Documenter: Ramiro Merino
Here’s what you need to know
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The Council recognized July 2021 as “Parks Make Better Life Month” as a reminder to Kerman residents to “enjoy healthy lifestyles and liveable communities and urge all residents to enjoy and recognize the social, physical, mental, economic, environmental and community benefits derived from our Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, which provide something of value to everyone.”
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The Council approved the Amendment to Agreement for Legal Services with Montoy Law Corporation, where the general legal services will increase from $165/hr to $195/hr.
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The Council approved the Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021/22 Budget of $42.48 million for the City of Kerman.
Purpose of Agency
The City Council serves as the policy-making board of the City. The Kerman City Council has five members, which includes the Mayor and four Council members. The Mayor is elected for a two-term, and Council members are elected for four-year terms. The City Council meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Kerman City Hall, 850 S. Madera Ave.
Kerman City Council Duties
Council members are the leaders and policy makers elected to represent various segments of the community and to concentrate on policy issues that are responsive to citizens’ needs and wishes. The City Manager is appointed by the City Council to carry out policy and ensure that the entire community is being served. Kerman City Administrator, Sonia Hall, handles the City’s day-to-day business with an “open-door policy” to community residents and businesses, where comments, concerns and suggestions are always welcome.
Kerman City Council Members
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Gary Yep, Mayor
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Kevin Nehring, Council Member for District 1
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Jennifer Coleman, Council Member for District 2
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Ismael Herrera, Mayor Pro Tem and Council Member for District 3
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Bill Nijjer, Council Member for District 4
The Scene
The Kerman City Council meeting was held virtually on Zoom on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Mayor Gary Yep called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. in the City Chambers. The in-person meeting consisted of the five council members, including Mayor Gary Yep, Council members Kevin Nehring, Jennifer Coleman, Ismael Herrera, and Bill Nijjer. There were about eight other people in the meeting, including City Attorney Hilda Montoy, the City Clerk Marci Reyes, and Police Chief John Golden.There were multiple Zoom cameras that showed the Councilmembers faces. This was the first meeting in which the Council did not wear masks due to the new Cvoid-19 mask rules. You can find the agenda for the City Council meeting here
Presentations
The Council honored Dorothy Kutz for her 100th birthday. “I have lived here for 100 years and I like living here.
Dorothy Kutz Day and we were surprised. I wanted you to know that you have a good Mayor and I feel blessed to receive this from you all. I want to thank everyone.”
Consent Calendar
The City Council unanimously approved the seven items on the consent calendar.
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A) Subject: Minutes
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Subject: Payroll
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Report: 05/16/21 – 05/29/21: $166,134.88; Retro Pay & Other: $979.38; Overtime: $10,160.30; Standby: $1,070.18; Comp Time Earned: 17.63; Uniform Pay: $7,618.17; Holiday Pay: $26,231.01
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B) Subject: Warrants
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Nos. 20429-20520 $358,264.49 ACH $97,416.27
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C) Subject: Resolutions Approving Amendment and Novation Agreement Between Avenu Insights & Analytics, LLC., and MuniServices, LLC., and Authorizing Examination of Sales or Transactions and Use Tax Records (CC)
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D) Resolution Approving Master Professional Services Agreement with Crawford & Bowen Planning, Inc. for Environmental Services (JAJ)
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E) Resolution Authorizing the Sale of Real Property APN 023-405-07, Located Near Stanislaus and 6th Street, Kerman, California to ATA Limited, LLC. (JAJ)
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F) Resolution Approving Memorandum of Understanding with Kerman Miscellaneous Employees Association (JAJ)
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G) Resolutions Adopting Fiscal Year 2021/2022 Budget, Amending Fiscal Year 2020/2021 Budget, Establishing Appropriations Limit 2021-2022, and Authorizing Number of Employee Positions and Titles (CC)
Public Hearings
There were no public hearings.
Department Reports
Recreation Supervisor Theresa Johnson presented the Resolution declaring July 2021 as “Parks Make Life Better Month”. The letter submitted to the City read “By the designation of July as Parks Make Life Better Month, the City of Kerman’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, reminds Kerman residents to enjoy healthy lifestyles and livable communities and urge all residents to enjoy and recognize the social, physical, mental, economic, environmental and community benefits derived from our Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, which provide something of value to everyone.” Theresa Johnson stated “We have a full schedule of events, programs and a new park for this month. We open to the public fully on July 6th. We have Movies in the Park, Arts and Crafts, Pool Days, Opera Plays, and much more. We also have the Farmers Market two nights each month. We will have it July 10th and 28th. There are about 30 vendors participating. Mayor Yep suggested the Recreations Department post that the City is now open, at which Johnson said they can do that.
“The City of Kerman has contracted with the Montoy Law Corporation (“Montoy”) since 2015 to provide the City with municipal legal services. Since that time, Montoy rates have remained unchanged. The primary hourly fee charged to the City for general legal services will increase from $165/hr to $195/hr. Montoy stated “This is still below market, some Cities are charged $300/hr. Kerman is one of my favorite clients. When I left the City of Fresno, I made it known that I wanted to work with smaller communities.” The Council approved the Amendment to Agreement for Legal Services with Montoy Law Corporation.
City Manager/Staff Communications
The Council discussed needing to have a joint meeting with the Planning Commission to go over zoning updates. The Council decided to meet on July 28th. It was reported that it will cost the City $230,000 to improve pedestrian routes in and around the schools. It was also reported that the unveiling of a mural will be held on July 17th from 5 to 9 p.m. in downtown Kerman.
Mayor/Council Reports
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Councilmember Kevin Nehring: “I came across a post on Facebook about concerns with weeds on a walking trail by California Ave. John may need to deal with this since it is at the northwest corner of Madera and Whitesbridge at the 76 gas station, but there is a problem where the curve is no longer in alignment. This might also be a Caltrans issue.
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Councilmember Ismael Herrera – “For individuals interested in housing projects in the community, I will be attending a meeting this Friday morning. Other than that, I look forward to the festivities on the 17th.”
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Councilmember Coleman: No report.
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Councilmember Bill Nijjer: No report.
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Mayor Gary Yep: “My parents opened their business on July 17, 1955, the same year as Disneyland opened. To celebrate, we will be raffling off Disneyland tickets. There will be tri tip sandwiches, tacos. I was also invited to be the MC for the Fresno Veteran’s Memorial Service as I am the highest ranking Chinese elected official. It is a true honor to be present where four Chinese Americans will be honored for their service during World War 2.”
The Council then convened as the Public Finance Authority, where Mayor Yep called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. The Council approved the meeting minutes from June 24, 2020. In addition, the Council approved the motion to adopt the resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Kerman Public Finance Authority budget. Mayor Yep adjourned the Public Finance Authority meeting at 7:07 p.m.
Closed Session
The Council reconvened from the Public Finance Authority meeting and went to closed session at 7:07 pm. Everyone online was put into a waiting room.
Adjournment
The Council resumed from closed session at 7:26 p.m. Since there was no further discussion, Mayor Yep adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:26 p.m.