LINDSAY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Lindsay Council Chambers Tuesday, January 28, 2025
251 E Honolulu St., Lindsay CA 93247 6:00 p.m. – Regular Meeting Proper notice of this meeting was given pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2 and 54956.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Daymon Qualls, City Attorney Megan Crouch, City Clerk Maegan Peton, Director of Public Safety Rob Moore, Acting Human Resources Manager Lance Rowell, Director of Finance Lacy Meneses, Director of Recreation Services Armando da Silva, Acting City Services Director Ryan Heinks 6:00 p.m. – REGULAR MEETING
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Villarreal called to order the regular meeting of the Lindsay City Council at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 251 E. Honolulu St.
2. INVOCATION
Pastor Jim Wolstenholm was unable to attend due to a family emergency. The invocation was led by Councilmember Soria.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Sanchez.
4. ROLL CALL
Council Present: Mayor Villarreal
Mayor Pro Tem Flores
Councilmember Nave
Councilmember Sanchez
Councilmember Soria
5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was motioned by Councilmember Soria, seconded by Councilmember Sanchez, and unanimously carried to approve the agenda
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Eric Coyne, representative from Senator Hurtado’s office, provided legislative updates and information for the rights of citizens and non-citizens in the area.
Resident Henry Villanueva provided comments in support of proclaiming the City of Lindsay a Sanctuary City.
Resident Louisa Casad provided comments in support of proclaiming the City of Lindsay a Sanctuary City.
Resident Katherine Thompkins provided comments against proclaiming the City of Lindsay a Sanctuary City.
Dennis Doanne, representative from the Lindsay Chamber of Commerce, provided updates to Council.
Student Noah Richardson had questions for Council pertaining to the processing of maintenance requests in the City – specifically potholes. Mayor Villarreal requested a separate meeting to discuss his concerns.
Josh Flowers, representative of the nonprofits “Blessings of Liberty” and “La Gente” provided comments against proclaiming the City of Lindsay a Sanctuary City.
Resident Jerry Harrison provided comments against proclaiming the City of Lindsay a Sanctuary City.
7. COUNCIL REPORT
Councilmember Sanchez had nothing to report.
Councilmember Soria thanked everyone for their public comments and questions. He advised he attended the East Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency board meeting, the Tulare County Regional Transit Agency board meeting, the Lindsay Wellness Center Programming Committee meeting, and the Ethics and Brown Act trainings.
Mayor Pro Tem Flores advised that she and Councilmember Sanchez volunteered to help with the recent fires in Pasadena.
Councilmember Nave advised that she attended the Lindsay Economic Development Committee meeting, she helped with Lindsay High School senior interviews, she met with the Boys and Girls Club and that local school attendance is up.
Mayor Villarreal welcomed the learners to the City Council meeting. She advised that she also attended the Tulare County Regional Transit Agency board meeting, the Healthy Start meeting, a Vita-Pakt meeting. She also recognized Varela’s Boxing Academy for their recent accomplishments.
8. STAFF UPDATES
City staff provided departmental updates to Council.
9. CITY MANAGER REPORT
The City Manager reported on recent events and items of interest.
10. CONSENT CALENDAR
It was motioned by Councilmember Soria, seconded by Councilmember Sanchez and unanimously carried to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as presented except for item 10.4.
10.1 Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve by Title Only.
Action & Recommendation: Approve the reading by title only of all ordinances and that further reading of such ordinances be waived.
10.2 Minutes of the regular and/or special Meeting of January 14, 2025.
Action & Recommendation: Approve as submitted.
Submitted by: Maegan Peton, City Clerk
10.3 Warrant List for January 6, 2025 through January 19, 2025.
Action & Recommendation: Accept the Warrant List for transaction dates of January 6, 2025 through January 19, 2025.
Submitted by: Lacy Meneses, Director of Finance
10.5 Authorization to Sign a Collective Letter from the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District to the Department of Conservation.
Action & Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to sign a collective letter from the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District (District) to the Department of Conservation (DoC) in response to the revised guideli9nes for the Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP), specifically addressing concerns about language changes related to groundwater recharge projects and landowner incentives.
Submitted by: Daymon Qualls, City Manager
10.6 Authorization to Release a Request for Qualifications for Professional Engineering Services for the Planning, Design, and Installation of Seven (7) Backup Generators.
Action & Recommendation: Authorize the release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking professional engineering services and a detailed project approach for the planning, design, and installation of seven (7) backup generators at the following locations:
Wastewater Treatment Plant
Sequoia Lift Station
Hickory Lift Station
Two (2) Potable Water Wells
Lindsay Department of Public Safety Building
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at City Hall
Submitted by: Ryan Heinks, Acting Director of City Services
PULLED CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S)
10.4 Adopt Resolution 25-03, Directing the City Manager to Negotiate the Sale of Surplus Water to Members of the East Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency.
Action & Recommendation: Approve Resolution 25-03, directing the City Manager to negotiate the sale of surplus water to members of the East Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) or other eligible water users, in compliance with USBR regulations; and direct staff to report back to the Council upon completion of any water sale transactions, including the volume of water sold, the sale price, and total net revenue to the City.
Submitted by: Ryan Heinks, Acting Director of City Services Council Action: Mayor Pro Tem Flores pulled this item for clarification on what happens to the surplus water and if the City will have enough water to support new developments if surplus water is sold. Acting City Services Director Ryan Heinks advised that this is only water that is a surplus based off of usage for that year and if it is not used, the City does not have capacity to store it. He advised that selling the surplus water ensured that profits benefitted the City of Lindsay residents by contributing to the Water Fund. Future developments would only be approved after a Water Feasibility Study is conducted to ensure there is adequate water supply.
It was motioned by Councilmember Nave , seconded by Councilmember Sanchez, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
11. ACTION ITEMS
11.1 Lindsay Economic Development Committee Member Selection.
Action & Recommendation: Select one applicant to serve as Committee Member for the immediate vacancy on the Lindsay Economic Development Committee.
Submitted by: Maegan Peton, City Clerk and Assistant to the City Manager Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: After reviewing the applicants for the committee vacancy, council directed staff to adjust the bylaws to increase the number of members of the public from 5 to 6 before selecting applicant(s).
12. REQUEST FOR FUTURE ITEMS
Council provided consensus to amend the Lindsay Economic Development Bylaws and to put forth a statement or press release regarding immigration.
13. EXECUTIVE (CLOSED) SESSION
Council recessed to closed session at 7:21 p.m.
13.1 Public Employee Performance Evaluation (§ 54957)
Title: City Manager
13.2 Conference with Real Property Negotiators (§ 54956.8) Property: 205-236-013; 205-236-014; 205-236-022; 205-236-020 Agency Negotiation: Daymon Qualls, City Manager
Negotiating Parties: Kristar Development, LLC
Under Negotiation: Price, terms of payment
13.3 Conference with Labor Negotiators (§ 54957.6)
Agency Designated Representative: Daymon Qualls, City Manager Employee Organization(s): LPOA; SEIU
13.4 Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation Significant Exposure to Litigation
Pursuant to § 54956.9(b): 2 cases.
Council reconvened from closed session at 10:09 p.m.
EXECUTIVE (CLOSED) SESSION REPORT
Mayor Villarreal advised there was no reportable action.
14. ADJOURNMENT
The regular meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
Approved by Council: February 11, 2025.
_________________________
Misty Villarreal, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Maegan Peton, City Clerk
The next Regular Meeting of the Lindsay City Council is scheduled to be held on February 11, 2025.