Council at odds on value of EDC

Lindsay’s City Council finished July with a bang as members had conflicting ideas at the meeting on Tuesday over the contributions being made by the Economic Development Corporation (EDC).

During the informational portion of the meeting, City Manager Bill Zigler opened up a discussion on the future of Lindsay’s participation in the EDC.

“From a city manager’s standpoint, the EDC hasn’t provided many of what we would call deliverables,” expressed Zigler at the beginning of the discussion.

Zigler suggested the council consider removing themselves from the EDC because it doesn’t focus on what each individual city needs or wants. He advised that Lindsay should work on recruiting retailers.

Council member Velasquez, a board member of EDC, disagreed with Zigler and expressed that while he has sat on the board he has seen EDC make major improvements.

“I’ve been on the board for 15 years and I’ve seen a huge change in the way they do business,” said Velasquez. “The marketing they do for us has changed dramatically over the years. I think getting out of this would be a mistake for us as a city.”

Velasquez stood alone in his opinion, however, as other council members agreed with Zigler.

“I’ve been wanting to get out of the EDC for 10 years at least,” said Mayor pro-tem Salinas. “I don’t see anything that has come to fruition from us being on the board.”

As debate continued, Velasquez withdrew his representation on the EDC board, leaving the council to fill the spot for future EDC meetings.

Before reaching the impasse toward the end of a two-hour session, Tuesday’s meeting began routinely enough with public comment, where Eric Sinclair, a lifelong resident of Lindsay, announced that he would be running for City Council in the upcoming election.

Irene Gutierrez, a Lindsay resident, also spoke during this time and voiced concerns about the funds from a grant

for a new clinic and requested more feedback about the clinic that will be coming to town.

During the council reports section, council member Cortes expressed her excitement about what the future of Lindsay's new soccer park will hold.

Zigler gave some updates about Fiesta Insurance opening up in the shopping center, and reported that they have applied

to become a DMV satellite office where minor DMV transactions will be able to happen.

Zigler also brought the council up to date on the Burger King renovations.

“We anticipate between a month and 45 days and we should see them back open again,” reported Zigler.

The council considered and passed a resolution for continued maintenance in housing districts. Mario Zamora, the city attorney, presented the council with housing district information and

informed the council that if any improvements for a district exceeded the original assessment, the district residents would be paying to cover the remaining costs. Zamora was adamant that current improvements do not exceed the current assessment.

If any major improvements are desired, it is advised that improvement suggestions be driven by district residents.

The council heard the first reading of an ordinance regarding political campaign signs

and making sure they conform to state laws. Emphasis was placed on maintaining sign placement that was not in the public way.

Another ordinance heard by the council concerned definitions of public housing in conformance to state laws. Council member Velasquez questioned if the ordinance addressed tiny housing, which it did not.

The first action item the council addressed and approved involved building a shade structure

at Chito's Asadero on Hermosa St.

The council also approved the acceptance of grant deeds for a roundabout project at Hermosa Street and Westwood Avenue. They awarded DOD Construction with a contract for the project, and rejected two bids having to do with the roundabout landscaping.

Fencing for the soccer fields was approved. Spence Fence was awarded the contract and the council agreed on a standard green fence.

Police Chief Hughes

was unable to make it to the meeting to report on the 4th of July and fireworks due to having the flu.

Council member Cortes suggested a few possible future agenda items including discussion of banning all fireworks from city limits, discussion of naming the soccer fields and discussion of possibly using solar panels as carports.

The next city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 14 at 6 p.m., and will be held in Lindsay's City Hall.