Item: B-1
Minutes for: 08/19/2026
Adopted: 09/02/2026
The City of
MADERA
VALLEY CENTRAL
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Madera City Council Wednesday, August 19, 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, 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, Public Works Director Harpiar Gandhi and Assistant Engineer David Gomez.
INVOCATION: Reverand Sammie Neely, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro Tem Zacharia
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER RODRIGUEZ AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS, THE AGENDA WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
PRESENTATIONS:
1. Proclamation Recognizing National Senior Citizens Day
2. Certificates of Recognition Honoring Madera National Little League's Senior Softball Team
3. Update from Madera County Mosquito & Vector Control District 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.
Griselda Morales, who lives in the downtown area, voiced her concern over incidents of indecent exposure as children make their way to the school bus stop. She has reported two incidents to the Police Department. The first incident occurred on August 11th where a homeless man was displaying his backside. The second incident occurred today, August 19th where a homeless man was displaying his pubic area. On both occasions, the Police officers gave the homeless men warnings. She was told nothing else could be done. She is bringing this issue to Council, so that the safety of children as they head to school is maintained.
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 COUNCILMEMBER RODRIGUEZ AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS, THE CONSENT CALENDAR WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
B-1 Minutes - August 5, 2026
Recommendation: Approve the City Council Minutes of August 5, 2026 (Report by Alicia Gonzales)
B-2 Informational Report on Register of Audited Demands Recommendation: Review Register of Audited Demands Report for July 25 to August 7, 2026 (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 (Council) (Report by Wendy Silva) B-4 Certificate of Recognition Honoring Alisha Brown, Founder of Project Run Madera, Recipient of the Crystal Tower Award
Recommendation: Adopt a Minute Order Approving a Certificate of Recognition Honoring Alisha Brown, Founder of Project Run Madera, Recipient of the Crystal Tower Award (Report by Alicia Gonzales)
B-5 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program 2025 Grant Award Acceptance
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Accepting the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant 2025 award in the amount of $24,324 (Report by Giachino Chiaramonte)
RES 26-144 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA
AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE PROGRAM 2025 GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,324
B-6 Testing Services for Sewer Rehabilitation and Improvement Project No. SS-08 & 09 City of Madera City Council Minutes
205 W. 4th Street August 19, 2026
Madera, CA 93637 Page 2 of 6
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Madera Approving Professional Services with Certerra Southwest, Inc. (Certerra) for Testing Services Not to Exceed $93,756 related to the Sewer Rehabilitation and Improvement Project No. SS-08 & 09 (Report by Keith Helmuth) RES 26-145 ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA APPROVING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WITH CERTERRA SOUTHWEST, INC. (CERTERRA) FOR TESTING SERVICES NOT TO EXCEED $93,756 RELATED TO THE SEWER REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. SS-08 & 09 B-7 2022-23 SB-1 (3R & ADA) Seals and Overlays, City Project No. R-81 Recommendation: Adopt a Minute Order Approving:
1. Acceptance of the 2022-23 SB-1 (3R & ADA) Seals and Overlays, City Project No. R-81
2. Recording of Notice of Completion
3. Release of Retention 35 days after Recording the Notice of Completion (Report by Keith Helmuth)
B-8 Budget Amendment for Purchase of Avigilon Unity Cameras Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving a $53,247 Budget Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Operating Budget to Appropriate Supplemental Law Enforcement Services (SLESF) Fund balance funds for the Purchase of Avigilon Unity Cameras (AUC) for $73,738 (Report by Giachino Chiaramonte)
RES 26-146 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA
AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF
MADERA'S FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027 ADOPTED BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE
SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FUNDS FOR THE COST OF
AVIGILON UNITY CAMERAS
Technical difficulties resulted in loss of audio and video capabilities. Once audio and video capabilities were restored, City Attorney Shannon Chaffin made the closed session announcement at 7:04 p.m. Once Council returned from Closed Session, the meeting moved to Item E-1 then it covered Section C and all remaining items on the agenda.
WORKSHOP:
C-1 Business License Overview
Recommendation: This report is submitted for informational purposes only and there is no action requested from the City Council (Council) (Report by Michael Lima) D. PETITIONS, BIDS, RESOLUTIONS, ORDINANCES, AND AGREEMENTS:
D-1 City's Participation in the Old Timers' Day Parade
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Waiving the Fees to Cover the Costs of Police, Public Works, Parks, and Engineering Fees and Services relating to the Old Timers' Day Parade in the amount of $3,508 (Report by Giachino Chiaramonte)
City of Madera City Council Minutes
205 W. 4th Street August 19, 2026
Madera, CA 93637 Page 3 of 6
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER RODRIGUEZ AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER VILLEGAS, ITEM D-1 WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
RES 26-147 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA WAIVING
THE FEES TO COVER COSTS OF POLICE, PUBLIC WORKS, PARK, AND
ENGINEERING FEES AND SERVICES RELATING TO THE OLD TIMERS
PARADE FOR MADERA DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION, MADERA SUNRISE
ROTARY CLUB 587, IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,508
D-2 Application for Transportation Development Act (TDA) - Local Transportation Funds (LTF) and State Transit Assistance (STA) Funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27 Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Approving the Applications for TDA - LTF and STA Funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27 and Authorizing the City Engineer to execute and submit the Applications to the Madera County Transportation Commission (MCTC) (Report by Keith Helmuth)
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER EVANS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MEJIA, ITEM D-2 WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
RES 26-148 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA,
CALIFORNIA APPROVING APPLICATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION
DEVELOPMENT ACT (TDA) - LOCAL TRANSPORTATION FUNDS (LTF) AND STATE TRANSIT ASSISTANCE (STA) FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2026/27
AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY ENGINEER TO EXECUTE AND SUBMIT THE
APPLICATIONS TO MADERA COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (MCTC)
D-3 Lions Town & Country Park Batting Cages Project
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Amending the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Adopted Budget for Construction Costs Associated with the Lions Town & Country Park Batting Cages Project in the amount of $44,000 (Report by Joseph Hebert)
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER EVANS, ITEM D-3 WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
RES 26-149 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA, CALIFORNIA AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 ADOPTED BUDGET
FOR CONSTRUCTION COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LIONS TOWN & COUNTRY PARK BATTING CAGES PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $44,000 D-4 City of Madera Support for Opportunity Zones 2.0 Census Tracts Recommended by the California Department of Finance
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Determining the Action is not a Project Pursuant to Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, or Alternatively Exempt Pursuant to Section 15061(B)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, and Supporting Census Tracts 06039000702 (7.02), 06039000510(5.10) and 06039000901 (9.01) for Opportunity Zone 2.0 Nomination (Report by Will Tackett)
City Clerk Alicia Gonzales mentioned that two letters of support were received. A copy of those letters was made available to Council prior to the meeting and copies are available to the public.
City of Mader City Council Minutes
205W. 4th Street August 19, 2026
Madera, CA 93637 Page 4 of 6
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER EVANS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MONTES, ITEM D-4 WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A 7/0 VOTE.
RES 26-150 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MADERA
DETERMINING THAT THE ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15378 OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) GUIDELINES, OR ALTERNATIVELY EXEMPT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15061(B)(3) OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES AND SUPPORTING CENSUS TRACTS 06039000702 (7.02), 06039000510(5.10) AND 06039000901 (9.01) FOR OPPORTUNITY ZONE 2.0 NOMINATION
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
E-1 Caltrans Highway Capital Preventive Maintenance (CAPM) Project 06-0Y180 on State Route 145 (Project) Construction Update
Recommendation: This report has been prepared at the direction of the City Council (Council), therefore there is no staff recommendation provided. Council is asked to consider the information and direction at its discretion (Report by Keith Helmuth)
A business owner in the downtown area stated that the construction has significantly impacted her business, as customers do not want to park a block away to access her location. She explained that the business relies entirely on in-person customers and does not offer online or telephone ordering. She expressed concern that the financial impact may force her to close the business or seek additional employment to meet her financial obligations. She asked whether any economic relief may be available to affected businesses during construction.
E-2 Informational Report on USGA Site visit to the Madera Municipal Golf Course Recommendation: This report is submitted for informational purposes only, and there is no action requested from City Council (Report by Joseph Hebert) 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, (ili) 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 reported that he recently toured the Diablo Canyon Power Plant.
Councilmember Mejia reported that the Guelaguetza celebration is scheduled for Sunday, October 11, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Madera District Fairgrounds. Flyers for the event are forthcoming.
Councilmember Montes had nothing to report.
Mayor Pro Tem Zacharia requested and received a consensus from Council for staff to add discussion regarding Card Rooms to a future agenda.
Councilmember Evans reported attending the King Husein ribbon-cutting ceremony and the funeral services for Leona Pistoresi.
City of Madera City Council Minutes
205 W. 4th Street August 19, 2026
Madera, CA 93637 Page 5 of 6
Mayor Gallegos requested and received Council consensus to place a future agenda item regarding color palettes for business exteriors and signposts, including discussion of the potential use of cannabis revenue to partner with or provide financial assistance to businesses for repainting costs. She thanked staff for resolving the technical difficulties experienced earlier in the meeting and recognized the Fire Department for providing assistance to communities affected by ongoing fires. She also acknowledged the Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.
Mayor Gallegos noted the unexpected passing of longtime community member and developer Philip Oberti and extended her condolences to his family.
G. CLOSED SESSION:
G-1 Conference with Labor Negotiators - Pursuant to Government Code Section §54957.6 Agency Designated Representative: Mayor Gallegos and Mayor Pro Tem Zacharia Title: City Clerk
City Attorney Shannon Chaffin stated there was no reportable action.
FUTURE MEETING DATES:
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
• Wednesday, September 16, 2026
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 9:28 p.m.
ALICIA GONZALES, City Clerk CECELIA K. GALLEGOS, Mayor
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City of Madera City Council Minutes
205 W. 4th Street August 19, 2026
Madera, CA 93637 Page 6 of 6