Kingsburg City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes
March 19, 2025
Invocation was given by Pastor Mark Thompson, Kingsburg First Baptist Church, 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, Laura North, Staci Smith, Vince Palomar and Mayor Pursell.
COUNCIL MEMBERS 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 AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
Recognition of Local MMA Fighter and Wrestler Alex Hernandez.
Sponsor: Council Member Palomar
Recognition of the Division 2 Valley Champions- Boys Varsity Wrestling Sponsor: Council Member Palomar
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 March 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 February 25, 2025, through March 10, 2025, as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Marsha Alves.
Sponsor: Finance Department
3. Accept the Treasurer’s Report from October 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, pursuant to Government Code 4001.- Staff Report by Finance Director Alma Colado.
Sponsor: Finance Department
4. Review and file the 2024 Building Division Report. - Staff Report by Building Official AJ O’Connell.
Sponsor: Community Development Department
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
March 19, 2025
5. Authorize a retitle of the Job Classification of Records Supervisor to Police Services Supervisor - Staff Report by Chief Neil Dadian
Sponsor: Police Department
6. Approve the job description changes for Part-Time Firefighter/EMT and Part-Time Firefighter/Paramedic- Staff Report by Chief Rodnie Roberts Sponsor: Fire Department
7. Adopt January 1, 2025, and July 1, 2025, Salary Charts- Staff Report by Assistant City Manager Christina Windover
Sponsor: Assistant City Manager’s Office
REGULAR CALENDAR
Water Rate Study and Prop. 218 Update- Staff Report by Public Works Director Daniel Galvez
Sponsor: Public Works Department
Public Works Director Daniel Galvez provided council with the final Water Rate Study report and an update on Prop 218. Director Galvez noted that the ongoing updates will be on the City of Kingsburg’s webpage.
Regarding the Water Rate Study, there are less 1” meters as thought, Director Galvez explained that Public Works went out and did an audit. Because of this change, it would change billing.
Project Manager Alison Lechowicz presented the final report. Lechowicz explained there was an increase in the proposed rates due to less 2” meters as expected. She explained that rates have not been raised since 2019. Since 2019 there have been several factors that have increased water service costs. No water is included in the base fee in the proposed rates. She reviewed the current fund, about -$220,000 a year. She also reviewed CIP projects and the drought rate fees. She mentioned the drought rate fees are optional if there is a water shortage.
Council Member Palomar asked about the SGMA CIP amount, and if it is for water, or for land procurement. City Manager Alexander Henderson answered that this amount is our assumption of our GSA funding, and it can be for building a ponding basin, potentially water connections, other costs that may come up.
Council Member Silva asked the about unmetered properties and the following, do we have a deadline and if residents know so they will not be surprised. Director Galvez answered it was 2025, we are at 90% right now and that residents may not know. Since Covid we have had a hard time getting meters.
Council Member North stated, no one wants to do increases, we live here. She confirmed in the past just because it was the highest rates it doesn’t mean that Council would approve those rates.
Staff confirmed. We are doing it right now with solid waste.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
March 19, 2025
Council Member Smith asked if the customers who have the higher meter size, will they know? Director Galvez stated there will be a note letting people know that they can contact public works to find out.
Mayor Pursell doesn’t like the option for the drought rates. Noted that it is kind of ambiguous, at will, for the council. We have been in a drought for years now.
A motion was made by Council Member North, seconded by Council Member Silva, to Adopt resolution 2025-22. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Housing Element Update and Discussion- Staff Report by City Manager Alexander Henderson.
Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
City Manager Alexander Henderson reviewed December 4, 2024, public hearing regarding amendments to Title 17 of the Kingsburg Municipal Code. From that meeting, Council decided to proceed with the third option presented, that directed staff to reexamine the sites inventory.
The option selected also required a site inventory as well as identifying areas for potential housing sites. On January 29, 2025, the city submitted a revision, but the city received a response from HCD that identified the newer additions needed to be further analyzed.
Due to this change, the council has three options to consider, complete the analysis required, explore upzoning a few of the properties, or upzone the original four parcels.
City Manager Henderson clarified it will cost $45,000 to take another shot at it.
Council does not think option 3 is a good choice. Council discussed previous options and what would be good for the city right now. Council wants to go forward with option 1, appropriate for up to $45,000 in funds to complete the analysis required for the 6th housing cycle.
A motion was made by Council Member Silva, seconded by Council Member Smith, to proceed with Option #1 and appropriate up to $45,000 in funds to complete the analysis required for the 6th Cycle Housing Element Amendment. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Model Water, Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) - Staff Report by City Engineer Dave Peters
Sponsor: City Engineer’s Office
Engineer Dave Peters presented the Model Water, Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
Council Member Palomar clarified that we are adopting state requirements, and how many requirements are included. Council Member Silva asked if we had already had the requirements.
Engineer Peters responded there are a few, but it’s aimed at newer landscape areas to reduce water usage. Also, we have adopted these policies in our improvement standards but not in our ordinances.
A motion was made by Council Member Silva, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to Waive the first reading and introduce Ordinance No. 2025-02, An Ordinance of the City of Kingsburg Kingsburg City Council Minutes
March 19, 2025
Adding Chapter 15.10 To Title 15 Of the Kingsburg Municipal Code Adopting the Model Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance and pass the Ordinance to a second reading and adoption at the City Council meeting on April 2, 2025, 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 Of the Kingsburg Municipal Code Adopting the Model Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance.” The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Presentation on Highway Safety Improvement Program Grant Award - Staff Report by City Engineer Dave Peters
Sponsor: City Engineer’s Office
Engineer Dave Peters discussed the Highway Safety Improvement Program. The grant application was discussed in August of 2024, they identified Kern Street and 10th Avenue as a candidate for the HSIP project. It was a hotspot that required attention to reduce traffic issues.
The City of Kingsburg was awarded the grant, a total of $1,066,320 that will be allocated to this project. Improvements include high visibility crosswalks, new ADA compliant ramps, updated striping, and application for a speed table/elevated pedestrian crossing. The timing for construction is summer of 2027.
Council Member North asked if the sidewalks can be included. If so, is it possible to fix the sidewalks. Engineer Peters said we could try to add it to the project since there is enough time to budget it for it, since it falls in the scope of the project.
Council Member Silva asked if we could add the speed table on the south coming into town, would it add a significant cost. Engineer Peters Discussed the location, and that the speed table is also a crosswalk for pedestrians.
Council Member North asked about the busses driving on the speed table due to the area being a primary spot for busses. Engineer Peters stated that it would not affect the busses.
Council discussed various issues and ideas regarding the project.
Informational- No Action Necessary
2024/2025 Revenue Report Update - Staff Report by City Manager Alexander Henderson.
Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
City Manager Henderson reviewed the revenue report. Part of the annual budget process is to provide an update to the revenue report to give insight into the current fiscal year.
City Manager Henderson discussed the revenue resources, which include sale tax, property taxes, licensing & permits, and more. He broke down each source and gave summaries of each and the outlook for the upcoming 2024-2025 fiscal year.
Informational- No Action Necessary
City CalPERS Update - Report by City Manager Alexander Henderson.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
March 19, 2025
Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
City Manager Alexander Henderson presented the annual CalPERS update. City Manager Henderson provided a background and showed the impacts that are specific to Kingsburg.
Informational- No Action Necessary
Status of the City of Kingsburg’s Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts in Calendar 2024 - Staff Report by Assistant City Manager Christina Windover Sponsor: Assistant City Manager’s Office
Action As Deemed Necessary
Assistant City Manager Christina Windover reviewed the new compliance policy AB 2561. She discussed the bill requires public agencies to hold one public hearing per fiscal year to discuss vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts. Assistant City Manager Windover detailed the process as well as current statistics regarding the City of Kingsburg’s current employment and vacancy rates.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to adopt the City of Kingsburg’s AB 2561 Compliance Policy, which establishes the framework and requirements for holding public hearings and reporting on the City of Kingsburg's workforce vacancies, and recruitment and retention efforts in compliance with Assembly Bill (“AB”) 2561. (Gov. Code § 3502.3.) The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: None.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Senior Center fundraiser this weekend.
COUNCIL REPORTS/COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member North reported BID will meet April 1, 2025. She listed upcoming events that include, the Car show April 19, 2025; Swedish Festival this year will be the third weekend in May. Lastly, Center Point is meeting in April in Parlier.
Council Member Smith reported the Finance Committee will meet March 24, 2025; the Community Services Committee will meet March 25, 2025. She mentioned the Dog Park opening will be April 12, 2025, at 10am.
Council Member Silva reported that the Economic Development committee has not met, working on getting businesses on the business park sign. Kingsburg health care revised their grant provisions.
Council Member Palomar attended the Chamber of Commerce dinner this past weekend. The Planning commission met last week, the agenda item was the Sinclair gas station.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
March 19, 2025
Mayor Pursell attended the annual Chamber of Commerce dinner where they discussed Measure E.
Mayor Pursell adjourned the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting into Closed Session at 7:49PM.
Initiation of litigation pursuant to subdivisions (c) and (d)(4) of California Government Code 54956.9
One potential case.
Mayor Pursell adjourned out of Close Session into Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting at 8:12PM.
Attorney Michael Noland stated there was nothing to report.
Mayor Pursell adjourned the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting at 8:12 PM.
Submitted by:
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Abigail Palsgaard, City Clerk