KINGSBURG CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
January 17, 2024
1401 Draper Street, Kingsburg, CA 93631
Invocation was given by Pastor Clayton Paull, Hope Kingsburg, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Pro Tem Vince Palomar.
Call to Order and Roll Call: Mayor Pro Tem Palomar called the regular meeting of the Kingsburg City Council to order at 6:01 PM.
Council Members Present: David Silva, Laura North, Staci Smith, and Mayor Pro Tem Vince Palomar.
Council Member Absent: Mayor Brandon Pursell Jr as previously approved by Council on 11/15/2023.
Approve Agenda: A motion was made by Council Member Laura North seconded by Council Member Smith, to approve the agenda, as published. The motion carried by an unanimous voice vote of those present.
Presentations: None.
Public Comments:
Chris Peterson asked about the proposed road closure regarding blossom trail kick off.
Consent Calendar: A motion was made by Council Member Silva, seconded by Council Member Smith, to approve the items appearing on the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by an unanimous voice vote of those members present.
5.1 Approval of City Council Minutes: Approve the minutes from the December 20, 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 December 11, 2023 through January 8, 2024 as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Marsha Alves.
Sponsor: Finance Department
5.3 December 2023 Crime Statistics.- Accept and file the Police Department’s December 2023 Crime Stats.
Sponsor: Police Department
5.4 Planning Commission Appointment- Accept Mayor Pursell, Jr.’s appointment of Paul Kruper to the Planning Commission to a term that is set to expire November 2027.
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
5.5 Adopt Resolution 2024-001- A Resolution of The City Council of The City of Kingsburg Declaring Police Equipment Surplus.
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
5.6 Waive the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2023-002, An Ordinance Of The City Of Kingsburg Adding Chapter 52 Of Title 2 Of The Kingsburg Municipal Code (Finance Committee) with the following recital constituting reading the title of the Ordinance:
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
January 17, 2024
“An Ordinance Of The City Of Kingsburg Adding Chapter 52 Of Title 2 Of The Kingsburg Municipal Code (Finance Committee).”
-Staff Report by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
Regular Calendar
PUBLIC HEARING – Urban Water Management Plan- Staff report by City Engineer Dave Peters Sponsor: City Engineer’s Department
Mayor Pro Tem Palomar Open Public Hearing 605pm.
Will Washburn, Peters Engineering, gave a brief presentation. Staff has updated the 2015 plan; the city is under the amount of water use that was predicted. We sent it to Fresno County and Consolidated Irrigation District for comment, it has been open to public comment, and no comments have been submitted.
Council Discussion – Council Member Silva asked if Del Rey needed to do this with their small population. Mr. Washburn said no, if their population had less than 3,000 customers. Council Member Silva will ask more questions at the South Kings GSA meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Palomar clarified the county and the state needing to review this document. Mr.
Washburn noted that we have sent it to the County for comment, and they haven’t submitted comment and at the close of this hearing the time for comment will end.
OpenPublicComment – 6:11PM – None.
ClosePublicComment – 6:11 PM
Continued Council Discussion: None.
Close Public Hearing: 6:12 PM
A motion was made by Council Member North, seconded by Council Member Smith, to Adopt the Urban Water Management Plan, including comments or updates submitted and accepted at the public hearing, and direct staff to submit the adopted The Urban Water Management Plan to DWR for review and approval. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote of those members present.
City of Kingsburg General Plan Update; Consider Contract with Provost & Pritchard- Report by Community Development Director Holly Owen
Sponsor: Community Development Department
Community Development Director Holly Owen presented that the General Plan was last updated in 1993, reflects Kingsburg values, it is well beyond recommended life span. We will be using ARPA funds to update. The Finance Committee has reviewed and met regarding this contract since April 2023. There are certain tasks, including public workshops and pop-up events at city events. There has been savings of $140,000 since the original proposal were submitted.
Council Member Smith stated that being on the finance committee, we originally budgeted $400,000 and they requested that Ms. Owen work to get the total cost down. Council Member Smith is impressed that she got it to $260,000 and is thankful for the effort.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
January 17, 2024
Council Member Silva is thankful for Ms. Owen’s work. He likes the fact that there will be workshops and that the strategic plans workshops efforts were very successful. He asked what would happen if we needed the four workshops, Ms. Owens commented we can redirect and refocus as needed.
Mayor Pro Tem Palomar asked if Provost & Pritchard about CEQA and what is “environmental justice?” Owen responded they do CEQA for several cities and water projects. Regarding environmental justice she explained that it is a requirement of cities that need to look within their cities and look at the environmental impacts. It is aimed to help the disadvantaged community.
A motion was made by Council Member Silva, seconded by Council Member North, to approve the General Plan Update agreement with the Provost and Pritchard with the final approval of the city staff.
The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote of those members present.
Code Enforcement Report – Calendar Year 2023– Staff Report by Building Official AJ O’Connell
Sponsor: Community Development Department
Building Official AJ O’Connell presented his annual report. The department performed 1,419 total inspections, 357 case proactive, 294 from citizens. He detailed the issues of getting payment on citations.
Chris Peterson, resident, commented that the alleys are in bad condition.
Council Member Silva asked if Mid Valley would let us know if there were issues within the alleys.
City Manager Alexander Henderson clarified, yes. It is code enforcement through this department, the Fire Department and the public who report issues. Council Member Silva also wanted to ensure citizens know citations are not a money maker, but for compliance. Council Member Silva asked how many times the drone has been used for code enforcement? Building Official O’Connell clarified that the drone is not used code enforcement as the policy states that was approved by council.
Council Member North thanked the Building Department. Acknowledged the breakdown of who is reporting issues, they are the citizens of Kingsburg. She also wanted to know about the alleys, and asked what is done in these cases. Mr. O’Connell said they do drive through alleys but not often as they are not throughfares.
Mr. O’Connell clarified that citizens should report if they see something out of compliance by filling out the online form. And emphasized that if citizens are compliant in fixing their citations, they waive the penalty. Council thanked Mr. O’Connell for his hard work.
Kingsburg Tri-County Health Care District Grant Cycle– Staff Report by Community Services Director Adam Castaneda
Sponsor: Community Services Department
Community Services Director Adam Castaneda presented that the Kingsburg Health Care grant cycle is opening until May 1st. The Kingsburg Health Care District provides grants to various public and private organizations that provide health related services to the Kingsburg community and surrounding areas. Mr. Castaneda wanted to take this opportunity to get feedback from Council. We will present a list in the next couple of weeks for Council approval.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
January 17, 2024
The Health Care District did not release the area of focus for this grant cycle.
Council Member Silva, as the liaison, detailed the responsibility and opportunity the Kingsburg Health Care District has. The KHCD receives taxpayer funds and the board has the job to redisperse. The Board may potentially add focus to the items like sidewalk at Memorial Park, Senior Center. Council Member Silva acknowledged the Board would be willing to look at the needs of the Police Department and Fire Department, or upgrades at the High School pool. Health, wellness and the needs of our residents are what we should focus on. Council also gave direction to look into inclusive play equipment for children with special needs, swim lessons and remedying issues at the Crandell sports complex.
Council Reports and Staff Communications
Community Services Commission – Have not met.
Public Safety Committee – Have not met.
Chamber of Commerce – Chamber of Commerce and BID will be hosting the Blossom Trail Opening Ceremony which will be on February 9, 2024, from 10am -12pm.
Economic Development – Have not met. Toshiko expected to open next month. Loving Seed has secured a location at the Arnst building on Draper. They are excited to come to Kingsburg and be in our downtown. Lots of interest in businesses wanting to come to Kingsburg.
Finance Committee – Have not met.
Planning Commission – Met January 11, 2024, and approved a resolution for annex of a property and The Building Official, AJ O’Connell, gave a great report regarding new legislation on ADUs.
South Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency Joint Powers Authority (SKGSA) – Have not met.
Downtown Business Improvement District – Same news as Chamber of Commerce.
Council of Governments – Will meet next week.
Council Member Reports – Council Member Silva - BID and Chamber were the most cohesive groups, and will host an amazing blossom trail opening. It will be now maybe hosted in front of Berman’s flowers.
Lots of local participants. The Kingsburg Health Care District did want to present about the senior center meals, he recommends a workshop with all invested parties.
Council Member Palomar met with a candidate for a local representative seat with Council Member Silva.
Kingsburg High School recently had successful wrestling matches.
City Manager’s Report – Lieutenant Kevin Pendley is officially retiring after 32 years, we will honor him at a future meeting.
Future Agenda Items: None.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
January 17, 2024
At Mayor Pro Tem Palomar 7:24 P. M. adjourned the meeting.
Submitted by:
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Abigail Palsgaard, City Clerk