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, October 24, 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: 82753392252
Password: 599978
1. Call to Order: 6:00 pm.
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
Absent
3. Invocation: Councilmember Gomez led the invocation.
4. Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez 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. Adjourn to Closed Session:
Mayor Boyer adjourned to closed session at 6:02 pm.
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) & (e)(1) – 1 potential case
7. Reconvene to Open Session:
Mayor Boyer reconvened at 6:46 pm with nothing to report.
8. Closed Session Report (if any):
9. Presentations:
A. Introduction of Police Officer Anessa Mora
Police Commander Jay Brock presented Anessa Mora to Councilmembers. Commander Brock gave a brief history of Ms. Mora’s background and experience.
B. Recognition of Fire Lt. Matt Epstein, Lt. Brandon Parrish, Reserve Lt. Scott Armstrong, and Reserve Engineer Isiah Salvador Battalion Chief Jim Thomas introduced and discussed training, participation and skill sets for Lt. Matt Epstein, Lt. Brandon Parrish, Reserve Lt. Scott Armstrong, and Reserve Engineer Isiah Salvador to Councilmembers. Each Firefighter was presented a new badge from a family member.
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 October 10, 2022.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of October 10, 2022
B. Finance Update for September 2022: Warrant Register and Investment Summary Recommend that the City Council:
Approve the Warrant Register as presented for the period. This reporting period represents warrants issued for the Fiscal Years 2021/2022 and 2022/2023; and Accept the Investment Summary as presented for the period. This reporting period represents investment summary for the previous month.
Documents: September 2022 Warrant Register
Investment Summary September 2022
Motion to approve items 10 A-B.
Mayor Boyer abstained from warrants for Yarbs and Self-Help Enterprises.
RESULT:
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez
SECONDER:
Councilmember Gomez
AYES:
Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos
ABSENT:
Macareno
ABSTAIN:
Boyer – Yarbs and Self-Help Enterprises
C. Notice of Completion for Farmersville Blvd Widening Project Recommend that the City Council accept the Notice of Completion for the Farmersville Blvd. Widening Project, and the City Council authorize the City Engineer to sign the Notice of Completion and the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the Tulare County Recorder.
Documents: List of Change Orders
Notice of Completion Certificate
Councilmember Gomez would like to pull item 10C from Consent for discussion.
Councilmember Gomez had concerns regarding “No Parking” signs on Farmersville Blvd.
City Engineer Kevin Gross informed Council that the remainder of the work, which is the installation of streetlights, will be completed by Southern California Edison.
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen informed Council that “No Parking” signs have been ordered and will be installed on the streetlights once SCE installs them.
Motion to approve 10-C.
RESULT:
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER:
Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez
AYES:
Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos
ABSENT:
Macareno
ABSTAIN:
Boyer
11. General Business
A. Public Hearing: Development Impact Fees Report for FY 2021-22 Recommend that the City Council hold a public hearing to receive public comment, then review and accept the Annual and Five-Year Reports for Development Impact Fees by adopting Resolution 2022-021.
Documents:
2021-22 Annual Development Impact Fee Report
Resolution 2022-021: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FARMERSVILLE, CALIFORNIA APPROVING THE ANNUAL AND FIVE-YEAR AB 1600 REPORTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 AND MAKING THE FINDINGS REQUIRED BY GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 66001(D) Appendix A: Development Fee Account Summary as of 6/30/2022 Appendix B: Summary of Incomplete Projects Involving Development Fees 6/30/2022 Appendix C: New DIF Structure Effective 7/1/2022
Director of Finance and Administration Steve Huntley reviewed and discussed the Annual and Five-Year Development Impact Fees (DIF). Mr. Huntley informed the Council that State law requires the City to either spend or commit DIF within five years or adopt a resolution that makes the findings as required by Government Code 66001(d).
Mayor Boyer opened the public hearing at 7:05 pm and closed the public hearing at 7:06 pm. with no comments given.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT:
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER:
Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez
AYES:
Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos
ABSENT:
Macareno
B. Approve Contracts with Collaborative partners: Lew Edwards Group (LEG), Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates(FM3), The HdL Companies (HDL) for Utility Users Tax 2024 Ballot Initiative Consulting Services in the amount of $234,200 Recommend that the City Council approve the contracts with Lew Edwards Group, FM3, and HDL for Utility Users Tax 2024 Ballot Initiative Consulting Services pending approval by the City Attorney.
Documents:
Utility Users Tax 2024 Ballot Initiative Consulting Services RFP Lew Edwards Group, FM3, and HDL Agreement(s) with separate scope of work Director of Finance and Administration Steve Huntley presented Council with information regarding contracts with Lew Edwards Group, FM3, and HdL Companies for Utility Users Tax 2024 Tax Ballot. Mr. Huntley reminded Council that the City's budget and other strategic planning documents demonstrate a need to improve the depth of the tax base and diversify tax revenues for the City to thrive long-term. Mr. Huntley informed the Council that the contract would be completed in 3 phases. During the first phase, there is a potential to end the contract if the Council believes it is not in the City's best interest.
Discussion took place regarding Utility Users Tax. Mayor Boyer had concerns about adding another tax for the residents of Farmersville. Councilmember Gomez supports the approval of the contracts; he indicated that if this is approved, the City could consider bringing it back to Council after the first phase for review. Mr. Huntley responded to the Council's questions and comments.
Armando Hinojosa, a resident of Farmersville, asked for clarification on a Utility Users Tax. Director of Finance and Administration Steve Huntley provided more information.
Motion to approve as presented.
Motion does not pass 2-2 vote.
RESULT:
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER:
Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez
AYES:
Gomez, Hernandez
NOES:
Valdovinos, Boyer
ABSENT:
Macareno
C. Authorize the City Manager to sign a purchase agreement with Commerce Truck and Equipment Sales for the purchase of a 2023 Freightliner 1500-Gal Water Tender in the amount of $170,948 Recommend that the City Council authorize the City Manager to sign a purchase agreement with Commerce Truck and Equipment Sales for the purchase of a 2023 Freightliner 1500-Gal Water Tender in the amount of $170,948.
Documents:
Purchase Agreement with Commerce Truck and Equipment Sales Cal OES Agreement for Local Government Fire and Emergency Assistance to the State of California and Federal Fire Agencies California Fire Assistance Agreement (CFAA) Rate Letter Police Chief Mario Krstic presented background information on the purchasing, equipping, and staffing of a Tactical Water Tender. The Fire Department Strategic Plan described revenue generation through Cal-OES County deployment. Deployment of a Tactical Water Tender would help generate revenue which would help maintain costs for the purchase of equipment. Battalion Chief Jim Thomas answered questions from Council.
Armando Hinojosa, a resident of Farmersville, asked for clarification on where the funds will be coming from to purchase Water Tender.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT:
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
Councilmember Valdovinos
SECONDER:
Councilmember Gomez
AYES:
Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos
ABSENT:
Macareno
D. Introduce and waive the first reading of Ordinance 517 amending Title 15 to add Chapter 15.24 – Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to the Farmersville Municipal Code Recommend that the City Council introduce and waive the first reading of Ordinance 517 amending Title 15 to add Chapter 15.24 – Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to the Farmersville Municipal Code.
Documents: Ordinance 517
Checklist for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
City Manager Jennifer Gomez discussed permitting Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in the Farmersville Municipal Code. Assembly Bill 1236 requires jurisdictions with a population less than 200,000 to adopt an ordinance establishing procedures for expedited and streamlines process. Ms. Gomez informed the Council that the City must comply with the States’ mandate.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT:
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
Councilmember Valdovinos
SECONDER:
Councilmember Gomez
AYES:
Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos
ABSENT:
Macareno
E. Adopt Updated City Improvement Standards
Recommend that the City Council adopt the revised City Improvement Standards prepared by QK and approved by the City Engineer and Public Works Director.
Documents: Farmersville City Improvement Standards 2022 City Engineer Kevin Gross provided information regarding the Updated Improvement Standards. He also informed Council that some additional updates have been made and the Improvement Standards in their agenda binders are not current.
City Council had several questions and concerns. Council would like to table this item until the next Council meeting. Council directed our City Engineer to bring a current copy of the Improvement Standards along with more information on driveway approaches.
Motion to table Item 11-E until next Council meeting with updated information.
RESULT:
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
Councilmember Valdovinos
SECONDER:
Councilmember Gomez
AYES:
Boyer, Hernandez, Gomez, Valdovinos
ABSENT:
Macareno
12. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Valdovinos expressed concerns with a pothole on Farmersville Blvd. in front of Dollar General. Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen let Mr. Valdovinos know that the contractor with Self Help fixed the pothole.
Councilmember Gomez noted that he is pleased with the new Internet provider in the City.
Mayor Boyer inquired about the Bid Opening for Freedom Field. Staff informed Mayor Boyer that there have yet to be any results regarding the bid opening for Freedom Field. Mayor Boyer voiced concern regarding the traffic markings on Ash and Farmersville Blvd. Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen informed Mayor Boyer that a street painter would be going throughout the City to update traffic markings. Mayor Boyer reminded Council that on October 25th at 10:00 am, Senator Hurtado will present the City with a check for the new Fire Station.
13. Staff Communications:
City Manager Jennifer Gomez reminded Council and Staff that Senator Hurtado will be presenting a check on October 25th.
Battalion Chief Jim Thomas notified Council that the Fire Department will be interviewing 12 new candidates for Volunteer Firefighter.
14. Future Agenda Items
Amend Ordinance – Temporary Outdoor Use Permits
Reservations for Picnic Shelters
Discussion regarding a Recreation Division
Expansion of Liberty Park
15. Adjournment:
Mayor Boyer adjourned the meeting at 8:12 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rochelle Giovani
City Clerk
Strong Roots…..Growing Possibilities