Here’s What You Need To Know
- At its September 29, 2022, meeting, the Reedley City Council approved the non-exclusive license agreement between Fresno Street Eats and the City of Reedley to offer recurring food truck events within Pioneer Park until October 1, 2023.
- During public comment, Brenda Geery, Adrian De Gallo, and Maria Pineda asked for information regarding the new development on West Island.
- The council members allotted $428,052 in the General Fund to cover costs associated with the Expanded Learning Program (ELP), which will provide students with field trip programs.
- Suzanne M. Byers was sworn into the vacant City Council District 3 seat and confirmed Council Member Betancourt’s appointment to the Fresno Council Of Governments as an alternate board member.
- The council members approved the Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) North Avenue Improvements Project from Columbia Avenue to Haney Avenue. Camacho Park is along the roadway segment.
Follow-Up Questions
- When will the CDBG roadway improvements from Columbia Avenue to Haney Avenue take effect?
- Will the additional funding to the Expanded Learning Programs be sufficient to cover staff and other programs?
- What will be the residents’ next actions on the new development on West Island?
The Scene
According to Its website, The City Council regularly meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month At 7:00 P.M. at the Reedley City Council Chambers located at 845 “G” Street, Reedley, CA 93654, (559) 637-4200, Ext. 212.
Reedley City council members present:
- Mayor Mary Fast
- Councilmember Ray Soleno
- Councilmember Anita Betancourt
- Councilmember Matthew Tuttle
- Councilmember Suzanne Byers
Others present:
- City Manager Nicole Zieba
- City Attorney Laurie Avedisian-Favini
- Assistant City Manager Paul Melikian
- Jenny Reyes
- Taylor Cardines
- Silvia Martinez
- Claudia Rodriguez
- Brenda Geery
- Adrian De Gallo
- Maria Pineda
Discussions/Actions
Jenny Reyes was named the new staff assistant at the Public Works Department, replacing Rosanne Herrera.
Taylor Cardines was named the new recreation coordinator.
Silvia Martinez and Claudia Rodriguez were named staff assistants at the Community Services Department.
During public comment, Brenda Geery, Adrian De Gallo, and Maria Pineda asked for information regarding the new development on West Island.
The council (5-0) unanimously approved Items #4-8 in the consent agenda.
5. The council approved the minutes of the regular council meeting on September 13, 2022.
6. The council approved the non-exclusive license agreement between Fresno Street Eats and the City of Reedley to offer recurring food truck events within Pioneer Park.
In July 2022, city staff met with Fresno Street Eats to discuss the opportunity for a partnership to offer a food truck event on August 18, 2022, in Pioneer Park.
The one-time event served as a pilot to gauge community interest and determine if this event would succeed in Reedley.
Fresno Street Eats has started hosting these events in communities similar to Reedley and is successfully bringing people out in a public space.
The General Plan identifies Pioneer Park as a Community Park. Additionally, the General Plan notes that community parks are an important component of Reedley’s quality of life and create stronger community ties which are crucial factors in the city’s long-term growth.
Fresno Street Eats pilot event helped fulfill the General Plan’s vision of place-making while utilizing one of the city’s most visible community parks in downtown Reedley.
With the success of the August 18, 2022 pilot event, city staff recommends entering into a long-term agreement with Fresno Street Eats to host monthly events for up to one year, with the agreement expiring on October 1, 2023.
Under the agreement, Fresno Street Eats will be required to acquire an annual business license, provide a certificate of insurance, and provide a site plan and security plan to the Chief of Police to review and approve should a beer garden be incorporated into any of the events.
7. The council approved the following actions to fund the 2022-23 Expanded Learning Programs at T L Reed and Washington School Sites:
A. The council approved Amendment 1 to the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Kings Canyon Unified School District (KCUSD)
B. The council adopted Resolution 2022-082, amending the 2022-23 budget appropriating $428,052 in the General Fund to cover costs associated with the Expanded Learning Program (ELP).
The City of Reedley has provided services for the Expanded Learning Programs (ELP) at TL Reed and Washington School sites since 2006.
Over the years, staff has seen the programs evolve and grow to meet the district’s needs, and priorities change.
The State of California is providing additional funding designated for ELP.
KCUSD is receiving an additional $11.3 million to eliminate waitlists, provide transportation home from programs, expand services to include transitional kindergarten (TK) students, and enhance existing programs.
This additional funding is increasing the responsibilities and demands on the part-time program site coordinators, which already have a full load of responsibilities to manage.
The KCUSD recognizes the impact this will have on the service providers and has authorized additional contract funding necessary for the City of Reedley to hire:
- One full-time recreation coordinator position to absorb these additional duties and oversee both sites
- Convert one part-time office assistant to a full-time staff assistant who will assist the Administrative Services Department and the Community Services Department with account payable responsibilities.
The biggest change this additional funding provides is the experiences and field trips the programs will offer to students.
Supply funding for previous years was $20,000 per site. Amendment 1 is increasing this amount to $171,042 per site.
ELP is supported through different funding sources. The program at T L Reed receives funding from Proposition 49 After School Education and Safety and KCUSD.
The Washington school program receives funding from Proposition 49 After School Education and Safety, KCUSD, and Save the Children.
Staff is working through the Request for Proposal process required by the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools for the Proposition 49 ASES funding contracts.
8. The council considered the following items (A), (B), and (C) for a traffic signal on Reed Avenue and the northernmost entrance to Reedley College
A. The council authorized the memorandum of understanding with Kings Canyon Unified School District for the traffic signal
B. The council authorized the memorandum of understanding with Reedley College and State Center Community College District for the traffic signal and made non-substantive changes, if necessary
C. The council adopted Resolution No. 2022-083 amending the Fiscal Year 2022-23 adopted budget appropriating $600,000 in available Measure C Flexible Funds for the traffic signal.
Reedley College is currently constructing a Performing Arts Center on the northwest corner of Reed Avenue and the northernmost entrance to Reedley College.
During the environmental process for the Performing Arts Center, a traffic impact analysis (TIA) was performed, and the TIA recommended signalizing the intersection at “Near Term plus Project Traffic Conditions.”
Due to this, the City initiated a discussion with KCUSD and SCCCD to discuss the option to jointly implement the Project with the City taking the lead and KCUSD and SCCCD supporting the Project financially.
After discussions, KCUSD agreed to fund costs for the project up to $150,000, and SCCCD agreed to fund costs up to $150,000 with an additional $100,000 for contract change order costs.
Once all parties execute the MOUs, the City will initiate the development of an RFP for design services and bring the agreement to Council for approval.
The public hearing consists of:
9. The council (5-0) adopted Resolution No. 2022-081, approving the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) North Avenue Improvements Project from Columbia Avenue to Haney Avenue.
On February 25, 2020, City Council approved Resolution No. 2020-014, approving participation and authorizing the City Manager to sign a three-year joint powers agreement with Fresno County’s CDBG program for program years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24.
The federal CDBG program aims to improve urban areas by providing housing, adequate public facilities, and infrastructure, primarily for low and moderate-income persons within the eligibility area.
Eligible projects include water, and sewer system improvements, street, and drainage improvements, and parks and recreation facilities serving the CDBG area.
The County has advised staff that the city will receive an estimated allocation of $230,000 for 2023-2024.
City staff selected the project as a candidate for the CDBG program based on the condition of the roadway from the City’s Pavement Management Plan. Camacho Park is located along the roadway segment.
Workshop includes:
10. California Public Employees’ Retirement System update by Assistant City Manager Paul Melikian
The Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) was passed in 2012 as a positive step to help agencies better manage future pension costs and applies to employees hired after December 31. 2012 who don’t have previous CalPERS service.
PEPRAs benefit formulas apply only to employees hired after January 1, 2013. The formulas provide long-term savings as new employees are hired and ultimately retire.
Legacy employees enrolled in plans on or before December 31, 2012, are considered Classic members. Benefit formulas for Classic plans are high, but new enrollment ceased with the passage of PEPRA.
In a defined benefit retirement plan, the employee receives a benefit determined by a set formula based upon their enrollment plan.
CalPERS uses the years of service, age at retirement, and highest average annual compensation during any consecutive 36-month period of employment to determine the retirement allowance.
Not all employee compensation is considered pensionable.
Additionally, the pension reform act established unique differences in what qualifies as personable compensation between Classic and PEPRA plans.
Resolution 2021-097 established the city’s first-ever Pension Funding Policy.
Additional Discretionary Payments (ADP) are now part of the annual budget process.
“Normal costs” are paid to CalPERS during each payroll issuance.
The mandatory UAL Payment is prepaid at the beginning of each fiscal year, saving the City approximately 3.55 percent over annualizing the amount during each payroll process.
The Pension Funding Policy establishes the ADP amount to be 25 percent of the mandatory annual AL payment, and the payment is included in the City’s annual budget.
$336,839 ADP payment was made in September 2022 for the fiscal year 2022-2023.
As of June 2022, On CalPERS investment returns recorded a 6.1 percent negative return, which affects next year’s valuation report and the fiscal year 2024-2025 city budget.
The administrative business consists of:
4. Action to fill vacant District 3 City Council seat
A. The council (4-0) passed Resolution No. 2022-079 appointing Suzanne M. Byers to fill the vacant City Council District 3 seat.
B. Councilmember Anita Betancourt accepted the position of mayor pro tempore.
C. The council confirmed Councilmember Betancourt’s appointment to the Fresno Council Of Governments (COG) as an alternate board member
D. The council administered the oath of office to Suzanne M. Byers
On July 26, 2022, Councilmember Robert Beck submitted a letter to the City Clerk’s Office announcing his intent to resign from the City Council effective July 31, 2022.
Under California Government Code section 36512(b), when a vacancy occurs within 60 days from the commencement of the vacancy, either fill the vacancy by appointment or call a special election to fill the vacancy.
At the meeting on August 9, 2022, the city council directed staff to begin the process of filling the vacancy by appointment.
Staff launched an application for appointment on August 10, 2022, and conducted four-week recruitment on Tuesday, September 7, 2022. The application was available electronically on the city website and in paper format at City Hall.
During the recruitment period, staff promoted the appointment opportunity by publishing it on social media accounts and the City of Reedley website.
Also, it utilized the Blackboard Connect phone option, where residents in District 3 received a phone call encouraging them to apply for the vacancy.
Staff received two applications. Upon receipt of the applications, staff met with the applicants to confirm that they met the qualifications listed.
The applications for city council consideration have been verified to meet the minimum qualification.
On September 13, 2022, the city council interviewed the two applicants. Suzanne M. Byers was selected for appointment to the vacant District 3 City Council seat that will expire in December 2024.
Once the council passes the resolution, the city clerk will administer the oath of office to Ms. Byers.
In December 2020, Councilmember Robert Beck accepted the mayor pro tempore position on the Reedley City Council. Since Mr. Beck’s resignation, the position has been vacant.
Under Resolution 2011-013, the mayor pro tempore will rotate to the next council member by council district number, which would rotate to Anita Betancourt until December 2022.
By accepting the position as mayor pro tempore, Anita Betancourt would be appointed to the Fresno Council of Governments (COG) as the alternative board member.
The meeting lasted until 8:42 p.m. The next city council meeting will be on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at 7:00 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.