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, September 9, 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: 836 7871 3184
Password: 353782
1. Call to Order: 6:05 pm.
2. Roll Call:
Title
Status
Arrived
Mayor Hernandez
present
6:00pm
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos
present
6:00pm
Council Member Gomez
present
6:00pm
Council Member Boyer
present
6:05pm
Council Member Hinojosa
Present
6:00pm
3. Invocation: Mayor Tina Hernandez
4. Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Tina Hernandez
5. Public Comment: Eric Coyne, from Senator Hurtado's office, introduced the City's new field representative. He also mentioned a couple of bills that Senator Hurtado has signed, which they hope will pass soon.
Planning Commissioner Arceli Ochoa expressed hope that Bill 1183, which broadens the admission criteria for registered nursing programs, will pass 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: This item was tabled until the next Council meeting.
Introduction and Swearing in for Fire Lieutenant Stuart Nickels.
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 Aug. 26, 2024 Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of August 26, 2024
Draft Action Minutes of September 3, 2024, Special Meeting C. Adopt Urgency Ordinance 526 prohibiting a convicted felon from holding elective office.
Documents: Ordinance 526
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Boyer, seconded by Councilmember Hinojosa, and unanimously approved items 7A-7B. Councilmember Gomez and Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos abstained from item 7C due to a conflict of interest. Item 7C was moved by Councilmember Boyer, seconded by Councilmember Hinojosa, and passed with a 3-0 vote.
8. General Business
Procure Irrigation Contractor for Roy’s Park
Recommend that the City Council approve the RFP process for the irrigation and landscaping of Roy’s Park.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
Operations and Maintenance Agreement Tulare County and The City of Farmersville Hwy 198.
Recommend that the City Council approve the agreement for the Operations and Maintenance for Hwy 198.
Documents: Agreement
Vicinity Map
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Boyer, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
Fees related to Sierra Woods.
Recommend that the City Council approve the request for the Sierra Woods developer to pay half of the planning and permits fees now, and the remaining half when the City is ready to submit documents to LAFCo.
Documents: Site Plan
Fees
Council Action: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos, seconded by Councilmember Gomez, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
Public Comment- Planning Commissioner Ochoa would like to see more homes with the option of building ADU’s.
Alice Lopez, a resident of Farmersville, requested that the streets be widened to accommodate school buses and emergency vehicles
9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Hinojosa commented on how good the soccer fields look.
Councilmember Boyer attended a Greater Kaweah Groundwater meeting. He also asked whether the City will be purchasing a Vac Truck. Public Works Director Steven Thompson informed the Council that the City has already purchased a new Vac Truck and that employee training for its use is currently underway. Additionally, Councilmember Boyer welcomed Roxanne, the new City field representative from Senator Hurtado’s office.
Councilmember Gomez thanked Public Works for all the work on Farmersville Blvd., stating that it looks beautiful.
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos reminded the Council that the Fall Festival is October 5th. He also thanked the Police Department and Public Works for all of their hard work.
Mayor Hernandez would like to schedule a meeting with the City Manager, Mario Flores from Freedom Elementary, School Social Worker, and Irene Flores, Community Engagement Coordinator with the Farmersville School District, to discuss a grant they received through the California Community Schools Partnership Program.
10. Staff Communications:
A. Staff Updates and Reports
City Manager Mike Schulte reviewed several items:
The City received a grant for the Citrus Drive roundabout.
The City currently has funds available for Jennings Park, and he would like to develop a plan, possibly by meeting with the community to gather ideas on how the funds should be allocated.
Jill Mohler from Blais and Associates has taken a new job and will no longer be working for Blais.
He is also working on a lighting grant to address the dark streets on Brundage.
Blais is looking into a grant for walkways and parkways along canals.
A SAFER grant is in process for the Fire Department.
Mr. Schulte would like to explore grants that would assist homeowners and downtown businesses in maintaining the appearance of their properties.
City Manager Mike Schulte attended several meetings on topics including CDBG, the Fall Festival, the Boys & Girls Club, Smee Homes' developer, Manuel from the School District, SCE, and road repairs. He also had breakfast with the Kiwanis.
Councilmember Gomez requested a list of all the potential developments in Farmersville.
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos inquired about the 2 + 2 meeting with the school district.
Public Works Director Steven Thompson provided the Council with a projected list of all ongoing work in the City. He also informed the Council that the Boys & Girls Club’s A/C has been serviced, paint has been purchased for the park bathrooms, and the sprinklers at Veterans Park have been repaired. Additionally, a maintenance worker has been hired, and interviews will soon be conducted for a Public Works Supervisor.
Councilmember Hinojosa inquired about the Oak tree at Veterans Park. Public Works Director Steven Thompson informed the Council that he would call arborist.
Councilmember Boyer inquired about a new electrical panel and booster pump for Veterans Park. Public Works Director Steven Thompson informed the Council that he is currently working on the placement of the electrical box before looking into the purchase of the electrical panel and booster pump.
Battalion Chief Thomas informed the Council that the fire department is up 140 calls ahead of last year and that the water tender was on the Coffee Pot fire for 14 days.
11. Future Agenda Items:
Description
Responsible Party
Agenda Date
Amend Ordinance- Temporary Outdoor Use Permit & Code
City Manager
Oct. 2024
Water Restrictions
Public Works Director
Transit Services with Visalia Transit and TCRTA
City Manager
TBD
Downtown Drinking Fountain
Public Works Director
Pre-Approved ADU Plans and ADU Flyer
City Manager
TBD
Self Help presents on Programs
City Manager
TBD
Community Garden
City Manager
TBD
Strategic Planning & year end financials
Finance Director
9/23 meeting
Boys & Girls Club funding request
City Manager
9/23 meeting
Council Handbook Update
City Manger
Oct. 2024
12. Adjournment to Closed Session:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – POTENTIAL LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2): 5 cases
No closed session took place. Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting at 7:32pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rochelle Giovani, City Clerk.