EXETER CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2025, REGULAR MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
Closed Session – 6:00 p.m.
Regular Session – 7:00 p.m.
137 North "F" Street, Exeter, California 93221
A closed session of the City Council, City of Exeter was held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., in the Exeter City Council Chambers, 137 North F Street in Exeter CA 93221.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Jacob Johnson, Jeff Wilson, Frankie Alves, and Vicki Riddle.
COUNCIL ABSENT: Bobby Lentz.
STAFF PRESENT: Adam Ennis, Julia Lew, 1
Francesca Quintana, and 2Christina Arias
6:00 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Johnson called the closed session to order at 6:01 p.m. 1 Only present for closed session Item C.1.
2 Only present for closed session Item C.1.
Staff Reports related to items on the agenda are available on the City’s website at www.cityofexeter.com and
available for viewing at the Council Chambers.
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING CLOSED SESSION MATTERS
Mayor Johnson requested those who wish to speak on matters listed on the Closed Session Agenda to do so at this time.
No public comment was presented.
C. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION(S):
1. 54956.9(d)(1) Conference with Legal Counsel
Re: Existing Litigation by the City: City of Exeter v. Lillian Dignan, et al., Tulare Superior Court No. VCU315971
2. 54956.9(d)(1) Conference with Legal Counsel
Re: Existing Litigation: Long v. City of Exeter, California Supreme Court No. S286705
3. 54957.6 Conference with Labor Negotiations
Agency Negotiator: Adam Ennis
Employee Groups: All represented and unrepresented employees Mayor Johnson adjourned the closed session at 7:05 p.m.
A regular session of the City Council, City of Exeter was held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., in the Exeter City Council Chambers, 137 North F Street in Exeter CA 93221.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Jacob Johnson, Jeff Wilson, Frankie Alves, and Vicki Riddle.
COUNCIL ABSENT: Bobby Lentz.
STAFF PRESENT: Adam Ennis, Eekhong Franco, John Hall, Julia Lew, Francesca Quintana, and Christina Arias.
7:00 p.m.
D. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Alves called the regular session to order at 7:07 p.m.
E. INVOCATION
Presented by Pastor Gabe Gary.
F. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Council Member Riddle.
G. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Public comment from Tommy Blackmon. Blackmon addressed the City Council regarding the downtown assault incident and voiced his concern over public safety in the City and urged the Council to take action.
Public comment from Ron Osborne. Osborne addressed the City Council to share his experience as the victim of the downtown assault incident and voiced his concern regarding public safety in the City and urged the Council to take action.
Public comment from Harold and Kathy Pryor. The Pryor’s addressed the City Council to share their experience as neighbors to the assailant of the downtown assault incident and voiced their concern over public safety in the City as well as the residence of the assailant.
H. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
None.
I. CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. Approval of December 10, 2024, regular meeting minutes (pp. 4 – 9)
2. Payment of Bills (pp. 10 – 18)
3. December 06, 2024, Payroll (pp. 19 – 24)
4. December 20, 2024, Payroll (pp. 25 – 30)
5. January 03, 2025, Payroll (pp. 31 – 36)
6. Adoption of Resolution 2025-01, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Exeter, Amending the City’s 2024/25 Salary Schedule (pp. 37 – 45)
7. Authorize the City Administrator to execute an extension of the agreement with Elite Corporate Medical Services Inc./RTO Systems Inc. to provide employee medical services for the City of Exeter (pp. 46 – 60)
8. Adoption of Resolution 2025-02, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Exeter, amending the Exeter City Council Handbook of Rules and Procedures to update the start time of City Council Closed Sessions (pp. 61 – 90)
9. Authorize amendment of total cost to sole source purchase of the Downtown Streetlights from Platt Electric Supply of Visalia, CA to $417,915.63 (pp. 91 – 95) Public comment from Sarkis Davidian. Davidian addressed the Council to ask clarifying questions on ITEM I.8. City Administrator Adam Ennis and City Attorney Julia Lew addressed his questions and no further public comment was presented.
Approval of Consent Calendar as presented
1st 2nd Result JOHNSON WILSON RIDDLE ALVES LENTZ
ALVES RIDDLE (4-0) AYE AYE AYE AYE ABSENT
It was moved by Council Member Alves and seconded by Council Member Riddle that the items on the Consent Calendar be approved as presented. The motion carried 4-0, noting that Council Member Lentz was absent.
J. INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS ITEMS:
1. Public hearing to introduce and give first reading by title only to Ordinance No. 715, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Exeter, Adding Chapter 9.36 to Title 9 of the City of Exeter Code of Ordinances, Regulating Unsafe and Unauthorized Camping and Storage of Personal Property, the Protection of Critical Infrastructure, and Mitigation of Harm to the Public Health, Safety and Welfare, and waiving further reading thereof (pp. 96 – 112) Presented by Julia Lew, City Attorney
City Attorney Julia Lew and City Administrator Adam Ennis provided a report for the City Council’s review and consideration.
Mayor Johnson opened the item up for public comment at 7:54 PM.
Public comment from Sarkis Davidian. Davidian addressed the City Council to encourage the City to utilize all available resources from the County of Tulare as well as address the issues of homelessness on all fronts.
Public comment from Tommy Blackmon. Blackmon addressed the City Council to express his enthusiasm for the Ordinance and encouraged the City to strictly enforce the Ordinance.
Mayor Johnson closed public comment at 7:58 pm.
After discussion and by direction of the City Council, Ordinance No. 715 was amended onsite as discussed and noted for the record.
Public hearing to introduce and give first reading, as amended, by title only to Ordinance No. 715, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Exeter, Adding Chapter 9.36 to Title 9 of the City of Exeter Code of Ordinances, Regulating Unsafe and Unauthorized Camping and Storage of Personal Property, the Protection of Critical Infrastructure, and Mitigation of Harm to the Public Health, Safety and Welfare, and waiving further reading thereof, as presented
1st 2nd Result JOHNSON WILSON RIDDLE ALVES LENTZ
ALVES RIDDLE (4-0) AYE AYE AYE AYE ABSENT
It was moved by Council Member Alves and seconded by Council Member Riddle to hold a public hearing to introduce and give first reading, as amended, by title only to Ordinance No. 715, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Exeter, Adding Chapter 9.36 to Title 9 of the City of Exeter Code of Ordinances, Regulating Unsafe and Unauthorized Camping and Storage of Personal Property, the Protection of Critical Infrastructure, and Mitigation of Harm to the Public Health, Safety and Welfare, and waiving further reading thereof, as presented. The motion carried 4-0, noting that Council Member Lentz was absent.
2. Review information for potential retainage and use of street sweeper that was proposed for surplus auction and provide direction (pp. 113 – 115)
Presented by Dan Espinola, Operation Manager and Adam Ennis, City Administrator Operations Manager Dan Espinola and City Administrator Adam Ennis provided a report for the City Council’s review and consideration.
Public comment from Tommy Blackmon. Blackmon addressed the City Council and inquired as to the original use of the equipment.
Public comment from Ashley Kirksey. Kirksey addressed the City Council and expressed her dissatisfaction with the current street sweeping services.
No action taken on this item, the City Council provided direction to Staff to provide more information and bring the item back to the City Council at a February meeting.
K. CITY COUNCIL ITEMS OF INTEREST
Council Member Alves shared regarding his upcoming attendance at the Chamber of Commerce meeting as well as information regarding available seats on the Chamber board. Alves shared dates for the upcoming Farmers Market. Alves thanked the Recreation Department for their hard work. Alves encouraged fellow members of the City Council to submit their Form 700’s.
Mayor Pro Tem Wilson thanked the City Attorney for all of her hard work. Wilson requested a future agenda item to discuss the downtown assault incident. Wilson requested a future agenda item on the LLMADs engineers’ reports. Wilson requested a future agenda item regarding sidewalks and crosswalks in the Maple area. Wilson requested information on the City’s Emergency Plans. Wilson thanked the Chief of Police for meeting with him and congratulated the new Police Sergeants.
Council Member Riddle shared information regarding her PSTF annual update and shared her enthusiasm for revitalization in the City. Riddle shared that the City was awarded $100,000.00 from TCAG for a solar lighting project. Riddle shared that the downtown beautification project is underway thanks to Nancy Becker. Riddle shared information regarding the upcoming TCAG meeting and encouraged everyone to attend as it will be hosted in Exeter. Riddle shared that Exeter will have micro transit services. Riddle thanked City Administrator Adam Ennis for all his hard work with TCAG. Riddle shared that she will be attending the upcoming CalCities Governance Transparency Committee meeting.
Riddle shared information regarding the upcoming CACHE event on 1/30/25.
Mayor Johnson requested a future agenda item at the next meeting to discuss the downtown assault incident and next steps.
L. CITY ADMINISTRATOR/DEPARTMENT COMMENTS
City Administrator Adam Ennis, City Attorney Julia Lew, Chief of Police John Hall, Finance Director Eekhong Franco and City Clerk/Human Resources Manager Francesca Quintana provided a brief update on City and department related items.
M. REGULAR MEETING ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m.
Prepared by:
Francesca Quintana, City Clerk