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 24, 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: 876 8440 1088
Password: 801813
1. Call to Order: 6:03pm
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: 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:
Proclamation- Recognizing March 22 as Peace Day- Mayor Hernandez presented a proclamation to Freedom Elementary stating that March 22, will now be recognized as Peace Day in the City of Farmersville. She also stated that she was impressed with the students making this a priority.
Proclamation- Recognizing Los Arbolitos- Tabled until April 28, 2025, Council meeting.
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 March 10, 2025 Recommend approval of minutes.
Documents: Draft Action Minutes of March 10, 2025
Finance Update for February 2025: Warrant Register and Investment Summary.
Recommend that the City Council:
1. Approve the Warrant Register as presented for the period. This reporting period represents warrants issued for the current Fiscal Year (2024/2025); and Documents: February Warrant Register
Delegation of Authority- CalPERS
Recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution delegating authority to the City Manager or designee to make determinations under California Public Retirement System.
Document: Resolution 2025-005
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa, and unanimously approved of items 7A, 7B, and 7D.
Consent Item 7C payment to Self -Help Enterprises abstained by Councilmember Boyer due to his contractual relationship with the nonprofit Self-Help Enterprises.
8. General Business
A. Recommend agreement with Harris Development for Roy’s Park Irrigation Recommend that the City Council approve funding for the Roy’s Park Irrigation installation.
Documents: Spreadsheet breakdown
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Boyer, seconded by Mayor Hernandez, and approved with a 4 0-1 vote. Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa abstained from the vote.
B 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.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa, and carried to approve the item as presented with a 5-0 vote.
C. Event Funding Form- Farmersville Youth Football and Cheer Recommend that the City Council review a request from Farmersville Youth Football and Cheer.
Documents: Applications
Motion to approve $3800 once the applicant brings in all backup documents for their anticipated expenses.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Boyer, seconded by Councilmember Gomez, and carried to approve the item as presented with a 5-0 vote.
Adopt Title VI Policy
Recommend that the City Council adopt the Title VI Policy and approve Resolution 2025-006.
Documents: Policy
Resolution 2025-006
Motion to approve with corrections to page 6 and page 9 of the Title VI Program Plan Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Boyer, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa, and carried to approve the item as presented with a 5-0 vote.
9. Council Reports
A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports
Councilmember Hinojosa informed the Council that he attended Opening Day for the soccer league. He also voiced concerns about parking, asking if the field next to the soccer fields could be temporarily converted into a dirt or gravel parking lot. Interim City Manager Jay Brock asked Public Works Director Steven Thompson to obtain an estimate for the project. Councilmember Boyer recommended using decomposed granite (DG) for the temporary parking lot to help with weed control Councilmember Boyer attended the Peace Walk and Event on Saturday afternoon, as well as the opening day for the soccer leagues. He expressed his appreciation to Public Works for filling in a pothole at the Senior Center. Additionally, he informed the Council about several upcoming events that they should consider attending. However, he is uncertain whether funding for these events is included in the budget. He would like to add event funding for Councilmembers to a future meeting agenda for discussion.
Councilmember Gomez thanked Public Works for installing a stop sign at Front and Sandy. He also asked Public Works Director Steven Thompson if any other street signs were missing. Mr. Thompson informed the Council that he had driven around the City to assess the need for additional stop signs and mentioned the possibility of conducting a study for stop signs on East Front Street. Councilmember Gomez noted that it would be beneficial for the Council to have a clear understanding of where stop signs are needed. Additionally, he shared that his in-laws recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and expressed his gratitude to Mayor Hernandez and City Clerk Rochelle Giovani for preparing a certificate, which he presented to them.
Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa signed up for the TCAG training that is coming up. Ms. Ochoa and Councilmember Boyer attended the Economic Summit. She also attended the Day of Peace Event. Ms. Ochoa also requested a tour of the Transit Center.
Mayor Hernandez stated that she attended the Peace Day Event and thanked Sergeant Frausto and Fire Lt. Parish for their speeches, noting that they did a great job. She also expressed her appreciation to Public Works for their quick response in filling the pothole in front of her house.
10. Staff Communications:
Interim City Manager Jay Brock informed the Council that TCRTA recently discovered an oversight in the state transit assistance funds, resulting in nearly $400,000 of Farmersville’s funds being mistakenly taken. This amount will be replaced and allocated toward paying for some kind of Visalia Transit. He plans to reach out to the City of Visalia Transit to explore potential transit support now that the funds are available.
City Engineer Elsa Mejia advised the Council that 4Creeks is getting ready to advertise for the 2025 Street Improvement Project.
Public Works Director Steven Thompson informed the Council that concrete has been poured and bleachers will be ready for the opening day April 4th.
City Planner Karl Schoettler informed the Council that Fagundes is scheduled to appear at the April 28th Council meeting. He also noted that the Sierra Woods West project is nearing completion and will be presented at an upcoming Council meeting. Additionally, he reported that the Housing Element underwent its final round of corrections on March 14th, and the State now has 60 days to review and respond.
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
ADU update
City Manager
TBD
Transit Center
City Manager
TBD
Senior Discount for Utility Bills
City Manager
TBD
Event Funding for Council
City Manager
TBD
12. Adjournment to Closed Session:
Mayor Hernandez adjourned to closed session at 6:57pm.
A. Real Estate Negotiations 54956.8- Hester
13. Reconvene to Open Session:
Mayor Hernandez reconvened to open session at 8:03pm with nothing to report.
14. Closed Session Report (if any):
15. Adjournment:
Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting at 8:03pm.