THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2022
6:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER
1700 7th Street, Sanger, California 93657
A. CALL TO ORDER
The City Council called their meeting to order at 6:01 PM.
B. OPENING CEREMONIES
The invocation was offered by Pastor Paul Canaday.
The flag salute was led by Mayor Eli Ontiveros.
Roll Call
Present: Mayor Eli Ontiveros, Mayor Pro Tem Daniel Martinez, Councilmember Humberto Garza, Councilmember Esmeralda Hurtado, Councilmember Michael Montelongo
Absent: None
C. AGENDA APPROVAL, ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS
The Council by motion of Mayor Pro Tem Martinez approved the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Garza and approved by the following vote:
AYES: ONTIVEROS, MARTINEZ, GARZA, HURTADO, MONTELONGO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
D. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
Chief Greg Garner introduced new Police Officers Angel Rincon-Gonzalez, Louis Moreno, Matthew Smith, and Robert Torres. The Oath of Office was administered by Deputy City Clerk Corina Tamez.
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Sanger City Council
City Council Minutes
July 21, 2022
E. PUBLIC FORUM
Public Comment:
Lupita Gonzalez Padilla said she was speaking on behalf of a friend who had a bathroom sewage flooding incident at her home on August 19, 2021. She said the City and a plumber were working in the area and that they caused the flooding. She said that she received a call from a City representative who informed her that the City was not responsible for the damages. Mrs.
Gonzalez Padilla asked for the City to look into the issue and would like the City to reimburse the family for their water damaged mattresses, clothes, shoes and boxed food.
Per Council consensus, item H-5 was moved to begin after E. Public Forum.
Enrique Valdez said July was an active month for crime in Sanger. He said he attends local meetings and he’s heard that Sanger is the sewer of crimes. He said he was recently assaulted by a transient in downtown Sanger and the Police Department arrested the transient. He is concerned over the crime in Sanger and wants the City Council to address the crime.
Councilmember Garza left the dais at 6:22 PM and returned at 6:24 PM.
Osvaldo Vera said he was concerned about the recent crime in Sanger.
An unidentified person said that the City Council works for the people. He said that oftentimes when residents are opposed to an issue that the City Council still votes against the public. He asked how long the City keeps the meeting records. He said that if the City Council was not having a meeting on August 4, that a Town Hall should take place instead so that the public can speak for more than 5 minutes.
Kevin Carter said there is a homelessness issue near Greenwood Ave. and the train tracks with over grown weeds and trash. The homeless people are breaking rocks and cement in the area and saw a shopping cart full of rocks/cements on Academy Ave. near State Foods and piles of cement near Bethel Ave. by Me-N-Eds and would like the City to look into the issue. He said that the City should not get involved in the food pantry as there are other organizations in town providing those services. The City has enough other projects to work on and that the City should re-evaluate its priority projects.
H. 5 SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL ITEM - City Water System Update.
City Manager Tim Chapa reported on the item.
Public Works Director John Mulligan presented on the item, including a list of the top water users in Sanger.
Discussion followed.
City Council Minutes
July 21, 2022
Public Comment:
Delores Melendez said that she lives at the Sanger Crossing apartments and shared her concerns about low water pressure and at times no water. She said the City Council needs to hear us more.
She said that she recently contacted the police department because she observed a person on a golf cart accessing the water valves and the person was not a City employee. She would like the City to look into the issue. She would also like for the City to provide the apartment residents with bottled water until the water issue is resolved. And for the City to put restrictions on water usage.
Kevin Carter said he had spoken with the previous City Manager about the need for new water wells and infrastructure and was told that the City was ok and ignored the need for new water wells. He gave City Manager Tim Chapa credit for addressing the water issue as best he can. He said that communication with the public about the water issue is important.
An unidentified person said he agrees with the mayor on the well issue. He said that everyone has become complacent and that if the contractors lived in Sanger that they might work on the issue differently.
Eva Tellez said that when she gets home from work, she has no water at her home.
F. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Hurtado pulled items F3, F4, and F7.
An unidentified person pulled item F1.
The Council by motion of Councilmember Montelongo approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:
2. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Payroll including Direct Deposit Nos. 57039 through 57245; Payroll Check Nos. 58467 through 58495; and Benefit Check Nos. 1796 through 1803.
5. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4).
The City Council waived the second reading and adopted Ordinance No. 2022-07 Repealing Article V of Chapter 82 of the Sanger City Code and Adopted New Article V to Chapter 82 relating to Urban Stormwater Quality Management.
6. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Transportation Development Act (TDA) Claim.
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-62 approving the Funding claim for Local Transportation Funds (TDA) and State Transit Assistance Funds (STAF) apportionment and authorized the Administrative Services Director to sign and submit the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Transportation Funding Claim.
City Council Minutes
July 21, 2022
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Garza and approved by the following vote:
AYES: ONTIVEROS, MARTINEZ, GARZA, HURTADO, MONTELONGO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
1. SUBJECT: INORMATIONAL ITEM - Warrants including Check Nos. 86757 through 86975.
City Manager Tim Chapa reported on the item.
An unidentified person asked why the per diem amounts were different and if there is a set rate.
City Manager Tim Chapa said the rates are different due to the duration of travel and travel location.
3. SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL ITEM - Police Department Monthly Report.
City Manager Tim Chapa reported on the item.
Councilmember Hurtado said she had concerns about the report and wanted to know what the Police Department is doing to reduce crime, and asked where crime is happening the most. She said that she wants the City to communicate with residents on what the Police Department is doing, and asked what the City Council can do to be proactive as possible.
Chief Garner presented on the item. He said the report reflects a decrease in overall crime by 15%. He said the Police Department will continue doing what it is doing to address crime in Sanger.
Public Comment:
An unidentified person asked if the recent Police Officers were new hires or replacements? He said if officers are leaving, then the City should pay the price to hire and retain officers.
Councilmember Hurtado asked for an update on the Downtown Business Watch.
Chief Garner said the group met a few months ago and he is working with the Sanger Chamber to schedule a next meeting.
4. SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL ITEM - Fire Department Monthly Report.
City Manager Tim Chapa reported on the item.
Councilmember Hurtado asked about the increase in blight at the Industrial area and what measures the Fire Departing is doing to prevent fires.
Chief Tarascou presented on the item.
City Council Minutes
July 21, 2022
7. SUBJECT: APPROVED - State Water Resource Control Board – California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program.
City Manager presented on the item.
The City Council by motion of Councilmember Hurtado adopted Resolution No.2022-63 approving a budget amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget to record the receipt and appropriation of $147,474.99 from the State Water Resource Control Board for the California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program for wastewater arrearages. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Montelongo and approved by the following vote:
AYES: ONTIVEROS, MARTINEZ, GARZA, HURTADO, MONTELONGO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
G. PUBLIC HEARING
1. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2022-01.
The City Council held a public hearing to hear all written and oral comments on Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2022-01.
Community Development Director David Brletic presented on the item.
Public Comment:
Delores Melendez asked if the City was going to continue building with the current low water pressure issue.
The City Council closed the public hearing.
The City Council by motion of Councilmember Hurtado conducted a public hearing and waived the full reading and introduced Ordinance No. 2022-06 Rezoning APN 315-096-18 from the C-P district to C-2 district for General Plan consistency. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Martinez and approved by the following vote:
AYES: ONTIVEROS, MARTINEZ, GARZA, HURTADO, MONTELONGO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
City Council Minutes
July 21, 2022
H. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
1. SUBJECT: Planning Commission Appointment.
City Manager Tim Chapa presented on the item.
The City Council by motion of Councilmember Hurtado approved the recommendation from Mayor Eli Ontiveros and Councilmember Esmeralda Hurtado to appoint Alvaro Alfaro Contreras on the Planning Commission. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Montelongo.
AYES: ONTIVEROS, MARTINEZ, GARZA, HURTADO, MONTELONGO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
2. SUBJECT: Side Letter Agreement with Sanger Police Officers Association regarding Minimum Qualifications – Police Corporal.
City Manager Tim Chapa reported on the item.
Chief Garner presented on the item.
Discussion followed.
Public comment:
An unidentified person said he did not agree with the City taking a short cut. The person considered has a lot of responsibilities. The City should add a qualification to be bilingual.
Kim Jones President of the Police Officers Association said that the minimum qualifications are not being taken away, it is still a requirement.
Delores Melendez said that the position should have higher education and the person hired should be monitored. She said that students are not taking short cuts and neither should police officers.
The City Council by motion of Councilmember Garza approved the Side Letter Agreement between the City of Sanger and the Sanger Police Officers Association as an addendum to the current MOU regarding a temporary adjustment to the minimum qualifications for appointment to the position of Police Corporal and authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Martinez.
AYES: MARTINEZ, GARZA, MONTELONGO
NOES: ONTIVEROS, HURTADO
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
3. SUBJECT: Third Amendment to School Resource Officer Agreement with City Council Minutes
July 21, 2022
Sanger Unified School District.
City Manager Tim Chapa reported on the item.
Chief Garner presented on the item.
The City Council by motion of Councilmember Garza approved the Third Amendment to the Agreement with Sanger Unified School District for School Resource Officer Services and authorized the City Manager to execute the Agreement. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Hurtado.
AYES: ONTIVEROS, MARTINEZ, GARZA, HURTADO, MONTELONGO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
4. SUBJECT: Training Request for Firefighter Maria Mireles-Flores.
City Manager Tim Chapa reported on the item.
Chief Tarascou presented on the item.
Public Comments:
Maria Mireles-Flores (Natali) said she was excited for the opportunity.
An unidentified person said it was a great program and it could make a difference in saving a person’s life. He said there should be more language to protect the employee. What if she gets ill or laid off?
Delores Melendez congratulated Maria and hopes the City Council will support her. She said education is important and that the police department could learn more about the importance of education.
The City Council by motion of Councilmember Montelongo approved Resolution No. 2022-64 authorizing a budget amendment in the amount of $10,000 to the current Measure “S” ten-year expenditure plan for the purposes of Paramedic training and approved Repayment Agreement between the City and Firefighter Mireles-Flores. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Hurtado.
AYES: ONTIVEROS, MARTINEZ, GARZA, HURTADO, MONTELONGO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
City Council Minutes
July 21, 2022
I. CITY MANAGER/STAFF COMMUNICATION
City Attorney Hilda Montoy announced that she was leaving the meeting; she left at 8:30 PM.
Mayor Ontiveros left the dais at 8:30 PM and returned at 8:32 PM.
Public Works Director John Mulligan provided an update on the City swimming pool, noting that the pool is officially open and will be open to the public next week.
City Manager Tim Chapa reported that a regular City Council meeting is scheduled for August 4, 2022, and several regular agenda items will be brought before the City Council.
J. MATTERS INITIATED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. Council Member Hurtado
a. When will The Criscom Company provide a presentation and listen to what we think are our priorities?
b. Councilmember Hurtado asked for a consensus to request that Code Enforcement look into blight at the south and north city entrances; she will email staff a list.
Consensus was given.
2. Council Member Montelongo
a. Asked if the police can patrol Greenwood Park. He has noticed that cars are parked on the grass area, which can damage the sprinklers.
b. Attended Hope Sanger event where they received $100,000 from Wells Fargo. c. That the City Council consider adding to the next agenda the proposal for the homeless initiative. Consensus was given.
d. Would like the Teleworking policy provided to City Council by the next meeting.
Consensus was given.
e. Requested an update on the $800,000 project list. Consensus was given.
3. Councilmember Garza
a. Requested an update on Lincoln Park.
City Manager Tim Chapa said it is a Sanger Unified School District project.
4. Mayor Ontiveros
a. Asked for a consensus to add a future agenda item to offer the East side residents bottled water. Consensus was given.
b. Due to the low water pressure issue, asked for a consensus to add a future agenda item to offer a 10%-15% discount on the water bill – Consensus was given.
K. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the Council adjourned their regular meeting at 8:53 PM.
City Council Minutes
July 21, 2022
ATTEST:
Corina Tamez, Deputy City Clerk