KINGSBURG CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
March 20, 2024
1401 Draper Street, Kingsburg, CA 93631
Invocation was given by Pastor Mark Thompson, First Baptist Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Pro Tem Vince Palomar.
Call to Order and Roll Call: Mayor Pro Tem Vince Palomar called the regular meeting of the Kingsburg City Council to order at 6:02 PM.
Council Members Present: David Silva, Staci Smith, Laura North and 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 Smith seconded by Council Member Silva, to approve the agenda, as published. The motion carried by an unanimous voice vote of those present.
Presentations: None.
Public Comment: None.
Consent Calendar:
Council Member North asked that Items 5.6 and 5.8 be pulled from the Consent Calendar.
A motion was made by Council Member North, seconded by Council Member Silva, to approve 5.1-5.5;
5.7 and 5.9 appearing on the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote of those present.
5.1 Approval of City Council Minutes: Approve the minutes from the March 6, 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 February 27, 2024, through March 11, 2024, as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Marsha Alves.
Sponsor: Finance Department
5.3 Approve the Emergency Medical Services Agreement with Fresno County. - Staff report by Fire Chief Daniel Perkins
Sponsor: Fire Department
5.4 Adopt Resolution 2024-018 declaring Fire Engine 143 Surplus. - Staff report by Fire Chief Daniel Perkins
Sponsor: Fire Department
5.5 Approve sale of Fire Engine 143 to Laton Volunteer Fire Department. - Staff report by Fire Chief Daniel Perkins
Sponsor: Fire Department
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
March 20, 2024
5.7 Approve the Requested Closure of Smith Street for the VBS Block Party on August 1, 2024.- Staff Report prepared by Community Services Director Adam Castaneda.
Sponsor: Community Services Department
5.9 Adopt Resolution 2024-019 authorizing submission of an application to the Fresno Council of Governments for funding under the Measure C Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Grant; the execution of a standard agreement if selected for such funding; and any related documents necessary to participate in the Fresno County Measure C Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Program. - Staff Report prepared by City Engineer Dave Peters
Sponsor: City Engineer’s Office
Pulled Consent Calendar Items:
5.6 Approve the Requested Closure of Ellis Street for the Youth Ministries Auction/Dinner on April 19, 2024.- Staff Report prepared by Community Services Director Adam Castaneda.
Sponsor: Community Services Department
5.8 Approve the Requested Closure of Smith Street for the Costume Carnival on October 27, 2024.- Staff Report prepared by Community Services Director Adam Castaneda.
Sponsor: Community Services Department
Council Member North said she had a question about the date for Item 5.6 because the staff report states the event will happen after school is released, and she wanted to confirm the event was on a Sunday, when there is no school. Community Services Director Adam Castenada confirmed it was on a Sunday.
Regarding 5.8, she questioned the time frame, the staff report states 2:00pm to 9pm but the application states 12pm. She is concerned with Washington School students being released for the day. Community Services Director Adam Castenada confirmed the application says 12:00 pm but after discussing the release of the students, the applicants changed it to 2pm, or once the kids have been picked up from Washington School. Council Member North asked if the school gets notified of the street closures, just like businesses are required to. Community Services Director Adam Castenada said they should be notified.
A motion was made by Mayor North, seconded by Council Member Smith, to approve 5.6 and 5.8 appearing on the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote of those present.
Regular Calendar
Solar Project Update – Wells 13 & 16, Police Department & Public Works Yard - Staff Report by Public Works Director Daniel Galvez
Public Works Director Daniel Galvez gave a status update. Minor design changes for the PD project.
However, the tentative construction dates begin with the Police Department starting October 7, 2024.
Subsequent construction start dates are October 14th, 21st, and 28th, 2024. All projects are still on the projected timeline.
Informational only.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
March 20, 2024
Measure C - Golden State Boulevard Project Update- Staff Report by City Manager Alexander Henderson.
Sponsor: City Manager & Finance Department
City Manager Alexander Henderson discussed the Golden State Boulevard project. The project has been in construction for serval months, it has been broken down into stages mainly from requests from the railroad. There are 20 railroad crossings total for the project, and they will be approved by one action from the railroad. The railroad requests would significantly increase the total cost of the project.
In Kingsburg there are two significant crossings at Kamm & Stroud they have not been started. Staff will make one more attempt to work with the railroad, with the next meeting 3 months from now.
Stroud will be realigned and re-pavement. Staff is hoping the railroad will agree to approve this one instead of all 20 or none. Fresno County is the lead agency in this. If not all 20, the railroad may approve approving two crossings per city, which would be good for us but not for our neighbors. We hope it moves quickly as we are in year 14 for this project. Council asked who will lead the discussion. City Manager Henderson said it will be the contractor and Fresno County Transportation Agency. Council Member Silva said those are two vital intersections, please keep pushing the ball forward.
City CalPERS Update- Report by City Manager Alexander Henderson.
Sponsor: City Manager & Finance Department
City Manager Alexander Henderson discussed part of the budget development and wanted to give an update on CalPERS at the state level, in regards on return on investment, and the impact it has on city plans.
Council Reports and Staff Communications
Community Services Commission - Have not met.
Public Safety Committee - Met on Monday March 18, 2024. Had a police update personnel. Continue the discussion on how to use the funds.
Chamber of Commerce – Chamber dinner was a success. Getting ready for the car show and Swedish Festival.
Economic Development - Have not met.
Finance Committee - Have not met.
Planning Commission - Have not met.
South Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency Joint Powers Authority (SKGSA) – Nothing to report.
Downtown Business Improvement District - Discussed website maintenance. Council Member North asked that they consider working with Chamber on getting Narcan for downtown businesses.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
March 20, 2024
Council of Governments - Caltrans update for the 99, will be under construction for at least 3 more months. Mayor Pursell, Jr. is participating in One Voice through COG with a group of other Mayors at the Nation’s Capital.
Council Member Reports – Council Member Silva attended the Kingsburg Health Care District meeting; their budget for grants is $2,100,000. Council Member North discussed the partnership between the Hospital Board, the school district, and the city funding for swim lessons for TK through 2nd grade and CPR and First Aid and babysitting training for 4
th-7th grade who will participate in the beyond the bell program. The City received additional funding from their grants including funds for the fire department’s risk reduction trailer and breakfast for seniors’ program. Council Member Silva thanked Director Castaneda for helping with that. Council Member Smith said the High School hosted the 15th annual Rafer Johnson track meet, which was very successful. Council Member North took a group of kids to OK Produce for an event called ‘You matter” kids did community service through the different stations.
Thanked city staff and the public safety personnel for what they did with the house fire.
City Manager’s Report – City Manager Alexander Henderson reported that KCAPS is working with the family in regard to the fatal fire. Both Kingsburg Fire and Police Department responded, working on debriefing and counseling. Working with the baseball league for improved pedestrian safety. Toshiko’s will be opening soon.
Future Agenda Items: None.
Mayor Pro Tem Palomar adjourned the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting into Closed Session at 6:50 PM.
9.1 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)
Employee Organization: Non-represented Employees
9.2 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2); facts and circumstances potentially known under Section 54956.9(e)(2) – potential claims under ADA and FEHA
Mayor Pro Tem Palomar adjourned out of Close Session into Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting and report out of Closed Session 8:02pm.
City Attorney Michael Noland reported that there was nothing to report.
Mayor Pro Tem Palomar adjourned the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting at 8:03pm.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
March 20, 2024
Submitted by:
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Abigail Palsgaard, City Clerk