Kingsburg City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes
November 19, 2025
Invocation was given by Pastor James Gravelle of Assemblies of God 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 6:02pm.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: David Silva, Vince Palomar, Laura North, Staci Smith and Mayor Brandon 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: None.
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 November 5, 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 28, 2025, through November 10, 2025, as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Marsha Alves.
Sponsor: Finance Department
3. Waive the second reading and adopt Ordinance 2025-06 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 with the following recital constituting reading the title of the Ordinance:
“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
REGULAR CALENDAR
Measure E Renewal – Ballot Language Discussion - Staff report by City Manager Alexander Henderson.
Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
November 19, 2025
City Manager Alex Henderson presented various ballot language options, shared statistics on the success of measures with different sunset provisions, and noted that the proposed measure will require a two-thirds voter approval.
Council Member North expressed concern with including “support SROs” in the ballot language, noting that the elementary school district currently funds the position through a grant that will expire. She questioned whether the City should include this commitment if the district cannot maintain its share.
Council Member Palomar stated that the Public Safety Committee felt that if school funding for the SRO ends, Measure E should support the position.
Council Member Smith agreed that community safety should be prioritized and suggested reconsidering the explicit SRO reference. Council Member Palomar supported keeping the “supporting SROs” language, emphasizing partnership and existing oversight safeguards.
Council Member North reiterated her concern and said she could support broader wording such as “support school safety” to ensure transparency with voters.
Mayor Pursell supported including the SRO reference, noting it would affirm the City’s commitment. Council Member North responded that doing so would require a firm commitment to SRO funding. Council Member Palomar added that the community strongly supports protecting children, and Council Member Silva also expressed support for the language.
Derrek Gagnon, Police Officers Association (POA) President, voiced support for keeping SRO language in the ballot language and stated the POA is prepared to explain it to residents.
Council Member Silva noted his support for the “until appealed by voters” provision, stating it empowers the community and that residents he has spoken with favor the measure.
Council Member Palomar also supported the appeal-by-voters approach and noted he has helped educate residents about its meaning. Council Member North supported this stronger language.
Council Member Smith remained in favor of including a sunset, expressing concern that a perpetual tax could be received negatively. Mayor Pursell said he does not favor taxes in perpetuity and noted uncertainty about future law enforcement needs, but emphasized the shared desire to see the measure pass.
POA President Gagnon spoke again in full support of a no-sunset option, stating the value Measure E brings to the department in training and equipment and expressing confidence in community support.
Resident and Kingsburg Police Sergeant Josh Carey spoke in support of maintaining Kingsburg’s strong public safety culture and service quality. When asked by Mayor Pursell about sunset options, he said he supported whichever option voters would find most acceptable.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
November 19, 2025
Council Member Silva asked about neighboring sales tax rates and noted the importance of maintaining safety as costs for technology continue to rise. He reaffirmed support for the “until appealed by voters” option.
Council Member Palomar stated he believes residents will support the measure. Council Member North reiterated her support for “until appealed by voters.” Council Member Smith maintained her preference for including a sunset. Mayor Pursell acknowledged the POA’s commitment to educating the public regarding the measure.
Council Member North motioned, seconded by Council Member Silve, to approve option 2:
“To renew funding to be used only for public safety services to prevent drastic reductions of police officers/firefighters/paramedics, including a second 24/7 ambulance, support SROs, maintain safety equipment, and enhance 911 emergency response; shall the City of Kingsburg’s measure extending the expiring public safety tax until repealed by voters, without increasing the voter-approved one-cent rate, raising $2.6 million annually with citizen oversight, keeping 100% of funds local for Kingsburg residents, be adopted?” The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Council requests for future agenda items. Items require a consensus.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager spoke about the improvements at the railroad crossing on Draper.
COUNCIL REPORTS/COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member North reported on the upcoming BID and Chamber meetings.
Council Member Smith noted the upcoming Finance and Community Services Committee meetings.
Council Member Silva reported that he filled in at the recent Chamber meeting. The Chamber shared that membership continues to grow, social media marketing has expanded significantly, the Crayfish Festival generated a profit, and planning is underway for the upcoming car show.
Council Member Palomar reported that the Public Safety Committee meeting opened with a moment of silence for Lennis Scheline. He also noted that the Planning Commission discussed the Crown development and housing allocations, which will move forward to the City Council.
Mayor Pursell reported on the FCRTA microgrid parking lot project behind the pharmacy and shared that Measure C will be discussed at the meeting tomorrow. The steering committee has recommended allocations, with a significant portion directed to the City of Fresno for public transit and 60% designated for local roads. He emphasized the City’s need for funding for roads and alleys. He added that the measure must be approved by the COG Policy Board, the City of Fresno, and the County of Fresno. Mayor Pursell also announced that Congressman Jim Costa has officially secured $1,000,000 for the City’s OES facility and City Hall project, commending City Manager Henderson and Townsend Public Affairs for their work.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
November 19, 2025
Mayor Pursell adjourned the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting into Closed Session at 6:57pm.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICPATED LITIGATION
Initiation of litigation pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(4) (One potential case)
Mayor Pursell adjourned out of Closed Session into the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting at 7:17pm.
City Attorney Michael Noland stated there was nothing to report out.
Mayor Pursell adjourned the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting at 7:17pm.
Submitted by:
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Abigail Palsgaard, City Clerk