Tina Hernandez, Mayor
Araceli Ochoa, Mayor Pro Tem
Gregorio Gomez, Council Member
Paul Boyer, Council Member
Armando Hinojosa, Council Member
Minutes
Farmersville City Council
Special Meeting
Monday December 30, 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: 879-2276-2060
Password: 829800
1. Call to Order: 6:00pm
2. Roll Call:
Title
Status
Arrived
Mayor Hernandez
Present
6:00pm
Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa
Present
6:00pm
Council Member Gomez
Present
6:00pm
Council Member Boyer
Present
6:00pm
Council Member Hinojosa
Present
6:00pm
3. Invocation: (Reserved)
4. Pledge of Allegiance: (Reserved)
5. Public Comment:
Veronica Torres supports Michael Schulte as City Manager, stating that he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and brought much-needed changes to the City of Farmersville. She also expressed her frustration with Greg Gomez's inflammatory remarks in the *Sun-Gazette* newspaper article.
Alice Lopez, a resident of Farmersville, thanked the Council and staff for a great turnout for the Christmas Tree Lighting. Ms. Lopez stated that she supports Micheal Schulte as City Manager.
Ricardo Maldonado, a resident of Farmersville, supports Michael Schulte as City Manager and stated that he has been a blessing to the City of Farmersville.
Rachel Espinoza, a resident of Farmersville, supports Michael Schulte as City Manager and stated that she loves the changes that she has seen. She also thanked everyone for all their hard work.
Karis Cadell with the Sun Gazette requested the name of the 3rd party attorney that the City Manager is working with.
A resident of Farmersville informed the Council that the City has a new energy since Michael Schulte was hired.
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: (Reserved)
7. Consent Agenda: (Reserved)
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.
8. General Business:
B. Resolution of the City Council of the City of Farmersville Document: Resolution 2024-061
City Manager Michael Schulte thanked the public for all their support and noted that the purpose for the Council meeting was to consider a resolution correcting the misinformation conveyed by Councilmember Gomez during Dec 23, 2024, Council meeting.
Discussion took place between Councilmembers with Mayor Hernandez expressing her disappointment in Councilmember Gome’s statements.
Mayor Hernandez opened public comment at 6:50pm after the Council discussion.
Veronica Torres, a resident of Farmersville, expressed concerns regarding Councilmember Gomez’s actions, questioning his commitment to integrity and transparency. She felt that he provided misleading or incomplete information to the newspaper. Ms. Torres also believes such behavior demonstrates a lack of professionalism and accountability, qualities that are essential for anyone in a position of public leadership.
Frank, a resident of Farmersville, told the Council that the action made by Councilmember Gomez is an embarrassment to the community.
Dianaya Guzman, a resident of Farmersville, told the Council that she is embarrassed by the actions of Councilmember Gomez and strongly disagrees with his behavior. She stated that his actions reflect poorly on the community and demonstrate a lack of the leadership qualities expected from someone in his position. Ms. Guzman also expressed her pride in the positive changes and hard work Michael Schulte has brought to the city, emphasizing that his leadership and dedication have created meaningful progress.
Rachel Espinoza, a resident of Farmersville, told Councilmember Gomez that he should be using his voice and power in a correct way.
Alice Lopez, a resident of Farmersville, told Councilmember Gomez that he should have addressed his concerns in a closed session before taking them to the newspaper. Ms. Lopez felt that such actions were inappropriate and did not reflect the leadership qualities expected of someone in his position. She strongly disagrees with how he handled this situation and believes it was both unprofessional and detrimental to the City.
Public comment was closed and the matter came back to the Council for comment. Each Councilmember expressed their that the resolution provided an accurate statement of the status of Michael Schulte as City Attorney and City Manager with minor edits.
Council Action: The resolution providing an accurate statement of the events surrounding Michael Schulte status was moved by Councilmember Hinojosa, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa with corrections being made to resolution 2024-061, and was passed with a 4-1 vote. Councilmember Gomez did not approve the resolution.
9. Adjournment :
Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting at 7:34pm.