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, March 11, 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: 897 8573 7124
Password: 427719
1. Call to Order: 6:00 pm
2. Roll Call:
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Tina Hernandez Mayor Present 6:00pm
Danny Valdovinos Mayor Pro Tem Present 6:00pm
Greg Gomez Council Member Present 6:00pm
Paul Boyer Council Member Present 6:00pm
Armando Hinojosa Council Member Present 6:00pm
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.
Freddy Espinoza, a resident of Farmersville, shared his concerns about the upkeep of City Parks. He proposed that the City should seek bids from external parties for park maintenance, relieving the City of this responsibility.
Miguel Santana, residing at 836 W. Harold in Farmersville, also supports the idea of outsourcing the maintenance of City Parks.
Mr. Espinoza, residing at 631 Brundage in Farmersville, supports the outsourcing for the maintenance of City Parks.
David Lemeke, a resident of Farmersville, has raised concerns about the newly completed ADA compliance sidewalks, particularly at 498 N. Camelia.
Carlos Nevarez, Principal of Snowden Elementary, expressed gratitude to the City for the sidewalk improvements, noting that they provide safer routes and cleaner surroundings for residents. He also extended thanks to Councilmember Gomez and Councilmember Boyer for consistently keeping him informed about ongoing projects in the City.
Ricardo Maldonado, a Farmersville resident, expressed concerns with the upkeep of the Soccer Fields.
Charles Woody, CEO of Platinum Connections, provided an update on the progress towards opening Platinum Connections. He informed the Council that they are still awaiting a contract date from SCE. A down payment has been made for the completion of water/sewer services, and the storm drain has been completed.
Veronica Torrez, a resident of Farmersville supports the outsourcing for the maintenance of City Parks. Ms. Torrez also voiced concerns regarding the Police Department.
Crystal Rodriguez, a Farmersville resident, voiced support for outsourcing the maintenance of City Parks. She also raised an inquiry about the crosswalk at Freedom Elementary. Additionally, Ms. Rodriguez expressed opposition to the Road Diet initiative.
Marissa Torrez, a Farmersville resident, thanked staff for all of their hard work. Ms.
Torrez inquired about the possibility of getting lights for the soccer fields.
6. Presentations:
A. Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Financial Statements
Steve Huntley, the director of Finance and Administration, and Anthony Gonzalez, CPA and supervisor at Price Paige & Company, delivered a PowerPoint presentation to the Council. The presentation covered a comprehensive review of the Financial Statements, encompassing the Independent Auditor’s Report, Management Discussion and Analysis, basic financial statements, and supplemental information. Mr. Huntley and Mr.
Gonzalez answered questions from the Council.
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 February 26, 2024 Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of February 26, 2024
C. Approve Flyover Request for the 2024 Annual Memorial Day Parade Recommend that the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the attached Request for Military Aerial Support application.
Documents: Request for Military Aerial Support application D. Lease Agreement with Community Services and Employment Training (CSET)
Recommend that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute the Lease Agreement with CSET.
Documents: Lease Agreement
Councilmember Boyer pulled item 7C due to a conflict of interest.
Motion to approve items 7A,7B & 7D.
RESULT APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER Councilmember Boyer
AYES Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT 0
ABSTAIN 0
Councilmember Boyer recused himself from item 7C.
Motion to approve item 7C.
RESULT APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
AYES Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Hinojosa
ABSENT 0
ABSTAIN Councilmember Boyer recused himself
8. General Business
A. Review Draft Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2024/2025 through Fiscal Year 2028/2029
Recommend that the City Council review Draft Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2024/2025 through Fiscal Year 2028/2029 as presented by staff.
Steve Huntley, Director of Finance and Administration, shared a PowerPoint presentation with the Council. In his presentation, Mr. Huntley discussed the draft Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for fiscal years 2024/2025 through 2028/2029. He covered various aspects, including the CIP and Capital Budget by departments, CIP and Capital Budget by Fund, and updates on Measure Q and ARPA funding. Mr.
Huntley answered questions from the Council.
Councilmember Boyer would like the “live” working spreadsheet sent to his email.
Councilmember Gomez inquired about the possibility of examining the structure of the lease on the Police vehicles to save money.
The Council also wanted to possibly delay the construction of the Corporation Yard and reallocate funds from the Community Swim Program to the Boys & Girls Club.
The Council directed staff to bring it back to a future Council meeting.
The Council took a break from 8:11 pm to 8:17 pm.
B. Resolution 2024-008 Establishing the Maximum Number of Cannabis Dispensaries Permitted to Operate in the City
Recommend that the City Council adopt Resolution 2024-008 increasing the maximum number of cannabis dispensaries permitted to operate in the City from three (3) to five (5).
Documents: Resolution 2024-008
City Manager Jennifer Gomez proposed to the Council the option of raising the number of cannabis dispensaries from 3 to 5. She pointed out that while there's still high demand, there has been a recent decrease in sales due to nearby communities opening their dispensaries. Ms. Gomez suggested that increasing the number of dispensaries could help boost the city's sales tax revenue, generate more employment opportunities, and attract other businesses to develop along the highway. Additionally, she mentioned receiving inquiries from others interested in opening new cannabis dispensaries.
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos does not agree with increasing the maximum number of cannabis dispensaries from three (3) to five (5).
Mayor Hernandez opposes the proposal to increase the maximum number of cannabis dispensaries from three (3) to five (5). She prefers to wait until Platinum Connections opens and assess the revenue generated from the third dispensary.
Councilmember Boyer opposes additional cannabis dispensaries. He believes approving more dispensaries would create challenges for our existing ones to succeed.
Councilmember Gomez is open to the idea of more cannabis dispensaries. He reminded the Council of these dispensaries' vital role in sustaining the City during COVID.
Councilmember Hinojosa is against the expansion of cannabis dispensaries at this time.
He proposes waiting for Platinum Connections to open before reconsidering the possibility of adding more permits.
Charles Woody, CEO of Platinum Connections opposes the proposal to increase cannabis dispensaries.
Jennifer Mendonca, owner of Token Farms, is against the proposal to expand the number of cannabis dispensaries. She highlighted that Token Farms has successfully passed their audit and ranks in the top 10 for sales. Despite this, she noted a decrease in revenue and urged the City to wait for Platinum Connections to open before making any decisions. Ms. Mendonca suggested assessing the numbers by the 3rd or 4th quarter to make informed choices about further permits.
City Attorney Mike Schulte informed the Council that they do not have to vote by resolution to oppose the additional permits, that they can table the item until further notice.
The Council directed the Staff to bring the item back at a further date. No vote was taken.
9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Hinojosa raised concerns regarding the accuracy of the minutes from February 26, 2024, explicitly referencing a quote from Mayor Hernandez. Mayor Hernandez confirmed that the minutes were accurate. Additionally, Mr. Hinojosa inquired about the broken panels at the Boys and Girls Club, seeking a solution to address the issue. Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen clarified that the City has explored multiple solutions to address the issue, but they all come with significant costs. Mayor Hernandez suggests involving the Boys and Girls Club in holding the children responsible for damaging the panels. Additionally, Mayor Hernandez proposes including provisions in the Boys and Girls Club contract to address damages to City property.
Councilmember Boyer thanked Public Works and SCE for fixing the two lights at Costner and Farmersville Blvd. Mr. Boyer also mentioned that there is a light at Farmersville Blvd. and Pepper that needs to be fixed.
Councilmember Gomez informed the Council that he was appointed to the League of California Policy Committee. Additionally, he told the Council that he would be attending a meeting in Burbank March 21.
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos inquired about any developments regarding animal control.
City Manager Jennifer Gomez informed the Council that she had spoken with John Lollis, the Assistant City Manager for Visalia, who will now oversee animal control for the City. Ms. Gomez informed the Council that she would be meeting with him soon.
Mayor Hernandez complained about her neighbors constantly letting their dogs run free.
10. Staff Communications:
City Manager Jennifer Gomez shared several important updates with the Council.
Firstly, she reminded them about the litter clean-up scheduled for Saturday, March 16th, coinciding with the "Dump Your Junk" event at Roy’s Park on the same day. Secondly, Ms. Gomez informed the Council about the pending Federal Budget Appropriation of $500,000, which is expected to be signed soon by the President and allocated for the Street Lighting Project. Additionally, Ms. Gomez announced that the grand opening of Los Arroyos will take place on April 4th at 11:00, followed by lunch. Lastly, she mentioned her attendance at the ICSC conference in March during the next Council meeting.
Public Works Director Jeff Dowlen updated the Council, stating that the WWTP equipment is expected to be delivered within the next couple of weeks. He also mentioned that Public Works is currently in the process of installing bleachers at Veterans Park. Furthermore, he informed the Council that park maintenance has been affected by ongoing work at Veterans Park and Roy’s Park. Once these projects are finished, work in downtown along Farmersville Blvd will begin.
Battalion Chief Thomas informed the Council that Code Enforcement has finished Module II class.
Police Chief Brock informed the Council that the individual threatening residents with a gun has been taken into custody.
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. Adjourn to Closed Session:
Mayor Hernandez adjourned to closed session at 9:21 pm.
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
B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(4): 1 case
C. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Attorney
D. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency designated representative: Mayor Tina Hernandez
Unrepresented employee: City Manager
E. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Title: City Manager
13. Reconvene to Open Session:
Mayor Hernandez reconvened to open session at 11:53pm.
14. Closed Session Report (if any):
Attorney Michael Schulte reported that no action was taken for Items 12A, 12C, 12D, and 12E.
Item 12B- Action Taken: Council voted unanimously by roll call vote (1st Hernandez; 2nd Valdovinos) to withdraw prior instructions to City Attorney to file Complaint regarding the Wastewater Treatment Plant - Claim 2. Council authorized the City Attorney to coordinate with the City Manager and participate in pending mediation to which all litigation parties have agreed. The Council further authorized City Attorney to re-institute tolling agreements as necessary to preserve claims.
15. Adjournment:
Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting at 11:54pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rochelle Giovani, City Clerk
Strong Roots…..Growing Possibilities