City of Tulare Page 1 of 4
CITY OF TULARE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tulare Public Library & Council Chamber
491 North M Street, Tulare
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting
Proper notice of this meeting was given pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Terry A. Sayre
Vice Mayor Patrick Isherwood
Councilmember Jose Sigala
Councilmember Stephen C. Harrell
Councilmember Dennis A. Mederos
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Marc Mondell; City Attorney Mario U. Zamora; Chief Deputy City Clerk Melissa Hermann; Assistant City Manager Josh McDonnell; Chief Financial Officer Mark Roberts; City Engineer Michael Miller; Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield; Police Captain Jerod Boatman; Fire Chief Michael Ott; Human Resources Director Shonna Oneal; Community Development Director Mario Anaya; Executive Director of Economic Development and Redevelopment Traci Myers; Chief Technology Officer Jason Bowling; Assistant Community Services Director Brian Beck; Administrative Assistant Tiffany Connelley; Senior Community Maintenance Worker Carlos Soto
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Sayre called to order the regular meeting of the City Council at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 491 North M Street.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION
Councilmember Sigala led the Pledge of Allegiance, and an invocation was given by Joshua Mateine, Pastor of Unchained Church.
3. PROCLAMATIONS & RECOGNITIONS
3.1 Proclamation for Fire Prevention Month, October 2024. Councilmember Harrell read and presented a proclamation to members of the Tulare Fire Department proclaiming October 2024 as Fire Prevention Month.
3.2 Proclamation for Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day, October 16, 2024.
Councilmember Mederos read and presented a proclamation to representatives of the Tulare Chamber of Commerce proclaiming October 16, 2024 as Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mike Cosenza of California League of California Employees Association (CLOCEA) addressed the Council regarding the labor negotiations process, expressing appreciation for staff’s efforts in the process. Mr. Cosenza also expressed concern that there was an unwillingness to consider longevity pay for the group. City Manager Mondell provided a response thereto, providing clarification regarding Mr. Cosenza’s comments.
City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, October 15, 2024
City of Tulare Page 2 of 4
5. COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Mondell advised there were no communications.
6. COUNCIL REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
Council reported out on recent events and discussed items of interest.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Item 7.5 was removed from the Consent Calendar to be discussed and voted upon separately.
It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Councilmember Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as presented except for item 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 Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve the minutes of the special and/or regular meeting of October 1, 2024. [M. Hermann]
7.3 Easement Agreement with Uchita Management Company, LLC.
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to execute an Easement Agreement with Uchita Management Company, LLC for storm drain conveyance and retention facilities related to Phases 1 thru 3 of the Cottonwood Estates subdivision. [M. Miller]
7.4 Change Voluntary Benefit Provider from Chimienti to American Fidelity.
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to execute a Service Exchange Agreement with American Fidelity enhancing access to better voluntary benefits for City employees subject only to minor conforming and clarifying changes acceptable to the City Attorney and City Manager. [S. Oneal]
7.6 Professional Services Agreement with Baker Tilly.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution approving the establishment of a professional services agreement with the firm Baker Tilly to prepare the City’s Consolidated Plan for fiscal years 2025-2029, an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice, and other related reports; and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the agreement between the City of Tulare and Baker Tilly, subject only to minor conforming or clarifying changes acceptable to the City Attorney and City Manager. [G. Avitia]
7.7 Notice of Completion - EN0091 Elliott Tract Improvements Project.
Recommended Action: Accept as complete the contract with Dawson-Mauldin, LLC. of Selma, CA for work on Project EN0091 - Elliott Tract Improvements, a street and utility improvement project on Los Angeles Street and Santa Clara Street between Bardsley Avenue and Inyo Avenue; authorize the City Engineer to sign the Notice of Completion; and direct the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the Tulare County Recorder’s Office. [M. Miller]
7.8 Notice of Completion - EN0092 Pratt-Mefford-Choice Tract Improvements Project.
Recommended Action: Accept as complete the contract with Dawson-Mauldin, LLC. of Selma, CA for work on Project EN0092 - Pratt-Mefford-Choice Tract Improvements, a street and utility improvement project on Pratt Street between Inyo Avenue and Bardsley Avenue; authorize the City Engineer to sign the Notice of Completion; and direct the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the Tulare County Recorder’s Office. [M. Miller] City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, October 15, 2024
City of Tulare Page 3 of 4
7.9 Cardiac Monitor/Defibrillators and Chest Compression Machines Purchase.
Recommended Action: Approve the purchase of three LifePak15 cardiac monitor/defibrillators and four Lucas Automated Chest Compression Machines (ACCM) Systems in the amount of $295,991.33. [M. Ott]
7.10 Designating Intersections as All-Way Stop Intersections.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution designating the intersections of Kern Avenue at L Street and Kern Avenue at N Street as all-way stop intersections and authorizing the installation of corresponding stop controls. [M. Miller]
ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
7.5 CLOCEA, Miscellaneous Mid-Manager, and Department Head Group Salary and Benefit Negotiated Changes.
Recommended Action: Adopt a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with California League of California Employees Association (CLOCEA) for the period beginning July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027; and authorize salary changes by approving the amended salary schedule for CLOCEA, Miscellaneous Mid-Manager Group, and Department Head Group. [S. Oneal]
Public Comment: Mike Cosenza of CLOCEA advised that the contract was approved with almost 89% in favor. Mr. Cosenza stated that the 11% that voted no did so because longevity pay was not offered.
Council Action: Council removed this item for discussion following comments made by the public in regard to this item. Councilmember Sigala expressed that he supports longevity pay and inquired if it could be included in the contract. City Attorney Zamora advised that the contract was already approved by CLOCEA, so it could not be changed at this time. Following discussion, it was moved by Vice Mayor Isherwood, seconded by Councilmember Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
8. GENERAL BUSINESS
8.1 Rotary Club Flagpole Donation.
Recommended Action: Accept a $10,000 donation from the Tulare Rotary Club to assist with the costs associated with the installation of flag poles as part of City Project PK0033 – Zumwalt Park Renovation.
Presented By: City Engineer Michael Miller
Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Ken Espinosa from the Tulare Rotary Club presented a $10,000 check to the City. In return, Mayor Sayre presented a certificate to the Tulare Rotary Club for their generous donation. It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Councilmember Mederos, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
8.2 Workers’ Compensation Carve Out Program.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution approving the Labor Management Workers’ Compensation Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Agreement between the City of Tulare (City) and the Tulare Professional Firefighters Association Non-Management and Management Group (TPFA).
Presented By: Human Resources Director Shonna Oneal; Attorney John Ferrone Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Councilmember Mederos inquired as to why this same program is not being offered to all employees. Human Resources Director Oneal stated that this type of program is available to all classifications of employees within the City. Ms. Oneal advised that conversations regarding this program have been initiated with other bargaining units, but conversations have not concluded at this time. City Manager Mondell advised that this program was not introduced to CLOCEA during their negotiations as they were not ready City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, October 15, 2024
City of Tulare Page 4 of 4
to tackle this item yet as there were many other issues to work through. Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
8.3 Pilot Program for the Community Toolshed & Bye Bye Mattress.
Recommended Action: Approve a 1-year pilot program for the Community Tool Shed and Bye Bye Mattress, to be run and operated by the Community Maintenance team of the Office of Safety, Compliance and Facilities.
Presented By: Administrative Assistant Tiffany Connelley; Senior Community Maintenance Worker Carlos Soto
Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala inquired if there would be a way for councilmembers to sponsor the mattress program. Councilmember Mederos stated this would be a great program that would not only help within the City of Tulare but also in the country where many tend to dispose of mattresses on private property. Councilmember Sigala advised that he is willing to commit $5,000 of his remaining ARPA funds if possible.
Assistant City Manager McDonnell advised that staff would look into this. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
9. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - NONE SUBMITTED
10. STAFF UPDATES
Staff provided updates on department activities.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Seeing no further business to discuss, Mayor Sayre adjourned the regular meeting at 8:21 p.m.
These meeting minutes were approved by the Council on November 5, 2024.
Terry A. Sayre, President of the Council and
Ex-Officio Mayor
ATTEST:
Marc Mondell, City Clerk
__________________________________
By Melissa Hermann, Chief Deputy City Clerk
Terry A. Sayre (Nov 18, 2024 11:57 PST) Melissa Hermann (Nov 19, 2024 08:15 PST) Melissa Hermann
Council Meeting Minutes 10/15/2024
Final Audit Report 2024-11-19
Created: 2024-11-18
By: Melissa Hermann ([email protected])
Status: Signed
Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAkeDL_UDxrKRxXgOjrcU0N7Bcx7th0TNf "Council Meeting Minutes 10/15/2024" History
Document created by Melissa Hermann ([email protected]) 2024-11-18 - 4:56:03 PM GMT
Document emailed to Terry A. Sayre ([email protected]) for signature 2024-11-18 - 4:56:08 PM GMT
Document emailed to Melissa Hermann ([email protected]) for signature 2024-11-18 - 4:56:08 PM GMT
Email viewed by Terry A. Sayre ([email protected])
2024-11-18 - 7:57:00 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Terry A. Sayre ([email protected]) Signature Date: 2024-11-18 - 7:57:37 PM GMT - Time Source: server Document e-signed by Melissa Hermann ([email protected]) Signature Date: 2024-11-19 - 4:15:20 PM GMT - Time Source: server Agreement completed.
2024-11-19 - 4:15:20 PM GMT