Meeting notes from the Reedley City Council (2/14/23)

Feb. 14, 2023 — Reedley City Council

Documented by Alejandra Obregon

Here’s what you need to know

• At its Feb. 14 meeting, the Reedley City Council approved the authorization for the city manager to sign a three year Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) for Fresno County’s Community Development Block Grant program for program years 2024-35, 2025-25, and 2026-27. This will allow for greater representation and funding for lower income communities. 
• They also approved the public hearing for a rezone application and amendment to the zoning map to allow for a car wash to be developed by the Bottom Line Group. It will be located at 505 N. Reed Avenue. 
• Council approved resolutions for a five percent cost of living adjustment for full-time city employees presented by the city manager. She said that the city’s salaries run on the low side compared to other cities. She said, “Some of our folks can work at McDonald’s and get paid more than they do here.” Multiple city employees presented their struggles and approved the resolutions. 
• Lastly, the city manager presented information on a state grant opportunity that could provide funding for a community center, which could serve as a gymnasium and heating/cooling center. 

Follow-up questions

• When will the 5% pay increase go into effect for city employees that qualify in the resolutions? 

Officials Present: 

Anita Betancourt, Mayor, District 5 – Present

Matthew Tuttle, Mayor Pro Tempore District 1 – Present

Mary Fast, Council Member District 2 – Present

Scott Friesen, Council Member District 4 – Present

Suzanne Byers, Council Member District 3 – Present

The Reedley City Council meetings usually occur on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at 845 G Street in Reedley. City council meetings are also made available for public viewing and participation through Zoom. 

Actions/Discussions/Public comments and hearings

The council started the meeting off with a moment of silence for Selma police officer Carrasco. An invocation by Paul Melikian, Assistant City Manager. He blessed the family and the city through this difficult time. He said, “Thank you for his courage. We pray for healing in this community.” 

Agenda 

• Approval of the agenda
  • (5,0)
• No Public comment

Consent Agenda

• Approval of consent agenda items (1-4)
  • Removal of item 3 
• Item 3 – Adopting resolution No. 2030-010 approving participation and authorizing the city manager to sign a three year Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) for Fresno County’s Community Development Block Grant program for program years 2024-35, 2025-25, and 2026-27
  • City engineer, Marilu S. Morales explains that the map of the grant is given to them by the county and it is based on household income. The funding is needed in lower income areas of the city.
    • Approved by council
    • (5,0)
• Item 1 – Approval of minutes of the regular and special council meetings of Jan 24, 2023
• Item 2 – Approve and authorize the city manager to sign the Sierra Kings Health Care District mini grant application and related documents requesting and accepting funding for low-income swim lessons. 
• Item 4 – Consider adopting A) and B) for the East Ave rehab 11th street to G street project.
  • A)  Adopt Resolution No. 2023-011, awarding a construction contract to Agee Construction Corporation 
  • B) Adopt Resolution No. 2023-012 amending the fiscal year 2022-2023 budget to appropriate available funds in the amount of $209,809.
    • Approval of consent agenda items (1,2,4)
    • (5,0)

Public Hearings

• An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Reedley adopting environmental assessment NO. 2022-15, a finding of no possible effect; and approving rezone application No. 2022- 02 and authorizing the amendment of the official zoning map of the City of Reedley.
  • Rodney Horton, Director of the Community Development Department, explains the process of a rezone application. This hearing is involving the application for a car wash property as a conditional use permit
  • Located 505 N. Reed Ave., at the traffic roundabout. Landing and potential noise marks it is necessary to hold a public hearing
  • The council recommends adding a drinking foundation
    • Approved by council 
    • (5,0)
• B) Adopt Resolution No. 2023-006 adopting Environmental Assessment No. 2022-16, a Categorical Exemption dated January 3, 2023 and approving Conditional Use Permit Application No. 2022-06
  • Approved by council 
  • (5,0)

Administrative Business 

• Adopting the following resolutions in regards to to a five percent cost of living adjustment for full-time employees
  • Adopt resolution No. 2023-008 of the city council of the city of Reedley adopting revisited master salary tables
  • Adopt resolution No. 2023-009 of the city council of the city of Reedley amending the salary and benefit schedule for unrepresented employees 
  • Approve and authorize city manager to execute a side letter of agreement with Reedley Police Officers Association 
  • Approve and Authorize city manager to execute a side letter of agreement with the general services unit, international union of operating engineers stationary local 39
  • Adopt resolution no. 2023-013 of the city council of the city of Reedley authorizing a one-time payment to eligible part time city employees whose position is paid for by the expanded learning opportunity program funding.
    • City Manager Nicole Zieba presented information to the council about the recent economic turmoil that has affected the community and staff. She is concerned about the unprecedented turnover from staff members.
    • She said, “We are having tons of vacancies and it is hard to find talented qualified positions…..Cost of living increases and price of goods are increasing.” 
    • She urges the council to look at these separate issues together.  She explains that their salaries run on the low side compared to other cities. She said, “Some of our folks can work at McDonald’s and get paid more than they do here.”
    • The proposed resolutions are a one-time 5 % cost of living increase. “We can cover those costs from those vacant positions that are not held yet,” 
    • Public Comment from city employees:
      • Alex Hernandez, Reedley city employee, has been working here since 2001.  He explains, “We all know everybody here is going through it. A lot of us come from low-income families and some of our wives are sick and low income. Financially it’s hard. It won’t solve all of our problems, but it will help.” 
      • A Reedley resident said, “My wife and my daughters carpool to work. His daughter waits an hour for her mom to pick her up to save gas.” He explains the prices are going up, and those expenses do add up. His family are doing what they can to save money. 
      • Officer Gracia, speaking on behalf of the Police Department Peace Association, describes the recent tragedies weighing heavily on his heart. He understands that It’s difficult for a lot of families right now. He explains the police department’s turnover of vacant positions is harder on everyone. Police officers are doubling their job and having to wait until their young officers graduate. He said “We are playing catch up.” The funding would support their staff financially. 
      • Francisco Savandol, Reedley City employee, said, “I am just blessed to be hired back on. It meant so much for my family and I to come back. I felt like coming back home. He is saying thank and thank you for even considering that 5% for us. “
      • Gary G, from the police department, “Thank you to the city manager and Paul. I’m involved with a lot of recruiting for the police department, and extra funding would help our department.”
        • Approved by council 
        • (5,0)

Workshop 

• California Department of Food and Agriculture Community Resilience center program
  • Assistant City Manager Paul A. Melikian presented a brief summary of recent information concerning a grant opportunity that directly addresses pressing community needs, with a short turnaround time to submit an application. 
  • Applications were opened on December 27, 2022 and all applications are due no later than February 27, 2023.
  • Paul explains that the funding could help the development of a new gymnasium and new community meeting facility. 
  • In the agenda packet, it states that the facility could also serve as a heating and cooling center. 
  • If the grant is awarded, the site plan will be brought to the council for further review and approval.

Council reports 

• Mayor welcomes everyone to keep an eye out for the future events with one book, one college. 
• Council Member Matthew Tuttle informs the public to join on February 24 the memorial of Javiar Bejar. 
• Council members received a packet in regards to a measure that would affect taxpayers and local governments. This is only a brief packet to showcase what is going on. 

Staff report

• Public comment
  • A Reedley resident explaining how the workshop will need to host a public hearing. He has explained his concerns of not having any community meeting rooms and hopefully the workshop will do further research. 

• Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

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