March 27, 2024
6:30 p.m.
Item:
Minutes for:
Adopted:
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Madera City Council 8-1
03/27 /2024s
04/03/2024
Council Chambers
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: 862 1612 6771#. 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: Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by City Clerk Alicia Gonzales as the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tern were absent. In their absence, the City Clerk is authorized by Madera City Code section 2-1.11 to call the meeting to order and conduct an election of a temporary chair.
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MEJIA AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER EVANS, COUNCILMEMBER RODRIGUEZ WAS NOMINATED AS TEMPORARY CHAIR. HE ACCEPTED THE NOMINATION AND WAS ELECTED BY A 5/0 VOTE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: MAYOR GARCIA AND MAYOR PRO TEM GALLEGOS. ABSTAIN: NONE.
ROLL CALL:
Present:
Absent:
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
Mayor Santos Garcia
Mayor Pro Tern Cece Gallegos, District 1
Others present were City Manager Arnoldo Rodriguez, City Clerk Alicia Gonzales, City Attorney Shannon L. Chaffin, City Engineer Keith Helmuth, Director of Financial Services Michael Lima, Public Works Director Ismael Hernandez and Deputy City Engineer Ellen Bitter.
INVOCATION: Councilmember Evans
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Councilmember Mejia
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER EVANS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES, THE AGENDA WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 5/0 VOTE. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: MAYOR GARCIA AND MAYOR PRO TEM GALLEGOS. ABSTAIN: NONE.
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.
No Public Comment was presented. Public Comment was closed.
A.
A-1
WORKSHOP:
Update on Measure T (Report by DKS Associates)
DJ Becker with the Madera News and the ADA Council spoke on transit interconnectivity and spoke on the Madera County budget deficits. She asked what happens if Measure T sunsets.
Kendal Flint, Regional Director of Communication and Strategic Planning, DKS for Madera County Transportation Authority responded that the County doesn't collect the funds; Madera County Transportation Commission collects the funds. She stated that a lot of the points brought up by Ms. Becker were better suited for the Board of Supervisors. She stated that the City of Madera currently relies on Measure Tfor 30% of its local road maintenance. If Measure Tis not passed by voters it could be a loss of up to $1 Billion in 25-30 years for this community.
DJ Becker asked why the County of Madera Board of Supervisor operate without a Code of Ethics and mentioned there is a lack of trust towards the Board of Supervisors.
Larry Reyna, a resident of Madera mentioned traffic signals reacting to flow of traffic. He doesn't believe they are modernized. He mentioned wanting a transit bus to Fresno and to the Madera/Fresno airport.
DJ Becker stated she just sent a picture of a broken signal light to the City Clerk and City Manager.
Ed McIntyre, a resident of Madera had a few questions on Measure T getting on the ballot, etc. which were answered by Ms. Flint. He wants to know how much money has been given to the City of Madera and what it was used for.
Councilmember Mejia stated that the graphics show percentages, and they have to dig into the website to find numbers. Ms. Flint says she has those graphics and will add them to the website tonight.
Susan Merriman, a resident of Madera stated that as a voter she hesitated voting for Measure T last time because she hasn't seen anything locally except for repaving on 4th Street. She mentioned that ADA ramps went in but weren't connected to the sidewalks, streets riddled with potholes and no sidewalks, so it is hard for people to walk around there, intersections without stops signs, etc. She believes that having the potholes filled and sidewalks put it so that children can use them to get to school, etc. before August might get voters more inclined to vote yes on this Measure. If a project is done, she suggests they put a sign saying Measure T funds were used to complete that project. Ms. Flint stated signs have been provided to the Public Works Department recently for that purpose.
DJ Becker mentioned that HUD grant funds were approved to put in some sidewalks.
A member of the public stated she'd asked if she could put in a sidewalk herself about 1½ years ago and was told to hold off as some funds might become available for that but it hasn't happened.
No further Public Comment was presented. Public Comment was closed.
City of Madera City Council Minutes
March 27, 2024
205 W. 4th Street
Madera, CA 93637
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
UPCOMING MEETING DATES:
• Wednesday, April 3, 2024
• Wednesday, April 17, 2024 (Cancelled)
• Wednesday, May 1, 2024
ZELDA LEON, Deputy City Clerk
City of Madera
205 W. 4th Street
Madera, CA 93637
City Council Minutes
March 27, 2024