KINGSBURG CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING Minutes
AUGUST 21, 2024
1401 Draper Street, Kingsburg, CA 93631
Invocation was given by Pastor Mark Thompson, Kingsburg First Baptist 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 6:01 PM.
Council Members Present: David Silva, Vince Palomar, Laura North, Staci Smith and Mayor Brandon Pursell Jr.
APPROVE AGENDA – A motion was made by Council Member North, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to approve the agenda, as published. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
Swearing In and Badge Pinning of Fire Department Personnel – Presentation by Fire Chief John Binaski
Badge Pinning of Police Department Personnel – Presentation by Police Chief Neil Dadian Introduced Sergeant Derrick Gagon and Lieutenant Jose Salinas.
Golden State Blvd. Highway Construction Update – Presentation by Terry Ogle, Executive Director of the Fresno County Transportation Authority.
Mr. Ogle gave an update regarding the Golden State Boulevard Corridor project. He gave an overview of the project, updated council on the project timeline, and what the pathways forward are. Highlighting various spots were taken out of the project due to different challenges and difficulty in dealing with the Union Pacific Railroad to get the necessary agreements to do the work. It was decided to pull these projects in May 2022 to allow the project to move forward.
Mr. Ogle discussed where the project stands right now. He detailed what the project timeline moving forward looks like, as of March of 2024.
Council Member North asked about phase 2 of the project. She wanted to make sure all the intersections were not being closed at the same time.
Council Member Silva asked about phase 3 and what lies ahead for the green portion of the map.
Mr. Ogle answered that Union Pacific Railroad will reform the work; but what is in red and green will not be done simultaneously. Council Member Palomar commented on the frustration this project has been for residents that these intersections have not been paved yet. Good news that is moving forward. Council Member Smith asked if there are plans to reconstruct these areas? Mr.
Ogle answered nothing has changed from the previous plan of reconstruction. Mayor Pursell Jr. asked about Bethel and Golden State’s repaving the city did it. We are frustrated that it is costing us money, we have an obligation to make our streets safe. Mayor Pursell Jr. stated the project at the intersection is a multimillion-dollar project, does Measure C have the money to complete the project? Mr. Ogle said, short answer is yes, there is money set aside. Mayor Pursell Jr. asked if it is going to be north to south, or south to north? Mr. Ogle said whichever jurisdiction gets them all approved by UPRR will be the first one to get the work.
Mr. Ogle also presented Measure C and reviewed regional projects that have been completed in Kingsburg.
PUBLIC COMMENT – None.
CONSENT CALENDAR: A motion was made by Council Member Smith, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to approve the items appearing on the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
1. Approval of City Council Minutes: Approve the minutes from the August 7, 2024, Regular Council Meeting and the August 8, 2024, Joint Workshop Meeting as prepared by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard.
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
2. Check Register: Ratify/approve payment of bills listed on the check register for the period July 30, 2024, through August 12, 2024, as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Marsha Alves.
Sponsor: Finance Department
3. Approve an automatic aid agreement between the City of Kingsburg and City of Selma Fire Departments. - Staff Report prepared by Fire Chief John Binaski Sponsor: Fire Department
4. Waive the first reading and Introduce Ordinance 2024-04 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF KINGSBURG ADDING CHAPTER 15.10 TO TITLE 15 TO THE KINGSBURG
MUNICIPAL CODE ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR EXPEDITING PERMITTING
PROCESSING FOR THE INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEMS and pass the Ordinance to a second reading and adoption at the City Council meeting on October 2, 2024, with the following recital constituting reading the title of the Ordinance:
“AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF KINGSBURG ADDING CHAPTER 15.10 TO TITLE 15 TO THE KINGSBURG MUNICIPAL CODE ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR
EXPEDITING PERMITTING PROCESSING FOR THE INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEMS”
Staff Report prepared by Building Official AJ O’Connell Sponsor: Community Development Department
5. Approve of a new lease agreement with UnWired Broadband, Inc., as prepared by the City Attorney. - Staff Report by City Manager Alexander Henderson.
Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
REGULAR CALENDAR
Code Enforcement Update – Presentation by Building Official AJ O’Connell Sponsor: Community Development Department
In Q1 and Q2 of the 2024 Calendar Year, the Code Enforcement division engaged in robust and extensive enforcement actions throughout the community. O’Connell gave a summary of key data points that highlighted different code enforcement statistics such as utilization of Report a Concern, property maintenance issues, different administrative citations that were issued, and the success rate of closing submitted cases.
Kingsburg Health Care Grant – Fire Department – Presentation by Fire Chief John Binaski Sponsor: Fire Department
At the last Kingsburg Healthcare District meeting, Kingsburg Fire Department was given approval for reimbursement costs regarding employee costs in the amount of $405,000. With this grant of $405,000 per year for 3 years, it helps make the ambulance enterprise fund solvent. The Fire Department will report every six months to the district and request reimbursement. This grant helps with employee retention also.
Council Member Silva thanked Chief for seeing it through, and for presenting a clear program, showing them the value of this since we no longer have a hospital as it benefits the community.
A motion was made by Council Member Silva, seconded by Council Member North, to authorize the acceptance of the Kingsburg Healthcare District funding for the reimbursement of the employee costs for three firefighter/paramedics in the amount of $405,000 per year for three years. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
November 5, 2024, City Council Election Cancelation – Presentation by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
Election law allows cities to forgo the expensive election process for Council seats where a candidate is running unopposed, and therefore, is guaranteed to be the successful candidate upon completion of the election. These candidates may be appointed to their Council seats. As of the close of the nomination period for City Council candidates on August 9, 2024 (88 days before the election), there is only one candidate running for office in District 2 for the November 5, 2024, General Municipal Election. Staff are recommending that the City Council appoint Laura North to the position of Council Member District 2 which she is currently the incumbent. And Brandon Pursell to the position of Council Member District 3 which he is currently the incumbent. A notice was published in the Fresno Business Journal and posted in front of City Hall on August 14, 2024. There will be savings to the City in election cost if the nominee is not included on the ballot.
A motion was made by Council Member Silva, seconded by Council Member Palomar to Adopt Resolution 2024-040 Appointing Laura North to the office of Kingsburg City Council Member, District 2 of this City, who was to be elected on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
A motion was made by Council Member North, seconded by Council Member Smith to Adopt Resolution 2024-041 Appointing Brandon Pursell to the office of Kingsburg City Council Member, District 3 of this City, who was to be elected on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Highway Safety Improvement Program Grant Application Candidate Project – Presentation by City Engineer Dave Peters
Sponsor: City Engineer’s Office
The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is one of the core federal-aid programs for funding transportation improvement projects. The purpose of the HSIP program is to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads, including nonState-owned public roads and roads on tribal land.
Based on previous council discussions, Kern Street/10th Avenue is the most viable candidate for the HSIP project. For this location, the following improvements are being considered traffic signal installation, roundabout/traffic circle, or installing safety devices such as LED enhance stop signs, safety lighting, warning signs, and enhance visibility stripping. Staff will develop these possible countermeasures more fully during the application preparation process. The countermeasure that provides the best benefit to cost ratio will be included in the application.
Council discussed the logistics and viability of each improvement. Engineer Peters will be looking into each concern and follow up with council.
City Manager Henderson would like council’s direction that this is the intersection council is comfortable with, and that Engineer Peters chooses the option that is the most competitive.
Mayor Pursell Jr. said the four way stop is the safest. He asked why is this coming so late? Engineer Peters explained grant applications come with a short fuse, and we were working on the local street safety. City Manager Hendersson said it is a fine balance. Council Member North added we would like not just the most competitive, but the safest.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: None.
COUNCIL REPORTS/COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Brief report by Council members on City-related functions as authorized by the Brown Act.
Council Member Silva said the Economic Development Committee is scheduled to meet September 5, 2024. He also attended Kingsburg Healthcare District meeting where they approved the fire grant as presented. The police grant and the seniors inc meal program were also funded. Lori Sanders reported that she is no longer interested in running, although she will be on the ballot.
Council Member Palomar said the Public Safety Committee met last Monday, August 12, 2024, and discussed allocating the funds. Planning commission had the joint workshop. BID had a special meeting to accept a grant from Mid Valley for $40,000 for downtown trash cans, Chamber will be meeting next month.
Council Member Smith discussed Finance Committee’s meeting where they discussed RFPs for water rate and space needs, city hall lease, and city council compensation. Community Service Commission meets next week.
Mayor Pursell Jr. said COG is dark this month, Measure C is always the topic.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Gave a project update on Draper, communicating the stages with the chamber and the BID. Park projects are on their way. Third grade presentations will be held in the Chamber next week.
Mayor Pursell Jr. adjourned the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting into Closed Session at 7:40 PM.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.8
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
Property: APN:394-042-04
City Negotiator: Alexander Henderson
Negotiating party: Matoian
Under negotiation: Division of property”
Mayor Pursell Jr. adjourned out of Close Session into Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting at 8:42 PM.
Attorney Michael Noland – Nothing to report.
Mayor Pursell Jr. adjourned the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting at 8:43 PM. ____________________________________
Abigail Palsgaard, City Clerk