KINGSBURG CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
April 5, 2023
Invocation was given by Pastor Malcom Light, Orchard Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Vince Palomar.
6 P.M. REGULAR SESSION MEETING:
Call to Order and Roll Call: Mayor Vince Palomar called the regular meeting of the Kingsburg City Council to order at 6:02 pm.
Council Members Present: David M. Silva, Staci Smith, Laura North, Brandon Pursell, Jr., and Mayor Vince Palomar.
Council Members Absent: None.
Approve Agenda: A motion was made by Council Member Pursell, Jr., seconded by Council Member North, to approve the agenda, as published. The motion carried by an unanimous voice vote.
Presentations: None.
Public Comments:
Frank Lewis, resident, spoke about trucks on 18th avenue and bad sidewalks in town.
Consent Calendar: A motion was made by Council Member Smith, seconded by Council Member Silva, to approve the items appearing on the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by an unanimous voice vote.
5.1 Approval of City Council Minutes: Approve the minutes from the March 15, 2023 Regular 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 March 7, 2023 through March 27, 2023 as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Marsha Alves.
Sponsor: Finance Department
5.3 Reject Claim filed by Braulio Cantu for his claim filed on March 15, 2023- Staff Report prepared by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard.
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
5.4 Adopt the new City Council Electronic Device Policy and Acknowledgement Form - Staff Report prepared Assistant City Manager/Administrative Services Director Christina Windover
Sponsor: Administrative Services
5.5 Public Safety Sales Tax (Measure E) Oversight Committee Appointment- Accept Mayor Palomar’s appointment of John Matic to the Public Safety Sales Tax (Measure E) Oversight Committee to a term that is set to expire November 2027.
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
April 5, 2023
5.6 Public Safety Sales Tax (Measure E) Oversight Committee Appointment- Accept Mayor Palomar’s appointment of Michele Buckner to the Public Safety Sales Tax (Measure E) Oversight Committee to a term that is set to expire November 2027.
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
Regular Calendar
Financial Statements for the Year Ended June 30, 2022 – Consider Statements as prepared by Price Paige & Company - Staff Report prepared by Finance Director Alma Colado Sponsor: Finance Department
Finance Director Alma Colado presented that The City of Kingsburg’s Financial Statements for Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2022, have been audited by an independent accounting firm and an Unqualified Opinion (clean opinion) has been issued.
Osvaldo Gutierrez and Anthony Gonzalez of Price Page & Company presented their findings for the financial statements for the year ending June 30, 2022. They performed an external audit review including internal controls, staffing, and external forces. They discussed that state laws are continuing to change for regulations. They reported an unmodified audit (clean). Council Member Pursell, Jr. asked how much time this audit takes, and if it is the industry standard. Mr. Gutierrez said about 9 months and 300 hours.
They confirmed that the City’s audit process is above the basic audit some cities have and are at the industry standard level. Mayor Palomar discussed the fund balance reconciliation deficiency.
Council Member Pursell, Jr. motioned, seconded by Council Member North, to accept the financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2022. The motion carried by an unanimous voice vote.
Updated Solar Options - Wells 13 and 16, Police Department & Public Works Yard - Staff Report by Public Works Director Daniel Galvez.
Sponsor: Public Works Department
Public Works Director Daniel Galvez presented since the previous meeting, there has been some changes at the Police Department due to setbacks, Well 13 went from a ground set to a car port, and Well 16 has changes after input from a community meeting. April 14th is the deadline to submit the application, not the final designs.
Jessica Ritter, Facility Solutions Specialist of Sitelogiq, reviewed the new Well 16 design. She said it will be less visible and the turtles will be ok. The original design was 243 kw, this is 194 kw, and it will still have savings. Council Member Pursell, Jr. asked the height. Eddie Jordan, Sitelogiq, said 6’. Council discussed the height, this is the first time they have heard that it will be 6’ tall. Mr. Jordan said it is 18” on one side and 6’ on the high point. A fence can be installed with privacy slats. They discussed the fence possibilities.
Public comment:
Glenn Billington, resident, is ok with it with a fence and shrubs to cover the fence.
Lance Jackson, resident, worried that there isn’t an ability to put shrubbery due to having a culvert there.
A fence right behind the array would be more beneficial. Discussed the fencing. Public Works Director Galvez said it will be a low impact to put vines on the north.
Teresa Lipshitz, resident, doesn’t like that it will be 6’.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
April 5, 2023
Council Member Pursell, Jr. said we didn’t understand that a ground mount would be 6’ tall at the community meeting. Mr. Galvez said this is still something that we can work with. Council Member Pursell Jr. said the height will be a concern with people who live over here. If we are going to do it, we need to do it in the least intrusive way.
Larry Dillon, resident, disappointed he didn’t hear about the meeting. Council asked how we could reach out better. Putting a sign on the fence who be beneficial to notify people who walk by but do not live close by.
Council Member Silva asked if we could downsize at Erling by cutting it into two. Ms. Ritter said we can, it would generate 20% less energy.
Council Member Silva thanked Siteloqic. He finds value in solar. It is not just savings to the residents in the area, it is a benefit to everyone in the city. It is not a perfect solution all of the time but is an important project. Council Member North is concerned with Well 16- doesn’t feel comfortable to rush to decisions.
Concerned with panels at a neighborhood park. Would like to do a separate motion for 16 moving forward.
Council Member Pursell, Jr. said it is important that people know that we are submitting applications to connect, we were promised artist renderings, which we do not have yet.
Council Member Smith asked what our cost savings will be if we reduced panels? Mr. Galvez said it is 78% precent of usage. Council Member Smith asked what is the actual number? Mr. Jordan said we don’t have it yet.
Council Member Silva motioned to approve the applications for the 4 sites.
Council Member North would like to have Well 16 as a separate motion because she would vote no.
Council Member Silva withdrew his motion.
Council Member North motioned to authorize SitelogIQ to submit the interconnection applications to PG&E as presented for Wells 13, the Police Department and the Public Works Corp Yard. Motion died for a lack of a second.
Council Member Pursell, Jr. motioned, seconded by Council Member Silva to authorize SitelogIQ to submit the interconnection applications to PG&E as presented for Well 13, Well 16, the Police Department and the Public Works Corp Yard. The motion passed with a voice vote of 4-1 with Council Member North voting no.
Independence Day Celebration – Chamber of Commerce Funding Request- Staff Report by City Manager Alexander Henderson.
Sponsor: City Manager
City Manager Alexander Henderson discussed the expense of the show and the Chamber’s proposal.
Council Member Silva asked Chamber of Commerce President Reggie Gierke how much community outreach the chamber has done. Mr. Gierke said they have had outreach, but not a lot of responses.
They go to donors on a regular basis especially for car show and the Swedish festival. Council Member Silva asked does the public know that this may be canceled due to funding? If the community knew it wasn’t going to happen due to funding, they may be more willing to help. He is for keeping Kingsburg City Council Minutes
April 5, 2023
traditions, but needs to stay fiscally responsible. Mr. Gierke said the community is generally aware of the lack of funding. There is confusion on what the City does and the Chamber does. People ask why doesn’t the City pay for it. Council Member Silva asked how much money is allocated for the fireworks show. Mr. Gierke said we carried over $5k for the deposit. We pulled $20,000 from the general fund last year for the show. Kingsburg Lions Club will donate $10,000 of matching funds this year. We already get $5,000 from the city. The Chamber is hoping to not come back each year.
Council Member Pursell, Jr. asked what would happen to the funds if something happens and we can’t have the show. Mr. Gierke said we would lose our 50% deposit. Council Member Pursell, Jr. said during covid we had crowd funding and you guys were successful. Have you tried it this year? Mr.
Gierke said last year we only received $150. Council Member Pursell, Jr. said most people do not know the manpower these events take. Michele Buckner, Chamber Board Member, said the past years have been difficult, the chamber will go forward with fundraising in the future. Council Member Pursell, Jr. said wants to make sure they are doing all they can for funding. He needs to know that since it is taxpayer funding. Council discussed charging for parking. The Chamber said that Caltrans has asked them not to due to backed up traffic on Sierra Street. They discussed the time that it takes to put on events. It is about 20 hours of part time work, 120 of volunteer work for the car show. The Chamber uses about 4,000 total volunteer hours annually.
Lance Jackson, resident, not opposed to the fireworks show or the city funding some of it. Would like straightforward accounting. Council Member Pursell, Jr. said the Chamber does provide it at meetings to council members. Mr. Jackson would like to know where to see it as a taxpayer. He would like to see where that $50,000 goes. Council advised him when the next Chamber Board meeting is.
Council Member Smith said they have to be fiscally responsible. She believes they should charge at the gate. People come from other communities to watch the firework show. Without charging, the Kingsburg tax payers are paying for all of it. She would like to see the Chamber charge for parking. It is roughly 300 parking spots.
Council Member North suggested they talk to the Kingsburg Downtown Business Improvement District about additional help, you can ask the public to volunteer too. She would like to piggyback on Council Member Pursell, Jr. said about the great job the Chamber does and thank you. Mayor Palomar thanked them. Council Member Pursell, Jr. motioned, seconded by Council Member North, to approve the additional $10,000 funding request from the Chamber for the Independent Day Celebration. The motion passed with an unanimous voice vote.
2023-2028 City Strategic Planning Consultant Proposals- Staff Report by Asst. City Manager/Admin.
Services Director Christina Windover
Sponsor: Administrative Services Department
Asst. City Manager/Admin. Services Director Christina Windover presented the 2023-2028 City Strategic Planning Consultant Proposals. The 5 year strategic plan is in the current budget. Last time was in 2018 with input from council, staff and the community.
Council Member Silva asked if we have worked with the Mejorando Group? Ms. Windover said no.
Council Member Silva asked have we reached out to the cities that they have worked with? Ms.
Windover said not directly but they did send over samples that are included in the Council packet.
Council Member Pursell, Jr. motioned, seconded by Council Member Smith, to hiring The Mejorando Group for the Strategic Plan update and authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement. The motion passed with an unanimous voice vote.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
April 5, 2023
2023 Summer Recreation Program Fee Discussion - Staff Report prepared by Community Services Director Adam Castaneda.
Sponsor: Community Services Department
Community Services Director Adam Castaneda presented the proposed fees for Summer Recreation.
Council Member Smith asked if the program will just be the afternoon? Mr. Castaneda said yes.
Council Member Pursell, Jr. asked who is paying? Mr. Castaneda said parents/caregivers. They discussed that the elementary schools have construction and their own program, so they are going to the High School in the afternoon. Council Member Pursell, Jr. motioned, seconded by Council Member Silva, to adopt Resolution 2023-020 setting the new fee for the summer recreation program.
The motion passed with an unanimous voice vote.
Council Reports and Staff Communications
Community Services Commission- Have not met.
Public Safety Committee- Meets next month.
Chamber of Commerce – Meets next Tuesday at 7am.
Economic Development - They have not met.
Finance Committee- Met and discussed the strategic plan proposals and the Chamber’s request for funds.
Planning Commission- Will meet next Thursday.
South Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency Joint Powers Authority (SKGSA)- Flood water is being released, cities are ready to accept it. Lance Jackson, resident, asked how many basins in the city can receive flood water. City Manager Henderson said 3 basins, Historical Park, Athwal and Solig. Mr.
Jackson asked if it is a part of our agreement to pay for it. Mr. Henderson said yes, it is a part of the annual allotment.
Downtown Business Improvement District- Met this week. Summer Kickoff for the BID 6/2. Hired a social media manager.
Council of Governments- Caltrans will close on/off ramps in Selma from Highway 99. They will divert traffic to Mountain View with potential delays for residents.
Council Member Reports- Council Member Silva said the Kingsburg Tri-County Hospital Board had a special meeting to discuss the new United Health Urgent Care. Kingburg resident, teacher and coach Chad Bennett passed away he was a very nice man. Mayor Palomar remembers when he was educator of the year. Mayor Palomar also attended an event at SKF.
City Manager’s Report – City Manager Henderson said they will be paving lots tomorrow, will be useable for the car show. The other lot will be between the car show and Swedish festival. Council Member Pursell, Jr. asked when does the Fiber project come back for update. Mr. Henderson said in 2 weeks.
Future Agenda Items: None.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
April 5, 2023
The Kingsburg City Council adjourned out of the Regular Calendar into Closed Session at 8pm:
9.1 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: APN 396-09-01
Agency Negotiator: City Manager Alexander Henderson
City Council Adjourned out of Close Session into Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting and report out of Closed Session at 8:17pm.
City Attorney Mike Noland said there was no report.
Adjourn Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting. At 8:17 P. M. Mayor Palomar adjourned the meeting.
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Abigail Palsgaard, City Clerk