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, May 23, 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: 88266819513
Password: 960325
1. Call to Order: 6:03pm
2. Roll Call:
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Paul Boyer Mayor Present 6:00pm
Tina Hernandez Mayor Pro Tem Present 6:00pm
Greg Gomez Council Member Present 6:00pm
Danny Valdovinos Council Member Present 6:00pm
Ruben Macareno Council Member Absent
3. Invocation: Council Member Valdovinos
4. Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez
5. Public Comment:
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.
Mr. Lemke, a resident from Farmersville, voiced concerns regarding front office staff not assisting him in replacing his trash cans. Mr. Lemeke also expressed concerns about the trees he had to cut down on his property due to Code Enforcement.
Lorena Espinoza, a resident from Farmersville, has concerns regarding Sinclair Gas Station on North Dwight allowing homeless people to live behind the gas station next to her fence line.
Mr. Valdovinos, a resident of Farmersville, has concerns regarding speeding traffic on Rose and Ash.
6. Adjourn to Closed Session:
Mayor Boyer adjourned to closed session at 6:27 pm.
A. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: APNs 130-030-014, 130-030-016, 130-040-020, 130-040-014, 130-030-017
Agency Negotiators: Jennifer Gomez and Michael Schulte
Negotiating Parties: Neal Hester
Under Negotiation: Terms and Price
7. Reconvene to Open Session:
Mayor Boyer reconvened at 7:02 pm. with nothing to report.
8. Closed Session Report (if any):
9. Presentations:
None given
10. 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 May 9, 2022.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of May 9, 2022
B. Finance Update for April 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: April 2022 Warrant Register
Investment Summary April 2022
C. 2022/2023 Landscape and Lighting Assessment Districts Recommend that the City Council adopt Resolution 2022-012 directing the City Engineer to prepare the Engineer’s Report for Farmersville’s Landscape and Lighting Assessment Districts and that the City Council set the Public Hearing for July 25, 2022.
Documents: Resolution 2022-012
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT: APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER: Councilmember Valdovinos
SECONDER: Councilmember Gomez
AYES: Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos
ABSENT: Macareno
11. General Business
A. Review of Proposed Battalion Chief Position for FY 2022/2023 Recommend that the City Council review staff’s proposal regarding a Battalion Chief position for FY 2022/2023.
Documents: Memo
Police Chief Mario Krstic presented Council with information regarding the proposed Battalion Chief position. Chief Krstic discussed the importance of full-time leadership and that the intent for the last three years has always been to restore full-time leadership to the Fire Department. He also let the Council know that the City has been working with a consulting firm to create a Fire Department Strategic Plan and Master Plan, which will be presented at the June 27, 2022, Council meeting.
Council has concerns regarding this position being temporary and following the same loss as our full-time Fire Chief when the SAFER grant ended in 2019. Council would also like to know the implementation of this position funded through Measure Q.
City Manager Jennifer Gomez and Director of Finance and Administration Steve Huntley answered questions regarding Measure Q funding this position.
City Manager Jennifer Gomez stated to the Council that it is her commitment to keeping a full-time Battalion Chief position in the City’s Fire Department.
B. Presentation of the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-23 Recommend that the City Council review and give direction to staff on the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-23.
Documents:
1. Budget for Fiscal Year 2023
2. Master Budget Worksheet
3. Capital Improvement Plan Master Worksheet
4. CIP & Capital Budget Tables
5. Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget PowerPoint
Director of Finance and Administration Steve Huntley gave a PowerPoint presentation of the proposed budget for the Fiscal Year 2022-023. Mr. Huntley answered questions and concerns from the Council.
Mayor Boyer commented about a possible increase in funds for nonprofit organizations.
Council Member Gomez inquired about COLA increases for employees.
12. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Council Member Valdovinos let Public Works know that several gophers are at Veterans Park and Jennings Park. He would also like to know the status of replacing signs in the City.
Council Member Gomez attended the Downtown Specific Plan walk thru on May 14th. Mr. Gomez stated that trees on the East side of Farmersville Blvd. need to be trimmed.
Mayor Boyer would like a Police Officer to attend the last Memorial Day Parade meeting. He would also like the Fire Department to assist in marking the streets Sunday morning before the parade. Mayor Boyer also inquired about having the restrooms at Roy’s Park open during the parade. Mayor Boyer also reminded Council that the plaque at Veterans Park would be dedicated at 1:00 pm after the Memorial Day Parade. He also informed the Council that on May 24th, there would be a Measure U breakfast in Exeter.
13. Staff Communications:
City Manager Jennifer Gomez informed Council that Tulare County reached out to her for flyers to promote Economic Development for the City of Farmersville; the County will be taking the information with them to Las Vegas for the ICSC conference.
Attorney Michael Schulte informed the Council that he would like to have an open session with them regarding Brown Act policy and procedures.
City Engineer Kevin Gross stated that ADA improvements would begin in July.
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen let Council know that they are getting everything ready for the Memorial Day Parade.
Chief Krstic informed Council that PD is currently getting ready for the Memorial Day Parade and High School graduation.
14. Future Agenda Items
1. Installation of EV Charging Stations
2. Reservations for Picnic Shelters
3. Joint Session with Planning Commission regarding Brown Act and Governance Basics
15. Adjournment:
Mayor Boyer adjourned the meeting at 9:26 pm.
NOTICE TO PUBLIC
The City of Farmersville Civic Center and City Council Chambers comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Anyone needing special assistance please contact City Hall at (559) 747-0458 please allow at least six (6) hours prior to the meeting so that staff may make arrangements to accommodate you.
Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the City’s offices during normal business hours.
Strong Roots…..Growing Possibilities