EXETER CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
ACTION MINUTES
August 25, 2026, 6:30 PM
City Hall, 137 North F Street
Exeter, California 93221
Mayor
Jacob Johnson
Mayor Pro Tem
Jeff Wilson
Council Members
Vicki Riddle
Frankie Alves
Bobby Lentz
Notice is hereby given that the Exeter City Council will hold a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in person at Exeter City Hall located at 137 N. F St. in Exeter California, 93221.
Staff Reports related to items on the agenda are available on the City’s website at https://cityofexeter.ca.gov/ and available for viewing at City Hall. 6:30 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER CLOSED SESSION
Mayor called the closed session to order at 6:30 PM.
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING CLOSED SESSION MATTERS
No public comments were presented.
C. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION(S)
1. GC 54956.9(d)(2) – Conference with Legal Counsel
Re: Potential Initiation of Litigation – One (1) Case
2. GC 54957(b)(1) – Public Employee Annual Performance Evaluation Title: City Administrator
Title: City Attorney
3. GC 54957.6 – Conference with Labor Negotiations
Agency Negotiator: Jason Ridenour and Julia Lew
Employee Groups: CLOCEA
7:00 p.m.
D. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Johnson called the regular session to order at 07:06 p.m. City Attorney Lew noted for the record that there was no reportable action taken out of closed session.
E. INVOCATION
Led by Mayor Johnson.
F. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Council Member Alves.
G. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comment was received from Pamela Whitmire, who provided an update on the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG). Ms. Whitmire also announced a new scholarship program planned for 2027 and noted that contributions to support the program may be made online.
H. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
1. Certificate of Recognition Honoring Pamela PK Whitmire for Advocacy for Transportation Improvement in the City of Exeter (p.5)
Presented by Mayor Johnson
I. CONSENT CALENDAR
Items listed under the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these matters unless a request is made and then the item will be removed from the Consent Calendar to be discussed and voted upon by a separate motion.
1. Approval of August 11, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes (pp.6-12)
2. Approval of August 18, 2026, Special Meeting Minutes (pp.13-14)
3. Approval of the Payment of Bills for July 31, 2026, August 7, 2026 and August 12, 2026 (pp.15-52)
4. Approval of Payroll for the Periods of December 28, 2014, through June 19, 2022, and July 27, 2026, through August 9, 2026 (pp.53-64)
5. Authorization to Release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Municipal Financial Management System Software, Application Hosting, Implementation and Technology Services (pp.65-91)
6. Authorize the Transition of Design Engineering Services for the Firebaugh Avenue Rehabilitation Project to A&M Consulting Engineers (A&M) and Authorize the Public Works Director to Execute a Task Order with A&M for Completion of the Remaining Design Scope of Work in an Amount Not to Exceed $85,000 (pp.92-107)
7. Approval of the 2026 Annual Exeter Fall Festival Activities, including Facility Use, Street Closures, Beer Garden and Horseshoe Tournament (pp.108-141)
8. Approval of the Selection of American Emergency Products (AEP) for Police Vehicle Outfitting Services at a Cost of $51,261.06 and Authorize the City Administrator or their Designee to Execute all Necessary Documents (pp.142-166) Approval of Consent Calendar
1st 2nd Result JONHSON WILSON ALVES RIDDLE LENTZ
WILSON RIDDLE (5-0) AYE AYE AYE AYE AYE
J. INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS ITEMS
Comments related to Individual Business and Public Hearing Items are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker, for a maximum of 30 minutes per item. The Mayor may reasonably limit or extend the public comment period to preserve the Council's interest in conducting efficient, orderly meetings.
1. Consideration to Approve the City of Exeter History Walk Trail Signage Design and the Proposed Installation Locations; Authorizing the City Administrator, or Designee, to Accept the Signage and Execute Documents Necessary for Installation; and Accepting Ownership and Routine Maintenance of the Signage (pp.167-179) Presented by Javier Andrade, Contract City Engineer
City Engineer provided a report for the Council and members of the public.
Public comment was received from Mark Hellwig, who provided additional background and information regarding the History Walk Trail project.
Public comment was received from Dwight Miller, who also provided comments and information regarding the project.
Approval of the City of Exeter History Walk Trail Signage Design and the Proposed Installation Locations; Authorizing the City Administrator, or Designee, to Accept the Signage and Execute Documents Necessary for Installation; and Accepting Ownership and Routine Maintenance of the Signage.
1st 2nd Result JONHSON WILSON ALVES RIDDLE LENTZ
ALVES WILSON (5-0) AYE AYE AYE AYE AYE
2. Consideration of Upcoming Planning Commission Term Expirations and Direction Regarding the Appointment Process (pp.180-184)
Presented by Jason Ridenour, City Administrator
City Administrator provided a report for the Council and members of the public.
Mayor opened the item up for public comment. No public comments were presented.
Following discussion, the City Council directed staff to return with an item addressing Planning Commission eligibility requirements, specifically the geographic boundaries within which an individual must reside to be eligible to serve on the Commission. The City Council also approved the application for release to solicit interest in the upcoming Planning Commission vacancies.
3. Presentation of Design Options for the E Street Trail Project; Selection of Preferred Decorative Sidewalk, Decorative Crosswalks, and Street Lighting Design Options; and Direction to Staff to Incorporate the Selected Options into the Final Design (pp.185-197) Presented by Javier Andrade, Contract City Engineer
Council Member Riddle recused herself from consideration of the item due to a conflict of interest. She stepped down from the dais and did not participate in the discussion.
City Engineer provided a report for the Council and members of the public.
Mayor opened the item up for public comment. No public comments were presented.
City Council provided direction to staff regarding the preferred design options and incorporation of the selected options into the final project design.
Upon conclusion of the item, Council Member Riddle returned to the dais.
K. CITY COUNCIL ITEMS OF INTEREST
Council Member Alves congratulated Alex Workman on his appointment to the City Council and expressed appreciation to the City Engineer. He announced the September 11, 2026, memorial event and encouraged the community to attend. He also announced the memorial service honoring Sergeant Aguirre scheduled for September 18, 2026.
Mayor Pro Tem Wilson reported that he would be attending the upcoming Tooleville Water Board meeting. He also congratulated the Exeter High School football team on its victory over Woodlake High School.
Council Member Riddle provided updates regarding the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) and Tulare County Regional Transit Agency (TCRTA). She recognized Pamela Whitmire for her continued volunteer service. She also provided information regarding upcoming events honoring Sergeant Aguirre including the memorial service on September 18, 2026. Additionally, she announced an upcoming opening of a time capsule near the Carnegie Building that was buried in 1976.
Council Member Lentz reported that he attended a Greater Kaweah Sustainable Groundwater Management meeting.
Mayor Johnson commented on upcoming community events and congratulated the Exeter High School football team on its victory over Woodlake High School, noting it was a great way to begin the school year.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR/DEPARTMENT COMMENTS
City Administrator, Public Works Director, Chief of Police, Finance Director, City Attorney and City Clerk/Human Resources provided comments/reports.
L. REGULAR MEETING ADJOURNMENT
Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:44 p.m.
____________________________
Francesca Nevarez, City Clerk