Here’s what you need to know: 

  • According to its CEO Karen Paolinelli, the Madera Community Hospital (MCH) has lost $26 million in responding to COVID cases. She reiterated that “Covid is not beyond us” and urged the council to allot American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support MCH. 
  • The council (7-0) approved an engineering consultant services agreement with Cornerstone Structural Engineering Group Inc. for a fee of $1,015,144 for engineering design services for the Westberry Bridge and a 10 percent contingency.
  • The council (7-0) approved a ten-year contract with Mid Valley Disposal for the collection, transportation and recycling of solid waste services.
  • Kristi Johnson and Will Tackett were named the new Grants Program Manager and Community Development Director, respectively. 
  • Finance Director Okereke announced a “balanced budget” for the Fiscal Year 2022-23. 

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, August. 3, 2022, at 6 p.m., 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
  • Finance Director Kingsley Okereke
  • Madera Community Hospital (MCH) CEO Karen Paolinelli
  • MCH Vice Chair Stell Manfredi
  • Kristi Johnson
  • Will Tackett
  • Mid Valley president Joseph Kalpakoff

Discussions/Actions

  • According to its CEO Karen Paolinelli, the Madera Community Hospital (MCH) has “lost” $26 million in responding to COVID cases. 
    • Notwithstanding the $11 million support from the council, she stated that MCH has a $15 million deficit.
    • She added that Covid “took a toll” financially on MCH and stressed that “there will be no way we will be able to recover.” 
    • She pointed out the hardship of recruiting nurses due to the rise of traveling nurses.
    • She reiterated that “Covid is not beyond us” and urged the council to allot ARPA funds to support MCH.
    • MCH Vice Chair Stell Manfredi maintained that their reserves are depleted, considering they are in a “high Medi-cal user-patient area.”
    • Hence, he requests the council for $1 million so that MCH’s cash flow will not be in “jeopardy” until its transition to St. Agnes is complete. 
  • Kristi Johnson and Will Tackett were named the new Grants Program Manager and Community Development Director, respectively. 
  • Finance Director Kingsley Okereke presented the Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget workshop. 
    • He mentioned inflation, consumer confidence, pandemic impact, and federal or state aid as considerations in crafting the budget. 
    • Revenues will come from the following sources:
  • Sales tax based on HDL estimates (including Measure K)
  • Property tax basic 2 percent per Proposition 13
  • Other general and special revenues – Modest 2 percent to 3 percent adjustment
  • Utility Rates/Charges – Based on Rate Study and Prop 218 approvals
  • The budget will adjust salaries and benefits based on negotiated arrangements.
  • City reserves will pay the increases in healthcare premiums and employee stipends.
  • Health costs as proposed by vendors consistent with market/inflation
  • Retirement costs based on CaPERs actuarial report
  • Utility and Public Works Material costs – Historical trend and 4 percent adjustment
  • Finance Director Okereke announced a “balanced budget” for the Fiscal Year 2022-23. 
  • New requests and additions are as follows:
  • $526,000- fire adjustment per new contract
  • CalPers increase
  • Citywide trash/river clean up – $250,000
  • Housing Element update – $300,000
  • Increase Fire Engine replacement fund from $200,000 per year to $490,000
  • Added $120,000 for council elections
  • Regarding General Fund expenditures, Council Member Rodriguez asked whether vacancies for positions, if not filled, become surplus. 
    • If not filled, Finance Director Okereke confirmed that the funds for vacancies would be part of the fund balance. 
    • He clarified that most vacancies are in the Police Department, which take 2 to 3 months to fill. 
  • City Manager Arnoldo Rodriguez announced that in the next board meeting on August 17, they would present to the council a revised budget.

First, the council (7-0) unanimously approved B-1 to B-10 of the consent agenda.

B-1 The council (7-0) approved the minutes of April 6, 2022, and April 18, 2022

B-2 The council (7-0) accepted the informational report on the register of audited demands for July 9, 2022, to July 22, 2022

B-3 The council (7-0) adopted 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-4 The council (7-0) adopt a minute order approving a letter of participation as a participating member in the Madera County Department of Public Health Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee Hospital Preparedness Program

B-5 Sidewalk improvements to Maple, Santa Cruz, and Monterey Streets

The council (7-0) adopted a minute order approving:

1) Acceptance of the construction of Sidewalk Improvement – Maple Street – Santa Cruz Street – Monterey Street, CDBG Project No. B19MC060053, City Project No. R-84

2) The Recording of Notice of Completion

3) The Release of Retention 35 Days after Recording of the Notice of Completion (Report by Keith Helmuth)

B-6 Engineering Design Services for Bid Package 3 Sidewalk Improvements at Various Locations

1) The council (7-0) adopted a resolution approving a Consultant Services Agreement with O’Dell Engineering for $402,344 for Engineering Design Services for Bid Package 3 Sidewalk Improvements at Various Locations, City Project R-94, AHSC Project No. 19-AHSC-12760; 

2) The council (7-0) adopted a resolution appropriating $450,000 to the fiscal year 2022/23 capital projects, City Project R-94, AHSC Project No. 19-AHSC-12760

B-7 The council (7-0) adopted a resolution approving Amendment No. 2 to the lease agreement between the City and Madera Cab Company for the use of office space at the Madera Intermodal Transit Center.

B-8 The council (7-0) adopted a resolution authorizing the submission of a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 grant application for $698,053.

B-9 Vineyard Estates Phase III-A Subdivision (Tract No. 21-S-02) Final Map and Improvement Agreement and Initiation of Annexation Proceedings into Landscape Maintenance District

1) The council (7-0) adopt a resolution:

  1. Approving the Final Map for the Vineyard Estates Phase III-A Subdivision
  2. Approving Improvement Agreement for the Vineyard Estates Phase III-A Subdivision (Tract No. 21-S-02)
  3. Authorizing staff to record the Final Map and Improvement Agreement
  4. Accepting the Dedication of Land for Public Use

2) The council (7-0) adopted a resolution:

  1. Initiating Proceedings Under the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 for the Annexation of Property into City of Madera Landscape Maintenance District Zone of Benefit 27B, to Review the Improvements and Assessments for the Fiscal year 2023/24, and Setting a Public Hearing.

B-10 Consideration of a Minute Order Acceptance of a Fee Waiver to UFW Foundation

The council (7-0) adopted a minute order approving a fee waiver to the UFW Foundation for the Rental of the Rotary Park Facilities regarding the “Farm Worker March for the Governor Signature: AB-1283”

Under Petitions, Bids, Resolutions, Ordinances, And Agreements:

D-1 Engineering Design Services for the Westberry Bridge at the Fresno River (presented by Senior Engineer Steve Bettencourt)

1) The council (7-0) adopted a resolution approving an Engineering Consultant Services Agreement with Cornerstone Structural Engineering Group Inc. for a fee of $1,015,144 for Engineering Design Services for the Westberry Bridge and a 10 percent Contingency.

2) The council (7-0) adopted a resolution appropriating $1,250,000 in the Fiscal Year 2022/23 Capital Projects Budget for the project 

Westberry Boulevard is classified as an arterial roadway in the City’s road classification system.

Over the years, residential development on both sides of the Fresno River has increased traffic congestion on Cleveland Avenue, Sunset Avenue, and collector roadways. 

Currently, all vehicular traffic north and south of the Fresno River in the immediate area use the Granada Bridge to the east of Westberry Blvd. 

The development can potentially add driving time, vehicle emissions, and additional wear on the Granada Bridge.

In 2008, while working for a local developer (K Hovnanian Development), Cornerstone prepared design studies, obtained bridge type approval from regulatory agencies, performed geotechnical studies, and prepared 30 percent of design drawings. 

Most of the engineering is usable today, although Cornerstone and K Hovnanian own the rights to this work.

Funding for the engineering will be from Transportation Development Impact Fees.

The City received an engineering proposal for the full scope of civil, electrical, structural, geotechnical, hydraulic, and environmental engineering and permitting from Cornerstone.

Cornerstone’s engineering fee averaged over $430,000 lower than nine bridges built or are going to be built in the surrounding counties in the last five years.

The reimbursement to K Hovnanian Development is not expected to exceed $200,000, which leaves net savings.

Councilmember Rodriguez emphasized that the project must be built “as soon as possible” due to the rise in construction costs. 

D-2 Franchise Agreement with Mid Valley Disposal for the Collection, Transportation, and Recycling of Solid Waste Services (presented by City Manager Arnoldo Rodriguez and Mid Valley president Joseph Kalpakoff)

The current agreement spans from January 1, 2013- December 31, 2022

Under the existing agreement:

  • Mid Valley collects refuse
  • The city charges customers and remits payments to Mid Valley
  • Partner for the annual curbside clean-up
  • Three sharp drop-off locations and a battery drop-off location
  • In 2017, the City transferred additional duties to Mid Valley

The City is not in compliance with SB 1383 regulations.

A longer-term agreement is necessary to maintain low costs for customers, ensure quality service, and follow SB1383.

Under SB 1383:

  • Aims to reduce the disposal of organic material in landfills
  • Expects to reduce methane emissions
  • All residents and businesses must comply
  • Separating food and food-soiled paper
  • products for composting pick-up
  • 20 percent of currently disposed of edible food must be recovered for consumption by grocers and the food industry

The city engaged NBS to prepare a Proposition 218 Rate Study, which included Sewer, Water, Solid Waste, and Street Sweeping Drainage. 

Recently, the council has approved:

  • New rates, not including drainage
  • To mitigate rates, Council allocated 100 percent, or $23 million, of ARPA funds for Sewer and Water Funds.
  • Updates to the Municipal Code for Solid Waste
  • Staff is presenting a 10-year agreement

The Mid Valley contract will upfront capital improvements, maintain customer costs to a minimum, have competitive pricing, and keep the city in compliance. 

In the 10-year Mid Valley Contract, the City retains 25.5 percent Residential and 20 percent Commercial in cost recovery.

  • Used for street repairs, tree/debris removal, staff
  • Note that the Solid Waste Fund is an Enterprise Fund
  • Staff will monitor the cost recovery
  • The goal is to maintain a nominal reserve

Mid Valley will also commit to: 

  • Collect waste at Public Works and City Hall at no additional cost
  • Continue the Annual Curbside Cleanup Program
  • Offer walk-in services for seniors/handicap residents
  • Present up to $5,000 annually in scholarships to Madera graduates
  • Provide up to $10,000 annually to support the 4th of July event
  • Serve as the lead for filing documentation with CalRecycle to include SB 1383
  • Collect and dispose of Christmas trees cut to the correct size
  • Collect up to 20 tons of illegal dumping annually
  • Provide up to 4 sharps collection kiosks and battery drop-off locations

Council Member Montez asked what happens to the rates when the provisions of SB 1383 change.

Mid Valley president Joseph Kalpakoff clarified that Madera does not qualify for waivers for low population and elevation above 5,000 feet.

He maintained that CalRecycle had tasked a body to implement SB 1383. For Madera, Mid Valley has “flexibility” in enforcing SB 1383, which can increase or decrease rates. 

The council (7-0) adopted a resolution approving the proposed agreement with Mid Valley Disposal for the collection, transportation, and recycling of solid waste services.

Council Member Gallegos urged schools and the provisions to be proactive in recycling.

In response to the earlier public comment by MCH CEO Karen Paolinelli and Vice Chair Stell Manfredi, Council Members Gallegos and Evans recommended the staff organize a workshop to discuss the financial status of MCH.

The meeting ended at 10:26 p.m. On Wednesday, August 17, 2022, the next meeting will be at 6 p.m. 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.

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