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 23, 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: 899 0607 1240
Password: 935416
1. Call to Order: 6:02pm
2. Roll Call:
Title Status Arrived
Mayor Hernandez present 6:01pm
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos present 6:00pm
Council Member Gomez present 6:00pm
Council Member Boyer present 6:00pm
Council Member Hinojosa present 6:00pm
3. Invocation: Pastor Mendez, pastor from Potter House Church in Farmersville
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:
Introduction and Swearing in for Stuart Nickel.
Battalion Chief Jim Thomas introduced Lieutenant Stuart Nickel to the Council. Chief Thomas gave a brief of his history as a firefighter.
A brief recess took place from 6:11pm to 6:17pm.
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 Sept 9, 2024 Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of September 9, 2024
C. Finance Update for August 2024: Warrant Register and Investment Summary
Recommend that the City Council
1. Approve the Warrant Register as presented for the period.
Period represents warrants issued for the current Fiscal Years 2023-24 and 2024-25.
2. Accept the Investment Summary as presented for the period.
This reporting represents an investment summary for the previous month.
Documents: Warrant Register
Treasurer Report
D. Escheatment Funds
Recommend the City Council Escheatment Funds be deposited into the General Fund.
Recommend the approval of Escheatment Funds be deposited into the general fund.
E. 2024 League of Cities Conference- Annual Business Meeting Voting Delegates.
Recommend that the City Council vote and approve Councilmember Gomez to serve as Farmersville’s voting delegate for the Annual Business Meeting during this year’s CA League of Cities Conference and submit the Delegate Alternate Form.
Documents: Council Action
F. Fall Festival Event Funding
Recommend that the City Council review a request from Farmersville Youth Soccer League in the amount of $2,000.
Documents: Application
G. Boys and Girls Club
Recommend Fiscal 24/25 funding $30,000
Consent item 7D was pulled for further review.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Hinojosa, and unanimously approved on items 7A,7B,7E, and 7G.
Consent Item 7C was moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Hinojosa, and abstained by Councilmember Boyer, and was approved 4-0 vote.
Consent Item 7F was moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Hinojosa, and abstained by Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos, and was approved 4-0 vote.
Consent item 7D Escheatment Funds was review by Director of Finance and Administration Steve Huntley who reviewed the State policy regarding the Escheatment policy.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Boyer, and unanimously approved.
8. General Business
A. Annual Measure Q Report for Fiscal Year 2023-24
Discussion Item: City Council discuss the report after a brief Presentation by City staff on the subject.
Documents: Measure Q Annual Report FY 2024
Council Action: No action was taken. Item 8A was for review only.
B. Fiscal Year 2023-24 4th Quarter Financial Update Report as of 6/30/2024 Discussion Item: City Council discuss the report after a brief presentation by City staff on the subject.
Documents: Finance Update
Council Action: No action was taken. Item 8B was for review only.
C. Update on Current City Planning and Development Activities Discussion Item: City Council discuss the information contained in this Report regarding current City Planning activities and provide questions and Comments to staff and consultant.
Council Action: No action was taken. Item 8C was for review only.
D. 2024 Community Development Block Grant (NOFA)
Recommend that the City Council approve the City Manager’s collaboration with Self Help Enterprises to assist the City of Farmersville in preparing a Community Development Block Grant (NOFA) application.
Council Action: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos, seconded by Councilmember Hinojosa, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Hinojosa remarked that the Sports Park is looking good. Mr. Hinojosa also gave a list of items that need to be addressed:
• Hours of Veterans Park Bathrooms. Public Works Director Steven Thompson informed the Council the park bathroom hours are from 7:00am to 8:00 pm. Mr.
Thompson is also looking into only keeping the bathrooms open during events due to homeless individuals living in the bathrooms. Mr. Hinojosa inquired about the possibilities of having porta potties during the day when events are not being held.
• Inquired about having signs put up in the parks that say, “Keep dogs on leashes”.
Chief Brock informed the Council that he could have Code Enforcement start giving citations for unleashed dogs.
• Inquired if we could check into having dog waste systems put in the parks. Public Works Director Steven Thompson said he would look for pricing. • Has concerns for parking down Citrus due to the soccer games. Would like more parking if possible.
• Requested a tip line so residents can call when complaints need to be made. (Example, loud music, neighbors hosting parties.)
• A resident requested one of the old street “Ash” signs. • Would like public works to check the city for missing street signs.
Councilmember Boyer requested that a flyer be posted on the city webpage and social media regarding the 2024 Farmworker Women’s Conference, scheduled for October 31, 2024. Mr. Boyer also inquired about the remaining baseball bleachers for Veterans Park. Public Works Director Steven Thompson informed the Council that he recently located the remaining bleachers and would work on installing them. Mr. Boyer also requested the monthly report from Townsend & Associates.
Councilmember Gomez made the following requests and inquiries:
• Asked Public Works to inspect the stop signs at Birch/Magnolia and Forrest Place.
• Requested an inspection of the park benches at Freedom Sports Park. • Inquired about business loans and grants. City Manager Michael Schulte informed the Council that grants are available and that he would review them with each Councilmember.
• Asked if there are any future plans for the development of the upstairs area at the Community Center and expressed interest in touring the space. • Inquired about the visibility of home addresses throughout the City. • Thanked City staff for their response regarding the website and the posting of possible volunteer opportunities within the City.
• Inquired about the completed list for the Pavement Management System and whether the South Side is included. He specifically requested that Ventura to Farmersville Blvd. and the Trailer Park on the South Side be reviewed. • Also mentioned the need to inspect sidewalks, as wheelchairs are currently unable to use them.
• Inquired about response to an email he sent.
Discussion took place regarding roads and sidewalks.
Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos thanked Public Works for their hard work. He also mentioned attending the Community School Program and expressed concerns about homeless individuals staying at the Church Museum.
Mayor Hernandez inquired about the elevators in the Senior Complex on Farmersville Blvd.
10. Staff Communications:
A. Staff Updates and Reports
1. Review Public Works written report.
City Manager Michael Schulte gave an update regarding Well 3 and the Solar Plant.
City Engineer Elsa Mejia informed the Council that the 2024 Street Improvement design is about 60% complete.
Public Works Director Steven Thompson provided an overview of several projects currently being undertaken by Public Works.
Battalion Chief Jim Thomas informed the Council that the plumbing work at the new Fire Station is nearly complete. He added that concrete will soon be poured, and by the end of October, there should be a structure in place. He also attended the Community School Program meeting.
Police Chief Jay Brock informed the Council that the Police Department is currently working on putting a Citizen Academy together. He is also planning on setting up coffee with a Cop.
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
Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting at 9:20pm. No Closed Session.
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): Authorize to negotiate Brianna Garcia
B. City Attorney Search – (update-discussion)
C. Real Estate Negotiations (update-discussion)
D. TCRTA (discussion
Respectfully submitted,
Rochelle Giovani, City Clerk