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, January 27, 2025 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: 850 6394 6075
Password: 299080
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. Acceptance/Edits to Current Agenda Item 9A was pulled due to already being approved.
6. Public Comment: none give
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.
7. Presentations: none given
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.
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 January 13, 2025 Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of January 13, 2025
C Membership Dues TCAG
Recommend that the City Council approve the proposed increase of 5% annually to the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) memberships dues in the next three years Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Boyer, seconded by Councilmember Gomez, and unanimously approved with a 5-0 vote.
9. A. Event Permits-Flower Vendors Policy
Recommend approval to the proposed regulations and authorize the issuance of up to five (5) permits for temporary flower vendors during Valentine’s Day and Mother's Day.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa, and unanimously approved with a 5-0 vote with these changes.
Add word “Special Holiday” instead of individual holiday names.
Give information to vendors regarding process if they missed the deadline to receive a vendor permit Have Code Enforcement had out information/process when closing unauthorized vendors.
Establishment of a Ad Hoc Committee by the City of Farmersville Recommend the approval of the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee Regarding concerns with resolution 2024-061. Authorizations This item was pulled.
Establishment of a Ad Hoc Committee by the City of Farmersville Recommend the approval of a Ad Hoc Committee for Finances.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Boyer, seconded by Councilmember Gomez, and unanimously approved with a 5-0 vote.
Councilmember Gomez would like it to be a standing committee instead of an Ad Hoc Committee. City Manager Michael Schulte agreed.
Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa would like to include our grant writers and administration to the meetings.
D. Seasonal Firefighter Program and Equipment Cost Projections Recommend the Council authorize the creation of the new Seasonal Firefighter Program.
Documents:
Cost Projections for vehicles
Equipment Summary
Proposed Equipment Summary
Staffing and Salary Schedule 2024/2025 Fiscal Year
Staffing Summary for Farmersville Fire.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Boyer, seconded by Councilmember Gomez, and unanimously approved with a 5-0 vote.
Recess taken at 7:35pm – 7:40pm..
Farmersville Growth-(informational item)
Recommend that the City Council receive information regarding future Growth and boundary adjustments and provide comments and direction to staff.
10. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Boyer expressed his appreciation for the progress at the fire station, noting how great it is to see everything moving forward so quickly. He also highlighted the work done by Public Works, particularly the repairs to the restroom at Armstrong Park. He praised the new roof, saying it looks fantastic and that it’s wonderful to see everything coming together. Additionally, he thanked Public Works for the tour of the new office and the improvements surrounding it, commenting on how much better it looks and acknowledging the effort that went into the upgrades. He also mentioned the concrete swale at the back of City Hall parking lot, expressing his satisfaction that the issue is being addressed. Lastly, he extended his gratitude to everyone involved in tackling graffiti around the area.
Councilmember Gomez attended a meeting with local school districts, Read for Life, Save the Children, the Boys & Girls Club, and the City librarian to support children in need of reading assistance. He also informed the Council that an immigration meeting is scheduled for March 14, 2025, at 4:00 PM at the Boys & Girls Club. He noted that the meeting may be held by Zoom and will follow the format of a previous COS meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa thanked City Manager Michael Schulte for purchasing the red Know Your Rights cards, which she has been distributing to the community. She also attended the Chamber of Commerce fundraiser, where Token Farmers received the Medium Business Award. Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa expressed interest in having the City personally congratulate them, as they were also recognized by the City of Tulare. Additionally, she stated that she attended the Homeless Task Force Committee Meeting with Michael. She informed the Council that a dentist was present at the meeting and provided information about a mobile dental unit. She would like to discuss the possibility of making this service available for Farmersville.
Mayor Hernandez would like to issue a Certificate of Appreciation to community members that assist in helping with the Community. She would also like to schedule a Town Hall meeting to discuss homelessness and graffiti in March sometime.
11. Staff Communications:
City Manager Michael Schulte reminded the council that the strategic planning meeting is scheduled for Saturday. Additionally, he informed them that the Administration Department is undergoing restructuring. He also mentioned the possibility of an indoor soccer field being built on the north side of Cameron Creek.
Public Works Director Steven Thompson informed the Council that the pedestal for the Highway 198 project has arrived and that the footing will be poured this week. Additionally, he reported that the rehabilitation of the Armstrong Park restrooms is nearly complete. Lastly, Public Works is currently updating the bases and adding new dirt at Jennings Park.
City Manager Micheal Schulte reminded Steven to include Alice Lopez in design ideas.
Battalion Chief Jim Thomas gave an update on the Fire House and mentioned that two firefighters are currently at Haz-Mat training.
A. Staff Updates and Reports
1. Review Public Works written report.
12. Future Agenda Items:
Description
Responsible Party
Agenda Date
Amend Ordinance- Temporary Outdoor Use Permit & Code
City Manager
Feb. 2025
Pre-Approved ADU Plans and ADU Flyer
City Manager
Feb. 2025
Community Garden
City Manager
TBD
Council Handbook Update
City Manager
2-1-2025
Sewer DIF
City Manager
Urban Art- Murals and sculptures
City Manager
Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting to closed session at 8:24pm.
13. Adjournment to Closed Session:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL
Potential Litigation 54956.9(d)(1)
Immigration Conflicts
Real Estate Negotiations 54956.8
Property
Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting at 9:24pm with nothing to report.