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, March 10, 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: 833 8942 9426
Password: 352022
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: Mayor Hernandez
4. Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Hernandez
5. Public Comment:
David Lemeke a resident of Farmersville has concerns regarding public records request.
Alice Lopez, a resident of Farmersville, informed the Council that she had completed the necessary documents for the Memorial Day Parade. Additionally, she notified the Public Works Director about a missing street sign off Magnolia, which she believes should be Birch.
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:
Proclamation- Recognizing March 22 as Peace Day- Proclamation was tabled until the next Council meeting due to the absence of a representative.
Introduction of Officer Claudia Sakaguchi and Officer Emmanuel Cortes Police Chief Jay Brock gave a brief presentation of Officer Sakaguchi and Cortes. achievements and experiences.
A small break was taken from 6:09pm to 6:13pm.
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 February 24, 2025 and February 28, 2025 Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of February 24, 2025
Draft Action Minutes of February 28, 2025
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Boyer, and unanimously approved with a 5-0 vote.
Farmersville Unified School District Community Swim Program Recommend the City Council approve funds for Farmersville Unified School District in the amount of $20,000 for the 2025 Community Swim Program.
Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa tabled item 7C to closed session for further discussion.
8. General Business
A. Recommend adopting the Caltrans Local Assistance Procedures Manual.
Recommend that the City Council adopt Resolution 2025-004: Caltrans Local Assistance Procedures Manual.
Documents: Resolution 2025-004
Letter
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa, and unanimously approved with a 5-0 vote.
Transportation Art Maintenance Agreement with State of California Department of Transportation.
Recommend that the City Council approve the Transportation Art Maintenance Agreement with the State of California Department of Transportation.
Document: Agreement
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Boyer, and unanimously approved with a 5-0 vote.
Property Acquisition- 896 Farmersville Blvd.
Recommend that the City Council review the property proposed purchase and decided if they want to continue with the purchase of the property.
This item was moved to closed session. Motioned by Councilmember Gomez and seconded by Mayor Hernandez and unanimously approved with a 5-0 vote.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Maintenance Contract
Recommend that the City Council approve the funding for the Farmersville Wastewater Treatment Plant Blowers Maintenance Contract.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Boyer, and unanimously approved with a 5-0 vote for the five-year contract.
9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Boyer thanked the Police Chief for his efforts with the gang task force in the community on Thursday. He also expressed appreciation to the Public Works Department for mowing the alleys and for aerating and fertilizing the soccer fields. Additionally, while not an immediate priority, he emphasized the need for synchronizing the stoplights at Walnut and Farmersville Blvd. He noted that when traveling north on the boulevard, drivers often experience long wait times even when no one is making a left turn. He also reminded the Council that Councilmember Gomez shares these concerns.
Councilmember Gomez also thanked the Police Chief for his efforts on Thursday night. Additionally, he mentioned that he had spoken with Tony, the owner of La Privada, advising him to monitor his patrons closely and ensure there are no issues when bringing groups into the club. He emphasized that there could be repercussions, especially given the current presence of multiple officers in the area, as downtown businesses rely on steady foot traffic.
Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa thanked the Police Chief for his efforts regarding the police presence on Thursday night.. Ms. Ochoa also explained that she had a parent reach out to her stating that she was very thankful for the support from the Police Department.
Mayor Hernandez thanked the Police Chief for protecting the community and assisting residents with concerns regarding Thursday night.
10. Staff Communications:
City Engineer Elsa Mejia informed the Council that she is currently working on the speed study, and it should be completed in a month or so.
Public Works Director Steven Thompson informed the Council that the bleachers for Veterans Park have been built and are awaiting weather for installation. He also noted that the chip sealing of Walnut to Spruce is scheduled for next week, which may lead to increased traffic on Visalia Road.
Fire Chief Jim Thomas informed the Council that the Type 6 Engine was picked up last week and should be in service in about 4 weeks.
11. Future Agenda Items
Description
Responsible Party
Agenda Date
Urban Art-Murals and Sculptures
City Manager
Senior Housing-Gardenia Apts.
City Manager
Community Garden
City Manager
TBD
Sewer DIF
City Manager
TBD
12. Adjournment to Closed Session:
Mayor Hernadez adjourned to closed session at 6:40 pm.
54956.9(d)- Litigation- Closed session
13. Reconvene to Open Session:
Mayor Hernandez reopened closed session at 7:25pm with nothing to report.
14. Closed Session Report (if any):
15. Adjournment:
Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting at 7:25pm.
Respectfully submitted
Rochelle Giovani, City Clerk