May 17, 2023 — Madera City Council

Documented by Alejandra Obregon

Here’s what you need to know

  • Mayor Santos Garcia recognized the MadTown Robotics Team 1323 as World Champions. He said, “the city of Madera recognizes students’ hard work and dedication they put into their team.” 
  • The council approved an agreement with RRM Design Group to provide engineering and architectural services for the Madera Intermodal Transit Center renovation. 
  • The council authorized the Levy of Special Taxes; and Submitting the Levy of Tax to the Qualified Electors. 

Follow-up questions

  • When will the authorized levy of special taxes go into effect? 

Notes 

Roll Call:

Mayor Santos Garcia – Present

Mayor Pro Tem Elsa Mejia, District 5 – Present

Council member Cece Gallegos, District 1 – Present 

Council member Jose Rodriguez, District 2 – Present 

Council member Steve Montes, District 3 – Present

Council member Anita Evans, District 4 – Present

Council member Artemio Villegas, District 6  – Present

  • Approval of the Agenda  –
    • Garcia requested to switch the order for presentations from item 2 to item 1. 
    • The council members voted unanimously
  • Pull item G-1: Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d) 
  • from Agenda
    • The council members voted unanimously
  • Public Comment
    • none

Presentations

  1. Proclamation Recognizing Educator of the Year
    • Garcia recognized Blanca Bishop as Educator of the Year for her efforts to help migrant students through coordinating migrant education services.
  2. Recognition of the MadTown Robotics Team 1323 as World Champions.
    •  Garcia recognized the team for their excellent work. He said, “We also recognize your parents and mentors, and aunts and uncles that gave you rides and give you support till this day.”
    •  He said, “The city of Madera recognizes students’ hard work and dedication they put into their team.” 
    • MadTown Robotics Team  is hosting an event with Madera Unified School District from 5 p.m. to  8 p.m., and will post the details online. 
    • Workshop: 
  •  A-1: Capital Improvement Program (CIP) – Streets, Active Transportation and Storm Drainage for fiscal year 2023/24 to FY 2027/28
    •  Provides an overview of the five-year CIP for streets, active transportation (including multimodal projects) and storm drainage projects that are eligible for transportation-related funding sources. 
    • Keith Helmuth, city engineer, explained, “A CIP is a multi-year planning document used by the city to identify capital improvement projects and coordinate the financing and timing of the projects” 
    • Rodgriquez asked, “If it is six billion annually, how will the funds be generated?”  
    • Ellen Bitter, deputy city engineer, answered that Measure T is funded through gas taxes.

Consent Calendar 

  • The council voted unanimously to approve the corrections of B-10 and the rest of the consent calendar as presented.
    • B-10: Amendment to agreement with Stantec Architectural, Inc. for design services in the amount of $15,000 for the design of an entrance canopy at the Madera Transit Center (MTC) and approving the extension of the contract term through June 30, 2024. 
    • B-1 – Approve the City Council minutes of April 5
    • B-2 – Informational Report on Register of Audited Demands
    • B-3 – Informational Report on Personnel Activity  ( No motion needed)
    • B-4 – Acceptance of Payment from city’s insurance Pool for water damage to the Frank Bergon Senior Center. Adopt a Minute Order Accepting an insurance payment from the city’s insurance pool for water damage repairs  to the Frank Bergon Senior Center in the amount of $39,824.31.
    • B-5 – Outside City Limits Water Connection for 16385 North D St. (APN 038-082-002). Adopt a Resolution approving an agreement between the city and Carol D. Moore, Carl Armentrout and Terry Armentrout for connection to the city’s water system (Report by Keith Helmuth)
    • B-6 – Local state of emergency related to the closure of Madera Community Hospital. Adopt a resolution continuing to support Madera County’s Proclamation of a local emergency due to the closure of Madera Community Hospital for 30 days  
    • B-7 – Approving Piggyback Purchase Agreements as follows:
      • 1) Approving Sourcewell Piggyback Agreements for purchases from:
        • A) Mohawk Lifts of four post lifts for mechanic shop for $153,000
        • B) Schwarze Industries, Inc. of a street sweeper for $381,000 
        • C) 72-Hour LLC dba National Auto Fleet Group for a police pickup for $36,000
        •  D) Kubota Tractor Corp. through Pioneer Tractor for $91,000; and
        •  E) ALTEC Industries of Aerial Truck for $142,000 
      • 2) The state of California piggyback agreement for the purchases from:
        • A) Downtown Ford of Sacramento of three Ford utility trucks for $230,000 
        • B) Cappo Management dba Freeway Toyota of one Police sedan for $36,000
        •  C) Folsom Lake Ford of three patrol vehicles for $165,000, and 
        • D) Cappo Management dba Freeway Toyota of two pickups for Sewer and Water Maintenance for $60,000 
  • 3) The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office piggyback agreement for the purchase from RCA Investments of three motorcycles for $93,000 (Report by Michael Lima)
  • B-8: Adopt a resolution approving a three-year contract with the PUN Group for Professional Auditing Services in the amount of $168,763, with two optional one-year extensions
  • B-9: Accepting a portion of the improvements for Iveywood I Subdivision; and authorizing the filing of the notice of acceptance for said subdivision improvements 
  • B-11: The Planning Commission and staff recommend the City Council hold a public hearing, make the necessary findings and take actions as follows:
    • 1) Waive full reading and adopt an ordinance adopting a finding of exemption under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (common sense exemption) and rezoning the approximately 0.17 acres of property located at 308 N. C St. (APN: 007-081-014) from the C1 (light commercial) zone district to the R1 (residential, one unit for each 6,000 square feet) zone district (
  • B-12: Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance for the Arc Fresno/Madera Counties Project Prezone (REZ 2022-02) for purposes of facilitating annexation to the city of Madera in accordance with annexation application ANX 2022-03. 

Public Hearings 

  1. C-1: Public Hearing Regarding Proposed Annexation No. 14 to Community Facilities District No. 2005-1 (CVI Subdivision) and Related Actions   
  •  Approved – Authorizing annexation (Annexation No. 14) of Territory (22-S02/TSM 2017-02 Subdivision) to Community Facilities District No. 2005-1 (Public Services); Authorizing the levy of special taxes; and submitting the levy of tax to the qualified electors; and
  • Presentation by Robert Smith, senior planner
  • Robert Smith said, “It is a way to create a special tax for public services funding throughout the city, which is generated by new development.”
  • The council members voted unanimously
  • Conduct the election of the Qualified Electors of Annexation No. 14;                                   – Results – (Majority yes votes)
  • Approved –  Adopt a resolution making certain findings, declaring and certifying the results of an election, and adding the territory identified as Annexation No. 14 to CFD 2005-1 (Public Services) Annexation No. 14
  • The council members voted unanimously
  • Approved –  C-2: to receive final public comment on the 2023/24 Annual Action Plan and adopt resolutions:
    • Rodriguez recused himself due to conflict of interest for C-2. 
  1. Adopt a resolution approving a 2023/24 CDBG subrecipient agreement for services ($176,346) with city of Madera 23-24 CDBG administration; and 
  2. Adopt a resolution approving a 2023/24 CDBG subrecipient agreement for services ($20,000) with Community Action Partnership of Madera County; and
  3.  Adopt a resolution approving a 2023/24 CDBG subrecipient agreement for services ($26,032) with Madera Coalition for Community Justice; and 
  4. Adopt a resolution approving a 2023/24 CDBG subrecipient agreement for services ($5,527) with Project Run Madera; and 
  5.  Adopt a resolution approving a 2023/24 CDBG subrecipient agreement for services ($35,000) with Madera Rescue Mission; and 
  6. 6) Adopt a resolution approving a 2023/24 CDBG subrecipient agreement for Services ($15,700) with O.L.I.V.E. Charitable Organization; and 
  7. 7) Adopt a resolution approving a 2023/24 CDBG subrecipient agreement for services ($10,000) with Community Action Partnership of Madera County; and 
  8. 8) Adopt a resolution approving a 2023/24 CDBG subrecipient agreement for services ($25,000) with Madera County Association of Realtors; and 
  9. 9) Adopt a resolution approving a 2023/24 CDBG subrecipient agreement for services ($30,000) with city of Madera, Parks & Community Services Department; and 
  10. 10) Adopt a resolution approving a 2023/24 CDBG subrecipient agreement for services ($617,500) with City of Madera Engineering Department; and 
  11. Adopt a resolution approving a 2023/24 CDBG subrecipient agreement for services ($215,000) with city of Madera, Parks & Community Services Department; and 
  12.  Adopt a resolution approving a 2023/24 CDBG subrecipient agreement for services ($148,386) with City of Madera, Parks & Community Services Department 
  • “No caps for the capital projects and public improvements” 
  • Council approved resolutions of No. 1, 2 and 10, 11, 12 unanimously 
  • Council approved the public service resolution No. 3-9 unanimously

Petitions, Bids, Resolutions, Ordinances and Agreements

  • Approved –  D-1: Engineer’s Report For Citywide Landscape And Lighting Assessment
    • 1) District Zones Of Benefit  1, 2, 3, 4, 6-A, 6-B, 7, 8, 9, 10-A, 10-B, 10-C, 10-D, 10-E, 10-F, 10-G, 10-H,10-I, 12, 13, 14, 15, 15-B, 15-C, 16, 17-A, 17-B, 17-C, 17-D, 18, 20-A, 20-B, 20-C, 21-A, 21-B, 21-C, 21-D, 23, 24, 25-C, 25-D, 26, 26-B, 26-C,26-D, 27, 27-B, 28, 28-B, 29, 29-B, 29-C, 29-D, 29E, 30, 31-A, 31-B, 32-A, 32-B, 33, 34, 34-B, 34-C, 35, 36-A, 36-B, 36-C, 37, 39, 40, 41, 43-A, 43-C, 43-D, 43-E, 44, 45-A, 46, 50 & 51 for fiscal 202year 3/24 
    • 2) Intention to Levy and Collect Annual Assessments for Citywide Landscape and Lighting Assessment District Zones of Benefit  1, 2, 3, 4, 6-A, 6-B, 7, 8, 9, 10-A, 10-B, 10-C, 10-D, 10-E, 10-F, 10-G, 10-H,10-I, 12, 13, 14, 15, 15-B, 15-C, 16, 17-A, 17-B, 17-C, 17D, 18, 20-A, 20-B, 20-C, 21-A, 21-B, 21-C, 21-D, 23, 24, 25-C, 25-D, 26, 26-B, 26-C,26-D, 27, 27-B, 28, 28-B, 29, 29-B, 29-C, 29-D, 29-E, 30, 31-A, 31-B, 32-A, 32-B, 33, 34, 34-B, 34-C, 35, 36-A, 36-B, 36-C, 37, 39, 40, 41, 43-A, 43-C, 43-D, 43-E, 44, 45-A, 46, 50 & 51 for FY 2023/24 and Setting Date for Public Hearing
      • Adopt a minute order approving the engineer’s report as filed or with modifications as identified by the City Council during this meeting; and  
      • Adopt a resolution of Intention to Levy and Collect Proposed Annual Assessments for all Citywide Landscape and Lighting District Zones of Benefit Referenced in the engineer’s report for fiscal year 2023/2024 or as may be amended and set June 7, 2023, as the Public hearing date to Consider the proposed fiscal year 2023/2024 Assessments for City Wide Landscape and Lighting District Zones of Benefit
      • Nicole Say explained the resolution would “continue to adjust assessment per zone basis, when permitted by individual zone covenants. This means no COLA and increases up to the base threshold amount in agreement.”
      • The council members voted unanimously
  • Approval –  D-2: Approving an agreement with RRM Design Group to provide engineering and architectural services for the Madera Intermodal Transit Center renovation
    • Marcela Zuniga, grants administrator, explains, “The design plan includes the following, to convert the north wing into a waiting area for transit passengers and provide office space for staff, including front desk receptionist.”
    • Zuniga continues, “ The proposed timeline will  set the completion and project completion around January 2024 to September 2024.” 
    • Mejia asked if there’s any way to ask the public for input on design and the needs they may want
    • Zuniga clarifies that they can bring project design to the council
      •    The council members voted unanimously

Administrative Reports: 

  • E-1: Yosemite Avenue Landscaping and Project Update – submitted for City Council as an update of the Caltrans State Route 145 Yosemite Avenue project and consideration and direction relative to various items for the project
    • Deputy City Engineer Randy Bell explained that “Two concepts that could be used by the city for street landscaping are trees and shrubs and drought-tolerant plants and materials.” 
    • Mejia suggested the city  include more greenery such as flowers and combine adding trees to various streets such as on  G Street. 
    • Garcia said “Green space is something we need in our community. It would be a plus to add to our community and in the surrounding areas.” 
    • Evans recommended not adding a bench near the sign that says “Welcome to Madera.” She also recommended adding different color rocks and adding bark.
    • The council voted to approve a combinations of trees and vegetation on Yosemite Avenue (4 yes and 3 no votes) 
  •  E-2: Set date(s) for city attorney interviews –  Request for direction regarding date(s) for interviewing city attorney candidates
    • Director of Human Relations Wendy Silva requested council members block some calendar time for potential city attorney interviews. She said the ideal dates are anytime after 1 p.m. on May 26, 27 and 29.

Council member reports/Announcements/ Future Agenda Items 

  • Gallegos thanked Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria, D-Merced, ”for always advocating for us and trailblazing the state” He also thanked the city of Madera staff for their support.
  • Evans talked about how nice the law enforcement commemoration service was. She will be participating in an NAACP workshop in Sacramento. 
  • Meijia asked to create some kind of criteria for how to receive/qualify for proclamations. She also thanked Soria for being intentional in trying to get the city more funding. Meijia said she attended a presentation on updates regarding getting a hospital in Madera, and how the community has been affected by the hospital’s closure. She announced she attended  the Planet Fitness kick-off party offering summer memberships for teenagers, and was happy to support the youth. 
  • Villegas also thanked Soria for her advocacy to the governor for additional funding. 
  •  Garcia said he attended an event at a local elementary school and it was a fun event to talk to the youth in both Spanish and English. He also attended an event that recognized veterans. 
  • Garcia said “It’s going to take a long time for a new hospital in Madera.” 
  • The meeting adjourned at 9:05 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.

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