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, June 12, 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: 882 0413 7830
Password: 484947
1. Call to Order: 6:03 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:
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.
Michelle Flores, a resident of Farmersville voiced concerns about traffic safety on Oakland between Avery and Farmersville Blvd.
Ricardo Maldonado, a resident of Farmersville informed the Council of the upcoming activities that are going to be available to Farmersville youth for the summer.
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 22, 2023.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of May 22, 2023
C. Resolution 2023-024 adopting a list of projects funded by SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account
Recommend that the City Council adopt Resolution 2023-024 as presented and authorize staff to submit the annual report to the State.
Documents: Resolution 2023-024
D. Engineer’s Reports and Assessments for 2023/2024 Landscape and Lighting Assessment Districts
Recommend that the City Council review the engineer’s reports prepared for the 2023/2024 Landscape and Lighting Assessment Districts and adopt Resolution 2023-023 of intent to levy and collect assessments on the Landscape and Lighting Assessment Districts.
Documents: Resolution 2023-023
Landscape and Lighting Assessment Districts –
Engineers Reports
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
8. General Business
A. Public Hearing: Consider Adopting by Resolution 2023-016 the Proposed Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan for FY 2023-2024 through FY 2027-2028
Recommend that the City Council adopt the revised Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan by Resolution 2023-016.
Documents: Resolution 2023-016
Steve Huntley, Director of Finance & Administration, delivered a comprehensive and informative PowerPoint presentation, covering General Business Items A-D. He covered the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan, which provided a detailed outline of the fiscal years 2024-2028. In addition, the presentation encompassed the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024, which combined both the capital and operations budgets, giving a comprehensive overview of the financial allocations for the upcoming period. The 2023-2024 Appropriations Limit, as mandated by the State of California, was also discussed to ensure compliance with the state regulations. Furthermore, the adoption of the Salary Schedule for the fiscal year 2023-2024 was addressed during the presentation, outlining the proposed salary structure for city employees.
Throughout the session, Mr. Huntley and City Manager Jennifer Gomez addressed questions and concerns from the City Council.
Discussion took place.
A public hearing was opened at 6:54 pm. for General Business Item A and closed at 6:54 pm. No public comment was given.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
SECONDER Councilmember Boyer
AYES Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT 0
ABSTAIN 0
B. Public Hearing: Adoption of the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 by Resolution 2023-017
Recommend that the City Council adopt the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 by Resolution 2023-017.
Documents: Proposed Budget for FY 2023-24 Budget Book
Resolution 2023-017
A public hearing was opened at 6:56 pm. and closed at 6:56 pm. No public comment was given.
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. Public Hearing: Consider Resolution 2023-018 approving the 2023- 2024 Appropriations Limit
Recommend that the City Council adopt Resolution 2023-018 establishing Fiscal Year 2023-24 Appropriations Limit.
Documents:
1. Schedule A: Appropriations Limit Calculation for the Fiscal Year Ending 6/30/2024
2. California Department of Finance Price & Population Letter May 2023
3. Resolution 2023-018 Fiscal Year 2023-24 Adoption of
Appropriation Limit
A public hearing was opened at 6:59 pm. and closed at 6:59 pm. No public comment was given.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER Councilmember Boyer
SECONDER Councilmember Gomez
AYES Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT 0
ABSTAIN 0
D. Adoption of the Salary Schedule for Fiscal Year 2023-24 by Resolution 2023-019
Recommend that the City Council adopt the Salary Schedule for Fiscal Year 2023-24 by Resolution 2023-019.
Documents: Resolution 2023-019
Attachment A: Salary Schedule
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
E. Public Hearing: Resolution 2023-022 Adopting Tax Rate of Commercial Cannabis Related Business in the City of Farmersville for the Fiscal Year 2023-24
Recommend that the City Council approve Resolution 2023-022 adopting Tax Rate of Commercial Cannabis Related Business in the City of Farmersville for the Fiscal Year 2023-24.
Documents: Resolution 2023-022
City Manager Jennifer Gomez gave a presentation and overview of Ordinance 484, which pertains to the Business Tax on Commercial Cannabis Businesses. Ms. Gomez briefly discussed the existing tax rates, explaining that the current rate for Cultivation is $7.00 per square foot, while all other cannabis businesses have a tax rate of 5% of their gross receipts. Ms. Gomez recommends that the Council maintain the current tax rate.
She emphasized that the existing rate remains competitive when compared to neighboring cities. In response to the presentation, Councilmember Gomez raised an inquiry about the State's potential interest in obtaining cannabis tax revenue from the City.
A public hearing was opened at 7:04 pm. and closed at 7:04 pm. No public comment was given.
RESULT APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
SECONDER Councilmember Gomez
AYES Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT 0
ABSTAIN 0
9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Hinojosa expressed ongoing concerns regarding the hedge at the corner of Ash, as it obstructs visibility when pulling out onto the road. Additionally, he raised concerns about the presence of weeds and goat heads throughout the city. Mr.
Hinojosa requested that someone from the city contact the Library to address weed maintenance on their premises. He also inquired about the faded red curbing found in various locations across the city. Another query from Mr. Hinojosa pertained to the availability of cooling centers for seniors during the upcoming summer. Additionally, he asked about the Library's operating hours, suggesting an additional day of operation.
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen mentioned the possibility of utilizing signs near the red no parking curbs. City Manager Gomez informed Mr. Hinojosa that the library's financial capabilities determine the current operating schedule.
Councilmember Boyer inquired about the fence at the Shasta and Visalia Rd corner.
City Engineer Kevin Gross informed the Council that the fence at that location has already been fixed. Mr. Boyer also reminded the City Engineer to have maps made for the City Hall lobby where the street, alley, and ADA improvements will occur. Mr. Boyer also thanked staff for their work during the Memorial Day Parade. He also inquired about the possibility of speed bumps to help with speeding traffic throughout the City.
Councilmember Gomez has concerns regarding speeding traffic by the High School. He also informed the Council that the Tulare County Regional Transit meeting has been postponed.
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos informed the Council that he went on a tour of the WWTP.
He also inquired about the reduced times for the swim program at the High School.
Mayor Hernandez raised inquiries regarding the swim program's policy of limiting pool usage to residents only. She also sought information about the paving of roads and the expected lifespan of the newly paved roads. Engineer Kevin Gross responded that typically, the roads last between 5 to 10 years. Additionally, Mayor Hernandez informed the staff about non-functional streetlights on the west side of Farmersville Blvd. She also expressed concerns regarding the prevalence of weeds throughout the city.
Furthermore, Mayor Hernandez brought attention to the issue of graffiti within the town.
Police Chief Brock informed the Council about the challenges faced in enforcing measures against graffiti.
10. Staff Communications:
City Manager Jennifer Gomez informed the Council that she attended the ICSC conference in Las Vegas, where she gained valuable insights and information.
Additionally, she updated the Council by sharing that the Administration staff recently received plans pertaining to the establishment of a Domino's Pizza in the city.
Director of Finance and Administration Steve Huntley reminded the Council to complete their cyber training.
City Engineer Kevin Gross informed the Council that the street project will be out to bid this week.
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen informed the Council that the water park gets closed when there is a possibility of thunderstorms.
Battalion Chief Jim Thomas updated the Council on the progress of the new Fire Station construction by informing them that he would conduct a site visit with four potential contractors at the designated site. Additionally, he shared the news of the recruitment of six new volunteers. Chief Thomas further explained that he currently has two fire rigs and firefighters attending fire training.
Police Chief Jay Brock let the Council know that two Code Enforcement Officers are in the background process.
11. Future Agenda Items
1. Amend Ordinance – Temporary Outdoor Use Permits
12. Adjourn To Closed Session
Mayor Hernandez adjourned to closed session at 7:47pm.
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) & (e)(3) – 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:
Police Officers Association
International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 517
C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) – 1 potential case D. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: APNs 111-190-028, 111-190-029, 111-190-038
Agency Negotiators: Jennifer Gomez and Michael Schulte
Negotiating Parties: Asky Property LLC
Under Negotiation: Terms and Price
E. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Title: City Manager
13. Reconvene to Open Session:
Mayor Hernandez reconvened session at 9:45pm
14. Closed Session Report (if any):
Item A - Conf w/ legal counsel. Action Taken: By unanimous vote, Council voted, on advice of counsel, to direct staff to reject the claim. City Attorney to prepare/serve rejection letter within deadline (60 days).
Item B- no action to report
Item C - Potential Litigation. Action taken. By unanimous vote, Council voted to direct staff to satisfy the emergency order of temporary equipment for the City Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Item D- no action to report.
Item E- Performance Evaluation- continued to next Closed Session.
15. Adjournment:
Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting at 9:47pm.
Respectfully submitted ,
Rochelle Giovani, City Clerk
Strong Roots…..Growing Possibilities