Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Sanger City Council
THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2023
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 6:00 PM.
B. OPENING CEREMONIES
The invocation was offered by Pastor Paul Canaday.
The flag salute was led by Mayor Frank Gonzalez.
Roll Call
Present: Mayor Frank Gonzalez, Mayor Pro Tem Daniel Martinez, C ouncilmember Esmeralda Hurtado, Councilmember Michael Montelongo, Councilmember Dolores Melendez
Absent: None
C. A GENDA APPROVAL, ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS
The Council by motion of Mayor Pro Tem Martinez deleted Agenda Item D-1 and approved the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Montelongo and approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO, MELENDEZ NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
D. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
1. Introduction of newly appointed EMTs Wayne Clark and Sherry Velasquez.-DELETED
2. The City Council recognized Veterans of Foreign Wars, Sanger Post 7198, “Voice of Democracy” essay winner Wyatt Bigham and “Patriots Pen” essay winner Elijah Bromell.
3. Councilmember Esmeralda Hurtado presented the March 2023 Women’s History Month Proclamation.
City Council Minutes
March 2, 2023
The City Council called for a recess at 6:10 PM for a reception in honor of Women’s History Month.
The Council reconvened their meeting at 6:19 PM.
E. P UBLIC FORUM
Jake Azalian of Set Free Church announced the motorcycle bike blessing held at Grace Church in which 50 people attended.
Kevin Carter said he feels that the relationship between Council and staff is strained.
Jason Garcia said he lives on O Street and they have had a sewage issue for a month. He said they are not able to drink the water or use the bathroom. He said the landlord has tried to resolve the issue by hiring Albritten but Albritten said they need the City’s help.
Clara Mendoza Martinez said she is the owner of the house on O Street that has had sewage issues.
She said Albritten cleaned the line but the issue is from the City’s line. She said the issue is affecting the entire neighborhood.
Henry Provost said the house with the sewage issue is near his rental house. He said the sewage issue has to be the City’s line because it pushes water back into the rental house.
Alma Garcia, resident at 404 O Street, said she is very displeased with what is going on in her residence. She said they cannot use the bathrooms, showers, and water and the City tells her it is not their problem.
Geoff Lickey said he is still receiving code enforcement citations for having a basketball court on the street.
F. CON SENT CALENDAR
The Council by motion of Councilmember Montelongo approved the following item on the Consent Calendar:
1. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Minutes of the Special and Regular Meetings held on February 16, 2023.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Martinez and approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO, MELENDEZ NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
City Council Minutes
March 2, 2023
G. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
1. SUBJECT: Recommendation to Decline Determination of Public Convenience or Necessity.
The City Council by motion of Mayor Pro Tem Martinez declined to make Determinations of Public Convenience or Necessity (PCN) for persons/premises applying for an ABC license and as such, PCN determinations will revert to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Hurtado and approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO, MELENDEZ NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
2. SUBJECT: Appointments to the Commission to Advance the Status of Women and Girls.
The Council by motion of Councilmember Hurtado approved the Mayor’s appointments to the City’s Commission to Advance the Status of Women and Girls as listed below and adopted Resolution No. 2023-08 authorizing the appointments.
District 1 – Maricela Martinez Rodriguez
District 2 – NA
District 3 – Karen Pearson
District 4 – Delilah Elizondo
Youth at Large – Alyssa Tarango
Adult at Large – Breanna Trejo
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Melendez and approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO, MELENDEZ NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
H. CI TY MANAGER/STAFF COMMUNICATION
1. Water System/Emergency Declaration Update.
City Engineer Josh Rogers presented.
City Council Minutes
March 2, 2023
2. City Council Special Projects Update.
Public Works Director John Mulligan presented. The list of the Special Projects is attached to these minutes as Exhibit “A”.
I. MAT TERS INITIATED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. SUBJECT: Budget Amendment for Women ’s History Month Celebration.
The Council by motion of Councilmember Montelongo approved an allocation of $1,500 for Women’s History Month Celebration and if adopted Resolution No. 2023-09 authorizing the budget amendment. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Hurtado and approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO, MELENDEZ NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
2. City Council Budget Goals and Objectives for FY 2023-2024 and FY 2024-2025.
City Manager Tim Chapa presented.
Public comment:
Clara Mendoza said the sewage issue is bad but is not on the priority list.
Henry Provost said the Council needs to have a foundation for stuff they want to do.
Kevin Carter said the Council needs to stick to the basics: police, fire, water, sewer, garbage, then infrastructure, code enforcement, animal control, and the North Academy annexation.
Karen Pearson said the Council should consider more competitive packages to incentivize what other communities are offering and more staffing for Public Works.
By consensus, the Council added water/sewer infrastructure and more staffing to the Council Budget Goals and Objectives for FY 2023-2024 and FY 2024-2025.
3. Mayor Pro Tem Martinez
• Said he appreciates the work of Public Works staff.
• Requested and received consensus to place an item on a future meeting agenda for consideration of an ordinance regarding catalytic converter theft.
City Council Minutes
March 2, 2023
4. Councilmember Hurtado
• Said she met with representatives from Congressman Costa’s office and was informed that the fiscal year 2024 budget plans have been released and cities have ten days to request funds for projects. She requested a consensus to submit request for funding sewer infrastructure on O Street and J Street, and for an animal shelter. Consensus was not given.
• Requested an update on the Downtown Façade Improvement Program. • Said trash is piled on the railroad tracks behind Bise and AM/PM and asked staff to contact the railroad company to request that it be picked up. • Asked that the trees at Sanger Park be assessed for their condition. • Asked whether the City has designated truck routes.
5. Councilmember Montelongo
• Requested and received consensus for the City Manager to meet with Allbritten regarding the sewage issue on O Street.
• Thanked Public Works staff for their work during the storms. • Said School Resource Officers did a great job during the incident at the high school involving a gun.
6. Councilmember Melendez
• Said the potholes on J Street and Edgar Avenue are resurfacing. • Said trash is piled up behind Anytime Fitness and asked staff to contact the railroad company to request they clean it up.
• Asked that furniture dumped in the alley between Faller Avenue and I Street be picked up
• Requested and received a consensus to place an item on a future meeting agenda to request approval of out of state travel to attend the NALEO conference. • Said she will not be in attendance at the next meeting because she will be attending her son’s graduation from the Air Force.
7. Councilmember Hurtado requested and received a consensus to place an item on a future meeting agenda to request approval for out of state travel to attend the NALEO conference.
8. Mayor Gonzalez asked whether the cameras in downtown are operational. City Manager Chapa said he will follow up.
J. ADJOUR NM
ENT
Being no further business, the Council adjourned their meeting at 9:09 PM.
ATTEST:
Rebeca P. Ramirez, City Clerk