Farmersville City Council
Regular Meeting
Paul Boyer, Mayor
Tina Hernandez, Mayor Pro Tem
Gregorio Gomez, Council Member Monday, March 14, 2022 6:00 PM Ruben Macareno, Council Member Meeting held in Civic Center Council Chambers Danny Valdovinos, Council Member - 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: 86761310127
Password: 541775
Call to Order: 6:00pm
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 Absent
Ruben Macareno Council Member Present 6:00 pm
Invocation: Mayor Pro Tem Tina Hernandez
Pledge of Allegiance: Council Member Gomez
5. Public Comment:
Freddy Espinoza resident of Farmersville commented on the upkeep of Veterans Memorial Park baseball field. Mr. Espinoza handed Council Members examples of what he would like to see changed at the park.
Alice Lopez residents of Farmersville supported the upkeep of Veterans Memorial Park. Ms.
Lopez also commented that she would like to see Council proceed with the crosswalk study at Ventura and Visalia Road
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. Update from GRID Alternatives - Hector Uriarte
No presentation was 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 February 28, 2022.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of February 28, 2022
B. Waive the Second Reading and adopt Ordinance 514 approving a zone change for the site from CC (Central Commercial) to CG (General Commercial) - Lakhani
Recommend that the City Council waive the second reading and adopt Ordinance 514 approving a zone change for the site from CC (Central Commercial) to CG (General Commercial) - Lakhani.
Documents: Ordinance 514
Motion to approve Consent Calendar
RESULT: APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER: Council Member Gomez
SECONDER: Mayor Boyer
AYES: Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Macareno
ABSENT: Valdovinos
General Business
A. Ventura Ave Crosswalk Study at Visalia Road
Recommend that the City Council review the staff report discussing the potential crosswalk at Ventura Avenue and Visalia Rd and explore the factors to consider when installing striped crosswalks including pedestrian benefits, risk management, improvement expenses and potential traffic impacts.
Documents: Map of Ventura Avenue and Visalia Road
Kevin Gross City Engineer provided information regarding a crosswalk traffic study at Ventura Ave. and Visalia Road. The traffic study would include a speed study, traffic count, and pedestrian count. He informed Council that the new traffic study would take 6-8 weeks. Mr.
Gross responded to questions and concerns from Council.
Mayor Boyer would like the study to include Ventura Ave. and Shasta Ave. also, Mayor Boyer requested that the study include ADA compliance for the sidewalks.
Jennifer Gomez City Manager reminded Council Members that the last study session done in 2020 included a crosswalk at Shasta; per our City Engineer QK, a crosswalk at the Shasta location was not feasible. Ms. Gomez informed Council that there was a crosswalk at Ventura Ave. in the past; however, the City removed it due to two fatalities within the crosswalk.
Council Member Macareno would like fatalities included in the study session.
The consensus of the Council is to approve item 8A. Approval needs to include a traffic study at Ventura Ave. and Shasta Ave. Most importantly, Council requests that part of the study to be conducted on a Sunday.
RESULT: APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER: Council Member Gomez
SECONDER: Council Member Macareno
AYES: Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Macareno
ABSENT: Valdovinos
B. Project Development Agreement with Johnson Controls in the amount of $40,000 to Develop a Solar Energy Generation Project and Provide Grant Writing Services
Recommend that the City Council approve the Project Development Agreement with Johnson Controls in the amount of $40,000 subject to City Attorney review.
Documents: Project Development Agreement
City Manager Jennifer Gomez provided an overview of the agreement with Johnson Controls.
Ms. Gomez and Brian LaBrie from Johnson Controls answered questions and concerns from Council Members.
Mayor Boyer inquired about an RFP (Request for Proposal) being prepared for the actual installation of the solar panels.
Motion to approve subject to the City Attorney reviewing the Agreement.
RESULT: APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER: Council Member Gomez
SECONDER: Council Member Macareno
AYES: Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Macareno
ABSENT: Valdovinos
C. AB 361 and Teleconferenced Meetings
Recommend that the City Council provide findings and direction regarding AB 361 related to teleconference meetings.
Documents: AB 361
City Manager Jennifer Gomez reviewed and discussed the Emergency Declaration with Council.
Council would like to continue with The Emergency Declaration and stated to continue with the teleconference meetings for the next 30 days.
Motion to approve as presented
RESULT: APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER: Council Member Gomez
SECONDER: Council Member Macareno
AYES: Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Macareno
ABSENT: Valdovinos
9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Council Member Macareno inquired about the public comment regarding Veterans Memorial Park. Mr. Macareno stated that he is happy with the direction the City is going.
City Manager Jennifer Gomez informed Council that no action can be taken on the public comment concerning Veterans Memorial Park.
Mayor Paul Boyer attended the Greater Kaweah Regional Water meeting. Mayor Boyer also commented on the clean-up on Saturday at the baseball field. He also let Council know that the Kiwanis are looking for stories and pictures for the Memorial Day Parade magazine.
Council Member Gomez will be attending Council of Cities meeting on Wednesday.
Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez attended the Knights of Columbus Dinner Saturday the 5th of March.
10. Staff Communications:
City Manager Jennifer Gomez commented that the 5-year CIP session would be at the next Council Meeting. Ms. Gomez let the Council know that she has recently contracted with Abel Industries to assist in cleaning park restrooms, picking up trash, mowing, and general maintenance at some of the parks. Ms. Gomez also stated that the City was awarded the Clean California Grant, along with this grant will also be a liter campaign. She also commented that we are currently getting quotes for the landscaping for the center medians on Visalia Road.
City Clerk Rochelle Giovani reminded Council that Form 700's are due. She also informed Council that Ethics training and Harassment training need to be completed.
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen commented that the parking area in front of the Post Office is currently being worked on. He also stated that the center medians on Farmersville Blvd. have been started.
11. Future Agenda Items
1. Review State and City regulations regarding street vendors
12. Adjournment:
Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez adjourned the meeting at 7:03pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rochelle Giovani
City Clerk
Strong Roots..... Growing Possibilities