KINGSBURG CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
June 4, 2024
1401 Draper Street, Kingsburg, CA 93631
Invocation was given by Pastor Dean Youngblood, Potters 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 6:02 PM.
Council Members Present: David Silva, Vince Palomar, Staci Smith and Mayor Brandon Pursell Jr.
Council Member Absent: None.
Approve Agenda: A motion was made by Council Member Palomar seconded by Council Member Smith, to approve the agenda, as published. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Presentations: None.
Public Comments: None.
Consent Calendar: A motion was made by Council Member Silva, seconded by Council Member Palomar, 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 May 15, 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 May 7, 2024, through May 27, 2024, as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Marsha Alves.
Sponsor: Finance Department
5.3 Adopt Resolution No. 2024-027 - Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Kingsburg Calling And Giving Notice Of The Holding Of A General Municipal Election To Be Held In Said City On Tuesday November 5, 2024, For The Election Of Certain Officers Of Said City And Requesting The Board Of Supervisors Of The County Of Fresno To Consolidate And Canvass The General Municipal Election To Be Held On November 5, 2024 With The Statewide General Election To Be Held On That Date Pursuant To California Elections Code Section 10400 Et Seq.; To Permit The County Clerk/Registrar Of Voters Of The County Of Fresno To Render Specified Services To The City Of Kingsburg Relating To The Conduct Of Said General Municipal Election Pursuant To California Elections Code Section 10002; And Authorizing Reimbursement Funds To Pay For Said Services- Staff Report prepared by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
June 4, 2024
5.4 Workplace Violence Prevention Plan- Staff Report prepared by Assistant City Manager Christina Windover
Sponsor: Assistant City Manager Christina Windover
5.5 Award the Mariposa Street Reconstruction Project to RJ Berry Jr, Inc. in the amount of $347,009.00- Staff Report prepared by City Engineer David Peters Sponsor: Engineering Department
5.6 Award the Frontage Road Drainage Repair Project to Tosted Asphalt, Inc. in the amount of $33,244.92- Staff Report prepared by City Engineer David Peters Sponsor: Engineering Department
Regular Calendar
PUBLIC HEARING — Awarding of Competitive Housing Unit Allocations for Residential Development for 2024 - Staff Report prepared by Community Development Director Holly Owen Sponsor: Community Development Department
Mayor Pursell Jr. opened the Public Hearing at 6:05 PM.
Community Development Director Holly Owen presented an application for affordable housing allocations for senior housing for 25 units that will be 99 apartments. A 2004 charter amendment passed by voters to control growth known as the Growth Management Ordinance is what regulates this process.
The Growth Management Ordinance provides for 115 available units per year, 80 single families and 35 multifamily units. This project has not gone through site plan review. The location would be 10th Avenue and Ventura, north of the existing Ace Hardware.
It would be a high density project, may have a community garden and/or a dog park. These details are being worked out.
City Council Discussion
Council Member North wanted to know if the fire department is ok with 3 stories. Ms. Owens said this will be discussed in the site plan review. Council Member Smith wanted to confirm that the units will be air conditioned. Building Official O’Connell said they are not required by law, but in our area it would be a hard sell without one. Council Member Smith asked if they are building it all in one phase? Ms.
Owens said they are proposing 3 stages. They have other projects in the valley and they plan on having onsite management. Council Member Silva asked if there are any foreseen negative impact for infrastructure, public safety, utilities? Ms. Owens said this will be discussed at site plan review. Council Member Palomar asked if the senior living in Kingsburg is 55 and over? Ms. Owen said 62 and older.
Mayor Pursell, Jr. clarified that it is 25 applications for 99 apartments. What happens if their site plan comes in a way that we do not approve of? Ms. Owen said the allocations expire after a year.
Allocations get them to the starting line; it does not give them the right to build the project. Mayor Pursell, Jr. said he would like to see the project again once the details are worked out.
City Attorney Noland said it is coming as a PUD, so it would go to the planning commission. The allocations come by the analysis from staff and the process they go through. The only issue the council would have is that you would have to rely on staff during the process. If you have comments, you can let staff know tonight. If they follow the laws and codes, they would have to proceed with the project.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
June 4, 2024
Ms. Owen said we have done several senior housing projects over the past years and they have been successful. The location is conducive to walkability. Council Member North asked if that leaves with only 10 allocations left? Ms. Owen said yes, there are 10 units left for 2024. Tonight closes the 2024 allocations, in the fall the 2025 reopens. Council Member North wants to make sure we have the need for more senior housing. Council Member Palomar confirmed that there is a waiting list at least one of the senior housing.
Mayor Pursell Jr. opened the Public Comment at 6:27 PM.
None.
Mayor Pursell Jr. closed the Public Comment at 6:27 PM.
Continued City Council Discussion – 6:27 PM.
None.
Mayor Pursell Jr. closed the Public Hearing at 6:27 PM.
A motion was made by Council Member North, seconded by Council Member Smith, to Adopt Resolution No. 2024-028. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
PUBLIC HEARING— PUBLIC WORKS, FIRE DEPARTMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MASTER FEE SCHEDULE- Staff Report prepared by City Manager Alexander Henderson
Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
Mayor Pursell Jr. opened the Public Hearing at 6:28 PM.
City Manager Alexander Henderson said the City fees are annually reviewed to make sure costs are being fairly reimbursed the fee and not taxpayers. Reviewed the ambulance and fire department fee, the community development fee and the public works fees.
City Council Discussion 6:31 PM
Council Member Silva asked CPI based off the Long Beach- is there a Northern rate? Mr. Henderson said we have used the bay area one as it is the most reflective of our market. Council Member Smith asked about the fire med rate. Mr. Henderson said with other cities, we are raising them. Council Member Smith asked if there is a fee for extension of permits? Mr. Henderson said no, this would be a new fee.
Mayor Pursell Jr. opened the Public Comment at 6:33 PM.
None.
Mayor Pursell Jr. closed the Public Comment at 6:33PM.
Continued City Council Discussion – 6:33 PM.
None.
Mayor Pursell Jr. closed the Public Hearing at 6:33 PM.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
June 4, 2024
A motion was made by Council Member Silva, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to Adopt Resolution No. 2024-029. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Contract for Animal Sheltering & Services with City of Selma- Staff Report prepared by Assistant City Manager Christina Windover
Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
Assistant City Manager Christina Windover said staff has been working with the City of Selma for animal control services since Second Chance has closed down. This contract would be for a year, $60,000, will provide for 2 community events a year to provide microchipping, licensing and vaccinations. We will adopt an animal control code to mirror the City of Selma’s. Staff will work on internal protocols and training for personnel. The City of Selma will provide adoption, fostering and outreach services.
Council Member Smith would like to have clarification on what our process is if an animal is found by a resident. City Manager Henderson said it depends on the situation and time of day. Residents cannot drop off animals in Selma anymore. They can contact the police non-emergency number and the resident, if they can, can drop it off at the city kennels. If it is after hours, the Police Department will take it to the city kennels and then the dog will go to Selma. Council Member North asked about training for staff, will it include the officers? Assistant City Manager Windover said yes it will be to make sure all staff know the procedures and safety training.
Council Member Palomar asked about the catch pole skills. Police Chief Dadian said as soon as Council decides to approve the contract, we will establish a protocol on how to respond to calls.
Council Member Silva asked if the $60,000 is a flat fee? Ms. Windover said that is correct. Council Member Silva asked if the $60,000 will go up in future in years. Mr. Henderson said it is a 90 day written notice to amend or terminate the contract. Council Member Silva asked if we would be in charge of transportation. Staff confirmed yes.
Council Member North wanted to know if we provide the vet care, when would you euthanize the animals if they are healthy? The Selma Police Chief said said we would not want to euthanize healthy animals. Right now, our staff has been successful when we are reuniting and rehoming animals. The only time we would if there are issues with number of animals and animals getting sick after they are in the shelter. It would be the last resort. Council Member North said she is worried about population for euthanasia if other jurisdictions are housed at Selma’s shelter. This could cause it to be over populated. The Selma Police Chief gave a history of the process. They will work hard to get the dogs out. Mayor Pursell, Jr. how many animals can be held there? The Selma Police Chief said about 45, we are looking at getting a grant to improve the facility. Mayor Pursell, Jr. said $60,000 is a lot of money, but if we had our own it would be a lot more expensive. The Selma Police Chief said their total costs are close to $500,000.
A motion was made by Council Member Palomar, seconded by Council Member Smith, to approve the Agreement for Animal Control Services between the City of Selma and the City of Kingsburg. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Ordinance Amending Various Sections of Titles 15 & 17 of the Kingsburg Municipal Code Related to Property Maintenance and Appeals Process and Procedures - Staff Report prepared by Building Official AJ O’Connell
Sponsor: Community Development Department
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
June 4, 2024
Building Official AJ O’Connell presented that having a clear, fair and transparent appeals process and procedure for Code Enforcement notice and citations to promote voluntary compliance.
Council Member Palomar asked why there hasn’t been code volitation appeals brought to council since he has been on Council. Building Official O’Connell explained the city had been able to resolve issues. Mayor Pursell Jr. further inquired why we would need this if issues don’t typically come to council.
O’Connell explained the process streamlines our code, it is consistent with other jurisdictions, and allows a transparency with the appeals process. It would create an unbiased process with no conflict.
Mayor Pursell, Jr. is not comfortable with having an outside person deciding on issues that could be specific to Kingsburg.
A motion was made by Council Member Palomar, seconded by Council Member North, to waive the first reading and Introduce Ordinance 2024-02 Amending Chapters 15 and 17 of the Kingsburg Municipal Code Related to Property Maintenance Standards and the Administrative Hearing Procedures and Appeals Process and pass the Ordinance to a second reading and adoption at the City Council meeting on June 19, 2024, with the following recital constituting reading the title of the Ordinance:
“AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF KINGSBURG AMENDING CHAPTERS 15 AND 17 OF THE
KINGSBURG MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO PROPERTY MAINTENANCE STANDARDS AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING PROCEDURES AND APPEALS PROCESS.” The motion passed with a voice vote with 4 yeses and Mayor Pursell, Jr. voting no. 2024-2025 City Manager’s Recommended Budget Introduction- Staff Report prepared by City Manager Alexander Henderson
Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
City Manager Alexander Henderson detailed the proposed FY20204-2025 Operating & Capital budget to council. Mayor Pursell, Jr. asked how much ARPA funds the City has? Mr. Henderson said $1.3 million. Council Member Palomar asked about the $150,000 Sunmaid annexation property payment. Mr.
Henderson said with the annexation of county property, there are 10 year transition agreements due to the revenue that they are losing. Ag land is a small amount for the transition agreements. The Sunmaid annexation was different due to the high property values.
Council Reports and Staff Communications
Community Services Commission- No report.
Public Safety Committee- No report.
Chamber of Commerce - No report.
Economic Development - They meet tomorrow at 1.
Finance Committee- No report.
Planning Commission- No report.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
June 4, 2024
South Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency Joint Powers Authority (SKGSA)- No report.
Downtown Business Improvement District- - No report.
Council of Governments- They discussed the Measure C fund, it is important for Kingsburg.
Council Member ReportsCouncil Member North shared about her progress regarding a proposed inclusive playground. On 7/17/2024 at Roosevelt School we are going to discuss the needs for the students. They are working on a location it could be in phase 5 in Kings Estates. Looking for input from the community on this park.
Council Member Smith said the construction company doing the on Draper is doing a great job, cleaning up after themselves. The Swedish festival was very good this year. Council Member Smith thanked Council for coming out, helping, dressing in their Swedish costume. She also thanked staff. Council Member Silva discussed the Kingsburg Healthcare District, reviewed the grants. A portion of the Senior Center proposal was funded. They tentatively agreed to a 3 year agreement with the fire department. He wanted to thank staff and Selma for working on the contract for animal control. Council Member Palomar wanted to congratulate KHS valley section champions, went to the cemetery for Memorial Day, it was a nice service. SKF- meeting last week, had a prop 218 procedure. Voted to increase the sewer charges. Mayor Pursell, Jr. met with Congressman Costa and the City Manager, federal earmark for $600,000 for the PDs body and vehicle cameras.
City Manager’s Report – Mr. Henderson reported on cooling center at the senior center. Days that are over 104 there is free public swimming. The Fire Department will be at the promotion and the High School graduation to help with the heat.
Future Agenda Items: None.
Mayor Pursell Jr. adjourned the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting at 7:50 PM.
Submitted by:
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Abigail Palsgaard, City Clerk