Here’s what you need to know:
- According to Baldwin Moy, a resident, landlords circumvent AB 1482, which establishes rent caps and requires “no-fault” waivers to terminate the tenancy.
- Qualified households under the Affordable Connectivity Program can avail of free internet and receive $30 per month as credit, while those in tribal lands can receive $75.
- The Council (4-3) approved the tentative allocations for using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2022-2023 Action Plan funds of $982,010 towards projects ranging from rental assistance to public improvements.
- The Council (7-0) adopted a resolution approving Amendment No. 3 to the Professional Services Agreement with Provost and Pritchard Consulting Group to increase the not-to-exceed compensation fee by an additional $100,000.
- City Manager Arnoldo Rodriguez stated that SB 1383, an “exhaustive” overhaul in collecting and reporting solid waste, will significantly increase ratepayers throughout the state.
The Scene
According to its website, the Madera City Council, a board of seven, is the elected legislative body of the City of Madera. 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, June. 15, 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, City Planner Gary Conte, Interim Finance Director Kingsley Okereke, Misteres, Jason Turner, Baldwin Moy, Nasreen Johnson, and Hester Keith from Red Rock Environmental, Director of Government Affairs (Southern Valley) for Comcast Nathan Ahle, Grants Administrator Marcela Zuniga,
Discussions/Actions
Misteres, a teacher, urged Council to expedite cannabis applications, look beyond the numbers, and consider companies that give back to the community.
Jason Turner from Chowchilla said that his family could not afford the “400 percent rent” increase.
According to Baldwin Moy, a resident, landlords are circumventing AB 1482, which passed in 2019 and took effect in 2020.
AB 1482 establishes rent caps and requires “no-fault” waivers to terminate the tenancy.
According to him, landlords are giving notes to “kick out” tenants to raise the rent.
For example, he pointed out a tenant living in veteran housing, despite having a term lease agreement, experienced a 25 percent rent increase.
Thus, he sought the Council to investigate the ongoing eviction crisis.
Nasreen Johnson and Hester Keith from Red Rock Environmental urged the Council to open the bidding process for the Madera Solid Waste Contract.
They stated that the bidding process would allow the City to compare qualified vendors, review options, and ensure proper spending of public funds.
Mayor Garcia suggested the public dial the police to report individuals dumping in the river.
During the 2021 Farmer’s Market season, Madera Community Hospital Foundation in
partnership with Madera County Health Department, WIC, and Residents Champions, promoted the Farmer’s Market and earned total sales of $24,432.00.
Neighborhood Farmer’s Market 2022 goals include:
- Increase local access to affordable, healthy food in our community.
- Continue supporting and promoting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs.
- Maximize IC voucher redemption.
- Support our local farmers.
- Promote local agencies and organizations’ resources.
- Bring the Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program.
Director of Government Affairs (Southern Valley) for Comcast Nathan Ahle announced initiatives to bridge the digital divide, such as increasing hotspots, providing low-cost broad broadband programs, and partnering with school districts.
He announced that Comcast has participated in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a $14.2 billion federal government program that extends and modifies the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program.
Qualified households under the Affordable Connectivity Program can avail of free internet and receive $30 per month as credit, while those in tribal lands can receive $75.
Individuals are eligible for the program if they are eligible for public assistance programs like the National School Lunch Program, public housing assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI,
Federal Pell Grant, and others.
First, the Council (7-0) unanimously approved B-1 to B-15 of the consent agenda.
B-1 Minutes – 11/03/21
B-2 Informational Report on Register of Audited Demands for May 21, 2022, to June 3, 2022
B-3 Informational Report on Personnel Activity
B-4 Olive Avenue Widening and Reconstruction Gateway Drive to Knox Street, Phase 2 Utility Undergrounding Project
The Council (7-0) adopted a resolution increasing the Allowable Project Contingencies from 10 to 25 percent for the Olive Avenue Widening and Reconstruction -Gateway Drive to Knox Street Phase 2, Utility Undergrounding City Project No. R-000010
B-5 Applications for Transportation Development Act (TDA) – Local Transportation Funds (LTF) and State Transit Assistance (STA) Funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022/23
B-6 Project List for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022/23 Funded by Senate Bill (SB 1) Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) – Local Streets and Roads Funding Program
B-7 Adoption of the 2022-2025 City of Madera Title VI Program Update Regarding Policies and Procedures to Assure Nondiscrimination in Public Transit Services
B-8 Revisions to Airport Advisory Commission (AAC) Rules of Procedure
B-9 Adoption of an Ordinance Relating to the Police Department’s Use of Military Equipment Per Assembly Bill 481 (AB 481)
B-10 Approval of a New Schedule “A” Agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, for Fire Service Operations, excluded in the report to Council on the June 1, 2022, Council meeting
B-11 Remote City Council Meetings Under Brown Act Requirements (Assembly Bill 361)
Recommendation: Council to decide to adopt a Resolution Reauthorizing Remote Teleconference Public Meetings by the City Council and All Boards, Commissions, and Standing Committees of the City under Assembly Bill 361 for 30 Days
B-12 Initiating Proceedings for Annexation of Pecan Square Subdivision (Tract No. 20-S-02) into City of Madera Landscape Maintenance District Zone of Benefit 8
The public hearings focused on the following:
C-1 Public Hearing on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2022-2023 Action Plan Funding Allocation
The Council (4-3) approved the tentative allocations for using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2022-2023 Action Plan funds for $982,010 towards projects ranging from rental assistance to public improvements.
Councilmembers Gallegos, Montes, and Rodriguez voted no.
The Council (7-0) approved the administration allocation of the CDBG funds.
The Council (7-0) approved the capital/public improvements allocation.
According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) national objectives, For a project to qualify, it must meet at a minimum one of the following objectives:
- The benefit to low- and moderate-income (LMI) persons; or
- Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight; or
- Meet a need having a particular urgency (referred to as urgent need)
The city of Madera submitted a Consolidated Plan for 2020 to 2024.
Primary priorities are quality housing (rent affordability and rental assistance) and homelessness (supportive services and prevention)
The second-tier priority is neighborhood revitalization, which covers infrastructure improvements, streets/road/lighting, and community centers/parks.
The City is an entitlement jurisdiction that receives annual CDBG funding.
The 2022-2023 CDBG funding allocation is $922,010.
HUD allows rolling over unexpended allocations.
Last year, HUD awarded La Madera Accessible Living Studios $60,000 for 2021-2022), yet the project did not come to fruition.
The city is reallocating $60,000 the following amount in Capital/Public Improvements.
The grants allocate 20 percent for administration, 15 percent for public service, $599,306 for capital projects/public improvements, $922,010 for current year allocation, and $60,000 for 2021-22 rollover.
The Block Grant Commission put proposals for review such as:
- $164,402 for administration to oversee the CDBG program
- $20,000 point-in-time count administration.
- $30,000 for the Madera Rental Assistance Project
- $34,500 for Homeless Prevention and Services
- $37,400 for Temporary Victim Housing
- $10,000 for Child Entrepreneurship and Education Program
- $35,401.50 for Senior Nutrition and Recreation
- $25,000 for Front Counter ADA Compliant Upgrades
- $25,000 for the Beautification Project
Councilmember Montes suggested $21,401.50 for Senior Nutrition and Recreation and $5,000 for the Madera Coalition of Community Justice Street Art Project.
Given the eviction crisis, Councilmember Evans and Mayor Garcia sought to increase allocation for rental assistance.
City Manager Rodriguez noted that cutting funds for some programs is cumbersome.
Grants Administrator Marcela Zuniga stated that there is remaining CBG funding for the 2021-22 allocation.
The tentative allocations for the use of CDBG 2022-2023 Action Plan funds are as follows:
- $10,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters
- $5,000 for Madera Coalition for Community Justice (MYLSAP Street Art)
- $32,500 for Madera Rescue Mission
- $35,400 for OLIVE Charitable Organization
- $10,000 for Pequenos Empresarios
- $34,000 for Madera Coalition for Community Justice (Madera Rental Assistance)
- $21,401 for City of Madera Parks (Seniors)
The allocation for capital/public improvements is as follows
- $25,000 for the City of Madera Engineering Department
- $25,000 for City of Madera Public Works Department Graffiti Clean Up
Under Petitions, Bids, Resolutions, Ordinances, And Agreements:
D-1 Amendment No. 3 to Professional Services Agreement with Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group
The Council (7-0) adopted a resolution approving Amendment No. 3 to the Professional.
Services Agreement with Provost and Pritchard Consulting Group to increase the not-to-exceed compensation fee by an additional $100,000.
The Council (7-0) authorized the Finance Director to transfer $100,000 from the City’s
2021/22 Unrestricted General Fund into the Planning Department’s 2021/22 “Contract Services” Account.
The Planning Department continues to receive unprecedented applications.
The Planning Department is currently processing over 60 discretionary & ministerial entitlement projects.
City retained Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group in April 2020 to assist the Planning Department in environmental reviews.
Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group is an invaluable asset to the Planning Department in performing services necessary to process and complete land use and entitlement applications.
Amendment No. 3 Request involves a fee increase of $100,000. Scope and services remain the same as amended by Contract Addendum No. 2.
Terms remain the same as outlined in the original agreement. The funding source comes from unassigned funds from the City’s General Fund.
Fees paid by applicants of land use and development entitlements will cover Portions of the fee increase.
D-2 Council (7-0) unanimously approved Resolution in place of the timely Fiscal year 2022-2023 Budget Adoption and Authorization of 60 days Extension to Prepare and Present the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget.
Administrative reports centered on:
E-1 Mid-Valley Disposal Contract Update
The city approved an agreement with a private waste hauler, Mid Valley.
The City collects payment, while Mid Valley collects all solid waste and is responsible for the sorting waste.
Currently, Single Family Residential (SFR) pays $23.22. Of this, the City pays Mid Valley and pays for City-related services (utility billing, pavement of roads, etc.).
The existing agreement sunsets in December.
Every five years, agencies must prepare a Prop 218 study. The City’s study, conducted by NBS, includes sewer, water, solid waste, street sweeping, and drainage.
The council allocated $23 million to sewer and water to mitigate rate increases.
City Manager Rodriguez stated that SB 1383, an “exhaustive” overhaul in collecting and reporting solid waste, will significantly increase ratepayers throughout the state.
Due to timing, the staff is negotiating a new contract with Mid Valley to present to Council.
The new contract is required, given that the existing contract does not address SB 1383.
A new 6-month agreement is not feasible. The team is working towards a 10-year agreement; generally, a shorter contract would result in higher customer monthly costs.
As projected by SB 1383 and the NBS Study, a new agreement will still increase rates.
The city anticipated staff to submit a draft agreement with MidValley to the Council on July 6, effective August 1.
The Council conducted a close session on the following:
G-1 Liability Claim Under Section §54956.95 – Agency Claimed Against City of Madera
Claimants:
1. Randy Williams
2. Thomas Burns
3. Madera Police Officers’ Association
G-2 Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Under Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1))
Name of Case: Golden State Environmental Justice Alliance v. City of Madera (real party in interested Origo Cold Madera, LLC), Madera County Superior Court Case No. MCV087157
The meeting ended at 9:45 pm. On Wednesday, July 6, 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@fresnoland.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.