Notice is hereby given that the Farmersville City Council will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, October 13, 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.
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION
ROLL CALL Mayor Hernandez
Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa
Councilmember Gomez
Councilmember Boyer
INVOCATION
Presented by Mayor Hernandez
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor Hernandez
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council Action: It was motioned by Councilmember Boyer, seconded by Councilmember Gomez and approved with a 4-0 vote.
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 given
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Proclamation - La Mejor Inc.- 55th Anniversary
Mayor Hernandez presented a proclamation to La Mejor.
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 September 22, 2025 regular meeting minutes
Authorization to Establish a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit-“Farmersville Community Cares” Presentation of Monthly Investment Report pursuant to GC 53607 and 53646 Mayor Hernandez pulled item 1 and 2 on the consent agenda.
Council Action: It was motioned to approve consent item 3 by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa and approved with a 4-0 vote.
Consent item 1. September 22, 2025, regular meeting minutes were not included in agenda packet. Will be approved at next Council meeting on October 27, 2025.
Consent item 2. Establishment of nonprofit organization “Farmersville Community Cares”. Consent item 2 will be tabled until the next Council meeting October 27, 2025.
Council Action: It was motioned to table consent item 2 by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Boyer and approved with a 4-0 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.
Introduction of Ordinance No. 529 Amending Special Event Permit Requirements.
Public Comment
Alice Lopez had questions regarding the insurance requirements for event permits and also inquired about the process for organizing parades. She would like additional guidance and clarification on the overall process.
Council Action: It was motioned by Councilmember Gomez to waive the first reading and introduce the title, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa and approved with a 4-0 vote.
Introduction of Ordinance Amending Special Event Permit Requirement (Chapter 12.22 to Align with Central San Joaquin Valley Rish Management Authority Rish Policies.
No Public Comment given
Council Action: It was motioned by Councilmember Boyer to waive the first reading and introduce the title, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa and approved with a 4-0 vote.
Adoption of Resolution 2025-051 Detaching the Fagundes Annexation Territory from Tulare County Service Area.
Council Action: It was motioned by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa and approved with a 4-0 vote.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Discussion Regarding Councilmember Vacancy and Appointment Process Public Comment
Rob Wolf stated that he believes the vacant Council seat should be filled by the next candidate in line from the most recent election ballot.
The Council directed staff to prepare the necessary steps to appoint the next candidate on the election ballot to fill the vacant Council seat.
Discussion Regarding Potential New Residential Development Project Presented by Josh McDonnel, City Planner
Public Comment
Rob Wolf, representing Smee Homes, informed the Council that the company is currently conducting soil sampling and ensuring there are adequate access roads. He also stated that Smee Homes is bonded, meaning that if the company fails as a builder, the City would be fully reimbursed. Additionally, he noted that they are completing due diligence, including transportation study, environmental study, and agricultural study.
Alice Lopez is looking forward to homes being built in Farmersville.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Boyer requested a thank-you plaque for Armando Hinojosa. He also expressed his appreciation to City departments for their participation in the Fall Festival, noting that it was a very successful and enjoyable event.
Councilmember Gomez attended the Ugly Company ceremony at Walmart, which was well attended, and commented that it was wonderful to see the company recognized for having their product in Walmart. He also attended the Fall Festival and the General Plan workshop. Additionally, he participated in the League of California Cities Conference, which included a luncheon on the first day followed by a boat tour of Long Beach Harbor, and he also attended the Economic Development training. During the training, they discussed opportunity zones, also known as enterprise zones, which are areas carved out for development. He noted that a portion of tax revenue from these zones can be reinvested within the City for various projects, similar to redevelopment funds. He mentioned that he had discussed this with Daymon in a one-on-one meeting and expressed hope that the City might use opportunity zones to support initiatives similar to Fresno’s arts district and downtown. Additionally, he attended a downtown housing public transit discussion, which he found very interesting, noting that it coincided with the signing of SB 79 by the governor, allowing high-density housing near transit facilities. He added that our county would not be affected by this legislation. Lastly, he attended anniversary for La Mejor’s. and Los Arbolitos #2 which is located in Visalia.
Mayor Pro Tem Ochoa attended the League of California Cities Conference, as well as the anniversary celebration for La Mejor. Additionally, she attended the presentation at Walmart for the Ugly Company. She expressed her appreciation to Josh, Tom, and Elsa from 4Creeks for conducting the community workshop, noting that she received a lot of valuable feedback from the meeting. She also mentioned that the Council and City employees have been invited by the Churches of Farmersville to attend the Concerts in the Park event on October 18th, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lastly, she shared that members of the community have approached her regarding ADU City Plans. City Planner Josh McDonald advised the Council that his staff are working to identify which standard ADU plans meet the City of Farmersville’s development standards. While the County of Tulare has plans that the City can use, two sets of those plans do not meet Farmersville’s standards. Staff are currently reviewing the remaining plans, and once finalized, the plans will be submitted to the Planning Commission and the City Council for approval.
Mayor Hernandez attended the community workshop and expressed a desire to see more workshops in the future. She also attended the Fall Festival, noting that it was a great event, as well as the Ugly Company presentation.
CITY MANAGER/DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATIONS
Finance Director Anthony Loza informed the Council that the utility billing system is now fully operational and that bills are being sent to residents on time. He also reported that he is in the process of posting and reconciling transactions for Fiscal Year 2024–25, as well as processing transactions for Fiscal Year 2025–26. In addition, he is preparing for the year-end audit and working on closing out the Highway 198 project. Director Loza further informed the Council that operational procedures for payroll and accounts payable are currently in draft form, but overall operations are significantly improved compared to previous practices.
Councilmember Boyer inquired about the State Controllers report wanting to know if it was going to be turned in on time. Mr. Loza informed the Council that the goal is to complete and submit the report by the deadline.
City Engineer Elsa Mejia is finalizing the budget for the streetlight project.
Councilmember Gomez inquired about the HAWK system on Citrus. Finance Director Anthony Loza informed the Council that the original estimated cost was $500,000, but only $200,000 was allocated for the project. He noted that the project is currently on hold and advised that it will be brought before the Council again at a future meeting.
Public Works Director Steven Thompson informed the Council that Roy’s Park and the Street Project are nearing completion. He also reported that Public Works has been repairing alleyways throughout the City and preparing for the upcoming rainy season by ensuring that all gutters are cleaned.
Councilmember Gomez informed the Council that he had connected with representatives from Water Education. They advised him that they offer a program in which water operators can complete various certification courses, potentially at no cost to the City.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Description
Responsible Party
Agenda Date
Urban Art-Murals and Sculptures
City Manager
10/27/2025
ADU Update
City Planner
10/27/2025
Senior Housing-Gardenia Apts.
City Manager
TBD
Sewer DIF
City Manager
TBD
Senior Discount for Utility Bills
City Manager
TBD
Homelessness Fire Hazard
City Manager
TBD
Environmental Safety Guidelines
City Manager
TBD
Sign Ordinance
Fire Chief
TBD
Potential Solar Project
City Manager
TBD
Mayor Hernandez adjourned to closed session at 7:18pm
EXECUTIVE (CLOSED) SESSION
Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation
(Gov. Code 54956.9(d)(2) - Significant exposure to litigation.
Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Gov. Code §54956.9) 1 Case: Quad Knopf/WWTP
Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release (Gov. Code §54957(b)) Mayor Hernandez adjourned closed session at 7:30pm with nothing to report.
Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting at 7:30pm.
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 MembersGregorio GomezPaul BoyerArmando HinojosaMayorTina HernandezMayor Pro TemAraceli OchoaCouncil MembersGregorio GomezPaul BoyerArmando HinojosaFARMERSVILLE CITY COUNCIL Mayor
Tina Hernandez
Mayor Pro Tem
Araceli Ochoa
Council Members
Gregorio Gomez
Paul Boyer
Armando Hinojosa
Mayor
Tina Hernandez
Mayor Pro Tem
Araceli Ochoa
Council Members
Gregorio Gomez
Paul Boyer
Armando Hinojosa
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
October 13, 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: 839 1532 9432
Password: 449468