Tina Hernandez, Mayor
Danny Valdovinos, Mayor Pro Tem
Gregorio Gomez, Council Member
Paul Boyer, Council Member
Armando Hinojosa, Council Member
Minutes
Farmersville City Council
Regular Meeting
Monday, August 12, 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: 872 1662 8119
Password: 984759
1. Call to Order: 6:00 pm
2. Roll Call:
Title Status Arrived
Mayor Hernandez Present 6:00 pm
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos Present 6:00 pm
Council Member Gomez Present 6:00 pm
Council Member Boyer Present 6:00 pm
Council Member Hinojosa Present 6:00 pm
3. Invocation: Mayor Hernandez
4. Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Hernandez
5. Public Comment: none given
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.
6. Presentations:
Recognition of the Public Works Department
Chief Jay Brock introduced Maria Alvarez and commended her for her 32 years of service with the City of Farmersville.
Chief Jay Brock thanked Public Works for all their hard work and dedication to the City of Farmersville during the last couple of months. Each Councilmember thanked and spoke about their appreciation for all of the work they have done to make the City beautiful.
Chief Jay Brock gave Commander Troy Evrett a letter of commendation for stepping into the role of Interim Public Works Director, stating that it was not an easy task but never stepped away from the challenge.
Mayor Hernandez dismissed the Council for a 15-minute recess at 6:11pm for refreshments. Mayor Hernandez started the meeting again at 6:25pm.
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 July 22, 2024 Recommend approval of minutes:
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of July 22, 2024
Draft Action Minutes of August 8, 2024
C. Engagement Letter for Annual Audit
Recommend that the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the engagement letter to commission Price Paige & Co. to perform annual financial audit for FY 2024-25
Documents: Engagement Letter
Motion to approve as presented
RESULT APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER Councilmember Boyer
SECONDER Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
AYES Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT 0
ABSTAIN 0
Ad Hoc Motion to add an item to the City Council Meeting Agenda regarding the consideration of an Emergency Access Gate. This motion also seeks to determine that the agenda item is a matter of health, safety, and welfare for the City of Farmersville.
Motion to approve adding emergency agenda item 8B Emergency Access Gate.
RESULT APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER Mayor Hernandez
SECONDER Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
AYES Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT 0
ABSTAIN 0
8. General Business:
A. Street Sweeping Services Contract
Recommend that the City Council approve the contract for Street Sweeping Services with Sweeping Corp of America.
Documents: Street Sweeping Proposal
Steve Huntley, Director of Finance & Administration, reviewed the contract for street sweeping services provided by Sweeping Corp of America (SCA). He informed the Council that no City employee is licensed to operate the City's street sweeper, as special training and certifications are required. Mr. Huntley presented the costs for street sweeping services: $44,440 once a month and $76,800 twice a month.
After discussion, the Council directed staff to enter into a contract with SCA for once-amonth services, ensuring that the scheduled days do not interfere with trash collection.
Motion to approve as presented.
RESULT APPROVED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER Councilmember Gomez
SECONDER Councilmember Boyer
AYES Hernandez, Valdovinos, Gomez, Boyer, Hinojosa
ABSENT 0
ABSTAIN 0
8B Emergency Access Gate at City Hall.
Councilmember Gomez added agenda item. (Determination made for emergency basis). Motion made by Mayor Hernandez, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos Councilmember Gomez recently participated in a ride-along with the City’s Police Department and observed that the access gate takes several seconds to open when responding to calls. He expressed concern that this delay could hinder timely assistance for a resident needing CPR or an officer requiring backup.
After discussion, Chief Brock stated that he would reach out to other cities to inquire about the gates they use, with the aim of finding a solution that could improve response times.
9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Hinojosa inquired about the possibilities of a water fill station somewhere in the downtown area.
Councilmember Boyer asked if we could host a September 11th memorial at the Cities Museum. City Attorney Mike Schulte told the Council that he would work on this.
Councilmember Gomez thanked the Mayor for planning the Homeless meeting on August 8th. He also mentioned attending the League of California dinner on the same day. Additionally, Mr. Gomez expressed his gratitude to the Fire and Police Departments for their quick response when his daughter was involved in an accident over the weekend.
Mayor Hernandez inquired about possibly getting flags for our downtown decorative poles with past veterans on them. She also mentioned that she recently showed the Church Museum for a possible wedding, which was dusty and full of cobwebs. Public Works Director Steven Thompson told the Council that the Church was pressure washed last week and that he would get a crew over there to clean the inside.
10. Staff Communications:
A. Staff Updates and Reports
City Attorney Mike Schulte let the Council know that if anyone needs to meet with him to contact Rochelle to be added on his calendar.
Public Works Director Steven Thompson updated the Council on several projects:
• The canal gate at Freedom Park has been ordered and is expected to be installed in about two weeks.
• Three additional concrete pours will take place at Roy’s Park. • Sidewalks in the downtown area have been marked with red paint to indicate needed repairs.
• He is currently working on establishing power at Pocket Park. • Tabletops on picnic tables at Jennings Park are being replaced, weeds are being cleared, and lines are being marked on the baseball field.
City Attorney Mike Schulte also reminded the Council about deed restrictions concerning the Sand Lot at Jennings Park and suggested meetings with the family to review the deed. He also mentioned that getting electricity for Sequoia Gateway Amphitheater is on his to-do list.
Councilmember Hinojosa asked about the future Fall Festival at Freedom Field Park.
Chief Brock said that the pavers where the food trucks would park need to be replaced; the ones currently there do not hold the weight of a vehicle.
Director of Finance and Administration Steve Huntley showed drone video clips from the ongoing work being done at the Fire Station, Freedom Field, Hwy 198 and the Transit Center.
Battalion Chief Thomas informed the Council that there were two structure fires on South Magnolia. One house was destroyed, and the other suffered severe damage. He also reported four fires in Deep Creek and noted that fire calls have increased by 10- 11% since last year. Additionally, a fire crew was deployed in Kern County for 16 days.
Battalion Chief Thomas informed the Council that Code Enforcement is having issues with Peoples' Ditch and trash in the canals.
City Attorney Mike Schulte informed the Council that Code Enforcement is currently working on a list of codes that need to be updated. Additionally, he will be visiting the homes of residents whose properties back up to canals to ensure that the areas behind the homes remain clear of any structures, allowing emergency vehicles to access the canals if needed. Mr. Schulte also let the Council know that he will contact Peoples Ditch.
Chief Jay Brock informed the Council that school started last week. Speeding signs are in place on Farmersville Blvd. and Police is keeping a close eye on Noble Ave. by Platinum Connections
11. Future Agenda Items:
Description Responsible Party Agenda Date
Amend Ordinance- Temporary Outdoor Use Permit City Attorney Site Visits to Woodlake, Exeter, and Lindsay Acting City Manager Watering Restrictions Public Works Director
Update City Ordinance related to Code Enforcement City Attorney Transit Services with Visalia Transit and TCRTA City Attorney Downtown Drinking Fountain Public Works Director
Red Curb @ N. Matthew and W. Walnut City Engineer
Pre-Approved ADU Plans and ADU Flyer City Attorney
Self Help to present RE: Single-Family Low-Income Housing Acting City Manager Community Garden City Attorney
Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting to closed session at 7:18pm.
12. Adjournment to Closed Session:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – POTENTIAL LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2): 5 cases
The City Council discussion with City Attorney ligation cases.
Reported out: Motion to add agenda item to authorize the City Attorney to terminate third party services of prior legal counsel. (determination of agenda item requirements met). Motion by Councilmember Gomez, Second by Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos. Unanimous 5-0 vote.
Second motion authorization the City Attorney to terminate all legal services with prior counsel. Motion by Councilmember Gomez, Seconded by Councilmember Boyer. Unanimous 5-0 vote.
B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- POTENTIAL LITIGATION
Authorize Litigation County of Tulare for violation of State election law Discussion of election issue between City Council and City Attorney.
Reported out. Matter tabled to next Council session. Motion by Mayor Hernandez, Second by Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos. Unanimous 5-0 vote.
C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- RE: government tort claim Daniel Padilla
Reported out Council considered claim and voted to reject. Motion by Mayor Hernandez and Second Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos. Unanimous 5-0 vote.
D. Motion to add agenda item to authorize Michael Schulte as Interim City Manager. (determination of agenda item requirements met). Motion by Councilmember Boyer, Second Mayor Hernandez. Unanimous 5-0 vote.
Motion by authorize to Interim City Manager pursuit resolution 2024-051.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos, second Mayor Hernandez.
Unanimous 5-0 vote.
Mayor Hernandez reconvened and adjourned the meeting at. 8:41 pm.
NOTICE TO PUBLIC
The City of Farmersville Civic Center and City Council Chambers comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Anyone needing special assistance please contact City Hall at (559) 747-0458 please allow at least six (6) hours prior to the meeting so that staff may make arrangements to accommodate you.
Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the City’s offices during normal business hours.