Kingsburg City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2026
Invocation was given by Police Chaplain Cathleen Lawler, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Staci Smith.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Mayor Smith called the regular meeting of the Kingsburg City Council to order at 6:02pm.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: David Silva, Vince Palomar, Laura North, Brandon Pursell and Mayor Staci Smith.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
APPROVE AGENDA:
A motion was made by Council Member North, seconded by Council Member Silva, to approve the agenda, as published. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
Police Chief Shaun Stephens Swearing In and Badge Pinning Sponsor: City Manager
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR: A motion was made by Council Member Smith, seconded by Council Member Palomar, 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 January 21, 2026 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 January 13, 2026, through January 26, 2026, as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Rachelle Resendez.
Sponsor: Finance Department
3. Approve The 2026-2027 City of Kingsburg Budget Schedule – Staff Report by City Manager Alexander Henderson
Sponsor: City Manager’s Office
4. Approve entering into a three-year engagement letter with Bryant L. Jolley for auditing services, authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to finalize the terms and conditions of the attached engagement letter and any related agreements and authorize the City Manager to execute the final engagement letter and related agreements. - Staff Report by Finance Director Alma Colado
Sponsor: Finance Department
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
February 4, 2026
5. Approval to extend the contract between The Sustainable Park and Recreation Community Initiative (SPARCI) and the City of Kingsburg to complete the Kingsburg Park & Recreation Master Plan until May 2026.- Staff Report by Community Services Director Adam Castenda Sponsor: Community Services Department
REGULAR CALENDAR
PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDERATION OF THE CITY OF KINGSBURG GENERAL PLAN UPDATE AND GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 2025-02 – Staff Report by Community Development Director Holly Owen
Sponsor: Community Development Department
Mayor Smith opened the Public Hearing at 6:21pm.
Community Development Director Holly Owen presented the General Plan update, explaining that the General Plan serves as the City’s long-range policy framework for land use and development. State law mandates periodic updates; while the typical lifecycle is approximately 10 years, the City’s current General Plan is approximately 30 years old. The update process began in 2023.
Mayor Smith opened the Council Discussion at 6:38pm.
Mayor Smith opened the Public Comment at 6:38pm. No public comments were received.
Mayor Smith closed the Public Comment at 6:38pm.
Mayor Smith opened the Continued Council Discussion at 6:38pm Council Member Palomar asked whether the General Plan needed to be submitted to the State.
The submittal to the State is not required and that, upon adoption, the City will be in compliance with State law.
City Manager Henderson thanked Ms. Owen, Provost, and Pritchard for their two years of work on the General Plan update and for their extensive community outreach efforts. Mayor Smith expressed appreciation for the inclusion of clear goals and vision and commented that the final product turned out very well.
Mayor Smith closed the Public Hearing at 6:42pm.
Council Member Pursell motioned, seconded by Council Member North, to adopt Resolution No. 2026-004 finding that the Kingsburg General Plan Update and General Plan Amendment No. 2025-02 is consistent with the City’s General Plan Environmental Impact Report dated July of 1992 and its subsequent addendum dated April of 2024 pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 and adopt the City of Kingsburg General Plan (General Plan Amendment 2025-02) attached hereto as Exhibit “A”. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
Growth Management Allocation – Consideration of 2nd Round of Allocations- Staff Report by Community Development Director Holly Owen
Sponsor: Community Development Department
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
February 4, 2026
Community Development Director Holly Owen presented the Growth Management Ordinance, explaining that it requires the City Council to provide an opportunity to reopen a second round of housing allocations if allocations are not awarded during the first round.
Shanna McDonald, resident, does not want the allocations to be opened for the 2nd round.
Nick Peters, San Joaquin Valley Homes, is requesting the allocations to be opened.
Larry King, developer, is requesting the allocations to be opened.
Jacob Huebert, non-resident, is requesting the allocations to be opened.
Lance Morton, resident, does not want the allocations to be opened for the 2nd round.
Chris Peterson, resident, does not want the allocations to be opened for the 2nd round Council Member Silva asked for clarification that the first round of allocations is not discretionary and opens regardless of Council action. City Manager Henderson confirmed this was correct. Council Member Silva then asked whether the second round of allocations had been approved by the voters. City Manager Henderson responded that it had not and that the process was drafted by a committee in 2005.
Council Member North stated that allocations were not awarded during the previous cycle and asked what would happen to the allocations if the second round is not opened. City Manager Henderson explained that if the second round is not opened, the allocations would expire for 2026. Council Member North asked whether unused allocations carry over. City Manager Henderson stated that during the recession, language was added in 2008 or 2009 allowing the City Council to use up to three years of unused allocations, at the Council’s discretion. He also noted that the ordinance includes provisions related to phased allocations for upcoming years.
Council Member Pursell expressed his preference not to open the second round of allocations and asked whether formal action was required. Council Member North expressed concern about larger projects potentially combining multiple years of allocations.
Council Member Pursell stated that while he supports property owner rights, the City has the opportunity to pause the process based on community feedback. Council Member North stated that while she supports growth, the City has safeguards in place for new development and that there is a duty to follow what was approved by the voters. She expressed concern about potential liability in the future. Council Member Pursell commented that the Growth Management Plan was intended to limit growth by establishing a ceiling, not a floor, and that he believes it is within the City Council’s authority to decide whether to open allocations.
Council Member Palomar stated that rolling over allocations is discretionary. While acknowledging that communities need growth, he expressed support for pausing allocations.
Council Member Silva stated that he does not want an excessive number of allocations to accumulate through rollover and would prefer to consider allocations once per year. He noted that he remains undecided, emphasizing the need to support young families through housing availability while also acknowledging concerns related to traffic and the impacts of growth.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
February 4, 2026
Mayor Smith stated that the community has voiced its concerns and that this is within the City Council’s discretion. She expressed that this is a good opportunity to pause the process and thanked staff for their efforts in educating the public.
Council Member Pursell motioned, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to not open the second round of housing allocations. The motion passed with 4 yeses, and Council Member North voting no.
Kingsburg Health Care District Grant Cycle Announcement - Staff Report by Community Services Director Adam Castenada
Sponsor: Community Services Department
Community Services Director Adam Castenada presented past grants and what staff would like to apply for.
Council Member Pursell asked about mental health check-in- why are we specifically naming a provider. He would like a competitive process. City Manager Henderson said the Kingsburg Health Care District asked that they list a provider, and they used her last year. Council Member Pursell said if that is what KHD wants, then that is fine.
Council discussed the changes in the grant funding. Council Member Pursell motioned, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to approve staff applying for the 3 listed grants from the Kingsburg Health Care District. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
Solar Project Update- Presentation by Public Works Director Daniel Galvez Sponsor: Public Works Department
Public Works Director Daniel Galvez presented an update on the City’s solar project. The Council discussed system performance, contractual guarantees, tax credits, and the number of sites that are currently operational. Challenges with PG&E at the Public Works location were also discussed.
Staff reported that production was lower during the first year; however, the production guarantee begins this year and output is expected to increase. The Council expressed appreciation for the project and how they worked well with public input.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: None.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
The Measure E renewal paperwork has been filed with the county.
COUNCIL REPORTS/COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Silva reported that the Economic Development Committee will meet later this month to discuss design standards. He also reported that the Kingsburg Hospital District will meet on February 11, 2026. Council Member Silva attended the Blossom Trail ceremony in Selma and noted that it was a nice event. He added that the Car Show Committee will be meeting as well.
Kingsburg City Council Minutes
February 4, 2026
Council Member North reported that the Chamber of Commerce will meet next week. She also toured SKF.
Council Member Palomar reported that the Public Safety Committee and the Planning Commission will meet next week. He reported that the Community Services Commission met and received updates on the Parks Master Plan, the dog park, and the inclusive playground.
Council Member Pursell provided an update on Measure C, stating that there continues to be significant disagreement surrounding the measure. He reported that COG has withdrawn from Measure C and that a citizens’ initiative is underway; however, the current language identifies COG as the overseeing agency. He stated that the matter may proceed to litigation.
Mayor Smith reported that the Finance Committee met and received a new City Hall mockup, which was approved. She also reported that the BID will move forward with the Swedish phone booth and the Spring Soirée and received an update from Oat & Oak.
Mayor Smith adjourned the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting at 7:50pm.
Submitted by:
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Abigail Palsgaard, City Clerk