Update 02/13/24 9:00 a.m. Madera City Council Agenda Page 1 of 2 February 14, 2024
NOTICE AND CALL OF THE
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MADERA CITY COUNCIL
205 W. 4th Street, Madera, California 93637
NOTICE AND AGENDA
Wednesday, February 14, 2024 Council Chambers
6:00 p.m. City Hall
The Madera City Council meetings are open to the public. This meeting will also be available for public viewing and participation through Zoom. Members of the public may also observe the live streamed meeting on the City’s website at www.madera.gov/live. Members of the public may comment on agenda items at the meeting or remotely through an electronic meeting via phone by dialing (669) 900- 6833 enter ID: 845 7632 9530#. Comments will also be accepted via email at [email protected] or by regular mail at 205 W. 4th Street, Madera, CA 93637.
CALL TO ORDER:
ROLL CALL: Mayor Santos Garcia
Mayor Pro Tem Cece Gallegos, District 1
Councilmember Jose Rodriguez, District 2
Councilmember Steve Montes, District 3
Councilmember Anita Evans, District 4
Councilmember Elsa Mejia, District 5
Councilmember Artemio Villegas, District 6
INVOCATION:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Members of the public shall have an opportunity to address the City Council regarding matters on this Agenda at the time the agenda item is called. Speakers should limit their comments to three (3) minutes.
A. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
A-1 Proclamation Affirming Madera’s Commitment and Support for an Immediate and Permanent Ceasefire in all of Gaza
Update 02/13/24 9:00 a.m. Madera City Council Agenda Page 2 of 2 February 14, 2024
Recommendation: Adopt a Minute Order approving a Proclamation Affirming Madera’s Commitment and Support for an Immediate and Permanent Ceasefire in all of Gaza (Report by Alicia Gonzales)
ADJOURNMENT:
UPCOMING MEETING DATES:
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
The meeting room is accessible to the physically disabled. Requests for accommodations for persons with disabilities such as signing services, assistive listening devices, or alternative format agendas and reports needed to assist participation in this public meeting may be made by calling the City Clerk’s Office at (559) 661-5405 or emailing [email protected] . Those who are hearing impaired may call 711 or 1-800-735-2929 for TTY Relay Service. Requests should be made as soon as practicable as additional time may be required for the City to arrange or provide the requested accommodation.
Requests may also be delivered/mailed to: City of Madera, Attn: City Clerk, 205 W. 4th Street, Madera, CA 93637. At least seventy-two (72) hours’ notice prior to the meeting is requested but not required.
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The services of a translator can be made available. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (559) 661- 5405 or emailing [email protected] to request translation services for this meeting. Those who are hearing impaired may call 711 or 1-800-735-2929 for TTY Relay Service. Requests should be submitted in advance of the meeting to allow the City sufficient time to provide or arrange for the requested services. At least seventy-two (72) hours’ notice prior to the meeting is requested but not required.
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Questions regarding the meeting agenda or conduct of the meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (559) 661-5405.
Para asistencia en español sobre este aviso, por favor llame al (559) 661-5405.
I, Alicia Gonzales, City Clerk for the City of Madera, declare under penalty of perjury that I posted the above agenda for the Special Meeting of the Madera City Council for February 14, 2024, near the front entrances of City Hall and on the City’s website www.madera.gov at 9:15 a.m. on February 13, 2024. _______________________
Alicia Gonzales, City Clerk
REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
Approved by:
________________________________
Council Meeting of: February 14, 2024
Agenda Number: A-1
Alicia Gonzales, City Clerk
_________________________________
Arnoldo Rodriguez, City Manager
SUBJECT:
Proclamation Affirming Madera’s Commitment and Support for an Immediate and Permanent Ceasefire in all of Gaza
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Minute Order approving a Proclamation Affirming Madera’s Commitment and Support for an Immediate and Permanent Ceasefire in all of Gaza SUMMARY:
The City Council, during its regular meeting on August 2, 2023, adopted a policy governing the guidelines for City-issued Ceremonial Documents. This policy establishes the framework for the issuance of proclamations, ensuring a systematic and transparent process.
On December 20, 2023, the Council approved the 2024 List of Annual Proclamations, outlining the scheduled commemorations for the year. However, the policy allows for proclamations not identified on this list to be considered on a case-by-case basis, with a written request required 45 days before the requested presentation date.
In this context, Mr. Omair Javaid submitted a timely request on January 11, 2024, seeking a proclamation for a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
During its meeting on January 17, 2024, the Council, by majority vote, directed staff to agendize the same item for discussion. In an effort to streamline the process, staff consolidated Mr.
Javaid's request and Council direction, recognizing their shared focus on the City issuing a proclamation for a cease-fire. Importantly, Mr. Javaid has expressed understanding and agreement with this approach.
Council’s Direction
During the regular City Council meeting on February 7, 2024, the Council created an ad hoc committee comprised of Mayor Garcia, Councilmember Rodriguez, Mr. Javaid, and a community member to collectively prepare a proclamation calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.
The Council directed staff to prepare the Proclamation for consideration at a Special Council meeting on February 14, 2024.
Ad Hoc Committee
The attached proclamation reflects the ad hoc committee’s direction and the collaborative efforts in preparing the proposed proclamation for your consideration. The document encompasses key elements such as acknowledging the complexities of the situation, expressing concern for the well-being of all individuals affected, and advocating for diplomatic efforts to achieve a lasting and just resolution.
Ceremonial Documents Signature Block
Per the Ceremonial Documents policy, signatures shall be reserved for Councilmembers who vote in the affirmative. For Councilmembers that vote in the negative, their signature block shall be omitted from the ceremonial document unless they notify the City Clerk in writing otherwise at least five business days prior to the meeting at which the Proclamation will be issued.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There were nominal expenses for the preparation of this report or the proclamation. Costs related to custom supplies such as proclamations, certificates, frames, and folders have been purchased and funds were appropriated in the adopted budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
Deferral for Further Discussion: Council may opt to defer the decision for further discussion, allowing additional time to address specific concerns or gather more information.
Denial of Proclamation Request: If the majority vote is not in the affirmative or no action is taken, the request will be considered denied.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Proclamation
CITY OF MADERA
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
Santos Garcia
Mayor, City of Madera
Affirming Madera’s Commitment & Support for an
Immediate and Permanent Cease Fire in all of Gaza
Whereas, the City of Madera, believes that all life is precious and that we stand united against violence; the City of Madera advocates for the safety, dignity, freedom, and equality of all people, regardless of religion, race, or nationality; and , 67% of American voters support a permanent ceasefire, according to an October 20th, 2023 ‘Data For Progress’ poll, and want to see the U.S. leverage its diplomatic relationships “to prevent further violence and civilian deaths"; and
Whereas, Over 32 thousand innocent lives have perished due to this conflict who have been killed in a matter of weeks, of whom over 60% are children. Gaza is in a dire humanitarian crisis that is getting worse with each passing day, with the only remaining hospitals running out of fuel and medical supplies, and over 2 million Palestinians are facing displacement, homelessness, and starvation; and international organizations like Amnesty International, the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the International Rescue Committee, and many others have made a call for a permanent ceasefire in order to prevent the further loss of life of civilians and to be in accordance with international humanitarian law; and
Whereas, the City of Madera recognizes that the current crisis takes place within a long history and affirms that, for a pathway to lasting peace and justice to be developed, the root causes of the crisis need to be addressed; and
Whereas, the City of Madera supports and joins other cities in calling on our Congress Members to demand: an immediate permanent ceasefire; release of all hostages due to this conflict, the unrestricted entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza; the restoration of food, water, electricity, and medical supplies to Gaza; and the respect for international law; and calls for a resolution that protects the security of all civilians; and Whereas, a copy of this proclamation is authorized to be sent throughout City Councils in the San Joaquin Valley, to the offices of Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, State Senator Anna Caballero, Representative John Duarte, Governor of California Gavin Newsom, Senator Laphonza Butler, Senator Alex Padilla, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris, urging them to take immediate action to use their position and influence to end violence.; and
Now, Therefore, It Be Resolved, that I, Santos Garcia, Mayor of the City of Madera, and on behalf of the entire City Council, sign this proclamation on this 14th day of February 2024.