HAS TREE CITY
SANGER Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Sanger City Council THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2023
6:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER
1700 7h Street, Sanger, California 93657
A. CALL TO ORDER
The City Council called their meeting to order at 6:01 PM.
A. OPENING CEREMONIES
The invocation was offered by Pastor Bobby Velasco from Believe Church.
The flag salute was led by Mayor Frank Gonzalez.
Roll Call
Present: Mayor Frank Gonzalez, Mayor Pro Tem Daniel Martinez, Councilmember Esmeralda Hurtado, Councilmember Michael Montelongo, Councilmember Dolores Melendez
Absent: None
AGENDA APPROVAL, ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS
The Council by motion of Councilmember Montelongo approved the Agenda as posted. 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
C. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
Recognition of Alyssa Samorano, USA Boxing Nationals Champion.
Alyssa was not present at the time of recognition and it was motioned by Mayor Gonzalez to have it moved to the next available Council meeting.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 3, 2023
D. PUBLIC FORUM
Stephine, a local Sanger resident and home owner spoke to Council on the concerns she has with the safety of herself and others from the homeless that are trespassing and stealing from homes.
Mrs. Gonzalez, a local Sanger resident spoke to Council regarding garbage that is being illegally dropped off in the alley near her home. She also spoke on the concerns of the Chicken Factory" employees not using the cross walk.
Mr. Rocha spoke to Council about the need for transparency regarding the last scheduled Council meeting on July 20 that was canceled due to the Mayor not being able to attend as well as other Councilmembers.
Mr. Carter, a local Sanger resident read a social media posting from an unidentified Councilmember regarding a special meeting that they were unable to attend. The meeting involved voting the next steps to start the search for a new City Manager. Mr. Carter said the Council was as transparent as possible.
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
The Council by motion of Mayor Pro Tem Martinez pulled Agenda Items F-6, F-7, F-8, and F-9 and approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:
SUBJECT: APPROVED - Minutes of the Special and Regular Meetings held on July 6 2023, and the Special Meeting held on July 13, 2023.
2. SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL ITEM - Warrants including Check Nos. 89375 through 89675.
3. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Payroll including Direct Deposit Nos. 60026 through 60259; Payroll Check Nos. 59006 through 59047; and Benefit Check Nos. 1900 through 1907.
SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL ITEM - Police Department Monthly Report.
5. SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL ITEM - Fire Department Monthly Report.
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
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 3, 2023
SUBJECT: Destruction of Public Records that Exceed Legal Retention Periods.
Public Comment:
Audience member Mr. Rocha spoke on his concerns of not knowing the timeline and/or duration of a document before a document can be destroyed.
After further discussion, the Council by motion of Mayor Pro Tem Martinez approved Resolution No. 2023-37 authorizing the destruction of certain records held by the Finance Department and City Clerk/Human Resources Department in accordance with State Law and the Sanger City Code. 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
SUBJECT: Letter of Support - Kings River Conservancy Grant: Peck Island.
Councilmember Hurtado asked for more information on the organization and who is requesting the letter of support. She also asked if there would be any water rights involved in obtaining the land and whether other cities have signed a support letter.
Acting City Manager Greg Garner stated that the conservancy is to purchase the land for birds and native wildlife use. Acting City Manager Garner stated there are no water rights in the purchase and they are wanting the letter of support to apply for the grant that they not have yet received. Mayor Gonzalez stated he knows that the City of Reedley has signed the letter.
Councilmember Montelongo stated his understanding of the conservancy was requested years prior and the use is for natural wildlife.
After further discussion, the Council by motion of Mayor Pro Tem Martinez approved and authorized the Mayor to sign the Letter of Support for the Kings River Conservancy for grant funding to acquire the Peck Island Site in Fresno County. 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
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 3, 2023
SUBJECT: Approval of Final Parcel Map No. 2022-02.
Public Comment:
Mr. Rocha asked where the parcels were located. Acting City Manager Garner said the location is by Walmart.
After further discussion, the Council by motion of Councilmember Montelongo adopted Resolution No. 2023-38 approving the Final Parcel Map No. 2022-02. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Martinez and approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO, MELENDEZ NOES:
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
SUBJECT: Measure C Extension Local Transportation Program Funds.
After further discussion, the Council by motion of Mayor Pro Tem Martinez adopted Resolution No. 2023-39 certifying eligibility and claiming Measure C Extension Local Transportation Program Funds for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 and authorized the Administrative Services Director to sign and submit the Fiscal Year 2023-24 claims. 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
G. PUBLIC HEARING
1. SUBJECT: Zoning Ordinance Map Amendment No. 2023-02 and Initiation of Annexation of Subject Properties and the Somerset Residential Community Project.
The Council held a public hearing to discuss Zoning Ordinance Map Amendment No. 2023-02 and Initiation of Annexation of Subject Properties and the Somerset Residential Community Project.
Public Comment:
Mrs. Gonzalez, a local Sanger resident spoke to Council on topic of the lot designs being too small and not realistic to the community's needs.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 3, 2023
Unidentified member of the public spoke to Council on how the park and zoning project is a great project to bring new homes to the community. He stressed that growing the city is great, but the water issue has to be resolved.
Jim Robertson, from Somerset Valley Homes spoke to Council on his availability to answer any questions or concerns regarding the project.
Unidentified member of the public spoke to Council on how the water issue is being resolved.
They stated the park and zoning, along with housing is needed for growth of the city, along with revenue. He stated that this development has nothing to do with the city's water issue.
Mr. Carter, a local Sanger resident spoke to Council regarding a previous comment made by a member of the public and said there was no belittling or badgering involved during last meeting.
Unidentified member of the public spoke to Council on the concerns of the zoning and building of the homes. They stated that growth is good for the city, but questioned what the plan would be if the city has another water issue.
Mr. Rocha spoke to Council on how he did not like the plan and the zoning. He stated that the water issue is a bigger issue and there is no need to rush into building more homes.
The Council closed the public hearing.
The Council by motion of Mayor Pro Tem Martinez:
1. Waived the full reading and introduced by title only Ordinance No. 2023-07 an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Sanger approving Zoning Ordinance Map Amendment No. 2023-02 for the pre-annexation zoning of two parcels from Fresno County's AE-10 (Exclusive Agricultural) to the City's R-1-6 (Single Family Residential Distret) for two parcels of approximately 28.37 acres generally located south of E. North Avenue, east of S.
Bethel Avenue, and west of S. Greenwood Avenue (APNs 332-090-01 and 332-090-03); and
2. Approved Resolution No. 2023-40, to request the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) to undertake proceedings for the Annexation of the Somerset Residential Community Project area and surrounding properties into the City of Sanger.
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Montelongo and approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, MONTELONGO
NOES: HURTADO, MELENDEZ
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 3, 2023
H. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
1. SUBJECT: Somerset Park Design Options.
Community Development Director David Brletic presented the examples park lay outs and a report on public input. A summary of those findings were that many members of the public prefer baseball/softball park options.
Public Comment:
Member of the public, Alan C. spoke to Council on the importance making a park that caters to all but mostly to the softball community.
Member of the public, Juliana spoke to Council on how she and her teammates have asked for more support from the City in providing a place to play softball. She said there are no options in Sanger that support softball, but only baseball. She asked them to consider making the park for softball for them to have a safe and clean place to practice and have tournaments.
Unidentified member of public spoke on how softball is important to her and her teammates. She stated that if the park is softball friendly it will build the way for more girls to become great softball players.
Mr. Rocha spoke on his agreement with the previous public comments regarding the park. He would like to see Sanger have more ADA friendly parks and have a sports complex, not just parks.
Unidentified member said the project and the park are great ideas. He stated that he would like to see some type of running path in the park to conduct boxing practice when they need to exercise.
Jim Robertson, from Somerset Valley Homes spoke to Council on his availability to answer any questions they may have about the project.
The Council by motion of Councilmember Montelongo voted to bring the item back on August 17, 2023 for Council action. 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
The Council called for a recess at 7:59 PM.
The Council resumed their meeting at 8:08 PM.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 3, 2023
2. SUBJECT: Employee Health Insurance and Benefit Broker Services.
The Council by motion of Mayor Pro Tem Martinez approved the Insurance Brokerage Consultant Services Agreement with Keenan & Associates for the period of July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026 and authorized the Acting City Manager to execute the Agreement. The motion was seconded by Mayor Gonzalez and approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO, MELENDEZ NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
3. SUBJECT: Award of Design-Build Contract for Sanger Fire Station Remodel Project.
Public Comment:
Mr. Rocha spoke on his concern about any delay to fire services due to construction of the building.
He suggests building a separate station to house the employees.
Unidentified member of the public spoke on the importance of remodeling the station and the need to act fast for the safety of the employees and Sanger residents.
The Council by motion of Councilmember Montelongo:
Adopted Resolution No. 2023-41 awarding the design-build contract for the Sanger Fire Station Remodel Project to Diede Construction, Inc. in the amount of $9,305,000 and authorizing the Acting City Manager to execute the contract on behalf of the City; and Adopted Resolution No. 2023-42 approving funding a portion of the Fire Station Remode roject from the General Fund Unassigned Balance in the amount of 52000.000 an Replenishment of that Fund Balance with Ambulance Revenues.
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
I. CITY MANAGER/STAFF COMMUNICATION
None.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 3, 2023
MATTERS INITIATED BY CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Hurtado requested and received consensus to have CISA make a presentation to Council regarding cyber security.
Councilmember Montelongo requested and received consensus to place an item on the next meeting agenda to discuss legislative bill SB 423 regarding housing projects.
K. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the Council adjourned their meeting at 8:58 PM.
ATTEST: