What happened?
At its Thursday meeting, the Sanger City Council asked city staff for a presentation on an odor believed to be emanating from the city's wastewater treatment plant; approved extending an agreement for the police chief to continue serving as the interim city manager; and postponed a redistricting hearing.
Several members of the Sanger City Council commented on an odor they believe is coming from the city’s wastewater treatment plant at their Thursday meeting and asked staff for a presentation so they can work to resolve the issue.
Mayor Pro-tem Daniel Martinez first raised the issue during council comments saying that he’s received calls from residents since October and believes he can occasionally smell the odor at his home in northwest Sanger.
Council member Esmeralda Hurtado agreed that there is a smell coming from the wastewater plant and said she requested a staff presentation on the issue last year, but one was never provided.
Council member Michael Montelongo pointed out that the council asked for the presentation prior to Interim City Manager Gregory Garner stepping in and requested that he work on providing an update to the council at a future meeting. Montelongo also said he wants to schedule a trip to visit the facilities and see where the odor is originating from.
Fox 26 News reported on the odor in 2022 after residents filed complaints with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
Search for city manager continues
The council also approved extending an agreement with Garner to continue serving as its interim city manager through Feb. 22 concurrently with his role as the city’s chief of police.
Garner has been filling both roles since July when former City Manager Tim Chapa submitted his resignation and appointed him to fill the role temporarily.
The city has hired a recruitment firm that is working to fill the position.
Redistricting hearing postponed
A public hearing for the redrawing of the District 1 boundaries was postponed so that the city can comply with Assembly Bill 849 requirements that the hearing be available for the public to participate in electronically.
The district boundaries must be redrawn as a result of the annexation of property into the city limits.
The city intends to use Zoom to stream the hearing, but it is unclear whether they will offer the entirety of the City Council meeting or future meetings to be streamed electronically.
The Sanger City Council meets again Feb. 1.
