Kingsburg City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes
May 7, 2025
Invocation was given by Pastor John Dostal, The Kingsburg Concordia Lutheran 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:
Introduction of the 2025 Swedish Queen and Court:
2025 Queen: Samaris “Olivia” Odom
2025 Attendants: Alison Rogers; Kaylee Reich and Charlotte Houseweart C.E.R.T. Volunteers Oath of Office:
Beatrice Camarillo; Fidel Camarillo; Donn Case; Daniel Huerta; Emmanuel Huerta; James Huerta Jr; Araceli Vasquez; Elijah Vasquez; Jasmine Vasquez and David Tardiff PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR – A motion was made by Council Member Silva, seconded by Council Member North, 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 April 16, 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 April 8, 2025, through April 28, 2025, as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Marsha Alves.
Sponsor: Finance Department
3. Approve the Partial Acceptance of Tract 6421- Staff Report by City Engineer Dave Peters Sponsor: City Engineer’s Office
4. Approve the Tract 6421 Reimbursement Agreement (18th Ave. Improvements) - Staff Report by City Engineer Dave Peters
Sponsor: City Engineer’s Office
5. Receive and File the May 2025 - Building and Safety Month Proclamation. - Staff Report by Building Official AJ O’Connell
Sponsor: Community Development Department
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
May 7, 2025
REGULAR CALENDAR
Consideration of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with County of Fresno, Ordinance Relating to Infectious Material - Staff Report by Building Official AJ O’Connell Sponsor: Community Development Department
Action As Deemed Necessary
Building Official AJ O’Connell presented his report regarding the consideration of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the County of Fresno, and Ordinance relating to infectious material.
Building Official O’Connell gave background regarding the lab in Reedley, California as context.
He explained that Fresno County has offered a Memorandum of Understanding to the City of Kingsburg to enforce the Ordinance in our jurisdiction, if a similar incident, like in Reedley, should happen in Kingsburg. Code enforcement can obtain assistance from Fresno County.
City Manager Alex Henderson thanked Fresno County and Mr. O’Connell for working on this project.
A motion was made by Council Member North, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to adopt Resolution 2025-26 approving the Memorandum of Understanding with County of Fresno to Authorize County to Enforce Fresno County Infectious Materials Ordinance in the City of Kingsburg, subject to approval by the City Manager and City Attorney. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
A motion was made by Council Member North, seconded by Council Member Silva, to waive the first reading and introduce Ordinance 2025-03 Adding Chapter 8.28 to Title 8 of the Kingsburg Municipal Code Relating to Infectious Materials. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Independence Day Celebration Discussion - Staff Report by City Manager Alexander Henderson Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
Action As Deemed Necessary
City Manager Alexander Henderson presented the firework program options that were originally provided to the Chamber of Commerce. Staff has confirmed with the vendor, Pyro Spectaculars, that they can still provide a show on July 3rd for the quoted rates. Staff is seeking discussion and potential direction regarding the fireworks event, with the following considerations.
City Manager Henderson covered the following details regarding the event.
Costs & Operations
For 2025, the Chamber has about $14,000 in their Firework funds. The city annually contributes $5,000. Music for the event is provided for about $1,500. Council would need to allocate an additional $8,000 to cover 2025 costs. Would need to take into consideration the costs for future years.
Coordination
City staff would be responsible for organizing event logistics, including working with the fireworks vendor, coordinating music, invocation, singer for the national anthem, as well as ordering trash cans, porta-potties and other event related activities. In addition, the city would be responsible for providing labor for parking, gate admission and clean-up the day after the event (if we choose to Kingsburg City Council Minutes
May 7, 2025
open the stadium). Alternatively, the city could partner with a non-profit group that would provide the volunteers with staff to staff the event, and in return would receive a portion of the revenue raised from parking, concessions, and gate entry fees. Public Safety activities by Police and Fire departments would be unchanged from a normal event year.
Council Member North asked for clarification on the vendor fee and how many attended last year.
The fee was $875 per vendor with a total of 6 food vendors.
Council Member Silva said he is sad that this is in front of them, considering it is late. But it is an important event that citizens attend and enjoy. Understands this is a big-ticket item, but we need to figure out how to make this work fiscally. Using general funds or partnering with a service group to help offset the cost would make sense financially.
Council Member Palomar agrees that citizens in Kingsburg enjoy this event every year. It is good that staff is considering partnering with a youth sports group to take over staffing the event.
Council Member Smith supports moving forward with the show, but notes it is unfortunate that it is coming this late because it is harder to plan for the event. It makes sense to partner with a group and wants to consider changing the price of parking. We need to look at how to recoup funds from this year.
Council Member North noted there are a lot of things to consider. There are a lot of people showing up to the bowl and parking in surrounding areas. Maybe not having the bowl open because of the financial cost. She stated that if we do not partner with a group, we will lose money because we have to pay employees to staff.
Mayor Pursell is disappointed with the chamber’s late notice. It is their right to drop an event where they do not make money. He notes that maybe the Kingsburg Seawolves would be willing to work the bowl this year. They would want to make a profit; it would be up to the City Manager to partner.
His main goal is to make fireworks happen, even with the loss. This year we do not have time, but he believes there is the potential to recoup the cost in the future.
Mayor Pursell would like to authorize the City Manager to work with a group willing to partner and to give the City Manager discretion.
Public Discussion: None
Council Member North thanked the chamber for doing this over the years. Their board is small, hopefully we can partner with an organization that offers more volunteers. Council Member Silva added with a larger group of volunteers could be more creative. Mayor Pursell’s primary concern is the staff time that will be used. Council Member Palomar believes the Seawolves would be the best group to partner group.
City Manager Henderson recommends we partner with a group, allowing multiple groups to apply and present their ideas within the month of May. If we do not get a group or come to an agreement, we close the bowl but have an aerial fireworks show. If we had the bowl open, there would be more money put into staff overtime, he’s unsure we’d recoup any of those costs. He is hoping there will be a group to partner with
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
May 7, 2025
Council Member Silva asked if Public Safety will also be considered overtime. City Manager Henderson answered they already budget for that day due to fireworks happening all over town.
Mayor Pursell clarified with Chamber that the $14,000 in the Chamber funds will be coming back to the City. Noted those funds will be helpful in making decisions.
Council Member North wants to authorize the City Manager to make the best fiscal decision for the community. Whether it is working with an organization or closing the bowl to do an aerial show.
Mayor Pursell agrees and clarified with City Manager Henderson that he’ll make a sound decision.
City Manager Henderson believes the best choice for us is finding a group to partner with, to help staff volunteers. It will also return some money to us, whereas if we close bowl we won’t get money back. Thee group we partner with will be able to fundraise.
A motion was made by Council Member Silva, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to authorize the City Manager discretion to vet and chose a non-profit organization to work with for the Independence Day celebration, up to and including closing the bowl if it does not make financial sense. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Kingsburg Business Park Highway Commercial Sign Lease Agreements - Staff Report by City Manager Alexander Henderson
Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
Action As Deemed Necessary
City Manager Alexander Henderson presented an update regarding the Kingsburg Business Park. He gave a brief history of the sign before the City came into ownership, and how the City will be going forward with the design and leases.
City Manager Henderson discussed the costs associated with the leases and city costs.
Council Member Silva asked about the aluminum coverage for letters that have been removed, will we receive a quote regarding that. City Manager Henderson answered it should look as it is presented, without having to patch it with the aluminum skin. Council Member Silva thanked City Manager Henderson and Jolene Polyack for their work, and he is glad the local business Cheyanne’s is included.
Council Member Palomar also thanked staff and inquired about a timeframe. City Manager Henderson said he was given a timeline of 6-8 weeks once it gets started. Right now, we are waiting for leases to be completed.
A motion was made by Council Member Silva, seconded by Council Member Smith, to authorize the City Manager to execute respective Business Park leases pending final lease review by the City attorney, and tenant signatures. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: None.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
May 7, 2025
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Reported the Prop 218 election will take place May 21, 2025. Added the steam engine move was delayed, they are looking at early June to move the steam engine.
COUNCIL REPORTS/COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member North reported that the BID met yesterday and discussed Ladies Night out.
Chamber meeting is Tuesday, May 13, 2025, and now meeting at 5:00pm. Lastly, the You Matter Day event is this Saturday.
Council Member Staci Smith reported that the Community Services and Finance Committee have not met, she reminded council that the Swedish Festival is next week, starting Thursday May 15th through May 17th, 2025.
Council Member David Silva reported Economic Development Committee have not met. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control City Selection Committee did meet and appointed Mayor Pro Tem Jose Rodriguez from Madera to represent Small Cities in our region. The SKGSA also met, presented 2025-2026 budget draft, their next meeting will take place on May 14, 2025 in Fowler.
Council Member Silva also reported on local items, the Car Show Committee met, there was a record number of cars. Hot Rod Garage Show, a hot rod magazine, had an article featuring the Kingsburg car show. The Car Show is gaining popularity, putting Kingsburg on hot rod map. The Chamber had a library mixer last night. Gold Standard Mortgage ribbon cutting was an amazing evening; it was a community event. Thanked everyone involved.
Council Member Palomar reported the Planning Commission joint meeting has been rescheduled to May 22, 2025. Public Safety has not met and SKF has been rescheduled for May 22, 2025. Filled in for Council Member North at the Five Cities Center Point District. The meeting included information for small businesses, and the Central Valley Training Center in Selma, California, available for free.
Mayor Pursell reported that COG and FCRTA did meet. First, they had the city selection committee, where Mayor Pursell was appointed Vice Chair. However, the big item discussed was Measure C.
Noted there may be a counter measure running against it put on by a group called Transportation for All. He mentioned that if they are both on the ballot, neither has much of a chance of passing.
Council Member North thanks Council Member Palomar for attending the meeting on his birthday.
Mayor Pursell adjourned the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting at 7:00 PM. ____________________________________
Abigail Palsgaard, City Clerk