Item: B-1
Minutes for: 04/02/2025
Adopted: 04/16/2025
The City of
MADERA
VALLEY CENTRAL
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Madera City Council Wednesday, April 2, 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.
This meeting was also conducted by teleconference at OYO Posada Santa Cecelia, Constitucion 4, Zona Centro, 99300 Jerez de Garcia Salinas, Zacatecas, Mexico. Councilmember Artemio Villegas participated via that teleconference location. The teleconference location was open to the public and any member of the public had an opportunity to address the City Council from the teleconference location in the same manner as if that person attended the meeting at City Hall. The City Council controlled the conduct of the meeting and determined the appropriate order on public comments from the teleconference location.
All votes during the meeting shall be by roll call.
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 Anita Evans, District 4
Councilmember Elsa Mejia, District 5 (Arrived at 6:08 p.m.) Councilmember Artemio Villegas, District 6 (Via Zoom)
Absent: Councilmember Steve Montes, District 3
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, Grants Administrator Marcela Zuniga, 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, Assistant Engineer Jonathan Gramajo and Communication Specialist Joseph Carrello.
INVOCATION: Pastor Roger Leach, Valley West Christian Center PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
ON MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODRIGUEZ AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER EVANS, THE AGENDA WAS APPROVED BY A 5/0 VOTE. ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS MONTES AND MEJIA.
THE MOTION PASSED WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
YES: (5) MAYOR GALLEGOS
COUNCILMEMBER ZACHARIA
MAYOR PRO TEM RODRIGUEZ
COUNCILMEMBER EVANS
COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS
PRESENTATIONS:
1. Proclamation Recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month Councilmember Mejia arrived and took her seat.
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.
Charlotte Brewer, representing Relay for Life invited everyone to the Relay for Life event on April 26*.
Councilmember Evans will be their guest speaker.
No further Public Comment was presented. Public Comment was closed.
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 MAYOR PRO TEM RODRIGUEZ AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZACHARIA, THE CONSENT CALENDAR WAS APPROVED BY A 6/0 VOTE. ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER MONTES.
THE MOTION PASSED WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
YES: (6) MAYOR GALLEGOS
COUNCILMEMBER ZACHARIA
MAYOR PRO TEM RODRIGUEZ
COUNCILMEMBER EVANS
COUNCILMEMBER MEJIA
COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS
B-1 Minutes - March 19, 2025
Recommendation: Approve the City Council Minutes of March 19, 2025 (Report by Alicia Gonzales)
B-2 Informational Report on Register of Audited Demands Recommendation: Review Register of Audited Demands Report for March 8 to March 21, 2025 (Report by Michael Lima)
B-3 Transportation Art Maintenance Agreement with the Department of Transportation for the Block Wall Enhancement Project
City of Madera City Council Minutes
205 W. 4th Street April 2, 2025
Madera, CA 93637 Page 2 of 7
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving a Transportation Art Maintenance Agreement (TAMA) with the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the Block Wall Enhancement Project (Report by Joseph Hebert) RES 25-59 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA,
CALIFORNIA APPROVING A TRANSPORTATION ART MAINTENANCE
AGREEMENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE
BLOCK WALL ENHANCEMENT PROJECT
B-4 Madera County Department of Child Support Services Fee Waiver Request for the 3rd Annual Kickball Charity Tournament Event
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Waiving the Rental Fees of the Sunrise Rotary Sports Complex on May 24, 2025, related to the 3rd Annual Kickball Charity Tournament Event Hosted by the Madera County Department of Child Support Services, at an Anticipated Fee Rental of $437.50 (Report by Joseph Hebert)
RES 25-60 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA,
CALIFORNIA WAIVING THE RENTAL FEES OF THE SUNRISE ROTARY SPORTS COMPLEX ON MAY 24, 2025, RELATED TO THE 3RD ANNUAL
KICKBALL CHARITY TOURNAMENT EVENT HOSTED BY THE MADERA
COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES, AT AN
ANTICIPATED FEE RENTAL OF $437.50
B-5 Resolution Authorizing the Filing of Applications with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving the City Manager or their Designee the Authority to Submit and Execute FTA Applications on behalf of the City of Madera (Report by Michael Lima)
RES 25-61 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF APPLICATIONS WITH THE
FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION, AN OPERATING ADMINISTRATION
OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, FOR
FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZED BY 49 U.S.C.
CHAPTER 53; TITLE 23, UNITED STATES CODE, OR OTHER FEDERAL
STATUTES ADMINISTERED BY THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION B-6 One Easement Deed for Sidewalk Improvements at Various Locations City Project R-94 Bid Package 3 Phase 2 AHSC Agreement No. 19-AHSC-12761
ecommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving an Agreement for Purchase of an Easemen t 121 West Dunham Street (APN 012-054-013) (Report by Keit Helmuth)
RES 25-62 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA
APPROVING AN AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF AN EASEMENT AT 121 WEST DUNHAM STREET, MADERA, CA 93637 (APN 012-054-013) B-7 Right of Entry Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Company for the Installation of an Electrical Service for City Project R-10, Olive Avenue Widening Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving a Right of Entry Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Company (UPRR) for the Installation of Electrical Service City of Madera City Council Minutes
205W. 4th Street April 2, 2025
Madera, CA 93637 Page 3 of 7
Conduit within UPRR Right of Way Related to the Olive Avenue Widening Project (Report by Keith Helmuth)
RES 25-63 A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA, CALIFORNIA
APPROVING A RIGHT OF ENTRY AGREEMENT WITH UNION PACIFIC
RAILROAD COMPANY (UPRR) FOR THE INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICAL
SERVICE CONDUIT WITHIN UPRR RIGHT OF WAY RELATED TO THE OLIVE
AVENUE WIDENING PROJECT
B-8 Appointment to the Community Development Block Grant Commission Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Appointing Stevie Wright to the Block Grant Commission (BGC) (Report by Michael Lima)
RES 25-64 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA
APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF STEVIE WRIGHT TO THE CITY OF
MADERA BLOCK GRANT COMMISSION
B-9 Caltrans Highway Project 06-0Y180 on State Route 145 in Madera County Agreement for the Adjustment of Manhole and Valve Covers
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving Agreement for the Adjustment of Manhole and Valve Covers (Report by Keith Helmuth)
RES 25-65 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AGREEMENT FOR THE ADJUSTMENT OF
MANHOLE AND VALVE COVERS
WORKSHOP: None
PETITIONS, BIDS, RESOLUTIONS, ORDINANCES, AND AGREEMENTS:
D-1 Appointment to the Civil Service Commission
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving the Appointment of John Jasper to the Civil Service Commission (Continued from March 19, 2025) (Report by Wendy Silva)
City Attorney Shannon L. Chaffin stated that this item was continued from the last meeting and that public comment was closed but could be re-opened. Mr. Chaffin stated that in order for this matter to pass, there needs to be four (4) affirmative votes. If four (4) affirmative votes are not obtained, then Council does not approve the appointment.
Councilmember Evans stated that Mr. Jasper ran against Councilmember Villegas (in the election for Councilmember District 6) and stated that if District 6 wanted Mr. Jasper to represent them, they would have voted him in. She does not agree to the appointment. It is hurtful to have someone that is against you and then have that individual report to you.
Councilmember Zacharia stated that if there is no other valid candidate, then Council needs to take that into consideration.
Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez mentioned that Councilmember Villegas nominated someone during the previous meeting and Mayor Gallegos rejected the nomination. Mr. Chaffin stated that nominations can be accepted or rejected at the Mayor's discretion. The Council needs to approve the nominations for appointments. There is no mechanism to remove an appointed person; they can only be swapped out for someone else. Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez suggested that once vacancies show up in the quarterly report and the Mayor wants to nominate people City of Madera City Council Minutes
205 W. 4th Street April 2, 2025
Madera, CA 93637 Page 4 of 7
to them, that she has a courtesy conversation with the Councilmembers and ask if they have any nominations. Mayor Gallegos responded that she had reached out prior to this nomination.
Mayor Gallegos indicated that all Councilmembers now have the opportunity to have applicants apply for the District 6 vacancy in the Civil Service Commission. Applications should be received by April 16th. If no applications are received by then, she will be appointing someone.
ON MOTION BY MAYOR GALLEGOS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZACHARIA TO APPROVE ITEM D-1 AS PRESENTED FAILED BY A 3/2 VOTE. NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS EVANS & VILLEGAS. ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER MONTES. ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBER MEJIA.
THE MOTION FAILED WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
YES: (3) MAYOR GALLEGOS
COUNCILMEMBER ZACHARIA
MAYOR PRO TEM RODRIGUEZ
NO: (2) COUNCILMEMBER EVANS
COUNCILMEMER VILLEGAS
ABSTAIN: (1) COUNCILMEMER MEJIA
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
E-1 Quarterly Board, Commission, and Committee Attendance Recommendation: This report is submitted for informational purposes only and there is no action requested from the City Council (Report by Arnoldo Rodriguez) E-2 Select Recipient for the Proclamations in the Month of May Recommendation: Request for Council's Selection of a Recipient for the following:
1. Proclamation Recognizing Foster Care Awareness Month
2. Proclamation Recognizing Relay for Life Weekend
3. Proclamation Recognizing Letter Carrier's Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Day (Report by Alicia Gonzales)
Councilmembers recommended the following recipients for the May Proclamations: Charlotte Brewer Relay for Life Weekend; and Gerardo and Angela Garcia Foster Care Awareness Month. Staft was instructed to contact the local USPS office to determine who from the USPS would attend to receive the Stamp Out Food Hunger proclamation.
ON MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODRIGUEZ AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER EVANS, ITEM E-2 WAS APPROVED BY A 6/0 VOTE. ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER MONTES.
THE MOTION PASSED WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
YES: (6) MAYOR GALLEGOS
MAYOR PRO TEM RODRIGUEZ
COUNCILMEMBER ZACHARIA
COUNCILMEMBER EVANS
COUNCILMEMBER MEJIA
COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS
City of Madera City Council Minutes
205 W. 4th Street April 2, 2025
Madera, CA 93637 Page 5 of 7
E-3 Fiscal Year 2024/25 Revenue and Expense Update
Recommendation: This report is submitted for informational purposes only and there is no action requested from the City Council (Report by Michael Lima) F. 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, (iii) to initiate future agenda items, and (iv) to take action on matters initiated under this section of the agenda.
Mayor Gallegos highlighted several events that she attended in the community: the Madera County Food Bank grand opening, the Relay for Life kickoff event, Madera Unified Graduate Profiles, the Parks & Community Services Fishing Derby and National Vietnam Veterans Day memorial event. She also encouraged the community to attend the candlelight vigil in memory of Erick Velasquez.
Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez suggested that a representative from the Golf Course Advisory Committee be invited back to a future Council meeting to provide an update on their activities and planned projects.
Councilmember Zacharia announced that the Madtown Robotics team has set a world record in their recent competition and the students need financial assistance for travel and competition expenses for the upcoming championships. The public is encouraged to support the team as they continue to make history and represent Madera on the world stage.
Councilmember Evans offered condolences to the family of Erick Velasquez, who recently lost his life in a tragic and senseless act of violence. She encouraged the public to consider donating to a "Go Fund Me" account established to assist his family with funeral expenses and ongoing living costs as they cope with his loss. She also attended several events honoring Women's History Month, including Senator Caballero's Celebration of Distinguished Women of the 14th Senate District, the Madera County Women's Network Luncheon and Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria's 2025 Women of the Year Awards. She thanked the community for their condolences and support as she dealt with the recent loss of her brother.
Councilmember Mejia reported that on March 16th, the Tzu Chi Mobile Clinic offered free dental exams and routine cleanings services for Madera residents. She noted that this event took place with the partnership between local volunteers, businesses, City staff and the Parks Department. She also attended the grand opening of Madera Community Hospital.
Councilmember Villegas announced that he would be returning on April 13t and thanked staff for keeping him connected, so he could participate in the meeting while out of the country.
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
City of Madera City Council Minutes
205 W. 4th Street April 2, 2025
Madera, CA 93637 Page 6 of 7
Employee Group, and Law Enforcement Mid
Management Employee Group
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 7:20 p.m. Mr. Chaffin and Council returned from Closed Session at 8:41 p.m. Mr. Chaffin stated there was no reportable action.
UPCOMING MEETING DATES:
• Wednesday, April 16, 2025
• Wednesday, May 7, 2025
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
Ai Sonzas. celia alleges
ALÍCIA GONZALES, City Clerk CECELIA K. GALLEGOS, Mayor
Belda seon
MINUTES PREPARED BY
ZELDA LEÓN, Deputy City Clerk
CORPORATE
** March 27,1907 *
« CALIFORN CALIFORNIA
City of Madera City Council Minutes
205 W. 4' Street April 2, 2025
Madera, CA 93637 Page 7 of 7