City Council/Successor Agency/Public Finance Authority

AGENDA ITEM NO. 5. – A. CITY OF AVENAL “Pistachio Capital of the World®” REGULAR CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY/PFA MEETING NOVEMBER 16, 2023; 6:15 P.M. AVENAL THEATER & EVENT CENTER, 233 E. KINGS ST., AVENAL, CA VIA ZOOM VIDEO/WEB CONFERENCING: Web Link: bit.ly/AvenalCouncil or use https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87243440488 Or by calling +1 669 900 6833 and use meeting ID 872 4344 0488 to join. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: by Mayor Preciado at 6:15 p.m. ROLL CALL: Councilmen’s: Ricardo Verdugo, Lou Gravelle Pablo Hernandez, Mayor Alvaro Preciado. ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Alejandro Ramirez. STAFF: Lopez, Ortiz, Price, Bermudez, Davis, Williams, Lujan, Pelletier, Yang. LEGAL COUNCEL: Moses Diaz. CITY CLERK: Government Code Section 54952.3: The members of the City Council/Successor Agency are entitled to receive a total of $300.00 per month because of being elected to the City Council. They receive no other compensation for sitting as a member of Successor Agency. The City Council went into Closed Session at 5:21 p.m. CLOSED SESSION: (City/Successor Agency): It is the intent of this governing body to meet in closed session to review its position and to instruct its designated representatives: Any person may directly address the Council/Agency at this time on items of interest regarding Closed Session. A. Conference with Labor Negotiator(s) (Government Code § 54957.6). It is the intent of this governing body to meet in Closed Session to review its position and to instruct its designated representatives: Designated representatives: City Employees Bargaining Units 4. B. Conference with Real Property Negotiator(s) (Government Code § 54956.8). It is the intent of this governing body to meet in Closed Session to confer with its real property negotiator(s) concerning the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of real property by or for this agency as follows: 1. Property Description: APN: 040-320-009-000; & 040-320-014-000 Negotiator(s): City Manager / City Attorney. Party with whom negotiating: CrisCom Company. Instructions to negotiator concerning: Terms of Payment. C. Personnel (Government Code §54957(b)). Consider Public Employee Performance Evaluation for the Position of: • Chief of Police Mayor Preciado reopened meeting at 6:17 p.m. with nothing to report out of Closed Session. PUBLIC COMMENT/ANNOUNCEMENTS & UNSCHEDULED APPEARANCES: Veronica Aguirre reported the following: 1) she mentions her concern about the increase in refuse and that Avenal is exempt from being charged because of being disadvantaged community. She feels residents shouldn't have to pay increase. She would like the Council to take her concerns into consideration. Also, Cal Recycle should have been invited. Joseph Kalpakoff commented that there are two waivers and one of them is not a disadvantaged community. It is for a low population and for elevation waiver of 45. There are exemptions around the county areas and Kings County specifically, do have waivers and the unincorporated county. As an incorporated city they do not meet exemption Maria Ortiz, City Clerk does not have any public comment cards. Special Presentation: Avenal Police Department -Axon Body Camera/Taser Demonstration, and new APD Patrol Vehicle. Joint Meeting City Council/Successor Agency/PFA –November 16, 2023 Page 2 of 4 Sergeant Pelletier and Captain Lujan presented the body cams and the Taser to the City Council and there was a 5-minutes intermission to see new police department vehicles. CONSENT CALENDAR: All items listed under the consent calendar are routine and enacted by one motion: (Action). A. Consider City of Avenal/Successor Agency’s Approval of Minutes for October 26, 2023. B. Consider Ratifying Resolution 2023-43, Authorizing an MOU with County of Kings for Assistance in the Avenal Cut-Off Road Roadway Improvements Project. C. Consider Ratifying Approval of Executing Victim Witness Assistance Center Operational Agreement D. Consider Approval for Capital Expenditure #2 from Wastewater Enterprise Fund for Solar PV System at the Wastewater Treatment Plant: Resolution 2023-44. RESOLUTION 2023-43: A Resolution of The City Council of The City of Avenal Authorizing the Mayor to Sign and MOU with County of Kings for Assistance in the Avenal Cut-Off Road Roadway Improvements Project. Councilman Gravelle motioned to approve, second by Councilman Hernandez and motion carried. RESOLUTION 2023-44: A Resolution of The City Council of The City of Avenal Authorizing the Mayor to Sign and MOU with County of Kings for Assistance in the Avenal Cut-Off Road Roadway Improvements Project. Councilman Gravelle motioned to approve, second by Councilman Hernandez and motion carried. Council Member/Successor Agency Member Gravelle motioned to approve Consent Calendar, second by Councilman/Successor Agency Member Hernandez, and motion carried. Roll Call Vote: AYES: Gravelle, Hernandez, Verdugo, Preciado. NOES: None. ABSENT: Ramirez. ABSTAIN: None. MAYOR & COUNCIL MEMBERS/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY/ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION: A. Consider Approval to Issue Notice on Refuse Rate Increases - Dan Bergmann, IGS: Dan Bergmann, IGS reported that Avenal’s existing refuse rates in place for many years and must been increased. California’s new refuse-handling laws under SB-1383 require additional collection, handling, and education around organics waste. This is being done to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On behalf of the city, Mid-Valley Disposal is responsible for organics compliance. As a result of the additional responsibility, and because the city’s rates needed to be updated and increased anyway, Mid-Valley has provided a new fee schedule for amount paid Mid-Valley, and the city has hired Dan Bergmann of IGS to create new rates charged to customers. The result is an overall significant increase in some rates and new rates for commercial recycle and organics collection not previously charged. IGS has created new rates that are consistent with Mid-Valley’s fee schedule and include cost coverage for billing and street sweeping. Mr. Bergmann will present the new rates explaining the process to determine them. A representative of Mid- Valley will also be present at the meeting to address questions. City council was asked to support issuing a rate increase notice to all refuse customers. ACTIVITY REPORTS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & COMMITTEE REPORTS: A. Activity Reports: 1. Public Works/Code Enforcement/Animal Control Departments Activity Report: Rob Williams, Public Works Director. Scott Davis, Public Works Supervisor, reported on the following: 1) Code Enforcement; 2) Park & Landscaping; 3) Streets; 4) Water Distribution; 5) Wastewater Collection; and 6) Vehicle, Equipment, & Building Maintenance 2. IT Department Activity Report: Humberto Bermudez, IT Manager. Humberto Bermudez, IT Manager reported the following: 1) continuing services Internet, Phone system, Emails, Server, Clerk software, Server; and 2) Other: Nov. 14th Food Distribution, updating camera system, obtained enterprise demo. 3. Recreation Department Activity Report: Shelia Verdugo, Community Activities Supervisor. Joint Meeting City Council/Successor Agency/PFA –November 16, 2023 Page 3 of 4 Shelia Verdugo, Recreation Supervisor reported because she is sick: 1) Upcoming events – Oct. 20-21 Pistachio Festival; 2) Oct 23 – Movie/screening Avenal Pop Warner Football Program. Served 110 kids, Free movie Avenal Theater; 3) Oct. 25th. Oct 30th, Ice Ring Oct 13-22, Pistachio Festival October 21st, Trunk r Treat AHS parking lot & Nov 1 Day of the Dead B. Special Presentations/Reports: 1) None. PUBLIC HEARING(s): A. None. OLD BUSINESS: A. None. NEW BUSINESS: A. Consider GIS Web Tech Presentation for Economic Development Tool for Site Selection: Kao Nou Yang, Community & Economic Development Director reported that the City of Avenal has had a priority of Economic Development and Growth for the past 10 years. One of the main City Council goals was to bring more attention and resources to Economic Development, therefore staff were directed to reach out and find strategic ideas to bring more growth and sustainability to the community. The City’s Economic Development Plan was adopted in 2017 and laid out recommendations and policies that were adopted as part of the General plan to be implemented and executed. Policy 4.2.5 Business Attraction states that “Collaborate with real estate brokers, property owners, and other stakeholders to create and maintain an inventory of buildings and sites available for economic development.,” and Policy 4.8.3 also states “Prioritize economic development activities that will lead to jobs that provide career opportunities and living wages.” These two policies are very important to understanding the need and marketing of the city to grow economically and be able to sustain its revenue generation. With these two policies in mind, city staff has investigated many new resources and strategic planning software to help market the city and provide data and resources to potential developers, business owner, business leaders and interested parties. Community & Economic Development Director Yang continued that one of those strategic planning software is GIS WEBTECH Services. On August 10, 2023, City Staff requested for the company to present a demonstration and a proposal to City Council with their product. After the Presentation, City Staff was given director to move forward with the proposal and have been working with the clients (GIS WEB TECH) to finalize the proposal and Contract. This Item has been reviewed by the City Manager. Staff recommends authorizing the City Manager or designee to sign the Software License Agreement with GIS WEBTECH in relations to Site Selection website for Economic Development and any hereto documents in relations to the Software and Client management. Funding Source: General Fund- Economic Development Estimated Annual Expense: $9,534.00 Annual Estimated Set-up (One Time Only Fee): $2,145.00 Councilman Verdugo motioned to authorizing the City Manager or designee to sign the Software License Agreement with GIS WEBTECH in relations to Site Selection website for Economic Development and any hereto documents in relations to the Software and Client management, second by Councilman Gravelle and motion carried. Roll Call Vote: AYES: Verdugo, Gravelle, Hernandez, Preciado. NOES: None. ABSENT: Ramirez. ABSTAIN: None. CORRESPONDENCE/ANNOUNCEMENTS/CLOSING COMMENTS: City Manager Lopez reported the following: 1) City luncheon the City Council is invited; 2) November 28th Derrick Tree Lighting and all invited; 2) Thanked all for a speedy meeting. Councilman Gravelle thanked all city employees for all they do and gave condolences to the Casida family. Mayor Preciado reported the following: 1) attended many meetings and thanked all for attending. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business the City Council meeting was adjourned at 7:39 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Joint Meeting City Council/Successor Agency/PFA –November 16, 2023 Page 4 of 4 Maria Ortiz, City Clerk