Kingsburg City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2024
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 6:12pm. The calling of the meeting to order was delayed due to technical difficulties livestreaming the meeting.
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 Palomar, seconded by Council Member Smith, to approve the agenda, as published. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR: A motion was made by Council Member North, seconded by Council Member Silva, 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 21, 2024, Regular Council 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 August 13, 2024, through August 26, 2024, as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Marsha Alves.
Sponsor: Finance Department
3. Adopt Resolution 2024-042 authorizing the Community Services Director and City Manager to execute contract(s) with FMAAA for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, including any subsequent amendments and all necessary supporting documents- Staff Report prepared Community Services Director Adam Castaneda Sponsor: Community Services Department
4. Waive the second reading and adopt 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 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. Community Services Commission Appointment- Accept Mayor Pursell, Jr.’s appointment of Katie Campbell-Fryatt to the Community Services Commission to a term that is set to expire November 2028.
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
REGULAR CALENDAR
Laurel Street Dog Park Improvements Update – Presentation by City Engineer Dave Peters Sponsor: City Engineer
City Engineer Dave Peters presented an update on the dog park. They have found alternative solar lights, and less expensive shade structures that the contractor can install and keep the city under budget. Work will begin on Monday, September 9, 2024, and should be completed by November 8, 2024.
Council Member Silva asked about the warranty for the shade structure and about the placement of lights. With concerns dogs ruining the light structures. Peters said it’s a 2-year warranty, still commercial and rated for this use, just less fancy and less expensive. As for the lights, Peters clarified they are made of steel and have batteries that last 10 years.
Public Comment: Chris Peterson, Kingsburg resident, asked about dogs urine on the lights.
Engineer Peters said they should be fine.
City Solar Project Update – Presentation by Public Works Director Daniel Galvez Sponsor: Public Works Department
Director Daniel Galvez gave a solar update on 4 sites, Well Site 13 (East of 10th Ave/Ventura) and 16 (Erling Park – 22nd Ave/Klepper), the Police Department (1300 California Street), and Public Works (1200 Kern Ave). All plans have been submitted and approved. Steel has been ordered. Well 16 at Earling Park has had landscaping planted today. Steel will come in 8-10 weeks and then construction will begin.
Council Member Palomar asked for clarification on when construction will take place and asked about the solar installation timeline. Director Galvez gave about 60-75 days once we get the materials. Council Member Silva asked if the electrical tie ins above or below ground. Director Galvez said it depends on the site; well sites are localized to the area where the connections are at. Areas in the Public Works yard will be above ground due to the need to update the transformers.
Mayor Pursell Jr. asked about the landscape at Earling Park on Skansen Ave. Mayor Pursell Jr. wanted a detailed plan on the plants that will be placed there due to citizen concern. Galvez said African ferns have been planted, they are already on 23rd, noting they are hardy, we can top them without hurting the plants. He also discussed the north side and the east and west getting ivy.
Mayor Pursell Jr. said residents were ok with the design as long as we had landscaping planted before construction began, but that is not what is happening. He would like it to be lower on the build list so that the landscaping can mature, as previously discussed.
Public Comment: Glen Billington, Kingsburg resident, doesn’t remember discussing landscaping Skansen. Noting it will block his view of the ponding basin. Requests to not plant the current plants.
Informational.
Revenue Collection Report – FY 23-24 – Presentation by City Manager Alexander Henderson Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
City Manager Alexander Henderson gave an update on the received revenues for 2023-2024. The total for the 2023-2024 in the general fund is $4,502,290 in the general fund, a 6.87% increase from previous years. The update included the following: Bradley Burns Sales Tax, 1% District Tax – Measure E Public Safety, Property Tax Collection, Motor Vehicle Fees, Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT), and Licenses Permits, and Fees.
Measure E is lower than two years ago, $2,637,703, and a result of that we did not fill a vacant Police Officer’s position.
Informational.
City Council Compensation – Presentation by Assistant City Manager Christina Windover Sponsor: Assistant City Manager’s Office
Assistant City Manager Christina Windover presented that the last salary raise for council was in 2002, which was lower than what would have been allowed. Newly passed SB 329 would allow council to have up to $950/month. There are 3 options; direct staff to prepare an ordinance to update the compensation; do not direct staff, or to ask for more information.
Council debated on the appropriate amount would be for a raise. Council Members like Mayor Pursell Jr., Council Member North, and Council Member Palomar cite the need to take time off of work, gas, time away from families, cell phones, and other costs justify raising council members pay increase. Council Member North also cites the current pay, $250, could possibly keep other citizens from running for council due to their personal budgets. This pay increase could allow future council members the ability to run.
Council Members Smith is unsure of the increase. Council Member Smith cites not funding a Police Officer due to the Measure E revenue decrease. Mayor Pursell Jr. argues that in this case, council is in charge of assessing the pay of employees. And in this case, is the current pay a fair amount considering the amount of work put into being a council member? That increasing pay, agreeing with Council Member North’s comment, would allow for good people to run in the future. Pay should not exclude citizens who would want to be on council. Mayor Pursell Jr. cites we were $100 below other cities, he would suggest $850 as the amount. Council Member North clarified, $850 for council and $900 for mayor?
Council Member Silva takes issue with the stipend, noting he is okay with the $250 and loves the purity of council doing what we do and disagrees with the huge jump in pay. Council Member North argues in their everyday jobs, they would tell their bosses what they are worth. Council Member North cited that in 1968, council member pay was $75, the equivalent in 2024 would be $728.10. The pay increase was talked down from $850 to $700, which Council Member Silva was still not comfortable with taking that big of an increase.
Council gave staff directions to bring an ordinance for the first reading that will all council members pay set at $700 a month.
2024 Water Rate Study Request for Proposals – Presentation by Public Works Director Daniel Galvez
Sponsor: Public Works Department
Recommendation: Approve
Director Daniel Galvez presented a Water Rate Study to assist in determining how the City funds the administration, operation, maintenance and capital replacement and improvements of its water system. They received one proposal from Lechowicz & Tseng, a firm that the city has used in a recent solid waste rate study. The proposal was approved as written on August 17, 2024.
Director Galvez noted L&T has experience in other cities regarding water rate studies. And has proposed to have their rate study by July 1, 2025. The process would include a draft by December 2024. L&T proposes four in-person meetings throughout the process with the Finance Committee and City Council.
The proposed budget for the project is $29,840.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith, seconded by Council Member Silva, authorize the City Manager to complete negotiates and execute the City’s Standard Agreement for Professional Services for the 2024 Water Rate Study in accordance with the term and conditions of the Lechowicz & Tseng Proposal dated July 31, 2024, and the draft Proposed Agreement.
The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: None.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Reminded everyone that Friday, September 6, 2024, from 5:00am to 1:00 pm there will be parking striping. The following Monday will be the crosswalks. There are some rough spots from the slurry seal but with time they will look good. Discussed bike lanes.
COUNCIL REPORTS AND COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Silva said the Economic Development Committee meets tomorrow, September 5, 2025. And Kingsburg Health Care is tomorrow September 5 at 3:00 pm.
Council Member Palomar said the Planning Commission will meet September 12, 2024, and SKF meets September 12, 2024. He went to Alexanderia Macedo to her fundraiser with Mayor Pursell Jr. and Council Member North.
Council Member North said the BID met yesterday and thanked public works for good communication during the Draper Street project. Chamber meets next Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 7:00am.
Council Member Smith said the Finance Committee will meet, Community Service Commission met and got a dog park update. Park master plan was discussed.
Mayor Pursell Jr. adjourned the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting at 7:26 PM. ____________________________________
Abigail Palsgaard, City Clerk