Paul Boyer, Mayor
Tina Hernandez, Mayor Pro Tem
Gregorio Gomez, Council Member
Ruben Macareno, Council Member
Danny Valdovinos, Council Member
Farmersville City Council
Regular Meeting
Monday, February 14, 2022 6:00 PM
Meeting held in Civic Center Council Chambers
– 909 W. Visalia Road Farmersville, California
Pursuant to AB 361, the City of Farmersville will be allowing the public, staff, and City Council to attend this meeting via Zoom.
Please dial 1-669-900-6833
Meeting ID: 84608838091
Password: 025290
1. Call to Order: 6:00pm
2. Roll Call:
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Paul Boyer Mayor Present 6:00 pm
Tina Hernandez Mayor Pro Tem Present 6:00 pm
Greg Gomez Council Member Present 6:00 pm
Danny Valdovinos Council Member Present 6:00 pm
Ruben Macareno Council Member Absent 6:00 pm
3. Invocation: Council Member Greg Gomez
4. Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Pro Tem Tina Hernandez
5. Public Comment:
Ambar Rodriguez, a teacher at Farmersville High School, encouraged Council Members to partner with Farmersville School District regarding the Community Garden.
Provides an opportunity for members of the public to address the City Council on items of interest to the public within the Council’s jurisdiction and which are not already on the agenda this evening. It is the policy of the Council not to answer questions impromptu. Concerns or complaints will be referred to the City Manager’s office. Speakers should limit their comments to not more than two (2) minutes. No more than twenty (20) total minutes will be allowed for Public Comment. For items which are on the agenda this evening, members of the public will be provided an opportunity to address the council as each item is brought up for discussion. Comments are to be addressed to the Council as a body and not to any individual Council Member.
6. Presentations: No presentation given
7. Consent Agenda:
Under a CONSENT AGENDA category, a recommended course of action for each item is made. Any Council Member or Member of the Public may remove any item from the CONSENT AGENDA in order to discuss and/or change the recommended course of action, and the Council can approve the remainder of the CONSENT AGENDA.
A. Minutes of Regular City Council Meeting of January 24, 2022.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of January 24, 2022
B. Authorize the signing of the Subaward Agreement Regarding FY 2020 State Homeland Security Grant Programs
Recommend that the City Council authorize the signing of the Subaward Agreement Regarding FY 2020 State Homeland Security Grant Programs.
Documents: Sub-Award Agreement
Award Letter
C. Request by Applicant for Special Event Funding for Fiscal Year 2021-22
Recommend that the City Council review and approve a request from Farmersville Little League Baseball & Softball for $1,200 in financial assistance.
Documents: Event Funding Application
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar.
RESULT: APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER: Danny Valdovinos, Council Member
SECONDER: Tina Hernandez, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos
ABSENT: Macareno
8. General Business:
A. QK Task Order for Freedom Field Construction Management Services in the amount of $136,455
Recommend that the City Council authorize the City Manager to approve the Task Order with QK to provide Construction Management Services for the Freedom Field project in the amount of $136,455.
Documents: Proposal for Professional Services
City Manager Jennifer Gomez discussed approving a Task Order with QK to provide Construction Management Services for the Freedom Field project. Ms.
Gomez responded to questions and comments by the City Council.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT: APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER: Greg Gomez, Council Member
SECONDER: Danny Valdovinos, Council Member
AYES: Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos
ABSENT: Macareno
B. Authorization to Purchase Furnishings for Freedom Field Project Recommend that the City Council authorize the City Manager to purchase furnishings for the Freedom Field Project.
City Manager Jennifer Gomez provided background information regarding purchasing furnishings for the Freedom Field Project. Ms. Gomez responded to questions from the City Council Members.
Alice Lopez, a resident of Farmersville requested that a possible sky light or solar panels be placed on the new design for the park restroom.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT: APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER: Greg Gomez, Council Member
SECONDER: Danny Valdovinos, Council Member
AYES: Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos
ABSENT: Macareno
C. Discussion and Direction on a Community Garden
Recommend that the City Council discuss the request for a Community Garden and provide direction to Staff.
City Manager Jennifer Gomez gave an overview of a possible location for a Community Garden at the request of a group of Farmersville High School students and their High School teacher, Ambar Rodriguez. Ms. Gomez answered questions and concerns regarding the location of the Community Garden. Ms. Gomez also informed Council that she would contact Farmersville School District to see if they would like to participate in the Community Garden process.
Mayor Pro Tem Tina Hernandez has concerns regarding the maintenance and upkeep of the Community Garden.
Council Member Greg Gomez supported the Community Garden at the Riverbank Park location. Mr. Gomez stated that if the Community Garden is at Riverbank Park, he would like park benches available to residents at this location.
D. Review of March 20, 2020, Local Emergency Declaration & AB 361 and Teleconferenced Meetings
Recommend that the City Council review the March 20, 2020, Local Emergency Declaration and continue with said declaration as previously adopted by Resolution 2020-010 and Urgency Ordinance 501; and provide findings and direction regarding AB 361 related to teleconference meetings.
Documents: Resolution 2020-010
Urgency Ordinance 501
AB 361
City Manager Jennifer Gomez reviewed and discussed the Emergency Declaration with Council.
Council would like to follow State guidelines and continue with the Emergency Declaration and stated findings to continue with teleconference meetings.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT: APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER: Danny Valdovinos, Council Member
SECONDER: Greg Gomez, Council Member
AYES: Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos
ABSENT: Macareno
E. Consider Approving Resolution 2022-004 adopting Mid Year Budget Amendment for Fiscal Year 2021-22
Recommend that the City Council approve Resolution 2022-004 adopting the Mid-Year Budget Amendment for Fiscal Year 2021-22.
Documents: Resolution 2022-004
This agenda item has been tabled until February 28, 2022, Council meeting.
9. Council Reports:
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports:
Council Member Danny Valdovinos let Council Members know that the Martial Art students with TeamKo MMA in Farmersville had several wins at their tournament over the weekend. Mr. Valdovinos had questions regarding the homelessness in Downtown Farmersville.
Council Member Greg Gomez would like to know the process of obtaining a license for the Flower Vendors' set up in Downtown Farmersville. Mr. Gomez also expressed his concerns about the free-roaming cats in the City of Farmersville.
Mayor Pro Tem Tina Hernandez would like an update on the landscape upkeep at Dollar General.
Mayor Paul Boyer attended the Tulare County RMA meeting regarding the widening of Caldwell Ave 280 to Farmersville Blvd from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane roadway. Mr. Boyer also commented that it is very encouraging to see all the progress on Farmersville Blvd. Mr. Boyer also commented that as of February 15, 2022, the State no longer requires vaccinated people to wear face masks.
10. Staff Communications:
City Manager Jennifer Gomez announced that Self Help Enterprises was awarded $5,000,000 for the first phase of the Los Arroyos Project.
City Clerk Rochelle Giovani let Council Members know that their Form 700 are due April 2022.
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen commented that a portion of the paving on Farmersville Blvd. will be taking place Wednesday, February 15, 2022.
Chief of Police Mario Krstic requested additional direction for the future agenda item regarding Homelessness in Farmersville. Chief Krstic also reported to Council that he attended California Police Chiefs Association conference with Commander Jay Brock.
11. Future Agenda Items:
1. Update and Discussion on Homelessness Issues in Farmersville
2. Discussion on crosswalk in the vicinity of Visalia Rd./Ventura Ave.
12. Adjourn to Closed Session:
Mayor Boyer adjourned to closed session at 7:01pm.
A. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Property: 600 S. Avery
Agency Negotiators: Jennifer Gomez and Michael Schulte
Negotiating Parties: County of Tulare
Under Negotiation: Terms and Price
B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) – 1 potential case
13. Reconvene to Open Session:
Mayor Boyer reconvened to open session at 7:44pm.
14. Closed Session Report (if any):
City Attorney Mike Schulte reported that a motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Tina Hernandez, a second by Council Member Greg Gomez, and approved 4-0 to direct the City Attorney to file a nuisance complaint regarding 880 N.
Brundage.
15. Adjournment:
Mayor Boyer adjourned the meeting at 7:44pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Rochelle Giovani
City Clerk
Strong Roots…..Growing Possibilities