City of Tulare Page 1
City of Tulare
City Council Meeting Minutes
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Tulare was held on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Tulare Public Library in the Council Chamber located at 491 North M Street.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Patrick Isherwood, Jose Sigala, Stephen C. Harrell, Dennis A.
Mederos
COUNCIL ABSENT: Terry A. Sayre
STAFF PRESENT: Marc Mondell, Mario Zamora, Melissa Hermann, Josh McDonnell, Diego Ibanez, Michael Miller, Trisha Whitfield, Jason Glick, Matt Machado, Janice Avila, Michael Ott, Mario Anaya, Traci Myers, Jason Bowling, Clay Roberts, Gladys Avitia, Alexis Costales
1. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR MEETING
A regular meeting of the City Council was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Vice Mayor Isherwood.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION
Councilmember Harrell led the pledge of allegiance and an invocation was given by Assistant City Manager Josh McDonnell.
3. PRESENTATIONS
3.1. Proclamation for Black History Month. Vice Mayor Isherwood read a proclamation of the Council proclaiming February 2023 as Black History Month in the City of Tulare.
3.2. Recognize Retired Committee and Board Members. The Council recognized retired Aviation Committee members Casey Jenkins and Michael Groah as well as retired Police Department Citizen Complaint Review Board member Gene Chavez for their years of service.
3.3. Presentation by Tulare Public Cemetery District Manager Clara Bernardo.
Clara Bernardo provided a presentation to the Council regarding the current status of the Tulare Public Cemetery District.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following provided public comment: Vicente Guzman, Michael Wells, Donnette Silva-Carter, and George Herrera.
5. COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Marc Mondell advised there were no communications.
City Council Minutes Tuesday, February 7, 2023
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6. COUNCIL REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
Council reported out on recent events and discussed items of interest.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Harrell, and carried 4 to 0 (Mayor Sayre absent) to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as presented with the exception of items 7.3 and 7.5.
7.1. Waive the reading of ordinances and approve reading by title only.
Recommended Action: Approve the reading by title only of all ordinances and that further reading of such ordinances be waived.
7.2. Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of January 17 and January 27, 2023.
Recommended Action: Approve as submitted. [M. Hermann]
7.3. Police Department Citizen Complaint Review Board Annual Report.
Recommended Action: Accept the Police Department Citizen Complaint Review Board’s annual report for calendar year 2022. [G. Merrill] Vice Mayor Isherwood pulled this item for discussion. Captain Matt Machado provided additional background on the Board and the process. Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Harrell, seconded by Councilmember Mederos, and carried 4 to 0 (Mayor Sayre absent) to approve the item as presented.
7.4. Council Community Improvement Fund Expenditure Approval.
Recommended Action: Approve the expenditure of no more than $1,100 from each City Councilmember Community Improvement fund to purchase sleeping bags for residents of the Temporary Homeless Encampment. [J. McDonnell]
7.5. Real property acquisition for a portion of APN 164-130-004 needed for street right-of-way necessary to construct improvements for Project EN0088, Prosperity Avenue / West Street Traffic Signal.
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to complete and execute the documents necessary to purchase property and easements located on the north side of Prosperity Avenue east of West Street (portion of APN 164-130- 004) needed for Project EN0088 – Prosperity Avenue & West Street Improvements Project in the amount of $29,722, subject only to minor conforming and clarifying changes acceptable to the City Attorney and City Manager. [M. Miller]
This item was pulled at the request of staff. Staff advised the item will be brought back at a future date.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.1. Substantial Amendment to Fiscal Year 2022 Action Plan.
Recommended Action: Adopt resolution to reallocate $31,842.38 of Community Development Block Grant funds from Public Infrastructure activity to Affordable Housing activity and maintain $146,400 for program administration. [G. Avitia] City Council Minutes Tuesday, February 7, 2023
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Housing and Grants Specialist Gladys Avitia provided a report for Council consideration. Vice Mayor Isherwood opened the public hearing at 8:02 p.m.
Receiving no comments from the public, the public hearing was closed at 8:02 p.m. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Harrell, and carried 4 to 0 (Mayor Sayre absent) to adopt the resolution as presented.
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.1. ARPA Funds Allocation Approval.
Recommended Action: Approve the allocation of expenditures of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds toward councilmember-identified programs and projects; and adopt a resolution approving the expenditure of ARPA funds. [J.
McDonnell]
Assistant City Manager Josh McDonnell provided a report for Council consideration. Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Councilmember Mederos, and carried 4 to 0 (Mayor Sayre absent) to approve the item as presented.
10. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
10.1. City Council Challenge Coins.
Recommended Action: Review and provide direction to either add to a future agenda or not. [Councilmember Harrell]
It was Council consensus to add this item to a future agenda.
10.2. Update on the status of property sold by the City which required development.
Recommended Action: Review and provide direction to either add to a future agenda or not. [Councilmember Sigala]
It was Council consensus to add this item to a future agenda.
10.3. City of Tulare resolution urging Tulare County Board of Supervisors to establish a county-wide commission on the Status of Women & Girls.
Recommended Action: Review and provide direction to either add to a future agenda or not. [Councilmember Sigala]
There was no consensus to add this item to a future agenda.
11. STAFF UPDATES
Staff provided updates on current department activities.
City Council Minutes Tuesday, February 7, 2023
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12. ADJOURNMENT
The regular meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Approved by Council: February 21, 2023
TERRY A. SAYRE, MAYOR
ATTEST:
MARC MONDELL, CITY CLERK
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By Melissa Hermann, Chief Deputy City Clerk