Here’s what you need to know:
- The Madera City Council met on Nov. 2, 2022 and denied a motion for staff to prepare rolled curb standards with mitigation and potential code amendments specific to front yard landscape requirements.
- Richie M. Sayavong from the California Department of Insurance presented California Low-Cost Auto Insurance (CLCA) information. To qualify for CLCA, a person must have a valid driver’s license, have a vehicle value of $25,000 or less, meet income guidelines, and be at least 16 years old with no bad driving record for the past three years.
- The council (7-0) approved reimbursement of $522,557.67 to Joseph Crown Construction and Development for Almond Park improvements. The reimbursement will be made from the city’s development impact fees. The subdivision improvement agreement with the developer did not specify that park improvements were required and according to the agenda, the agreement was “silent with regards to reimbursement of park improvements.”
- Parks & Community Services Director Joseph Hebert presented an update on the department’s 2022-23 Planned Improvement Projects, which includes several grant-funded projects such as Lions Town & Country Park Restroom Project, James Taubert Park Project, and the Fresno River & Vernon McCullough River Trail Project.
- The council appointed Council Members Jose Rodriguez, Cece Gallegos, and Elsa Mejia to represent the city in a PG&E Working Group to determine the cause of deficiencies and mitigation strategies for future demand.
Follow-up questions:
- Will the three-party agreements expedite projects in the city?
- How can residents benefit from California’s Low-Cost Auto Insurance?
- What will be the outcome of the future discussion between the city and PG&E?
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, Nov. 2, 2022, at 6 p.m., yet accessible via YouTube.
Officials Present:
- Mayor Santos Garcia
- Mayor Pro Tem Anita Evans, District 4
- Council member Cece Gallegos, District 1
- Council member Jose Rodriguez, District 2
- Council member Steve Montes, District 3
- Council member Elsa Mejia, District 5
- Council member Artemio Villegas, District 6
Others Present:
- City Manager Arnoldo Rodriguez
- City Clerk Alicia Gonzales
- City Attorney Hilda Cantu Montoy
- Kirk Atamian
- Richie M. Sayavong
- City Engineer Keith Helmuth
- Community Development Director Will Tackett
- Parks & Community Services Director Joseph Hebert
Discussions/Actions
Kirk Atamian urged the council to address trucks parked on Highway 145 between Avenues 12 and 13.
Richie M. Sayavong from the California Department of Insurance presented California Low-Cost Auto Insurance (CLCA) information.
The CLCA was established in 1999 to decrease the number of uninsured drivers.
To qualify for CLCA, a person must have a valid driver’s license, have a vehicle value of $25,000 or less, meet income guidelines, and be at least 16 years old with no bad driving record for the past three years.
Madera is in the first tier, which ranges from $244 to $288 per year.
To apply, one must have a valid driver’s license or AB 60, valid registration, proof of income, and a down payment, which is 20 percent of the annual premium.
Regarding proof of income, a person needs only one of the following: paycheck stub, W-2, 1099, SSI statement, and other documents.
A person must be enrolled in other state or county programs such as CalFresh, CalWorks, MediCal/Medicaid, and CA Lifeline. The complete list is available at mylowcostauto.com.
The applicants must take the eligibility questionnaire online. They can call 866-602-8861 for assistance. Chat is available on Mondays to Fridays from 8 am to 4 pm and in English and Spanish.
The workshops include:
A-1 Brown Act Workshop and Future Governance Presentations.
The council received a presentation from City Attorney Hilda Cantu Montoy focusing on the Brown Act and outlining future governance presentations.
The Brown Act states that meetings of the legislative body of a local agency must be open and public. It also applies to social media and online contact.
According to AB 992, any social media communication with other officials about issues related to matters under the body’s jurisdiction is against the Brown Act. Hence, making posts, commenting, or using digital icons is prohibited.
Members must observe protocol in sending emails and prohibit discussing council business at conferences or informal gatherings.
A body must conduct its meetings within the boundaries of its jurisdiction unless it qualifies for a specific exemption.
Virtual meetings must be accessible, post agenda, have a quorum, and allow the public to address the council directly.
AB 361 allowed teleconferences in board and commission meetings. The council must verify the process every 30 days.
Governor Newsom said he will withdraw the statewide emergency declaration in February 2023.
AB 2449, effective on January 1, 2023, will allow virtual meetings under emergency circumstances. The virtual meeting could be limited to 2 meetings per calendar year.
The public can comment on agenda items and other matters under the city’s jurisdiction and criticize officials.
They may not be required to register, identify themselves, or pay fees to attend public meetings.
SB 1100, effective on Jan. 1, 2023, states that disruptive behavior requires a prior warning.
In responding, city council is limited to brief responses, referrals to staff, and future agendas.
City Attorney Hilda Cantu Montoy announced workshops on conflict of interest and other matters.
A-2 Discussion and Direction Regarding Developer Request to Add a Rolled Curb Standard to the City of Madera Standard Plans and Specifications
This report is submitted for discussion and direction regarding the developer’s request to add a rolled curb standard to the 2005 City of Madera Standard Plans and Specifications (report by City Engineer Keith Helmuth and Community Development Director Will Tackett)
Today, the city has a traditional 6-inch curb found throughout the community.
The city does not currently have a rolled or wedge curb standard.
Rolled or wedge curbs may have several advantages and disadvantages based on input from the developers and neighboring communities.
Councilmember Jose Rodriguez suggested measures to allow for landscaping and shade trees that would deter parked vehicles in curbs.
Councilmember Montes suggested a pilot program on curbs. Mayor Pro Tem Anita Evans states that a standard curb could buffer flooding.
Councilmember Rodriguez stated that the curb guidelines only cover new developments.
The council (4-3) denied a motion for staff to prepare rolled curb standards with mitigation and potential code amendments specific to front yard landscape requirements.
First, the council (7-0) unanimously approved B-1 to B-7 of the consent agenda.
B-1 The city council minutes of Sept. 7, 18, and 20, 2022.
B-2 Informational report on the register of audited demands for October 8, 2022, to October 21, 2022
B-3 Acceptance of Memorial Monuments at Thaddeus Sran Playground at Centennial Park and Harlen and Sharon Rippetoe Horseshoe complex at Rotary Park
The council approved the minute order approving:
1) Acceptance of the construction of Memorial Monuments at Centennial Park and Rotary Park; and
2) The recording of the notice of completion
3) The release of retention 35 days after the recording of the notice of completion (report by Joseph Hebert)
B-4 Re-appropriate prior year (the fiscal year 2021/22) unused Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) budget allocation to the General Fund for Parks, Senior Nutrition, and Recreation Program
The council adopted a resolution approving the reinstatement of the prior year (the fiscal year 2021/22) unused/unspent CDBG public service funds allocated to the General Fund for $32,500 and re-appropriate this same amount in the fiscal year 2022/23 budget to the Parks and Community Services CDBG Senior Nutrition and Recreation Program.
B-5 Consideration of a request by Ramona Alvarez for connection to the city’s water system
The council adopted a resolution approving an agreement for outside city limits water connection for 16164 Road 26 (APN 038-110-027) (report by Keith Helmuth)
B-6 Consideration of a request by Ramona Alvarez for connection to the city’s water system
The council adopted a resolution approving an agreement for outside city limits water connection for 16248 Road 26 (APN 038-110-026) (report by Keith Helmuth)
B-7 Acceptance and appropriation of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant awards for Section 5307 and 5339 funds for procurement of four gas transit vehicles
1) The council adopted a resolution amending the 2022/23 budget to appropriate the FTA Section 5307 and 5339 awarded grant funds in the fiscal year 2022/23 Transportation Fixed Route Revenue and Fixed Route Outlay Revenue Account; and
2) The council adopted a resolution authorizing the procurement of transit vehicles utilizing Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 program funds for $689,053 and Section 5339 Program Funds for $161,386
The public hearings focused on the following:
C-1 Public Hearing Regarding Annexation No. 13 (Tract 21-S-02 & S1-S-03/TSM 2020-04 Vineyard Estates Subdivision) into Community Facilities District No. 2005-1 (Public Services) under the Mello Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982 and related actions
The council (7-0) agreed to continue the item on November 16.
Petitions, bids, resolutions, ordinances, and agreements consist of
D-1 Amendment No. 1 to the consultant services agreement between the City and QK, Inc.
The council (7-0) adopted a resolution approving Amendment No. 1 to the consultant services agreement between the City of Madera and QK, Inc. to increase the total compensation for services allowable under the agreement from $50,000 to $65,000 (reported by Community Development Director Will Tackett)
D-2 Utilization of three-party agreements for professional environmental consultation services
The council (7-0) adopted a resolution approving a program for the City of Madera’s use of three-party agreements to provide professional environmental consulting services for projects (reported by Community Development Director Will Tackett).
D-3 Actions related to reimbursement to the developer for Almond Park improvements
The council (7-0) approved reimbursement of $522,557.67 to Joseph Crown Construction and Development for Almond Park improvements. The reimbursement will be made from the city’s development impact fees.
Administrative reports centered on:
E-1 Parks & Community Services Department Fiscal Year 2022-23 Planned Improvement Projects
This report is submitted to provide the city council with an informational report on the status of the Parks & Community Services Department Fiscal Year 2022-23 Planned Improvement Projects (reported by Parks & Community Services Director Joseph Hebert)
For the fiscal year 2022-23, the city has several improvement projects in its sights, all while maintaining day-to-day services to the community.
The projects are as follows:
- Lions Town & Country Park Restroom Project ($177,000 grant)
- James Taubert Park Project ($2 million grant)
- Fresno River & Vernon McCullough River Trail Project ($832,000 grant)
- Rotary Park Asphalt Curb Replacement ($50,000 from the General Fund)
- Lions Town & Country Park Sunken Concrete Project ($25,000 from General Fund)
- India Park Site Demolition Project ($92,000 from development impact fees)
- Sunrise Rotary Sports Complex Playground Equipment Installation Project ($40,000 from General Fund plus $15,000 from Chukchansi Grant)
- Memorial Monument: plaque for Thaddeus Sran at Centennial Park Project ($3,000 from donation and $17,000 from General Fund)
- Memorial Monument: plaque for Rippetoe Family at Rotary Park Project ($20,000 from General Fund)
- McNally Park Improvements Project ($609,000 from Community Development Block Grant)
- DICK’S Sporting Goods Batting Cages Installation Project ($25,000 grant)
- Lions Town & Country Park Rehabilitation Project ($75 from General Fund)
Ongoing & Completed Improvements consist of the following:
- pool repairs
- scoreboard at JWC
- Gopher eradication machine
- miscellaneous deferred maintenance (JWC, Frank Bergan & Pan-Am)
E-2 Appoint Councilmembers for the PG&E Working Group
The council (7-0) appointed councilmembers Jose Rodriguez, Cece Gallegos, and Elsa Mejia to represent the city for the PG&E Working Group (reported by City Manager Arnoldo Rodriguez)
The city became aware of PG&E’s inadequacies in providing sufficient power to existing and new residential/commercial customers.
Three substations power Madera. All of which are operating at near max capacity.
With the influx of business partners and developers wanting to establish projects, the city and other agencies are concerned about future insufficiencies and electricity shortages.
Staff recommends that council elect up to three members to represent the city in discussions with PG&E to determine the cause of deficiencies and mitigation strategies for future demand.
The initial meeting will be on Nov. 18, 2022, and will include various agencies and representatives.
The meeting ended at 9:08 p.m. The next regular meeting will be on Nov. 16, 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.