City Council/Successor Agency/Public Finance Authority

CITY OF AVENAL “Pistachio Capital of the World®” REGULAR CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY/PFA MEETING August 14, 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 5:18 PM. ROLL CALL: Councilman Ricardo Verdugo, David Reynosa, Pablo Hernandez, Mayor Pro Tem Gamez, Mayor Alvaro Preciado. ABSENT: None. STAFF: López, Price, Curiel, Ortiz, Bermudez, Davis, Velasco. LEGAL COUNSEL: 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. 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 both on the agenda or 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. A timer will notify you when your time is expired. Please begin your comments by stating your name and place of residence. Public Comment opened at 5:20 p.m. Ginger Wallis, Avenal resident, expressed concern regarding negative comments made by City staff about the current Fire Department and requested that such comments cease. Sheila Verdugo, Avenal resident, stated that the fire contract, with the proposed additional language, would be beneficial to the community. Kelly Guzman, Avenal resident, voiced concerns regarding the Kings County Fire Department. She noted that the City has received more revenue than anticipated through Measure A and stated these funds should be used to continue contracting with Kings County Fire. She further emphasized that the Council should take the community’s input into consideration. Veronica Aguirre, Avenal resident (via Zoom), expressed that the current language under Public Comment is inadequate and requested that it be revised. Jose Verduzco, Government Affairs Representative for PG&E, introduced himself and stated he is available to serve the community. CLOSED SESSION: (City/Successor Agency): 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__. D. EXISTING LITIGATION (Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1)). Parties, case/claim no: Jesus A. Mendez, v. City of Avenal (Kings County Superior Court, Case No. 24CU0108) Closed Session was opened at 5:33pm by Mayor Preciado. Closed Session was closed at 7:01pm by Mayor Preciado with nothing to report. 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 July 9; 10; 22 2025, and August 4, 2025, Special & Regular Meetings. Council Member/Successor Agency Verdugo motioned to approve Consent Calendar, seconded by Councilman/Successor Agency Member Gamez, and motion carried. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Verdugo, Gamez, Hernandez, Reynosa, Preciado. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. MAYOR & COUNCIL MEMBER/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY/ ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION: A. Designation of Voting Delegate and Alternates for the 2025 League of California Cities Conference and General Assembly - October 8-10, 2025, Long Beach Convention Center – City Clerk (Discussion/Action) Council designated Councilman Verdugo as Voting Delegate and Mayor Preciado volunteered to be the alternate. Council Member/Successor Agency Preciado motioned to approve Voting Delegate and Alternate, seconded by Councilman/Successor Agency Member Reynosa, and motion carried. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Preciado, Reynosa, Hernandez, Verdugo, Gamez. 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. Chief Velasco presented as submitted. He addressed questions from the Council regarding Flock Cameras, the Torch Run, school safety, and safe routes for students. He reported no incidents during the first days of school and noted that educational material on motorized scooters will be distributed. 2. Community Development Activity Report: Joshua McDonnell, Contract City Planner, 4Creeks. Joshua McDonnell presented as submitted. He responded to Council questions regarding the Annexation, noting preliminary conversations with Fresno County. City Manager López added that efforts are being made to coordinate with the area supervisor. Mayor Preciado inquired about the Aria parking lot which McDonnell shared information about.  3. Economic Development & Grant Writing Report: Emily Engelsgaard, Grants Manager, the CrisCom Company. Emily Engelsgaard presented as submitted. She responded to Council questions regarding the Sacramento Snapshot and confirmed she will prioritize arranging a meeting with Criscom to discuss community water needs during Mayor Preciado’s upcoming visit to Sacramento. Presentations/Reports: 1. End of Summer of Presentations: Summer 2025 Interns. Interns presented as submitted. Mayor Preciado thanked them for their work. 2. Avenal Landfill Quarterly Report: Site Manager, George Anderson – Waste Connections. George Anderson George Anderson was unable to present. 3. Kings County Fire, Station 12, July Report: John Chamberlin (Fire Chief) / Blake Adney (Fire Marshal). Blake Adney presented as submitted. In response to Council questions, the Fire Marshall addressed community engagement during the July 4th fire, and the Fire Chief provided information regarding the ISO rating included in the fire contract. Mayor Preciado inquired about Avenal’s ISO Rating of 3, fire hydrants, and detailed reporting. The Fire Chief confirmed he will present different report formats. 4. Kings County Association of Governments (KCAG) Regional Active Transportation (RATP) Plan Update: Lynnete Guzman, Senior Planner - Mark Thomas Lynnete Guzman and Mark Thomas designee presented as submitted. Joshua McDonnell, City Planner, stated he supports KCAG’s bicycle transportation plans. Audience members stated there is a need for a 4-way stop on Whitney & Corcoran. Another audience member suggested speed bumps. Blake Adney, Fire Marshall, states he would like if speed bump requests or other road items are sent to the fire department for clearance. Continued 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 • Public Hearing • Discussion/Action: Approval by Resolution (including Fees & Charges). B. Consider Proposed Avenal Successor Agency/RDA Debt Obligation Fund (FY) 2025/2026 Budget: • Staff Report • Public Hearing • Discussion/Action: Approval by Resolution. C. Consider Proposed Finance Authority Public Finance Authority (PFA) Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget: • Staff Report • Public Hearing • Discussion/Action: Approval by Resolution. Mayor Preciado motioned to close the Public Hearing. Council Member/Successor Agency Reynosa motioned to approve Resolution 2025-39, seconded by Councilman/Successor Agency Member Gamez, and motion carried. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Reynosa, Gamez, Verdugo, Hernandez, Preciado. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Council Member/Successor Agency Reynosa motioned to approve RDA/Successor Agency Resolution 2025-02, seconded by Councilman/Successor Agency Member Gamez, and motion carried. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Reynosa, Gamez, Verdugo, Hernandez, Preciado. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Council Member/Successor Agency Reynosa motioned to approve Public Financing Authority Resolution 2025-02, seconded by Councilman/Successor Agency Member Gamez, and motion carried. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Reynosa, Gamez, Verdugo, Hernandez, Preciado. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. RESOLUTION 2025-39: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AVENAL, ADOPTING THE CITY BUDGET FOR FY 2025-2026. SUCCESSOR AGENCY RESOLUTION 2025-02: A RESOLUTION OF THE AVENAL SUCCESSOR AGENCY/RDA DEBT OBLIGATION FUND OF THE CITY OF AVENAL ADOPTING THE AGENCY’S FISCAL YEAR BUDGET 2025/2026. PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY RESOLUTION 2025-02: A RESOLUTION OF THE AVENAL PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF AVENAL ADOPTING THE AVENAL PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 BUDGET. OLD BUSINESS: A. SRO Agreement with RSUSD (Discussion/Action). NEW BUSINESS: A. Consider Fiscal Year 2024-2025 – End Budget Revisions: (Discussion/Action). Council Member/Successor Agency Reynosa motioned to approve Resolution 2025-40, seconded by Councilman/Successor Agency Member Hernandez, and motion carried. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Reynosa, Hernandez, Gamez, Verdugo, Preciado. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. B. Consider Fiscal Year Appropriations Limits: (Discussion/Action). Council Member/Successor Agency Verdugo motioned to approve Resolution 2025-41, seconded by Councilman/Successor Agency Member Reynosa, and motion carried. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Verdugo, Reynosa, Gamez, Hernandez, Preciado. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. RESOLUTION 2025- 40: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AVENAL AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO AMEND THE CITY’S BUDGET FOR FY 2025-2026. RESOLUTION 2025-41: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AVENAL ESTABLISHING FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT PURSUANT TO ARTICLE XIIIB OF THE CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION. 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 Antony López thanked the interns for their work over the summer and invited community to the Drive In Movie August 15th. Councilman Verdugo asked for revision of City Budget and signage of the Fire Contract. He also asked people to be considerate of what it takes for people to have running water. Mayor Preciado shared that he was able to attend multiple meetings regarding water and electricity. He also shared he would be representing the City in other groups in the Bay and getting ready for the trip to Sacramento. The City Council went into recess at 9:36pm. ADJOURNMENT: The City Council came out of closed session at 11:16pm, with nothing to report and the meeting was adjourned. __ /s/ Karla Curiel Karla Curiel, Deputy City Clerk