This story was originally published by Fresnoland, a nonprofit news organization.

At Wednesday night’s Madera City Council meeting, Council member Jose Rodriguez said he’d like to explore a proclamation addressing the humanitarian crisis underway in Palestine.

Rodriguez cited public comments from area residents requesting that local leaders “stand on the right side of history” and “show them [the people of Madera] true leadership.” Rodriguez said a proclamation would “be appropriate,” and, with the support of other council members, confirmed the ceasefire proclamation will be on an upcoming agenda. 

“I know there’s two sides to it,” Rodriguez said, “but either way there are innocent lives, on both ends.” Watch Rodriguez’s comments here.

Yasir Amireh, president of the Palestine Freedom Project, spoke during the meeting and urged the council to pass a ceasefire resolution. Amireh has been vocal in his expectation that the Fresno City Council do the same. He previously organized the Dec. 8 Palestinian flag-raising event in downtown Fresno. 

“Passing a resolution would mean a lot to the community,” he said. “Liberty and justice for all — let’s give those Palestinians some justice.”

Madera resident Omair Javaid, commented on behalf of the Madera Islamic Center and the community at-large. He cited the most recent death and injury numbers in Palestine and asked the council to adopt a proclamation.

“This is a modern-day genocide,” he said. “God willing, we can make this effect because this can be a big change, but it has to start with our small town of Madera and God willing, then other cities and other organizations will follow.”

Park upgrades approved

Also at Wednesday’s meeting, the council approved a duo of new contracts that will allow for on-site improvements, repairs and upgrades at two of the city’s most popular parks – and their facilities – while staff revealed they are in the early stages of planning a new micro-transit system that will be fully operational by June 2025. 

Longtime local business David J. Boyle Electric Shop was awarded the $164,000 contract to renovate the restrooms at Lions Town & Country Park, which will include fixture replacements, new flooring, upgraded partitions and a new cement walkway. The building will also get a fresh coat of paint. The restroom renovations are the latest upgrades to the park; read what was done last year here.  

“This is the city’s most utilized restroom, and it’s in dire need of improvements,” said Director of Parks and Community Services Joseph Hebert, noting that no upgrades have been done since the restroom was originally installed. 

Per the agenda packet, funding for the restroom renovation comes from the California Department of Parks & Recreation, Per Capita Grant Program funded by Proposition 68.

Hebert also secured approval on the department’s selection of a contractor — New Image Pool of Clovis — to move forward with a $210,000 complete replaster and retile of the dive and lap pool at Centennial Park Pool Complex in advance of the start of the upcoming swim season. 

Micro-transit system in early planning stages 

Also on the agenda was a Micro-Transit Workshop, presented by Grants Administrator Marcella Zuniga. The city’s current transit operating contract, with MV Inc., sunsets on June 30, 2025, and the new micro-transit lines will be rolled out in advance of that date. 

During the workshop, Zuniga said some of the potential benefits of a micro-transit system could include a more flexible rider schedule and removing the stigma of public transit. She noted that collaboration with the education systems may increase enrollment and decrease truancy. 

First, staff will perform a feasibility cost-benefit analysis study to gather data including cost per ride, popularity and utilization of service and total miles traveled, most popular days, times and destinations. Madera currently offers four fixed routes. Of the 18 buses in its fleet, 12 are assigned to fixed routes and six are assigned to Dial-A-Ride. Two vans are also available for ADA Paratransit customers. 

Staff will then collaborate with the Madera County Transportation Commission to update the Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) with appropriate funding allocation and uses and ask the grant-awarding agencies for permission to repurpose the existing grant balances. 

“The city has $412,538 in outstanding Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding that needs to be repurposed due to bus procurement reevaluation and a remaining balance after project completion,” Zuniga said. “There is $11.5 million available for drawdown.” 

The Madera City Council meets again Feb. 7.