Item:
Minutes for:
Adopted:
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Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Madera City Council and B-1
04/15/2026
05/06/2026
Minutes of a Special Meeting of the Madera City Council as the Groundwater Sustainability Agency Wednesday, April 15, 2026
6:00p.m.
Council Chambers
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 Tern Rohi Zacharia, District 1
Councilmember Jose Rodriguez, District 2
Councilmember Steve Montes, District 3
Councilmember Anita Evans, District 4
Councilmember Elsa Mejia, District 5 (Arrived at 6:06 p.m.) 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, Fire Battalion Chief Dana Mccarroll Director of Human Resources Wendy Silva, Director of Information Technology Gary Price, Director of Parks and Community Services Joseph Hebert, Planning Manager David Brletic, Chief of Police Giachino Chiaramonte, Police Commander Josiah Arnold, Public Works Director Harpiar Gandhi, Deputy City Engineer Ellen Bitter, Senior Planner Robert Smith, Lieutenant Mark Adams and Communication Specialist Joseph Carrello.
INVOCATION: Pastor David Hawes, Fourth Street Church
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro Tern Zacharia
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER RODRIGUEZ AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS, THE AGENDA MOVING ITEM E-2 AFTER PUBLIC COMMENT WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7 /0 VOTE.
PRESENTATIONS:
1. Proclamation Recognizing the Retirement of City Employee Lynn Hollier, Water System Lead Worker
2. Proclamation Recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month
3. Proclamation Recognizing National Volunteer Month
4. Certificate of Recognition Recognizing Linda Garner, Founder of Doors of Hope
5. Mid Valley 2025 Annual Update, Recycler of the Year, and Madera High School Scholarship Recipients
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.
Charlotte Brewer representing Relay for Life gave a summary of their fundraising event for the fight against cancer which will be occurring on May 2, 2026. The event lasts for 24 hours.
Maurice Johnson thanked Council for allowing him to be on the Airport Advisory Commission.
No further Public Comment was presented. Public Comment was closed.
A. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A-1 Initiation of Proceedings for the Annexation of the Sienna Estates Subdivision into Community Facilities District No. 2005-1
Recommendation: Declaring its Intention to Annex Territory (Including a portion ofTract 05- 5-19 and Tract 22-5-01, the Sienna Estates Subdivision) to the City of Madera Community Facilities District No. 2005-1 (Public Services), to Authorize the Levy of Special Taxes Therein, and Setting Public Hearing (Annexation No. 18) (Report by Will Tackett)
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS, ITEM A-1 WAS APPROVED BY A 6/0 VOTE. ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER EVANS RES 26-48 DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO ANNEX TERRITORY (INCLUDING A PORTION OF TRACT 05-5-19 AND TRACT 22-5-01, THE SIENNA ESTATES
SUBDIVISION) TO THE CITY OF MADERA COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2005-1 (PUBLIC SERVICES), TO AUTHORIZE THE LEVY OF
SPECIAL TAXES THEREIN, AND SETTING PUBLIC HEARING (ANNEXATION NO. 18)
A-2 Annexation of the Sienna Estates Subdivision, Phase 2 into Landscape Maintenance District Zone of Benefit 45A for Fiscal Year 2026/27
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving Annexation No. 2026-01 for Annexation of the Sienna Estates, Phase 2 Subdivision (Tract No. 22-5-01) into Zone of Benefit 45A, Confirming the Diagram and Assessment for Landscape Maintenance District (LMD) Zone of Benefit 45A for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27; and Authorizing the City Clerk to File the Diagram and Assessment with the Madera County Auditor (Report by Keith Helmuth) Councilmember Evans returned to the dais.
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER RODRIGUEZ AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES, ITEM A-2 WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
City of Madera
205 w. 4th Street
Madera, CA 93637
City Council Minutes
April 15, 2026
RES 26-49 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ANNEXATION NO. 2026-01 FOR ANNEXATION OF SIENNA ESTATES PHASE 2 SUBDIVISION {TRACT NO. 22-S-01) INTO ZONE OF BENEFIT 45A; CONFIRMING THE DIAGRAM AND ASSESSMENT
FOR CITY OF MADERA LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT ZONE OF BENEFIT 45A FOR FISCAL YEAR {FY) 2026/27; AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
CLERK TO FILE THE DIAGRAM AND ASSESSMENT WITH THE MADERA
COUNTY AUDITOR
A-3 Measure T Annual Expenditure Plan (AEP) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27 Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving the Measure T AEP for FY 2026/27 and authorizing submission of the AEP to the Madera County Transportation Authority (MCTA) for adoption (Report by Keith Helmuth)
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER EVANS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS, ITEM A-3 WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
RES 26-50 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA,
CALIFORNIA APPROVING THE MEASURE T ANNUAL EXPENDITURE PLAN (AEP) FOR FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2026/27 AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
ENGINEER TO SUBMIT THE PLAN TO THE MADERA COUNTY
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (MCTA) FOR ADOPTION
A-4 Public Hearing and First Reading and Introduction of an Ordinance Amending the City's Municipal Code Relating to Fireworks
B.
Recommendation: Introduce by Title Only an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Madera Repealing Chapters 13 and 138 of Title Ill, and Adopting a New Chapter 13 of Title Ill Entitled "Regulation of Fireworks" and Waive the First Reading (Report by Giachino Chiaramonte)
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS, ITEM A-4 WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7 /0 VOTE.
INTRO ORD AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA REPEALING CHAPTERS 13 AND CHAPTER 13B OF TITLE Ill, AND ADOPTING A NEW CHAPTER 13 OF TITLE Ill ENTITLED "REGULATION OF FIREWORKS" CONSENT CALENDAR:
Matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion and one vote.
City Attorney Shannon Chaffin recused himself from Item B-15.
Safari, Roma Sheik, Lucia Sierra, Omar Diaz and Omar Garcia gave public comment on Item 8-8 Upstanders Day. They mentioned that celebrating Upstanders Day would have a positive impact on the City. They also mentioned the outreach they are doing through social media.
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER RODRIGUEZ AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER EVANS, THE CONSENT CALENDAR WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
City of Madera City Council Minutes
April 15, 2026
205 W. 41h Street
Madera, CA 93637
B-1 Minutes - March 18, 2026
Recommendation: Approve the City Council Minutes of March 18, 2026 (Report by Alicia Gonzales)
B-2 Informational Report on Register of Audited Demands Recommendation: Review Register of Audited Demands Report for March 7 to April 3, 2026 (Report by Michael Lima)
8-3 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) 8-4 Piggyback Purchase Agreements for Fleet Division-Related Purchase Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving Sourcewell Piggyback Purchase Agreement for a Four-inch Portable Storm Drain Pump from MULTIQUIP Inc. for $15,000 (Report by Michael Lima)
RES 26-51 RESOLUTION APPROVING SOURCEWELL PIGGYBACK AGREEMENT
PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR A FOUR-INCH PORTABLE STORM DRAIN PUMP FROM MULTIQUIP INC. FOR $15,000
B-5 Granada Drive Pedestrian Improvement City Project TS-34 State Project HSIP 5157(127) Recommendation: Adopt a Minute Order Approving:
1. Acceptance of the Granada Drive Pedestrian Improvement City Project TS-34 State Project HSIP 5157(127)
2. Recording of Notice of Completion
3. Release of retention 35 days after the recording of the Notice of Completion (Report by Keith Helmuth)
B-6 lnterfund Loan Transfer and Budget Amendment for Sewer System Master Plan Update Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing and Approving an lnterfund Transfer of $167,000 and Amendment to the City of Madera Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget (Report by Keith Helmuth)
RES 26-52 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA,
CALIFORNIA AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING AN INTERFUND TRANSFER OF $167,000 AND AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF MADERA FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026 BUDGET
B-7 NeoGov Services Agreement with GovernmenUobs.com, Inc.
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving a NeoGov Services Agreement with GovernmentJobs.com, Inc., for Ongoing Software Licensing, Implementation, and Training Services (Report by Wendy Silva) RES 26-53 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA City of Madera
205 W. 4th Street
Madera, CA 93637
APPROVING A NEOGOV
GOVERNMENTJOBS.COM,
SERVICES
INC.,
AGREEMENT WITH
AND APPROVING
City Council Minutes
April 15, 2026
GOVERNMENTJOBS.COM, INC. FOR SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT OF
NEOGOV PRODUCT MODULES FOR PERSONNEL-RELATED SOFTWARE
8-8 Proclamation Recognizing Upstanders Day
Recommendation: Adopt a Minute Order Approving a Proclamation Recognizing Upstander's Day (Report by Alicia Gonzales)
8-9 City Participation in the National Opioid Settlement Agreements with Six (6) Remnant Defendants
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution:
RES 26-54
1. Approving Settlement Agreements and Participation Forms for the City's participation in the National Opioid Settlement Agreements with Associated Pharmacies, Inc. (American Associated Pharmacies); J. M. Smith Corporation; Morris & Dickson Co., L.l.C.; Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc.; North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug Company, Inc.; and United Natural Foods, Inc. (Supervalu), collectively referred to as the Six (6) Remnant Defendants, and authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents and carryout all required actions to ensure the City's participation, including transmittal of executed documents and participation in future related settlements, as applicable; and
2. Approving the California State-Subdivision Agreements Regarding Distribution and Use of Settlement Funds relating to the New National Opioid Settlement Agreements with Six (6) Remnant Defendants (Report by Arnoldo Rodriguez)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA
AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT(S) WITH SIX (6) REMNANT
DEFENDANTS AND ENTRY INTO PARTICIPATION AND ALLOCATION
AGREEMENTS
8-10 Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway Grant - Revised Restricted Grant Agreement Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving a Revised Restricted Grant Agreement between the State of California, acting by and through its Department of Transportation, referred herein as Caltrans, and the City of Madera for the Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway Grant in the amount of $300,000, rescinding Resolution Number 26-46 (Report by Joseph Hebert)
RES 26-55 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA,
CALIFORNIA APPROVING A REVISED RESTRICTED GRANT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ACTING BY AND THROUGH ITS
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, REFERRED HEREIN AS CALTRANS,
AND THE CITY OF MADERA FOR THE COMMUNITY CLEANUP AND
EMPLOYMENT PATHWAY GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $300,000,
RESCINDING RESOLUTION NUMBER 26-46
City of Madera
205 W. 4th Street
Madera, CA 93637
City Council Minutes
April 15, 2026
B-11 Madera County Food Bank Waiver Requests for Senior Nutrition and Produce Program & Brown Bag Program
Recommendation: Adopt Resolutions:
RES 26-56
RES 26-57
1. Waiving the Rental Fees of the Lions Town & Country Park starting on May 13, 2026, and ending on October 28, 2026, related to the Senior Nutrition and Produce Program event hosted by the Madera County Food Bank, at an anticipated rental fee of $605; and
2. Waiving the Rental Fees of the Pan American Community Center starting on April 22, 2026, and ending on December 16, 2026, related to the Senior Brown Bag Program hosted by the Madera County Food Bank, at an anticipated rental fee of $305 (Report by Joseph Hebert)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA,
CALIFORNIA WAIVING RENTAL FEES OF THE LIONS TOWN & COUNTRY PARK STARTING ON MAY 13, 2026, AND ENDING ON OCTOBER 28, 2026,
RELATED TO THE SENIOR NUTRITION AND PRODUCE PROGRAM EVENT
HOSTED BY THE MADERA COUNTY FOOD BANK, AT AN ANTICIPATED RENTAL FEE OF $605
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA,
CALIFORNIA, WAIVING THE RENTAL FEES OF THE PAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY CENTER STARTING ON APRIL 22, 2026, AND ENDING ON DECEMBER 16, 2026, RELATED TO THE SENIOR BROWN BAG PROGRAM
HOSTED BY THE MADERA COUNTY FOOD BANK, AT AN ANTICIPATED RENTAL FEE OF $305
B-12 Madera Evening Lions of California Donation $1,000 Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Accepting Madera Evening Lions of California's Donation of $1,000 (Report by Joseph Hebert)
RES 26-58 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA,
CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING MADERA EVENING LIONS OF CALIFORNIA'S DONATION OF $1,000
B-13 Span Construction & Engineering, Inc. Donation of $500 Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Accepting SPAN Construction & Engineering's Donation of $500 (Report by Joseph Hebert)
RES 26-59 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA, CALIFORNIA ACCEPTING SPAN CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING, INc.'S DONATION OF $500
B-14 Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Creating an Expedited and Streamlined Permitting Process for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Recommendation:
City of Madera
205 W. 4th Street
Madera, CA 93637
Waive Full Reading and Adopt 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 (CEQA Guidelines Section 15061[b][3]) (Report by Will Tackett) City Council Minutes
April 15, 2026
ORD 1019 C.S. 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])
8-15 Agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving a Consulting Services Agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore for Updated Civil Service Rules and Personnel Policies (Report by Wendy Silva)
RES 26-60 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA
APPROVING A CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH LIEBERT
CASSIDY WHITMORE FOR UPDATED CIVIL SERVICE RULES AND
PERSONNEL POLICIES
8-16 Second Amendment to Airport Engineering and Construction Management Services Agreement with Brandley Engineering
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Retroactively Approving Amendment No. 2 to the Airport Engineering and Construction Management Services Agreement with Brandley Engineering, Inc. (Report by Harpiar Gandhi) RES 26-61 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA RETROACTIVELY APPROVING AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE AIRPORT
ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH BRANDLEY ENGINEERING, INC
B-17 Caltrans Division of Aeronautics Annual Credit Program Funds Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution:
RES 26-62
1. Authorizing the Acceptance of $10,000 in FY 2025/26 Annual Credit Program funds from the Caltrans Division of Aeronautics; and
2. Authorizing the City Manager, or Designee, to Execute and Submit all Required Documents, including the Disbursement Request (Form DOA-0009) and any Required Certifications (Report by Harpiar Gandhi)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA
ACCEPTING FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 ANNUAL CREDIT PROGRAM FUNDS
FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DIVISION OF
AERONAUTICS AND AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A DISBURSEMENT
REQUEST
B-18 Waste Gas Burner/Flare Unit for the Digesters at the Wastewater Treatment Plant Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution:
City of Madera
205 W. 4th Street
Madera, CA 93637
1. Authorizing a Sole Source Purchase from Varec Biagas, a Division of Ovivo USA, LLC, for the Procurement of a Varec 239 Waste Gas Burner/Flare Unit for the Wastewater Treatment Plant; and City Council Minutes
April 15, 2026
C.
D.
D-1
RES 26-63
2. Authorizing the City Manager, or Designee, to Execute a Contract in an Amount not to exceed $74,400, Subject to Approval as to form by the City Attorney and Compliance with Applicable City Purchasing Requirements (Report by Harpiar Gandhi)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA
AUTHORIZING SOLE-SOURCE STANDARDIZATION AND PROCUREMENT OF A VAREC 239 SYSTEM WASTE GAS BURNER/FLARE UNIT FOR THE
DIGESTER GAS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AT THE CITY'S WASTEWATER
TREATMENT PLANT
Mayor called for a short recess at 8:21 p.m. The meeting resumed at 8:31 p.m.
WORKSHOP: None
PETITIONS, BIDS. RESOLUTIONS, ORDINANCES, AND AGREEMENTS:
Phyllis's Garden Soft Interview Room Memorandum of Understanding Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Understanding with Phyllis's Garden Non-Profit Organization and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement (Report by Giachino Chiaramonte)
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER EVANS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS, ITEM D-1 WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
RES 26-64 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA
APPROVING AN OPERATIONAL AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING
COORDINATION OF A SOFT INTERVIEW ROOM WITH PHYLLIS'S GARDEN
NON-PROFIT AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE
AGREEMENT
D-2 Rescind the Naming of Cesar Chavez Plaza
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Rescinding Resolution No. 96-71, which designated the plaza located on North E Street between Yosemite Avenue and East 5th Street as "Cesar Chavez Plaza" (Report by Arnoldo Rodriguez) Mattie Mendez a resident of Madera spoke in favor of rescinding the resolution, recommending that the plaza be named after Thaddeus Sran while calling for a future, more resonant area to honor local farmworkers in Madera. Ms. Mendez shared a personal, critical view of Cesar Chavez, recounting how his supporters called her names and attacked her father during a protest despite their family being farmworkers themselves.
ON MOTION BY MAYOR GALLEGOS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER EVANS, ITEM D-2 WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7 /0 VOTE.
RES 26-65
City of Madera
205 W. 4th Street
Madera, CA 93637
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA
RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 96-71 WHICH NAMED THE PLAZA
LOCATED ON NORTH E STREET BETWEEN YOSEMITE AVENUE AND EAST 5th STREET AS " CESAR CHAVEZ PLAZA"
City Council Minutes
April 15, 2026
E.
E-1
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
Final Allocations for the Program Year 2026/27 Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships Program Annual Action Plan Recommendation: Approve the Final Allocations for the Program Year 2026/27 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) Annual Action Plan in the Amount of $1,602,179 (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.
E-2 Domestic Well Mitigation Program (DWMP) Updates (Action on this item by the Successor Agency)
Recommendation: Receive presentation from John Davids with regard to the Domestic Well Mitigation Program (DWMP) (Report by Keith Helmuth)
E-3 Selecting Recipients for May Proclamations
Recommendation: Request for Council's Selection of Recipients for the Proclamation Recognizing National Foster Care Awareness Month, Relay for Life, and Letter Carrier's Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Day (Report by Alicia Gonzales)
Council agreed that proclamations should be presented to the following recipients: Retired firefighter Alberto Guzman for National Foster Care Awareness Month or Moesha Robinson if he is not available, Charlotte Brewer for Relay for Life, and Postmaster Arvin Sekhon for the Letter Carrier's Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Day.
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MEJIA, ITEM E-3 AS DISCUSSED WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7 /0 VOTE.
E-4 Discussion and Direction Regarding Participation Rules for the Woman of the Year Program F.
Recommendation: This report was prepared at the direction of the City Council (Council) to facilitate discussion on participation guidelines for the Woman of the Year event (Report by Alicia Gonzales)
Councilmembers expressed that the program should honor women's contributions without restrictions on timeframes, districts, or education, suggesting nominations remain at each member's discretion, with individual responsibility for addressing constituent feedback. While Mayor Gallegos noted the program currently mirrors Assemblywoman Soria's district-specific model, councilmembers reasoned that the City of Madera should establish its own unique criteria to honor local women.
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES AND SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM ZACHARIA, ITEM E-4 WITH THE CANDIDATE AT EACH COUNCILMEMBER'S DISCRETION AND ALLOCATE COLLECTIVELY $1,100 FOR THE EVENT IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 6/1 VOTE. NOES: MAYOR GALLEGOS
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 City of Madera City Council Minutes
April 15, 2026
205 W. 4th Street
Madera, CA 93637
updates, (iii) to initiate future agenda items, and (iv) to take action on matters initiated under this section of the agenda.
Councilmember Villegas had nothing to report.
Councilmember Rodriguez had nothing to report.
Councilmember Mejia had nothing to report.
Councilmember Evans attended a Ujima graduation at the local Community College, highlighting her partnership with Jose Eduardo on a CalKIDS program. The program awards scholarship funds to children starting at the primary level, allowing savings to grow until high school graduation. Current high school seniors are also eligible to claim these accounts.
Councilmember Evans advocated for Upstander's Day.
Mayor Pro Tern Zacharia stated that the robotics team had secured another world record at last weekend's San Francisco event, advancing to the championship in two weeks.
Councilmember Montes had nothing to report.
Mayor Gallegos on behalf of Council extended condolences and prayers to the family of Sheriff Deputy Randy Hopper who was killed in the line of duty.
G. CLOSED SESSION:
G-1 Threat to Public Services or Facilities (Government Code §S4957(a)) Consultation with: City Manager and City Attorney
City Attorney Shannon Chaffin made the closed session announcement at 9:49 p.m. Mr. Chaffin and Council returned from Closed Session at 10:32 p.m. Mr. Chaffin stated there was no reportable action.
FUTURE MEETING DATES:
• Wednesday, May 6, 2026
• Wednesday, May 20, 2026
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 10:32 p.m.
TESPREPARED BY
ZELDA LEON, Deputy City Clerk
City of Madera
205 w. 4th Street
Madera, CA 93637
City Council Minutes
April 15, 2026