Documenter: Joeanna Lopez
Here’s what you need to know:
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The City Council of Parlier approved increased water rates effective Oct. 1, 2021 to cover increases in costs for 1, 2, 3-TCP Removal, recharge of groundwater supply and other increases in operating costs for five years.
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Parlier’s Centennial Extravaganza was approved.
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Council of the City of Parlier authorizes the application for the Permanent Local Housing Allocation program non-entitlement local government competitive component providing up to $29 million under SB 2.
The Meeting (in full)
The Scene
Parlier is a general law City governed by a five-member City Council and operates under the City Council-City Manager form of government, according to their website. All council members were present and participated at the in-person meeting.
The Parlier City Council meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at 1100 E. Parlier Avenue, Parlier, CA 93648 and via Zoom.
The Zoom audio and video were connected through an iPad.
Parlier City Council Board Members
Alma M. Beltran, Mayor
Sabrina Rodriguez, Council Member District 1
Trinidad Pimentel, Mayor Pro-Tempore and Council Member District 2
Cathryn “Kathy” Solorio, Council Member District 3
Diane Maldonado, Council Member District 4
Included on the agenda, Dorothy Garza, City Clerk
and Michelle Lopez, Treasurer
Following the flag salute an addition was proposed by city manager, Neal to the council, “add to your agenda an item that authorizes me to make the changes to correct those clerical errors and authorizes the mayor to sign the corrected resolution.”
The amended Resolution 2021-43 sent to PERS from Aug. 5, 2021 was sent back yet again to the council citing further requests to amend the resolution, this time to reflect changes in the use of the word, “certification,” “identification of a worker’s compensation appeals claim number,” and to, “include a statement that the disability has been accepted by the worker’s compensation.”
Carried 5 yes.
There was a request to move item #11 to the beginning of the agenda because the item needed to be tabled.
Randle Mathias, the applicant for the project showed up to speak for the item asking that “two weeks time would be sufficient.”
Motion carries, 5 yes to moving the item on the Sept. 16, 2021 agenda.
Public Comments
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Karina Alvarez was on the agenda to make a public comment and was called to the podium.
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Alvarez immediately asked if there was a translator for the majority present that could not follow what was going on as she spoke for those present in attendance with her, presumably non native speakers. Alvarez spoke in Spanish, “les pedimos que nos apoyen en eso para saber de lo que estamos hablando, verdad?”
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“Estoy en desacuerdo en el aumento en el incremento del agua… por que?” stated Alvarez before turning it into the question of why.
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Alvarez is heard saying, “Nosotros también tenemos una presentación,” before a council members are chattering about handing her a chart of the water rate increases included in the agenda while another explains that these public comments are intended for items not on the agenda and that the item she wishes to speak on is item no. 4.
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Brenda Rojas takes to the podium also in Spanish, and points out that the agenda is not provided in Spanish, “es lo mismo como si no nos dieran nada.”
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Rojas says she believes it is unjust that for the majority that is present and non native speaking to not have a translator provided to translate what is being said and suggests that the presenter’s to then present in Spanish after giving their English presentation.
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A council member begins to acknowledge that the information in the agenda should be provided to the community in Spanish when Mayor Beltran, “let’s just move on we’re getting sidetracked with that.”
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Another community member approaches the podium about the water rate before they are cut off.
Consent Items
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The board unanimously approved the following consent agenda items:
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Check reports dated Aug. 14 to Aug. 27, 2021.
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Minutes dated Regular Meeting for Aug. 19, 2021.
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Approval of Parlier’s Centennial Extravaganza
Actions
The 20 slide powerpoint presentation is given first in English then in Spanish with questions after.
One community member with a family of five says they are not comfortable paying an augmented rate before the problem is fixed citing worries about the first rate increase and the ones to come over time, stating that she is in protest to paying the increase and ultimately asks, “aren’t there other resources?” before having to go to this increase.
Mayor Beltran answers by cutting her off stating that this increase is what the State is telling the City to do. That TCP contamination is a problem everywhere and that the grant the State has awarded the City is already a help.
Community member Aguilar approached the podium, wanting to know if the council still runs the town. They say yes. He said he had one question to ask, “por qué nos engaña?” Pulling out a paper that reads like a water bill statement before Mayor Beltran once again cuts in to say that she cannot speak to the decisions of the past.
The Mayor seemed to patronize the crowd about their misinformation before declaring the public hearing closed only to continue addressing the public about it for a few.
Resolution 2021-52 is said to carry when one of the men giving the IGService presentation wants clarity on the record for the number of protests, it is heard that, “There were none,” as Mayor Beltran laughs, “thank you!”
Regular Business
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City council waived the second reading of and adopted Ordinance No. 2020-03 amending the zoning of Assessor’s Parcel Nos. 355-520-61 through 355-520-88 to the R-1 SIngle Family Residential Zone District from the R-3 Medium Density Multiple Family Residential Zone.
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The City of Parlier Council amends an ordinance of The City amending the official zoning map of the City to reflect a change of zone for Assessor’s Parcel Nos. 358-390-61, 62 & 63 from C-4 to C-5 General Commercial District.
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City Council waived the second reading of and adopted Ordinance No. 2021-06, prezoning Assessor’s Parcel Nos. 355-021-06 and 07 to the R-1 Single Family Residential Zone District.
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Council approves resolution authorizing the City Council to of the City of Parlier to submit the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Grant (PLHA)
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Council approves City Manager to sign contract with Classic Amusement for Carnival at Centennial.
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Approved and authorized Resolution 2021-54 to execute the purchase and sale with Fresno County Housing Authority for Fig Tree Park. 5 year lease totaling $7,666 a month for 5 years and after that the option to purchase for $1.00.
Closed Session
12. Public Employment Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 All Positions.
13. Conference with Real Property Negotiator
14. Potential litigation pursuant to government code section 54956.9 One (1) Case.
At 8:21 p.m. the meeting was called to an end and Bertha Augustine’s device displayed the city’s crest as closed session was called.
At 9:27 p.m. the Council took their seats again and Mayor Beltran said, “No items to report. This meeting is adjourned.” The meeting was ended by the host.
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