Tina Lopez, Mayor
Danny Valdovinos, Mayor Pro Tem Gregorio Gomez, Council Member Paul Boyer, Council Member
Armando Hinojosa, Council Member
Farmersville City Council
Regular Meeting
Monday, July 24, 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: 871 3568 8832
Password: 186357
1. Call to Order: 6:00 pm
2. Roll Call:
Attendee Name
Title
Status
Arrived
Tina Lopez
Mayor
Absent
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: Councilmember Hinojosa
5. Public Comment:
Gabriel Lopez, a resident of Farmersville, inquired about the possibility of getting Armstrong Park football/soccer field leveled so City Leagues can utilize it.
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 Officer Caleb Jones and Corporal Paulino Manzano Chief Brock introduced Officer Caleb Jones and Corporal Paulino Manzano, giving a brief description of their qualifications and background. Each officer had a family member pin their badges on them.
B. Introduction of Code Enforcement Officers Brenda Cercas and Jose Murillo Battalion Chief Thomas introduced Code Enforcement Officers Brenda Cercas and Jose Murillo. He briefly discussed their qualifications and background information. Battalion Chief Thomas expressed confidence in their ability to meet the City’s Code Enforcement Standards.
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 July 10, 2023.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of July 10, 2023
C. Finance Update for June 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: June 2023 Warrant Register
Investment Summary June 2023
D. Authorize to Advertise the Farmersville Gateway Beautification Project for Bidding Purposes Recommend that the City Council authorize staff to advertise the City of Farmersville’s Gateway Beautification Project for bidding purposes.
Motion to approve as presented.
Councilmember Boyer abstained from 7-C warrant register due to Self Help Enterprises.
RESULT
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER
Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER
Councilmember Hinojosa
AYES
Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT
Lopez
ABSTAIN
Councilmember Boyer Self Help Enterprise warrant register
8. General Business
A. Public Hearing: Levy Assessments for Landscape and Lighting Assessment Districts for 2023/2024 Recommend that the City Council conduct the Public Hearing and adopts Resolutions 2023-029 through 2023-041 that accept the engineer’s report and levy the assessments for Farmersville’s Landscape and Lighting Assessment Districts.
Documents: Resolutions 2023-029 through 2023-041
City Engineer Kevin Gross reviewed the landscape and lighting districts. He reminded the Council that the City has 13 landscape and lighting districts which consist of 822 individual lots. He also informed the Council that this is part of the approval process of various subdivisions for maintaining the surrounding landscaping in each subdivision.
Councilmember Gomez raised concerns about the staff report provided in the agenda, stating it was incomplete. Specifically, he pointed out that the Roll of Assessment was missing from the report. Councilmember Gomez inquired why this crucial information was omitted and stressed the importance of including it. Furthermore, he emphasized that the public should have access to this vital information well before the Councilmembers make any decisions or approvals.
City Manager Jennifer Gomez reminded the Council that the recent Engineers’ report had all the Roll of Assessments forms in it, and City Attorney Michael Schulte confirmed that the Council could still move forward with the resolutions even though the information was not present in the agenda.
Councilmember Gomez abstained due to lack of information in agenda packet.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER
Councilmember Boyer
SECONDER
Councilmember Hinojosa
AYES
Valdovinos, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT
Lopez
ABSTAIN
Gomez
B. Award Contract to Clean Cut Landscape for ADA Improvement Project Recommend that the City Council award the construction contract for the Farmersville ADA Improvements to the lowest bidder, Clean Cut Landscape; authorize the Change Order reducing the scope of the project by $106,096.70; and authorize a contingency of $14,465.28 (10%) totaling $159,118.08.
Documents: Bid Proposal Summary
Reduced Scope
Change Order
City Manager Jennifer Gomez delivered a presentation about the ADA Improvement Project. She emphasized to the Council that the project had been scheduled in the City's Capital Improvement Program for the fiscal year 2023/2024. Additionally, Ms. Gomez provided the Council with a detailed map, clearly illustrating the locations where the work would be carried out and how the funds from the awarded contract would be allocated.
Councilmember Boyer was pleased with the decision to relocate a crosswalk to the intersection of Dode Ave. Additionally, he inquired whether the school district had been informed about the upcoming work near the schools.
Councilmember Gomez raised several essential points regarding the ADA Improvement Project. He inquired about the potential expansion of Snowden School and whether this had been taken into consideration during the planning process. Additionally, Councilmember Gomez expressed his desire to revisit sites that are currently not a part of the improvement project to ensure they are not overlooked. To explore additional funding options, he specifically mentioned looking into Safe Routes to School as a possible source for the sites that still need to be worked on. Mr. Gomez emphasized the importance of not forgetting about these sites and ensuring that all relevant locations receive appropriate attention and improvements.
Ms. Gomez informed the Council that the contractors working on the project would maintain open communication with the schools to ensure coordination when the work is being conducted. This way, the schools will be informed and prepared for nearby construction. Ms. Gomez will also be tracking additional improvements that need to be made and bringing information back to the Council as funding permits.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER
Councilmember Boyer
SECONDER
Councilmember Gomez
AYES
Valdovinos, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT
Lopez
ABSTAIN
0 9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Hinojosa informed the Council that a resident raised concerns regarding the need for a crosswalk on Visalia Road. He told the Council that, in response to the resident's inquiry, he had communicated that the City Engineer stated that a crosswalk would not be added to Visalia Road due to safety concerns. However, Mr. Hinojosa did inquire about installing blinking red lights near Sam's Market as a potential safety measure. Mr. Hinojosa spoke with a resident regarding the conditions of W. Front St. Mr. Hinojosa also had questions regarding the Housing Element.
City Attorney Mike Schulte responded to Councilmember Hinojosa’s questions regarding the Housing Element.
Councilmember Boyer is happy to see Hwy 198 Beautification moving along and requested that a rendering of the project be added to the City's website. Mr. Boyer also praised all the work on the curb and gutters throughout the City. Mr. Boyer inquired about the feasibility of installing possible speed bumps at Ash to slow down speeding traffic in that area.
Councilmember Gomez brought up the concern regarding removing trees throughout the City. He inquired about the plan for dealing with the stumps left behind after the tree removal process, specifically asking whether the stumps would be ground down and removed.
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen informed the Council that all the tree stumps are going to be removed and new trees planted.
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos requested an update regarding the stop lights at Walnut and Visalia Rd.
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen informed the Council that staff is working with the City of Visalia to see if the part could be acquired from them. However, if the City of Visalia does not have the required part, an alternative solution would be to purchase a new and updated main controller to resolve the issue with the lights.
10. Staff Communications:
City Manager Jennifer Gomez addressed Councilmember Hinojosa's concerns about the condition of Front Street. She informed him that the resident who raised the issue had already contacted City Staff. Additionally, Ms. Gomez provided an update on the request for streetlight funds, stating that it has passed the first hurdle. However, she explained that it will likely take several months before they receive confirmation on whether the funding will be granted. Furthermore, Ms. Gomez alerted the Council to an essential detail regarding the area near the railroad tracks. Due to the need for permits to be issued by the Railroad, street work will not be conducted within 25 feet on both sides of the tracks.
City Engineer Kevin Gross informed the Council that he brought an example of what the rock and lights would look like at the Hwy 198 Beautification project.
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen provided important updates on ongoing projects. He informed the Council that concrete pouring is scheduled to take place at Roy's Park July 25, 2023. Additionally, Mr. Dowlen shared that street work is currently underway on Farmersville Blvd.
Battalion Chief Jim Thomas provided the Council with an update on recent incidents handled by the Fire Department. He informed them about two recent house fires, one on Shasta Street and another on N. Matthew Street, and two pin-in car accidents. Additionally, Chief Thomas highlighted the extensive efforts made by Code Enforcement over the past two weeks. Several citations were issued throughout the city for various violations, including abandoned cars, unlawful parking, and weed abatement. Furthermore, he mentioned that the Officers are actively addressing the issue of graffiti by visiting residents to address and handle the problem.
Councilmember Boyer mentioned that the Kiwanis is willing to help residents paint over the graffiti if the property owner supplies the paint.
Chief Brock addressed the Council and shared that they have received phone calls concerning citations issued by Code Enforcement. Additionally, Chief Brock informed the Council about an incident over the past weekend where two individuals outside the area were arrested for vandalizing the City with graffiti.
11. Future Agenda Items
Amend Ordinance - Temporary Outdoor Use Permits
Review of Cannabis Cultivation
Site Visits to Woodlake, Exeter, and Lindsay
Water Restrictions
12. Adjourn to Closed Session:
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos adjourned to closed session at 7:03 pm.
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Name of Case: Quad Knopf, Inc. et al. v. Atkins North America, Inc., et al., Kern County Superior Court Case No. BCV-22-102417
13. Reconvene to Open Session:
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos reconvened to open session at 7:50 pm. with nothing to report.
14. Closed Session Report (if any):
15. Adjournment:
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos adjourned the meeting at 7:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted.
Rochelle Giovani, City Clerk
Strong Roots…..Growing Possibilities