Roman Dowling

The meeting featured presentations on the 2025 Delano Police Department Crime Statistics and recognition for local wrestlers. Public comments raised concerns regarding a homeless encampment and sanitation issues related to water vending machines, as well as a proposal for a new illuminated sign to recognize city achievements. The Council addressed the establishment of a permitting process for food trucks on private property, including a discussion resulting in an amendment to require quarterly sales tax reporting from vendors. Furthermore, the Council reviewed and introduced an ordinance amending property maintenance and nuisance abatement code to align with state law by expanding enumerated nuisance conditions. Several items were approved under the Consent Agenda, including financial reports, investment reports, and authorization for an easement for an electrical vehicle charging station project. The Council also tabled a public hearing item concerning an annexation and pre-zoning application.

The meeting commenced with presentations and awards, including proclamations for Safely Surrendered Baby Awareness Month and National Pesticide Safety Education Month. During the public comments segment, a resident expressed significant concern regarding tax increases, including the SB 1421 mileage tax. The consent agenda covered numerous items, such as the approval of a Warrant Register, ratification of the Caltrans Art Maintenance Agreement for the Transportation Art Project, authorizing contracting without bidding due to a local emergency concerning a failed sewer main, and resolutions related to awarding contracts for maintenance and design services for water and sewer projects. One resident pulled item number 10 to clarify the nature of the art ratification, which staff confirmed was purely for already installed artwork, not infrastructure. Another resident pulled item 15 regarding the establishment of a community facilities district, raising concerns about new taxes, which staff clarified related to maintaining common areas in a new subdivision. The primary regular agenda item involved discussion and direction on erecting a sign to honor state champions from the Robert F. Kennedy High School football team, Cesar Chavez High School band, and the former baseball team. Due to Caltrans restrictions on standard street signage in the right-of-way, the Council ultimately moved to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement for a recognition billboard not to exceed $5,000.

The meeting included public comments concerning long-standing infrastructure issues, such as an unresolved sidewalk matter and the need for ramps at handicap parking spaces. Several business owners and employees voiced significant opposition to the recently enforced two-hour downtown parking limit, citing negative impacts on service times (especially for salons), safety concerns related to parking in poorly lit rear areas, and financial hardship from tickets. Council members debated whether to prioritize customer turnover or employee parking, with some advocating for halting enforcement until a formal survey could be conducted. The Council approved all items on the Consent Agenda, which included the authorization to waive full ordinance readings and several large warrant registers, as well as awarding contracts for sewer replacement and accepting pavement resurfacing projects. A Public Hearing was held regarding unmet transit needs, though no public comment was offered. The Regular Agenda featured a detailed discussion on the downtown parking enforcement, leading to a motion to halt enforcement until the March 16th meeting while a ballot survey is distributed to business owners.

The agenda for the meeting included presentations and awards recognizing local wrestlers and a review of Delano Police Department Crime Statistics. Public comment was reserved for items not on the agenda. The Consent Agenda included authorization to waive full ordinance readings, approval of a Warrant Register totaling $3,023,735.59, and approval of minutes from previous Council and Planning Commission meetings, as well as the Pension Committee meeting from November 2025. Key actions involved authorizing the City Manager to execute a dental insurance agreement, accepting Public Improvements for Tract No. 7449, and authorizing the City Engineer to execute an easement for Southern California Edison to underground electrical supply systems. Reports were scheduled on the status of local emergencies regarding failed sewer mains on 18th Avenue and 1000 High Street. Public hearings were scheduled for a Resolution of Initiation of Annexation and Pre-Zoning Application No. 25-0002, and for an Ordinance establishing a permitting process for Food Trucks on Private Property. The Regular Agenda included the first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 7.32 regarding Property Maintenance and Nuisance Abatement.

Key discussions included a presentation by the City Manager regarding the new skating rink, Candy Cane Lane. Public comments featured a veteran's proposal for a cannabis dispensary, citing potential health benefits, revenue generation, and support for youth programs, and a legislative update from a State Senator's representative detailing signed bills regarding fire training, data protection, and utility notification, as well as secured mitigation funding for Child Protective Services, Valley Fever testing, wildlife prevention, and airport expansion. The Consent Agenda covered routine approvals, including a large warrant register, authorization waivers, and agreements for joining the ICAC Task Force and a partnership with Marley's Mutts Dog Rescue. A public hearing addressed the second and final reading of an ordinance amending the Municipal Code to adopt updated building, fire, and property maintenance codes, with clarification provided that these updates would not significantly alter enforcement or impact ADUs. Council members shared year-end remarks, congratulating the RFK High School football team on their state title, praising city staff for accomplishments in 2025, noting the success of community events like the drone show and Junior Livestock Winter Fair, and expressing support for the growth of local healthcare access.