KINGSBURG CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING Minutes
February 19, 2025
Invocation was given by Pastor Marlin Hiett, Kingsburg Covenant Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Pro Tem Palomar.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Mayor Pro Tem Palomar called the regular meeting of the Kingsburg City Council to order at 6:01pm.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: David Silva, Laura North, Staci Smith and Mayor Pro Tem Palomar.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Mayor Brandon Pursell.
APPROVE AGENDA: A motion was made by Council Member North, seconded by Council Member Smith, to approve the agenda, as published. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote of those present.
PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
CERT Member Swearing In- Presentation by Fire Chief Rodnie Roberts Sponsor: Fire Department
1. Lorrie Anderson
2. Brian Gomez
3. Carrie Raulino
4. Lisa Regier
5. Todd Regier
6. Katherine Santa Maria
7. Ramneet Uppal
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
CONSENT CALENDAR – A motion was made by Council Member Silva, seconded by Council Member Smith, to approve the items appearing on the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote of those present.
1. Approval of City Council Minutes: Approve the minutes from the February 5, 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 28, 2025, through February 10, 2025, as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Marsha Alves.
Sponsor: Finance Department
3. Approve The 2025-2026 City of Kingsburg Budget Schedule – Staff Report by City Manager Alexander Henderson
Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
February 19, 2025
4. Adopt Resolution 2025-008 committing to the timely use of federal and state funding in regard to the 2025-26 Surface Transportation Block Grant Call for Projects. – Staff Report by City Engineer Dave Peters
Sponsor: City Engineer’s Office
5. Adopt Resolution 2025-009 committing to the timely use of federal and state funding in regard to the 2025-26 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Call for Projects. – Staff Report by City Engineer Dave Peters
Sponsor: City Engineer’s Office
REGULAR CALENDAR
Swedish Festival Committee Request for Sponsorship – Presentation by Swedish Festival Committee Member Steve Safarjian
Sponsor: Council Member Staci Smith
Swedish Festival Committee Member Steve Safarjian presented why they are requesting funds:
they would like to put the money towards education. The request is $5,000 to enhance the Swedish cultural village at the Swedish Festival. They would like an ongoing grant.
Council Member North stated this goes well with our strategic plan, enhancing the Kingsburg experience. Volunteers work very hard to pull this off and would like to ensure that the cultural village never goes away, it is the heart of the festival. Supporting the Swedish Festival would help this festival continue. She does not want money to become an obstacle.
Council Member Smith said the City would be the only sponsor of the cultural village. She would appreciate the opportunity to show the community how much we are invested in our culture because it does align with Kingsburg’s goals and mission statement. This investment would help the community.
Council Member Silva stated enhancement is important to him. But also, with being fiscally responsible, he noted that we already support the Chamber of Commerce. He supports this request as it would make the cultural village a more robust project.
Mayor Pro Tem Palomar likes the idea of supporting the Swedish Festival to ensure the festival continues for future generations to enjoy. Council Member North asked if the $5,000 was enough. Mr. Safarian stated no, there is never enough and we can always use more. In the past, sponsors have helped and stated that next year there might be a bigger request. This amount would help greatly for this year. Mr. Safarian also mentioned that the City has been a big help in assisting in a non-monetary way including public works, public safety and other department’s manpower and support.
Council Member North would like to do more and have it ongoing. Council Member Silva appreciates that, but reminded Council the City did sponsor the fireworks last year. We have to be fiscally responsible for the future but would like to give them $5,000 and see how it goes for next year. Council Member Smith would like to use the money to enhance the festival. Planning is difficult when the finances are limited. The Swedish Festival Committee is willing to come back and ask for assistance if needed.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
February 19, 2025
A motion was made by Council Member North, seconded by Council Member Silva, to provide $5k to the Chamber to be earmarked for the Swedish Festival committee for the Swedish Cultural Village in the Swedish Festival. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote of those present.
2024/2025 Water Rate Study Update - Staff Report by Public Works Director Daniel Galvez Sponsor: Public Works Department
Public Works Director Daniel Galvez provided council an update on the city’s 2024-2025 water rate study update. The updates included a detailed cost-service-analysis, revenue information, changes to various water usage, and more. Allison Lechowicz, Lechowicz & Tseng Municipal Consultants, presented the water rate study. From the study, there will be three options presented to Council. Of the three, staff believe the third option is less desirable as it does offer debt. Staff does not feel it is necessary at this time. These options were presented to the Finance Committee and there were no further instructions for changes.
From the study Ms. Lechowicz reviewed the background of the water rates. She mentioned the last time water rate increased was in 2019, and since then the operations, maintenance and reporting were changed. She also addressed different legal requirements, financial standing, alternatives, and options for the city to choose from. She reviewed the three options available to choose from and the financial impact.
Council Member Smith asked what size connections small businesses on Draper Street would be on. Director Galvez said we have about 100 2” connections, one 4” and one 3” meter. Council Member Smith said the Finance Committee discussed apartments and how they will be billed.
Director Galvez stated multifamily is being billed at a flat rate, not for actual usage. We are working on a project to get meters installed in these locations. Smith asked how they will be billed under this structure until they have a meter. Director Galvez answered they will be billed at a flat rate. Council Member Smith asked if we have residents without meters. Director Galvez said about 93-95% have meters.
Mayor Pro Tem Palomar asked if the chlorinated water is permanent. Director Galvez stated it is permanent based on the connections we currently have. Since we have TCP filters with chlorination, it will continue. Mayor Pro Tem Palomar wanted to clarify the last couple of water rate increases. City Manager Henderson discussed Prop 218 in 2014, council delayed the increase until 2015 and it ended in 2019. It is the council’s preference to stay on the 5-year plan so that there isn’t a gap in time, and there are smaller increments of increases. Council can adopt the proposed rates at the maximum amount but can implement a lower rate.
Mayor Pro Tem Palomar asked about the Capital Improvement Costs SGMA, how do we compare it to other cities in the SGMA. City Manager Henderson stated those amounts are placeholders; we need to plan for this cost in case there is an emergency. If the fund is healthy, we will reflect that in the rate increases. What we pay to SGMA is based upon the amount of water we pump. Mayor Pro Tem Palomar asked about Consolidated Irrigation District rates.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
February 19, 2025
Council Member Smith wanted to know if the businesses with 2”connections will be notified.
She would like to make sure they know how it would impact them. Director Galvez answered we can put in the notice that if they are unsure of their connection size to contact us.
Council Member Silva with his experience being a farmer and going to these meetings regarding GSAs, discussed water rates being a hot topic in the whole valley. Everybody’s rates are going to increase to stay sustainable. It is not always palatable to pay more, but water is the life blood. By gallon, these proposed rates are reasonable, he is not for rate changes, but we need to stay sustainable.
City Manager Henderson would like to know which option Council would like to go forward with. He noted the Finance Committee likes option 1.
Mayor Pro Tem Palomar likes option 1 since it ends at the lowest rate. Council Member Silva likes that just because it can be adopted at the highest rate, doesn’t mean it will be implemented at the highest rate. Council asked if we need to borrow to have reserves. Director Galvez said the reserves would be 6 months of operating costs, one year of debt services and savings for an emergency project. Council Member Silva agrees with the Finance Committee and believes option 1 is the best option. Council Member Smith also likes option 1 and would not like to consider option 3 with the debt services.
City Manager Henderson said we will bring the final report back during the March 19, 2025, council meeting.
Council Member Smith appreciates the efforts to communicate with the public.
Space Needs Assessment Proposals – Staff Report by Assistant City Manager Christina Windover
Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
Assistant City Manager Christina Windover discussed the city hall needs assessment including the background of requesting RFPs for space needs assessment, noting we received several responses that we were able to narrow down the recommendation through the Finance Committee. In earlier meetings Council advised staff to request a smaller scope of work to bring down costs with Griffin Structures. We were able to reduce the scope and costs by 12%, totaling $109,500. After Council’s December meeting, the city was referred to another company Integrated Designs. Staff has met and discussed our proposed scope of work.
Assistant City Manager Windover stated there are two proposals included, the reduced scope proposal by Griffin and the new proposal by Integrated Designs. Regarding action, tonight’s will only be about the first phase of work. The pricing offered to us is based on whether the city wants a unique design or use an existing design concept used. The other phases would be related to the building phases, those costs are not included.
Staff was given directions by the Finance Committee to determine if Integrated Designs is a better fit for the city. The current budget for space needs assessment is $75,000, Griffin’s total is $109,000, and the total for Integrated Designs is $60,000.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
February 19, 2025
Council Member North asked if Integrated Designs will still meet with staff to see their needs? Assistant City Manager Windover answered yes, we would have several meetings with them.
However, there is not the same community outreach, that would become our responsibility.
Council Member North asked about the limited scope proposal by Griffin. Assistant City Manager Windover answered that the limited scope is directly related to public outreach.
Mayor Pro Tem Palomar likes Integrated Design for the new design at $60,000. We can handle public outreach.
Council Member North on staff direction, what do you prefer? The unique or the previous design?
City Manager Henderson would like authorization for up to $60,000 but not that we necessarily use it in case they have an existing design that may work for us.
Council Member Smith asked if staff is comfortable with Integrated Designs. City Manager Henderson stated yes, they come with good references from Reedley. What they offer is similar to Griffin but the difference for the budget.
A motion was made by Council Member North, seconded by Council Member Smith, to go with Integrated Designs, giving staff the option of a budget of up to $60,000. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote of those present.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: None.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT: None.
COUNCIL REPORTS/COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Silva reported that South Kings GSA will meet on March 12, 2025. He attended Kingsburg Healthcare District meeting, thanked Chief Roberts and Community Service Director Castaneda for their great presentations. He also attended the Chamber meeting which was very robust, lots of things going on for the beginning of the year. He mentioned that the Chamber is looking for volunteers to help with the car show.
Council Member North reported on the upcoming BID meeting, March 4, 2025, and Chamber of Commerce meets on March 11, 2025.
Council Member Smith reported the Finance Committee is scheduled to meet February 24, 2025, and the Community Services Committee meets on February 26, 2025. She attended the taskforce meeting, appreciates all the city staff members who take the time to attend. It is fruitful for all the organizations that work together. She also thanked Council for supporting the funds for the Swedish cultural village.
Mayor Pro Tem Palomar noted the Public Safety Committee met last week, they voted to allocate $5,000 to support the Police Department and the Elementary School District to purchase Kingsburg City Council Minutes
February 19, 2025
over 200 helmets to distribute and provide safety information for their safety days. SKF met today, February 19, 2025, and approved the 2024 collection master plan update.
Mayor Pro Tem Palomar adjourned the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting at 7:34 PM.
Submitted by:
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Abigail Palsgaard, City Clerk