Kingsburg City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes
July 15, 2026
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Invocation was given by Pastor Faith Escobedo, Rick Alonzo Ministries, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Staci Smith.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Mayor Staci Smith called the regular meeting of the Kingsburg City Council to order at 6:01 p.m.
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 Pursell, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to approve the agenda as published. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Boyce Silva, Kingsburg resident, inquired about the transparency surrounding the purchase of the new City Hall building.
City Attorney Michael Noland explained the Brown Act requirements and advised that members of the public may request information directly from City staff.
Einar O'Brien, candidate for Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, introduced herself to the City Council and community.
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 June 17, 2026, Regular Council Meeting as prepared by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard.
2. Ratify/approve payment of bills listed on the check register for the period June 8, 2026, through July 6, 2026, as prepared by Accounts Payable Clerk Rachelle Resendez.
3. Designate Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Pursell as the Voting Delegate of the 2026 League of California Cities Annual Conference and Council Member Vince Palomar as the First Alternate Voting Delegate.
4. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-025 authorizing the City Manager to execute the Fresno County Joint Powers Agreement for continued participation in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
5. Approve the lease agreement for up to five police vehicles for the Kingsburg Police Department and authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary agreements and related documents.
6. Award the Kingsburg Senior Center Roof Rehabilitation Contract to Deft Construction in the amount of $48,185 and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract.
7. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-026 submitting the Local Transportation Purposes Certifications and Claim Forms to FCTA for the City's share of Measure "C" funds for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
REGULAR CALENDAR
PUBLIC HEARING — ADOPTION OF CITY OF KINGSBURG OBJECTIVE STANDARDS– Staff Report prepared by Community Development Director Holly Owen Sponsor: Community Development Department
Mayor Smith opened the public hearing at 6:15 p.m.
Community Development Director Holly Owen presented the proposed Objective Design Standards for Multi-Family Affordable Residential Projects.
During Council discussion, Council Member Silva asked whether the Planning Commission had unanimously recommended approval. Ms. Owen confirmed the recommendation was unanimous. Mayor Smith asked whether the proposed standards would also apply to multifamily developments located within the downtown area. Staff explained the relationship between the proposed standards and existing downtown regulations.
Mayor Smith opened the public comment period at 6:21 p.m.
John Smith, Kingsburg resident, asked whether prevailing wage requirements would apply and questioned whether the City would be constructing the developments. Ms. Owen explained that the standards apply to private development projects and not City-built projects.
Public comment was closed at 6:21 p.m.
Council Member Palomar thanked Community Development Director Holly Owen for her extensive work preparing the standards and stated they would provide clear expectations for future by-right multifamily housing projects.
Mayor Smith closed the public hearing at 6:24 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Palomar, seconded by Council Member Silva, to determine that adoption of the Objective Design Standards is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the common sense exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
A motion was made by Council Member North, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to adopt Resolution No. 2026-027 adopting the Objective Design Standards for Multi-Family Affordable Residential Projects streamlined pursuant to SB 35, SB 423, AB 2011, and SB 6. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
PUBLIC HEARING — AMENDING SECTION 17.16.040 OF THE KINGSBURG MUNICIPAL
CODE TO ADD CEMETERIES AND RELATED USES AS CONDITIONAL USES IN THE RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND OPEN SPACE ZONING DISTRICT – Staff Report prepared by Community Development Director Holly Owen
Sponsor: Community Development Department
At 6:26 p.m., Mayor Smith opened the public hearing.
Community Development Director Holly Owen presented the proposed amendment to Section 17.16.040 of the Kingsburg Municipal Code to add cemeteries, including burial parks, columbarium and mausoleums dedicated to the permanent, perpetual interment of human remains and related ancillary structures, as conditional uses within the Resource Conservation and Open Space Zoning District.
During Council discussion, Council Member Palomar thanked Community Development Director Holly Owen for her work on the item and commented on the historical 1891 map included in the presentation.
Mayor Smith opened the public comment period at 6:32 p.m.
There were no public comments.
Public comment was closed at 6:32 p.m.
There was no additional Council discussion.
Mayor Smith closed the public hearing at 6:32 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Silva, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to find that the amendment to Section 17.16.040 of the Kingsburg Municipal Code is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the common sense exemption provided in CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), as it can be seen with certainty that the amendment would not have a significant effect on the environment. 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 No. 2026-02, amending Section 17.16.040 of Chapter 17.16 of Title 17 of the Kingsburg Municipal Code to add cemeteries and related uses as conditional uses in the Resource Conservation and Open Space Zoning District, and pass the ordinance to a second reading. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
CONSIDERATION OF BALLOT MEASURE TO RENEW/ENACT PUBLIC SAFETY TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX – Staff Report prepared by Matthew E. Richardson, Special Counsel Presentation by: City Manager Alexander Henderson
Sponsor: City Manager's Office
City Manager Alexander Henderson presented a summary of Measure E, the City's one-percent Public Safety Transactions and Use Tax. He reported that Kingsburg voters originally approved Measure E on June 5, 2018, with 72 percent voter approval. The measure became effective on October 1, 2018, for a ten-year term and was scheduled to expire on September 30, 2028, unless renewed by the voters.
City Manager Henderson reviewed the City Council's previous direction to place a renewal measure on the June 2, 2026, statewide primary election ballot and summarized the ballot measure, which proposed extending the existing one-percent public safety sales tax without increasing the voter-approved rate. He reported that the measure was approved by the voters with 2,537 "Yes" votes and 718 "No" votes, receiving
77.94 percent voter approval, exceeding the required two-thirds majority. Staff recommended that the City Council certify the election results and approve the agreements necessary to implement the renewed transactions and use tax.
Mayor Smith thanked the public safety employee associations and the community for their efforts in supporting the measure. She expressed appreciation for the exceptional service provided by the Kingsburg Police and Fire Departments and the community's continued investment in public safety.
A motion was made by Council Member Palomar, seconded by Council Member Pursell, to adopt Resolution No. 2026-028 certifying the final election results received from the County of Fresno for the June 2, 2026, Public Safety Transactions and Use Tax Measure. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
A motion was made by Council Member North, seconded by Council Member Silva, to adopt Resolution No. 2026-029 authorizing the City Manager to execute agreements with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration for the implementation of the local transactions and use tax. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Pursell, seconded by Council Member Silva, to adopt Resolution No. 2026-030 authorizing examinations of transactions and use tax records. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
BACKYARD CHICKEN ORDINANCE – Staff Report prepared by City Clerk Abigail Palsgaard Presentation by: City Manager Alexander Henderson
Sponsor: Council Member North
City Manager Alexander Henderson presented the proposed Backyard Chicken Ordinance, which would allow up to five hens per residence, subject to specified development and operational standards.
During Council discussion, Council Member Palomar asked staff about the number of complaints the City currently receives regarding chickens and other animals. Council Member North provided background on the request, explaining that the topic had been brought forward at the request of residents and that she wanted to honor her commitment to revisit the ordinance.
Mayor Smith opened the item for public comment.
John Smith, Kingsburg resident, spoke in opposition to the proposed ordinance.
Ally Smith, Kingsburg resident, spoke in opposition to the proposed ordinance.
Leah Underwood, Kingsburg resident, spoke in support of the proposed ordinance.
Following public comment, the Council discussed enforcement procedures, the absence of a permitting process, reactive code enforcement, and potential revisions to the ordinance language. Council Member North asked whether a permit requirement would make Council Member Pursell more comfortable with the proposal, to which he responded affirmatively. The Council also discussed the possibility of including a waiver allowing Code Enforcement staff to conduct inspections as part of the permitting process. Mayor Smith inquired whether drones would be used for enforcement, and staff indicated they would not. Mayor Smith also asked about the frequency of complaints related to other types of animals.
By Council consensus, staff was directed to revise the proposed ordinance to include a permitting process and related enforcement provisions and return the item for further consideration at a future meeting.
A motion was made by Council Member Pursell, seconded by Council Member Palomar, to table the item and direct staff to return with a revised ordinance incorporating permitting requirements. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
CRIME STATISTICS REPORT FOR APRIL–JUNE 2026 AND GENERAL POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATE – Report prepared by Kingsburg Police Department Records Supervisor Corina Padilla
Presentation by: Police Lieutenant Lee Forlines
Sponsor: Police Department
Police Lieutenant Lee Forlines presented the Crime Statistics Report for April through June 2026 and provided a general update on Police Department operations. His presentation included an overview of current crime statistics, educational enforcement efforts related to e-bike safety, and current and upcoming training opportunities for department personnel.
During Council discussion, Mayor Smith asked why Part I crime statistics had declined. Lieutenant Forlines attributed the decrease to a vigilant community and the continued partnership between residents and the Police Department.
Informational only.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Alexander Henderson reported that the City's 2026 street improvement projects are currently underway.
COUNCIL REPORTS/COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member North reported that the Chamber of Commerce recently met and announced a change in its Executive Director as well as current Board vacancies. She also shared information from the Visit Fresno County report.
Council Member Silva recognized Kingsburg High School graduate Jensen Hirschkorn for being drafted by the Atlanta Braves and congratulated him on his accomplishment.
Council Member Palomar commented on the success of the City's Independence Day fireworks show. He shared that attending the nation's Bicentennial celebration in New York in 1976 with his parents instilled in him a deep appreciation for America and inspired his commitment to public service.
Council Member Pursell reported that the Independence Day Celebration was well attended, with approximately 2,000 people participating. He also reported that the Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted to conduct an impact study related to the proposed road initiative.
Mayor Smith reported that the Kingsburg Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) met the previous day. She noted that the Fire Department provided a presentation on business inspections and emphasized the importance of Knox Boxes to allow first responders rapid access to commercial buildings during emergencies.
ADJOURN REGULAR KINGSBURG CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Smith adjourned the Regular Kingsburg City Council Meeting at 7:34 p.m.
Submitted by:
____________________________________
Abigail Palsgaard, City Clerk