Here’s what you need to know:

  • The council voted to adopt a resolution to collect approximately $263,051 to offset the cost of maintaining landscaping and street lighting for District 1.
  • The council voted to adopt a list of projects for the fiscal year 2022-2023, which will be funded by SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, with an anticipated budget of $1,150,000 plus an additional $250,000 funded by the Measure C Street Maintenance funds. 
  • The council voted to adopt a resolution in response to Governor Newsom’s emergency water conservation regulation, which reduces outdoor watering to two days per week, no outdoor watering between 8 am and 8 pm on designated days, and no washing of paved surfaces such as driveways and sidewalks. 

Follow-Up Questions

  • What does the budget and timeline for the construction of the Guardian Village look like?
  • What does the timeline for the reconstruction of the five railroad crossings in the city look like? This includes Manning, 8th, 10th, 13th, and Dinuba Streets. 

The Scene

The Reedley City Council meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, by Mayor Mary Fast. The meeting consisted of four of the five council members. Those present included Mayor Mary Fast, and Councilmembers Matthew Tuttle, Anita Bentacourt, and Ray Soleno. Councilmember Robert Beck had an excused absence. Other City staff present included City Manager Nicole Zieba, Community Services Director Sarah Reid, City Engineer Marilu Morales, Assistant City Manager Paul Melikian, Public Works Director Russ Robertson, and City Clerk Ruthie Greenwood. 

Presentation

Blake Konczal, the Executive Director for the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board said “The Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board is a Joint Powers Authority between the City of Fresno and Fresno County. We manage Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding, disbursed by the United States Department of Labor, to provide services that will ensure our participants find jobs and that businesses have access to a skilled workforce. A huge proportion of people, even in the best of economies, work multiple jobs. Rental rates have increased, with the highest increase in Fresno County. Data like this affect those employed and unemployed. We have contracts with dozens of schools in the valley. We have to make sure the training meets what employers are looking for. For example, Reedley College they have a great forestry program. We designed a vocational-specific program where employees go to the mountains and clear dead trees and grubs and remove them. Sonora College will replicate this program at their college since there is a huge need in that area as well.”

Martha Espinoza, the Marketing and Grants Manager, passed out info sheets to the Council and audience. “We are able to fund over 120 different training programs. We pay for books and do not charge for participation. We serve three different populations: young adults (14 – 24), unemployed adults, and businesses as employers.”

Workforce Connection Services 

  1. Career Exploration and Preparation
    1. Guidance and support
    2. Job readiness workshops
    3. Supportive services 
  2. No Cost Vocational Training
    1. Scholarships
    2. Over 120 training programs
    3. Support from the Employment Readiness Specialist 
  3. Job Placement Assistance
    1. Placement team
    2. Quality jobs
    3. Follow up services 

Martha Espinoza said “We work with individuals and help them figure out what field they want to go into. We cover scholarships, books, and supplies. We get funding through the Department of Labor so this is tax-payer money. We definitely have a need so we want to get the information to the people. There are so many opportunities.” A video was played on the recent career fair held. Mayor Mary Fast said “I appreciate you all for coming and speaking to us. I also appreciate that you are using our college and hospital for your training, you are not inventing something you, you are using what already exists.” 

Public Comment

There was no public comment. 

Consent Agenda

The Council unanimously approved all four items on the consent calendar as presented. 

  1. Approval of Minutes of the Special Council Meeting of May 17, 2022
  2. Approval of Minutes of the Special and Regular Council Meetings of May 24, 2022
  3. Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Sign an Agreement Addendum with Rincon Consultants, Inc. to Continually Perform On-Call Professional Services for the Community Development Department
  4. Approve and Authorize an Additional Allocation Not to Exceed $30,000 for the Completion of the Environmental Analysis for the Manning Avenue Annexation
  5. Approval of items pertaining to the expanded learning programs:
    • Ratify the Authorization for City Manager to Sign and Submit a Response to the Request for Proposal (RFP) for Expanded Learning Staffing and Operations with Fresno County Superintendent of Schools 
    • If Awarded, Authorize the City Manager to Sign the Master Program Provider Agreement with Fresno County Superintendent of Schools and All Pertaining Documents 
  6. Adopt Resolution No. 2022-055 Supporting the Application of Self-Help Enterprises for the Local Government Matching Grants Program and Approving Guardian Village’s Budget for the Local Government Grants Program 

Mayor Mary Fast asked to get more information on item 6. Debbie Barletta said “We will be building a 48-unit affordable housing. We have up to 4 bedroom apartments. We received questions from veterans if they can apply for an apartment. We are eligible to apply to LGMG, the Local Government Matching Grant, which requires support from the local jurisdiction of Self-Help Enterprises’ application to receive funding and approval of the City’s matching proportion which includes a reduction of impact fees. We have hope we will receive this grant.” Mayor Mary Fast said, “I know the veterans were disappointed they could not take over this property, but I hope we can find something for them.” Debbie Barletta said they spoke with the vets. 

The Council voted unanimously with 4 votes to approve the 6 agenda items. 

Public Hearing

  • Adopt Resolution No 2022-056 Levying the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Annual Assessments for the City of Reedley Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District No. 1 

City Engineer Marilu Morales said “As of today (June 14), the City has not received opposition from the public or the affected landowners. The City will collect approximately $263,051 to offset the cost of maintaining landscaping and street lighting in the District. This is an increase of $56,621.66 from the previous fiscal year due to the consumer index formula applied to Zones I thru Z and the addition of Zones AA, BB, CC, and DD. On May 24, 2022, City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-048 initiating proceedings for the annual levy and collection of assessments for the LLMD No. 1. At the same meeting, City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-049 preliminarily approving the Engineer’s Report of the City of Reedley’s 2022-2023 annual assessments for LLMD No. 1, and adopted Resolution No. 2022-050 stating the Council’s intention to levy and collect the annual assessments for this LLMD No. 1 and setting the date for the public hearing on June 14, 2022.” 

Mayor Mary Fast opened the meeting for a public hearing and closed it shortly after as there was no public comment. The Council voted unanimously with 4 votes to approve this item and adopt the resolution. 

Administrative 

  • Adopt Resolution No. 2022-057 Adopting a List of Projects for the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Funded by SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 

City Engineer Marilu Morales said “Each year the City is required to update and provide a list of proposed projects to receive funding from the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA), also known as SB 1. This list must include the location of the project, the proposed schedule of completion, and the estimated useful life of the improvement. Staff is recommending utilizing the full 2022-23 allocation of Road Maintenance Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds in conjunction with the previous year’s 2021-22 allocation of RMRA funds for a heavy rehabilitation project on 11th Street between Reed Avenue and East Avenue (Project). The Project will include the reconstruction of the roadway at the railroad crossing on 11th Street. Staff will be coordinating with the railroad for the reconstruction of the 11th Street crossing, therefore, Staff is recommending also fully reconstructing five of the six other railroad crossings in the City (Manning, 8th, 10th, 13th, and Dinuba) since coordination with the railroad will have to occur due to the Project. The total cost of the Project is anticipated to be $1,150,000 which will utilize the entire 2021-22 and 2022- 23 RMRA allocations and Measure C Street Maintenance funds. The total cost of the reconstruction of the five railroad crossings is anticipated to be $250,000 which will utilize Measure C Street Maintenance funds.” The Council unanimously approved this item and adopted the resolution. 

  • Adopt Resolution No. 2022-058 Approving and Imposing Level 2 Water Conservation Restrictions 

Russ Robertson, the Public Works Director said “The Governor of the State of California has declared the State of Emergency to exist across all counties of California due to extreme and expanding drought conditions. On May 24, 2022, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted an emergency water conservation regulation in response to Governor Newsome’s Executive Order N-7-22. The regulation requires urban water suppliers to implement Level 2 of their water conservation plans or ordinances to take effect on June 10, 2022. The Reedley Municipal Code Section 8-1-12, Water Conservation Restrictions, notes the required Level 2 restrictions:

  • Reduction of outdoor watering to two days per week. 
  • No outdoor watering between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on designated days. 
  • No washing of paved surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways, etc. 

“In addition to Level 2 restrictions, the new regulation also prohibits the irrigation of turf at commercial, industrial, and institutional properties, such as grass in front of an industrial or commercial building. The ban does not include the watering of turf that is used for recreation or other community purposes. The City’s change from Level 1 to Level 2 shall be communicated to the public by all reasonable means to ensure compliance. Notification of the change was placed in the Mid Valley Times on June 9, 2022, and on the City’s social media sites as well as on the City’s website. English and Spanish versions of the notification will also be sent in the June utility bill and available at the counters at City Hall.” 

Councilmember Anita Bentacourt asked, “What if people have not heard about this?” Russ Robertson said, “Since the schools are part of the state agency, then they will manage themselves.” Mayor Fast asked, “What other businesses will be affected?” He answered “We did not do a full audit on this. We are taking a reasonable approach to this. Trees and perennial foliage can be watered. It is reasonable to water and not expect them to put in drip irrigation to water the trees and plants temporarily.” The Council voted unanimously to approve and adopt this resolution. 

  • Adoption of 2022-23 Fiscal Year Budget and Related Fiscal Items:
  1. Adopt Resolution No. 2022-051 of the City Council of the City of Reedley, acting in its Capacity as City Council to the City, Successor Agency to the former Redevelopment Agency, and as the Board of the Reedley Housing Authority, Adopting the Final Budget of the City of Reedley for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, Providing for the Appropriation and Expenditure of all Sums Set Forth in Said Final Budget, Providing for the Transfers and Additional Appropriations and Repealing all Resolutions and Parts of Resolutions in Conflict Herewith, Except as provided for by Minute Order of the City Council on June 14, 2022  
  2. Adopt Resolution No. 2022-052 of the City Council of the City of Reedley Adopting Master Salary Tables for all Employees of the City of Reedley
  3. Adopt Resolution No. 2022-053 of the City Council of the City of Reedley Establishing a Salary and Benefit Schedule for Underrepresented Employees
  4. Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Execute 
  5. Adopt Resolution No. 2022-035 of the City Council of the City of Reedley Establishing a Revised Compensation Schedule for the Volunteer Fire Department 
  6. Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Two-Year Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Reedley and the Reedley Police Officers Association, Effective July 1, 2022, and Ending June 30, 2024
  7. Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with the County of Fresno to Administer and Receive up to $92,172 in Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response Funds for Senior Citizen Meal Program Costs Incurred from June 2021 through May 2023
  8. Adopt Budget Resolution, No. 2022-054 of the City Council of the City of Reedley Amending the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget Appropriating $92,172 in Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response Funding through the County of Fresno to Fund the Senior Citizen Meal Program for Eligible Costs incurred from June 2021 through May 2023

City Clerk Ruthie Greene “Tonight is an exciting time for staff, this is the culmination of our work. The document we provided is very thorough and complex as well as transparent for the public. There are multiple documents that need to be voted on and approved in order for the budget to go into effect. We are still looking into the graffiti abatement program. We will bring that to you at a future meeting once we have completed our research.” 

Eric Valencia, President and CEO of the Greater Reedley Chamber of Commerce, showed a video of the work the chamber did previously. We actually won an award for the video, which one of our youth members on the board created for us. Our budget is $175,000. I hope the City believes in us and what we are doing. We work hard to market the City, with over 14,000 followers across our three social media platforms, we have a big reach. We market our businesses but also the City.”

The newest employee on the Board said “The junior board gives insights into how businesses function. This year we partnered with the City of Reedley where we had a movie night. It was a nice time for friends and family. This program is not only expanding but offering more opportunities as it grows.” Councilmember Matthew Tuttle asked, “Have you thought about what you will do if you lost funding?” Eric Valencia said, “We will probably have to increase membership fees and cut employees.” City Clerk Ruthie Greene said “Eric acts as a right-hand man to me in many ways because he makes my job easier. If we do not fund the Chamber, then we will have to hire a person to fill that role, but it would have to be more than $50,000 because of benefits.” 

Mayor Mary Fast opened the meeting for public comment, to which there was none. The Council voted unanimously to approve the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget. 

Receive Information & Reports

The Council received the two following reports for their information:

  1. Reedley Airport Commission Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 22, 2022
  2. Reedley Planning Commission Minutes of Regular Meeting of April 21, 1011

Council Reports

  • Councilmember Ray Soleno: No report. 
  • Councilmember Anita Betancourt: “I noticed there is some water flowing in the river, so from now there will be more people by the river.” 
  • Councilmember Matthew Tuttle: “I appreciate the services the City provides for my children. I want to thank the officers that dealt with a challenging patient last month.”
  • Mayor Mary Fast: “The water is really pretty, but very high right now. There are a lot of very shallow areas but then it drops. I attended the Council of Government meeting and they did an audit from 2018 to 2021. In the rural transit, they reported that ridership has decreased but passenger fees have more than tripled so that was interesting to learn. We had a meeting to go over the design of the new library that will hopefully be completed in a few years.” 

Staff Reports

  • City Manager Nicole Zieba: “We got word that U.S. Senator Padilla has approved our project which will be added to the federal budget. This is phenomenal news. With only two senators in California, you can imagine how many requests they are receiving to fund their projects. We do not get surface water so it does not affect us. However, we have a ballot on this to increase the fees. Let me know if we want to include this on the ballot or not include it as it does not impact us. If Council decides we want a yes or no vote on the ballot, then it will need to be added to the agenda, with a motion and second so it can be added. Otherwise, we will leave it as is. 

Closed Session

Mayor Mary Fast motioned the Council to move to a closed session at 9 p.m. 

Adjournment

With no further discussion, Mayor Mary Fast adjourned the City Council meeting at 9:22 p.m.

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

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