March 14, 2023 — Reedley City Council
Documented by Alejandra Obregon
Here’s what you need to know:
- The Reedley City Council approved a resolution establishing the fiscal year 2023-24 rate for community facility district 2005-01, increasing the rate from current levels by Consumer Price Index (CPI), and setting department allocation.
- Police department was granted approval for the city manager to sign memorandum of understanding between Reedley and the Family Healing Center to help victims and witnesses of sexual assault
- Approved to sign a Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP) agreement form with Valley Regional Occupational Program (Valley ROP) and Kings Canyon Unified School District (KCUSD) to provide summer interns to work for the city of Reedley
Questions
- When will we receive updates on the emergency funds from the floods?
Officials Present:
Anita Betancourt, Mayor, District 5
Matthew Tuttle, Mayor Pro Tempore District 1
Mary Fast, Council Member District 2
Suzanne Byers, Council Member District 3
Scott Friesen, Council Member District 4
The scene
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 comment
- Approval of Agenda
- (5,0)
Presentation
- Randy Rioss – Softball Umpire
- The city honored Randy Rios’ services to the community, including his efforts to volunteer in the community and coaching for years. They said he has been a friendly face to the community. He has been a part of community service development for years and been involved in sports and helping the youth
Public Comment
- No Public Comment
Consent Agenda (Item 2-6)
- Fast thanked the Police Department for advocating for item 4 because she understands the relationship with Family Healing Center would help victims and their families.
- Approval of consent agenda items (2-6) (listed below)
- (5,0)
- 2. Approved of minutes of council meeting of Feb. 28, 2023
- 3. Approved and authorized the city manager to sign a five-year Successor Services Agreement with an optional two-year extension with Unity IT, LLC beginning April 1, 2023, for ongoing citywide information technology services
- 4. Approved and authorized the city manager to sign a memorandum of understanding between the city and the Family Healing Center to conduct forensic interviews with victims amd witness of sexual assault (Police Department)
- 5. Adopted Resolution NO. 2023-007, a resolution of the Reedley City Council approving destruction of specified city records as listed
- 6. Approve the following actions associated with the Expanded Learning Programs (ELP) at TL Reed and Washington School sites:
- A. Approve and authorize the city manager to sign Amendment 12 to the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Kings Canyon Unified School District (KCUSD) for the Reedley High School (RHS) Internship program
- B. Approved and authorized city manager to sign a Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP) agreement form with Valley Regional Occupational Program (Valley ROP) and Kings Canyon Unified School District (KCUSD) to provide summer interns to work for the city of Reedley
- C. Approved and authorized city manager to sign site contracts with Fresno County Superintendent of Schools (FCSS) for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding to pay for expanded Learning Program (ELP) staff to work summer programs
- D. Adopt Resolution 2023-014 amending the 2022-23 adopted budget appropriating $107,108 in the general fund to cover costs associated with the Reedley High School (RHS) internship program and the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER)
Administrative Business
- 7. Adopt Resolution 2023-015 establishing the fiscal year 2023-24 rate for community facility district 2005-01, increasing rate from current levels by CPI, and setting department allocations – Report, discussion and/or other council action to approve, modify and/or take other action as appropriate.
- The presenter explained the community facility covers police, fire and a bit of parks maintenance
- Staff recommends that the current tax rate be raised only by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). They explain they would allocate the funds for 2023-24 fiscal year at the existing 15% for fire, 7 4% for police, 9% for parks, and 2% for administration costs. It is important to mention that this is the first tax increase rate suggested within the past six years.
- Approved by council
- (5-0)
Workshop
- Continuation of Strategic Capital Planning
- City manager said, “We are working on planning for parkway maintenance, a stormwater basin and a sports complex.”
- City Manager said, “3 million dollars for sport complex”
Public comment
- Pete Perez, Reedley resident, emphasizes his concern on how long the sports complex is, and picks from each budget or each line item.
- “We are so behind on everything, and we don’t have a pickleball court. We don’t we have a single sport to play out there, maybe soccer, but there’s no lighting. I encourage more funding.”
- Perez said, “How are we thinking of building another sports complex if we can’t even build one.”
- Mayor understands that it would need to be a joint venture with the school district and suggests working with them in regards to a pickleball court.
- Susuan Johnson, Reedley resident, urged the board to assist the school district and community center district help with the sports park. She asked if there has been any type of help getting the project done. The city manager explained how school funding is very tricky and can’t be used on other public properties. She said she likes the idea and will take that into consideration.
Receive information & Reports
- Reedley Community Services Commission minutes of regular meeting of Dec. 1, 2022
- Staff says that Reedley may be the first city to receive funding for the state of emergency, according to Fresno County Supervisor Buddy Mendes.
Council Report
- Council member Scott Friesen said he visited the mobile home park area next to the city wastewater treatment plant. He was shown all the various ways of protecting and managing all storm-related developments
- Be aware of a Water Leadership Training Program at the end of April and information will be shared next meeting. Council members had the opportunity to watch the River City Theater Steel Magnolias last weekend and urged everyone to go watch the production.
- Multiple council members took the time to read to local elementaries schools on Read Across America Day. Council thanks the staff for constantly helping during the storms, and how their disaster plan worked for the community.
Staff Reports
- City manager invited everyone to join the Resiliency Hub Planning for Fresno County Regional Transit Authority, located at the Community Center Senior Room at 4:30 p.m
- City manager wanted to inform the public about the banking crisis because two different banks have gone under. She said, “Five stars is where we have millions of dollars invested.”
- Staff also invited the public to the Fresno County EDC Economic Development meeting for their real estate forecast, located at the DoubleTree Hotel.
- Staff is hosting the Active Transportation in Parkway Master Plan workshop March 27-30
- City manager warned the public about the storms that may happen next weekend. Staff will stay prepared just in case
- Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. The next meeting is March 28 at 7 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.