CHRISTMAS
TREE CITY Minutes for Regular Council Meeting
SANGER
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2025
6:00 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBER
1700 7TH Street, Sanger, California 93657
A. CALL TO ORDER
The City Council called their meeting to order at 6:00 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
Absent: Council Member Dolores Melendez
C. AGENDA APPROVAL, ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS
The Council by motion of Mayor Pro Tem Martinez approved the agenda as posted. The motion was seconded by Council Member Montelongo and approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MELENDEZ
D. PRESENTATIONS
Isaiah Lopez, representing the Sanger Chamber of Commerce, delivered the organization's quarterly report in a presentation
City Council Meeting Minutes
July 17, 2025
E. PUBLIC FORUM
Resident- is concerned about an ongoing auto mechanic operation at a residential property near her home at 2031 7th Street. She believes the individual is a renter, not the homeowner, and has contacted code enforcement 14 times without resolution. She is particularly concerned about the handling of environmental waste and its impact on neighborhood safety and compliance. The resident requests follow-up contact regarding this issue.
Sherry Carter- 360 Haller Ave-is advocating for improved animal control and shelter services in Sanger, citing a serious and growing problem with stray and abandoned animals. The current numbers are staggering, and she is requesting help. Having contacted Animal Control directly, she knows the department is overworked, overburdened, and overwhelmed, and believes urgent action and increased support are needed to address this issue.
Resident Oswaldo- raised concerns about visibility of yellow traffic lines on 7th Street and surrounding areas. He believes it should be made a priority for public safety.
Resident Joseph Rocha-He thanks Mr. Olson for meeting to discuss the employee checks. His main concern is the amount employees are being paid and the long working hours, which pose risks over time-fatigue, impaired judgment, increased errors, and burnout. He believes these issues threaten public safety and feels a review is necessary. Something must be done to address the situation.
F. CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Hurtado pulled items F-6, F-11, F-12 and F-18 Resident Rocha pulled item F-2, F12 and F14
By motion of Council Member Montelongo, the Council approved Consent Calendar Items F-1, F-3, F-4, F-5, F-7, F-8, F-9, F-10, F-13, F-15, F-16, and F-17. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Martinez and passed by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MELENDEZ
1. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Minutes of rescheduled Regular Council Meeting and Special Meeting held on June 27, 2025, Reg Mtg. July 3, 2025
3. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Payroll for the month of June including Direct Deposit Nos. 66827 through 67079; Payroll check Nos. 60375 through 60425; and Benefit Check Nos. 2118 through 2125.
City Council Meeting Minutes
July 17, 2025
SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL ITEM - Fire Department Monthly Report-May and June 2025.
SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL ITEM - Police Department Monthly Report- May and June 2025.
SUBJECT: APPROVED - Amendment No. 7 to agreement between the City of Sanger and the Sanger District Chamber of Commerce.
SUBJECT: APPROVED - Establishing a Full-time Fire Prevention Inspector Position and adopting Resolution No. 2025-53.
SUBJECT: APPROVED - Participation in the Medi-Cal Intergovernmental Rate Range Program.
10. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Execute Grant Agreement with the United States Department of Transportation
13. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Declaration of City Vehicles and equipment as Surplus Property and adopting Resolution No. 2025-56.
15. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Parking Ordinance Revision and adopting Ordinance No. 2025-05.
16. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Final Acceptance-2024 Street Sealing Project
17. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Right of Way Acquisition/Jensen Avenue & Indianola Avenue Traffic Signal Project and adopting Resolution No. 2025-57 Resident Joseph Rocha pulled this item and expressed interest in scheduling a mering with Mit:
Olson to discuss Check No. 94664, issued in the amount of $19,000. The individual noted that additional questions would be addressed during the meeting.
SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL ITEM - Warrants including Check Nos. 94545 through 94693 for the month of May 2025 and Warrants including Check Nos. 94694 through 94989 for the month of June 2025.
Item F-6
Council Member Hurtado expressed concern regarding the qualifications associated with the position under consideration. She requested additional clarification on the minimum qualifications required.
Public Comment:
None
City Council Meeting Minutes
July 17, 2025
6. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Resolution No. 2025-52 amending the City's Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Position Allocation and approval of modified Finance Director job description.
The Council by motion of Council member Hurtado approved item F-6. The motion was seconded by Council Member Montelongo and approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MELENDEZ
Item F-11
Council member Hurtado no specific questions but would like to request staff to provide details on who is currently working on each project and include another memo with the contracts.
Public Comment:
-Resident Joseph Rocha-He just questioned if there will ever be a time when we come out of this emergency report. Wants to know if there is an end to the emergency.
11. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Receipt of Update on Emergency Repairs at Wastewater Treatment Plant Pursuant to Resolution No. 2025-43 and Request to Continue Declaration of Emergency
The Council by motion of Mayor Pro Tem Martinez approved item F-11. The motion was seconded by Council Member Montelongo and approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MELENDEZ
Item F-12
Council member Hurtado reviewed the staff report and requested an overall explanation of any field occurrences that warranted this purchase. Additionally, is there new any training involved? Public Comment:
-Resident Joseph Rocha-This is a new piece of equipment, and people will need to be trained to use it. With that training, will there be a raise for the employees. The equipment is going to help a lot but is the purchase of this machine going to cause Public Works to lose employees.
12. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Purchase of a Vacuum Excavator from Vermeer Manufacturing Company through RDO Equipment, Co., under Sourcewell Contract #110421-VRM
City Council Meeting Minutes
July 17, 2025
The Council by motion of Council Member Montelongo approved item F-12. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Martinez and approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MELENDEZ
Item F-14
Resident Joseph Rocha has raised a question regarding who will maintain the signals now and whether the cost will change with this change.
Public Comment:
None
14. SUBJECT: APPROVED - Professional Service Agreement with Bear Electrical Solutions, LLC for Traffic Signal and Lighting Maintenance The Council by motion of Mayor Pro Tem Martinez approved items F-14. The motion was seconded by Council Member Montelongo and approved by the following vote:
AYES: GONZALEZ, MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MELENDEZ
Item F-18
Council Member Hurtado would just like a presentation from Josh.
Public Comment:
None
18. SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL ITEM - Academy/Church Avenue Pedestrian Bridge Informational Discussion
Mayor Gonzalez called a break and left the meeting. 7:05pm Mayor Pro Tem resumed the meeting. 7:10pm
City Council Meeting Minutes
July 17, 2025
G. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING
1. SUBJECT: Public Hearing to Levy Annual Assessments for Sanger Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District No. 1.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Conduct a public hearing regarding the annual assessment of the Sanger Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District No. 1;
Approve Resolution No. 2025-58, Confirming Diagram and Assessment for the Annual Levy of Assessments for Sanger Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District No. 1 for FY 25-26;
Direct the City Clerk to record this resolution with the Fresno County Office of the Auditor-Controller.
Public Comment:
None
The Council by motion of Council Member Montelongo to approve item G-1. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hurtado and approved by the following vote:
AYES: MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: GONZALEZ, MELENDEZ
SUBJECT: Public Hearing to Levy Annual Assessments for Sanger Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District No. 2.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Conduct a public hearing regarding the annual assessment of the Sanger Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District No. 2;
Approve Resolution No. 2025-59, Confirming Diagram and Assessment for the Annual Levy of Assessments for Sanger Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District No. 2 for FY 25-26;
3. Direct the City Clerk to record this resolution with the Fresno County Office of the Auditor-Controller.
Public Comment:
None
The Council by motion of Mayor Pro Tem Martinez to approve item G-2. The motion was seconded by Council Member Montelongo and approved by the following vote:
AYES: MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: GONZALEZ, MELENDEZ
City Council Meeting Minutes
July 17, 2025
3. SUBJECT: Public Hearing to Consider the Proposed Annexation of Property Within Tract No. 6431, Phase I, into Sanger Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District No. 2, Area 1, and to Establish a Levy of Assessments for the Annexed Territory (Annexation No. 25-01).
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
conduct a public hearing and adopt Resolution No. 2025-60, a Resolution 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. 25-01).
Public Comment:
None
The Council by motion of Council Member Montelongo approved item G-3. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hurtado and approved by the following vote:
AYES: MARTINEZ, HURTADO, MONTELONGO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: GONZALEZ, MELENDEZ
H. CITY MANAGER/STAFF COMMUNICATION
1. Community development director, city engineer and I met with EDC about build out and we are still working on that.
2. We also met with DOT and Caltrans regarding railroad crossings on 5th and 7th and it looks like we are moving forward. After tonight's discussions we can discuss other intersections for future.
3. Council Member Melendez says hello and she is out on a family commitment.
I. REPORTS AND MATTERS INITIATED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Pro Tem Martinez:
1. The grand opening of the Cherry Crossing Apartments is scheduled for 10 AM.
2. He would like to recognize the staff for their efforts during the PG&E event and acknowledge the resident who received assistance with their PG&E bills.
3. He is aware that Animal Control has been particularly busy, especially around the Fourth of July, and he appreciates their hard work. He would like to explore the possibility of implementing a trap and neuter release program..
Fire and Pd were busy during the 4th of July due to illegal fireworks.
5. Vera mentioned the yellow lines, and after speaking with him, I understand he was referring to 5th Street. If this can be looked at.
City Council Meeting Minutes
July 17, 2025
Council Member Hurtado
1. She will be attending the Naleo Conference next week
2. She has not had any committee meetings- so she doesn't have anything to report.
3. Bring back the 5 year capital improvement plan for a presentation and would like to get consensus for that. 3 consents. (Informational Item)
Council Member Montelongo
1. The Recreation Department and PG&E did an excellent job collaborating with the community; many people needed assistance.
2. The plumbing for the pool is over 40 years old, so we should explore grant opportunities to maintain it.
3. He made contact with the City Manager and they discussed various issues.
4. Regarding the individual at 7th and Greenwood working from home, they are in the process of addressing the situation and it takes time.
5. Having the Mayor and the City Manager here to day is a blessing. The Mayor appreciates all the prayers as he recovers and thank you the fire department for getting him to the hospital.
Council Member Melendez
NONE
Mayor Frank Gonzalez
NONE
ADJOURNMENT
Being no further business, the Council adjourned their meeting at 7:31 pm.
Attest:
Sura Marting
Lina Martinez, City Clerk