ORANGE COVE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, April 08, 2026
6:30 PM
City of Orange Cove Senior Center
699 6th Street
Orange Cove, CA 93646
CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME
Roll Call
Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
PUBLIC COMMENT
Notice(s) to the Public: This is the opportunity for any member of the public to address the City Council on any item over which the Council has jurisdiction. No Action or discussion will be taken on any item not on the agenda. Issues raised will be referred to the City Manager for review. Public members shall limit their remarks to three (3) minutes and no more than 15 minutes per topic.
CONSENT CALENDAR
(All items listed under the consent calendar category are considered routine. The complete consent calendar will be enacted by one motion by ROLL CALL VOTE.
For purposes of discussion, any council member may have an item removed from the consent calendar and made part of the regular agenda. The Council can then approve the remaining items on the consent calendar.
4. Approval of Minutes of Special Meeting of Cisneros
Orange Cove City Council on March 24th , 2026.
PRESENTATION
Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas)
a. Hydrogen blending update
b. Residential advanced clean energy & energy assistance program
6. The 2026 Fix Our Roads Citizens' Initiative
REGULAR BUSINESS
Administration Department - City Manager Escobar
Subject: Discussion of Non-Profit Fireworks Booth in the City of Orange Cove Recommendation: Staff recommends that the city council provide direction on how to move forward with establishing a process.
Subject: Campaign Signage Policy
Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the proposed campaign signage policy to ensure clear, safe, and consistent regulations for the display of campaign signs during elections.
9. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
10. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
11. CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
12. ADJOURNMENT
I hereby certify under penalty of perjury, under the laws of the State of California, that the foregoing notice was posted in accordance with the applicable legal requirements. Dated this 2nd day of Cynthia Cisneros
Cynthia Cisneros, City Clerk
Notice: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at (559) 626-4488 ext. 213.
Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the city to plan to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
Documents: Any writing or documents provided to most of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection at the front counter at City Hall, Orange Cove, CA during normal business hours. In addition, most documents are posted on City's website at cityoforangecove.com.
STATEMENT ON RULES OF DECORUM AND ENFORCEMENT
The Brown Act provides that members of the public have a right to attend public meetings, to provide public comments on action items and under the public forum section of the agenda, and to criticize the policies, procedures, or services of the city or of the acts or omissions of the city council. The Brown Act also provides that the City Council has the right to exclude all people who willfully cause a disruption of a meeting so that it cannot be conducted in an orderly fashion.
During a meeting of the Orange Cove City Council, there is a need for civility and expedition in the conducting of public business to ensure that the public has a full opportunity to be heard and that the Council has an opportunity to conduct business in an orderly manner. The following is provided to place everyone on notice of the rules of decorum and enforcement.
GENERAL RULES OF DECORUM
While any meeting of the City Council is in session, the following rules of decorum should be observed:
1. All remarks shall be addressed to the City Council as a whole and not to any single member, unless in response to a question from a member of the City Council.
2. A person who addresses the City Council under public comment for a specific agenda item or under the Public Forum section of the agenda may not engage in speech or conduct (i) which is likely to provoke others to violent or riotous behavior, (i) which disturbs the peace of the meeting by loud and unreasonable noise, (iii) which is irrelevant or repetitive, or (iv) which disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of any City Council meeting.
3. A person, other than members of the Council and the person who has the floor, shall not be permitted to enter the discussion unless requested by the mayor to speak.
4. Members of the City Council may not interrupt a person who has the floor and is making public comments. Members of the City Council shall wait until a person completes his or her public comments before asking questions or commenting. The mayor shall then ask Councilmembers if they have comments or questions.
5. No person in the audience at a Council meeting shall engage in disorderly or boisterous conduct, including the utterance of loud, threatening, or abusive language, whistling, stamping of feet or other acts which disturb, disrupt, or otherwise impede the orderly conduct of any Council meeting.
ENFORCEMENT OF DECORUM RULES
(Resolution No. 2012-16)
While the City Council is in session, all people must preserve order and decorum.
A person who addresses the city council under public comment for a specific agenda item or under the Public Forum section of the agenda may not engage in speech or conduct which is likely to provoke others to violent or riotous behavior, which disturbs the peace of the meeting by loud and unreasonable noise, which is irrelevant or repetitive, or which disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of any City Council meeting.
The mayor or other presiding officer shall request that a person who is breaching the rules of decorum cease such conduct. If after receiving such a warning, the person persists in breaching the rules of decorum, the mayor or other presiding officer may order the person to leave the City Council meeting. If such person does not leave, the mayor or presiding officer may request any law enforcement officer who is on duty at the meeting as sergeant-at-arms to remove the person from the Council Chambers. In the event there is no one from law enforcement present, the mayor or presiding officer may direct the City Manager to contact law enforcement.
In accordance with the Point of Order Rule 4.6, most of the Council may overrule the mayor if most of the Council believes the mayor or other presiding officer is not applying the rules of decorum appropriately.
ORANGE COVE CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
March 24, 2026
The Special Meeting of the Orange Cove City Council was called to order by Mayor Guerra-Silva at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, March 24, 2026, at the City of Orange Council Chambers at 633 6' Street, Orange Cove, California.
1. ROLL CALL
COUNCIL MEMBERS' PRESENT
Del Bosque, Ortiz, Rodriguez, and Mayor Pro-Tem Garcia.
ABSENT
Mayor Diana Guerra-Silva.
INVOCATION
Council Member Ortiz.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Rodriguez.
2. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
Yes. Agenda item no. 5, under the consent calendar, will be removed and placed under regular business, following agenda item no. 7.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comments were received
CONSENT CALENDAR
Action: Motion was made by Council Member Rodriguez to move item 5. Consideration/Approval of the Scholarship Sponsorship to Orange Cove High School, as part of the regular business, following agenda item no. 7, and seconded by Council Member Ortiz. The motion carried as follows:
AYES: 4 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Rodriguez, Ortiz, Del Bosque, Garcia NOES: 0 COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN:0 COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: 1 COUNCIL MEMBER: Guerra-Silva
Action: Motion was made by Council Member Ortiz to approve the consent calendar and seconded by Council Member Rodriguez. The motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: 4 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Ortiz, Rodriguez, Del Bosque, Garcia NOES: O COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN:0 COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: 1 COUNCIL MEMBER: Guerra-Silva
4. Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of Orange Cove City Council on March 11', 2026.
ORANGE COVE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES- March 24, 2026
REGULAR BUSINESS
Administration-City Manager Escobar
6. Subject: Approval of Water and Wastewater Rate Study Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council accept the water and wastewater (sewer) rate study prepared by IGS and approve issuing Proposition 218-compliant notice of proposed rate increases to all water and wastewater customers and property owners in the City of Orange Cove.
City Manager Escobar reintroduced Mr. Dan Bergman to the council and public. He has been working on our city's water and wastewater study. He presented the final rates that are being proposed.
Action: Motion was made by Council Member Ortiz to approve the water and wastewater (sewer) rate study prepared by IGS and approve issuing a Proposition 218-compliant notice of proposed rate increases to all water and wastewater customers and property owners in the City of Orange Cove, and seconded by Council Member Rodriguez. The motion carried as follows:
AYES: 4 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Ortiz Del Bosque, Rodriguez, Garcia NOES: 0 COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: 1 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Guerra-Silva
7. Subject: Approval of Agreement for On-Call Engineering Services Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council approve an agreement with A&M Consulting Engineers for on-call engineering services.
City Manager Escobar introduced Mr. Orfil to the council and public. He is a civil engineer and provided some background
Action: Motion was made by Council Member Del Bosque to approve an agreement with A&M Consulting Engineers for on-call engineering services, and seconded by Council Member Ortiz. The motion carried as follows:
AYES: 4 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Del Bosque, Ortiz, Rodriguez., Garcia NOES: O COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: 1 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Guerra-Silva
5. Consideration/Approval of the Scholarship Sponsorship to Orange Cove High School Action: Motion was made by Council Member Del Bosque to approve the donation request of the Scholarship Sponsorship to Orange Cove High School. The City of Orange Cove will donate two (2) $1,000 scholarships. One for a Female, one for a Male. The department directors will complete the donation form, and seconded by Council Member Rodriguez. The motion carried as follows:
AYES: 3 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Del Bosque, Rodriguez, Garcia
NOES: 0 COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: 1 COUNCIL MEMBER: Ortiz
ABSENT: 1 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Guerra-Silva
Staff Communications
8. City Engineer -He was not present at the meeting. But he did provide an updated project list.
9. Police Department - Chief of Police Pena-He provided an update on staffing levels and a grant program.
ORANGE COVE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES- March 24, 2026
10. Fire Protection District - Fire Chief Hernandez. He was not present at the meeting. City Manager Escobar provided an update on the fire hydrants and the interns assisting.
Code Enforcement Department - Director Lockridge-He provided an update regarding yard sales.
Finance Department - Director Jimenez-He provided an update on the audits and possible new software.
Planning and Building Department - Director Patlan-He provided an update on site plan reviews.
Public Works Department - Director Estrada-He was not present, but City Manager Escobar provided an update on Director Estrada's behalf.
15. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
• Applying for an Economic Development Grant
• Meeting with Yanez Construction
• City will apply for more CDBG Grant Funding
Provide an update on Anchor Avenue
Update on Sheridan Park
• Discussed the upcoming conference to ICSC - Las Vegas
16. CITY ATTORNEYS REPORT
Nothing to report.
17. CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Del Bosque
• Provided an update on High School Sports
Thanked everyone in the audience, departments, service clubs, administration, and staff.
• Discussed the Grand Opening of the Truck Driving Program Council Member Ortiz
• Invited everyone to the Easter Event this Saturday, March 28th, and provided all the churches participating. She provided detailed information. • Announced the Heritage Day Event on May 1st
Mayor Pro-Tem
• He discussed the Grand Opening of the Truck Driving Program.
This was a great event.
18. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:54 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia Cisneros, City Clerk Gilbert Garcia, Mayor Pro Tem For the Regular Meeting of April 08, 2026
CITY OF ORANGE COVE
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
To: Orange Cove City Council
From: Samuel A. Escobar, City Manager
Subject: Options for Nonprofit Organization Participation in Fireworks Booth Operations within City Limits
Attachments: None
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council review and provide guidance on options to allow nonprofit organizations, including churches, to operate safe-and-sane fireworks booths within the city limits.
The City of Orange Cove can charge a fee for a booth within the city limits.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Orange Cove does not have a policy in place for Nonprofit Organization Participation in Fireworks Booth Operations within City Limits. In the past years, the city has allowed one fireworks booth. The booth is located at J. O. Eaton Memorial Park. The city has recently received an application from a nonprofit, and it has been the same applicant for the past two years. Staff have identified several policy options for the council's discussion and consideration to allow other nonprofits and churches to participate.
DISCUSSION:
OPTION 1: ROTATION SYSTEM (ANNUAL LOTTERY)
• Eligible nonprofit organizations and churches apply annually. • Organizations selected through a lottery process
• Organizations not selected receive priority consideration the following year. • Allows broader participation over time.
• Staff maintains a waiting list.
OPTION 2: MULTI-YEAR ROTATION (SET SCHEDULE)
• Establish a rotating schedule (e.g., 3-5-year cycle)
• Selected organizations assigned specific years in advance. • After cycling completion, new applicants are added and the schedule is reset.
OPTION 3: PARTNERSHIP / SHARED BOOTH MODEL
• wo or more nonprotits share one bootr
Revenue split based on written agreemen
• °
Encourages collaboration among organizations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST:
None.
Prepared by: Cynthia Cisneros Approved by: Samuel A. Escobar, City Manager REVIEW: Samuel A. Escobar Finance: _ City Attorney: _
TYPE OF ITEM: COUNCIL ACTION: a APPROVED • DENIED = NO ACTION Consent Public Hearing
Info Item Matter Initiated by a Council
_Action Item Member
Department Repor Other
Redevelopment Agenci Continued to:
For the Regular Meeting of April 08, 2026
IFO.
CITY OF ORANGE COVE
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
To: Orange Cove City Council
From: Samuel A. Escobar, City Manager
Subject: Campaign Signage Policy
Attachments: Resolution No. 2026-04
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve Resolution No. 2026-04, adopting the campaign signage policy to ensure clear, safe, and consistent regulations for the display of campaign signs during elections.
BACKGROUND:
The City currently has no formal policy regulating campaign signage. Past election cycles have highlighted challenges, including:
• Confusion regarding what is allowed
• Signs obstructing traffic visibility.
• Signs left in place after elections.
DISCUSSION:
Establishing a formal policy will provide transparency, consistency, and accuracy for candidates, the public, and city staff.
Campaign Signage Policy:
Political Signs. Political signs that adhere to the following regulations:
1. Political signs are allowed on privately owned parcels with permission of the property owner.
2. Residential Property. Allowable Sign Area: fifteen (15) square feet.
3. The combined area of a political sign by any one candidate on any one parcel shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet.
4. Political signs cannot block driveways.
5. Political signs cannot obscure fire hydrants, traffic signs, traffic signals, or other traffic control devices.
6. Political signs shall not be attached to trees, fence posts, or utility poles.
7. Political signs shall not be illuminated either directly or indirectly.
8. No political sign or portion thereof shall be placed in any street right-of-way or on any City- owned property.
9. No sign shall be placed in a corner cutoff area, or within thirty feet (30') of intersecting curb lines of a street intersection, or placed in such a manner as to interfere with pedestrian traffic.
10. Political signs shall not be erected or placed more than ninety (90) days before the date of the election.
8. All political signs shall be removed within ten (10) days following the date of the election.
Signs not removed within this period may be removed by the city, and the cost of removal assessed against the candidate.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST:
None.
Prepared by: Cynthia Cisneros Approved by: Samuel A. Escobar, City Manager REVIEW: Samuel A. Escobar Finance: City Attorney:
TYPE OF ITEM: COUNCIL ACTION: APPROVED DENIED NO ACTION Consent Public Hearing
Info Item Matter Initiated by a Council
Action Item Member
Department Report Other
Redevelopment Agency Continued to: _
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-04
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ORANGE COVE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
ESTABLISHING ELECTION RULES FOR CAMPAIGN SIGNAGE
WHEREAS, the City of Orange Cove recognizes the importance of protecting the constitutional rights of individuals to engage in political speech, including the display of campaign signs; and
WHEREAS, campaign signs are a traditional and important means of communication during election periods; and
WHEREAS, the City has an interest in promoting traffic safety and ensuring that signage does not obstruct visibility for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians; and WHEREAS, the City seeks to maintain community aesthetics and prevent visual clutter within public and private spaces; and
WHEREAS, unregulated placement of campaign signs in public rights-of-way may create hazards and interfere with public infrastructure and maintenance activities; and WHEREAS, the City desires to adopt content-neutral regulations that balance free speech protections with public health, safety, and welfare; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that reasonable limitations on the time, place, and manner of campaign signs are necessary and appropriate; and WHEREAS, the adoption of clear and consistent regulations will ensure fair and equal treatment of all candidates, ballot measures, and political viewpoints; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that establishing regulations governing campaign signs is in the best interest of the public health, safety, and welfare of the residents of Orange Cove
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Orange Cove City Council as follows:
Campaign Signage Policy:
Political Signs. Political signs that adhere to the following regulations:
1. Political signs are allowed on privately owned parcels with permission of the property owner.
2. Residential Property. Allowable Sign Area: fifteen (15) square feet.
3. The combined area of a political sign by any one candidate on any one parcel shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet.
4. Political signs cannot block driveways.
5. Political signs cannot obscure fire hydrants, traffic signs, traffic signals, or other traffic control devices.
6. Political signs shall not be attached to trees, fence posts, or utility poles.
7. Political signs shall not be illuminated either directly or indirectly.
8. No political sign or portion thereof shall be placed in any street right-of-way or on any City- owned property.
9. No sign shall be placed in a corner cutoff area, or within thirty feet (30') of intersecting curb lines of a street intersection or placed in such a manner as to interfere with pedestrian traffic.
10. Political signs shall not be erected or placed more than ninety (90) days before the date of the election.
8. All political signs shall be removed within ten (10) days following the date of the election. Signs not removed within this period may be removed by the city, and the cost of removal assessed against the candidate.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City of Orange Cove City Council, on the 8th day of April 2026, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
APPROVED:
Gilbert Garcia, Mayor Pro Tem
ATTEST:
Cynthia Cisneros, City Clerk