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, March 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: 84209194362
Password: 446992
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 Present 6:00 pm
3. Invocation: Council Member Danny Valdovinos
4. Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Pro Tem Tina Hernandez
5. Public Comment:
Larry Micari, District One Tulare County Board of Supervisors introduced himself to City Council and expressed his interest in having an open dialogue with the Council to work towards common goals.
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 presentations 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 March 14, 2022.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of March 14, 2022
B. Finance Update for February 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: February 2022 Warrant Register
Investment Summary February 2022
C. Letter of Support for Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District Grant Application
Recommend that the City Council authorize the Mayor to submit a letter of support for Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District’s grant application.
Documents: Letter of Support
D. Request by Applicant for Special Event Funding for Fiscal Year 2021-22
Recommend that the City Council review and approve a request from Farmersville Elite Soccer Club for $1,450 in financial assistance.
Documents: Event Funding Application
Mayor Boyer abstained from item B.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT: APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER: Greg Gomez, Council Member
SECONDER: Ruben Macareno, Council Member
AYES: Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos, Macareno
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Mayor Boyer abstained from Item B
ABSENT: None
8. General Business
A. Public Hearing: Adoption of new Commercial Refuse Service Fees by Resolution 2022-003
Recommend that the City Council hold a public hearing to consider adoption of new, updated commercial refuse service fees by Resolution 2022-003 in compliance with Proposition 218.
Documents: Resolution 2022-003
Steve Huntley, Director of Finance and Administration gave presentation regarding the adoption of new Commercial Refuse Services Fees.
Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez opened public hearing at 6:08 pm, and with no comments given closed public hearing at 6:08 pm.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT: APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER: Greg Gomez, Council Member
SECONDER: Danny Valdovinos, Council Member
AYES: Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos, Macareno
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
B. City of Farmersville’s Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan Covering Fiscal Year 2022-2023 to Fiscal Year 2026-2027
Recommend that the City Council review and provide direction to City staff regarding the City of Farmersville’s Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) covering Fiscal Year 2022-2023 to Fiscal Year 2026-2027 (FY 2023 - FY 2027).
Documents: Proposed Five Year CIP Presentation
Strategic Plan 2021-2023
Parks Strategic Plan 2022-2025
Steve Huntley, Director of Finance and Administration, presented the City of Farmersville’s Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan Covering Fiscal Year 2022-2023 to the Fiscal Year 2026-27. Mr. Huntley showed CIP and Capital Budget requests by Department and funding sources.
Mayor Boyer suggested replacing the administrative vehicle planned for FY 2023-24 with an electric vehicle in the Administration & Finance Department.
City Manager Gomez informed Council she is working on creating a multi-jurisdictional Housing Element update within the Planning Department to reduce overall costs.
Mayor Boyer wants to see Soccer Field improvements, Booster Pump & Electric Panel for the Sports Park and adding bleachers to Veterans Park in the Fiscal Year 2022-23.
City Council would like to evaluate and prioritize capital projects based on the City’s needs and goals. Staff will assist Council by providing data based on current grantbased obligations and multi-year projects to give the Council more options for rearranging tasks. Council would like to reassess the proposed five-year CIP and Capital Budget meeting on April 25, 2022.
9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Valdovinos attended the City Council Meet & Greet event and was pleased to have connected with many past and current council members from different cities within the county. Also, Councilmember Valdovinos thanked Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen for his department's improvements at Armstrong Park.
Councilmember Gomez informed the Council that the Tulare County Regional Transit Agency meetings will now be held at 6:00 p.m. every third Monday of each month at different communities to improve involvement. Additionally, Councilmember Gomez stated that the Transit Agency successfully secured various funding sources and authorized the purchase of 3 zero-emission transit buses serving Tulare County and the City of Tulare. Lastly, Councilmember Gomez suggested the City hold a press conference to formally thank the Honorable Senator Hurtado for her support in acquiring the City’s new fire engine.
Mayor Boyer agreed with Councilmember Gomez regarding a press conference to recognize Senator Hurtado's efforts for supporting the City. Also, Mayor Boyer thanked Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen for his department's improvements to City parks.
Councilmember Macareno also recognized Public Works' efforts in improving parks, and he believes the improvements have helped increase citizens' usage of the parks.
Correspondingly, he would like attention to a grass patch off of Camelia/south of Ash.
He thanked City Manager Jennifer Gomez and Director of Finance and Administration Steve Huntley for their efforts in leading the City positively. Councilmember Macareno is making efforts in forming a Chamber of Commerce and will be holding a meeting on Thursday, March 31, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. at Don Chavas. Lastly, in Selma, he will be attending a Water Education Conference regarding Policy, Practice, and Progress on Saturday, April 2, 2022.
10. Staff Communications:
City Manager Gomez informed Council that the commercial development next to Rite Aid submitted their application, and staff has started their review and approval process.
Tulare County Association of Government and the California Transportation Commission invited council members to attend the Town Hall for the County of Tulare meeting and reception and advised council members to RSVP if interested. Also, QK has applied to the State Water Board to fund Well 3 replacement, and we will find out if funding is possible in a few months. City Manager Gomez has submitted an earmark request to Senator Feinstein and Senator Padilla. Lastly, City Manager Gomez reminded Council that the City submitted an earmark request to Assemblymember Mathis and Senator Hurtado for a fire station, solar project, sports park, and sidewalk improvement. Assemblymember Mathis has accepted all our projects and will be submitting them to the State Budget Committee on our behalf.
Director of Finance and Administration Steve Huntley informed Council that the utility department has made a significant increase in payments plans and will be moving forward with the shut-off policy for delinquent accounts.
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen informed the Council that the parking improvements are complete in the City’s downtown.
City Engineer Kevin Gross informed the Council that he presented the Railroad Grade Separation Feasibility Study to TCAG. He was pleased to notify Council that TCAG is on board with the Study and finds the project valuable. He will next present the Study to the school board.
11. Future Agenda Items
1. Review State and City regulations regarding street vendors
12. Adjournment:
Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez adjourned meeting at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Betina Ashoori
Deputy City Clerk
Strong Roots…..Growing Possibilities