8414
ACTION MINUTES OF TULARE
CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF TULARE
February 15, 2022
A Redistricting Public Hearing of the City Council, City of Tulare was held on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. in the Tulare Public Library & Council Chambers, 491 North M Street.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Dennis A. Mederos, Terry Sayre, Jose Sigala, Stephen C.
Harrell, Patrick Isherwood
STAFF PRESENT: Marc Mondell, Mario Zamora, Josh McDonnell, Matt Machado, David Rossman, Janice Avila, Michael Miller, Darlene Thompson, Brian Beck, Jason Bowling, Clay Roberts, Nick Bartsch, Melissa Hermann
5:30 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER REDISTRICTING PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Mederos called the Redistricting Public Hearing to order at 5:30 p.m.
II. CITIZEN COMMENTS - Comments from the public are limited to items listed on the agenda (GC 54954.3a). Speakers will be allowed three minutes. Please begin your comments by stating and spelling your name and providing your city of residence.
Luis Huerta Silva, Tulare resident, concerns with maps 204 and 206, splits community of interest, Clover Meadow neighborhood, encourage not to divide, more in common with District 5 and would like to stay in that district or at minimum stay whole and not be divided.
Alma Serrano, Tulare resident, stated she likes map 301, but is also concerned with the southeast section of the map as well as the southwest portion where there is no population wondering why it is added to District 1.
Angel Ruiz, Tulare resident, stated he likes map 301, but doesn’t agree with the southeast portion of map 301 stating that area does not have a community of interest with the northern part of District 3. Mr. Ruiz also stated he agreed with having three districts with over 60% HCVAP as well as wanting to ensure communities are well represented.
Luisa stated she would like to have three majority latino districts as well as fair representation and stated the importance of keeping communities together.
III. REDISTRICTING PUBLIC HEARING
a. Public Hearing to receive input from the Community and Council regarding the Redrawing of Election District Boundaries; review and provide direction related to submitted draft maps. [Submitted by: National Demographics, 8415
Corp.] Ken Chawkins of National Demographics Corporation provided a presentation for the Council’s review and consideration. Following discussion, it was moved by Vice Mayor Sayre, seconded by Council Member Sigala, and unanimously carried to continue discussion and consideration for maps 204, 206, and 301.
IV. ADJOURN REDISTRICTING PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Mederos adjourned the Redistricting Public Hearing at 6:53 p.m.
A Regular Session of the City Council, City of Tulare was held on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in the Tulare Public Library & Council Chambers, 491 North M Street.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Dennis A. Mederos, Terry A. Sayre, Jose Sigala, Stephen C.
Harrell, Patrick Isherwood
STAFF PRESENT: Marc Mondell, Mario Zamora, Josh McDonnell, Matt Machado, David Rossman, Janice Avila, Michael Miller, Darlene Thompson, Trisha Whitfield, Brian Beck, Jason Bowling, Clay Roberts, Nick Bartsch, Melissa Hermann V. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Mederos called the Regular Session to order at 7:12 p.m.
VI. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION
Vice Mayor Sayre led the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation was led by Council Member Isherwood.
VII. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Mayor Mederos requested those who wish to speak on matters not on the agenda within the jurisdiction of the Council, or to address or request a matter be pulled from the Consent Calendar to do so at this time. He further stated comments related to General Business matters would be heard at the time that matter is addressed on the agenda.
Laura Lopez and Carolyn Rodriguez, floral shop representatives, advised the Council of issues with pop-up floral and gift shops that set up right outside floral shops on Valentine’s Day taking business away from the floral shops.
Raymond Vanbeek and Karen Beemus, Tulare Lighthouse Rescue Mission representatives, provided positive reports regarding the Mission’s efforts.
Jacqueline Cardoza and Carline Salonites, Tulare residents, addressed the Council regarding the fee to file an appeal regarding a recent Planning Commission decision. 8416
Julia Fracker, Leadership Tulare participant, addressed the Council regarding the program and voiced her appreciation for the Chamber and City of Tulare.
Alma Serrano, Tulare resident, addressed the Council regarding constant street closures due to work being done as well as issues with bugs from the treatment plant.
Erin Anderson, Kaitlin Anderson, and Riley Castro, members of a local Tulare Girl Scout troop, addressed the Council.
VIII. COMMUNICATIONS
There were no items for this section of the agenda.
IX. CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Council Member Harrell, seconded by Council Member Isherwood, and unanimously carried that the items on the Consent Calendar be approved as presented with the exception of item 5.
(1) Authorization to read ordinances by title only.
(2) Approve minutes of February 1, 2022 special/regular meeting(s). [Submitted by: R. Yoder]
(3) Confirm Mayor Mederos’ appointment of Crystal Boling to the Measure I Citizen Oversight Committee with a term ending December 31, 2023. [Submitted by: M. Hermann obo Mayor Mederos]
(4) Accept a grant deed from Sergio Aria for street right-of-way dedication along the north side of Sonora Avenue at 1438 East Sonora Avenue, and authorize the City Manager or his designee to sign Certificates of Acceptance for the same. [Submitted by: M. Miller]
(5) Conditionally approve the final map and subdivision improvement agreement for Phase 1 of the Liberty Hill Subdivision for recordation, and accept all easements and dedications offered to the City, subject to receipt of the signed final map, signed subdivision agreement, all fees, and other required items prior to April 16, 2022. [Submitted by: M. Miller] Council Member Sigala pulled this item. Questions posed by Council Member Sigala were responded to by staff. It was moved by Council Member Sigala, seconded by Council Member Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
(6) Receive and accept the City’s annual audited financial statements - Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for 2020-2021 fiscal year. [Submitted by: D. Thompson]
X. SCHEDULED PRESENTATIONS
8417
XI. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORTS OR ITEMS OF INTEREST – G.C. 54954.2(c) XII. GENERAL BUSINESS
Comments related to General Business items are limited to three minutes per speaker, for a maximum of 30 minutes per item, unless otherwise extended by the Council.
(1) Public Hearing:
a. Public Hearing to adopt Resolution 2022-04 accepting and approving expenditures of the Edward Byrne 2021 Memorial Grant in the amount of $19,187.00 to purchase new equipment for the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT). [Submitted by: G. Merrill] Police Captain Matt Machado provided a report for the Council’s consideration. Mayor Mederos opened the public hearing at 8:08 p.m. Receiving no public comment, the public hearing was closed at 8:08 p.m. It was moved by Council Member Harrell, seconded by Council Member Sigala, and unanimously carried to adopt Resolution 2022- 04 as presented.
(2) Community Development:
a. City Council authorize staff to circulate the Request for Proposals (RFP) to qualified organizations seeking a consultant team to support the formulation of a Downtown Master Plan to provide an update to the City’s existing Downtown Tulare Vision 2040 Plan. [Submitted by: T.
Myers] Deputy City Manager provided a report for the Council’s consideration. Questions posed by Council were responded to by staff. John Harman of the Tulare Downtown Association stated the Association fully supports this and would love to be involved in the process. Council Member Sigala would like to see extra points awarded to veteran and minority-owned businesses that respond to the RFP. It was moved by Mayor Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Sayre, and unanimously carried to approve the item taking into consideration in the evaluation veteran and minority-owned businesses for purposes of qualification.
(3) City Manager:
a. Receive staff presentation and public comment regarding the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds toward potential programs and projects; and adopt Resolution 2022-05 approving the expenditure of ARPA funds. [Submitted by: M. Mondell] City Manager Marc Mondell provided a report for the Council’s consideration.
Phil Smith and Xavier Avila, Tulare Hospital District, addressed the Council concerning their request for funds. Adrian Herrera, downtown property owner, addressed the Council regarding the previous allocation for the downtown façade with questions about prevailing wage. Alma Serrano, Tulare resident, 8418
voiced the need for the homeless issue to be addressed first as well as providing incentives for businesses.
Questions posed by Council were responded to by staff. Following discussion, it was moved by Mayor Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Sayre, and unanimously carried to adopt Resolution 2022-05 approving items 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7, reserving items 2 and 5 for further review and analysis in conjunction with the other items mentioned in the staff report. b. Council discussion regarding homelessness in the City of Tulare. [Submitted by: Council requested] City Manager Marc Mondell provided an update to Council regarding the future homeless shelter. Council provided additional comments related to homelessness.
XIII. STAFF UPDATES AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – G.C. 54954.2(c) Council Member Isherwood requested and received consensus to have staff research and report findings regarding the current animal nuisance ordinance on enforcements to cats, requesting clarification of the code section.
Council Member Sigala requested and received consensus to agendize an item regarding the issue of the pop-up flower vendors.
Council Member Sigala requested and Council approved (Mayor Mederos and Council Member Isherwood not in favor) to have staff research and provide a report regarding the process for the Council to appeal decisions by the Planning Commission and any legal impediments.
Vice Mayor Sayre requested and received consensus for staff to review the fee for appeals.
XIV. ADJOURN REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Mederos adjourned the regular session at 10:18 p.m.
President of the Council and Ex-Officio
Mayor of the City of Tulare
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Chief Deputy City Clerk and Clerk of the
Council of the City of Tulare