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, May 8, 2023 6:00 PM
Meeting held in Civic Center Council Chambers
– 909 W. Visalia Road Farmersville, California
Pending no technical difficulties, the City Council meeting will also be streamed (for observation only) via Zoom and accessed as follows:
Please dial 1-669-900-6833
Meeting ID: 876 3192 1891
Password: 862650
1. Call to Order: 6:01 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: 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: none given
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. 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 April 24, 2023.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of April 24, 2023
Motion to approve Consent items 7 A-B
RESULT APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER Councilmember Boyer
AYES Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT 0
ABSTAIN 0
C. Authorize the City Manager to sign a Services Agreement with Tulare County for Police Dispatch and Communications Services in the amount of $110,865
Recommend that the Council authorize the City Manager to sign the Emergency Dispatch and Communication Services Agreement between the County of Tulare and the City of Farmersville in the amount of $110,865.
Documents: Emergency Dispatch and Communication Services Agreement
Councilmember Gomez would like to pull item 7C from Consent for discussion.
Councilmember Gomez pulled this item due to his concerns over the cost.
Chief Brock responded to Councilmember Gomez’s comments and concerns.
Motion to approve Consent item 7C.
RESULT APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
AYES Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT 0
ABSTAIN 0
8. General Business
A. Partial ADA Transition Plan
Recommend that the City Council review and adopt the Partial ADA Transition Plan, which surveyed and reported non-compliant features at City owned and operated facilities throughout Farmersville, and that Council direct staff to identify priority of items to ensure timely address of non-compliant features.
Documents: April 2023 Partial ADA Transition Plan
Assistant City Engineer Greg Thompson gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding the review of the partial ADA Transition Plan. Mr. Thompson reminded the Council that in 2019, the City performed a partial self-evaluation addressing pedestrian features throughout City Streets. He informed the Council that this portion of the ADA Transition Plan focuses on identifying City-operated and owned facilities (buildings and parks) that do not comply with the ADA. Mr. Thompson reviewed a list of all the buildings and parks identified as not ADA-compliant, along with a list of findings for each location.
A discussion took place regarding the Partial ADA Transition Plan. Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos asked where the majority of the issues are. Mr. Thompson reported that the Turning Point facility has the biggest challenges for the City's facilities, and several parks need drinking fountains, sidewalk access, and park access from the parking lot.
Motion to Approve as Presented.
RESULT APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
AYES Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT 0
ABSTAIN 0
B. Freedom Drive No Parking Zone
Recommend that the City Council discuss and provide direction on the proposed “No Parking” zone along Freedom Drive to improve traffic flow for NB travel onto Walnut Street during school hours.
City Engineer Kevin Gross provided information to the Council regarding a “No Parking” zone along Freedom Drive. Mr. Gross introduced the first recommendation of the parking regulation, which would be 150 feet of “red curb” on the east side of Freedom Drive. The second recommendation is to implement a “no parking” signage during school hours when traffic is most congested.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
AYES Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT 0
ABSTAIN 0
C. Review of Draft Total Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 Recommend that the City Council accept, and review materials presented regarding the draft total budgets of the City for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
Documents: Draft Total Budget Presentation for Fiscal Year 2023- 2024
Director of Finance and Administration Steve Huntley gave a PowerPoint presentation of the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024. Mr. Huntley reviewed the material presented at previous meetings, including the Capital Improvement Budget, Enterprise Fund Budget, and General Fund Budget. This portion of his PowerPoint presentation displayed all parts of the 2023-2024 budget for review.
No voting or resolution is needed. This item is only to discuss the draft budget.
9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Hinojosa voiced concerns regarding graffiti throughout the City.
He also inquired how graffiti is being addressed. City Manager Gomez informed the Council that each property owner is responsible for the cleanup of graffiti on their property.
Councilmember Boyer inquired about acquiring a paint sprayer to expedite graffiti removal and suggested getting volunteers to assist with graffiti cleanup. Mr.
Boyer expressed concerns about a tripping hazard on the sidewalk near the side entrance of City Hall, which council members use to access the Council meetings. Additionally, he informed the Council that Memorial Day books were being sent to the printer, and he would distribute them to residents at City Hall once they are ready. Mr. Boyer also provided a report on the Greater Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability meeting he attended.
Councilmember Gomez informed the Council that he attended a meeting regarding Community Choice Energy (CCE). Mr. Gomez would like to have a presentation on the agenda to explain to the Council the benefits of changing to CCE.
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos would like to know updated information regarding Animal Control. City Manager Gomez informed the Council that she had contacted the City Manager of Visalia with no return call. She also reached out to Exeter Animal Control, who told her that the City of Visalia is down to two Animal Control Officers as opposed to four when the City first entered the contract with them.
Mayor Hernandez attended the National Prayer Day.
10. Staff Communications:
City Manager Gomez informed the Council that she is currently working with Blais and Associates on a grant for the Library. She also received an Update from Cal Trans regarding the highway overpass; hopefully, it will be completed by the end of June. Ms. Gomez also informed the Council that she recently signed a contract with “Retail Coach,” who will assist her with Economic Development information such as flyers and outreach. Ms. Gomez informed the Council that she is attending the Las Vegas ICSC conference.
Director of Finance and Administration Steve Huntley reminded the Council to complete their Cyber Security training.
City Engineer Gross let the Council know that QK will be going out to bid for sidewalk repairs in the City.
Chief Thomas informed the Council that the RFP’s for the new Fire Station should be going out in 2 weeks. He also told the Council that the new Water Tender should be here by the end of June.
11. Future Agenda Items
1. Amend Ordinance – Temporary Outdoor Use Permits
12. Adjourn To Closed Session
Mayor Hernandez adjourned to closed session at 7:43 pm.
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) – 1 potential case B. 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 session 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.
Respectfully submitted ,
Rochelle Giovani, City Clerk
Strong Roots…..Growing Possibilities