Here’s what you need to know:
- At the August 17, 2022 Madera City Council meeting, Finance Director Kingsley Okereke presented the Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget workshop. Staff will review and present the budget at an Aug. 24 special meeting.
- The council approved six items on the consent agenda, including professional services related to the preparation of a development impact fee program update by Colgan Consulting Corporation for $16,500.
- The council also approved a $98,600 consultant services agreement with Mark Thomas for grant preparation services for Yosemite Avenue Street improvements, as well as a $115,800 agreement with Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group Inc. for engineering design services for water main replacement under the Fresno River.
- The council awarded a contract to create memorial monuments at Centennial Park and Rotary Park, estimated at $14,520.
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 17, 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
- Public Health Director Sara Bosse
- Financial Director Kingsley Okereke
- City Engineer Keith Helmuth
- Community Specialist II at The Arc of Fresno and Madera Counties Alicas Conley
- Senior Engineer Matthew Bullis
- Senior Planner Robert Smith
- Managing Partner at The Pun Group Kenneth Pun
- Felipe Limes
- Rosa, a resident near Yosemite Avenue
Discussions/Actions
- Community Specialist II at The Arc of Fresno and Madera Counties Alicas Conley and Felipe Limes urged the council to install adult changing tables in McNally Park.
- According to Public Health Director Sara Bosse, the Covid case rate is 28.6, which is a downward slope.
- Due to vaccinations and past cases, she stated that hospitals withstood surges of Omicron variants. She mentioned that vaccinations are available for all ages.
- Lastly, she encouraged the public to assess the risk and prepare by testing at home and wearing an N-95 mask.
A-1 Workshop on the Annual Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Year 2022/23
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 will be 4 percent adjustment to account for inflation.
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 the 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
New positions were added to the budget as follows:
- Police Auxiliary Services Supervisor
- Engineering: Administrative Analyst I
- Finance: Payroll Specialist
- Parks: Parks Manager
- Parks: Parks Worker I (2 positions; reduced equivalent hours in part-time
parks maintenance; equivalent hours, not equivalent dollars)
In the proposed fiscal year 2022-2023, water funds will have a surplus of 4 million, sewer funds will have a surplus of 1.38 million and solid waste fund of $723,000.
Staff will review and present the budget at the August 24, 2022, Council Special meeting.
First, the council (7-0) unanimously approved B-1 to B-6 of the consent agenda.
B-1 The council (7-0) approved the city council minutes of April 20, 2022, regular meeting and special meeting.
B-2 Informational report on register of audited demands for July 23, 2022, to August 5, 2022
B-3 Informational report on personnel activity (Report by Wendy Silva)
B-4 Remote city council meetings under Brown Act requirements (Assembly Bill 361)
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-5 Preparation of a development impact fee program update
The council (7-0) adopted a resolution approving Amendment No. 2 to an agreement with Colgan Consulting Corporation for professional services related to the preparation of a development impact fee program update for $16,500
B-6 2022 Old Timers Day Parade and Booths in the Park event entries
The council (7-0) approved a minute order authorizing the city manager to execute documents for any city entries in the Old Timers Day Parade and related Booths in the Park event scheduled for September 24, 2022
The public hearings focused on the following:
C-1 Approved the annexation of property within the Vineyard Estates Phase III-A Sudivision into City of Madera Landscape Maintenance District Zone of Benefit 27B (Report by City Engineer Keith Helmuth)
The council (7-0) adopted a resolution:
- Approving Annexation No. 2022-04 for Annexation of Vineyard Estates Phase III-A Subdivision (Tract No. 21-S-02) into Zone of Benefit 27B
- Confirming the Diagram and Assessment for City of Madera Landscape Maintenance District (LMD) Zone of Benefit 27B for FY 2023/24
- Authorizing the City Clerk to File the Diagram and Assessment with the Madera County Auditor
The improvement agreement and final map were approved at the August 3 council meeting.
Recordation of agreement and map can occur after the subdivision is annexed into the city’s Community Facilities District and LMD Zone 27B.
New development within the city is subject to annexation into a Landscape Maintenance District.
Assessments are levied to pay for each property’s fair share of landscaping maintenance.
Properties within this subdivision will be assessed at the fees of $48.88 per year as outlined in the staff report and included in the annual engineer’s report once the subdivision is accepted.
Under Petitions, Bids, Resolutions, Ordinances, And Agreements:
D-1 Approved a consultant services agreement with Mark Thomas for grant preparation services for Yosemite Avenue street improvements (Report by City Engineer Keith Helmuth)
The council (7-0) adopted a resolution approving a consultant services agreement with Mark Thomas for $98,600 for grant preparation services for the Yosemite Avenue Street Improvements, City Project R-95.
Council adopted State Route 145 Yosemite Avenue as the Downtown Main Street Plan (Plan) in April 2020.
Caltrans is currently working on a project to rehabilitate State Route 145 (SR 145) through the City of Madera.
Project limits are from Pecan Avenue to Tozer Avenue.
Caltrans is willing to add certain recommended improvements from the plan into their project.
However, they do not have funding for all recommended improvements.
In recent conversations with Caltrans staff, the following items are being incorporated into their project between Gateway and Lake:
- Road Diet: Converting Yosemite from 4-lanes to 2-lanes
- Adding Class Il bike lanes
- Bulb-outs at intersections between E Street and Lake Street
- High visibility crosswalks
- Street lighting
- Roundabouts at two intersections
- Consideration of flashers at one or more locations
To raise additional funding for the Caltrans project, staff has considered applying for grants that can supplement Caltrans’ project funding.
Mark Thomas and Company (Mark Thomas) developed the plan and have the background on the recommended improvements.
The Mark Thomas team has the background necessary for preparing grant applications.
Mark Thomas will complete a funding analysis to identify available grant resources. Potential grants include:
- Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) grant
- Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE)
- Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)
- Local Partnership Program (LPP)
Mark Thomas would prepare an application for the RCP grant and update exhibits and estimates for the application.
Applications are due October 13, 2022.
If requested, Mark Thomas will also prepare an application for a second grant identified in the funding analysis.
The base fee for these services, including an optional second application, is $89,600. The funding source proposed is Local Transportation Funds.
$9,000 is for extra services, if necessary, added to the contract for contingencies.
Rosa, a resident near Yosemite Avenue, asked whether the project included sidewalks. City Engineer Helmuth said yes.
D-2 Approved a $115,800 agreement with Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group Inc. for engineering design services for water main replacement under the Fresno River (Report by Senior Engineer Matthew Bullis)
The council (7-0) adopted a resolution approving an agreement with Provost & Pritchard Engineering Group Inc. for $115,800 for Professional Engineering Design Services for Completion of the Water Main Replacement under the Fresno River, Project W-00009.
Streambed erosion is a naturally occurring condition in river systems. Water flow constantly erodes, transports, and deposits soil within the streamed footprint.
Soil erosion in the Fresno River has exposed a city water main that was once buried six feet deep.
Portions of the water main are now at the ground surface, exposing the pipeline to vandalism, possible water contamination, and damage during future high water flow conditions.
All areas of the water main should be constructed to a depth of six feet.
In February 2019, Provost & Pritchard Engineering Group was contracted to provide this project’s preliminary (30 percent) design services.
Due to unknown field conditions, completing the 100 percent level design work would be included in a separate contract.
Given that the consultant completed the surveying, proposed water main layout, and 30 percent level design, staff recommended completing the remaining permitting and 100 percent level design work with Provost & Pritchard Engineering Group.
The city has negotiated an engineering design services contract with Provost & Pritchard Engineering Group for $115,800 to complete the engineering plans and environmental activities, along with securing all required state, federal, and railroad permits.
This project has no fiscal impact on the city’s General Fund. Permitting and engineering funding is from the Water Utility Fund and included in the Capital Improvement Budget.
D-3 Approved an agreement for Memorial Monuments at Centennial Park and Rotary Park (Report by Gabriela Salazar)
The council (7-0) adopted a resolution awarding the contract to David J. Boyle Electric Shop LLC, under IFB 202223-03 for Memorial Monuments at Centennial Park and Rotary Park, estimated at $14,520, and approved a Construction Services Agreement.
On September 2, 2020, Council adopted a Resolution to dedicate the horseshoe facility in Rotary Park to Harlen and Sharon Rippetoe.
Harlen and Sharon have been active in the horseshoe community since 2000.
Harlen is the founding member of the Big Valley Horseshoe League.
Harlen and Sharon were instrumental in the installation of the horseshoe facility located in Rotary Park and have maintained, on a volunteer basis, the horseshoe pits at other city parks over the last two decades.
The Big Valley Horseshoe League repainted the horseshoe pit fences at Rotary Park.
In July 2020, two-year-old Thaddeus San disappeared from his home.
Sadly, his remains were discovered near an orchard outside the city several days later.
Numerous individuals and community groups expressed a strong desire to memorialize the memory of Thaddeus.
Community groups and elected officials suggested that the playground at Centennial Park be dedicated in his honor.
On August 19, 2020, council adopted a resolution to dedicate the playground at Centennial Park in honor of Thaddeus.
Thaddeus had special needs; he was nonverbal and did not yet walk, among other challenges caused by his preterm birth.
It was designed to be used by children with a wide range of physical abilities where children and their families could enjoy the health, social, educational, and enhanced self-esteem benefits of outdoor physical play.
Each monument was estimated at $20,000, per engineering estimates, which includes the cost of the plaques, estimated not to exceed $5,000
A total of $20,000 was budgeted for the Rippetoe memorial monument.
A total of $17,000 was budgeted for the Sran memorial monument
- Plus donation of $3,157, for a total of $21,157
Plaques have been purchased at a total cost of $9,476.74.
With the bid amount received at $14,520, the city anticipates saving over $13,000.
The cost of memorial monuments has been respectively budgeted into the contracted services expense line item in Parks budget; 10206100.
D-4 Initiation of Proceedings for the Annexation of Tract 21-S-02/TSM2019-03 Pecan Square Subdivision into Community Facilities District 2005-1
1) The council (7-0) adopted a resolution adopting a boundary map showing the territory proposed for annexation to Community Facilities District No. 2005-01;
2) The council (7-0) adopted a resolution declaring its intention to annex territory (Tract 21-S02/TSM2019-03 Subdivision) to Community Facilities District No. 2005-01 (Public Services) to Authorize Levy of Special Taxes Therein, and Setting Public Hearing (Annexation No. 11)
D-5 Initiation of Proceedings for the Annexation of Tract 21-S-01/TSM2020-02 Crown Tozer Subdivision into Community Facilities District 2005-1
1) The council (7-0) adopted a resolution adopting a boundary map showing the territory proposed for annexation to Community Facilities District No. 2005-01
2) The council (7-0) adopted a resolution declaring its intention to annex territory (Tract 21-S-01/TSM 2020- 01 Subdivision) to the Community Facilities District No. 2005-01 (Public Services) to authorize the levy of special taxes therein and set a public hearing (Annexation No. 12)
D-6 Approved corrections to attachments to Resolution Nos. 22-101, 22-102, and 22-103 for water, sewer, and solid waste utility rates (Report by Finance Director Kingsley Okereke)
1) The council (7-0) adopted a resolution correcting Attachment A to Resolution No. 22-101 relating to monthly rates to be charged for water services furnished by the city for five years.
2) The council (7-0) adopted a resolution correcting Attachment A to Resolution No. 22-102 relating to monthly rates to be charged for sewer services furnished by the city for five years.
3) The council (7-0) adopted a resolution correcting Attachment A to Resolution No. 22-101 relating to monthly rates to be charged for solid waste services furnished by the city for five years.
Administrative reports centered on:
E-1 City council reviewed and accepted the annual audit results, and acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2020/21 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR)
The council reviewed and accepted the FY 2020/21 Annual Financial Audit and Recommendations and the prepared ACFR
On the audit results, Managing Partner at The Pun Group Kenneth Pun stated that:
- Financial statements are fairly presented in all material respects,
- Significant accounting policies have been consistently applied
- Estimates are reasonable
- Disclosures are properly reflected in the financial statements.
E-2 Direction regarding the annual commemoration of Juneteenth in the City of Madera
Options include:
- Commemorative holiday- formal recognition of Juneteenth, encouraging the community to honor and reflect on the conditions and experiences of others
- Commemorative holiday with addition of closure of city non-emergency services (would require to meet & confer/consult with bargaining units)
- Other ideas from council or the public
The council (7-0) directed the staff to consult with the bargaining units and bring back the item in the next council meeting.
The closed session consists of:
G-1 Liability claim under Section 54956.95
Agency Claimed Against: City of Madera
Claimant: Brian Mata
The meeting ended at 9:36 p.m. The next regular meeting will be on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 6 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.