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 AUGUST 8, 2024, 5:15 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 5:15 p.m. ROLL CALL: Councilman, Ricardo Verdugo, Pablo Hernandez, Mayor Pro Tem Alejandro Ramirez, Mayor Alvaro Preciado. ABSENT: None. STAFF: Lopez, Ortiz, Price, Bermudez, Davis, Velasco, Andrade. 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 $450.00 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 5:19 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. Personnel (Government Code §54957(b)). Consider Public Employee Performance Evaluation for the Position of: Chief of Police 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: 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. Pending Litigation (Government Code § 54956.9). Conference with legal counsel – EXISTING LITIGATION (Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1)). 1. Parties, case/claim no: Ross Family Properties, LLC, v. City of Avenal (Kings County Superior Court, Case No. 24CU0071). Mayor Preciado reopened meeting at 6:29 p.m. with nothing to report. PUBLIC COMMENT/ANNOUNCEMENTS & UNSCHEDULED APPEARANCES: No public comments. Cecilio Velasco introduced New Employees: Officers Rafael Silva and Balthazar Moillon. Officers Rafael Silva and Balthazar Moillon are honored to work for the City of Avenal and thanked the City Council. The City Council and staff welcomed them to the city family. Joint Meeting City Council/Successor Agency/PFA – August 8, 2024 Page 2 of 5 Veronica Aguirre stated concerns as follows: 1) Landfill mulch; 2) PG&E relief efforts and contact Utilities Commission (CPUC); 3) Illegal Fireworks a nuisance, burden for animals and need it to stop; and 5) Congratulated the new officers. 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 July 10, 11, & 25, 2024. B. Consider accepting conditions for grant award for the Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (Resolution 2024-35) C. Consider Authorization for City Manager & Chief of Police to Sign Contingency Agreements with Candidates (Resolution 2024-36). D. Ratify Salary Adjustments to Bargaining Units 1-5, City Manager, and Chief of Police (Resolution 2024-37). RESOLUTION 2024-35: THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OFAVENAL AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTEAGREEMENTS WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE CITY OF AVENAL CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN Councilman Verdugo motioned to approve, seconded by Councilman Hernandez and motion carried. RESOLUTION 2024-36: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AVENAL AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF OF POLICE AND THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN CONTINGENCY AGREEMENTS WITH CANDIDATES FOR PEACE OFFICER POSITIONS. Councilman Verdugo motioned to approve, seconded by Councilman Hernandez and motion carried. RESOLUTION 2024-37: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AVENAL SUPPORTING AND APPROVING OFFERS TO THE EMPLOYEE DESIGNATED NEGOTIATING TEAMS NO. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, CHIEF OF POLICE AND CITY MANAGER AS PER REQUESTED FOR FY 2024/2025. Councilman Verdugo motioned to approve, seconded by Councilman Hernandez and motion carried. Council Member/Successor Agency Member Verdugo motioned to approve Consent Calendar, seconded by Councilman/Successor Agency Member Hernandez, and motion carried. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Verdugo, Hernandez, Gravelle, Ramirez, Preciado. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. ACTIVITY REPORTS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS& COMMITTEE REPORTS: A. Activity Reports: 1. Police Department Activity Report: Cecilio Velasco, Chief of Police. Cecilio Velasco, Chief of Police reported the following: 1) Leadership Stability; 2) Recruit and Retain the best; 3) International Model of Community Trust; 4) Amongst the safest cities in America; and 5) Embrace wellness amongst our employees. 2. Community Development Activity Report: Kelsey George, Contract City Planner, 4Creeks. Kelsey George, Contract City Planner, 4Creeks reported the following: 1) Establish procedures for address assignments; 2) Continue to work through subdivision and zoning ordinance amendments and begin preparing items for public hearing; 3) Re-engage with Fresno County regarding a potential annexation for property located adjacent to city limits to the north/northwest; 4) Coordinate with Kings County on the Multi-Jurisdictional Housing Element; special hearing scheduled for 8/26/24; and 5) Response to miscellaneous public and staff inquiries planning and zoning issues, processing of OpenGov tasks, and reviewing business licenses. 3. Economic Development & Grant Writing Report: Emily Engelsgaard, Grants Manager, the CrisCom Company. Emily Engelsgaard, Grants Manager, the CrisCom Company reported: 1) Legislative update; 2) Avenal Budget requests: $10M - Avenal Civic Center (Joint City Hall and Police Department Building), $700K - Renovate Avenal Sports Complex, $250K - Remodeling of the José Ramirez Avenal Boxing Club, $500K - City Beautification Program and on the Federal level, Congressman Valadao has prioritized our Avenal Water Storage Tank Project in the amount of $4M; 3) Economic Joint Meeting City Council/Successor Agency/PFA – August 8, 2024 Page 3 of 5 Development update: ICSC Las Vegas in May, and during that time, our team made many contacts. As stated, reaching out to those that we met with at ICSC which is a large list consisting of vendors such as Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Burlington Stores, Inc., Domino's, Focus Brands, Inspire Brands, Jack in the Box, Jersey Mike's, Little Caesar, McDonald’s, WSS Shoes Style Selection, Yum! Brands, etc. B. Special Presentations/Reports: a. Summer Interns Projects: Bryanna Padilla, Grace Resendez, Noemi Barrios, Karla Curiel. Bryanna Padilla, Grace Resendez, Noemi Barrios, Karla Curiel gave a 2-minute presentation of their accomplishments working as interns. MAYOR & COUNCIL MEMBERS/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY/ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION: A. Discussion of Community Concerns Regarding Elevated PG&E Bills and Consideration of Drafting a Formal Letter to PG&E Requesting Relief Measures. Antony Lopez, City Manager reported that at the request of Mayor Preciado, this agenda item aims to discuss the elevated PG&E bills affecting commercial business owners within our community. Fresno County has recently undertaken measures to address this concern, including sending formal letters to PG&E requesting a review of the current rates and potential relief measures for businesses. It is proposed that we consider a similar approach to advocate for our local businesses Commercial business owners in our community have raised concerns about the significant increase in PG&E bills, which is impacting their operations and financial stability. This issue has also been observed in neighboring areas, prompting similar actions by local governments Staff recommends that the City Council discuss the community concerns regarding elevated PG&E bills for commercial business owners and consider drafting a formal letter to PG&E. The letter would request a comprehensive rate review and explore possible relief measures for affected businesses. The City Council is in consensus to drafting a formal letter to PG&E. B. Review and Discussion of Avenal Community Recreation Center Plans (Informational). City Manager Lopez reported the following : 1) the City has two (2) engineers on it, Brian Skaggs, Summers Engineering and Javier Andrade, A&M Engineering working on finalizing the bid documents; 2) fixing issues because staff has incomplete plans and Brian Skaggs has been working off of scans to create documents that will be usable for our construction once it is take this out to bid; 3) City Manager Lopez ask to review plans to make sure all pieces the community would want to see; 4) As stated, since the beginning, it's been unfortunate how this project was started and more at the staff level not really from the community. 5) Items it should incorporate basketball court, soccer field, basketball, mobile basketball, kitchen, weight room, multi-purpose room, some office spaces, restrooms and storage; 6) So, that second floor will be kind of closed off to the public; 7) IT worked on sketching out, all the hookups for tv’s, internet hookups for the Wi-Fi, hookups for cameras everywhere. Brian Skaggs, Summers Engineering is making sure Staff put in enough conduit, wire and trench to ensure that the City connects between the Community Center, Public Works Yard and Animal Shelter to have one spot as a main internet source and be able to share it across facilities; 8) the project is 95%; and 10) Javier Andrade, A&M Engineering will help with CDBG guidelines. PUBLIC HEARING(s): Joint Hearing of the City of Avenal Successor Agency RDA Trust Obligations Fund/Public Finance Authority: A. Consider Proposed City of Avenal Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/2025 City Budget /Fees & Charges:  Staff Report  Public Hearing  Discussion/Action: Approval by Resolution (including Fees & Charges). Note: Funding Requests included in FY 2022/2023. B. Consider Proposed Avenal Successor Agency/RDA Debt Obligation Fund (FY) 2024/2025 Budget:  Staff Report  Public Hearing  Discussion/Action: Approval by Resolution. Joint Meeting City Council/Successor Agency/PFA – August 8, 2024 Page 4 of 5 C. Consider Proposed Finance Authority Public Finance Authority (PFA) Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Budget:  Staff Report  Public Hearing  Discussion/Action: Approval by Resolution. City Manager Lopez would like to continue item to finish budget, and it was discussing yesterday at a Special meeting. Mayor Preciado opened The Public Hearing at 7:48 p.m. will be continued. Mayor Preciado made a motion to continue hearing for the next regular scheduled meeting, seconded by Councilman Verdugo and motion carried. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Preciado, Verdugo, Hernandez, Gravelle, Ramirez,. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. OLD BUSINESS: A. None NEW BUSINESS: A. Consider Awarding Bid for Avenal Cut-Off Road Resurfacing Project (Resolution 2024-38): Javier Andrade, Contract City Engineer reported that The City of Avenal is allocating funds to ensure the necessary financial resources are available for the Avenal Cutoff Road Rehabilitation project's successful execution and completion. The City advertised the Avenal Cutoff Road Rehabilitation Project beginning July 8, 2024. The city solicited bids which were opened and read aloud on August 7th, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Avenal City Hall, as follows: CONTRACTOR BASE BID BID ADDITIVE TOTAL BID Cal Valley Construction $846,826.10 $3,000.00 $849,826.10 G&J Heavy Haul, Inc. $892,147.57 $6,643.63 $898,791.20 Granite Construction Company $1,006,737.45 $-9,300.00 $997,437.45 Papich Construction, Inc. $1,487,775.00 $0.00 $1,487,775.00 Talley Oil Inc. $818,637.05 $10,000.00 $828,637.05 VSS International Inc. $863,000.00 $6,480.00 $869,480.00 The City Engineer recommends awarding the contract to Talley Oil Inc. for the Avenal Cutoff Road Rehabilitation Project as they were the lowest responsive bidder. Staff recommends the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2024-338 to award the contract to Talley Oil Inc. for the Avenal Cutoff Road Rehabilitation Project and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the City. RESOLUTION 2024-38: THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AVENAL AWARDING THE CONTRACT FOR THE AVENAL CUTOFF ROAD REHABILITATION PROJECT TO TALLEY OIL INC. Councilman Verdugo motioned to approve, seconded by Councilman Hernandez and motion carried. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Verdugo, Hernandez, Gravelle, Ramirez, Preciado. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. B. Consider Approving SRO Agreement with RSUSD (Resolution 2024-39): City Manager Lopez would like to table item. Mayor Preciado motioned to table item to next City Council meeting, seconded by Councilman Hernandez and motioned carried. Joint Meeting City Council/Successor Agency/PFA – August 8, 2024 Page 5 of 5 ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Preciado, Hernandez, Gravelle, Ramirez, Verdugo, Preciado. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. C. Consider MOU with RSUSD for Digital Sign and Approving the Purchase of a Digital Sign for Skyline Blvd/Hydril Road from MAVP (Resolution 2024-40): City Manager Lopez reported that at the recent City Council meeting, the agreement with the County of Kings for digital signs was approved. Following this approval, we are now presenting the quotes for the new sign at the corner of Hydril Road and Skyline Boulevard at Skyline Park (Elliott Park). We have received three quotes for this project of the following specs 6mm 14’ x 12’ Double- Sided Electronic Message Center: 1. MAVP: $116,025 2. Golden Rule: $173,043 3. A Plus Signs: $204,537.20 Staff is ordering a specially sized 14’ x 12’ double-sided electronic message center to catch drivers’ attention. We will work closely with the manufacturer to ensure the sign meets our specifications. The recommendation is to proceed with MAVP for the following reasons: Cost-Effective: MAVP’s quote is significantly lower than the other two quotes. Warranty and Labor: MAVP offers a 5-year warranty, which includes labor for a marquee on top that will say “Welcome,” along with the logos of the City of Avenal and Reef-Sunset Unified School District. Labor will be reduced as the sign will be constructed off-site to avoid prevailing wages. Design: The signs will likely be detached front and back to angle more toward the road for better visibility. Staff recommends adopting Resolution 2024-39, approve the purchase of the 14’ x 12’ double-sided electronic message center from MAVP for $116,025. City Manager concluded that the fiscal impact - The Reef-Sunset Unified School District is offering to pay up to $72,000 toward the construction of this sign. A full Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the school district is still being finalized, pending legal review. The remaining funds will be from the County’s sub-contract agreement. RESOLUTION 2024-39: THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AVENAL APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF A 14’ X 12’ DOUBLESIDED ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER FOR SKYLINE PARK (ELLIOTT PARK). Mayor Pro Tem Ramirez made a motion to approve, seconded by Councilman Hernandez and motion carried. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Ramirez, Hernandez, Verdugo, Gravelle, Preciado. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. CORRESPONDENCE/ANNOUNCEMENTS/CLOSING COMMENTS: City Manager Lopez reported the following: 1) August 17th Fun Run and getting a t-shirt paid by Tabacco grant they have logos running tobacco free and don’t be a bully. All are invited to participate but gearing up towards the youth and renting a foam machine; 3) back to school event with Reef Sunset Unified School District; Crise night and Jose Hernandez inspirational journey to how he became an astronaut. Mayor Preciado reported the following: 1) attended many meetings and thanks the community for attending. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Preciado report that with no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:49 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Maria Ortiz, City Clerk