services Director Adam Castaneda presented that the Kingsburg Tri-County Health Care District provides grants to various public and private organizations that provide health related services to the Kingsburg community and surrounding area. Each year in January the Kingsburg TriCounty Health Care District Board approves a list of needed health services and programs which grant applicants can focus on in applying for grant funding. This year, preference was given to projects that address the following: mental and physical health care, nutrition, exercise, and diabetes.
May 1, 2022 was the deadline to submit grant applications and on July 20, 2022 grant awards were announced by the KTHCD Board of Directors.
Tonight, staff is pleased to announce the four (4) grant award offers the City of Kingsburg has received from the Tri-County Health Care District for this year’s grant cycle.
Kingsburg Community Services –
Senior Center Kitchen Renovation Project $ 220,728.00
Kingsburg Fire Department –
Paramedic Ambulance Personnel 2022 (year 2) $366,654.00 Paramedic Ambulance Personnel Wage Adjustment $7,333.00 Lucas/CPR Devices & Annual Contract $80,106.00
Council Roman said it is exciting, senior center kitchen update has been needed. Also exciting for the Fire Department.
Council Member Roman motioned to approve of the KTHCD Grant 2022-05 Senior Center Kitchen Renovation Project ($220,728). The motion was seconded by Council Member Palomar. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote of those Council Members present.
Council Member Pursell, Jr. motioned to approve of the KTHCD Grant 2022-09 Paramedic Ambulance Personnel 2022/year 2 ($366,654). The motion was seconded by Council Member Roman. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote of those Council Members present.
Council Member Palomar motioned to approve of the KTHCD Grant 2022-10 Paramedic Ambulance Personnel Wage Adjustment ($7,333). The motion was seconded by Council Member Pursell, Jr. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote of those Council Members present.
Council Member Roman motioned to approve of the KTHCD Grant 2022-13 Lucas/CPR Devices & Annual Contract ($80,106). The motion was seconded by Council Member Palomar. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote of those Council Members present.
Council Reports and Staff Communications
Community Services Commission- Mayor North said there was nothing to report.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
August 3, 2022
Public Safety Committee- Council Member Palomar said they will meet next week.
Chamber of Commerce- Council Member Pursell, Jr. said they will meet next week.
Economic Development- Council Member Pursell, Jr. said they haven’t met.
Finance Committee- Council Member Pursell, Jr. said they haven’t met.
Planning Commission- Mayor North said they meet next week.
South Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency Joint Powers Authority (SKGSA)- Council Member Pursell, Jr. said nothing to report.
Downtown Business Improvement District- City Clerk Palsgaard said they met this morning, discussed Kingsburg Street Eats and staying open later on Friday with the Trolley bring people downtown.
Council of Governments- Council Member Roman discussed the freeway construction with updates from Caltrans.
Council Member Reports- Council Member Pursell, Jr. said Elvis event downtown was a lot of fun.
City Manager’s Report- City Manager Henderson reminded Council that there will be a Joint Planning Commission Workshop 8/11/2022.
The Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting was adjourned at 8:03pm.
Future Agenda Items- None.
Submitted by:
____________________________________
Abigail Palsgaard, City Clerk