City Council/Successor Agency/Public Finance Authority

CITY OF AVENAL “Pistachio Capital of the World®” REGULAR CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY/PFA MEETING June 26, 2025, 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 5:34 PM. ROLL CALL: Councilman Ricardo Verdugo, David Reynosa, Pablo Hernandez, Mayor Pro Tem Gamez, Mayor Alvaro Preciado. ABSENT: None. STAFF: López, Price, Curiel, Bermudez, Davis, Velasco. LEGAL COUNSEL: Zishan Lokhandwala. 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. PUBLIC COMMENT/ANNOUNCEMENTS & UNSCHEDULED APPEARANCES: This time is reserved for members of the audience to address the City Council on items of interest that are not on the Agenda and are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council/Successor Agency. State Law prohibits any member of the Council from commenting or acting on matters not on the agenda. The Council asks that you keep your comments concise and positive. Creative criticism, presented with appropriate courtesy, is welcome. Each speaker will be allowed three minutes, and a timer will notify you when your time is expired. Please begin your comments by stating and providing your place of residence. Present New Employees: Summer Community Activities Staff: Cynthia Nieto, Caleb Vargas, Isabel Barrios Anna Lara, Senior Recreation Leader, presented and introduced summer staff for 2025. Summer Interns: Kimberly Hernandez, Diego Celis, Paul Merino, Cecilia Melendez, Damian Blanco Karla Curiel, Deputy City Clerk, presented and introduced Summer Interns for 2025. Dalilah Barajas, Avenal resident, served recall forms to all City Council Members. Julie Moran, Avenal resident, expressed concern that the City has been disingenuous with the community and raised issues regarding the operating budget listed on the meeting agenda. Frank Lopez, Avenal resident, raised concerns about immigration enforcement activity and the resulting fear within the community. He also requested a copy of the Property Tax Agreement from Supervisor Valle or the County. Sheila Verdugo, Avenal resident, provided feedback regarding translation services at the previous evening’s town hall meeting. She also requested clarification on the costs associated with contracting fire services through Kings County. Teresa Piere, Avenal resident, urged the City Council to prioritize the community’s needs, specifically maintaining fire service through the Kings County Fire Department. Ron Moran, Avenal resident, shared his prior experience serving on a planning commission during discussions about the Avenal Theatre. He stated that engaging the community led to the best outcome and encouraged the Council to take a similar approach regarding fire services. Ted Woelk, Avenal resident, inquired about the closed session item concerning the evaluation of the City Manager. Ginger Wallis, Avenal resident, responded to a prior comment by clarifying that current firefighters are, in fact, medically trained. Daniel Verduzco, Avenal resident, expressed support for the current firefighters and reported inappropriate conduct by another individual during public comment, stating he witnessed foul language and inappropriate physical behavior, which he asked not to be repeated. Jose Arias, Avenal resident, recommended the Council approve the proposed three-year fire service contract with an included escape clause. He also advocated for the City to undergo annual audits and attempted to inform the audience of the estimated costs associated with the recall process. Following two warnings from Mayor Preciado due to disruptions, Delilah Barajas walked out of the Council Meeting. John Chambertin, Kings County Fire Chief, announced that the County would be holding a study session the following week to discuss the fire services matter. Steve Hembree, Avenal resident, asked whether American Ambulance services would also be discontinued if Kings County Fire withdrew. Juan Plascencia, Avenal resident, expressed concern that the City is not adequately serving its youth and stated that the Council's role is to improve the community, not harm it. Veronica Aguirre, Avenal resident, requested clarification regarding the public comment procedures outlined on the agenda. She also noted that Zoom comments were not accepted during the previous town hall and raised concerns about landfill revenue. Public comment was closed at 6:29pm by Mayor Preciado. CONSENT CALENDAR: All items listed under the consent calendar are routine or for approval only and are enacted by one motion: (Action). A. Consider City of Avenal/Successor Agency’s Approval of Minutes for June 12, 2025 Special Meeting & Regular Meeting. Council Member/Successor Agency Member Gamez motioned approve Consent Calendar and was seconded by Councilmember/Successor Agency Member Hernandez and motion carried. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Gamez, Hernandez, Preciado, Reynosa, Verdugo. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. MAYOR & COUNCIL MEMBER/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY/ ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION:  A. None ACTIVITY REPORTS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & COMMITTEE REPORTS: A. Activity Reports: 1. Police Department Activity Report: Cecilio Velasco, Chief of Police. Chief Velasco presented his report as submitted. Councilmember Reynosa inquired about the number of active Explorer Program participants. Chief Velasco stated that there are currently three applications submitted. Mayor Preciado asked whether the department’s budget had decreased compared to the previous year due to grants, and whether similar grant opportunities would be available if the City were to contract with the Sheriff’s Department. Chief Velasco responded that he was unsure if the Sheriff’s Department applies for similar grants but noted that his department has successfully secured several. Mayor Preciado also asked about recent law enforcement activity in light of concerns within the community regarding immigration raids. Chief Velasco responded that he makes every effort to keep the City Manager informed and strives to avoid causing unnecessary fear in the community. Additionally, Mayor Preciado inquired about traffic accidents and the possibility of offering a traffic safety class for the public. Chief Velasco acknowledged the suggestion and stated that he is aware of the issue. 2. Community Development Activity Report: Joshua McDonnell, Contract City Planner, 4Creeks. Teslla Ramirez, City Planning Consultant, presented the report as submitted. Councilmember Verdugo inquired about the status of the annexation process with the County. Ms. Ramirez responded that the project is still ongoing. 3. Economic Development & Grant Writing Report: Emily Engelsgaard, Grants Manager, the CrisCom Company. Emily Engelsgaard, Grants Manager, presented the report as submitted. Mayor Preciado inquired about the possibility of pursuing a Caltrans grant for improvements along Highways 33 and 269, noting the need for repair work. Ms. Engelsgaard responded that she will reach out to contacts and explore potential funding opportunities. B. Presentations/Reports: 1) None. 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) 2025/2026 City Budget /Fees & Charges: • Staff Report Griselda Price, Director of Administrative Services, presented the report as submitted. City Manager López clarified that the operating budget presented is a proposed budget intended to meet state requirements and does not include funding for major projects. Mayor Preciado added that it is standard practice for cities to adopt an operating budget. Councilmember Verdugo expressed that he needed additional time to review the budget, as he had requested more information earlier that day. Mayor Preciado noted that the budget must be adopted by today or no later than June 30th to remain in compliance. City Manager López further stated that the City has followed this practice for the past two years. • Public Hearing The Public Hearing was opened at 7:09 p.m. by Mayor Preciado. Juan Plascencia, Avenal resident, asked why the budget report was not available to the public. City Manager López responded that the full budget has not yet been completed. Ginger Wallis, Avenal resident, questioned how an operating budget could be adopted with less than 24 hours' notice. Mayor Preciado explained that Councilmembers had already been made aware of the proposed operating budget, and that the full budget is still in progress. Julie Moran, Avenal resident, inquired about current revenue figures and why they were not available. Griselda Price, Director of Administrative Services, responded that those figures are not yet finalized. Sheila Verdugo, Avenal resident, asked when department heads received their budget information. City Manager López stated it was during the week of June 9th. Sheila also asked how long it typically takes to prepare a budget and requested that each Councilmember disclose whether they had met with department heads regarding their departmental budgets. She urged the Council to be thoughtful in their decision-making. Legal Counsel Zishan provided an explanation of what an operating budget entails and its purpose. Councilmember Verdugo made a motion to table the item. Mayor Preciado offered a counter motion to approve the operating budget. Scott Davis, Director of Public Works, commented that City Council meetings are not the appropriate time to request detailed financial figures and that such questions should be addressed prior to the meeting. • Discussion/Action: Approval by Resolution (including Fees & Charges). Council Member/Successor Agency Member Preciado motioned approve Resolution 2025-32 and continuing Public Hearing, and was seconded by Councilmember/Successor Agency Member Gamez and motion carried. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Preciado, Gamez, Reynosa, Verdugo, Hernandez. NOES: Verdugo. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. B. Consider Proposed Avenal Successor Agency/RDA Debt Obligation Fund (FY) 2025/2026 Budget: • Staff Report • Public Hearing • Discussion/Action: Approval by Resolution. Councilmember Verdugo asked for clarification on Debt Obligation Fund for the audience. City Manager López explained what the bonds the City got were for. Council Member/Successor Agency Member Preciado motioned approve SA Resolution 2025-02 and continuing Public Hearing and was seconded by Councilmember/Successor Agency Member Reynosa and motion carried. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Preciado, Reynosa, Gamez, Verdugo, Hernandez. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. C. Consider Proposed Finance Authority Public Finance Authority (PFA) Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget: • Staff Report • Public Hearing • Discussion/Action: Approval by Resolution. Councilmember Verdugo inquired on Public Finance Authority clarification for the public. City Manager López explained PFA. Council Member/Successor Agency Member Preciado motioned approve PFA Resolution 2025-03 and continuing Public Hearing, and was seconded by Councilmember/Successor Agency Member Reynosa and motion carried. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Preciado, Reynosa, Gamez, Verdugo, Hernandez. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. OLD BUSINESS: A. SRO Agreement with RSUSD (Discussion/Action). City Manager López stated that there is ongoing collaboration with the school district. He reported that the City has received a proposed agreement from the district regarding public use of the Avenal High School pool and that negotiations with Superintendent Ruiz are continuing. Council Member/Successor Agency Member Verdugo motioned to add Emergency Item to 9B and was seconded by Councilmember/Successor Agency Member Reynosa and motion carried. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Verdugo, Reynosa, Preciado, Gamez, Hernandez. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. NEW BUSINESS: A. Recognition and Adoption of Kings County Fire Ordinance No. 713 and Fire Hazard Severity Zone Update (Discussion/Action) Resolution 2025-33. Blake Adney, Kings County Fire Marshal, presented the report as submitted. Mayor Preciado inquired about the color designations on the full severity zone map. Adney suggested accessing the complete map via the official website. Mayor Preciado also asked about penalties for illegal fireworks. Adney advised the public to be aware of the substantial fines associated with their use. Mayor Preciado further inquired about the possibility of changing severity zone levels. Adney clarified that the zones cannot be modified. Councilmember Verdugo asked whether insurance companies rely on the severity maps. Adney responded that insurance companies are not currently using these maps for underwriting decisions. Council Member/Successor Agency Member Verdugo motioned to approve Resolution 2025-33 and was seconded by Councilmember/Successor Agency Member Gamez and motion carried. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Verdugo, Gamez, Reynosa, Preciado, Hernandez. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. B. (EMERGENCY ITEM) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-34, approving the list of projects for Fiscal Year 2025-26 to be funded by SB 1 - The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. Javier Andrade, City Engineer, presented the report as submitted. Mayor Preciado requested an update on the Avenal Cutoff Road. Javier Andrade provided an overview of the chip seal process and stated that the road is currently being resealed at no cost to the City. Council Member/Successor Agency Member Reynosa motioned to approve Resolution 2025-34 and was seconded by Councilmember/Successor Agency Member Hernandez and motion carried. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Reynosa, Hernandez, Verdugo, Gamez, Preciado. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. CORRESPONDENCE/ANNOUNCEMENTS/CLOSING COMMENTS: Any Council member may request an item be placed on a future agenda, provided that a simple majority also support adding said item. Discussion or action on any item not on the current agenda is strictly prohibited. Closing comments are intended for Council members to report attendance of any special events and pertinent information back to the public. • Upcoming/Future Agenda Items to Consider. • Correspondence/Announcements/Information/Closing Comments. City Manager López extended an invitation to the community for the Fourth of July fireworks display scheduled for Saturday and announced that budget hearing coordination is underway. Councilmember Hernandez welcomed the participating interns and invited attendees to a seminar at the Veteran's Hall on the following day. Councilmember Verdugo announced a breakfast event at the Veteran's Hall for elder abuse prevention advocacy. Mayor Pro Tem Gamez expressed appreciation to members of the public for their meeting attendance. Mayor Preciado reported on recent inter-agency meetings attended in official capacity as a city representative. City Council went to closed session at 8:35pm. 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: APOA; Bargaining Units 1-5 B. Personnel (Government Code §54957(b)). Consider Public Employee Performance Evaluation for the Position of: • City Manager C. PENDING LITIGATION (Government Code § 54956.9). It is the intention of this governing body to meet in closed-session concerning: Conference with legal counsel – Deciding whether or not basis exists for closed- session for anticipated litigation (Government Code § 54956.9(d)(3)). Number of potential cases is: __1__. City Council came out of closed session at 11:42pm with nothing to report and meeting was adjourned. ADJOURNMENT: 1) In compliance with the Americans with Disability Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office (559) 386-5766. Avenal Theater & Event Center, 233 East Kings Street Avenal, CA 93204. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the city to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting [28 CFR 35.02.35.1044 AA Title II]. 2) Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the [Council/ Authority] after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the [City Clerks] office at 919 Skyline Blvd., Avenal, CA 93204 during normal business hours. I certify this Agenda of the City of Avenal City Council workshop is to be posted at the following locations: 1) City Council Chambers, Avenal Theater 233 E. Kings St.; 2) City Hall 919 Skyline Blvd.; 3) Avenal Lumber, 600 Skyline Blvd.; and 4) T&T Market, 801 Skyline Blvd. Avenal CA 93204 on, June 23, 2025.  /s/ Karla Curiel __ Karla Curiel, Deputy City Clerk