KINGSBURG CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING Minutes
February 5, 2025
Invocation was given by Pastor Clayton Paull, Hope Kingsburg, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Brandon Pursell.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Mayor Pursell called the regular meeting of the Kingsburg City Council to order at 6:01pm.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: David Silva, Vince Palomar, Laura North, Staci Smith, and Mayor Brandon Pursell.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
APPROVE AGENDA: A motion was made by Council Member Palomar, seconded by Council Member Silva, 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 Smith, 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 January 15, 2025, 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 January 7, 2024, through January 27, 2025, as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Marsha Alves.
Sponsor: Finance Department
3. Approve the Professional Services Agreement with Jason Addison Smith Consulting Service Inc, dba JAS Pacific, for Building and Safety Support Services. - Staff Report by Building Official AJ O’Connell
Sponsor: Community Development Department
4. Approve the side letter agreement between the City of Kingsburg and the Kingsburg Police Officers Association. – Staff Report by Assistant City Manager Christina Windover Sponsor: Assistant City Manager’s Department
5. Accept the FY 23-24 Water Main Project and authorizing the City Engineer to file the Notice of Completion. – Staff Report by City Engineer Dave Peters Sponsor: City Engineer’s Office
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
February 5, 2025
6. Approve Resolution 2025-007 authorizing the connection to the City’s municipal water system to the following residence located outside the city limits, and authorizing the City Manager to sign the extraterritorial water service agreement, which is conditioned upon the review, revision and approval of the agreement by the City Attorney, with the respective property owner at 13052 E. Kamm, Kingsburg, CA 93631 Fresno County. – Staff Report by Public Works Director Daniel Galvez
Sponsor: Public Works Department
7. Waiving the second reading and adopt Ordinance 2025-01 An Ordinance Amending Various Chapters and Sections Within Said Chapters of Title 15 of the Kingsburg Municipal Code with the following recital constituting reading the title of the Ordinance:
“An Ordinance Amending Various Chapters and Sections Within Said Chapters of Title 15 of the Kingsburg Municipal Code”
- Staff Report by Building Official AJ O’Connell
Sponsor: Community Development Department
8. Approve the Amended and Restated City Manager Employment Agreement 2025 as prepared by the city attorney. – Staff Report by City Attorney Michael Noland Sponsor: City Attorney’s Office
REGULAR CALENDAR
Growth Management Allocation – Consideration of 2nd Round of Allocations- Staff Report by Community Development Director Holly Owen
Sponsor: Community Development Department
Community Development Director Holly Owens presented the option of council opening the 2nd round of housing allocations. Council will not be discussing any particular project. There are 11 single family units remaining. There are developers interested who would have to apply and be awarded the allocations. Potential allocation applications for 2026 will have the deadline of 9/2025.
Council Member Smith asked if a project needs allocations to begin the process with the City.
Director Owen answered they could do some at risk work, but there is no guarantee.
Council Member North clarified that opening up the second round is only for 11 allocations.
Director Owen stated yes, in September, it will be full again. Council discussed rolling the allocations.
Nick Peters, developer, would like council to consider opening the allocations.
Mayor Pursell asked why they didn’t apply for allocations when it opened initially in September.
Mr. Peters said they didn’t know they needed allocations. Mr. Peters explained there was a misunderstanding in the process.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
February 5, 2025
Council Member Silva asked if we open the allocations, you will ask for only one or the eleven allocations? Mr. Peters said that from his understanding, all he needs is one.
City Manager Henderson added that is incorrect, Mr. Henderson explained how the growth management ordinance works. Mr. Peters wanted clarification as to why we would ask for more than is available. Mr. Henderson said that council could allow a project to be phased. He clarified that developers would need allocations to come to the planning commission and council, or they would be doing it at risk. We wouldn’t want council to review a map that doesn’t have allocations.
Del Bains, developer, discussed not being able to apply file a tentative map with allocations.
Director Owen said yes, as we just described. They were aware of the September deadline, and they did not apply.
City Manager Henderson reviewed the timeline.
Mayor Pursell stated the process is the process; the time to apply has came and went. He is not interested in opening allocations.
City Manager Henderson discussed opening the second-round last year, it was for consideration of a multifamily project.
Council Member Palomar is in favor of the project but understands his constituents are not in favor of more houses going up too fast. He is not in favor of opening up a second round right now. He thinks it is a good project and good for Kingsburg.
Council Member Silva agrees. There is still confusion and waiting till September will allow it to get buttoned up.
Council Member Smith is in favor of the project, but the project doesn’t seem ready to move forward at this time.
Council Member Silva motioned, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to not reopen the 2nd Round of Housing Allocations. The motion passed by a voice vote of 4 ayes, and Council Member North voting no.
Housing Element Update – Presentation by Community Development Director Holly Owen Sponsor: Community Development Department
Community Development Director Holly Owen reviewed the history of the housing element since 2022. Director Owen informed council, while working with our consultant Provost & Pritchard, we have been able to identify sites that would negate the need to rezone the 4 parcels brought to council on December 4, 2024. The information was submitted on January 29, 2025 to the city.
Recommendation: Informational – No Action Needed
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
February 5, 2025
Kingsburg Health Care District Grant Cycle Announcement - Staff Report by Community Services Director Adam Castenda
Sponsor: Community Services Department
Community Services Director Adam Castenada reviewed past grants. Director Castaneda explained the cycle begins in January, ends May 1, and is reviewed in June to see where funding is needed around the community.
Director Castaneda provided a list of multiple projects over the last several years as an example.
Council Member Palomar asked if anyone has asked about grants. Director Castaneda answered the Community Services Commission has discussed some projects, such as improving Memorial Park. If council or the public has ideas, reach out to Director Castaneda or city hall.
Park & Recreation Master Plan Project Proposal - Staff Report by Community Services Director Adam Castenda
Sponsor: Community Services Department
Community Services Director Adam Castenada presented the methods, timeline and budget for the park & recreation master plan. Because we haven’t updated ours since 2002, there will be a lot of community outreach to ensure community satisfaction. Kingsburg will partner with Sustainable Park and Recreation Community Initiative at Fresno State.
Council Member Silva asked if this has been done before. Director Castaneda noted it was last done before his time, in 2002. Council Member Silva noted it is good that Fresno State is assisting and also asked what cities Fresno State has worked with before. Director Castaneda answered most recently, Bakersfield, Kerman, and Sanger. Silva asked about references and wants to make sure the community will be part of the process.
Council Member Palomar also wanted to ensure that sports groups in town will be contacted, and the budget would cover all the costs.
Council Member Smith thinks it’s a great idea, especially with the community’s input.
Mayor Pursell asked if it is ARPA funding? City Manger Henderson said it was approved as part of the budget and that it is ARPA funding.
A motion was made by Council Member North, seconded by Council Member Smith to approve to proceed with the proposed methods, timeline, and budget for the Parks & Recreation Master Plan project, and to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement, to be reviewed and approved by the City Attorney. The motion carried by an unanimous voice vote.
Code Enforcement Update – Presentation by Building Official AJ O’Connell Sponsor: Community Development Department
Building Official AJ O’Connell reviewed Q3 and Q4 of the 2024 Calendar Year, he broke down the code enforcement analytics and efforts completed by the building department.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
February 5, 2025
Council Member Silva asked, because of those enforcement efforts, how often did you have to get the police department involved. Building Official O’Connell stated we use the police department more for support if we feel there is a safety issue at a property, not as enforcement.
Council Member Silva was glad to hear this.
Council Member North asked when doing code enforcement and you find out there is someone who has a need, do you have the resources available. Building Official O’Connell noted Code Enforcement Officer Dana Rager works with the task force to assist people who may have these needs. There is also a Fresno County group who assist, adding we also have a good relationship with Fresno County Adult Services.
Mayor Pursell thanked Mr. O’Connell and Mr. Rager for making our town safer. Those things help keep the character of our town.
Recommendation: Informational – no action deemed necessary.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Swedish Festival Committee Request for Sponsorship – Swedish Festival Committee Member Steve Safarjian
Sponsor: Council Member Staci Smith
There is a consensus by Council to add this item to the next agenda.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Noted the dog park opening ceremony will be April 12, 2025. Reminded council the Finance Committee will be meeting February 11, 2025. Also stated bids have come back for the Golden State Highway Project.
COUNCIL REPORTS/COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Silva mentioned SKGA did meet and discussed the proposed changes to the groundwater plan. Kingsburg Healthcare District will hopefully meet next week.
Council Member North informed council the BID updated their website, and that Chamber of Commerce meets next week. Also, Center Pointe shared a resource for legal help for our businesses, will send out information to our businesses and put it in the carrier. Thanked Fire and the Police Department for their efforts in the tragedy that happened last week.
Council Member Smith shared the Community Services Commission met and discussed the parks master plan and dog park grand opening. Finance committee met and will be bringing the space needs assessment to council. The Chamber mixer at was Gold Standard Mortgage, it was nice to see it open.
Council Member Palomar shared that the Public Safety Meeting meets February 11, 2025. He also attended Alexandria Macedo’s swearing in, believes she will do a good job.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
February 5, 2025
Mayor Pursell said FCRTA will be moving forward with the microgrant in town. He has been elected Vice Chair of the City Selection Committee for COG.
Mayor Pursell adjourned the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting into Closed Session at 7:05 PM.
Public Employment: California Government Code Section 54957 Title: City Manager
Mayor Pursell adjourned out of Close Session into Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting at 7:30 PM.
Attorney Michael Noland stated there was nothing to report.
Mayor Pursell adjourned the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting at 7: 31 PM.
Submitted by:
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Abigail Palsgaard, City Clerk