Selma council adopts Amberwood development agreement, orders alley trash review and waives fees for legacy festivals

The Selma City Council on Feb. 3 approved several items intended to advance housing, public events and day‑to‑day services while directing staff and outside contractors to return with follow‑ups on infrastructure and service gaps.

The council voted unanimously to adopt a 25‑year development agreement and Environmental Impact Report addendum for the Amberwood specific plan, clearing the way for the first phase of roughly 297 lots and for reimbursement of an $8 million sewer trunk line tied to the project. The agreement sets how infrastructure and services will be funded (through landscape/lighting or community facilities districts), preserves developers’ vested fee calculations (indexed by CPI) and includes development‑timing milestones. Deputy City Manager (identified in the meeting as Deputy City Manager) presented the agreement and said the contract establishes long‑range obligations for parks, street widenings and public safety improvements. Representatives of Lennar Homes — Tom Davis and Ravi Mikidesh — described plans to begin phase one construction in mid‑2026 with an anticipated two‑to‑three‑year absorption for the initial map. After public comment from supporters and two property‑owner representatives, the council voted to approve the agreement. The motion carried by roll call (yes: 5, no: 0).

On solid‑waste service the council responded to heavy public pushback after households were moved from alley pickup to curbside collection last year. Mid Valley Disposal and city staff presented a new alley map identifying alleys currently safe for service (marked green) and alleys needing repairs, tree trimming or utility adjustments (marked red). Council approved a two‑step direction: (1) allow Mid Valley to resume alley pickup in the green‑coded alleys on 30 days’ notice, and (2) direct Mid Valley to inspect the alleys currently marked red and return with a written report within 45 days specifying the work needed (vegetation, low utility lines, pavement, other hazards) to make them serviceable. The motion to resume green‑alley service and require a 45‑day report passed by roll call (yes: 5, no: 0). Mid Valley said several alleys can be serviced quickly but some corridors will require tree trimming, work with utilities and limited pavement repairs.

The council also voted to waive several city fees for long‑running “legacy” community events. After testimony from the Selma Chamber and event organizers, the council approved removal of one‑day business license charges, certain staff permit fees and barricade costs for established legacy events (examples cited by organizers: Raisin Festival, Santa parade, Band Festival, and nonprofit cultural events). The vote to waive legacy‑event fees passed by roll call (yes: 5, no: 0). Councilmembers said the goal is to keep long‑standing festivals viable while staff completes an updated cost review of city time spent supporting events.

Other formal votes and routine approvals included council authorization to submit Transportation Development Act (TDA) claims for past fiscal years (items 2.4–2.6), and approval of the check register; both measures passed on unanimous roll‑call votes. Council approved routine consent items after several items were pulled for discussion.

Staff updates and follow‑ups. - Measure C: Fresno County staff and Fresno COG representatives updated the council on Measure C projects in and near Selma (Golden State Boulevard gaps, FCRTA maintenance/operations facility near Selma) and on a countywide renewal effort targeted for the November 2026 ballot. County officials said Measure C helped secure roughly $9–10 billion in leveraged state/federal funding historically and that renewal planning and community outreach will begin in spring 2025. - Shafer Park lights: Park staff reported that a stadium light pole fell in October; structural testing identified four additional poles as compromised. Staff will seek quotes to remove the unsafe poles immediately and is exploring temporary lighting options while the city engineers and structural consultants complete foundation testing and cost estimates for full replacement. - Amberwood sewer and reimbursement: staff said the city earlier financed a sewer trunk line that serves Amberwood and agreed reimbursement mechanisms (bond repayment/credits) are part of the development agreement. - Public records, invoices and transparency: council and the public pressed staff for more detailed monthly backup on engineering invoices and other check‑register items; staff agreed to include more backup in future packets or deliver it by request.

What the council directed next. - Mid Valley Disposal: resume alley pickup in green‑coded alleys (30 days’ notice) and file a written alley‑condition report on red‑coded alleys in 45 days, with a list of hazards and estimated work needed. - Parks/public works: contract quotes and structural pull‑testing for Shafer Park light foundations; immediate removal of poles declared unsafe. - Events/finance: staff to prepare ordinance or fee updates to implement the council’s decision on legacy events and to work with the Chamber on a new funding/contract approach. - Amberwood: city staff to finalize documents for implementation and continue developer coordination on maps and offsite improvements.

The council scheduled a mid‑year budget update and an audit update for the next meeting and said it will consider additional agenda items — including a citizens’ advisory committee for Selma Animal Services and a review of the city’s engineering‑services contract — at coming meetings.

Votes at a glance

- Amberwood development agreement and EIR addendum — Motion to adopt the development agreement as presented; outcome: approved; roll‑call vote: yes 5, no 0. - Alley/trash service — Motion to resume alley pickup in green‑coded alleys and to have Mid Valley report on red‑coded alleys within 45 days; outcome: approved; roll‑call vote: yes 5, no 0. - Waiver of legacy event fees — Motion to waive one‑day vendor business licenses, selected staff permit fees and barricade charges for legacy events; outcome: approved; roll‑call vote: yes 5, no 0. - TDA claims (items 2.4–2.6) — Motion to file claims; outcome: approved; roll‑call vote: yes 5, no 0. - Check register and related consent items — Motion to approve check register (after item pullouts/discussion); outcome: approved; roll‑call vote: yes 5, no 0.

Where to look for more information

Council packets and staff reports for Feb. 3 contain the full Amberwood agreement, the Mid Valley alley condition map and the engineering comments on Shafer Park. Staff said they will post the 45‑day Mid Valley report and the Shafer Park contractor quotes on the city’s agenda portal when available.

(Reporting based on the official meeting record, agenda staff reports and public testimony at the Feb. 3 Selma City Council meeting.)