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, July 11, 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: 83982603452
Password: 019517
1. Call to Order: Mayor Boyer called the meeting to order at 6:03 pm.
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 Present 6:00pm
3. Invocation: Mayor Boyer led the invocation.
4. Pledge of Allegiance: Council Member Valdovinos led the pledge of allegiance.
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.
Kim Tucker, a resident of Farmersville, voiced her concerns about illegal fireworks. Ms.
Tucker suggests Council to increase fines to control the repeat offenders.
Tommie Johnson, a resident of Farmersville, shared with Council that he observed residents light illegal fireworks as soon as police patrolling passed their neighborhood.
6. Presentations: None 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 June 27, 2022.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of June 27, 2022
B. Adopt Resolution 2022-020 approving the City of Farmersville Conflict of Interest Code
Recommend that the City Council adopt Resolution 2022-020 approving the Conflict of Interest Code which incorporates the Fair Political Practices Commission’s Standard Mode Code.
Documents: Resolution 2022-020
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Councilmember Hernandez
SECONDER: Councilmember Valdovinos
AYES: Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos, Macareno
ABSENT: 0
8. General Business
A. Request to Co-Sponsor Summer Night Light Events with Proteus Recommend that the City Council approve a request to co-sponsor Proteus events and the use of the Community Center.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER: Councilmember Valdovinos
AYES: Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos, Macareno
ABSENT: 0
B. 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 State of Emergency and required findings with Council.
Council made findings there is still a risk to the health and safety of attendees and stated to continue with teleconference meetings for the next 30 days.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Councilmember Hernandez
SECONDER: Councilmember Valdovinos
AYES: Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos, Macareno
ABSENT: 0
C. Designation of voting delegate and alternate(s) for the League of California Cities Annual Conference
Recommend that the City Council designate a voting delegate and alternate(s) for the League of California Cities Annual Conference, and authorize the City Clerk to complete and submit the Voting Delegate Form.
Documents: Correspondence
Council designated Councilmember Gomez as the voting delegate and Councilmember Macareno as the alternate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference.
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Councilmember Macareno
SECONDER: Councilmember Gomez
AYES: Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos, Macareno
ABSENT: 0
D. Introduce and waive the first reading of Ordinance 516 amending Chapter 17.53, Section 17.53.030 of the Farmersville Municipal Code pertaining to cannabis microbusinesses
Recommend that the City Council introduce and waive the first reading of Ordinance 516 amending Chapter 17.53, Section 17.53.030 of the Farmersville Municipal Code pertaining to cannabis microbusinesses.
Documents: Ordinance 516
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez
SECONDER: Councilmember Valdovinos
AYES: Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos, Macareno
ABSENT: 0
E. Discuss Topics for Upcoming 2 + 2 Meeting with Farmersville Unified School District
Recommend that the City Council provide direction to the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem for issues to be discussed with the Farmersville Unified School District.
The Council directed staff to discuss using the Farmersville Unified School District track field for community use. Discussion took place, and staff noted that in the past, the school district had been opposed to opening the track field to the community due to liability issues.
Other items included an informational item on residential development and to request an update on changing to neighborhood elementary schools.
9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Gomez followed up on prior concerns regarding illegal fireworks stating that the Council needs to come up with a solution. He also noted that he saw residents wait for patrolling to pass their neighborhood and light illegal fireworks. Additionally, Mr.
Gomez reported that the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) Board received funding to improve transportation connections and guide future development, such as connecting the valley to the high-speed rail stations. Lastly, Mr. Gomez thanked the contractor for developing N. Farmersville Blvd, stating that the boulevard looks great.
Councilmember Macareno thanked the staff for their hard work and for making the City of Farmersville a better place to live. Mr. Macareno is looking forward to future improvements with the help of grants.
Councilmember Valdovinos thanked the staff for their hard work, especially the fire and police departments, for their enforcement on the 4th of July. Mr. Valdovinos expressed concern over the possibility of human trafficking in the City of Farmersville. He would like to develop ideas to increase education that will protect residents.
Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez stated that there are major visibility issues on N.
Farmersville Blvd without streetlights. Staff informed Ms. Hernandez of a significant delay with Southern California Edison. In the meantime, staff will look into incorporating reflection cones to make the curb more visible.
Mayor Boyer was pleased to report Governor Newsom has signed the State Budget, which includes seven million dollars for a new Fire Station for the City of Farmersville.
Mayor Boyer thanked Senator Melissa Hurtado and Assemblymember Devon Mathis for their continued support and for submitting this request on the City’s behalf. Additionally, Mr. Boyer stated that he has reached out to County Supervisor Larry Micari regarding an abandoned home near city limits. Also, Mr. Boyer notified staff of the potholes on Front Street and graffiti at Pocket Park. Furthermore, Mr. Boyer voiced concerns over the current drought levels and asked staff to report water well levels. Lastly, Mr. Boyer will attend the Greater Kaweah Board meeting on July 18th.
10. Staff Communications:
City Manager Gomez notified Council that there will be three open seats during this year’s elections. Ms. Gomez noted that the Tulare County Elections Office will issue nomination packets starting July 18, 2022.
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen stated he will report the N. Farmersville Blvd visibility issue with Southern California Edison to push the matter. Also, Mr. Dowlen said that the high demand for water on Well 6 is causing low water pressure around 8 pm nightly.
Public Works staff is working on resolving the issue.
Battalion Chief Jim Thomas notified Council that he is forming a committee to assist with the design aspects of the new fire station. The hope is to build a fire station that will benefit the City for years to come. Mr. Thomas will visit multiple fire stations to evaluate the best design for the City.
Police Chief Mario Krstic officially welcomed Battalion Chief Jim Thomas as a full-time employee. Mr. Krstic emphasized BC Thomas's point that the City intends to build a Fire Station for the future, one that the Fire Department will grow into and possibly last 30 years. Lastly, Chief Krstic announced the police department made an official offer for a full-time police offer, which will make the department fully staffed.
11. Future Agenda Items
1. Amend Ordinance - Temporary Outdoor Use Permits
2. Installation of EV Charging Stations
3. Reservations for Picnic Shelters
4. Joint Session with Planning Commission regarding Brown Act and Governance Basics
12. Adjournment:
Mayor Boyer adjourned the meeting at 6:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Betina Ashoori
Deputy City Clerk
Strong Roots…..Growing Possibilities