Kingsburg City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes
November 5, 2025
Invocation was given by Pastor Ricky Chambers, Kingsburg Community 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, Vince Palomar, Laura North, Staci Smith and Mayor Brandon Pursell.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
APPROVE AGENDA –
Council Member North motioned, seconded by Member Palomar, that Council has found that there is an immediate need to take action to respond to KCAPS request for financial assistance to address immediate food needs in Kingsburg and the areas surrounding Kingsburg. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
Council Member North motioned, seconded by Member Palomar, that Council has found that KCAPsrequest for financial assistance came to the City after the posting of the agenda. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
Council Member Smith, seconded by Council Member Silva, to approve the agenda with the above addition to the regular calendar. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
Police Department Swearing In and Badge Pinning:
Stephanie Chavez – Police Officer
Ronaldo Meza – Police Officer
Gary Beer – Reserve Officer
Sponsor: Police Department
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR – A motion was made by Council Member Smith, 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 October 15, 2025 Regular Council Meeting as prepared by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard.
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
2. Ratify/approve payment of bills listed on the check register for the period October 7, 2025, through October 27, 2025, as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Marsha Alves.
Sponsor: Finance Department
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
November 5, 2025
3. Waive the second reading and adopt Ordinance 2025-04; An Ordinance Amending Various Sections of Chapters 15.07 and 15.08 of Title 15 of the Kingsburg Municipal Code, with the following recital constituting reading the title of the Ordinance:
“AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF KINGSBURG AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHAPTERS 15.O7 AND 15.08 OF TITLE 15 OF THE KINGSBURG
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO PROPERTY MAINTENANCE STANDARDS AND CONSTRUCTION OF POOLS AND SPAS, ADOPTING THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE AS AMENDED, ADOPTING THE 2024
INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING POOL AND SPA CODE AS AMENDED, AND
REPEALING ALL PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED EDITIONS AND OF THE
INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE AND INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING POOL AND SPA CODE”
Staff report by Building Official AJ O’Connell
Sponsor: Community Development Department
4. Waive the second reading and adopt Ordinance 2025-05 Adding Chapter 17.98 to the Kingsburg Municipal Code Providing a Procedure for Reasonable Accommodation in the City’s Land Use and Zoning and Building Regulations Pursuant to Fair Housing Laws, with the following recital constituting reading the title of the Ordinance:
“AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF KINGSBURG
ADDING CHAPTER 17.98 TO TITLE 17 OF THE KINGSBURG MUNICIPAL CODE PROVIDING REASONABLE ACCOMODAITON FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES” Staff report by Building Official AJ O’Connell
Sponsor: Community Development Department
5. Approve the requested closure of Washington Street between Draper Street and Sierra Street for Kingsburg First Baptist Church’s Community Christmas event from December 4, 2025, to December 15, 2025.- Staff Report prepared by Community Services Director Adam Castaneda.
Sponsor: Community Services Department
6. Accept the Treasurer’s Report from April 1, 2025 to June 31, 2025 pursuant to Government Code 4001.- Staff Report by Finance Director Alma Colado.
Sponsor: Finance Department
7. Approve the agreement with Townsend Public Affairs as presented.- Staff report by City Manager Alexander Henderson.
Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
8. Waive the first reading and introducing Ordinance 2025-07 An Ordinance of The City of Kingsburg adding Chapter 5.42.100 Of Title 5 of The Kingsburg Municipal Code regarding the Election of Board Members of The Downtown Business Improvement District and pass the Ordinance to a second reading and adoption at the City Council meeting on November 19, 2025, with the following recital constituting reading the title of the Ordinance:
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
November 5, 2025
“AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF KINGSBURG ADDING CHAPTER 5.42.100 OF TITLE 5 OF THE KINGSBURG MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS OF THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT” Staff report by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
9. Planning Commission Appointment- Accept Mayor Pursell’s appointment of Sherman Dix to the Planning Commission to a term that is set to expire November 2027.
Sponsor: City Clerk’s Office
10. Adopt Resolution 2025-064 approving the Final Map for Parcel Map 2024-01 accepting the irrevocable offers of dedication as offered on the map in accordance with the terms of the dedications, and; Authorize the City Manager to execute the Parcel Map Agreement, and; Authorize the City Engineer to transmit the Final Map and Parcel Map Agreement to the Fresno County Clerk’s Office upon receipt of developer fees. – Staff report by City Engineer Dave Peters.
Sponsor: Engineering Department
REGULAR CALENDAR
Consideration of a one-time donation to KCAPS (Kingsburg Community Assistance Program & Services) to support community needs during the federal government shutdown- Presentation by Council Member Laura North.
Council Member North and Aida Rushing of KCAPS requested that the Council consider a onetime $10,000 donation to KCAPS to help address increased community needs resulting from the federal government shutdown, and to direct staff to provide monthly status updates if the shutdown continues into December. KCAPS currently receives $5,500 monthly from the Health Care District but has seen a significant rise in demand, recently serving 25 families in a threehour period compared to the usual five. KCAPS serves Kingsburg, London and Traver.
Council discussed that KCAPS does not apply for state or federal grants because they like the flexibility to provide quality food. KCAPS is also funded by the profit that they make at their thrift store.
Council Member North motioned, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to authorize a onetime donation of $10,000 to KCAPS for the month of November, to address the increased community needs resulting from the federal government shutdown, and direct staff to schedule a monthly review item beginning in December to assess ongoing need and potential further support. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
Measure E Renewal – Ballot Language Discussion - Staff report by City Manager Alexander Henderson.
Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
November 5, 2025
Council held a detailed discussion regarding the ballot language and whether to include a sunset provision. Council Member North expressed support for having no sunset rather than a 30-year sunset, noting that the measure could still be repealed in less than 30 years.
Council Member Smith stated she is not comfortable with having no sunset but prefers a longer term, such as 30 years. Council Member Silva reported that, after speaking with residents, he did not receive clear feedback on a preferred sunset length. He supports ballot language without a sunset, noting that voters would retain the ability to repeal it. Mayor Pursell stated he struggles with both no sunset and a 30-year sunset, observing that the community cannot know what law enforcement needs will look like 30 years from now.
Council Member Palomar expressed support for having no sunset, commenting that most residents understand the value of Measure E and appreciate the safety it provides.
Council Member Smith noted that when the measure was first passed, there was public concern about how the funds would be spent. Mayor Pursell added that having no sunset could be risky and that he is not comfortable taking that risk given the importance of the measure. He stated that the community has a conservative voter base and indicated a preference for a 20-year sunset, potentially with language allowing voter repeal.
City Manager Henderson explained that, from a staff perspective, the challenge with a sunset provision is that the City is tying ongoing positions to the measure and planning for long-term staffing needs. A sunset creates uncertainty for those positions. He acknowledged concerns about how future councils or managers might administer the funds but noted that if issues arose, it would be expected that a citizens group would intervene. He described the original 10-year sunset as a “prove-it contract” with the public.
Council reviewed the timeline for final action on the sunset provision. Staff prefers placing the item on the November 19 meeting agenda, or, if necessary, the first meeting in December.
Council Member North referenced the 2018 discussions, explaining that the measure was established as a public safety tax with a sunset to demonstrate accountability to the community. She noted that significant safeguards already exist regarding how future councils and managers may spend the funds and expressed support for an “until repealed by voters” provision, citing the City’s active citizen groups. Council Member Palomar added that the community will alert the Council if concerns arise. Council Member Silva stated he supports the ballot language presented in Option 2.
Crime Statistics Report for July – September 2025 and General Police Department UpdateReport prepared by Kingsburg Police Department Records Supervisor Corina Padilla.
Sponsor: Police Department
Informational- No Action Necessary
Chief Dadian reported on crime statistics, ongoing training, and staffing. He noted several recent pedestrian versus vehicle fatal traffic accidents. Lt. Salinas provided an overview of the FLOCK camera system, explaining that 10 cameras are positioned at key entry points into the city. He stated that the police department determines which agencies receive shared information and that usage is governed by state law. The FLOCK cameras have already assisted in solving property crimes.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
November 5, 2025
In response to Council Member Silva’s question about AMBER Alerts, Lt. Salinas explained that the system notifies the department when a wanted vehicle is detected, prompting further review.
In response to Council Member Palomar, he clarified that the department does not have access to live video feeds; the system only captures license plates and vehicle descriptors.
Chief Dadian thanked Lt. Salinas and Lt. Stephens for their work on the project and for maximizing available funding.
Brown Act Updates Under SB 707- Staff Report by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard reported on Senate Bill 707 (SB 707), signed October 3, 2025, which makes significant updates to the Ralph M. Brown Act effective July 1, 2026. As an “Eligible Legislative Body,” the City of Kingsburg will be required to offer two-way virtual participation, adopt policies for handling virtual disruptions and meeting decorum, maintain an accessible meetings webpage, and make reasonable efforts to engage underrepresented groups.
Translation requirements will apply only if 20% or more of the population has limited English proficiency, which does not currently apply to Kingsburg.
SB 707 also updates teleconferencing rules, expands allowable reasons for remote participation, and permits remote attendance as an ADA accommodation. Additional provisions require providing the Brown Act to all newly elected or appointed officials, standardize posting requirements for special and emergency meetings, and make permanent the current social media communication allowances.
Staff will return with recommended policies and system updates prior to July 1, 2026, to ensure full compliance.
Council discussed options to ensure decorum is kept during virtual comments.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Henderson reported on the unsafe railroad crossings. Caltrans is working on fixing the stop light timing.
COUNCIL REPORTS/COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Silva reported that work on the Swedish Mill continues to progress and that Kuik Korner is moving forward. He also provided additional economic development updates.
Council Member North gave an update on the Business Improvement District, noting discussions about a Swedish phone booth, Dala Dollars, and Dala Trolley rentals. She reported on the Holiday Kickoff, the Veteran’s Day Breakfast, and Julgransfest. Margie’s Community Thanksgiving will be held at Smokehouse and volunteers are needed. She noted Centerpoint’s strong job training program and shared information on an available FEMA disaster grant. She also provided a COG and FCRTA update regarding chargers and the micro-grid, and reported on Measure C discussions.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
November 5, 2025
Mayor Pursell commented that Measure C has been challenging and noted appreciation for the City’s citizen representative for her work.
Council Member Smith reported that the Community Services Committee met and discussed the Parks Master Plan update. She noted improvements to the dog park fencing. The Committee recently hosted the Trunk or Treat event at the park. She also attended a ribbon cutting for a new preschool.
Council Member Palomar shared that Kingsburg High School will play Dinuba in the football playoffs.
Mayor Pursell reported that he will be filming another “Minutes with the Mayor” segment for TV, which will highlight the community during the holiday season.
Mayor Pursell announced that the City Council will adjourn tonight’s meeting in memory of Lennis Scheline, honoring his life and service to our community.
Mayor Pursell adjourned the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting at 8:04pm.
Submitted by:
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Abigail Palsgaard, City Clerk