Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Sanger City Council
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2024
6:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER
1700th 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, Council Member Esmeralda Hurtado, Council Member Michael Montelongo, Council Member Dolores Melendez
Absent: None
C. AGENDA 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. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
1. Swearing-in ceremony for City Manager Nathan Olson.
Nathan Olson was sworn in as City Manager.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2024
E. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
1. Women’s History Month Proclamation.
Council Member Hurtado read the Women’s History Month Proclamation.
The Council called a recess at 6:07 pm and held a meet and greet with City Manager Olson.
The Council reconvened their meeting at 6:30 pm.
F. PUBLIC HEARING
The Council held a public hearing at 6:30 pm to discuss the updating of City Council District Boundaries as a result of annexation of property.
Public comment:
None.
The Council closed the public hearing.
The Council by motion of Council Member Hurtado received a report from staff on the draft map of City Council District Boundaries as a result of Annexation and accepted the Proposed Map adding territory to Council District 1. 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
G. PRESENTATIONS
1. Sanger Chamber of Commerce Report to the Council.
Karen Pearon, CEO/President of Sanger Chamber of Commerce, presented a report to the Coucnil.
Montelongo 6:50
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2024
H. PUBLIC FORUM
Unidentified member of the public stated that the best place for handicapped parking is in the middle of the block on 7th Street.
Osvaldo Vera stated he is the co-founder of the boxing club, and welcomed City Manager Olson.
Bonnie welcomed City Manager Nathan Olson.
I. CONSENT CALENDAR
The Council by motion of Council Member Montelongo approved the items on the Consent Calendar:
1. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on February 1, 2024, and the Special and Regular Meetings held on February 15, 2024.
2. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Final Acceptance for FY 21/22 Local Street Improvements Project.
The City Council:
1. Accepted the work for the FY 21/22 Local Street Improvements Project in the amount of $1,056,812.18;
2. Authorized recordation of the Notice of Completion with the Fresno County Recorder; and
3. Authorized payment of 5% retention in the amount of $52,840.61 to AJ Excavation, Inc. upon expiration of the 35-day lien period.
3. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Final Acceptance for K Street and Almond Avenue Reconstruction Project.
The City Council:
1. Accepted the work for the K Street and Almond Avenue Reconstruction Project in the amount of $535,352.44;
2. Authorized recordation of the Notice of Completion with the Fresno County Recorder; and
3. Authorized payment of 5% retention in the amount of $26,767.62 to AJ Excavation, Inc. upon expiration of the 35-day lien period.
4. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Report on the Sanger Fire Department’s Compliance with SB1205 and California Health and Safety Code Section 13146.4.
The City Council approved Resolution No. 2024-08 acknowledging acceptance of a report on the Sanger Fire Department’s compliance with SB120 5 and California Health and Safety Code Section 13146.4 for Calendar Year 2023.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2024
6. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Services for Firearm Destruction.
The City Council approved agreement with LSC Destruction, LLC, for the removal and destruction of firearms and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the City.
7. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Agreement with Fresno City College for Instructional Services.
The City Council approved the renewal contract with Fresno City College for the purposes of instructional services reimbursement, delegated to the Sanger Fire Department the authority to be the named Party on the Contract, and authorized the City Manager to sign the contract on behalf of the City.
8. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Agreement for Services with Fresno County.
The City Council approved three agreements with Fresno County, (i) for the Processing of Prisoners, (ii) for Police Protection Services, and (iii) for Law Enforcement Investigative Services; delegated to Sanger Police Department the authority to enter the agreements; and authorized the Police Chief to execute the agreements 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
I. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
1. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Consultant Services Agreement with LDA Partners, Inc.
Public comment:
Unidentified member of the public asked who will be approving the job.
The Council by motion of Council Member Montelongo approved the Consultant Services Agreement with LDA Partners, Inc. for design, architectural and engineering services for the creation of a Police Communications Center for the Sanger Police Department and authorized the 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:
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2024
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO, MELENDEZ NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
2. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Rules of Procedure for Conducting City Council Meetings.
Public comment:
Unidentified member of the public welcomed City Manager Olson and stated the rules of procedure serve as a good refresher course.
Kevin Carter indicated there have been times when he has requested the minutes or audio/video be posted to the website and it is done within a day.
The Council by motion of Mayor Pro Tem Martinez adopted Resolution No. 2024-09 establishing Rules of Procedure for Conducting City Council Meetings. The motion was seconded by Council Member Melendez and approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO, MELENDEZ NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
3. SUBJECT: Women’s History Month Event Budget.
Mayor Gonzalez left the dais at 7:21 pm.
Public comment:
Unidentified member of the public stated they appreciate Council Member Hurtado having this event.
Unidentified member of the public congratulated City Manager Olson and commended Council Member Hurtado for bringing Women’s History Month to the spotlight.
The Council by motion of Council Member Hurtado approved a budget transfer of $500 from salary savings within the City Manager department budget to the City Council department budget and authorized staff to include an additional allocation in the ongoing FY 2024-2025 operating budget. The motion was seconded by Council Member Montelongo and approved by the following vote:
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2024
AYES: MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO, MELENDEZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: GONZALEZ
4. SUBJECT: Reimbursement of Council Member Travel Expenses.
Mayor Gonzalez returned to the dais at 7:32 pm.
Council Member Hurtado recused herself from the agenda item and left the dais at 7:32 pm.
The Council by motion of Council Member Montelongo authorized reimbursement of $694.28 to Council Member Hurtado for travel expenses paid out-of-pocket for official City business in Fiscal Year 2022, and directed staff to prepare a formal budget policy for travel by Council Members in the next fiscal year budget. 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
Council Member Hurtado returned to the dais at 7:40 pm.
J. CITY MANAGER/STAFF COMMUNICATION
City Manager Nathan Olson
1. A ribbon cutting will be held soon for the opening of Chipotle, Starbucks, and Oil Changers.
2. The Fire Department received grant of in the amount of $850,000.
K. MATTERS INITIATED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Mayor Pro Tem Daniel Martinez
1. Congratulated and welcomed City Manager Olson and said he looks forward to the district ride-alongs.
2. Thanked staff for assisting with the transition to a new city manager.
3. Thank City Manager Olson for assisting with the pothole that turned out to be a water leak.
4. Great news regarding the grant money from Congressman Costa’s office for the Fire Station.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2024
5. Reminded Council of the $1 million received for the Veteran’s Park and the money received for the Communications Center. CrisCom is doing great work for the City.
6. Experiencing an issue in District 3 with mailboxes. This is the season for thievery of tax refund checks.
Council Member Esmeralda Hurtado
1. Congratulated and welcomed City Manager Olson on his new position.
2. Thanked Congressman Costa for securing almost a million dollars for the Fire Station.
3. Requested a consensus from Council to explore options on how to maintain the new Communication Center and to contract with neighboring cities that may need dispatch services. No consensus.
4. Requested consensus from Council for she and Council Member Melendez to attend the NALEO conference. City Attorney Hilda Montoy suggested Council Member Hurtado discuss with City Manager Olson and decide whether to bring the item back to Council.
5. Requested more gravel be placed in the alley behind Set Free to help prevent flooding.
6. Indicated that the crosswalk lighting placed on Academy Avenue was placed on the opposite end from where she had requested. She received an explanation from staff on the reason for the change in location but asked that in the future staff communicate changes sooner.
Council Member Michael Montelongo
1. Congratulated City Manager Olson.
2. Thanked Police Chief Garner for assisting and serving in the Interim City Manager position.
3. Requested an informational workshop regarding the wastewater treatment plant and an informational workshop regarding the business licenses consulting contract.
4. Thanked Public Works staff for their work during the rain.
5. Invited all to attend the car show and downtown festivities.
Council Member Dolores Melendez
1. Welcomed City Manager Olson.
2. Announced that the slide at JFK Park has been replaced and there are plans to work on splash pad starting March 20.
3. Requested staff look at Annadale Avenue behind railroad tracks.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2024
Mayor Frank Gonzalez
1. Suggested the Voting Center be held at a different location due to the raised cement on the Community Center.
2. Shared a recording of a call from Congressman Costa’s office advising him of the assistance with the remodel of Sanger Fire Station.
L. ADJOURNMENT
Being no further business, the Council adjourned their meeting at 8:00 pm.
ATTEST:
Rebeca Padron, City Clerk