Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Sanger City Council
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 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 6:02 p.m.
B. OP
ENING 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, 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. P
UBLIC FORUM
Tom Nicholson wished the Council a Merry Christmas.
Kevin Carter stated that some council members are abstaining when it is time to vote. He said they should stand up and be accountable and responsible. He said that when a member abstains they are avoiding taking a stand and dodging accountability and he does not feel they are representing constituents when they don’t vote. He stated that he thinks the Council should have spending limits for campaigns and the City should go back to having five districts and the mayor be chosen by the Council.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
December 21, 2023
Henry Provost stated that council members abstaining to vote are not doing what the people elected them to do which is to take care of business unless they have connection to the item. He stated that the handicap parking space in front of Tops is no longer there and that there is no handicap parking on 7
th street, only on crossing streets.
Unidentified audience member stated that he will not vote for Measure S unless funds are guaranteed for non-profits for gang and drug prevention. He said that a comment was made at the last meeting about the City having invested $4 million to non-profits and gang/drug prevention and said he would like to know where that figure came from.
Osvaldo Vera said he had a message from the Dolores Huerta Foundation: not a single person showed up for the potluck they were invited to.
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
The Council by motion of Mayor Pro Tem Martinez pulled Agenda Item E-2 and approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:
1. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Minutes of the Special Meeting held on September 26, 2023, Special Meeting and Regular Meetings held on November 16, 2023, and Special Meeting held on November 30, 2023.
3. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Payroll including Direct Deposit Nos. 61480 through 61722; Payroll Check Nos. 59318 through 59363; and Benefit Check Nos. 1944 through 1951.
4. SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL ITEM - Police Department Monthly Report.
5. SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL ITEM - Fire Department Monthly Report.
6. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Easement Acquisition – 1715 & 1717 7 th Street- Commercial Building.
T he City Council adopt ed Resolution No. 2023 -69, which accepts the Deed of Easement for right -of-way for pedestrian purposes along the 7 th Street frontage of the alley being partially reconstructed for access to a new commercial building located just south of City Hall on 7
th Street.
7. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Easement Acquisition – Access to North Sanger Recharge Property.
T he City Council adopt ed Resolution No. 2023 -70, which accepts the Deed of Easement for access purposes along the north property line of APN 315-051- 10 to the proposed groundwater recharge facility being constructed for the South Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
December 21, 2023
8. SUBJECT: APPROVED - North and Greenwood Sewer Lift Station Reconstruction Project Contract Award.
The City Council:
1. Awarded the contract for the project to DG Construction, Inc., 2167 Shaw Avenue, Suite 115 #2092, Clovis, CA 93611, in the amount of $1,164,727.00, as lowest responsive and responsible bidder; and
2. Approved a construction contingency for change orders in the amount of $116,470 (10%) for this project; and
3. Authorized the City Manager to sign contract documents on behalf of the City.
9. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Out of State Travel Request.
T he City Council approve d the Out of State travel and training for the Fire Department Executive Assistant and Billing Clerk to attend the National Conference on Ambulance Revenue Cycle, Management and Compliance (abc360) in Las Vegas, Nevada from March 12 – 14, 2024.
10. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Acquisition of Police Radios.
The City Council:
1. Approved the acquisition of 45 new Police Radios for equipping new hires and replacing aging handheld radios from Vincent Communications Inc. in the amount of $50,554.39; and
2. Approved the allocation of $50,554.39 from Measure S to fulfill requirements of this project.
11. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Participation in the Medi-Cal Intergovernmental Rate Range Program.
The City Council approved:
1. Health Plan Provider Amendment to Agreement between the City of Sanger and Anthem Blue Cross; and
2. Health Plan Provider Agreement between the City of Sanger and Cal-Viva Health.
12. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Fitness Reimbursement Program/Policy Amendment.
T he City Council approve d Resolution No. 2023- 71 adopting a revised City Employee Fitness Reimbursement Policy.
13. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Execute Restricted Grant Agreements with the California Department of Transportation.
T he City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-72 authorizing the City Manager to execute all Restricted Grant Agreements and any amendments thereto with the California Department of Transportation for the Clean California Local Grant Program Cycle 2.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Hurtado and approved by the following vote:
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
December 21, 2023
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO, MELENDEZ NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
2. SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL ITEM - Warrants including Check Nos. 90527 through 90736.
Unidentified audience member asked what the money was spent on for check numbers 90613 and 90618 dated October 6, 2023.
F. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
1. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Consultant Services Agreement with The Lew Edwards Group.
Public comment:
Osvaldo Vera said he worked very hard for Measure S but thought there would be more invested in the children but it hasn’t happened and if it doesn’t Measure S is gone.
Efren Rubio submitted written comment and asked that his comment be read into the record (recording posted on the City’s website).
Unidentified audience member stated that non-profits are a key issue to gang prevention and drug prevention. He said the consultants are good at their job but if they can’t guarantee that non-profits will receive a portion of money then the City will be throwing away $102,000.
Kevin Carter stated that the only thing being voted on today is whether the City will hire a company to present opinions on what should be done and advise the City on next steps.
The Council by motion of Council Member Montelongo approved the Consultant Services Agreement with The Lew Edwards Group in the amount of $102,250 to provide planning, communications, and engagement services for the purpose of placing the renewal of Measure S special tax on the November 2024 General Election ballot and authorized the Interim City Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the City. 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
December 21, 2023
G. CITY MANAGER/STAFF COMMUNICATION
Interim City Manager Greg Garner announced the following:
1. City Hall will be closed on December 26 and December 29. All essential services will remain open. The senior lunch program will be open. The Wastewater and Water Divisions will be fully staffed. The Streets, Parks & Facilities Division will have staff available to respond.
2. Staff had an opportunity to have a discussion with the Senior Citizen Coordinator on how to apply with grants and the proper procedure.
H. MATTERS INITIATED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member Esmeralda Hurtado
1. Requested and received consensus to have the handicap parking on 7th street repainted and/or fixed.
2. Announced that 7th Street is in the works for repair.
Council Member Michael Montelongo
1. Thanked Staff for doing a great job and the Chamber as well.
2. Thanked the Sanger Scene for the positive publicity about the community and events.
3. Thanked all members of the public present for their efforts to come and speak.
4. Wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Council Member Dolores Melendez
1. Thanked the Public Works Department for doing a good job.
2. Thanked the Chamber for their hard work with events which is the Council’s way to get close to the community.
3. Thanked the members of the public for their comments so Council is aware.
4. Wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Mayor Frank Gonzalez
1. Thanked the Public Works Department for their work.
2. Indicated that he likes the idea of having five districts and having everyone on a four-year term brings continuity.
3. Indicated that Measure S is a public safety tax and the way it’s spent is public knowledge.
Anyone can look at past budgets and see how the money was spent.
4. Asked that Staff look into the checks brought up during public comment and provide clarification at the next meeting.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
December 21, 2023
I. P
UBLIC COMMENT PRIOR TO CLOSED SESSION
None.
J. C
LOSED SESSION
The Council adjourned to Closed Session at 6:48 p.m.
1. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Xochitl Sanchez v. City of Sanger, et al.
Fresno Co. Superior Court Case No. 22CECG00099
The Council reconvened their meeting at 7:06 p.m.
K. C
ITY ATTORNEY REPORT FROM CLOSED SE SSION
City Attorney Hilda Cantu Montoy announced no reportable action was taken in Closed Session.
L. ADJ
OURNMENT ‘
Being no further business, the Council adjourned their Regular Meeting at 7:07 p.m.
ATTEST:
Rebeca Padron, City Clerk