Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Sanger City Council
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
6:00 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBER
1700 7th Street, Sanger, California 93657
A. CALL TO ORDER
The City Council called their meeting to order at 6:03 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 T em 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. PUBLIC FORUM
Unidentified audience member said it was his fourth time asking for the status of the Tom Flores banner. He shared his concern for the $2 million being spent on roadwork on Bethel Ave., and that other roads should be repaired. He also shared his concern about the City pay raises.
Unidentified audience member said that trash needs to be picked up in the alleys. She said that mattresses and other trash are dumped in her alleyway and said it was the City’s responsibility and not hers to clean it up. She also said that JFK park needs to be cleaned up.
City Council Special Meeting Agenda
September 19, 2024
Jacob Zalian said he and his group have been cleaning up trash around the city. He asked if the City can repair the alley behind the Set Free Sanger building to prevent the building from flooding when it rains. He will call the City.
Osvaldo Vera asked the City to clean up the parks.
Unidentified audience member said that it was embarrassing that the City does not have festivities to celebrate Mexican Heritage Month. He also said that Council should listen when the public speaks and give courtesy and respect.
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
The Council by motion of Mayor Pro Tem Martinez pulled items E3 and E4 for further discussion and approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:
1. SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL ITEM - Police Department Monthly Report.
2. SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL ITEM - Fire Department Monthly Report.
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 designated signatories for City of Sanger Financial Accounts.
That the City Council:
1. Approve Resolution 2024-63, Authorizing Investment of Monies in the Local Agency Investment Fund; and
2. Approve Resolution 2024-64, Authorizing and Designating Certain City Officials with Signatory Authority; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to sign and submit all required documentation.
Assistant City Manager Michelle Speer presented on the item.
Public Comment:
Unidentified audience member asked if two signatures are required when money is moved around.
He also asked why former staff were left as signatories, and if they still have access to the funds.
Assistant City Manager Speer said that two signatures are required when moving funds. She also said that although the names of former staff were still listed as signatories, there was never a risk to access the city accounts as their access to the accounts were terminated when they left the City.
City Council Special Meeting Agenda
September 19, 2024
The Council by motion of Council Member Montelongo approved item E3. 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
4. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Extension of the Agreement between the City of Sanger and the Sanger District Chamber of Commerce.
That the City Council approve Amendment No. 5 to the Agreement between the City of Sanger and the Sanger District Chamber of Commerce for their contractual services, in the amount of $6,666.67 per month through December 30, 2024.
City Manager Olson presented on the item noting that there were no changes to the contract, and it was simply to allow the city to legally pay the Chamber of Commerce for their work from July to September 2024.
Public comment:
Unidentified audience member asked why not extend the amendment through June 2025?
City Manager Olson said that the reason the amendment is for a few months is because the Chamber wants to renegotiate their contract with the City, and waiting for the City budget. Once the budget is approved, the contract will be renegotiated.
Sharri Carter, Chamber of Commerce member said she if the public wants to know about the chamber contract, it is public record. The public may also contact the Chamber staff or City Manager Olson for information.
Unidentified audience member questioned the contract amount of $56,000 to $80,00 a year and said the Chamber should prove it is worth it.
Karen Pearson of the Sanger Chamber said the contract in 2016 was $60,000.
The Council by motion of Council Member Montelongo, approved item E4. 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
F. CITY MANAGER/STAFF COMMUNICATION
City Manager Olson reported that the Tom Flores signage was delayed due to a licensing issue with the NFL.
City Manager Olson announced that the City has received a check from Pitman Farms totaling $999,999.99, which was paid one year in advance. These funds will be allocated to the impact fees.
City Council Special Meeting Agenda
September 19, 2024
G. REPORTS AND MATTERS INITIATED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Mayor Pro Tem Martinez
1. Attended the National Night Out and Farmers Market events.
2. Serves as a Commissioner for the Fresno EOC. The EOC recently sponsored a computer literacy program for Seniors at the Sanger Senior Center and at the conclusion of the class, the seniors were able to keep their iPad.
3. Thanked the City Manager and the Police Chief for promptly responding to citizen concerns.
Council Member Hurtado - None
Council Member Montelongo
1. Thanked the City Manager for promptly responding to citizen concerns quickly.
2. Attended the National Night Out.
Council Member Melendez
1. Asked for an update on the JFK park trail. City Manager Olson said the item will be presented to Council soon.
2. Thanked the Chamber of Commerce for the recent Farmers Market and also thanked the Chiefs for the National Night Out event.
Mayor Frank Gonzalez
1. Reported that the Tom Flores banners that were hung in downtown had to be removed because the image was trademarked and failure to remove the banners would result in a fine.
2. Has heard from the community regarding road concerns and stated that he would like for the City Engineer to present a workshop on the 5-year plan and how roads are selected for repairs.
3. Asked about the small building across from the Fire Department. Chief Tarasco responded that the building is used for storage and medical supplies.
4. He said the computer literacy class sponsored by Fresno EOC was well attended with 40 people completing the program.
5. Attended the National Night Out event.
City Manager Olson stated that a workshop on how road repairs are selected would be presented at the November 7, 2024, City Council meeting.
Attorney Montoy reported that she participated in an evaluation of 31 areas in the Fresno area and Sanger ranked seventh out of 31. The evaluation included cost of living, higher education rates, housing, public schools, diversity, crime and safety, and jobs.
H. ADJOURNMENT
Being no further business, the Council adjourned their meeting at 6:53 PM.
Corina Tamez, City Clerk/Executive Assistant
ATTEST: