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, September 12, 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: 84778282104
Password: 84341
1. Call to Order: 6:02 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
Absent
Ruben Macareno
Council Member
Present
6:00pm
3. Invocation: Mayor Pro Tem gave invocation.
4. Pledge of Allegiance: Councilmember Gomez led the pledge of allegiance.
5. Public Comment: none given.
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. Exeter Public Cemetery District - Measure U
Vicki Riddle and Erica Pine with Exeter Cemetery District handed out Measure U material packets. They reviewed and updated Measure U information following their last presentation on April 25, 2022.
B. Johnson Controls – Update on WWTP Solar Project
Brian LaBrie with Johnson Controls presented a PowerPoint presentation on the Wastewater Treatment Renewable Energy Project. Mr. LaBrie highlighted the benefits of energy use and saving potential. Mr. LaBrie answered questions and concerns from City Council.
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 August 22, 2022.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of August 22, 2022
B. Minutes of Joint Session City Council & Planning Commission Meeting of August 29, 2022.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of August 29, 2022
C. Authorize the purchase of Well Generators pursuant to Capital Improvement Plan in the amount of $295,900 Recommend that the City Council approve the purchase of three Industrial Power Generac propane backup generators for City water wells 5, 6, and 7 which will cost $295,900.00.
Documents: A-C Electric Quote
D. Resolution Authorizing Financial Assistance Application for Wastewater Treatment Plant Photovoltaic Power Installation Project Recommend that the City Council authorize the City Manager to sign and file a Financial Assistance Application with the State Water Resources Board for the planning, design, and construction of Wastewater Treatment Plant Photovoltaic Power Installation project.
Documents: Resolution 2022-035
E. Approve Contract with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sequoias for Youth Services in the amount of $100,000 Recommend that the City Council approve the contract with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sequoias for Youth Services in the amount of $100,000.
Documents: Boys & Girls Club Agreement
F. Task Order with Collins & Schoettler for Comprehensive Update of the Farmersville General Plan in an amount not to exceed $318,520 Recommend that the City Council approve the Task Order with Collins & Schoettler for Comprehensive Update of the Farmersville General Plan in an amount not to exceed $318,520.
Documents: Task Order
Proposal
Councilmember Greg Gomez pulled item 7G from Consent for discussion.
Motion to approve items 7A-F.
RESULT:
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez
SECONDER:
Councilmember Gomez
AYES:
Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Macareno
ABSENT:
Valdovinos
G. Street Striping Services
Recommend that the City Council approve utilizing Chrisp Company for citywide street striping services in the amount of $88,870.00.
Chrisp Company Quote
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen provided information regarding street striping services. Mr. Dowlen briefly discussed that he only received one proposal from Chrisp Company. He informed the Council of the services and locations where the street striping will occur; he also advised Council that the striping would be complete by winter. Mr. Dowlen answered questions from the Council.
Motion to approve item 7G
RESULT:
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER:
Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez
AYES:
Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Macareno
ABSENT:
Valdovinos
8. General Business
A. Road Diet for Downtown Corridor
Recommend that the City Council provide direction to staff on a “road diet” for the downtown corridor and authorize staff to proceed with developing a capital improvement project.
Documents: QK Traffic Analysis Memo dated October 30, 2020 City Planner Karl Schoettler presented Council with a PowerPoint presentation.
Mr. Schoettler went over a conceptual road diet scheme and showed possibilities of what a road diet would look like on Farmersville Blvd. Mr. Schoettler also informed Council that an additional traffic analysis must occur to get updated information.
Public Comments:
Derek Winning and Sheela Bhongir with TCAG expressed to Council that they would love to work with the City regarding the “Road Diet” project.
Alice Lopez, a resident of Farmersville, opposes the Road Diet for Farmersville Blvd. Ms. Lopez voiced concerns regarding the traffic during school hours. She also conveyed that traffic would be diverted to side streets in Farmersville to avoid backed-up traffic during school hours. Ms. Lopez inquired about delivery trucks parked in front of the business to unload; there would be no way to get around them with only one lane.
Teresa Miller, a resident of Farmersville, opposes the Road Diet for Farmersville Blvd. Ms. Miller would like the traffic analysis to be completed during the school hours of 7:45 am - 8:15 am. Ms. Miller would also like more community outreach before the Road Diet is approved.
Steven Bates, a resident of Farmersville, opposes the Road Diet for Farmersville Blvd. Mr. Bates expressed that there is too much traffic to eliminate lanes.
Donny Millsap, a resident of Farmersville, opposes the Road Diet for Farmersville Blvd. Mr. Millsap expressed that there is too much traffic to eliminate lanes. He also voiced concerns about adding planters and trees to sidewalks on Farmersville Blvd. with the water drought.
Kim Mayfield, a resident of Farmersville, opposes the Road Diet for Farmersville Blvd. Ms. Mayfield suggested instead of putting funds into the Road Diet, give funds to the storefronts with a guideline they have to follow to help improve the look of Downtown Farmersville.
Council discussed the future development of Farmersville Blvd.
Council directed staff to move forward with assessing a downtown corridor improvement plan, including developing a capital improvement project with initial focus on public outreach.
RESULT:
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER:
Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez
AYES:
Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Macareno
ABSENT:
Valdovinos
B. Appeal of denial of building permit for addition to an existing dwelling at 348 N. Farmersville Boulevard Recommend that the City Council conduct a hearing and vote to deny the appeal of the building permit that was denied (at 348 N. Farmersville Boulevard), by adopting Resolution 2022-036.
Documents: Resolution 2022-036
Location Map
Aerial Photo
Site Plan (focused)
Architectural Elevation Drawings
Site Photos
Letter of Appeal
City Planner Karl Schoettler presented the appeal against denying a building permit for 348 N. Farmersville Blvd. Mr. Schoettler reviewed and responded to the filed appeal letter from the property owner.
Mr. Schoettler also informed Council that his staff never received a call from the property owner regarding pulling a building permit for this location. Mr. Schoettler also reminded Council that 348 N. Farmersville Blvd. is zoned Central Commercial. Single Family homes are not permitted in this zone (Farmersville Municipal Code Section No. 17.56.020).
The applicant did not appear at the appeal hearing.
Discussion took place regarding the property at 348 N. Farmersville.
Councilmember Gomez, Macareno and Hernandez agreed on the denial of the building permit based on Farmersville Municipal Code 17.56.020.
Motion to deny appeal as presented
RESULT:
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER:
Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez
AYES:
Hernandez, Gomez, Macareno
NOES:
Boyer
ABSENT:
Valdovinos
C. Public Hearing: Final Grant Expenditures and Accomplishments for 20-CDBG-CV1-000013 COVID-19 Utility Subsistence Payment Program Recommend that the City Council conduct a public hearing concerning closeout of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 20-CDBG-CV1-000013; and authorize the City Manager to finalize and submit grant closeout documents to California’s Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
City Manager Jennifer Gomez presented the Final Grant Expenditures for 20-CDBG-CV1-000013. Ms. Gomez reviewed the Utility assistance program and informed Council that 102 households received help due to the impact of COVID-19.
A public hearing was opened at 7:52 pm and closed at 7:52 pm. No public Comment was given.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT:
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez
SECONDER:
Councilmember Gomez
AYES:
Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Macareno
ABSENT:
Valdovinos
D. Engineering Consulting Services Agreement with QK for Clean California Hwy 198 Gateway Project in the amount of $550,610 Recommend that the City Council approve the agreement with QK to provide engineering consulting services for the Clean California Hwy 198 Gateway Project in the amount of $550,610.
Documents: Agreement
County Letter on RFP Results
City Manager Jennifer Gomez presented information to approve the Agreement with QK to provide engineering consulting services for Clean California Hwy 198 Gateway Project. Ms. Gomez informed Council that a Request for Proposal was issued on June 8th, and with no responses, it would be prudent to contract with QK to keep the project moving forward.
Public Comments:
Armando Hinojosa, a resident of Farmersville, inquired if a grant fully funded the project. City Manager Jennifer Gomez responded to Mr. Hinojosa to inform him that a grant fully funds the project.
Stephen Bates, a resident of Farmersville, inquired about the project’s specific area. City Engineer Kevin Gross responded to Mr. Bates to inform him of what the location is regarding the project. Mr. Gross also let Council know that the project would start the summer of 2023 with a completion date of December 2024.
Following discussion and comments by Council, it was motioned by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez, and approved 4-0 to reopen public comments. Additional comments were received.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT:
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER:
Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez
AYES:
Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Macareno
ABSENT:
Valdovinos
E. 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.
RESULT:
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
Councilmember Macareno
SECONDER:
Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez
AYES:
Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Macareno
ABSENT:
Valdovinos
9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Macareno reported that he attended the California League of Cities event.
Councilmember Gomez reported that he also attended the California League of Cities event- he was able to vote on behalf of the City regarding affordable housing. Mr. Gomez requested that the City and the School Board have a meeting to discuss traffic during pick up and drop off times.
Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez would like an update on the lights on Farmersville Blvd. She also requested that the trees on Petunia be trimmed.
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen informed Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez that the lights on Farmersville Blvd would be installed late October or early November.
Mayor Paul Boyer thanked Chief Krstic and Battalion Chief Thomas for attending and speaking at the September 11th memorial held on Sunday. He also inquired about the Fall Festival banner.
Public Works Director informed Mayor Boyer that the Fall Festival banner would be put up this week.
10. Staff Communications:
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen reported that the City’s Sewer Vacuum Truck does not meet State guidelines, and we will have to purchase a new truck. He also informed Council that Roy’s Park is in the demolition progress.
Battalion Chief Thomas advised Council that a fire crew was sent out for three days to the Auberry fire.
Police Chief Mario Krstic informed Council that an Active Shooter Training would be taking place at the schools within the City.
11. Future Agenda Items
Amend Ordinance – Temporary Outdoor Use Permits
Reservations for Picnic Shelters
Discussion regarding a Recreation Division
Expansion of Liberty Park
12. Adjournment:
Mayor Boyer adjourned the meeting at 8:26 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rochelle Giovani
City Clerk
Strong Roots…..Growing Possibilities