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, February 13, 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: 87194979303
Password: 846409
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: Councilmember Boyer
4. Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
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.
Miguel Ramirez with Southern California Gas Company updated Council on the price of natural gas. Mr. Ramirez informed Council that the natural gas cost has dropped for February, and residents will get a credit on their gas bills for either February or March. He also advised Council that Southern California Gas has delayed shut-offs due to high bills. Residents can also go onto the Southern California Gas webpage and apply for the CARE program to help assist with high bills.
Krista Sanchez, a representative from Farmersville Baseball League, inquired about a homerun fence and weed control at Veterans Park. Ms. Sanchez also requested that all of Jennings Park's holes from the gophers be filled with dirt.
6. Presentations:
A. Retirement of Chief of Police Mario Krstic
Supervisor Larry Micari, Rachel Ray from Assembly Member Mathis’s office, Tara Adams from Congressman Jim Costa’s office, Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward, Mike Marquez from Tulare County Chiefs Association, and the City Council presented Chief Krstic with plaques and certificates for all of his work and dedication throughout his career.
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.
Authorization to waive full reading of ordinances and resolutions and to identify by title only.
Recommend that the City Council approve the full reading of all ordinances and resolutions be waived and to identify by title only.
B. Minutes of Regular City Council Meeting of January 23, 2023.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of January 23, 2023
C. Request by Farmersville Youth Soccer League for Special Event Funding for Fiscal Year 2022-23 Recommend that the City Council review and approve a request from Farmersville Youth Soccer League in the amount of $1,500.
D. Request by Reencuentro Purepecha for Special Event Funding for Fiscal Year 2022-23 Recommend that the City Council review and approve a request from Reencuentro Purepecha in the amount of $1,300.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER
Councilmember Boyer
SECONDER
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
AYES
Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT
None
8. General Business
A. General Plan Amendment/Zone Change 2022-03 (Camino Castaneda) Recommend that the City Council conduct a Public Hearing and vote to approve the request by:
Adopting Resolution 2023-008 adopting a Mitigated Negative Declaration as the environmental finding for the project; Adopting Resolution 2023-009 approving a General Plan land use amendment for a portion of the site; Introducing Ordinance 519 approving the zone change for a portion of the site from “CG” (General Commercial) to “RM-4.0” (Multi-Family Residential).
Documents: Resolution 2023-008
Resolution 2023-009
Ordinance 519
City Planner Karl Schoettler presented Council with a PowerPoint presentation.
Mr. Schoettler went over a series of planning approvals for a project located at Walnut Avenue and Farmersville Blvd.
Mayor Hernandez opened public hearing at 6:40.
Alice Lopez, a resident of Farmersville, would like to make sure that there are two exits to merge onto Farmersville Blvd.
Mayor Hernandez closed public hearing at 6:41.
Councilmember Boyer inquired about cost sharing for maintaining the property, if there is going to be a private road for residents who live in the duplexes, if there was going to be a mandatory easement to access Farmersville Blvd and is there is going to be a fence that separates the duplexes and the retail stores.
Councilmember Gomez would like to see several trees to help with shading.
Public hearing reopened for additional comments with a 5-0 vote.
Alice Lopez, a resident of Farmersville would like a dog fountain installed at the location.
Public hearing was closed again.
Motion to approve Resolution 2023-008 and 2023-009.
RESULT
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER
Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
AYES
Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT
None
Motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 519 RESULT
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER
Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
AYES
Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT
None
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 State of Emergency with Council. Ms. Gomez reminded Council that February 28, 2023, is the last day for the Emergency Declaration, and as of March 1, 2023, Zoom will be listen-only, and the public will only be able to comment in person.
Council would like to continue with the Emergency Declaration until the end of of the month.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
SECONDER
Councilmember Boyer
AYES
Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT
None
9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Boyer requested that when police are patrolling and see a streetlight out, to please get the information and let Edison know. Mr. Boyer also asked if any tenants had been selected for the Camino Castaneda Project. City Planner Karl Schoettler informed Council that no tenants have been chosen as of now. City Manager Jennifer Gomez also told the Council she is currently marketing for that area.
Councilmember Gomez would like to know the status of Cal Trans fixing the 198 Hwy overpass at the Farmersville turn off. Mr. Gomez would also like to keep contacting Cal Trans to make sure that the overpass is repaired promptly. Councilmember Gomez also said he would like to contact TCAG to improve the overpass at some point.
Councilmember Hinojosa would like more police patrol downtown.
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos inquired about flower vendors popping up downtown for the upcoming holiday. City Manager Jennifer Gomez informed Council that Code Enforcement worked this past weekend to ensure all vendors have permits. Mr. Valdovinos inquired if the new local floral shop had a business license.
Mayor Hernandez attended a TCAG meeting with Councilmember Boyer. Ms. Hernandez also attended the Ugly Company grand opening over the weekend.
10. Staff Communications:
City Manager Jennifer Gomez attended the Ugly Company grand opening. Ms. Gomez also participated in the City Manager Conference in Carlsbad, CA. Ms. Gomez let Council know she would be attending the Tulare Ag Expo. Ms. Gomez also reminded Council of the upcoming Strategic Planning meeting on Thursday, February 16, 2023. Ms. Gomez informed Council that Robin Reimold with Team California would be at the ICSC Conference in Monterey, CA. with some of our economic development information.
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen informed the Council that the street striper is actively working on striping streets throughout the City.
Battalion Chief Thomas let Council know that he is in the process of creating a weekend work schedule for Code Enforcement.
Commander Brock informed Council that the Police Department remodel has been completed.
11. Future Agenda Items
Amend Ordinance – Temporary Outdoor Use Permits
Reservations for Picnic Shelters
Expansion of Liberty Park
No Parking on Freedom Drive near Walnut Avenue
12. Adjourn To Closed Session
Mayor Hernandez adjourned to closed session at 7:03 pm.
A. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 330 N. Farmersville Blvd.
Agency Negotiators: Jennifer Gomez and Michael Schulte
Negotiating Parties: Abelardo Ulloa
Under Negotiation: Terms and Price
13. Reconvene to Open Session:
Mayor Hernandez reconvened at 7:31 pm with nothing to report.
14. Adjournment:
Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting at 7:31 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Rochelle Giovani
City Clerk
Strong Roots…..Growing Possibilities