Item: B-1
Minutes for: 03/18/2026
Adopted: 04/15/2026
The City of
MADERA
VALLEY CENTRAL
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Madera City Council Wednesday, March 18, 2026 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 Rohi Zacharia, 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
Others present were City Manager Arnoldo Rodriguez, City Clerk Alicia Gonzales, City Attorney Shannon L. Chaffin, Chief Building Official Rafael Magallan, City Engineer Keith Helmuth, Community Development Director Will Tackett, Director of Financial Services Michael Lima, Division Fire Chief Larry Pendarvis, Grants Administrator Marcela Zuniga, Director of Human Resources Wendy Silva, Director of Information Technology Gary Price, Director of Parks and Community Services Joseph Hebert, Planning Manager David Brletic, Public Works Director Harpiar Gandhi, Deputy City Engineer Ellen Bitter, Administrative Analyst (Parks) Gabriela Salazar and Communication Specialist Joseph Carrello.
INVOCATION: Pastor Mike Souza, Harvest Community Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro Tem Zacharia
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER EVANS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS, REMOVING ITEM B-5 FROM THE AGENDA WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
Councilmember Mejia requested the inclusion of her nomination in the Woman of the Year program.
Discussion of the item followed.
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MEJIA AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER RODRIGUEZ, ADDING THE DISTRICT 5 WOMAN OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE TO THE AGENDA WAS APPROVED BY A 6/1 VOTE.
NOES: MAYOR GALLEGOS.
PRESENTATIONS: Woman of the Year
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. 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.
No Public Comment was presented. Public Comment was closed.
A. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A-1 Public Hearing for the Program Year 2026/27 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) Annual Action Plan Recommendation: Conduct the Public Hearing and, by Motion, Approve the Proposed Allocations for the CDBG and HOME Annual Action Plan in the Estimated Amount of $1,582,670 (Report by Michael Lima)
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER EVANS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MAYOR PRO TEM ZACHARIA, ITEM A-1 WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
A-2 Public Hearing to Amend the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2025- 2026 Annual Action Plan
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving the Amendment of the 2025-2026 CDBG Annual Action Plan to Change the Scope of Work for the Centennial Park Pool Complex Deck & Facility (Report by Michael Lima)
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER RODRIGUEZ AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS, ITEM A-2 WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
RES 26-35 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA,
CALIFORNIA APPROVING THE AMENDMENT OF THE PROGRAM YEAR
2025-2026 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ANNUAL ACTION
PLAN TO REVISE THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR THE CENTENNIAL PARK POOL
COMPLEX DECK & FACILITIES PROJECT
A-3 Adopt a Resolution Approving the Community Development Block Grant COVID 19 (CDBG- CV) Subrecipient Agreement
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving the CDBG-CV Subrecipient Agreement tor Services for $256,050.21 with the City of Madera Parks Department for the construction of a basketball court at Rotary Gateway Park (Report by Michael Lima)
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER EVANS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES, ITEM A-3 WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
RES 26-36 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA,
CALIFORNIA APPROVING A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT- COVID 19 (CDBG-CV) SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT FOR SERVICES
($256,050.21) WITH CITY OF MADERA, PARKS DEPARTMENT
City of Madera ity Council Minute:
205 W. 4' Street March ge 2024
Madera, CA 93637
A-4 Military Equipment Use Ordinance and Policy
Recommendation: Review Military Equipment Use Policy, Ordinance, and Annual Report and by Minute Order Affirm the Ordinance and Accept the Annual Military Equipment Use Report (Report by Giachino Chiaramonte)
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES, ITEM A-4 WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
A-5 Consideration of Adoption of an Ordinance Creating an Expedited and Streamlined Permitting Process for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Recommendation: Waive Full Reading and Introduce by Title Only an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Madera, Adding Chapter 7 of Title IX of the City Municipal Code, to Create an Expedited Permit Process for Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations, with the Associated CEQA Findings (Report by Will Tackett)
INTRO ORD AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA, ADDING CHAPTER 7 OF TITLE IX OF THE CITY MUNICIPAL CODE, TO CREATE AN
EXPEDITED PERMIT PROCESS FOR ELECTRICAL VEHICLE CHARGING
STATIONS, WITH THE ASSOCIATED CEQA FINDINGS (CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061[B][3])
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MEJIA, ITEM A-5 WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
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 EVANS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS, THE CONSENT CALENDAR WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
B-1 Minutes - March 4, 2026
Recommendation: Approve the City Council Minutes of March 4, 2026 (Report by Alicia Gonzales)
B-2 Informational Report on Register of Audited Demands Recommendation: Review Register of Audited Demands Report for February 21 to March 6, 2026 (Report by Michael Lima)
B-3 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) B-4 Informational Report on Solar Project Credit Payment of $976,713.21 Recommendation: This report is submitted for informational purposes only and there is no action requested from the City Council (Report by Michael Lima) City of Madera City Council Minutes
205 W. 4th Street March 18, 2026
Madera, CA 93637 Page 3 of 8
B-5 Madera Coalition for Community Justice Fee Waiver Request for Cesar Chavez Day Event Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Waiving the Rental Fees of the Pan-American Community Center on March 29, 2026, related to the Cesar Chavez Day Event Hosted by the Madera Coalition for Community Justice, at an Anticipated Rental Fee of $850 (Report by Joseph Hebert) This item was removed from the agenda during the Agenda Approval section.
B-6 Madera County Elections Division Fee Waiver Request for the Statewide Direct Election and the November 2026 General Election
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Waiving the Rental Fees of the Pan-American Community Center between May 30 - June 2, 2026, and October 31 - November 3, 2026, related to the General Election, hosted by the Madera County Elections Division, at an Anticipated Rental Fee of $6,960 (Report by Joseph Hebert)
RES 26-37 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA,
CALIFORNIA WAIVING THE RENTAL FEES OF THE PAN-AMERICAN
COMMUNITY CENTER DURING THE FOLLOWING DATES, BETWEEN MAY 30 - JUNE 2, 2026, AND OCTOBER 31 - NOVEMBER 3, 2026, RELATED TO
THE GENERAL ELECTION, HOSTED BY THE MADERA COUNTY ELECTIONS DIVISION, AT AN ANTICIPATED RENTAL FEE OF $6,960
B-7 Acceptance of the Lions Town & Country Park Trail Improvements Recommendation: Approve Minute Order Approving:
1. Acceptance of the Lions Town & Country Park Trail Improvements, Specifically Located within Lions Town & Country Park, 2300 Howard Road, Madera, CA 93637; 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 Raymond Road Street Improvements, City Project R-37, CMAQ, CML 5157 (094), Shoulder Paving and RMRA Pavement Rehab
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Rejecting All Bids Received for the Raymond Road Street Improvements, City Project R-37, CMAQ CML 5157 (094), Shoulder Paving and RMRA Pavement Rehab (Report by Keith Helmuth) RES 26-38 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA,
CALIFORNIA REJECTING ALL BIDS FOR RAYMOND ROAD STREET
IMPROVEMENTS, CITY PROJECT R-37, CMAQ CML 5157 (094), SHOULDER
PAVING AND RMRA PAVEMENT REHAB AND AUTHORIZING THE
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TO RE-ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR THE
PROJECT
B-9 Fairgrounds Lift Station Modifications, City Project SS-00006 Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing an Increase in Construction Contract Contingencies for the contract with Telstar Instruments for the City of Madera City Council Minutes
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Madera, CA 93637 Page 4 of 8
Fairgrounds Lift Station Modifications, City Project SS-00006 (Report Keith Helmuth)
RES 26-39 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA,
CALIFORNIA AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE IN CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
CONTINGENCIES FOR THE CONTRACT WITH TELSTAR INSTRUMENTS FOR
THE FAIRGROUNDS LIFT STATION MODIFICATIONS, CITY PROJECT SS- 00006
B-10 James Taubert Park
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Amending the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Adopted Budget for Engineering and Project Management Services Associated with James Taubert Park in the Amount of $30,000 (Report by Joseph Hebert) RES 26-40 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA, CALIFORNIA AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 ADOPTED BUDGET,
APPROVING RELATED EXPENDITURE LINE ITEMS FOR ENGINEERING AND
PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH JAMES TAUBERT PARK IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,000
C. WORKSHOP: None
D. PETITIONS, BIDS, RESOLUTIONS, ORDINANCES, AND AGREEMENTS:
D-1 Amendments to the City of Madera Classification Plan, Changes to Salary Range Assignments for Certain Positions on the City of Madera Full-Time Salary Schedule, and Hiring Bonus Program
Recommendation: Adopt Resolutions:
1. Amending the City of Madera Classification Plan to replace Public Safety Dispatcher with Public Safety Dispatcher I/ll and modify the Public Works Operations Director to include classification as unlicensed or licensed Civil Engineer; and
2. Approve three (3) Side Letter Agreements between the City of Madera and the Madera Police Officers' Association, Mid Management Employee Group, and Law Enforcement Mid
Management Group, respectively, modifying the assigned salary ranges for certain classifications; and
3. Approve the City of Madera Full-Time Salary Schedule effective
4. Approve Policy HR-1: Hiring Bonus Program for Eligible Positions (Report by Wendy Silva)
City Clerk Alicia Gonzales announced: Please be advised that pursuant to Government Code § 54953(d)(3), prior to taking action on this item, the Council must orally report a summary of the action being considered, if approved, the recommended action will modify the assigned salary range for the Department Head positions of City Engineer and Public works Operations Director if licensed as a Civil Engineer to City of Madera Schedule M for Management Employees, salary range 533, equivalent to $144,422 - $184,063 per year.
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS, ITEM D-1 WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
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Madera, CA 93637 Page 5 of 8
RES 26-41 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA
AMENDING THE CITY OF MADERA CLASSIFICATION PLAN
RES 26-42 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA
APPROVING SIDE LETTER AGREEMENTS WITH THE MADERA POLICE
OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION, MID MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEE GROUP, AND
LAW ENFORCEMENT MID MANAGEMENT GROUP REGARDING PAY
RANGE ASSIGNMENTS FOR CERTAIN REPRESENTED POSITIONS
RES 26-43 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA
ADOPTING THE CITY OF MADERA FULL TIME SALARY SCHEDULE
EFFECTIVE MARCH 21, 2026
RES 26-44 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA
APPROVING A HIRING BONUS PROGRAM FOR ELIGIBLE POSITIONS D-2 Initiation of a Text Amendment to the Zoning Regulations of the City Municipal Code to Establish Permitted Color Palettes for New Development and Repainting of Existing Structures in the Commercial Zones
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution of Intention of the City Council of the City of Madera to Initiate Procedure to Amend Chapter 3, Title X of the City Municipal Code Relating to Commercial Zones in Accordance with the Provisions of Section 10-3.1500 et seq. of the City Municipal Code (Report by Will Tackett)
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER EVANS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS, ITEM D-2 WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
RES 26-45 RESOLUTION OF INTENTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA TO INITIATE PROCEDURE TO AMEND CHAPTER 3, TITLE X OF THE
CITY MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO COMMERCIAL ZONES IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 10-3.1500 ET SEQ. OF
THE CITY MUNICIPAL CODE
D-3 Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway Grant
Adopt Resolutions:
1. Approving a Restricted Grant Agreement between the State of California, acting by and through its Department of Transportation, referred herein as Caltrans, and the City for the Community Cleanup Agreement towards Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MEJIA, ITEM D-3 WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
RES 26-46 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA,
CALIFORNIA APPROVING RESOLUTION APPROVING A RESTRICTED GRANT
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ACTING BY AND
THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, REFERRED HEREIN AS City of Madera City Council Minutes
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CALTRANS, AND THE CITY OF MADERA FOR THE COMMUNITY CLEANUP AND EMPLOYMENT PATHWAY GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $300,000
RES 26-47 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA, CALIFORNIA AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 BUDGET, APPROVING
RELATED REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE LINE ITEMS FOR THE EXECUTION
OF THE RESTRICTED GRANT AGREEMENT TOWARDS COMMUNITY
CLEANUP AND EMPLOYMENT PATHWAY GRANT OBJECTIVES
E. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
E-1 Audited Comprehensive Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2025 Recommendation: Acceptance of Audited Comprehensive Financial Statements (ACFR) for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 (Report by Michael Lima)
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER EVANS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES, ITEM E-1 WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
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.
Councilmember Montes requested that The Woman of the Year event be added to the agenda to allow Council to discuss and provide input on participation rules.
Mayor Pro Tem Zacharia had nothing to report.
Councilmember Evans reported reading to a couple of classes at Sierra Vista Elementary School.
She attended a 5-day event in Washington, D.C. and she will provide an update at the next Housing Authority meeting. She attended the Save Mart community celebration and congratulated the Police Department on their "Battle of the Bags" win against the Fire Department.
Councilmember Mejia attended the Madera County Economic Development Commission event. She thanked Senator Caballero, Assemblymember Jose Luis Solache and Assemblymember Soria for discussing priorities for local businesses, residents and government in Madera County.
Councilmember Rodriguez missed the previous Council meeting as he attended a Valley Voice meeting through MCTC, where he advocated for regional needs regarding air quality, the gas tax and water. He thanked the Mayor for her work on the Woman of the Year event and the Chief for assisting a local resident.
Councilmember Villegas had nothing to report.
Mayor Gallegos honored City Clerk Alicia Gonzales as a past recipient of the Woman of the Year award and expressed her condolences to Lisa Gill of the Sugar Pine Smokehouse on her husband's recent passing.
G. CLOSED SESSION:
G-1 Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Government Code, §54956.9(d)(1)) Name of Case: City of Madera v. Jesus Lopez
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County of Madera Superior Court Case No. MCV086188
City Attorney Shannon Chaffin made the closed session announcement at 8:39 p.m. Mr. Chaffin and Council returned from Closed Session at 9:11 p.m. Mr. Chaffin announced that City Council authorized litigation as appropriate by staff.
FUTURE MEETING DATES:
• Wednesday, April 15, 2026
• Wednesday, May 6, 2026
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 9:11 p.m.
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CECELIA K. GALLEGOS, Mayor
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MINUTES PREPARED BY
ZELDA LEÓN, Deputy City Clerk
CORPORALE
* : March 27, 1907
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CALIFORNIA
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Madera, CA 93637 Page 8 of 8