Here’s what you need to know:
- Public Health Director Sara Bosse said that the case rate of 11.3 per 100,000 is a significant drop. The positivity rate remains at 5.7 percent.
- The Council (7-0) approved the ordinance amending Section 2-1.21 of Chapter 1 of Title II of the Madera Municipal Code regarding By-District Elections, adjusting the boundaries and confirming such revised Council boundaries.
- City Manager Rodriguez hopes that staff can service the cannabis applications at the beginning of April. Manager Rodriguez clarified that the workshops would be in the middle of April.
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, March. 16, 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, Public Health Director Sara Bosse, Joanna Gin from BB&K, Rico Saldivar, Roman Gonzales
Discussions/Actions
Public Health Director Sara Bosse said that the case rate of 11.3 per 100,000 is a significant drop. The positivity rate remains at 5.7 percent.
Testings are 507 per day, while the department closely watches COVID variants in other countries. She stated that the Pfizer vaccine prevents severe cases in children.
First, the Council (7-0) unanimously approved B-1 to B-7 of the consent agenda.
B-1 City Council Minutes of August 4, 2021, and January 19, 2022
B-2 Informational Report on Register of Audited Demands for February 19, 2022, to March 4, 2022.
B-3 Informational Report on Personnel Activity Recommendation
B-4 Resolution Approving a Budget Amendment related to January 19, 2022, Airport Rescue Grant for $59,000
B-5 2021 Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant Program SGMA Implementation Grant (Action on this item by the Groundwater Sustainability Agency)
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing a Grant Application 2021 Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant Program SGMA Implementation Grant (Report by Keith Helmuth)
B-6 Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Updating Prima Facie Speed Limits on Designated City
Recommendation: Waive Full Reading and Adopt an Ordinance Amending Section 3-5.08 of Chapter 5 of Title 3 of the Madera Municipal Code to Update Prima Facie Speed Limits on City Streets (Report by Keith Helmuth)
B-7 Madera Golf Course Update Recommendation
The public hearings focused on the following:
C-1 7:00 PM – Public Hearing Regarding City Council District Boundary Adjustments (Redistricting) and Introduction of Ordinance Adjusting District Boundaries
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.
At the March 2nd public hearing, the Council selected map option five as the preferred map and posted for seven days before this meeting. The deadline for the final map is on April 17.
The ordinance adopted map option five as the final map of the Council districts.
The final draft of map option 5 is consistent with the Federal Voting Rights Act and California Fair Maps Act.
The City has a total population of 66,627 residents. With an ideal population of 11 105 for every six districts.
Thus, according to Supreme Court rulings, the map is population balanced with a total deviation below the 10 percent threshold.
The map preserves the core of existing districts and resembles the current districts, particularly District 1, 2, 4, and 6.
The districts are compact and contiguous. All six districts are minority-majority districts.
The member of the public submitted the final map.
The Council (7-0) approved the ordinance amending Section 2-1.21 of Chapter 1 of Title II of the Madera Municipal Code regarding By-District Elections, adjusting the boundaries and confirming such revised Council boundaries.
Petitions, Bids, Resolutions, Ordinances, And Agreements centered on:
D-1 Remote City Council Meetings Under Brown Act Requirements (Assembly Bill 361)
Council (5-1) adopted the resolution Reauthorizing Remote Teleconference Public Meetings by the City Council and All Boards, Commissions, and Standing Committees under Assembly Bill 361 for 30 Days. Councilmember Montez voted no.
Administrative Reports is on:
E-1 Cannabis Update
City Manager Rodriguez hopes that staff can service the cannabis permit applications at the beginning of April.
Rico Saldivar sought information about parking for local cannabis business applicants.
Roman Gonzales asked when workshops regarding cannabis applications happen. City Manager Rodriguez clarified that the workshops would be in the middle of April.
In councilmember reports, Supervisor Montez said that the City had received a grant of 832,000 to clean up the trail.
The meeting ended at 7:52 pm. On Wednesday, April 6, 2022, the next regular meeting will be at 6:00 pm on YouTube.