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, November 13, 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: 820 7139 1332
Password: 839669
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: 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.
Charles Woody, the owner of Platinum Connection, provided an update on the ongoing construction at Platinum Connection. He informed the Council that electrical, concrete and the sign have been completed. They are still waiting for a response from Southern California Edison.
Mr. Lempke, a Farmersville resident, reviewed various issues with the Council.
6. Presentations:
A. Introduction & Badge Pinning of Officer Jahni Newhauser and Promotion of Corporal Diego Corona Chief Brock introduced and gave a brief history of Officer Newhauser’s accomplishments to the Councilmembers. Officer Newhauser’s brother pinned him with his officer badge.
Chief Brock introduced Corporal Diego, highlighting his history and achievements within the City. Corporal Diego's father pinned him with his promotional badge.
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 October 23, 2023.
Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of October 23, 2023
C. Request by Farmersville Kiwanis for Special Event Funding for Fiscal Year 2023-24 Recommend that the City Council review and approve a request from Farmersville Kiwanis in the amount of $1,310.
Documents: Event Funding Application
Motion to approve items 7 A-C
Councilmember Boyer abstained from item C due to his membership in Kiwanis.
RESULT
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER
Councilmember Hinojosa
SECONDER
Councilmember Gomez
AYES
Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Hinojosa
ABSENT
0 ABSTAIN
Boyer
D. Approve Contract with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sequoias for Youth Services in the amount of $100,000 Recommend that the City Council approve the contract with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sequoias for Youth Services in the amount of $100,000.
Documents: Boys & Girls Club Agreement
Councilmember Hinojosa pulled item 7D for further discussion.
City Manager Jennifer Gomez reminded the Council that the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) subrecipient agreement with the Boys & Girls Club expired in 2022. Despite this, the City continues to uphold a contract with the Boys & Girls Club for Youth Services, amounting to $100,000. Ms. Gomez also provided a copy of the contract for their review.
Councilmember Hinojosa expressed concerns regarding the hours of operation at the Boys & Girls Club. Mr. Hinojosa recalls from a previous Council meeting that there was an understanding the Club would be open during evening hours.
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos also understood that the Boys & Girls Club would be open one night a week for residents to use the facilities.
City Manager Jennifer Gomez informed the Council that the contract under review does not provide a breakdown of hours of operation. She assured the Council that she would follow up with Galen Quenzer, the Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club, to gather more information on this matter.
Attorney Michael Schulte clarified to the Council that voting on this item would not impact the questions related to hours of operation. He further advised the Council that the City Manager could follow up with the Boys & Girls Club and include the matter on a future agenda for discussion.
Motion to approve consent item 7D.
RESULT
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER
Councilmember Boyer
SECONDER
Councilmember Gomez
AYES
Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer
ABSENT
0 ABSTAIN
Hinojosa
8. General Business
A. Appointment to Planning Commission for Unexpired Term Recommend that the City Council appoint Araceli Ochoa to the Planning Commission for an Unexpired Term.
Documents: Ochoa Application
City Manager Jennifer Gomez addressed the Council regarding a vacancy on the Planning Commission resulting from Councilmember Hinojosa's elevation to the City Council. Ms. Gomez informed the Council that the City Clerk’s Office had recently received an application for the vacancy from Araceli Ochoa, and this application is attached to the agenda for their review. She recommended that the Council appoint Ms. Ochoa to the vacant seat on the Planning Commission.
Motion to pass as presented.
RESULT
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER
Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
AYES
Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT
0 ABSTAIN
0 B. Discussion and Direction on Animal Control Contracted Services Recommend that the City Council provides direction on contracting for Animal Control services and sheltering.
Documents: 2018 Agreement with City of Visalia
City Manager Jennifer Gomez provided an overview of our existing contract with Visalia Animal Control. Additionally, she mentioned that she had contacted several other cities to explore the possibility of alternative services. Ms. Gomez informed the Council that these cities are currently facing capacity issues and cannot accommodate additional animals. Furthermore, she noted that smaller nearby cities already have contracts with larger municipalities. Given the state laws in place, a decision must be made promptly to ensure the City remains compliant. Ms. Gomez is seeking guidance from the Council on Animal Control Services.
Discussion took place.
The Council requests an activity report from City of Visalia Animal Control for review at the upcoming meeting. Additionally, they desire to address topics such as Spayed and Neutering and the Animal Control ordinance as part of an agenda item.
The Council proposes the following amendments to the existing contract:
1. Designate one employee for both Farmersville and Exeter.
2. Assign an animal control employee to patrol the City of Farmersville.
3. House the animal control employee at the City of Farmersville when space permits.
4. Ensure that the City of Visalia consistently provides field services, irrespective of staffing levels.
All other requests are in the current Animal Control contract.
Alice Lopez, a Farmersville resident, is advocating for cost savings from the City of Visalia, emphasizing that we are a smaller city. She specifically disagrees with the policy of having dogs neutered before they are picked up at the Animal Shelter.
David Lempke, a resident of Farmersville, inquired about the possibility of the City establishing its own Animal Shelter. He suggested using volunteers to run the facility and seeking donations to support its operations.
9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Boyer inquired about cleaning and landscaping the Museum & Event Center before the Christmas Tree Lighting event. He also volunteered to trim the Christmas Tree for the occasion. Additionally, Mr. Boyer expressed gratitude to Code Enforcement for their efforts in graffiti cleanup across the city. He inquired about possibly commissioning a mural at Armstrong Park to deter graffiti. Councilmember Boyer informed the Council about a chiming clock installed by the City of Lindsay in their downtown area and expressed interest in exploring the possibility of having a similar clock at the Farmersville Church Museum.
Councilmember Gomez informed the Council that he would be presiding over the TCRTA (Tulare County Regional Transit Agency) meeting on Wednesday. He also stated that a General Manager should be appointed at this meeting. Mr. Gomez also reminded the Council that a mural used to be at Armstrong Park.
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos wanted updated information regarding the potholes at Oakview. He also reminded the Council to bring a toy for this year’s Toy Drive.
10. Staff Communications:
The City Manager informed the Council that she signed a task order with 4Creeks to prepare a study to recommend intersection safety for Farmersville Blvd at Ash Street and Petunia Street at Ventura Avenue. Ms. Gomez also mentioned that she will explore our existing mural ordinance.
Chief Brock informed the Council that he applied for and became the first to be accepted into the ABLE (Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement) program in Tulare County. He emphasized that this initiative aims to reduce mistakes, prevent misconduct, and promote the health and wellness of law enforcement personnel.
11. Future Agenda Items
Amend Ordinance – Temporary Outdoor Use Permits
Review of Cannabis Cultivation
Site Visits to Woodlake, Exeter, and Lindsay
Water Restrictions
Update City Ordinances related to Code Enforcement
Reopening Two-way Traffic on E. Citrus at Freedom Drive Transit Services with Visalia Transit and TCRTA
12. Adjournment:
Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting at 7:16 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rochelle Giovani, City Clerk
Strong Roots…..Growing Possibilities