Item: B-1
Minutes for: 04/16/2025
Adopted: 05/07/2025
Ine 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 April 16, 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 Anita Evans, District 4 (Arrived at 6:03 p.m.) Councilmember Elsa Mejia, District 5
Councilmember Artemio Villegas, District 6
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, Fire Battalion Chief Anthony Garcia, 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 and Communication Specialist Joseph Carrello.
INVOCATION: Pastor Roger Leach, Valley West Christian Center PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Councilmember Rodriguez
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER EVANS, THE AGENDA WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
PRESENTATIONS:
1. Proclamation Recognizing National Volunteer Month
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.
Maurice, a member of the public, stated that he attended the last Airport Advisory Committee, and they are still not able to conduct business as they did not have a quorum. He has applied to serve on the committee and has spoken to Councilmembers Montes and Rodriguez and if Council is interested in filling the vacancy, he is willing to help.
Diana Combs on behalf of the Relay for Life leadership team thanked the Council and all of Madera for their continued support throughout the years. This year's Relay for Life event will be held on April 26 at the Town and Country Park with Councilmember Evans giving the opening speech at 9:00 a.m.
India Buenrostro, a representative of Congressman Adam Gray announced they have opened community project funding. They have 15 slots open, and requests are due by April 21st. She gave copies of the guidelines to City Clerk Alicia Gonzales.
Arturo Martinez, District Representative for Senator Anna Caballero stated that the Senator hosted a Woman of the Year event at Madera Community College and Councilmember Evans was able to join them.
They honored 12 women from Madera. Some of the honorees were: Rosa who is from Oaxacan ancestry and a community volunteer; she was honored at the Capitol as well; Tricia Placencia, an educator from Chowchilla; Monica Bravo, a community leader; and Christina Beckstead, Executive Director of the Madera County Farm Bureau. Mr. Martinez mentioned that the Senator is currently working on several senate bills.
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. There will be no separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, a member of the public or a member of the Council may request an item be removed from the Consent Calendar and it will be considered separately.
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER EVANS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS, THE CONSENT CALENDAR WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
B-1 Minutes - April 2, 2025
Recommendation: Approve the City Council Minutes of April 2, 2025 (Report by Alicia Gonzales)
B-2 Informational Report on Register of Audited Demands Recommendation: Review Register of Audited Demands Report for March 22, 2025 to April 4, 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 American Cancer Society Waiver Request for Relay for Life 2025, Heart of California Event Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution waiving the rental fees of the Lions Town & Country Park starting on April 25, 2025, and ending on April 27, 2025, related to the Relay for Life 2025 event hosted by the American Cancer Society, at an anticipated rental fee of $550 (Report by Joseph Hebert) City of Madera City Council Minutes
205 W. 4'h Street April 16, 2025
Madera, CA 93637 Page 2 of 5
RES 25-66 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA,
CALIFORNIA WAIVING THE RENTAL FEES OF THE TOWN & COUNTRY PARK ON APRIL 25, 2025, THROUGH APRIL 27, 2025, RELATED TO THE RELAY
FOR LIFE EVENT HOSTED BY THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, AT AN ANTICIPATED FEE RENTAL OF $550
B-5 Appointment to the Transit Advisory Board
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving the Appointment of Tonyce Givens to the Transit Advisory Board (Report by Michael Lima)
RES 25-67 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA
APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF TONYCE GIVENS TO THE CITY OF
MADERA TRANSIT ADVISORY BOARD
B-6 Sunrise Rotary Sports Complex Rental for the Cinco de PRM: Tacos & 3K Run Event Fee Waiver Request
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Waiving the Rental Fees of Sunrise Rotary Sports Complex related to the Cinco de PRM: Tacos & 3K Run hosted by Project Run Madera on May 3, 2025, at an anticipated rental fee of $802.50 (Report by Joseph Hebert)
RES 25-68 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA,
CALIFORNIA WAIVING RENTAL FEES FOR SUNRISE ROTARY SPORTS COMPLEX RELATED TO A CINCO DE PRM: TACOS & 3K RUN, HOSTED BY PROJECT RUN MADERA ON MAY 3, 2025
B-7 Budget Amendment for Wastewater Treatment Plant
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Amending the City's Fiscal Year 24/25 operating budget in the amount of $386,293 (Report by Arnoldo Rodriguez) RES 25-69 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE CITY'S FISCAL YEAR 2024/25 ADOPTED BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $386,293
WORKSHOP: None
D. PETITIONS, BIDS, RESOLUTIONS, ORDINANCES, AND AGREEMENTS:
D-1 Caltrans Highway Project 06-0Y180 on State Route 145 in Madera County Landscape Maintenance Agreement within State Right of Way on Route 145 within the City of Madera
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER EVANS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS, ITEM D-1 WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Concurring with Update to Existing Landscape Maintenance Agreement within State Right of Way on Route 145 within the City of Madera (Report by Keith Helmuth)
RES 25-70 A RESOLUTION CONCURRING WITH UPDATE TO EXISTING LANDSCAPE
MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WITHIN STATE RIGHT OF WAY ON ROUTE 145 WITHIN THE CITY OF MADERA
City of Madera City Council Minutes
205 W. 4th Street April 16, 2025
Madera, CA 93637 Page 3 of 5
E. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
E-1 Informational Report on Potential Demolition of Two City Owned Buildings Recommendation: This report is submitted for informational purposes. Staff will receive comments and directions as may be offered from the City Council (Council) (Report by Joseph Hebert)
Council gave seven (7) thumbs up to move forward with the demolition of the two buildings.
E-2 Madera Municipal Golf Course Update 2025
Recommendation: This report is submitted for informational purposes only and there no action is requested from City Council (Report by Joseph Hebert) Ed Mclntyre, Vice-chair of the Golf Course Advisory Committee, advised that there is a huge amount of deferred maintenance at the golf course with the air conditioning system being second only to the bathrooms. He suggested that Council hold a joint meeting with the Golf Course Advisory Committee to discuss these topics.
No further Public Comment was presented. Public Comment was closed.
E-3 Domestic Well Mitigation Program (DWMP)
Recommendation: Receive update and provide direction regarding information provided as part of this update to City Council (Action on this item by the Groundwater Sustainability Agency) (Report by Keith Helmuth) Ed Mcintyre commented that the City of Madera should be getting some benefits if they are reporting how much water is going back into the system.
City Engineer Keith Helmuth mentioned that the City is getting proportional benefits.
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. Under this section, the Council may take action only on items specifically agendized and which meet other requirements for action.
Councilmember Villegas had nothing to report.
Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez mentioned that the City received a Blueprint Award in Excellence for the planning project of The Villages at Almond Grove (aka Village D). He congratulated all those involved in making this project happen.
Councilmember Mejia stated that she participated in the mini Guelaguetza and Calenda event that was hosted by Washington Elementary last Friday. On May 1s several Madera clubs, organizations and the community will take part in a nationwide protest march that starts at 5:00 p.m. at Courthouse Park. The protest brings attention to defending immigrant rights which include due process and workers' rights. She hopes to see everyone there.
Councilmember Montes had nothing to report.
Councilmember Zacharia mentioned that currently, the Robotics Team is in the Championships in Houston, Texas.
City of Madera City Council Minutes
205 W. 4th Street April 16, 2025
Madera, CA 93637 Page 4 of 5
Councilmember Evans congratulated the City on receiving the Blueprint Award in Excellence for The Villages at Almond Grove. She attended the Rescue Mission's Tiny Homes ribbon cutting ceremony. She also attended the Veteran's ribbon cutting at Madera Community College. She will be the keynote speaker for the Relay for Life event at 9:00 a.m. on April 26th at Town and Country Park. She highlighted the Cinco the Mayo event which will be held on May 3rd.
Mayor Gallegos congratulated the Madera Police Department as they received the Lexipole Connect 2024 gold for excellence in policy maintenance and training. She reminded everyone that the Relay for Life event is next Saturday. She mentioned the City's Easter egg hunt which was hosted by the Police Department this past Saturday. Mayor Gallegos mentioned that these events could not happen without volunteers. The Madera Prayer Breakfast will be held on May 1st.
G. CLOSED SESSION:
G-1 Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Deciding whether to initiate litigation pursuant to paragraph 4 of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section §54956.9
Four Cases
City Attorney Shannon Chaffin made the closed session announcement at 7:51 p.m. Mr. Chaffin and Council returned from Closed Session at 8:16 p.m. Mr. Chaffin stated there was reportable action on Item G-1. The City Attorney was authorized to initiate litigation to eject airport tenants whose leases have terminated and who have not timely vacated.
UPCOMING MEETING DATES:
• Wednesday, May 7, 2025
• Wednesday, May 21, 2025
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
Belda seon
MINUTES PREPARED MY OF MADERS
ZELDA LEÓN, Deputy City Clerk CORPORATE
19000-098
* : March 27, 1907
CALIFORNIA
City of Madera City Council Minutes
205 W. 4th Street April 16, 2025
Madera, CA 93637 Page 5 of 5