Documenter: Ramiro Merino

What you need to know

  • The Council voted to approve and adopt Resolution 2022-01, renewing the declaration of a local emergency because of the water tank explosion, causing the city to lose 1.5 million gallons of water each and three active wells. The Resolution states that the local emergency shall be reviewed at least once every 60 days as required by law. 

  • The Council voted to approve a budget amendment of $73,500 to pay the consultant for the technical studies and negative declarations needed for the California Environmental Quality Act environmental review.

  • The Council voted to approve the cost for the purchase of 624 cans for $46,241.33 and the cost for the purchase of 600 lids for $15,334.36 for a total cost of $61,575.69. The purchase is funded out of the Refuse Fund, which is included in the City Council approved 2022 annual budget. 

Purpose of Agency:

The five City Council members are elected at large to serve four-year, overlapping terms. Municipal elections are held in November of even-numbered years. Council selects one of its members to serve as the Mayor, who presides at meetings and represents the City in all official matters and at official functions. Councilmembers do not spend all day at City Hall; they have regular jobs like everyone else. The variety of experience they bring to meetings helps them as a group to make wise decisions. 

Lemoore City Council Board Member Duties

The City Council is responsible for approving all legislation and formulating City policies. The Council’s objectives are broad and include translating public attitudes and service requirements into policies and programs, so that desired levels of service can be provided efficiently and economically. The Council keeps abreast of current State and Federal legislation. By participation in the League of California Cities, Council members are able to compare policies, techniques and procedures with other cities throughout the state. Close liaison is maintained with other Kings County elected officials to ensure that Lemoore’s policies and programs are coordinated with other public agencies. 

Lemoore City Council Board Members

  • Stuart Lyons, Mayor and Council Member for District A

  • Patricia Matthews, Mayor Pro Tem and Council Member for District E

  • Jim Chaney, Council Member for District B

  • Frank Gornick, Council Member for District C

  • David Orth, Council Member for District D

The Scene

The Lemoore City Council meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 4 2022 by Mayor Stuart Lyons. The meeting was streamed live virtually through Zoom, where three participants joined the meeting virtually. The in-person meeting consisted of the five council members, which included Mayor Stuart Lyons, Councilmembers Patricia Matthews, Jim Chaney, Frank Gornick, and David Orth. City staff and contract employees also present included City Manager Olson, Police Chief Kendall, City Attorney Lerner, Public Works Director Rivera, and City Clerk Avalos. The Zoom camera was directed towards the Council, where City Council Members were visible. The Councilmembers wore masks during the meeting.  

Public Comment

  • Resident Jennifer Solis: “New Year’s Eve reminded me of the growing use of fireworks. I know the police department works behind the scenes. From my understanding, the owner is given a citation for the fireworks, not the person that ignited it right? I wonder if the department has looked at the dispatch calls to see where the fireworks are coming from?” 

Ceremonial / Presentation

There were no ceremonies or presentations. 

Department and City Manager Reports

  • Police Chief Kendall: “Overall, our calls for service were down by 308. The number of traffic stops was 180. Misdemeanors were down by 8. Our preliminary numbers look good. I will be bringing the annual report in a month or so. We partnered with the Lions Club and on Wednesday, January 19th, we are hosting a blood drive. I invite you all to come.” Councilmember Gornick asked if the calls for marijuana users went up? Chief Kendall said “They have not.” 

Consent Calendar

The Council voted to approve all nine agenda items on the consent calendar as presented. 

  • 3-1 Approval – Minutes – Regular Meeting – December 7, 2021 

  • 3-2 Approval – Minutes – Special Meeting – December 8, 2021 

  • 3-3 Approval – Minutes – Special Meeting – December 14, 2021 

  • 3-4 Approval – Resolution 2022-01 – To Review and Renew the Declaration of a Local Emergency, and the Related Declarations and Orders Therein. 

  • 3-5 Approval – Denial of Claim for Mr. Joe Gomez Sanchez Jr. 

  • 3-6 Approval – Budget Amendment – Technical Planning Services 

  • 3-7 Approval – Purchase of Refuse Containers and Lids 

  • 3-8 Approval – Resolution 2022-02 – Authorizing Continued Use of Remote Teleconferencing Provisions (AB 361) 

  • 3-9 Approval – Legal Services Agreement with Motschiedler, Michaelides, Wishon, Brewer & Ryan, LLC

Public Hearing

There was no public hearing. 

New Business

There was no new business.

Brief City Council Reports and Request

  • Council Member Orth: “Thank you to the City staff for working during the holidays and getting things done. Happy new year.”

  • Council Member Gornick: “I want to wish everyone a happy New Year. Have a good one.”

  • Council Member Chaney: “I want to thank the City staff for their work for keeping this city going.”

  • Council Member Matthews: “Thank you to City staff, police and fire department for working hard. I want to thank the police department for all of the outreach they do during this time of year. You can tell they really care about the community.”

  • Mayor Lyons: “Thank you City staff for your work during the holidays. And thank you to Sheila and the Rec Department for all of your hard work for decorating downtown.” 

Adjournment

With no further discussion, Mayor Lyons adjourned the City Council meeting at 8:02 p.m.  

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at Documenters-admin@thefresnoland.com with “Correction Request” in the subject line.

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