Tina Hernandez, Mayor
Danny Valdovinos, Mayor Pro Tem Gregorio Gomez, Council Member Paul Boyer, Council Member
Armando Hinojosa, Council Member
Farmersville City Council
Regular Meeting
Monday, January 9, 2023 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: 84079150477
Password: 363025
1. Call to Order: 6:00 pm
2. Roll Call:
Attendee Name
Title
Status
Arrived
Tina Hernandez
Mayor
Present
6:00 pm
Danny Valdovinos
Mayor Pro Tem
Present
6:00 pm
Greg Gomez
Council Member
Present
6:00 pm
Paul Boyer
Council Member
Present
6:00 pm
Armando Hinojosa
Council Member
Present
6:00 pm
3. Invocation: Mayor Hernandez
4. Pledge of Allegiance: Councilmember Gomez
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.
Ben Morris founder of the Ugly Company introduced himself to Council. He also gave a brief description and information on how the Ugly Company operates.
6. Presentations:
A. Presentation to Farmersville Youth Football Junior Division Mayor Hernandez and the Councilmembers presented Farmersville Youth Football with certificates to recognize their Junior Division Championship.
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 December 12, 2022.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of December 12, 2022
B. Approve Resolution 2023-001 Authorized Signers on the City’s Bank Accounts Recommend that the City Council review and approve Resolution 2023-001, updating the authorized signers on the City’s banking accounts.
Documents: Resolution 2023-001
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT:
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
Councilmember Boyer
SECONDER:
Councilmember Gomez
AYES:
Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT :
None
8. General Business
A. Public Hearing: General Plan Amendment/Zone Change 2022-04 (Camarillo) Recommend that the City Council conduct a public hearing and vote to approve the request by:
Adopting Resolution 2023-002 approving the General Plan Amendment (from “General Commercial” to “Medium-High Density Residential”) and adopting a Notice of Exemption as the environmental finding for the request; and Introduce and waive the first reading of Ordinance 518 approving the zone change for the site from “CG” (General Commercial) to “RM-2.5” (Multi-Family Residential).
Documents: Resolution 2023-002
Ordinance 518
City Planner Karl Schoettler gave a PowerPoint presentation and discussed the zone changes for two parcels located on the west side of Magnolia Ave. and south of Visalia Rd. Mr. Schoettler answered questions from the Council.
Councilmember Gomez inquired why the parcels were zoned commercial.
A public hearing was opened at 6:14 pm. and closed at 6:14 pm. No public comment was given.
Motion to approve Resolution 2023-002 and Ordinance 518 as presented.
RESULT:
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER:
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
AYES:
Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT :
None
B. Citrus Avenue Connection Feasibility Study
Recommend that the City Council review the Study and provide direction to staff as to whether to include the project in the Capital Improvement Plan.
Documents: Citrus Avenue Connection Feasibility Study
Lisa Wallis-Dutra from 4Creeks presented a PowerPoint presentation regarding a study connecting Citrus and Walnut Avenue on the east side of the High School. Ms. Wallis-Dutra reviewed and answered questions regarding the two options, a Traffic Signal, or a Roundabout.
City Manager Jennifer Gomez informed the Council that she contacted Ted Smalley with TCAG. Mr. Smalley stated that TCAG would be on board with helping finance a Roundabout.
Councilmember Boyer asked if the City had contacted the High School regarding the study. Mr. Boyer also inquired about the partnership with TCAG and asked what expenditures TCAG would allocate to the Roundabout.
Councilmember Gomez would like to contact the County to see if they would be willing to improve 168 while Citrus Ave. is being modified. Mr. Gomez also asked which of the two choices would be completed the quickest. Ms.Wallis-Durtra advised the Council that the Roundabout would be completed the fastest.
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos inquired when the project would start. Ms. Wallis-Dutra informed Council that it could be a couple of years, depending on how long the right of way negotiations would take.
Councilmember Hinojosa inquired about a stop sign.
Public Comments
John Alvarez, a resident of Farmersville, supports the Roundabout to help the traffic flow. He also requested the information be forwarded to School Superintendent Chavez.
Alice Lopez, a resident of Farmersville, opposes the Roundabout and Traffic Signal. Ms. Lopez would like to see more Law Enforcement presence by Citrus during drop off and pick up at the High School.
The Council preferred the Roundabout to help maintain traffic. They would like to include the project in the Capital Improvement Plan and directed staff to contact Farmersville High School.
C. Discussion on Non-Store Front Cannabis Retailers – Deliveries Only Recommend that the City Council provide direction on whether to amend the City ordinance related to cannabis retailers and allow delivery-only businesses in addition to the 3 store-front businesses already permitted.
City Manager Jennifer Gomez discussed several inquiries regarding Non-Store Front Cannabis Retail. She informed Council that the storefronts would have no showroom or public access; this would strictly be a delivery service. Ms. Gomez reminded Council that our current Cannabis Ordinance allows for only three permits, which we currently have. She informed Council if they would like to enable more cannabis businesses, the ordinance would need to be amended to allow permits for businesses that would only do deliveries and not have a physical storefront.
Public Comment
Raymond Rincon represents a business currently doing cannabis deliveries and is interested in opening a Non-Storefront Cannabis Retail in Farmersville. Supports Council approving Non-Storefront Cannabis Retails.
Charles Woody, owner of Platinum Connections opposes Non-Store Front Cannabis Retail.
John Alvarez, resident of Farmersville, opposes Non-Store Front Cannabis Juan Hernandez, owner of CVALT cannabis, supports Non-Storefront Cannabis Retail.
After lengthy discussion Council directed Staff to put Non-Store Front Cannabis Retailers as a future agenda item and bring back additional information.
Second Public Comment reopened with a 5-0 vote.
Juan Hernandez, owner of CVALT went over the advantages of allowing Non-Storefront Retailers in Farmersville.
Charles Woody, owner of Platinum Connections believe Council should support the Cannabis retailers that are already in Farmersville.
William Logan, Cannabis attorney, supports allowing Non-Storefront Retailers.
D. Discussion regarding a Recreation Division
Recommend that the City Council provide direction to either discuss further at the next Strategic Planning Session or take no further action.
City Manager Jennifer Gomez discussed information regarding a Recreation Division. Ms. Gomez reviewed details to develop a formal budget, recruit staff, purchase equipment, and hire employees. Ms. Gomez answered questions and concerns from the City Council.
Public Comment
Ricardo Maldonado, a resident of Farmersville, does not support the closing of the Boys and Girls Club. He would like the Community Center to be available for sports such as Basketball.
Alice Lopez, a resident of Farmersville, would like to see an employee help with scheduling the use of parks and soccer fields.
John Alvarez, a Farmersville resident, suggested using a Recreation Commissioner rather than having a Park and Recreation Department.
After a lengthy discussion, the City Council would like to discuss this at the upcoming Strategic Planning Meeting on February 6, 2023.
Councilmember took a 5-minute break at 8:05 pm and returned at 8:10 pm.
E. Farmersville Blvd. Speed Study
Recommend that the City Council review the Farmersville Blvd Engineering and Traffic Survey Memorandum and accept the 50-mph recommended speed zone for Farmersville Blvd between Noble Ave and Walnut Ave.
Documents: Farmersville Blvd Engineering and Traffic Survey Memorandum and Survey Sheets City Engineer Kevin Gross provided a PowerPoint presentation and detailed information regarding the traffic survey for Farmersville Blvd between Noble Ave. and Walnut Ave. Based on all the data collected, Mr. Gross recommended that the speed limit should be 50 mph in both directions. Mr. Gross answered questions and concerns from the City Council.
Discussion took place regarding the suggested speed limit of 50 mph. Councilmember Gomez inquired about the speed limit being set at 55 mph. Mr. Gross reminded Council that according to the study and based on the speed data collected by QK, the recommended speed limit is 50 mph.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT:
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
Councilmember Boyer
SECONDER:
Councilmember Gomez
AYES:
Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT :
None
F. 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 Emergency Declaration with Council. She informed Council as of February 28th, 2023, AB 2449 will go into effect. AB 2449 requires a quorum of the members of the legislative body to meet in person. If a Councilmember is not physically present, they can request virtual attendance due to a medical/family emergency. Council would like to continue with the Emergency Declaration and stated to continue with the teleconference meetings for the next 30 days.
9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Hinojosa thanked staff for all the work on making the agenda. He also thanked Jennifer and Mario for meeting with him. He informed the Police Department that cars parked on E. Front Street are blocking access to mailboxes. Mr. Hinojosa would like landscaping upkeep in front of the Post Office. Mr. Hinojosa also informed Council that the intersection of Farmersville Blvd. at Walnut next to Rite Aid has no entrance for residents. Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen advised Council that a U-turn sign is being installed at that location. Mr. Hinojosa would like a “Cooling Center” available for residents during the summer season. Mr. Hinojosa inquired about homicides in Farmersville; he would like to know if there has been any development in their investigations. Mr. Hinojosa would like drinking fountains in the Downtown area.
Councilmember Boyer inquired if sand and bags are available to the residents. Mr. Boyer also asked Public Works if street signs are being ordered to replace missing signs. Mr. Boyer informed Public Works that there is a huge pothole on Front Street.
Councilmember Gomez stated that Cameron Creek residents are parking their cars on the sidewalk.
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos informed Council that the Toy Drive was a success. He also would like an update on the Dwight property. Chief Krstic informed Council that the Dwight property is still ongoing.
Mayor Hernandez would like Code Enforcement to go to Ana Maria’s for weed abatement. She also informed Council that Larry Macari will be hosting an event Jan 21, 11:00-2:00 at Whitney Ranch in Exeter.
10. Staff Communications:
City Manager Jennifer Gomez informed the Council that CSET is reopening the Senior Center. She advised Council that a new stove and heating cabinet has been purchased for the Senior Center.
City Clerk Rochelle Giovani reminded Council about upcoming photos Jan 13.
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen informed Council that flood control is being done throughout the city.
Battalion Chief Jim Thomas informed the Council that 7 firefighters are currently getting their certifications done to drive a Fire Engine.
11. Future Agenda Items
Amend Ordinance – Temporary Outdoor Use Permits
Reservations for Picnic Shelters
Expansion of Liberty Park
Ad Hoc Committee for Pedestrian Safety
12. Adjourn to Closed Session:
Mayor Hernandez adjourned meeting at 8:47 pm for closed session.
A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency designated representative:
Jennifer Gomez, Steve Huntley, Teqia Velyines, and Michael Schulte Employee organization:
Miscellaneous Employees
Police Officers Association
International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 517
Mid-Management Employee Association
Department Heads
13. Reconvene to Open Session:
Mayor Hernandez reconvened to open session at 9:47 pm with nothing to report.
14. Closed Session Report (if any):
15. Adjournment:
Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting at 9:47 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rochelle Giovani
City Clerk
Strong Roots…..Growing Possibilities