Kingsburg City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes
May 21, 2025
Invocation was given by Council Member Vince Palomar, 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, Staci Smith, and Mayor Brandon Pursell.
Council Members Absent: Laura North.
APPROVE AGENDA – A motion was made by Council Member Smith, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to approve the agenda, as published. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote of those present.
PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Sharon Pearson, chairman of the Swedish festival, said it was a great festival. Council thanked the committee for the amount of effort put into making it a success.
CONSENT CALENDAR: A motion was made by Council Member Silva, seconded by Council Member Palomar, 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 May 7, 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 29, 2025, through May 12, 2025, as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Marsha Alves.
Sponsor: Finance Department
3. Adopt Resolution 2025-027 for Annexation 2025-01 certifying and adding the above properties to CFD No. 2017-01. - Staff Report by Community Development Director Holly Owen.
Sponsor: Community Development Department
4. Approve the Reimbursement Agreement between the City of Kingsburg and K Prop, LLC, for construction of park improvements required by the project conditions of approval and authorize the City Manager to sign the agreement on behalf of the City. - Staff Report by City Engineer Dave Peters
Sponsor: City Engineer’s Office
5. Waive the second reading and adopt Ordinance 2025-03 Adding Chapter 8.28 to Title 8 of the Kingsburg Municipal Code Relating to Infectious Materials. - Staff Report by Building Official AJ O’Connell
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
May 21, 2025
Sponsor: Community Development Department
6. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-028 - A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Kingsburg, County Of Fresno, State Of California Initiating Proceedings For The Annual Levy And Collection Of Assessments For The City Assessment District No. 93-01 For Fiscal Year 2025/26 Pursuant To The Landscaping And Lighting Act Of 1972, Part 2 Of Division 15 Of The Streets And Highways Code And As Provided By Article Xiii D Of The California Constitution; And Ordering The Preparation Of An Engineer’s Report In Connection Therewith.- Staff Report prepared by Finance Director Alma Colado Sponsor: Finance Department
7. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-029 - A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Kingsburg, County Of Fresno, State Of California Preliminarily Approving The Report Of The Engineer In Connection With The Annual Levy Of And Collection Of Assessments For The City Assessment District No. 93-01 For Fiscal Year 2025/26, Pursuant To The Landscaping And Lighting Act Of 1972, Part 2 Of Division 15 Of The Streets And Highways Code And As Provided By Article Xiii D Of The California Constitution.- Staff Report prepared by Finance Director Alma Colado
Sponsor: Finance Department
8. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-030- A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Kingsburg, County Of Fresno, State Of California Declaring Its Intention To Order The Annual Levy And Collection Of Assessment For The City Landscape Maintenance Assessment District No. 93-01 For Fiscal Year 2025/26 Pursuant To The Landscaping And Lighting Act Of 1972, Part 2 Of Division 15 Of The Streets And Highways Code And As provided By Article Xiii D Of The California Constitution, And Appointing A Time And Place For Hearing Protests.- Staff Report prepared by Finance Director Alma Colado Sponsor: Finance Department
9. Approve the job description of the Account Clerk I – Fire Department as presented. - Staff Report by Fire Chief Rodnie Roberts
Sponsor- Fire Department
10. Accept the Treasurer’s Report from January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025 pursuant to Government Code 4001.- Staff Report by Finance Director Alma Colado.
Sponsor: Finance Department
11. Award of the Avenue B Extension Project to MAC General Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $309,598.19. - Staff Report by City Engineer Dave Peters Sponsor: City Engineer’s Office
12. Award of the Kingsburg 2025 Streets Project to Don Berry Construction, in the amount of $898,706. - Staff Report by City Engineer Dave Peters
Sponsor: City Engineer’s Office
13. Authorize a total payment to Excellence, Inc. for $336,732.61 to rebuild the wrecked ambulance and $80,672.49 to Stryker for a gurney and auto loader and payment for taxes and registration - Staff Report by Fire Chief Rodnie Roberts Sponsor- Fire Department
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
May 21, 2025
REGULAR CALENDAR
PUBLIC HEARING - Prop 218 Election - Water Rate - Staff Report by Public Works Director Daniel Galvez.
Sponsor: Public Works Department
Mayor Pursell opened the Public Hearing at 6:06 PM.
Public Works Director Daniel Galvez presented along with Alison Lechowicz, Project Manager of Lechowicz and Tseng, the history and proposed water rates of the Proposition 218 study.
Mayor Pursell opened council discussion at 6:16 PM.
Mayor Pursell opened open public comment at 6:22 PM.
Don Pauly, resident, is against water rate increase.
Debrah Maddox, resident, is against water rate increase.
John Wright, resident, is against water rate increase.
Paul Sherp, resident, is against water rate increase.
Dave Crinklaw, resident, is for water rate increase.
Mayor Pursell opened closed public comment at 6:39 PM.
Continued Council Discussion:
Council Member Silva asked Director Galvez if we have updated meters. Director Galvez responded that the meters are 15 years old, with a 25-year expected life span. Director Galvez also added that while they are preparing to go into this next phase for the water system, they will be tracking water losses and usage. They have worked with engineering to add new standards. Currently, Public Works performs monthly readings to track water usage. The goal is to have a system that will provide daily readings that will allow easier readings to see the daily water consumption. This will include adding antennas to existing meters.
Mayor Pursell asked if new homes will receive updated meters. Director Galavez stated they are working on a new standard and explained how the new meters will work. It will be proposed for the next couple of subdivisions.
Council Member Silva asked if we wanted a daily readout, we would have to send staff out to take that readout with the current technology but if Prop 218 passes, we could potentially have more funding to upgrade the technology. Director Galvez said yes, they are also wanting to apply for an Efficiency Grant that would install more efficient systems. With the new process, and new meters, it will help conserve water.
Council Member Smith asked if homeowners would pay for the new meters if they were replaced and if it is budgeted into the projects we are currently looking at. Director Galvez said currently the system is covering the replacement cost, once you pay for the initial meter you won’t receive a bill. This isn’t budgeted into this fiscal year, but it is part of a large Kingsburg City Council Minutes
May 21, 2025
maintenance piece. During Covid there was a delay in receiving meters and meter parts.
Now there has been a steady stream of meters being repaired and installed.
Mayor Pursell wanted to know what a daily monitoring project looks like financially.
Director Galvez answered a couple hundred thousand dollars, but the goal is to find a grant to pay for it.
City Manager Henderson added details about a past meter project the City bonded for. These meters were installed and paid for overtime by homeowners. If we can retrofit them, we could do that. We want to ensure we deliver safe and clean drinking water, while keeping costs down.
Council Member Smith wanted to know with the addition of solar, how are we budgeting for utility cost. City Manager Henderson noted we cannot put solar power at all the wells as we would like due to space issues. It also takes time to offset the cost. We will strategically run the two solar powered wells as much as possible.
Council Member Palomar discussed the Consolidated Irrigation District’s (CID) water costs and the ground water JPA. He believes our cost would be lower if we stayed with CID.
Council Member Silva gave insight that as a local farmer, CID is going through their own Prop 218 process right now.
Council Member Smith supports the project and wants to move forward but wants to consider lowering the rate in the first year.
Mayor Pursell’s opinion is that we have to own past mistakes regarding where the rates are.
It is a huge rate increase but if we don’t have the increase, we risk not having water.
Mayor Pursell closed the public hearing at 6:52 PM.
City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard announced the election results: the City received 281 protest ballots, there are 4,194 accounts. Therefore, for the 50% plus 1, the City would need 2,098 votes. We do not have enough for the majority to protest.
A motion was made by Council Member Silva, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to approve Resolution 2025-031 implementing the proposed rates as presented effective on or after July 1, 2025, and authorizing annual increases on July 1 through 2029, pursuant to the requirement of Proposition 218. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote of those present.
1% Public Safety Sales Tax - Measure E Overview – Presentation by Police Chief Neil Dadian and Fire Chief Rodnie Roberts
Sponsor: Police & Fire Department
Informational - No Action Deemed Necessary
City Manager Alexander Henderson began by informing Council that the Measure E Oversite Committee recently met where they went over the Police and Fire Chief’s budgets where they Kingsburg City Council Minutes
May 21, 2025
accepted them in compliance with Resolution 2018-051. They also discussed the upcoming Measure E renewal planned for June 2026.
Police Chief Neil Dadian gave an overview of the Police Department’s Measure E budget. The Measure E annual budget included body worn cameras, dash cameras, vehicles, safety equipment, personnel and various training opportunities. Chief Dadian indicated that Measure E funding has stabilized and is not increasing. The cost of personnel has increased causing us to lose a police officer position. Chief Dadian also discussed the spending plan for Measure E in the fiscal year 2025/2026 which will continue to include high school and elementary schools resource officer spending.
Council Member Silva asked Chief Dadian to detail how the police department was before and after Measure E funding. Chief responded on a scale of 1 to 10, 5 before Measure E funding, and 9 after Measure E funding as there is always room for improvement. There has been a significant improvement in delivery of service. Measure E funding is a helpful resource. If Measure E did not pass, it is possible to have a drop in service. Chief Dadian explained it has helped develop individuals in their careers overall, allowing them to better serve the community.
Mayor Pursell asked what the current vacancies are in the department, he wanted to make sure no one has been laid off. Chief Dadian responded that we do not have any vacancies despite losing one officer position. Rather than filling that position, we are going to leave it unfilled to help sustain funding. Mayor Pursell emphasized the importance of Measure E passing; it means the safety of the community.
Fire Chief Rodnie Roberts presented his overview of his Measure E budget. The spending goes towards personnel, gear, and maintenance and operations. These funds have also gone towards a new fire engine; it is expected to have a 20-year lifespan.
Council Member Silva asked how Chief Roberts feels this department is doing compared to other cities. Chief Roberts answered for a small city we are doing well thanks to our funding sources, especially Measure E.
Council Member Palomar states he hopes the public understands how important the 1% tax is.
There is no price for safety.
2025/2026 DRAFT Capital Improvement Plan and FY 26 Streets Update - Staff Report by City Manager Alexander Henderson
Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
Informational - No Action Deemed Necessary
City Manager Alexander Henderson presented the draft capital improvement project for the fiscal year 2026. City Manager Henderson highlighted different projects that have various funding sources. He covered projects that are 2025 projects but also described projects that will start in the fiscal year 2026.
Council Member Palomar asked when the alley way improvements will be completed. City Manager Henderson answered this summer.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
May 21, 2025
Mayor Pursell asked if we are turning people away regarding the TNR costs, and if we should expand the funding. City Manager Henderson answered we added additional funds for this year, noting that no matter what the number is we would go through the funds.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: None.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Reminded Council the next meeting will be on Tuesday June 3, where the first presentation of the upcoming budget will come before them.
COUNCIL REPORTS/COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Silva said SKGSA met and approved the budget. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control or the Economic Development Committee have not met.
Council Member Laura North attended the Kingsburg Health Care on Council Member Silva’s behalf, there were 15 grant presentations. Director Adam Castenada presented for the Senior Center lunch program. Council Member Silva filled in Council Member Palomar for Public Safety Committee where the Kingsburg Police Department presented their proposed drone program and received funding for a new drone.
Council Member Silva and Council Member North both attended the chamber meeting, where they discussed the Swedish Festival and the 3rd of July celebration. Council Member Silva thanked Chairperson Sharon Pearson and Council Member Smith for their hard work during the Swedish Festival; they did an excellent job. He thanked Reedley Mayor Matthew Tuttle and State Senator Alexandra Macedo for attending the festival and riding on the trolley.
Council Member Smith reported that the Finance Committee is scheduled to meet on June 23, 2025. Community Services Committee will meet June 25, 2025. She also noted the Swedish festival had a lot of press, special mention that PBS will be doing a spotlight on Kingsburg.
Council Member Palomar reported the Planning Commission will hold a joint meeting with city council tomorrow. SKF adopted the budget and CIP. Swedish Festival was a great success. He thanked County Supervisors Buddy Mendez and Nathan Masig for attending.
Mayor Pursell adjourned the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting at 7:42 PM.
Submitted by:
____________________________________
Abigail Palsgaard, City Clerk