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, August 28, 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: 86487142184
Password: 948295
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: Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
4. Pledge of Allegiance: Councilmember Boyer
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.
Dennis Anderson, resident at 815 W. Front St., expressed concerns about the road conditions of Front Street. He also voiced concern about the upkeep of Liberty Park.
John Alvarez, a resident of Farmersville shared a recent incident he experienced on social media.
6. Presentations: none
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 August 14, 2023.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of August 14, 2023
Councilmember Boyer pulled item 7C due to questions.
Motion to approve item 7A-7B as presented.
RESULT APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER Councilmember Boyer
AYES Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT Lopez
ABSTAIN 0
C. Finance Update for July 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 Fiscal Years 2022/2023 and 2023/2024; and
2. Accept the Investment Summary as presented for the period. This reporting period represents investment summary for the previous month.
Documents: July 2023 Warrant Register
Investment Summary July 2023
Councilmember Boyer inquired about a check that was made out to Central Cal Waterworks for $17,950.26. Mr. Boyer also asked the Finance Director if he could supply a graph for the monthly Portfolio Summary.
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen informed Councilmember Boyer that he would follow up with him regarding the Central Cal Waterworks check.
Finance Director Steve Huntley asked for clarification regarding the Portfolio Summary.
Motion to approve as presented. Councilmember Boyer abstained from Self Help Enterprise warrants.
RESULT APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER Councilmember Boyer
SECONDER Councilmember Gomez
AYES Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT Lopez
ABSTAIN Boyer- Self Help Enterprise Warrants
8. General Business
A. Direction on Sports Park Utilities and Funding for Project Recommend that the City Council provide direction on the scope of work for the utilities at the Sports Park and the allocation of additional funds to increase the budget for this capital improvement project.
Documents: Utility Map of Sports Park
City Manager Jennifer Gomez delivered a comprehensive report to the Council concerning the utilities at the Sports Park. In her presentation, Ms. Gomez stressed that the City had prioritized the installation of booster pumps and electrical panels as outlined in the Parks Strategic Plan. She also informed the Council that a Master Plan, developed in collaboration with QK and Sierra Designs, has been devised to address both current electrical needs and future irrigation requirements. Significantly, this project has been divided into two distinct phases: the North Phase and the South Phase.
During her presentation, Ms. Gomez reviewed the total project costs. She highlighted that funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was allocated to cover the entire project, amounting to $200,000. However, upon completing the plan, there is a budget shortfall to complete the project as planned. Ms. Gomez recommends that funds allocated for the Pocket Park project be redirected to complete the Sports Park North Phase.
Discussion took place.
Councilmember Hinojosa inquired about the dollar amount from ARPA. He also wanted to know if there was any other means to fund the remaining funds.
Councilmember Boyer would like to see the North Side of the Sports Park be completed first.
Councilmember Gomez inquired about the possibility of cost-saving measures by reducing work on both the North and South sides of the project to ensure its completion within budget. Additionally, Mr. Gomez expressed his support for prioritizing the project's completion of the North Side first.
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos supports the North Side to be completed first.
Public Comment
Dennis Anderson, a resident of Farmersville inquired about the maintenance and upkeep of the park. He also asked if contractors will be doing the work or the City.
John Alvarez, a resident of Farmersville inquired about the timeline of completion.
City Manager Jennifer Gomez responded to the public comment by explaining that contractors will be responsible for completing the project. She also noted that the project's timeline for completion will be dependent on Southern California Edison's schedule.
The Council instructed to allocate funds initially designated for Pocket Park towards the Sports Park project. The Council prioritized the completion of the park's North side and deferred work on the South side of the park to a future year in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
B. Transfer of the Old City Fire Station Property to the Farmersville Unified School District
Recommended Action: City Council approval is subject to the approval/acceptance of the School District, who may have administerial changes. Thus, staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute the transfer agreement for the transfer of the Old City Fire Station Property to the Farmersville Unified School District, as that Agreement may be amended for administerial changes, subject to the review and approval of the City Attorney’s office.
City Attorney Mike Schulte provided the Council with information regarding selling the Old City Fire Station to the Farmersville Unified School District. Mr. Schulte explained that the sale price of $1.00 was in line with similar transfers. He emphasized that generating revenue from the sale would contradict the "exempt surplus property" designation, which is required to transfer the property to the School District.
Furthermore, Mr. Schulte informed the Council that he and the City Manager are working on finalizing the contract with the school district for this transaction.
During the discussion, Councilmember Hinojosa asked about the Farmersville Unified School District's plans for the building.
Mr. Schulte responded, explaining that the School District intends to use the building as a Family Resource Center.
Councilmember Boyer expressed satisfaction with the School District's purchase of the building and inquired about the status of the fire equipment at the location.
Battalion Chief Thomas updated the Council, stating that the building is currently in the process of being emptied.
Councilmember Gomez approved the School District repurposing the building as a Family Resource Center.
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos shared his excitement about the building being used to benefit residents in Farmersville.
Public Comment
John Alvarez informed the Council that several agencies are preparing to start work at the location.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER Councilmember Boyer
SECONDER Councilmember Gomez
AYES Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT Lopez
ABSTAIN 0
9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Hinojosa informed Public Works that there is graffiti on the ground and picnic tables at Pocket Park. Mr. Hinojosa has concerns with parked cars on both sides of the road at N. Matthew and W. Walnut. He inquired about getting one of the curbs painted for no parking to help move traffic. Mr. Hinojosa also informed Public Works that a large tree branch is blocking the walkway at Sequoia Gate Park by the ditch.
Councilmember Boyer expressed satisfaction with the ongoing road and alley improvement work. Additionally, he raised concerns regarding future road work for Front Street. Mr. Boyer requested that the City Engineer assess the condition of the roads and propose the most effective solutions for optimal results.
Councilmember Gomez provided several updates and inquiries:
He attended a Transit meeting and conveyed the City's interest in having services with TCRTA (Tulare County Rural Transit Agency). He requested statistics on the number of Farmersville residents using transit services.
He expressed gratitude to the Police Department for their efforts in traffic control in front of the high school, noting significant improvements since the start of the school year.
Mr. Gomez inquired about the installation of “No Parking Signs" at Freedom and Walnut.
City Manager Jennifer Gomez said that she would contact Visalia Transit to get a report on transit services for Farmersville. While Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen informed the Council that parking signs have been ordered.
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos informed the Council that there is a Fall Festival meeting this Thursday August 31st at 6:00pm.
10. Staff Communications:
City Manager Jennifer Gomez provided the Council with several important updates: The City of Visalia Animal Control has given a 90-day notice to cease servicing Farmersville.
Ms. Gomez has communicated with Tulare County Animal Control regarding this matter.
She also mentioned that TCAG (Tulare County Association of Governments) is actively seeking Farmersville representatives for Measure R seats. Additionally, Ms. Gomez informed the Council that the Environmental Study for Eagle Meadow has been completed and will be presented at an upcoming Planning Committee meeting and Council meeting.
Councilmember Hinojosa inquired about the possibility of the City of Farmersville hiring its own Animal Control Officer. City Manager Gomez responded, explaining that having an independent Animal Control Officer for the city wouldn't be cost-effective due to the expenses associated with hiring staff and acquiring a vehicle for this purpose. Mr.
Hinojosa inquired about Eagle Meadow.
City Engineer Kevin Gross informed the Council that the Hwy 198 Gateway Beautification Project has gone out to bid. He also let the Council know that Front Street is part of the road project for next year.
Councilmember Boyer expressed concerns about severe cracking on Front Street and stressed the importance of implementing the best possible solution. Mr. Gross, the City Engineer, responded by informing the Council that machines will be used to assess the condition of the streets to ensure that the most effective solution is employed.
Battalion Chief Jim Thomas updated the Council, informing them that the Water Tender had arrived in the City. It will undergo outfitting for radio equipment, graphic designs, and driver training will also be conducted for the vehicle.
11. Future Agenda Items
1. Amend Ordinance – Temporary Outdoor Use Permits
2. Review of Cannabis Cultivation
3. Site Visits to Woodlake, Exeter, and Lindsay
4. Water Restrictions
5. Update City Ordinances related to Code Enforcement
6. Reopening Two-way Traffic on E. Citrus at Freedom Drive
7. Transit Services with Visalia Transit and TCRTA
12. Adjournment:
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos adjourned the meeting at 7:01 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rochelle Giovani, City Clerk
Strong Roots…..Growing Possibilities