KINGSBURG CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
February 7, 2024
1401 Draper Street, Kingsburg, CA 93631
Invocation was given by John Palms, Kingsburg Task Force, 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 6:03 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:
Karly Guerrero – Stanford LEAP Internship Program Participant, Kingsburg Weekend of Wellness Special Event Presentation. She presented that it will focus in health equity- focus on chronic diseases with an educational component goal of whole-body wellness.
Public Comments: None.
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 of Council Members Silva, Smith and Mayor Pro Tem Palomar. Council Member North had to step out of the chamber for a personal matter.
5.1 Approval of City Council Minutes: Approve the minutes from the January 17, 2024 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 January 9, 2024 through January 30, 2024 as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Marsha Alves.
Sponsor: Finance Department
5.3 Accept the Treasurer’s Report from October 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 pursuant to Government Code 4001.- Staff Report by Finance Director Alma Colado Sponsor: Finance Department
5.4 Community Services Commission Appointment- Accept Mayor Pursell, Jr.’s appointment of Diana Weston Johnson to the Community Services Commission to a term that is set to expire November 2027.
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
5.5 Adopt Resolution 2024-001 declaring the Property is exempt surplus land. - Staff Report prepared by Daniel Galvez – Public Works Director Sponsor: City Attorney’s Office
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
February 7, 2024
5.6 Approve The 2024-2025 City of Kingsburg Budget Schedule Sponsor: Finance Department
5.7 Approve the Requested Closure of Church Street for the Kingsburg Extravaganza Event on March 16, 2024- Staff Report prepared by Community Services Director Adam Castaneda.
Sponsor: Community Services Department
5.8 Adopt Resolutions 2024-002; 2024-003; 2024-004; 2024-005; 2024-006; 2024-007 - Approving the Budget Amendments As Presented And Recommended By The Finance Committee- Staff Report Prepared by Finance Director Alma Colado.
Sponsor: Finance Department
5.9 Reject all bids received for the FY 23-24 Water Main Project and authorize the City Engineer to readvertise the project for bids.- Staff report by City Engineer Dave Peters Sponsor: City Engineer’s Department
5.10 Accept the Police Facility Tenant Improvements Project and authorize the City Engineer to file the Notice of Completion. - Staff report by City Engineer Dave Peters Sponsor: City Engineer’s Department
5.11 Approve the Agreement for Common Use of Easements and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the City of Kingsburg.- Staff report by City Engineer Dave Peters
Sponsor: City Engineer’s Department
5.12. Adopt the proposed Minimum Qualifications for Police Sergeant and Police Lieutenant. – Staff report by Police Chief Neil Dadian
Sponsor: Police Department
Regular Calendar
Fiber Optic Broadband Update - Staff Report prepared by City Manager Alexander Henderson Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
Reggie Gierke, President, Kingsburg Media Foundation gave updates on the fiber project. All the underground construction is complete throughout Kingsburg. Mr. Gierke gave an update on customers and discussed client transition; the number is consistently changing month to month. Working on setting up customers, in 6-7 weeks most of the town will be covered. Working with Fresno Housing Authority for Marion and Linnaea Villas for a partnership, they can provide internet for $10/month for those residents.
Also started working with the Kingsburg Elementary School District.
Mr. Gierke went on to discuss the current promotions, upgrades to public Wi-Fi and city cameras.
Financials- collecting $3,000 for the portion that goes back to the city loan. Under budget by $200k.
Council Member Silva asked how the promotions work for the pay back the loan. Mr. Gierke explained they will take a financial hit initially, but the long-term benefits will pay off for the city.
Mayor Pro Tem Palomar asked about discounts for residents. Mr. Gierke detailed the current plans and will look into streamlining billing and maybe lowering rates to stay competitive. He also reminded that the Kingsburg City Council Minutes
February 7, 2024
ACP is ending tonight, by they will keep the $30 discount through the year. Council Member North asked about advertising on social media. Mr. Gierke doesn’t have a big following but has relied on what the city, chamber and BID have shared.
Growth Management Allocation – Consideration of 2nd Round of Allocations- Staff Report by Community Development Director Holly Owen
Sponsor: Community Development Department
Community Development Director Holly Owen is seeking to reopen the second round for 2024 allocations under Kingsburg’s growth management. Action is to open the second round, not to evaluate the proposed project.
Director Holly Owen, clarified that we currently have 105 units because they have accumulated, and that units were not a Housing Authority project as it would be privately owned. Owens has reached out to surrounding cities with similar projects and has received positive feedback.
Council Member Silva inquired about the rush to open in February rather than September. Owens explained that tax funded projects can be complex; they have their own timetable they need to follow.
This supports low income and very low-income housing.
Council Member Smith asked if there is a need for low-income senior housing. Director Owens clarified it will 100% tax credit affordable housing. Council Member Palomar asked how many units the builder will want, and Director Owen said they could request up to 105. It is still in development.
City Manager Alexander Henderson clarifies that if council decides to open it tonight, you will see an application in the future, if they apply in this phase.
A motion was made by Council Member Silva, seconded by Council Member North, to approve the second round of allocation applications for 2024. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote of those members present.
Fresno Council of Governments Notice of Transportation Related Funding Awards - Report by City Engineer Dave Peters
Sponsor: City Engineer’s Office
On July 12, 2023 the Fresno County Council of Governments (Fresno COG) solicited grant applications for the 2023-24 Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) Program, Carbon Reduction Program (CRP), and Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program. Grant applications were due September 15, 2023, September 17, 2023, and October 6, 2023, respectively.
City Engineer Dave Peters reviewed the 4 grants that were awarded. Roundabout at 18th and Gilroy, 18th street improvements, crosswalk improvements.
Council Member North inquired about potentially acquiring land for the roundabout at 18th and Gilroy.
Mr. Peters doesn’t think it is necessary.
Council Member Silva commented these were improvements that enhance life in a positive way.
Major Revenue Fund Update - Staff Report by City Manager Alexander Henderson.
Sponsor: City Manager & Finance Department
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
February 7, 2024
City Manager Alexander Henderson reviewed taxes and predicted that there will be a minor reduction from last year (about 4.8%). Measure E has modest growth, it is estimated to be more than last year but not as high as previously predicted. Mr. Henderson also reviewed Bradley Burns Tax, property taxes, motor vehicle license fee, transient occupancy tax, and licensing & permit revenue sources. Discussed where these sales taxes go.
Council Reports and Staff Communications
Community Services Commission – Reviewed grant opportunities, received dog park update, should be completed this year. Also received current project updates.
Public Safety Committee - Have not met.
Chamber of Commerce – Will meet February 13, 2024. Blossom Trail kicks off will be February 9, 2024 at Bermans Flower shop.
Economic Development – Meet tomorrow February 8, 2024.
Finance Committee - Met and reviewed the budget schedule, forgivable loan, and the midyear budget amendments we passed tonight.
Planning Commission – Will meet tomorrow, February 8, 2024.
South Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency Joint Powers Authority (SKGSA) – Have not met.
Reached out to meet he has items he would like to discuss.
Downtown Business Improvement District - Met yesterday February 6, 2024, and discussed the website, social media influencers, review of BID documents and Brown Act.
Council of Governments - Approved the grants Engineer Dave Peters presented. One voice- Pursell will represent us in DC for our needs. Safe routes to school. Highway 99 update - still not finished.
Council Member Reports- Council Member Silva attended San Joaquin Valley air board met with Council Member North and Council Member Smith attended the taskforce meeting, next one will be 3/7, it is a great resource for our community. Discussed Narcan needs for the community.
City Manager’s Report – the Sierra Street project will begin soon. Caltrans has a project on state route 201 but outside of the jurisdiction. Anticipating a Spring start but will be getting more information.
Discussed the Golden State and Railroad improvements.
Future Agenda Items: None.
Adjourn the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting into Closed Session: 7:33pm
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
California Government Code Section 54957.6
City Designated Representative: Alexander Henderson
Employee Organization: Public Service Employees Association (KPSEA) Employee Organization: Kingsburg Police Officer Association (KPOA) Employee Organization: Kingsburg Professional Firefighters Association (KPFA)
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
February 7, 2024
Employee Organization: Non-represented Employees
City Council Adjourned out of Close Session into Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting and report out of Closed Session at 8:14pm.
City Attorney Mike Noland said there was no report.
Adjourn Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting. At 8:15 P. M. Mayor Pro Tem Palomar adjourned the meeting.
Submitted by:
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Abigail Palsgaard, City Clerk