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 28, 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: 87928294910
Password: 638817
1. Call to Order: 6:01pm
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 Present 6:00 pm
3. Invocation: Mayor Paul Boyer
4. Pledge of Allegiance: Council Member Greg Gomez
5. Public Comment:
Maria Fuentes owner of Farmersville Florist voiced concerns regarding Street Vendors for the Holidays. Ms. Fuentes would like the Council to add the discussion of Street Vendors to a future agenda item.
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:
A. Financial Audit for FY 2020-2021
Anthony Gonzales with Price Paige & Company presented the June 30, 2021, Financial Statement & Single-Audit report.
Steve Huntley Director of Finance and Administration, and Anthony Gonzalez were available for questions or concerns from Council Members.
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 February 14, 2022.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of February 14, 2022
B. Finance Update for January 2022: Warrant Register and Investment Summary
Recommend that the City Council:
1. Approve the Warrant Register as presented for the period. This reporting period represents warrants issued for the current Fiscal Year (2021/2022); and
2. Accept the Investment Summary as presented for the period. This reporting period represents investment summary for the previous month.
Documents: January 2022 Warrant Register
Investment Summary January 2022
C. Approve Flyover Request for the Annual Memorial Day Parade Recommend that the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the attached Request for Military Aerial Support application.
Documents: Request for Military Aerial Support Application Motion to approve Consent Calendar.
RESULT: APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER: Tina Hernandez, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Danny Valdovinos, Council Member
AYES: Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos, Macareno
ABSENT: none
8. General Business:
A. Grade Separation Corridor Feasibility Study
Recommend that the City Council review the Feasibility Study for the future potential development of a valuable new north/south corridor in the eastern section of the city limits, which includes a grade separation crossing over the existing San Joaquin Valley Railroad (SJVR).
Documents: Conceptual Layout Site Plan
Grade Separation Corridor Feasibility Report
Kevin Gross City Engineer provided a PowerPoint presentation reviewing the Grade Separation Corridor Plan. Mr. Gross briefly discussed the potential planning and funding for this future project. He also highlighted the connection between Visalia Road and Walnut Road.
The Council discussed the proposed changes for the potential development of a north/south corridor on the east side of Farmersville.
Council Member Greg Gomez and Mayor Pro Tem Tina Hernandez would like a more immediate solution regarding the traffic by Farmersville High School prior to the start of the grade separation project.
Council Member Danny Valdovinos would like additional studies to be done to address any potential issues or concerns with this location. Staff will review in further detail as the project moves forward in a few years.
The City Engineer will also present the Plan to TCAG for their reference.
B. Public Hearing: General Plan Amendment/Zone Change 2021-01 (Lakhani)
Recommend that the City Council conduct a public hearing and vote to approve the request by:
1. Adopting Resolution 2022-005 approving a General Plan Amendment (from “Central Commercial” to “General Commercial”) and adopting a Notice of Exemption as the environmental finding for the request; and
2. Introducing Ordinance 514 approving a zone change for the site from CC (Central Commercial) to CG (General Commercial).
Documents: Resolution 2022-005
Ordinance 514
City Planner Karl Schoettler provided background information for a zone change at the west side of Farmersville Blvd and north of Visalia Road. He also provided maps for the Council Members of the zone change.
Mayor Boyer opened Public Hearing at 7:10 pm. With no public comments provided; Mayor Boyer closed the Public Hearing at 7:10 pm.
Motion to approve as presented Resolution 2022-005 General Plan amendment and zone change.
RESULT: APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER: Greg Gomez, Council Member
SECONDER: Danny Valdovinos, Council Member
AYES: Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos, Macareno
ABSENT: none
Motion to introduce and waive the first reading of Ordinance 514 approving zone change.
RESULT: APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER: Greg Gomez, Council Member
SECONDER: Tina Hernandez, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos, Macareno
ABSENT: none
C. 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
Director of Finance and Administration Steve Huntley provided updated figures regarding the Mid-Year Budget, along with a PowerPoint presentation for the Council’s review and consideration. Mr. Huntley and City Manager Jennifer Gomez responded to questions and comments from the City Council.
Mayor Paul Boyer asked for clarification regarding the new booster pump and electrical panel at the Sports Park. Mayor Boyer would like to hire more consultants to complete park projects.
Council Member Greg Gomez would like to make City of Farmersville residents aware of all the projects completed in Farmersville. Mr. Gomez also expressed concern regarding upcoming plans to fix streets in the City of Farmersville.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT: APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER: Danny Valdovinos, Council Member
SECONDER: Greg Gomez, Council Member
AYES: Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos, Macareno
ABSENT: none
9. Council Reports:
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Council Member Danny Valdovinos inquired about installing the new Armstrong Park sign. Mr. Valdovinos also requested an update on Roy’s Park.
Council Member Greg Gomez stated that he attended the Tulare County Regional Transit Agency meeting. The CTC allocates funds to construct highway, passenger rail, and transit improvements throughout California. Mr. Gomez informed Council that the Local Transportation Fund was approved.
Mayor Paul Boyer inquired about the completion of Farmersville Blvd. Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen responded that the completion date of Farmersville Blvd. should be sometime in May. Mayor Boyer announced that the Memorial Day Parade is in the process of being planned.
Council Member Ruben Macareno would like to know the status of the Deep Creek Canal Improvements. Mr. Macareno also inquired about the Deep Creek Improvement sign. City Manager Jennifer Gomez stated that the Deep Creek project is complete. The completed work included clearing, grading creek bottom and banks, and some irrigation. Ms. Gomez explained that per the grant agreement, the Deep Creek Improvement sign may need to stay up for a certain amount of time and that she would look into that requirement.
10. Staff Communications:
City Clerk Rochelle Giovani reminded Council that Form 700’s are due. Ms.
Giovani also let Council know that Ethics Training is due at the end of March.
Director of Finance and Administration Steve Huntley informed the Council Members that the Utility Department is currently processing residential payment plans for delinquent utility bills. Mr. Huntley reported to Council that there are 130 residents on the shut-off list, which will take place in April.
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 the meeting at 8:05pm.
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
13. Reconvene to Open Session:
Mayor Boyer reconvened at 8:11pm with nothing to report
14. Closed Session Report (if any):
15. Adjournment:
Mayor Boyer adjourned meeting at 8:11pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rochelle Giovani
City Clerk
Strong Roots…..Growing Possibilities