Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Sanger City Council
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2023
6:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER
1700 7th Street, Sanger, California 93657
A. C ALL TO ORDER
The City Council called their meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
B. OP
ENING CEREMONIES
The invocation was offered by Pastor Jessica Guerra.
The flag salute was led by Mayor Frank Gonzalez.
Roll Call
Present: Mayor Frank Gonzalez, Mayor Pro Tem Daniel Martinez, Council Member Esmeralda Hurtado, Council Member Michael Montelongo, Council Member Dolores Melendez
Absent: None
C. AGE
NDA APPROVAL, ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS
The Council by motion of Council Member 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
D. C
EREMONIAL MATTERS
1. Fire Chief Greg Tarascou introduced newly appointed Firefighters Julia Alonso, Wayne Clark, Caleb Nelson, and Sofia McWilliams.
E. P
RESENTATIONS
1. Administrative Services Director Patrick Chaffee gave an introduction/presentation of the new audio/video system in the Council Chamber.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 2, 2023
F. PUBLIC FORUM
Unidentified audience member stated the new audio/video system is a great thing and asked if any features will be added to help Spanish-speaking people and if livestream will be implemented.
David Santos, representative from the Office of Senator Anna Caballero, introduced himself to the Council and said he looks forward to collaborating with the City on future projects.
Unidentified audience member made comment about an accident on Academy and Annadale Avenues involving a little girl and said it is sad because the City is not doing anything.
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
The Council by motion of Mayor Pro Tem Martinez pulled Agenda Item G-3 for further discussion and approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:
1. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Minutes of the Special and Regular Meetings held on October 19, 2023.
2. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Ordinance Approving Zoning Map Amendment No. 2023-01.
T he City Council waived the full second reading, and adopted Ordinance No. 2023- 08 amending the City of Sanger Zoning Map, to change the zoning of real property from the C -4 (General Commercial) district to the C -M (Commercial and Light Manufacturing) district consistent with the General Plan designations for the properties (APNs: 320-011-17, 320-011-19, and 320-011-021).
The motion was seconded by Council Member Montelongo and approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO, MELENDEZ NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
3. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Approval of Final Parcel Map No. 2022-01.
After further discussion, the Council by motion of Council Member Hurtado adopt ed Resolution No. 2023-60 approving Final Parcel Map No. 2022-01. 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 Regular Meeting Minutes
November 2, 2023
H. PUBLIC HEARING
The City Council held a public hearing to discuss the annexation of territory to Sanger Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District No. 2, Area 1, and the establishment of a levy of assessments.
City Clerk Rebeca Padron declared that the Notice of Public Hearing was published on October 23, 2023.
Mayor Gonzalez opened the public comment period to hear protests, comments, and questions.
No public comment was offered.
City Clerk Padron declared:
a. The sole property owner, D.R. Horton CA3, Inc., has filed a written waiver that expressly waives the resolutions, report, notices of hearing, and right of majority protest, and consents to a public hearing and adoption of a Resolution by the City Council ordering annexation and levy of the property; and
b. Said waiver expressly waives any requirement to have a ballot and majority protest proceeding per Government Code Section 53753 or as may be permitted by the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972; and
c. No written prot ests were received by the City.
Mayor Gonzalez closed the public hearing.
The Council by motion of Mayor Pro Tem Martinez adopted Resolution No. 2023-61 confirming and ordering annexation into Sanger Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District No. 2, Area 1, and establishing a levy of assessments for the annexed territory (Annexation No. 23-01). The motion was seconded by Council Member Montelongo and approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, MONTELONGO, MELENDEZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: HURTADO
ABSENT: NONE
I. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
1. SUBJECT: Façade I mprovement Grant Program - Review of Guidelines and Program Requirements.
Public comment:
Karen Pearson stated that she has helped business owners with their applications but the wording is misleading because it seems like business owners are eligible but then property owners are eligible and they may want to use the grant for other buildings. She said the application needs to be updated.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 2, 2023
Unidentified audience member stated they think it is a beautiful program.
Unidentified audience member suggested the limit of $10,000 be increased because they spend $12,000 on doors.
Council Member Montelongo made a motion to allow applicants to provide one bid from a California licensed contractor for qualified improvements and to allow applicants to include any previously completed, qualified improvements towards securing grant funds if the work was completed by a licensed contractor and within the timeframe the grant was made available. Council Member Hurtado seconded the motion. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO, MELENDEZ NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Council Member Hurtado made a motion to allow applicants to provide receipts for costs incurred for obtaining a title report and include it in grant funds available. Mayor Pro Tem Martinez seconded the motion. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO, MELENDEZ NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Council Member Hurtado made a motion to allow multiple applications from a single property owner when property owner has ownership of multiple sites, excluding vacant store fronts with no operating business. The motion failed for lack of second.
Council Member Montelongo made a motion to allow multiple applications from a single property owner when property owner has ownership of multiple sites. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hurtado and approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO, MELENDEZ NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
2. SUBJECT: Initiation of Vacation and Setting the Date, Hours, and Place for Public Hearing to Consider the Vacation of an unnamed existing alley between Cherry and Edgar Avenues, and West of Academy Avenue.
Council Member Hurtado recused herself from the agenda item because she is employed by Self Help Enterprises and left the dais at 7:20 PM.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 2, 2023
Public comment:
Unidentified audience member stated the area has been a dead zone and it would be good if it is going to be used for the community.
The Council by motion of Council Member Montelongo:
(i) Adopted Resolution No. 2023- 62, authorizing the initiation of proceedings to vacate a portion of the subject alley; and
(ii) Adopted Resolution No. 2023-63, to accept the report from the Planning Commission on the conformance of the proposed vacation with the City’s General Plan and set December 7, 2023 at 6:00 PM at City Council Chamber as the date, hour, and place for the public hearing to consider whether to vacate a por tion of the subject alley located between Cherry Avenue and Edgar Avenue, West of Academy Avenue and South of the already vacated portion of the alley.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Martinez and approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, MONTELONGO, MELENDEZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN (RECUSAL): HURTADO
ABSENT: NONE
The Council called for a recess at 7:40 PM.
The Council reconvened their meeting at 7:45 PM.
Council Member Hurtado returned to the dais after the recess.
3. SUBJECT: Fire Department Strategic Plan.
Public comment:
Unidentified audience member stated the Fire Department needs the services and the funds.
The Council by motion of Council Member Hurtado approved Resolution No. 2023-64 authorizing a budget amendment in the amount of $30,000 to the current Measure “S” ten-year expenditure plan for the purposes of obtaining consulting services to assist with developing a five-year strategic plan for the Fire Department. 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 Regular Meeting Minutes
November 2, 2023
J. CITY MANAGER/STAFF COMMUNICATION
Interim City Manager Greg Garner announced that the City was awarded a COPS grant in the amount of $600,000 for the hiring of additional police officers.
K. MATTERS INITIATED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. SUBJECT: City Council Meetings and Rules of Decorum.
Public comment:
Unidentified audience member asked what “waiving” the reading means.
City Attorney Hilda Cantu Montoy stated the language is required to be used by the Government Code and allows that a the full ordinance does not have to be read line by line however, a full copy can be found in the agenda packet.
Kevin Carter stated this is needed because meetings have become too vocal and out of hand. He said the Council needs to strictly enforce the rules. He said he has been embarrassed by audience behavior the past six months.
Unidentified audience member asked what about cell phones and texting. She said the Council needs to put away their cell phones and focus on the audience.
The Council by motion of Council Member Montelongo waived full reading and introduce d Ordinance No. 2023-09 Amending Section 2-26 of the Sanger Municipal Code and Adding Section 2-30 Relating to Regular Meetings of the Council and Rules of Decorum at Meetings. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Martinez and approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, MONTELONGO, MELENDEZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: HURTADO
ABSENT: NONE
Mayor Pro Tem Martinez
1. The Trunk or Treat event was amazing.
2. Received invitation to ribbon cutting of first responder center overseen by the State Community College Board.
3. Requested and received consensus to direct staff to negotiate modification to agreement with The CrisCom Company to include lobbying services.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 2, 2023
Council Member Hurtado
1. Requested update on projects that The CrisCom Company is working on.
Interim City Manager to send informational memo. The CrisCom Company representatives to appear at Council meeting when negotiated agreement is presented.
Council Member Montelongo
1. The Town Hall meeting on fentanyl will be held on November 13. Flyers are going out on social media. Narcan will be distributed at the Town Hall.
Council Member Melendez
1. The Trunk or Treat event was a huge success.
2. Veteran’s Day Parade will be held on Saturday at 11 AM.
Mayor Gonzalez
1. The EIFD meeting was cancelled. Met with Kosmont representatives at the League conference. They indicated that they are interested in helping the City give that program a boost. Directed staff to reach out to Kosmont for more information.
2. Good luck to the Sanger High Apaches Football team in their playoff game.
3. Sanger High Water Polo team beat Reedley.
4. Attending conference in Atlanta next week.
5. Attended COG meeting and talked about reenergizing One Voice trip. Will request Council travel budget be amended to allow for participation.
L. PUBLIC COMMENT PRIOR TO CLOSED SESSION
None.
M. CLOSED SESSION
The Council adjourned to Closed Session at approximately 8:30 PM.
1. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Agency Designated Representatives: Interim City Manager, City Clerk/Deputy Personnel Officer, Lead Negotiator Shelline Bennett
Employee Organization: Sanger Firefighters Association
The Council reconvened their meeting at 8:52 PM.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 2, 2023
N. C
ITY ATTORNEY REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Montoy announced no reportable action was taken in Closed Session.
O. ADJ
OURNMENT
Being no further business, the Council adjourned their meeting at 8:53 PM.
ATTEST:
Rebeca Padron, City Clerk