Notice is hereby given that the Farmersville City Council will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in person at City Hall located at 909 W. Visalia Rd. in Farmersville California, 93223.
Staff Reports related to items on the agenda are available on the City’s website at https://www.cityoffarmersville-ca.gov/ and available for viewing at City Hall. 6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER 6:01 pm
ROLL CALL Mayor Hernandez- present
Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa- present
Councilmember Gomez- present
Councilmember Boyer- absent
Councilmember Hinojosa- absent
INVOCATION
Presented by Mayor Hernandez
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor Hernandez
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council Action: It was motioned by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa and approved with a 3-2 vote. Councilmember Hinojosa and Councilmember Boyer are absent with notice.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The public is invited to comment on any subject under the jurisdiction of the Farmersville City Council. Please note that speakers that wish to comment on a Regular Item or Public Hearing on tonight’s agenda will have an opportunity to speak when public comment for that item is requested by the Mayor. Comments shall be limited to two (2) minutes per person, with twenty (20) minutes for the total comment period, unless otherwise indicated by the Mayor.
The public may also choose to submit a comment before the meeting via email. Public comments received via email will be distributed to the Council prior to the start of the meeting and incorporated into the official minutes; however, they will not be read aloud. Under state law, matters presented under public comment cannot be acted upon by the Council at this time.
None
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Proclamation - Pilar’s Golden Shears
Presented by Mayor Tina Hernandez
CONSENT CALENDAR
Items listed under the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these matters unless a request is made and then the item will be removed from the Consent Calendar to be discussed and voted upon by a separate motion.
Approval of July 28, 2025 regular meeting minutes
Consider approval of Resolution 2025-039 Declaration and Disposition of Surplus Police Department Vehicles Authorize the Mayor to sign letter of support for the City of Visalia’s 5310 Application to continue the Travel Training Program Authorize the Mayor to sign letter of support for the City of Visalia Section 5310 Application to continue the Regional Transit Information Green Line Call Center Consider approval of Resolution 2025-023 Approving Electric Utility Vehicle Purchase for Parks Maintenance and Participation in the California EV Incentive Program Consider approval of Resolution 2025-040 Accepting the FY 2025 State Transit Assistance Credit and State of Good Repair Credit from Tulare County Associations of Governments.
Consider approval of Resolution 2025-041 Grant of Easement to Southern California Edison for Utility Service to the New Fire Station located at 376 W. Front St.
Councilmember Gomez pulled consent items 3 and 4 for discussion.
Council Action: Consent items 1,2 and 5-7 were motioned by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa and approved with a 3-0 vote.
Councilmember Gomez had questions regarding Item 3, the Travel Training Program, and Item 4, the Regional Transit Information Green Line Call Center:
How does the Travel Training Program benefit Farmersville residents, and what outreach efforts have been made specifically to Farmersville? Have any Farmersville residents participated in the training? Regarding the Green Line Call Center, how many Farmersville residents are served, how many call in, and how many have received assistance? Council Action: Consent items 3 and 4 were motioned by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa and approved with a 3-0 vote.
ACTION ITEMS
Comments related to Action and Public Hearing Items are limited to two (2) minutes per speaker, for a maximum of 20 minutes per item. The Mayor may reasonably limit or extend the public comment period to preserve the Council's interest in conducting efficient, orderly meetings.
Consider Adoption of Payroll Overpayment and Underpayment Policy.
Presented by Daymon Qualls, City Manager
Councilmember Gomez requested that the City Manager meets and confers with the bargaining groups.
Council Action: It was motioned by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Mayor Hernandez and approved with a 3-0 vote.
Consider Adoption of the proposed Information Technology Security & Acceptable Use Policy.
Presented by Daymon Qualls, City Manager
Mayor Pro Tem asked about the procedure for handling employee emails during extended leave. City Clerk Rochelle Giovani explained that when an employee is on extended leave, the IT Department forwards all incoming emails to the staff member in the office who is responsible for managing the absent employee’s correspondence.
Mayor Hernandez asked whether employee passwords are changed to prevent access to work emails during a leave of absence. City Clerk Rochelle Giovani informed the Council that the IT Department will change the employee’s password until they return.
Councilmember Gomez would like the following changes:
Section 5.2 – Coercion: Change the wording to read, “Violations must be reported to the City Manager immediately.” Section 5.5 – Exceptions: Change the wording to read, “Must be pre-approved by the City Manager and the department head.” Council Action: It was motioned by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa and approved with a 3-0 vote.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
DISCUSSION ITEMS
None
COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Gomez thanked staff for their hard work on the first day of school, including moving the fence back at the fire station and cleaning all the streets. He noted that there were no reported issues and that traffic was flowing smoothly.
Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa thanked Daymon for the updates on social media regarding road conditions.
Mayor Hernandez thanked Public Works Director Steven Thompson for his work on the roads, noting that repairs are often completed before she even needs to call. She also asked how residents can purchase engraved bricks at Veterans Park. City Manager Daymon Qualls and Public Works Director Steven Thompson stated that the process for allowing residents to purchase bricks can be discussed further with staff.
CITY MANAGER/DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Daymon Qualls provided several updates:
The Military Banner Program has been launched and has already received several inquiries.
He attended the backpack giveaway last Sunday.
City Planner Karl Schoettler will hold a General Plan update meeting in September or October.
On Wednesday, August 13, he will meet with Smee Homes. FEMA has approved their plans, and they are ready to move forward with the next phase of construction.
Coffee with a Cop will take place on August 22 at Boss Hoggs.
The Public Works team is putting finishing touches on the Transit Center, including sealing the floors and installing baseboards. Right now, it’ still somewhat of an empty shell, but once this final work is complete, it will be ready and presentable for the public. Additionally, he would also like to host a community coffee event at the new Transit Center. The idea would be to invite the community to showcase the new facility and provide an opportunity to share ideas and ask questions. Possible name Coffee and Connections at the Transit Center.
He met with Tulare County RMA Economic Development, who indicated there is interest in building at the Highway 198 interchange.
Councilmember Gomez recommended having a ribbon cutting at the Transit Center along with hosting Coffee with the Community.
Finance Director Anthony Loza reviewed several items with the Council and expressed his appreciation to both residents and Council for their patience as the administration works through ongoing processes.
Staffing
Currently operating at less than one-third of normal capacity.
Focus remains on core financial services: paying bills, sending invoices, collecting revenue, and managing public perception.
Process Improvements
Identifying areas to streamline and improve efficiency.
Future goal: enhance systems and operations once immediate workload stabilizes.
Billing & Rates
Solid waste rates updated effective July 1 and included on recent bills.
This cycle also included routine billing, which was a major effort.
Continuing to address incorrect meter reads; staff is keeping a list and working with Public Works to resolve issues.
Public Works has been instrumental in assisting, as both former staff who managed the process are no longer here.
Learning & Troubleshooting
Rebuilding knowledge of past processes and system functions from the ground up.
Significant troubleshooting has been required.
Payroll & Salaries
Updated salaries for employees impacted by adjustments approved at the last Council meeting.
Entered new salary tables into both the financial system and payroll records.
Payroll continues to be a full-time responsibility.
Recruitment & Staffing Needs
Ongoing recruitments underway to fill vacant positions.
Responding to multiple information requests.
Reporting & Grants
Completing routine reporting requirements to secure reimbursement for grants.
Public Works Director Steven Thompson reported to the Council that topsoil is currently being applied to the soccer fields.
Mayor Hernandez asked about the squirrel issue, and Steven confirmed that all parks have been treated within the past three to four months.
Councilmember Gomez inquired about the sprinklers at Veterans Park, and Steven informed the Council that the sprinklers have been repaired.
Mayor Hernandez thanked the Public Works Department for maintaining clean parks and for their work at the church museum.
Fire Chief Thomas informed the Council that one of the City’s Type 6 engines is currently assisting with the Gifford Fire in San Luis Obispo. He also reported two recent rescues at 833 S. Farmersville Blvd., where residents became stuck in the elevator. Additionally, he is working with Code Enforcement to have the lot next to Bank of the Sierra cleaned.
Police Chief Brock reminded the Council that National Night Out will be held on August 15 at 6:00 p.m. He also reported that the CSO position has been posted and has already received over 30 applications.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Description
Responsible Party
Agenda Date
Urban Art-Murals and Sculptures
City Manager
TBD
Senior Housing-Gardenia Apts.
City Manager
TBD
Community Garden
City Manager
TBD
Sewer DIF
City Manager
TBD
ADU update
City Manager
TBD
Farmers Market
City Manager
TBD
Senior Discount for Utility Bills
City Manager
TBD
Homelessness Fire Hazard
City Manager
TBD
Environmental Safety Guidelines
City Manager
TBD
Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting at 7:01pm.
EXECUTIVE (CLOSED) SESSION
None
REGULAR MEETING ADJOURNMENT
State of California )
County of Tulare ) ss.
City of Farmersville )
I declare under penalty of perjury that I am employed by the City of Farmersville, in the City Manager’s Office; and that I posted this Agenda on the bulletin board outside of City Hall, 909 W. Visalia Rd. Farmersville, CA 93223 on August 8, 2025 and online on the City of Farmersville website: https://www.cityoffarmersville-ca.gov/. _______________________________________________
Rochelle Giovani , City Clerk
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the California Ralph M. Brown Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, or to be able to access this agenda and documents in the agenda packet, please contact the City Clerk (559)747-0458. Notification prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting and/or provision of an appropriate alternative format of the agenda and documents in the agenda packet. (28 CFR 35.102-35. 104 ADA Title II).
Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the legislative body after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at Farmersville City Hall, 909 W. Visalia Rd., Farmersville CA 93223 during normal business hours.
MayorTina HernandezMayor Pro TemAraceli OchoaCouncil MembersGregoria GomezPaul BoyerArmando HinojosaMayorTina HernandezMayor Pro TemAraceli OchoaCouncil MembersGregoria GomezPaul BoyerArmando HinojosaFARMERSVILLE CITY COUNCIL Mayor
Tina Hernandez
Mayor Pro Tem
Araceli Ochoa
Council Members
Gregoria Gomez
Paul Boyer
Armando Hinojosa
Mayor
Tina Hernandez
Mayor Pro Tem
Araceli Ochoa
Council Members
Gregoria Gomez
Paul Boyer
Armando Hinojosa
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
August 11, 2025, 6:00 PM
City Hall, 909 W. Visalia Rd.
Farmersville, California 93223
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: 875 5919 2050
Password: 365454