Item: B-1
Minutes for: 03/19/2025
Adopted: 04/02/2025
The City of
MADERA
VALLEY CENTRAL
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Madera City Council and Minutes of a Special Meeting of the Madera City Council as the Groundwater Sustainability Agency March 19, 2025 Council Chambers
6:00 p.m. City Hall
The Madera City Council meetings are open to the public. The meeting was available for public viewing and participation through Zoom. Members of the public were able to observe the live-streamed meeting on the City's website and were able to comment on agenda items at the meeting, remotely through an electronic meeting via phone, via email and by regular mail.
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Mayor Cece Gallegos
Mayor Pro Tem Jose Rodriguez, District 2
Councilmember Rohi Zacharia, District 1
Councilmember Steve Montes, District 3
Councilmember Artemio Villegas, District 6
Absent: Councilmember Anita Evans, District 4
Councilmember Elsa Mejia, District 5
Others present were City Manager Arnoldo Rodriguez, City Clerk Alicia Gonzales, City Attorney Shannon L. Chaffin, City Engineer Keith Helmuth, Community Development Director Will Tackett, Director of Financial Services Michael Lima, Division Fire Chief Justin Macomb, Director of Human Resources Wendy Silva, Director of Information Technology Gary Price, Director of Parks and Community Services Joseph Hebert, Chief of Police Giachino Chiaramonte, Deputy City Engineer Ellen Bitter, Assistant Engineer Jonathan Gramajo, Administrative Analyst I (Engineering) Nicole Say and Communication Specialist Joseph Carrello.
INVOCATION: Rev. Joseph Alicea, Awaken Church of God
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
ON MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODRIGUEZ AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES, THE AGENDA MOVING ITEM E-1 TO THE TOP OF THE AGENDA AFTER PUBLIC COMMENT WAS APPROVED BY A 5/0 VOTE. ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS EVANS AND MEJIA.
PRESENTATIONS: None
PUBLIC COMMENT:
The first 15 minutes of the meeting are reserved for members of the public to address the Council on items which are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council. Speakers shall be limited to three minutes.
The Council is prohibited by law from taking any action on matters discussed that are not on the agenda, and no adverse conclusions should be drawn if the Council does not respond to public comment at this time.
Meghan Oxelson stated that tomorrow is Incredible Kid Day and they will be hosting a dinner to celebrate children. She invited Council to write a note to a special child in their lives or community. Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez recognized her for her contributions.
City Clerk Alicia Gonzales stated that Council had received one (1) written comment which had been distributed to Council prior to the meeting and copies were available at the podium for anyone who wanted to read it.
No further Public Comment was presented. Public Comment was closed.
Mayor Gallegos called Item E-1 for discussion.
A. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
B. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion and one vote.
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES AND SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODRIGUEZ, THE CONSENT CALENDAR WITH ITEM B-10 PULLED FOR DISCUSSION WAS APPROVED BY A 5/0 VOTE. ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS EVANS AND MEJIA.
B-1 Minutes - March 5, 2025
Recommendation: Approve the City Council Minutes of March 5, 2025 (Report by Alicia Gonzales)
B-2 Informational Report on Register of Audited Demands Recommendation: Review Register of Audited Demands Report for February 22 to March 7, 2025 (Report by Michael Lima)
B-3 Informational Report on Personnel Activity
Recommendation: This report is submitted for informational purposes only and there is no action requested from the City Council (Report by Wendy Silva) B-4 Informational Report on Contract City Attorney Services and Litigation Expenditures Recommendation: This report is submitted for informational purposes only and there is no action requested from the City Council (Report by Arnoldo Rodriguez) B-5 Surplus Property Disposal
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Declaring Certain Property as Identified on the Surplus Property List to be Surplus in Accordance with Best Practices and City Policy (Report by Michael Lima)
RES 25-54 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA APPROVING
THE DECLARATION CERTAIN PROPERTY TO BE SURPLUS AND SOLD AT
AUCTION
B-6 Amendment to the Applications for Transportation Development Act (TDA) - Local Transportation Funds (LTF) and State Transit Assistance (STA) Funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/25
City of Madera City Council Minutes
205 W. 4th Street March 19, 2025
Madera, CA 93637 Page 2 of 7
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving the Amendment to the Applications for TDA - LTF and STA Funds for FY 2024/25 and Authorize the City Engineer to Execute and Submit the Applications to the Madera County Transportation Commission (MCTC) (Report by Keith Helmuth) RES 25-55 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA,
CALIFORNIA APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE APPLICATIONS FOR
TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT (TDA) - LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
FUNDS (LTF) AND STATE TRANSIT ASSISTANCE (STA) FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2024/25 AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY ENGINEER TO EXECUTE
AND SUBMIT THE APPLICATIONS TO MADERA COUNTY
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (MCTC)
B-7 Notice of Completion for the Sunrise Rotary Sports Complex New Playground Project Recommendation: Approve Minute Order Approving:
1. Acceptance of the New Playground Installation at Sunrise Rotary Sports Complex, located at 1901 Clinton Street, Madera, CA 93638; and
2. The Recording of Notice of Completion; and
3. The Release of Retention 35 days after the Recording of the Notice of Completion (Report by Joseph Hebert)
B-8 Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance Text Amendment (OTA) 2024-03, for the Amendment of Chapter 3 of Title X: Planning and Zoning of the City Municipal Code Recommendation: Waive Full Reading and Adopt an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Madera Determining the Project is Exempt Pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and Amending Chapter 3 of Title X: Planning and Zoning of the City Municipal Code (CMC) regarding Lapse of Site Plan Approval (CMC 9 10-3.4.0114); Termination of a Use Permit (CMC § 10- 3.1311[A]); and, Termination of a Variance (CMC § 10-3.1411) by title only (Report by Will Tackett)
ORD 1016 C.S. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA
DETERMINING THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT PURSUANT TO SECTION
15061(b)(3) OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) GUIDELINES AND AMENDING CHAPTER 3 OF TITLE X: PLANNING AND
ZONING OF THE CITY MUNICIPAL CODE (CMC) REGARDING LAPSE OF SITE PLAN APPROVAL (CMC §10-3.4.0114); TERMINATION OF A USE PERMIT (CMC § 10-3.1311[A]); AND TERMINATION OF A VARIANCE (CMC $ 10-
3.1411)
B-9 One Easement Deed for Sidewalk Improvements at Various Locations City Project R-94 Bid Package 3 Phase 2 AHSC Agreement No. 19-AHSC-12761
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving an Agreement for Purchase of an Easement at 415 Amerine Avenue (APN 009-073-020) (Report by Keith Helmuth) RES 25-56 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA
APPROVING AN AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF AN EASEMENT AT 415 AMERINE AVE, MADERA, CA 93637 (APN 009-073-020)
City of Madera City Council Minutes
205 W. 4* Street March 19, 2025
Madera, CA 93637 Page 3 of 7
B-10 Appointment to Civil Service
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving the Appointments of Gloria Toscano and John Jasper to the Civil Service Commission (Report by Wendy Silva) Mayor Gallegos nominated John Jasper to represent District 6 in the Civil Service Commission.
Councilmember Villegas 6 indicated he was not aware that he needed to appoint anyone to the Commission, but he has a nomination, and he has submitted that application. Mayor Pro Tem nominated Mr. Jasper to represent District 2 in the Civil Service Commission.
Karen Huerta of District 6 spoke in favor of Mr. Jasper representing District 6 in the Civil Service Commission.
Sally Bomprezzi, a former Councilmember, spoke in favor of Mr. Jasper representing District 6 in the Civil Service Commission.
Michelle Garcia spoke in favor of Mr. Jasper representing District 6 in the Civil Service Commission.
No further Public Comment was presented. Public Comment was closed.
MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODRIGUEZ NOMINATING JOHN JASPER TO REPRESENT DISTRICT 2 IN THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION WHILE ALLOWING COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS TO NOMINATE A CANDIDATE FOR DISTRICT 6. MAYOR GALLEGOS DID NOT ACCEPT THE NOMINATION. MOTION FAILED.
ON MOTION BY MAYOR GALLEGOS AND SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES TO APPROVE ITEM B-10 AS PRESENTED FAILED BY A 3/2 VOTE. ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS EVANS AND MEJIA.
City Attorney Shannon L. Chaffin indicated that for a motion on this item to pass, it needed four (4) yes votes.
THE MOTION FAILED WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
YES: 3- COUNCILMEMBER ZACHARIA
COUNCILMEMBER MONTES
MAYOR GALLEGOS
NO: 2- MAYOR PRO TEM RODRIGUEZ
COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS
ON MOTION BY MAYOR GALLEGOS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES, TO APPROVE THE DISTRICT 5 NOMINATION (MS. TOSCANO) AND CONTINUE THE NOMINATION OF DISTRICT 6 TO THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING FAILED BY A 3/2 VOTE. ABSENT:
COUNCILMEMBERS EVANS AND MEJIA.
THE MOTION FAILED WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
YES: 3- COUNCILMEMBER ZACHARIA
COUNCILMEMBER MONTES
MAYOR GALLEGOS
NO: 2- MAYOR PRO TEM RODRIGUEZ
COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS
City of Madera City Council Minutes
205 W. 4'h Street March 19, 2025
Madera, CA 93637 Page 4 of 7
ON MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODRIGUEZ AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES, TO APPROVE THE DISTRICT 5 NOMINATION (MS. TOSCANO) WAS APPROVED BY A 5/0 VOTE.
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS EVANS AND MEJIA.
RES 25-57 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA
CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF GLORIA TOSCANO TO THE CITY OF
MADERA CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
WORKSHOP: None
D. PETITIONS, BIDS, RESOLUTIONS, ORDINANCES, AND AGREEMENTS:
D-1 Memorandum of Understanding with Respect to the Cost Sharing for Water Year 2024 Madera Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) Annual Reports (Action on this item by the Groundwater Sustainability Agency)
Recommendation: Approve a Resolution Approving Memorandum of Understanding with Respect to the Cost Sharing for Water Year 2024 Madera Subbasin GSP Annual Reports (MOU) (Report by Keith Helmuth)
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES AND SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODRIGUEZ, ITEM D-1 WAS APPROVED BY A 5/0 VOTE. ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS EVANS AND MEJIA.
GSA RES 25-02 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MADERA AND THE CITY OF MADERA,
GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY BOARD APPROVING THE
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH RESPECT TO THE COST
SHARING FOR THE WATER YEAR 2024 MADERA SUBBASIN GSP ANNUAL
REPORTS
D-2 Authorization for the Request of Congressionally Directed Spending Funding Request for the Avenue 13 Sewer Rehabilitation Project and the 2.5 million Gallon Water Tank Project Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the request for Congressionally Directed Spending for the Avenue 13 Sewer Rehabilitation project and the 2.5 million Gallon Water Tank Project (Report by Keith Helmuth) ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES AND SECONDED BY MAYOR GALLEGOS, ITEM D-2 WAS APPROVED BY A 5/0 VOTE. ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS EVANS AND MEJIA.
RES 25-58 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA,
CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING A REQUEST FOR CONGRESSIONALLY
DIRECTED SPENDING FOR THE CITY OF MADERA FROM FOR THE AVENUE 13 SEWER REHABILITATION PROJECT AND THE 2.5 MILLION GALLON
WATER TANK PROJECT
E. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
E-1 Mid Valley 2024 Annual Update & the Recycler of the Year Recommendation: This report is submitted for informational purposes only, no action requested from the City Council (Report by Billie Hansen, MID Valley Disposal)
This item was heard earlier in the meeting immediately following public comment.
City of Madera City Council Minutes
205 W. 4"h Street March 19, 2025
Vadera. CA 93637 Page 5 of7
E-2 Information report on the City's Water Division
Recommendation: This report is submitted for informational purposes and no action is requested from the City Council (Report by Arnoldo Rodriguez) E-3 Audited Comprehensive Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2024 Recommendation: Accept of Audited Comprehensive Financial Statements (ACFR) for Fiscal Year 2023/2024 (Report by Michael Lima)
E-4 Informational Report on Transportation Funding Source Expenditures Recommendation: This report is submitted for informational purposes only, no action requested from the City Council (Council) (Report by Keith Helmuth) COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
This portion of the meeting is reserved for the Mayor and Councilmembers (i) to make brief reports on boards, committees, and other public agencies, and at public events, (ii) to request updates, (ili) to initiate future agenda items, and (iv) to take action on matters initiated under this section of the agenda.
Councilmember Zacharia mentioned that MadTown Robotics have been doing great, and they now have a ticket to the Championship.
Councilmember Montes thanked the Police Department for engaging with the community.
Councilmember Villegas had nothing to report.
Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez acknowledged that Madera Community Hospital is now open. He stated that he traveled to Sacramento as part of the MCTC (Madera County Transportation Commission) to advocate how to replace gas tax funding as more electric vehicles are utilized.
He is also advocating for the truck weighted fees to get released back into the communities, so that projects can get completed. He also stated that he was absent when the Welcoming City resolution was adopted but that he is also in approval of that item.
Mayor Gallegos thanked the Police Department for holding a town hall meeting. The meeting was amazing and had a great deal of community engagement. She invited the community to attend the Food Bank ribbon cutting for their new building which will be held the following support for the reopening of the hospital. The hospital is now open. She stated that she is meeting with Governor Newsom and Congressman Grey to discuss securing funding for repairs to the Wastewater Treatment sewer line to the east.
G. CLOSED SESSION:
G-1 Conference with Labor Negotiators pursuant to Government Code §54957.6 Agency Designated Representatives: Arnoldo Rodriguez, Wendy Silva, Michael Lima, and Che Johnson
Employee Organizations: Madera Affiliated City Employees' Association, Madera Police Officers Association, Mid Management
Employee Group, and Law Enforcement Mid
Management Employee Group
City of Madera City Council Minutes
205 W. 4th Street March 19, 2025
Madera, CA 93637 Page 6 of 7
G-2 Conference with Labor Negotiators pursuant to Government Code §54957.6 Agency Designated Representative: Arnoldo Rodriguez and Che Johnson Unrepresented Positions: Police Chief, Director of Parks & Community Services, City Engineer, Director of Human Resources, Director
of Information Technology, Chief Building Official,
Planning Manager, Director of Financial Services,
Public Works Operations Director, and Director of
Community Development
City Attorney Shannon Chaffin made the closed session announcement at 8:14 p.m. ouncilmember Villegas did not participate in Closed Session. Mr. Chaffin and Council returne om Closed Session at 8:58 p.m. Mr. Chaffin stated there was no reportable actio UPCOMING MEETING DATES:
• Wednesday, April 2, 2025
• Wednesday, April 16, 2025
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m.
ALICIA GONZALES, city Clerk CECELÍA K. GALLEGOS, Mayor
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MINUTES PREPARED BY
ZELDA LEÓN, Deputy City Clerk Sit OF MADER,
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City of Madera City Council Minutes
205 W. 4' Street March 19, 2025
Madera, CA 93637 Page 7 of 7