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, February 26, 2024 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: 854 5739 1839
Password: 859673
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
Absent
Greg Gomez
Council Member
Present
6:00 pm
Paul Boyer
Council Member
Absent
6:00 pm
Armando Hinojosa
Council Member
Present
6:00 pm
3. Invocation: Mayor Hernandez
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.
Veronica Torres, a Tulare resident, addressed the Council to report on her ongoing efforts to clean up Farmersville's Baseball/Softball fields. She expressed concerns regarding the presence of homeless individuals leaving behind meth pipes and human feces. Additionally, she informed them about a stray dog in the area. Ms. Torres emphasized her worries about the safety of children participating in the cleanup efforts.
John Alvarez, a business owner in Farmersville voiced his concerns with the business license fees and process. Mr. Alvarez requests a meeting for clarification.
6. Presentations:
A. Update by GRID Alternatives – Hector Uriarte
Hector Uriarte, a representative from GRID Alternatives, provided an update on their initiatives benefiting Farmersville residents. He informed the Council that they currently have 68 applicants for solar installations, with 26 residents already having received solar panels, while 42 residents are still in the midst of the 6-month process. Additionally, GRID Alternatives plans to aid in providing batteries for solar panels to help reduce costs. Mr. Uriarte thanked the Council for their support over the past five years. He highlighted GRID Alternatives' ability to refer residents to other service providers such as Self Help, CSET, and Proteus for additional assistance. Mr. Uriarte presented the Council with a certificate of recognition for "Outstanding collaborative efforts to promote renewable energy to disadvantaged communities." Mayor Hernandez inquired about the situation regarding solar panels when homes that have received them are sold, mainly whether the new homeowner is responsible for any associated costs. Mr. Uriarte informed the Council that new homeowners are grandfathered in with the existing solar.
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 February 12, 2024 Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of February 12, 2024
C. Finance Update for January 2024: 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 (2023/2024); and Accept the Investment Summary as presented for the period. This reporting period represents investment summary for the previous month.
Documents: January 2024 Warrant Register
Investment Summary January 2024
D. Request by Farmersville Elite Soccer Club for Special Event Funding for Fiscal Year 2023-24 Recommend that the City Council review and approve a request from Farmersville Elite Soccer Club in the amount of $1,050.
Documents: Event Funding Application
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER
Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER
Councilmember Hinojosa
AYES
Hernandez, Gomez, Hinojosa
ABSENT
Valdovinos, Boyer
ABSTAIN
0 8. General Business
A. Consider Approving Resolution 2024-007 adopting Mid-Year Budget Amendment for Fiscal Year 2023-24 Recommend that the City Council approve Resolution 2024-007 adopting the Mid-Year Budget Amendment for Fiscal Year 2023-24.
Documents: Resolution 2024-007
Mid-Year Salary & Benefits
5 Year Capital Improvement Projects
Budget Journal Mid-Year FY2024
Steve Huntley, the Director of Finance and Administration, delivered a PowerPoint presentation to the Council. He provided an overview of the progress made in the current year, discussed proposed changes, and contextualized the budget within the framework of financial health.
Motion to approve Resolution 2024-007.
RESULT
APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER
Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER
Councilmember Hinojosa
AYES
Hernandez, Gomez, Hinojosa
ABSENT
Valdovinos, Boyer
ABSTAIN
0 9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Hinojosa expressed apprehension regarding the introduction of the new police electric bike and sought information on the status of park cameras. Additionally, he requested an update on the recurring issue of panels falling at the Boys and Girls Club. Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen explained to the Council that the panels continue to fall due to children playing and kicking balls at them. Mayor Hernandez emphasized the importance of ensuring that children at the Boys and Girls Club are instructed not to kick balls at the panels.
Councilmember Gomez reported on the Transit Agency retreat he attended.
10. Staff Communications:
Director of Finance and Administration Steve Huntley expressed gratitude to the Council for their patience as he led the meeting.
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen updated the Council on the ongoing installation of bleachers at Veterans Park. He also reminded them that Dump your Junk is scheduled for March 16, 2024. Councilmember Gomez suggested putting a flyer on the City webpage regarding household waste.
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. Adjourn to Closed Session:
Mayor Hernandez adjourned to closed session at 6:56pm.
A. 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:
Miscellaneous Employees
Police Officers Association
International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 517
Mid-Management Employee Association
Department Heads
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2): 1 case CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(4): 1 case
D. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Attorney
13. Reconvene to Open Session:
Mayor Hernandez reconvenes to Open Session at 8:40pm.
14. Closed Session Report (if any):
Item 12C- The Council voted to authorize the City Attorney to file against QK, Inc. related to the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, pending termination of the current tolling agreement between the City and QK. Moved by Councilmember Gomez. Seconded by Councilmember Hinojosa. Roll call vote- all in favor.
15. Adjournment:
Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting at 8:40pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rochelle Giovani, City Clerk
Strong Roots…..Growing Possibilities