KINGSBURG CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
November 15, 2023
1401 Draper Street, Kingsburg, CA 93631 (559) 897-5821 www.cityofkingsburg-ca.gov Invocation was given by Cathleen Lawler, Police Chaplain, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Vince Palomar.
6 P.M. REGULAR SESSION MEETING:
Call to Order and Roll Call: Mayor Palomar called the regular meeting of the Kingsburg City Council to order at 6:03pm.
Council Members Present: David Silva, Brandon Pursell Jr., Laura North, Staci Smith, and Mayor Vince Palomar.
Council Member Absent: None.
Approve Agenda: A motion was made by Council Member Pursell, Jr., seconded by Council Member Smith, to approve the agenda, as published. The motion carried by an unanimous voice vote.
Presentations:
Ceremonial Presentation of State Funding of $350,000 for a new Kingsburg Fire Engine Sponsor: California State Assemblyman Devon Mathis
Promotion of Police Department employees:
Monique Gonzales – Sergeant
Joshua Carey – Sergeant
Sponsor: Police Department
Public Comments:
Ellie Dodd of the Kingsburg Tuesday Women’s Club spoke about the current mural they are working on.
Mrs. Dodd asked for clarification regarding insurance.
Consent Calendar: A motion was made by Council Member Silva, seconded by Council Member North, 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 November 1, 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 October 24, 2023, through November 6, 2023, as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Marsha Alves.
Sponsor: Finance Department
5.3 Adopt Resolution 2023-059 authorizing the City Manager to execute contract(s) with Caltrans for the Clean California Local Grant Program Cycle 2 performance period, including any subsequent amendments and all necessary supporting Kingsburg City Council Minutes
November 15, 2023
documents. - Staff Report Prepared by Community Services Director Adam Castaneda.
Sponsor: Community Services Department
5.4 Accept the Treasurer’s Report from July 31, 2023, to September 30, 2023, pursuant to Government Code 4001.- Staff Report by Finance Director Alma Colado Sponsor: Finance Department
5.5 Accept the Infrastructure Improvements to Tract 6151 and Authorize the City Engineer to file the Notice of Completion and Release Security Bonds Associated with the Project. - Staff Report prepared by City Engineer Dave Peters Sponsor: City Engineer’s Office
5.6 Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District Trustee Appointment. - Accept Mayor Palomar’s appointment of Tokuo Fukuda to the Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District to a term that is set to expire December 31, 2027.- Staff Report by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard.
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
5.7 Affirm Mayor Palomar’s appointment of Council Member Staci Smith as the City Council Liaison and Mayor Vince Palomar as the Alternate to the Community Service Commission.
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
5.8 Approve the Request for Absence for Council Member Pursell, Jr for the first quarter of 2024.- Staff Report by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard.
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
5.9 Adopt Resolution 2023-060- Authorizing the destruction of City Records approved by the City Attorney.
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
Regular Calendar
Development Impact Fee Report for FY 2022-23 & Five Year SB1693 Report – Staff Report by Finance Director Alma Colado
Sponsor: Finance Department
City Manager Alexander Henderson presented the report. Council discussed the fees for eligible projects by new construction. If monies are not spent, city must report the fees, annually and every 5 years.
Council Member Smith asked if we are supposed to use the fees in 5 years, or just report if we didn’t.
And inquired about plans for the impact fees. City Manager Henderson clarified that if we do not spend the money then we must create a finding of why we didn’t spend the money and explained the nexus study shows what the fees are collected for or run the risk of developers recalling the money.
The water the system is an example that will be used when we have to drill a new well, but the need isn’t immediate, but it will be.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
November 15, 2023
Council Member Smith questioned how public safety is a negative? Mr. Henderson answered when fire station 2 was constructed part of those bonds we borrowed from the impact funds, and then the economy slowed down.
Council Member North asked if the Specialized Rec and General Rec be used together? City Manager Henderson explained there is one that is identified as neighborhood parks that will be used for smaller parks. Staff will need to look at the limitations from the nexus report for clarifications and will come back with the information.
A motion was made by Council Member North, seconded by Council Member Pursell Jr., to adopt Resolution 2023-61 approving The Annual and Five-Year AB 1600 Reports For Fiscal Year 2022-23. The motion carried by an unanimous voice vote.
Transit Oriented Development Project- Draper St. - Report by City Engineer Dave Peters Sponsor: City Engineer’s Office
City Engineer Dave Peters presented that the BID and Chamber has overall support of the bike lanes on Draper. There was concern on the phasing of the project and there were inquiries about improvements on the crosswalks to help them stand out. Mr. Peters is proposing white pavement marking if council doesn’t want to go forward with the green lane. It can only be green. Council Member North added BID and the Chamber were supportive. The only negative would be educating the public about bike lanes and could potentially have a ribbon cutting. Their concern was making handicap parking more accessible and the inconsistency in how handicap parking will be compliant.
Council Member Pursell Jr. has heard the opposite, people do not want it. He doesn’t support putting the bike lane on Draper, would prefer that people would bike on other streets and walk on Draper. As bike lanes do not embody the essence of Draper Street. He would like to see an example of the green lanes on a different street. Engineer Peters suggested Lewis Street.
Council Member Smith is in support of the bike lanes, she would like them green. Kingsburg has a lot of people on bikes, and that is where we are heading. Acknowledges that there will need to be some education so there can be consistent knowledge regarding the use and safety of bike lanes. Would like to extend the green lanes throughout the town.
Council Member North recalls the Chamber asking how many of the residents in attendance have personally almost gotten hit- more than half raised their hands. Her concern is more along the lines of safety rather than esthetic.
Mayor Palomar agrees with Council Member Pursell Jr., and would like to see public input, not just businesses.
Council Member Silva is for the bike lanes. Reiterated there is full support from Chamber. As a biker, he is for making things better and safer. He used San Luis Obispo as an example, bike lanes didn’t change the look or the feel. Believes bike lanes would slow traffic down.
Engineer Peters inquired about if there is majority of council in favor of the bike lanes. Michael Noland clarified bike lanes were already approved before we applied for the grant, tonight is for direction. Council Member North also clarified approval was given 1 ½ years ago. Engineer Peters Kingsburg City Council Minutes
November 15, 2023
was asked to go to the businesses downtown and clarify if it is an issue or not. Council has majority consensus to move forward with bike lanes as presented with green.
City Engineer Project Progress Report- Report by City Engineer Dave Peters Sponsor: City Engineer’s Office
City Engineer Dave Peters gave an update on the various projects happening throughout Kingsburg.
Council Member Smith asked about the electrical poles on 18th, Engineer Peters clarified those poles are going to stay, they are able to get the ADA clearance. Mayor Palomar asked about the bathroom details at Memorial Park. There will be 4 unisex bathrooms. Council Member North received clarification on if cameras will be around the bathroom for vandalism. Mayor Palomar clarified about Heritage Park improvements, they will begin this December (2023).
Informational - No Action Necessary
Council Reports and Staff Communications
Community Services Commission - Nothing to report.
Public Safety Committee - Met Monday, November 13, 2023. Discussed powers of duties of the committee. Spoke about fentanyl awareness. And good use of the funds.
Chamber of Commerce – Santa Lucia is coming, December 2, 2023. Just did the veteran’s breakfast.
Spoke about needing volunteers for the Swedish festival.
Economic Development – Nothing to report.
Finance Committee- Nothing to report.
Planning Commission- Met last week, November 9, 2023, discussed Brown Act training and housing units allocations for West Star construction. Gave project updates.
South Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency Joint Powers Authority (SKGSA) - Have not met.
Downtown Business Improvement District- Discussed bike lanes. Working on getting downtown decorated for Christmas. Rock hunt downtown, going to do it again during Christmas.
Council of Governments - Nothing to report.
Council Member Reports – Council Member North discussed the 5 cities JPA met on November 6, 2023, we hosted here. 5 Cities is the smaller cities working together to try to pull in bigger businesses that would usually go to a larger city. New website and branding. Going to have a “food trail’ with a budget for advertising and using social media/influencers. She also discussed the community bilingual night at Rafer Johnson Jr. High is coming up. The McFarland track team, from the movie, will be the keynote speakers. Council Member Smith discussed the Kingsburg High School hosted the regional band competition, where the chairman of the boosters said the City of Kingsburg is great and easy to work with.
Attended the veteran’s breakfast and November task force meeting. Council Member Silva discussed Kingsburg High School’s girls’ volleyball team who won Valley Champions, they also won 3 or 4 state games. Asked for volunteers to ring the bell for KCAPS. Mayor Palomar KHS Viking football team, beat Dinuba and lost to Tulare. Also went to the veteran’s breakfast. Went to the chamber mixer at GUSS.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
November 15, 2023
City Manager’s Report – Clarified Madsen Avenue is not a street widening, just a re-pavement. Tree lighting next Friday, November 24, 2023. He has been appointed to the Fresno County EDC board.
Future Agenda Items:
None.
Adjourn the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting into Closed Session: 7:32pm Public Employment: California Government Code Section 54957 Title: City Manager
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