KINGSBURG CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
April 3, 2024
1401 Draper Street, Kingsburg, CA 93631
Invocation was given by Pastor Marlin Hiett, Kingsburg Covenant Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Brandon Pursell, Jr.
Call to Order and Roll Call: Mayor Pursell, Jr. called the regular meeting of the Kingsburg City Council to order at 6:03 PM.
Council Members Present: David Silva, Vince Palomar, Laura North, Staci Smith and Mayor Brandon Pursell Jr.
Council Member Absent: None.
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 a unanimous voice vote.
Presentations:
Introduction and swearing in of Interim Fire Chief John Binaski Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
Public Comments: John Wright, resident, presented Priority Communications Services which is a program for better communication regarding cell phones losing service. Department of Homeland Security registered agencies get priority use, free service.
Consent Calendar: A motion was made by Council Member Palomar, seconded by Council Member Silva, to approve the items appearing on the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
5.1 Approval of City Council Minutes: Approve the minutes from the March 20, 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 March 12, 2024, through March 25, 2024, as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Marsha Alves.
Sponsor: Finance Department
5.3 Accept the Madsen Avenue Rehabilitation Project RSTPL 5170(065) Project and authorize the City Engineer to file the Notice of Completion. - Staff report by City Engineer Dave Peters
Sponsor: City Engineer’s Department
5.4 Accept the 12th & 18th Avenue Sidewalks Project CML 5170 (060), (063), & (064) Project and authorize the City Engineer to file the Notice of Completion. - Staff report by City Engineer Dave Peters
Sponsor: City Engineer’s Department
Regular Calendar
Proposed Sale of Real Property Exempt Surplus Land - Staff Report by Public Works Director Daniel Galvez
Public Works Director Daniel Galvez presented regarding the Kingsburg property, 14137 Mendocino Ave, Kingsburg, CA 93631 about 150 feet South of Howard APN 394-080-29T. The property is a remnant piece of property that is unbuildable and unusable for City purposes and was an ongoing maintenance issue for the city, the property has already been deemed surplus. Both property owners have agreed to split the property.
Council asked clarifying questions regarding the properties flooding and if the improvements would cause the property owners to lose their bond. Director Galvez confirmed he is working with the property owners, and they will not lose the bond and we just want to not be responsible for this property.
A motion was made by Council Member North, seconded by Council Member Smith to authorize the City Manager to execute the purchase sale agreements with both property owners adjacent to the surplus property. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
SKF (Selma Kingsburg Fowler) Sanitation Rate Study & Budget Discussion - Staff Report by City Manager Alexander Henderson.
Sponsor: City Manager & Finance Department
City Manager Alexander Henderson stated that SKF is going through a rate study, they last rose rates in 2017. The rate study is currently under consideration by the SKF Board of Directors, and is anticipated to be voted upon in May, with final budget approval in June.
Council asked about the reserve rates and how they compare. City Manager Henderson will clarify with SKF, indicates it is normal to have it about 20% instead of 100%.
Council Reports and Staff Communications
Community Services Commission – Met last week and received a few updates. The dog park is targeted to be completed in the Fall of 2024, the Senior Center kitchen remodel will begin this April, and the Pour and Play scheduled to be poured in some of our parks will be done over the summer.
Public Safety Committee - Have not met.
Chamber of Commerce - Meets next week, Tuesday April 9, 2024.
Economic Development - Have not met.
Finance Committee -Discussed broadband lease, will be coming to council soon.
Planning Commission - Have not met.
South Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency Joint Powers Authority (SKGSA) - Have not met.
Downtown Business Improvement District – Met Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Discussed social media and new trashcans.
Council of Governments - Met with Fresno County Rural Transit Authority- construction on Highway 99 between Kingsburg and Selma will not be completed for a awhile.
Council Member Reports - Council Member North recapped a mock Council Meeting with Girl Scouts, the most important thing that they wanted was having an inclusive space for kids in Kingsburg with special needs. Council Member Silva wanted to recognize the new President of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Camille Zavala from Kingsburg. FFA has over 100,000 members of high school students in California, it is quite the accomplishment. Council Member Palomar went to the Toshiko light opening, it went well. He also attended the joint meeting with SKF and the City of Selma, it was a good meeting and the City of Selma seems to understand how SKF works better. Mayor Pursell Jr. is glad to be back, spent some time in DC with congress representatives Costa and Duarte, thanked council for covering things while he was gone.
City Manager’s Report – He is working with the City of Selma for the animal service agreement, hoping to finalize next week. Continuing with the Housing Element update, we have submitted our 2nd draft. It is now under review. Draper Street water line project may be completed on 4/15. It will be at night so businesses will not be impacted during the day.
Future Agenda Items: None.
Mayor Pursell Jr. adjourned the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting into Closed Session at 6:48 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
Mayor Pursell Jr. adjourned out of Close Session into Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting and report out of Closed Session 7:11 PM.
City Attorney Michael Noland reported that there was nothing to report.
Mayor Pursell Jr. adjourned the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting at 7:11 PM.
Submitted by:
____________________________________
Abigail Palsgaard, City Clerk