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 27, 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: 860 2670 7478
Password: 045296
1. Call to Order: 6:02 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
absent
Armando Hinojosa
Council Member
Present
6:00 pm
3. Invocation: Mayor Hernandez
4. Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Hernandez
5. Public Comment:
Sabrina Perez, a resident from Visalia voiced concerns about the City of Farmersville staff.
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. Swearing In of Police Chief Jay Brock
City Manager Jennifer Gomez introduced and gave a brief background of Chief Brock’s experience. City Clerk Rochelle Giovani swore in Chief Brock, and Chief Brock’s father pinned him with his Chief badge.
Supervisor Larry Micari congratulated Chief Brock and presented him with a certificate.
B. Presentation of Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Financial Statements This presentation was tabled until further notice due to illness.
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.
Minutes of Special Meeting of February 6, 2023.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents Draft Actin Minutes of February 6, 2023.
Minutes of Regular City Council Meeting of February 13, 2023.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of February 13, 2023
Minutes of Special Meeting of February 16, 2023.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents Draft Actin Minutes of February 16, 2023.
Finance Update for January 2023: 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 current Fiscal Year (2022/2023); and Accept the Investment Summary as presented for the period. This reporting period represents investment summary for the previous month.
Documents: January 2023 Warrant Register
Investment Summary January 2023
Adopt Ordinance 519 approving a zone change for a portion of the site from “CG” (General Commercial) to “RM-4.0” (Multi-Family Residential) – Camino Castaneda Recommend that the City Council adopt Ordinance 519 approving a zone change for a portion of the site from “CG” (General Commercial) to “RM-4.0” (Multi-Family Residential).
Documents: Ordinance 519
Consider Continued Participation in the State and Federal Surplus Property Program via Adoption of Resolution 2023-011
Recommend that the City Council approve Resolution 2023-011 authorizing application for renewal of participation in the State and Federal Surplus Property Program and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign documents indicating the desire of the City of Farmersville to continue participation in the program.
Documents:
1. Renewal Reminder
2. Debarment Form
3. Renewal Checklist
4. SASP Form 203
5. SASP Form 204
6. Terms and Conditions
7. SASP Form 201-A (Resolution)
Declaration of property as surplus and disposition of the surplus property (vehicles)
Recommend that the City Council declare one Police Department vehicle and one Public Works Department vehicle as surplus and authorize staff to move forward with disposition of surplus property as listed.
Resolution 2023-012 to Oppose Initiative 21-0042A1, The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act Recommend that the Council adopt Resolution 2023-012 opposing Initiative No. 21-0042A1, the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act.
Documents: Resolution 2023-012
Fiscal and Program Effects on Local Governments
Summary by League of California Cities
Consider Approving Resolution 2023-010 adopting an Updated Investment Policy
Recommend that the Council adopt the City’s revised Investment Policy by Resolution 2023-010.
Documents: Resolution 2023-010
Investment Policy
Motion to approve items A-J.
RESULT:
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
SECONDER:
Councilmember Gomez
AYES:
Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Hinojosa
ABSENT:
Boyer
8. General Business
A. Lease of Eight (8) Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Cameras Recommend that the City Council Authorize staff to sign an agreement with Flock Safety for implementation of an ALPR system for the City of Farmersville.
Documents: Flock Group Services Agreement
Chief Brock reviewed some of the benefits for the City regarding the purchase of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Cameras.
Caroline Fraher, a representative of Flock Safety, discussed with Council the critical benefits of the ALPR system. Ms. Fraher reviewed some services the ALPR camera would capture, including date, time, location, license plate information, and vehicle detail. She informed Council more than 2000 police departments use the ALPR system to assist in stolen vehicles, missing persons, and criminal activity.
Councilmember Gomez inquired about the police department's current patrol vehicles having a system that reads license plates. Mr. Gomez would also like to know where Flock Safety would install the cameras. Chief Brock informed Council that the current systems in the police vehicles are outdated. Chief Brock advised Council that Flock Safety will install the cameras at all entries into the city; Walnut Ave, Visalia Road, Farmersville Blvd, and Noble Ave.
Councilmember Hinojosa asked if the cameras would pick up license plates at night. Ms. Fraher with Flock Safety informed Council that the cameras would pick up plates at night.
Mayor Hernandez opened public comment at 6:36 pm and close public comment at 6:36 pm. no comment given.
Motion to approve with City Attorney Michael Schulte approving the contract.
RESULT:
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER:
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
AYES:
Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Hinojosa
ABSENT:
Boyer
B. Review Draft Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2023/2024 through Fiscal Year 2027/2028 Recommend that the Council review Draft Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2023/2024 through Fiscal Year 2027/2028.
Director of Finance and Administration Steve Huntley provided updated figures and information regarding the Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2024/2028. Mr.
Huntley also presented a PowerPoint presentation for the Council’s review and consideration. Mr. Huntley and City Manager Jennifer Gomez responded to questions and comments from the City Council.
City Manager Jennifer Gomez also informed the Council that she recently had a 2+2 meeting with the School District regarding the possible Roundabout at Citrus.
Staff took direction from the City Council and will bring back for adoption at a future Council meeting.
9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Hinojosa had concerns regarding all of the loose dogs in the city.
Councilmember Gomez has noticed a change with police presence at the schools during drop off and pick up.
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos thanked Public Works for all their hard work at the baseball fields.
Mayor Hernandez thanked the Police Department for their quick response to her house.
10. Staff Communications:
City Manager Jennifer Gomez informed the Council that she would meet with the High School to discuss this summer’s swim program. She also told Council she would be attending a TCAG retreat on Thursday morning. Ms. Gomez reminded Council that our continued Strategic Planning meeting is this Thursday, March 2nd, at 3:00 pm. Ms. Gomez also reminded Council that the Ribbon Cutting and Groundbreaking at Freedom Field is this Friday, March 3rd, at 11:00 am. Ms. Gomez also let Council know that she met with Ted Smalley with TCAG regarding the possibility of widening the HWY 198 overpass at Farmersville Blvd. Mr. Smalley informed Ms. Gomez that a widening project would not be possible per our Roundabout grant.
City Clerk Rochelle Giovani reminded the Council that 700 Forms are due April 1, 2023.
Director of Finance and Administration Steve Huntley informed Council that an email for a Sexual Harassment Training has been sent to them. Mr. Huntley also let the Council know that a Cyber Security training is being scheduled for them.
City Engineer Kevin Gross informed the Council that the Welcome Sign on Hwy 198 will be done in the Fall.
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen informed the Council that Public Works has been busy with fallen trees, flooding and power outages due to all the rain.
Fire Captain Saefong informed Council that the Fire Department has been busy with the impacts of the storms. Captain Saefong also let the Council know there was a fully involved car fire under a canopy on W. Garrett Ave. The fire crew saved an additional car, and no fire spread to the house.
Chief Brock let the Council know that current vacant police positions will be filled shortly.
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 8:15 pm.
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 the regular meeting at 9:25 pm with nothing to report.
14. Closed Session Report (if any):
15. Adjournment:
Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting at 9:25 pm.
NOTICE TO PUBLIC
The City of Farmersville Civic Center and City Council Chambers comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Anyone needing special assistance please contact City Hall at (559) 747-0458 please allow at least six (6) hours prior to the meeting so that staff may make arrangements to accommodate you.
Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the City’s offices during normal business hours.
Drafted by: J. Gomez
Strong Roots…..Growing Possibilities