Madera City Council (2/2/22) Downtown C Street design + Redistricting maps narrowed

Here’s what you need to know:

• Public Health Director Sara Bosse agreed with Councilmember Gallegos’ suggestion of an agreement that will streamline the testing of city employees.

• On the proposed design for Downtown C Street, CalTrans District 6 Maintenance and Operations Deputy Director John Liu envisions reduced lanes, kept street parking, and provided a 5-foot wide bike lane with a 2-foot buffer.

• On redistricting, the Council (4-3) voted to consider Option 1 and 2. Mayor Garcia and Councilmember Evans, and Villegas voted no.

The Scene

According to its website, the Madera City Council, a board of seven, is the elected legislative body of the City of Madera. There are six council districts. The district elects members of the City Council and the Mayor at large. Members of the City Council, including the Mayor, serve four-year terms.

The meeting was in-person on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, at 6 pm, yet accessible via YouTube.

Officials Present:

• Mayor Santos Garcia 

• Mayor Pro Tem Anita Evans, District 4 

• Councilmember Cece Gallegos,  District 1 

• Councilmember Jose Rodriguez, District 2 

• Councilmember Steve Montes, District 3 

• Councilmember Elsa Mejia, District 5 

• Councilmember Artemio Villegas, District 6

Others Present:

• City Manager Arnoldo Rodriguez, City Clerk Alicia Gonzales, City Attorney Hilda Cantu Montoy, and Public Health Director Sara Bosse, Financial Services Manager Anthony Forestiere, Director of Human Resource Wendy Silva, Alicia Brown, CalTrans District 6 Maintenance and Operations Deputy Director John Liu, BB&K Associate Joanna Gin, Administrative Analyst Nicole Say, Alexis Raymundo, and Bobby Kahn

Discussions/Actions

Alicia Brown urges the City Council to support the Project Run Madera, a non-profit organization that provides resources to middle school and high school runners in Madera.

Public Health Director Sara Bosse said the case rate is 189 per 100,000, a slight dip from last week.

The positivity rate is at 31.6 percent, while the average test per day is 1267 due to the double capacity in state sites in Fairgrounds and Frank Bergon Senior Center.

Due to the surge, hospitals around the San Joaquin Valley have seen increased hospitalization.

She stated that 54.5 percent of residents are vaccinated, with 61.7 percent receiving one dose. Over 32,000 individuals took the booster.

In Madera, vaccinations in Area A are 62 percent, with Area C at 69 percent.

The department still has questions over the trajectory of the surge. Director Bosse urged residents to be vigilant and undergo vaccination.

She agreed with Councilmember Gallegos’ suggestion of an agreement that will streamline the testing of City employees.

A-1 Workshop on a Planned Caltrans Project on State Route 145 (SR 145)

CalTrans District 6 Maintenance and Operations Deputy Director John Liu presented the workshop regarding the project.

The project extends the life of the pavement project from Avenue 13 to the East Madera Underpass Bridge. CalTrans anticipates construction in the Fall of 2024.

Scope of the project includes:

• Removing and replacing about 4 inches of pavement

• Installing or upgrading curb ramps

• Install bicycle facility, bike parking, and bulb-outs

• Installing transit stops

• Upgrading traffic signal components

The construction cost for the project is $13.4 million, including $4 million for complete street enhancements.

Caltrans’ Complete Streets policy seeks to accommodate all users, such as pedestrians, bikers, and passengers, at all projects.

Based on the Safe System Approach, the agency has adopted the following principles:

• Death or severe injury as unacceptable

• Humans are vulnerable and make mistakes

• Responsibility is shared

• Safety is proactive

• Redundancy is crucial

In 2020, the City Council adopted Downtown Main Street.

In a June 2, 2021 meeting, the Council raised concerns regarding the lane reductions on Yosemite Avenue, traffic congestion, and impacts on local streets. Highway 145 Yosemite Avenue will remain a truck route.

He recommended that people who want to enter Highway 99, mainly southbound, enter 4th Street. Cleveland Avenue cannot accommodate “much more” traffic.

On the proposed design for Downtown C Street, he envisions reduced lanes, kept street parking, and provided a 5-foot wide bike lane with a 2-foot buffer.

The agency can construct the bike lane and the buffer by repurposing the outside lane.

Caltrans will construct a bike lane on Yosemite Ave between Lyons St and Mace St, with street parking retained. The project will add a sidewalk in S Madera Ave.

Caltrans is not proposing lane reductions at State Route 145 from Gateway Drive to E St.

The transition to one lane in each direction will happen in D Street. From Lake Street to Vineyard Avenue, Caltrans will retain routes.

He stated possible urban compact roundabout options at C and D St., accommodating trucks. Meanwhile, he proposed angle parking to retain parking spaces at Highway 145.

On Lake Street, options include retaining traffic signal and two through lanes in each direction and narrowing lanes to 11 feet to add 5-foot bike lanes.

Councilmember Rodriguez urges Caltrans for more funding for street greenery.

First, the Council (7-0) unanimously approved B-1 to B-12 of the consent agenda.

B-1 City Council Minutes of May 20, 2021

B-2 Informational Report on Register of Audited Demands for January 8, 2022, to January 21, 2022

B-3 Ratification of COVID-19 Emergency Policy Revisions Recommendation: Adopt a Minute Order Ratifying Revisions to the following COVID-19 Emergency Policies issued by the City Manager in his role as Director of Emergency Services:

B-4 Bid Package 1 – Water Main Replacement at Dunham and Lewis Street, City Project No. W40 Recommendation: Approve a Minute Order Approving:

B-5 Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance for Organic Waste Disposal Reduction, Recycling, and Solid Waste Collection per Senate Bill (SB) 1383

B-6 Letter of Support for Senate Bill 843, Renters Tax Credit Recommendation: Approve a Minute Order Approving a Letter of Support for Senate Bill 843, Renter’s Tax Credit.

B-7 Appointments to the Civil Service Commission Recommendation: Adopt a resolution appointing the following individuals to the Civil Service Commission:

1. Summer Gonzales

2. Celeste Voyles

3. Julius Washington

4. Nick Salinas

5. Muhammad Latif

6. Saim Mohammad

The public hearings focused on the following:

C-1 7:00 p.m. – Redrawing of Council Member District Boundaries (Redistricting) Recommendation:

Joanna Gin, an associate from BB&K, reported on the redistricting process, initial draft maps, and permissible criteria to be considered to redraw district boundaries.

Council Members hold 4-year terms. The City Last went through redistricting in 2011.

Districts 1, 3, & 5 terms begin following November 2022. Districts 2, 4, & 6 terms start the next election in November 2024.

According to the 2020 Census data, the total population for the city is 66,627. The ideal population for each district is 11,105.

She noticed issues with the population imbalance for:

• District 3 (-11.8 percent deviation);

• District 4 (-3.2 percent deviation);

• District 5 (-14.6 percent deviation)

• District 6 (17.3 percent deviation).

The current deviation is above the acceptable range at 31.9 percent. Creating majority or minority voting districts is possible since all 6 current districts are majority or minority Hispanic voter districts.

BB&K has prepared three draft maps for Council’s consideration.

One map is from a member of the public. Each map is summarized below, with accompanying demographic analysis.

An online viewing tool will be used later in the presentation to see the fine detail of the map boundaries.

District 3 moves westward and covers the airport. District 1 moves south and goes down.

These changes preserve the existing core of the districts. The four options keep all 6 current districts as majority/minority Hispanic voting districts.

In Option 1, the current deviation is below the acceptable range at 3.23% (down slightly from the staff report at 3.56%)

The first option preserves the core of the existing districts and resembles the current configuration, particularly with Districts 2 and 4.

In Option 2, the current deviation is below the acceptable range at 7.28% (up slightly from the staff report at 6.96%).

More dramatic change to the current configuration. Districts 1, 2 & 6 will see a shift in the core of the existing districts.

In Option 3, the current deviation is below the acceptable range at 6.79% (down from 7.18% in the staff report).

The option preserves all 6 current districts as majority/minority Hispanic voting districts. The map resembles the current configuration, particularly about Districts 2 and 4.

On option 3, the current deviation is below the acceptable range at 1.27%

A member of the public using the online mapping tool has submitted the map.

The maps relied on demographic data, staff expertise, public and council input.

2) Conduct Public Hearing #3 on redistricting and receiving public input.

A resident from Parksdale asked if the maps would cover the area east of Tozer, North of Avenue 13. City Manager Rodriguez clarified that the map excludes the area.

Wally Nishimoto supported Option 4 to ensure proper representation for East Madera and asked for an extension of the map submission deadline to April 17, 2022.

3) Provide feedback on preferred maps or maps and desired changes to draft maps (Report by Alicia Gonzales)

Councilmember Gallegos supported Option 1. Councilmember Evans is interested in Option 4.

On redistricting, the Council (4-3) voted to consider Option 1 and 2. Mayor Garcia and Councilmember Evans, and Villegas voted no.

Regarding petitions, bids, resolutions, ordinances, and agreements, the Council centered on the following:

D-1 Claims Settlement Authority Delegated to the City Manager

In April 2020, City Council adopted an ordinance to improve operational efficiencies within the organization, providing authority to the City Manager to act as follows:

• Determine timeliness and sufficiency of claims filed under the Tort Claims Act

• Rejection authority for all claim types

• Settle any claim valued at $10,000 or less.

The proposed ordinance would increase the City Manager’s settlement authority from $10,000 to $35,000.

The proposed revision relies on feedback that the current ordinance has been in place for almost 2 years.

Government Code $935.4 provides that delegation of authority to a General Law City employee shall not exceed $50,000 for claims filed under the Tort Claims Act.

The recommended authority limit is well within the Government Code requirements.

The council could provide direction to decrease the proposed settlement authority limit.

The council could provide direction in increasing the proposed settlement authority limit, not to exceed Government Code §935.4

The Council (7-0) unanimously voted for an ordinance of the City of Madera Amending Section 1-6.18 of Title I Chapter 6 of the Madera Municipal Code relating to City Manager authority on claims against the City.

D-2 Landscape and Lighting Assessment District Zones of Benefit: Engineer’s Report and Intention to Levy and Collect Annual Assessment for City Wide Landscape and Lighting Assessment District Zones of Benefit for the Fiscal Year 2022/2023.

1) Adopt a Resolution Confirming the Diagram and Assessments for Annual Levy for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 for City Wide Landscape and Lighting Assessment District Zones of Benefit 1, 2, 3, 4, 6-A, 6-B, 7, 8, 9, 10-A, 10-B, 10-C, 10-D, 10-E, 10-F, 10-G, 10-H,10-I, 12, 13, 14, 15, 15-B, 15-C, 16, 17-A, 17-B, 17-C, 17-D, 18, 20-A, 20-B, 20-C, 21-A, 21-B, 21-C, 21-D, 23, 24, 25-C, 25-D, 26, 26-B, 26-C,26-D, 27, 27-B, 28, 28-B, 29, 29-B, 29-C,29-D, 29-E, 30, 31-A, 31-B, 32-A, 32-B, 33, 34, 34-B, 34-C, 35, 36-A, 36-B, 36-C, 37, 39, 40, 41, 43-A, 43-C, 43-D, 43-E, 44, 45-A, 46, 50 & 51 For Fiscal Year (FY) 2022/23; and

2) Adopt A Resolution of Intention To Levy And Collect Annual Assessments For City Wide Landscape and Lighting Assessment District Zones of Benefit 1, 2, 3, 4, 6-A, 6-B, 7, 8, 9, 10-A, 10-B, 10-C, 10-D, 10-E, 10-F, 10-G, 10-H,10-I, 12, 13, 14, 15, 15-B, 15-C, 16, 17- A, 17-B, 17-C, 17-D, 18, 20-A, 20-B, 20-C, 21-A, 21-B, 21-C, 21-D, 23, 24, 25-C, 25-D, 26, 26-B, 26-C,26-D, 27, 27-B, 28, 28-B, 29, 29-B, 29-C, 29-D, 29-E, 30, 31-A, 31-B, 32-A, 32- B, 33, 34, 34-B, 34-C, 35, 36-A, 36-B, 36-C, 37, 39, 40, 41, 43-A, 43-C, 43-D, 43-E, 44, 45-A, 46, 50 & 51 For FY 2022/23 and setting a date for Public Hearing (Report by Keith Helmuth)

Parks has agreed with a private contractor to perform city-wide tree trimming services.

The cost per zone will remain the same this year. Next years’ fee will change depending upon an updated tree inventory.

Construction Cost Index (CCI) remains high. This year’s CCI will be at approximately 6 percent.

This index means that some increases can approach 8% if warranted and supported by individual covenants.

Administrative Analyst Nicole Say stated that staff will begin the merger process of zones 10A-101 after counting prop 218 votes.

By the fiscal year 2026 or 2027, costs will not keep pace with assessments, and a significant disparity between the two will occur.

With successful Prop 218 results, the gap will be less significant by 2026-2027.

Proposition 218 hearings will continue. The number of future Prop 218 depends on the number of successful Proposition 218 votes this year.

Continue to adjust assessments on a per-zone basis, as needed,

Seek council guidance on the potential to consolidate other zones next fiscal year(s)

• Consolidate zones where there are multiple zones in the same numerical series. (IE: 10A-101, 21A-21D, etc)

• Attempt to consolidate zones with similar assessments

The council (7-0) unanimously approved D-2.

D-3 Contract Award for the Sidewalk Improvements Maple Street – Santa Cruz Street – Monterey Street, CDBG Project No. B19MC060053, City Project No. R-84

The city council (7-0) unanimously approved a resolution approving the Contract Award for the project to Witbro, Inc. DBA Seal Rite Paving & Grading for $254,678.The estimated completion date is May 2022.

D-4 Contract Award for the Sidewalk Improvements Lilly Street – Vineyard Avenue, CDBG Project No. B19MC060053, City Project No. R-85

The city council (7-0) unanimously approved a resolution approving the Contract Award for the project to Witbro, Inc. DBA Seal Rite Paving & Grading in $183,092.

Staff received six sealed bids. Witbro, Inc, dba Seal Rite Paving & Grading (Seal-Rite) submitted the lowest responsive and responsible bid.

The administrative reports focused on the following:

E-1 The Council (7-0) unanimously approved the City contribution toward the Madera County Economic Development Commission for the fiscal year 2022/2023 of $179,428.99

The closed sessions focused on:

G-1 Public Employee Performance Evaluation Under Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) Title: City Manager

The meeting ended at 9:46 pm. On Wednesday, February 16, 2022, the next regular meeting will be at 6:00 pm on YouTube.

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