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 22, 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: 838 1402 6991
Password: 487340
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 present 6:00 pm
Armando Hinojosa Council Member present 6:00 pm
3. Invocation: Mayor Hernandez
4. Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
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 May 8, 2023.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of May 8, 2023
C. Finance Update for April 2023: Warrant Register and Investment Summary
Recommend that the City Council:
1. Approve the Warrant Register as presented for the period. This reporting period represents warrants issued for the current Fiscal Year (2022/2023); and
2. Accept the Investment Summary as presented for the period. This reporting period represents investment summary for the previous month.
Documents: April 2023 Warrant Register
Investment Summary April 2023
D. Resolution 2023-020 adopting Memorandum of Understanding with the Miscellaneous Employees, Mid-Management Employee
Association, and the Addendums to the Employment Agreements for the Department Heads
Recommend that the City Council adopt Resolution 2023-020 authorizing the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Understanding with Miscellaneous Employees and execute the Addendums to the Employment Agreements for the Department Heads.
Documents:
1. Resolution 2023-020
2. Memorandum of Understanding:
Miscellaneous Employees
Mid-Management Employee Association
3. Addendums to Employment Agreements:
Chief of Police
Director of Finance and Administration
Public Works Director
E. 2023/2024 Landscape and Lighting Assessment Districts Recommend that the City Council adopt Resolution 2023-021 directing the City Engineer to prepare the Engineer’s Report for Farmersville’s Landscape and Lighting Assessment Districts and that the City Council set the Public Hearing for July 24, 2023.
Documents: Resolution 2023-021
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER Councilmember Boyer
AYES Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT none
ABSTAIN none
8. General Business
A. 2023 Street and Alley Improvement Project
Recommend that the City Council authorize staff to advertise the City of Farmersville’s 2023 Street and Alley Improvement Project for bidding purposes; and Pre-Authorize the City Manager to award and execute the contract on behalf of the City to the lowest responsible bidder providing project bid is within current budget appropriation.
Documents: Bidding Schedule
City Engineer Kevin Gross presented the Council with background information regarding the 2023 Street and Alley Improvement Project. Mr. Gross informed the Council that the construction would include ADA-compliant driveways, curb ramps, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, alley pavement reconstruction, pavement rehabilitation, storm drain utilities, signage, pavement delineation, and other miscellaneous facilities. Mr. Gross is requesting authorization for the City staff to advertise for bidding purposes and pre-authorize the City Manager to award and execute the contract.
Discussion took place.
Councilmember Hinojosa asked if benches, trash cans, and drinking fountains would be included in this process. Kevin Gross informed Councilmember Hinojosa they would not be included in this process.
Councilmember Boyer inquired about the City Attorney's contract review and approval. Additionally, he requested a map of the City to be displayed in the City Hall lobby to inform residents where the work is currently being done. City Attorney Mike Schulte assured the Council that he would review and approve the contract before the City Manager proceeded with the contract award. City Engineer Kevin Gross confirmed that his team would prepare the map for display in the City Hall Lobby.
Councilmember Gomez raised a couple of questions. First, he inquired whether there was a prequalifying list for contractors. Secondly, he expressed concern about the urgency behind awarding a contractor. In response, City Engineer Kevin Gross explained to the Council that they were aiming to finish specific streets and alleys before the commencement of the school year. He also let Council know that there was no prequalifying contractors list. Additionally, Councilmember Gomez suggested utilizing advertising platforms like Facebook and the City website to increase awareness about the project.
City Attorney Mike Schulte addressed the concerns regarding the project timeline.
He emphasized that any delay in the bid package could result in a corresponding delay in the overall project.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER Councilmember Boyer
AYES Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT none
ABSTAIN none
B. ADA Improvement Project
Recommend that the City Council authorize staff to advertise the City of Farmersville’s ADA Improvement Project for bidding purposes; and Pre-Authorize the City Manager to award and execute the contract on behalf of the City to the lowest responsible bidder providing project bid is within current budget appropriation.
Documents: Bidding Schedule
City Engineer Kevin Gross presented the Council with background information regarding ADA Improvement Project. Mr. Gross informed the Council that this project would include construction of ADA compliant driveways, curb ramps, curb, gutter, sidewalk, pavement delineation, and other miscellaneous facilities.
Discussion took place.
Councilmember Boyer reminded Mr. Gross that he would like maps of both projects put in the City Hall lobby.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER Councilmember Boyer
SECONDER Councilmember Gomez
AYES Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT none
ABSTAIN none
9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Hinojosa has expressed concerns about the stop sign at Ash Street next to the Donut Shop, as several residents speed through the intersection. Additionally, he informed Public Works that a hedge at that intersection requires trimming. Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen assured Mr.
Hinojosa that the hedge would be trimmed. City Engineer Kevin Gross informed the Council that he possesses a survey that he can examine for that specific location.
Councilmember Boyer expressed gratitude to the Public Works department for their efforts in maintaining the City Parks. Mr. Boyer also announced that a flyover had been confirmed for the Memorial Day Parade. To address the City's graffiti problem, he contacted the Sheriff's Department to explore potential assistance. Additionally, Mr. Boyer inquired about obtaining a base map of the City to identify the locations of all the graffiti incidents. He also informed Public Works that a tree near the City Museum requires trimming.
Councilmember Gomez reported on the Tulare County Transit meeting he attended.
Mayor Hernandez informed the Police Chief about the occurrence of fireworks near Citrus and Ventura. She expressed interest in utilizing the Drone program to help address this issue. Police Chief Brock informed the Council that he is actively working on implementing the Drone program before the 4th of July holiday. Mayor Hernandez also raised the possibility of sending notices to residents regarding graffiti on their properties.
10. Staff Communications:
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen informed the Council that they are currently working on filling potholes on the Memorial Day Parade route. He also let the Council know that they are welcome to take a tour of the WWTP.
Police Chief Brock informed the Council that the cameras in the City Parks would be installed by next month.
Battalion Chief Thomas updated the Council on the recent order of a Brush Patrol, which is expected to be delivered between January and March 2025.
Code Enforcement is currently in the process of conducting a background check for an applicant. Additionally, Chief Thomas is actively working on weed abatement letters.
11. Future Agenda Items
1. Amend Ordinance – Temporary Outdoor Use Permits
12. Adjournment:
Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting at 6:42 pm.
Respectfully submitted ,
Rochelle Giovani, City Clerk
Strong Roots…..Growing Possibilities