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, October 23, 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: 845 5135 8492
Password: 344462
1. Call to Order: 6:00 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: Councilmember Boyer
4. Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Hernandez
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.
Charles Woody, the owner of Platinum Connection, provided an update on the ongoing construction at Platinum Connection. He informed the Council that the sewer and water plans were being completed, SCE has set up electrical boxes at the rear of the building, concrete has been poured inside the building, and troubleshooting is underway for the electrical systems inside the building.
Al Vanderslice, residing at 737 E. Costner St., voiced concerns regarding the timeframe within which Code Enforcement provides residents to correct Code Violations. He also expressed concerns about the Citation processing. Mr. Vanderslice would also like to request that Code Enforcement Officers visit the residence and inform the resident of the violation before issuing a citation for correction.
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 October 9, 2023.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of October 9, 2023
C. Finance Update for September 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 (2023/2024); and
2. Accept the Investment Summary as presented for the period. This reporting period represents investment summary for the previous month.
Documents: September 2023 Warrant Register
Investment Summary September 2023
D. Update of Salary Schedule for Fiscal Year 2024 by Resolution 2023- 048 to add the new position of Technical Services Clerk Lead (TSCL) Recommend that the City Council update the Salary Schedule for Fiscal Year 2023-24 by Resolution 2023-048 to add the Technical Services Clerk Lead (TSCL) position to the Police Department.
Documents: Updated Salary Schedules for Fiscal Year 2023-24 Resolution 2023-048
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 Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
AYES Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Hinojosa
ABSENT 0
ABSTAIN Boyer
8. General Business
A. Public Hearing: Close-Out of the 2020 CDBG Community Development Planning Activity – Environmental Clearance and Engineering Planning for Alley Improvement Project and adopt Resolution 2023-047
Recommend that the City Council adopt Resolution 2023-047 acknowledging the accomplishments and confirming activity completion of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Community
Development Planning Activity: Environmental Clearance and Engineering Planning for the Alley Improvement Project.
Documents: Resolution 2023-047
City Manager Jennifer Gomez presented the Council with background information related to the 2020 CDBG Community Development Planning for the Alley Improvement Project closeout. Ms. Gomez reminded the Council that the project encompassed a Topographic Survey and Base Mapping, Utility Coordination, Plans, Specifications, Estimates, Technical Studies, a Categorical Exclusion Checklist, and compliance with CEQA. She concluded that the review and adoption of Resolution 2023-047 confirms and acknowledges the completion of the 2020 CDBG Planning and Technical Assistance grant.
A public hearing was opened at 6:13 pm and closed at 6:13 pm with no comment.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER Councilmember Boyer
SECONDER Councilmember Gomez
AYES Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT 0
ABSTAIN 0
B. Public Hearing: Development Impact Fees Report for FY 2022-23 Recommend that the City Council conduct a public hearing to receive public comment on the attached Annual and Five-Year Reports for Development Impact Fees (DIF) related to Government Code 66006 (b)(2) and then to review and accept the report at the conclusion of the public hearing by adopting Resolution 2023-046.
Documents: Resolution 2023-046
Annual and Five-Year Reports for DIF
Appendix A: Development Fee Acct. Summary
Appendix B: Summary of Projects
Appendix C: New DIF Structure
Director of Finance and Administration Steve Huntley presented the Council with the following report regarding the Development Impact Fees for FY 2022-23. Mr. Huntley reminded the Council that Development Impact Fees for the City of Farmersville are a part of the City's Municipal Code, intended for "mitigating the impacts caused by new development throughout the City." Mr. Huntley attached a copy of the Annual and FiveYear reports for Development Impact Fees for the Council to review. Mr. Huntley answered questions from the Council.
Councilmember Boyer had concerns and questions regarding the Urban Water Management Plan and the reporting guidelines. Mr. Huntley informed the Council that reporting is not necessary until 2025 unless our number of water connections or housing changes.
A public hearing was opened at 6:22 pm and closed at 6:22 pm with no comments.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER Councilmember Boyer
AYES Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT 0
ABSTAIN 0
C. Public Hearing: Update Cannabis Dispensary Fees by Resolution 2023-045
Recommend that the City Council conduct a public hearing to receive public comment on the attached new fee schedule for Cannabis Businesses by Resolution 2023-045 to be added to the Comprehensive Fee Schedule of the City of Farmersville.
Documents: Resolution 2023-045
Steve Huntley, Director of Finance and Administration, discussed the regulations pertaining to Commercial Cannabis Businesses. Mr. Huntley informed the Council that costs related to the compliance process have changed, prompting a revision of fees.
The annual renewal fee for the City's cannabis businesses will increase from $10,000 to $12,200 per year to cover the expenses associated with audit and compliance checks conducted by our consultant, HDL Companies. Mr. Huntley addressed questions from the Council.
A public hearing was opened at 6:26 pm and closed at 6:26 pm with no comments.
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
9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Hinojosa raised ongoing concerns about speeding traffic at the Ash and Farmersville Blvd intersection. He inquired about potential solutions, like the installation of a flashing light.
Councilmember Boyer voiced his concerns about speeding vehicles at the Ash and Farmersville Blvd intersection. He expressed gratitude to the Code Enforcement for their recent graffiti removal and weed abatement efforts, mentioning that the city's appearance has improved. Mr. Boyer also thanked the Public Works department for their assistance during the Sports Park Clean Up. He further thanked Public Works for their continued work at Roy's Park.
Councilmember Gomez attended a TCRTA (Tulare County Regional Transit Agency) meeting, during which discussions were held regarding the selection of a new executive director. During the meeting, Mr. Gomez also expressed concerns about the replacement of multiple streetlights on Farmersville Blvd. He noted that this streetlight issue has been discussed in several Council meetings but has yet to be resolved.
Furthermore, Mr. Gomez voiced concerns about a recent hit-and-run accident at the intersection of Petunia and N. Ventura Ave. and suggested the installation of a threeway stop.
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos is concerned about the insufficient lighting on Farmersville Blvd, and he pointed out that several streetlights are not working. Additionally, Mr.
Valdovinos has requested increased patrolling in Downtown Farmersville.
Mayor Hernandez expressed concerns about the lack of lighting on Farmersville Blvd.
Ms. Hernandez also raised concerns about multiple break-ins at the storage facility.
Police Chief Brock informed the Council that the break-ins are currently under investigation. He also advised the storage facility owner to consider installing new cameras or alarms to enhance security.
10. Staff Communications:
City Manager Gomez briefed the Council on the Tree Planting Event that occurred on Friday, October 20th. She shared that around 100 children participated in the event, and that 5 trees were successfully planted through the Freedom Field grant.
Director of Finance and Administration Steve Huntley informed the Council that the yearly audit has started. Mr. Huntley also advised the Council that he recently was a part of the interview process for the TCRTA (Tulare County Regional Transit Agency) Finance Manager.
City Engineer Elsia Mejia updated the Council on her active involvement in the transition process as the new City Engineer.
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen informed the Council that he would resolve the issues with the broken streetlights.
Battalion Chief Thomas reported to the Council that the Fire Water Tender was present at a controlled burn last Friday. The Water Tender performed efficiently, and he expressed anticipation in supporting other agencies in the future.
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 Hernandez adjournment the meeting at 6:41 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rochelle Giovani, City Clerk
Strong Roots…..Growing Possibilities