Tina Hernandez, Mayor
Araceli Ochoa, Mayor Pro Tem
Gregorio Gomez, Council Member
Paul Boyer, Council Member
Armando Hinojosa, Council Member
Minutes
Farmersville City Council
Regular Meeting
Monday, December 16, 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 9112 1932
Password: 960972
1. Call to Order: 6:00pm
2. Roll Call:
Title
Status
Arrived
Mayor Hernandez
Present
6:00 pm
Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa
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:
Charles Woody from Platinum Connections informed the Council that the grand opening of Platinum Connections will be on December 12, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. He also thanked the City for their patience during the construction process.
Dwight Miller from Exeter Cemetery informed the Council that there are five new board members, three of whom are from Farmersville. He also mentioned that he is in contact with someone who can assist with preserving old Farmersville newspapers by scanning them.
David Lemeke, a resident of Farmersville, voiced his concerns regarding public records requests.
Mr. Ramos, a resident of Farmersville, thanked the Council for all of the progression throughout the City stating he loves the direction.
Mario Flores, a social worker with Farmersville School District, thanked those who participated in the mock job interviews for the new store they have on campus. He also thanked Mayor Hernandez for all the hard work she has put in during her term as Mayor.
Veronica Torres, a member of the softball team and the car club, thanked the Council for their support in maintaining the baseball fields and addressing their requests. She also expressed her gratitude to Mayor Hernandez for her dedication and hard work during her term as Mayor.
Ricardo Maldonado, a resident of Farmersville, thanked the City for all of the support for the new basketball league and soccer league. He also thanked Public Works for maintaining the fields during soccer session. Mr. Maldonado also thanked Mayor Hernandez for all of her hard work.
A resident of Farmersville thanked Mayor Hernandez for all of her hard work and supports her being appointed to Mayor for another term.
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.
City Manager Michael Schulte informed the Council that Special Item 7A, Declaring the Canvass of Returns and Statement of the Election, would be moved to occur before the presentations.
Council Action: It was moved by Mayor Hernandez, seconded by Councilmember Gomez, and unanimously approved with a 5-0 vote.
City Manager Michael Schulte recommended that the City Council appoint Danny Valdovinos to the Planning Commission for an Unexpired Term.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Boyer, seconded by Councilmember Gomez, and unanimously approved with a 5-0 vote.
6. Presentations:
Danny Valdovinos- acknowledgement for service
Mayor Hernandez expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos for his hard work and dedication. She acknowledged his commitment to serving the community and emphasized the importance of his efforts in addressing the needs of the City. Mayor Hernandez praised his teamwork, resilience, and focus on making positive changes that benefit residents and future generations.
Break to recess. (5 minutes)
Mayor Hernandez called break at 6:29pm and continued the meeting at 6:41pm.
Mayor Hernandez opened public comment at 6:41pm.
Roxanne from Senator Hurtado office thanked Mayor Pro Tem Danny Valdovinos for his service as a Councilmember for the past four years. She also congratulated Councilmember Gomez and Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa for their election win.
Jennifer Mendonca, owner of Token Farms thanked Mayor Pro Tem Danny Valdovinos for his partnership for the last four years. She also thanked Mayor Hernandez for her services and supports her appointment of Mayor.
Mid Valley Disposal Presentation
Thomas Hammond and Alfredo Alvarez from Mid Valley Disposal gave a brief presentation covering site assessments, recycling audits, education, CalRecycle updates, cleanup events, and tonnage reports.
7. Special Item:
A. Adopt Resolution 2024-54 Declaring Canvass of Returns and Statement of the Election Results
Recommend adopting Resolution 2024-54
Document: Resolution 2024-54
Council Action: It was moved by Mayor Hernandez, seconded by Councilmember Boyer, and unanimously approved with a 5-0 vote.
B. Administer Oath of Office to Greg Gomez and Araceli Ochoa City Clerk Rochelle Giovani administer the Oath of Office to Greg Gomez and Araceli Ochoa.
C. Reorganization of the City Council- Selection of the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem
Recommend nominating and appointing members to the positions of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem.
City Clerk Rochelle Giovani opened the vote for the reorganization of the City Council.
Councilmember Hinojosa nominated Mayor Hernandez for Mayor, seconded by Councilmember Ochoa. With a 5-0 vote.
Mayor Hernandez nominated Araceli Ochoa for Mayor Pro Tem, seconded by Councilmember Gomez. With a 5-0 vote.
D. City Council Committee Appointments
Recommend that City Council review and appoint City Council Members or staff as representatives to committees and organizations.
8. 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.
Councilmember Gomez pulled consent item 7D.
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.
Minutes of Regular City Council Meeting of November 18, 2024 Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of November 18, 2024
Finance Update for November 2024: Warrant Register and
Investment Summary
Recommend that the City Council
Approve the Warrant Register as presented for the period.
Accept the Investment Summary as presented for the period.
Documents: Warrant Register
Treasurer Report
Council Action: It was moved by Councimember Boyer, seconded by Councilmember Gomez, and unanimously approved with a 5-0 vote. Councilmember Boyer abstain from any Self Help warrants on consent item 7C.
Authorize the City Manager to renew agreement with HdL for professional services related to commercial cannabis policies, procedures, and fee schedules.
Recommend approval of HdL agreement.
Document: agreement
This item was pulled and tabled for a future agenda item.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Mayor Hernandez, and unanimously approved with a 5-0 vote.
9. General Business
A. Eagle Meadows Residential Development Project.
Recommend that the City Council conduct a public hearing and vote to approve the proposed residential subdivision by taking the following actions:
Adopt Resolution No. 2024-53 adopting a Mitigated Negative Declaration as the environmental finding for the project Adopt Resolution No. 2024-54 approving a General Plan land use amendment for the project site Introduce Ordinance No. 527 amending the existing zoning designations for the site Adopt Resolution No. 2024-55 approving Tentative Subdivision Map No. 2022-01.
Document: Resolution No. 2024-057
Resolution No. 2024-058
Resolution No. 2024-059
Ordinance No. 527
Mayor Hernandez opened the public comment at 8:17pm and closed it at 8:25pm.
A resident of Farmersville told the Council how excited she was for Smee homes to be coming to Farmersville.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Mayor Hernandez, and unanimously approved with a 5-0 vote.
Mayor Hernandez called a break at 8:26pm and called meeting back to order at 8:32pm.
ARPA
Recommend that the City Council Adopt Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Amendment #1 via Resolution 2024-05 Document: Resolution 2024-055
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Boyer, seconded by Councilmember Gomez, and unanimously approved with a 5-0 vote.
EIFD/Solar- Information items from City Manager- TBD
City Manager Michael Schulte informed the Council that this was going to be presented at a future agenda.
Sewer Water Impact Fees- Information items from City Manager This item is not an action item. Staff is utilizing this item to update the Council and public on the issue of the Sewer Impact Fees.
Documents: Page 83 of the Report
Table 8.2 from Report
Table 8.3 from Report
City Manager Michael Schulte discussed the Sewer Water Impact Fees with the Council.
9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Hinojosa asked if a camera could be relocated to his neighborhood to address issues with fireworks being set off. Police Chief Brock informed the Council that additional patrols could be arranged and that the camera could be moved into the neighborhood. Councilmember Hinojosa also expressed concerns about residents allowing multiple people to live in their homes, which has led to an increase in parked cars in the neighborhood, limiting parking availability for other residents. Additionally, he would like to see a solution for our water shut-off process.
Councilmember Boyer expressed his gratitude to City Staff for their assistance with the Christmas Tree Lighting event. He also thanked the Public Works team for their efforts in saving the Oak Tree at Veterans Park. Additionally, he informed the Council that over 250 meals were distributed during the food giveaway.
Councilmember Gomez remarked on the successful turnout for the Christmas Tree Lighting and food drive. He also expressed gratitude to the Police Department for their prompt response over the weekend regarding fireworks and their assistance with traffic control at Freedom Elementary. Additionally, he shared that he attended a TCRTA meeting and thanked the voters for granting him another four years as a Councilmember.
Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa will be attending an upcoming Prop 1 meeting. She also thanked the voters for electing her to the Council. Additionally, she thanked Battalion Chief Thomas for assisting a resident during a recent structure fire.
Mayor Hernandez attended the food drive and noted the good turnout. She also thanked City Manager Mike Schulte for handing out free churros at the Christmas Tree Lighting. Additionally, she spoke with one of the City’s Public Works employees, who expressed his love for working for the City. Mayor Hernandez was pleased to hear that employees are happy working for the City.
10. Staff Communications:
A. Staff Updates and Reports
City Engineer Elsa Mejia informed the Council that she is continuing to work on updating the muni code and standards.
Public Works Director Steven Thompson updated the Council on work that is being done around the City.
City Engineer Tom Navarro informed the Council that he is currently working on the Fagundes development project. He also mentioned that two additional developers are collaborating with the Engineering Department.
Battalion Chief Thomas let the Council know that Code Enforcement has almost completed their fire inspection classes.
Police Chief Brock informed the Council that there is currently an outside police officer going through the background process and interviews are in process to fill the other vacant police positions.
1. Review Public Works written report.
11. Future Agenda Items:
Description
Responsible Party
Agenda Date
Amend Ordinance- Temporary Outdoor Use Permit & Code
City Manager
Oct. 2024
Water Capacity
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
11/18/2024
Community Garden
City Manager
TBD
Strategic Planning
City Manager
Jan. 2025
Council Handbook Update
City Manager
Nov. 2024
Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting to closed session at 9:36 pm.
12. Adjournment to Closed Session:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- POTENTIAL LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2)
Vasquez
Mayor Hernandez reconvened to open session at 9:54pm with nothing to report.
Respectfully submitted,
Rochelle Giovani, City Clerk