MCFARLAND CITY COUNCIL
McFarland Successor Agency, McFarland Public Finance Authority, McFarland Improvement Authority, McFarland Parking Authority Special Meeting Notice and Agenda
Council Chambers
103 W. Sherwood Ave, Mcfarland, CA
Website: https://www.mcfarlandcity.org/
Friday, April 18, 2025
7:00 AM
SAUL AYON, Mayor
RICARDO CANO, Vice Mayor
ANITA GONZALEZ, Council Member
MARÍA T. PÉREZ , Council Member
VIEW THE MEETING RECORDINGS ONLINE at www.mcfarlandcity.org/AgendaCenterRecordings will be available approximately one week following the meeting.
HOW TO SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENTS: The meetings of the City Council and all municipal entities, commissions, and boards (“the City”) are open to the public. At regularly scheduled meetings, members of the public may address the city on any item listed on the agenda, or on any non-listed matter over which the city has jurisdiction. At special or emergency meetings, members of the public may only address the city on items listed on the agenda. There is a time limitation of two minutes per person. For any item that is not on the agenda and within the jurisdiction or interest of the city, please come to the podium at this time. The Brown Act does not permit any action or discussion on items not listed on the agenda. If you wish to speak regarding a scheduled agenda item, please come to the podium when the item number and subject matter are announced, and the mayor opens Public Comment on the item. When recognized, please begin by providing your name and address for the record (optional). Anyone wishing to submit written information at the meeting needs to furnish ten (10) copies to the City Clerk in advance to allow for distribution to City Council, staff, and the media.
Willful disruption of the meeting shall not be permitted. If the Mayor finds that there is in fact willful disruption of any City Council Meeting, he/she may order the disrupting parties out of the room and subsequently conduct the City’s business without them present.
PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS: The City of McFarland does not discriminate based on disability and complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (661) 792-3091 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
INTERPRETATION: If you need an interpretation of your communications to the City Council into English, please contact the City Clerk Department at 661-792-3091 ext. 2135 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Saul Ayon
ROLL CALL:
Mayor/Chair, Saul Ayon
Vice Mayor/Vice-Chair, Ricardo Cano
Council Member/Board Member, Anita Gonzalez
Council Member/Board Member, María T. Pérez
INVOCATION:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
APPROVE AGENDA AS TO FORM
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Ordinance to Amend McFarland Municipal Code 2.04.010- Time Set for Meetings
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
2. Review and Discuss City Council Application
PUBLIC COMMENT: Members of the public wishing to address the Council about any item not on the agenda may do so at this time. Speakers are limited to two minutes for each person. Fifteen minutes total will be allowed for any one subject. Please state your name and address for the record prior to making a presentation.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
This is to certify this agenda was posted at McFarland City Hall on April 16, 2025.
Erika De La Cruz, City Clerk
Diego Viramontes, City Manager
Next Meeting: Regular City Council May 7, 2025.
The City of McFarland does not discriminate based on disability and complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (661) 792-3091 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. Special meeting needs hour change
All agenda item and/or supporting documentation is available for public review on the city website at www.mcfarlandcity.org and the office of the City Clerk of the City of McFarland, at 401 W, Kern Ave.
McFarland, CA 93250 during regular business hours of 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, following the posting of the agenda. Any supporting documentation related to an agenda item for an open session of any regular meeting that is distributed after the agenda is posted and prior to the meeting will also be available for review at the same location and available at the meeting.
City of McFarland
City Council Meeting
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 1.
Section: PUBLIC HEARINGS
Meeting Date: April 18, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Diego Viramontes, City Manager
Erika De La Cruz, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Ordinance to Amend McFarland Municipal Code 2.04.010- Time Set for Meetings
SUMMARY:
At the request of the Mayor, staff is presenting a proposed modification to the date and time of regular City Council meetings to address a scheduling conflict with the regularly scheduled LAFCO meetings, which are held immediately prior to the Council meetings. In response to this conflict, it is proposed that regular City Council meetings be rescheduled from the first and third Wednesday to the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.
This recommendation is incorporated into the proposed ordinance amending Chapter 2.04 of the McFarland Municipal Code. Notably, the amendment includes language that formally authorizes the City Council to modify the time and/or location of its regular meetings by resolution or minute order, ensuring greater flexibility in the scheduling of Council proceedings.
Approval of this ordinance will enable the City Council to make such adjustments efficiently and in accordance with the Municipal Code.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Financial Impact
RECOMMENDATION:
City Council approve the amendment to McFarland Municipal Code Section 2.04.010 and authorize the rescheduling of regular City Council meetings to the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
ORDINANCE NO. 3-2025
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MCFARLAND AMENDING
TITLE 2, CHAPTER 2.04 OF THE MCFARLAND MUNICIPAL CODE
TO REPEAL 2.04.010 AND 2.04.020 AND AMEND 2.04.030 TO
CLARIFY THE TIME AND LOCATION OF CITY COUNCIL
MEETINGS, AND PROCESS FOR MODIFYING THE TIME AND
LOCATION OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Section 1. Recitals
WHEREAS, The City of McFarland (“City”) desires to amend, clarify and codify its Municipal Code Chapter related to City Council Meetings;
WHEREAS, This Ordinance Amendment updates the Municipal Code to codify the Time set for Meetings;
WHEREAS, Adoption of this Ordinance is in furtherance of the City’s goals and objectives while reducing the potentially negative impacts arising from potentially deficient and/or incomplete/incompatible Municipal Code Chapters.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MCFARLAND DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 2. Chapter 2.04.010 of the McFarland Municipal Code is hereby repealed in its entirety.
Section 3. Chapter 2.04.020 of the McFarland Municipal Code is hereby repealed in its entirety.
Section 4. Chapter 2.04.030 of the McFarland Municipal Code is hereby amended to add the following underlined language:
The time for the regular meetings of the City Council shall be the second and fourth Wednesday of each and every month at the hour of six p.m.
The Veterans Hall/City Council Chambers at 103 W Sherwood Ave, McFarland CA 93250, is established as the meeting place for the city council.
The City Council may temporarily or permanently change the time, hour, or location for regular meetings of the city council by resolution or minute order.
Section 2. Notice. The City clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this ordinance and shall cause this Ordinance to be posted within 15 days after its passage, in accordance with Section 36933 of
the Government Code.
Section 3. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this Ordinance is, for any reason, deemed or held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, or preempted by legislative enactment, such decision or legislation shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council of the City of McFarland hereby declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or word thereof, regardless of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, clauses, phrases, or word might subsequently be declared invalid or unconstitutional or preempted by subsequent legislation.
Section 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty days after its adoption pursuant to California Government Code section 36937.
Section 5. Certification; Publication. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same to be published or posted according to law.
INTRODUCED, at a Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of McFarland, California on 4/18/2025, by the following vote:
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of McFarland on by the following vote:
Aye Nae Abstain Absent
Saul Ayon
Ricardo Cano
Anita Gonzalez
María T. Pérez
CITY OF MCFARLAND
______________________________
Saul Ayon, Mayor
I hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of the City of McFarland by a Regular meeting thereof held on April 18, 2025.
ATTEST:
________________________________
Erika De La Cruz, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________
Nathan Hodges, City Attorney
City of McFarland
City Council Meeting
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 2.
Section: ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENDA
Meeting Date: April 18, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Diego Viramontes, City Manager
Erika De La Cruz, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Review and Discuss City Council Application
SUMMARY:
On April 2, 2025, the McFarland City Council has approved an extension for the application period, with the new deadline set for April 11, 2025. At this time, the Council may review the submitted applications and determine the appropriate next steps, which may include scheduling interviews, making an appointment, or reopening the application process. It is important to note that the 60-day deadline for this process is April 20, 2025.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Financial Impact
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommend that the City Council review the list of applicants who have applied and provide direction on the next steps, which may include scheduling interviews or making an appointment.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Martin Gutierrez- City Council Application
APPLICATION FOR APPOINTMENT TO CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF MCFARLAND
(Separate page(s) may be attached if additional space is needed however, all sections and all questions on this application form must be completed.)
1. Full legal name:
2. Address of legal residence or domicile within the City (attach two utility bills or similar documents as proof of residency):
3. Contact information:
Phone Email
4. Occupation/Employer:
5. Are you a resident of the City of McFarland?
6. How long have you lived in McFarland?
7. Are you a registered voter and over 18 years old?
8. Are you disqualified, or have you been disqualified, by the Constitution or laws of the state from holding a civil office?
9. Have you ever been convicted of a felony involving the giving, accepting, or offering of a bribe, embezzlement or theft of public funds, extortion, perjury, or conspiracy to commit any such crime, under California law or the law of another state, the United States, or another country? If so, have you been granted a pardon in accordance with law?
10. Why do you wish to serve as a member of the City Council of the City of McFarland? Martin Cortez Gutierrez Jr.
McFarland Unified School District
Yes
44 years 9 months
Yes
No
No
I have lived in McFarland my whole life and have seen in recent years, about 5 years and before that our local city council and local government did very little to improve the image of our city and at time make it look bad. Recently many of my neighbors and I notice our city council and local government is starting to do many great things in our city.
From improving many of our roads, to approving new housing developments, getting the funding for a new police station, bring new business to our city, and many other great things. I want to be a part of our city's future growth and I want to witness up close all the great things that are coming to our city.
11. What would you bring in the way of perspective or experience to the City Council?
12. Describe your qualifications which will assist the City Council in evaluating your application:
13. Describe your involvement with the community in McFarland, including any community service:
14. Describe any prior governmental experience, including any tiesto, or experience with, working with the City Council or City staff:
If selected to be a part of the City Council for zone 2 I want to represent the residents of zone 2 and all of my neighbors from the East Side of McFarland. I have a great relationship with the residents of McFarland and even though I am not on any local government I have been a person that many people come to with concerns whether it be with the city issues, school district issues, and even Recreation and Park issues. I am ready to work hard on the city council to help our city grow in a positive direction.
At this moment I have no experience serving on any government. One thing that I believe can help me as a qualification to serve on the City Council is my relationship with many residents of my city. I have a connection with residents from all around town and from many jobs. I hope I will get experience to be a member of the city council for a very long time.
The only involvement I have within our community of McFarland is being a soccer coach in many different level in different leagues. I started as a volunteer coach and Regional Administrator for our local AYSO region 1416. I moved to coaching girl's and women's in local leagues. In 2008, I started my coaching career at McFarland High School as Varsity girls soccer Coach. I am still the coach of the girls soccer team at McFarland High School.
I have no prior experience in any local government.
15. What is your vision for the City of McFarland?
16. What do you perceive to be the primary issues facing the community now and over the next 2- 4 years? Do you have any ideas of how the community should approach solutions to these issues?
17. What do you believe is the responsibility of a City Councilmember to the general community? To developers or business? To the City Council?
18. Regular meetings of the City Council are on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month starting at 6:00 p.m. Will you be able to attend regular Council meetings if appointed?
19. Will you be willing to serve on the City Council including any Council subcommittees or appointments to boards and commissions?
20. Please state any other information you would like to provide:
The vision I have for the City of McFarland
is that I want the city to continue to be a safe place to raise a family. Our McFarland Police officers are doing a great job and the difference is noticed. We have to continue to provide everything that is necessary for our Police Department to operate successfully. Another thing that I see in my vision for McFarland is for the City to continue to grow with more residential housing and more business in our town so that it can add to the our sales tax revenue and we have a balanced budget.
The primary issue that faces our community is road conditions. I know our current city council and city employees have secured some funding and they are working to fix our roads but we are still behind in getting the roads where they should be. By adding new I believe the responsibility of a City
Council member is to represent the community the best it can with well informed decisions that are aim to benefit the daily life of the residents of McFarland. It is also the responsibility of the City Councilmember to listen to any concern of our residens and try to address them in a timely and appropriate manner. A councilmembers responsibility to developers and businesses is to listen to potential benefits that they can bring to our city. The responsibility of the City councilmember to the actually City Council is to be available at all meeting, city functions, other local events.
Yes.
Yes
I am wanting to serve in the
City Council to represent my city and serve the residents the best I can. I have experience working in the public and private job sectors and I know the struggles of many resident in our community and I want to bring a different perspective to the City Council. businesses we can receive more tax revenue where the city workers can maintain the our roads on a regular basis.
Next Steps:
• Completed applications may be submitted to Erika De La Cruz, City Clerk, at McFarland City Hall, 401 W. Kern Avenue, McFarland, CA 93250, or via email at [email protected] by April 2, 2025 by 12:00pm (PST) Requirements:
• Registered Voter for the City of McFarland
• Must be 18 years or older
Additional Information:
• If appointed, you will need to complete an FPPC conflict of interest form 700. • You may also be subject to a background check.
• If appointed, the City will provide orientation and opportunities for training including any training required by State law.
Acknowledgement:
I declare under the penalty of perjury that I am a registered voter with a legal residence or domicile within the City of McFarland. I also acknowledge and agree that the appointment to fill a vacancy on the City Council is a public process. As a result, this application may be used or released to the public subject to redaction of personal information by the City as appropriate. Further, I understand that as a potential candidate I may be subject to subsequent public interviews or discussion of the merits by the City Council during City Council meetings which are open to the public. Finally, I confirm that I will be able to attend and participate, including attendance of regular Council meetings, if appointed as a Councilmember.
Print Name:
Signature:
Date:
Martin Cortez Gutierrez Jr.
April 11, 2025