City of Tulare Page 1 of 6
CITY OF TULARE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tulare Public Library & Council Chamber
491 North M Street, Tulare
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
6:00 p.m. Special Meeting
7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting
Proper notice of this meeting was given pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2 and 54956.
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; Assistant City Manager Josh McDonnell; Chief Financial Officer Mark Roberts; City Engineer Michael Miller; Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield; Assistant Community Services Director Brian Beck; Police Chief Fred Ynclan; Fire Division Chief Dave Rossman; Human Resources Director Shonna Oneal; Community Development
Director Mario Anaya; Executive Director of Economic Development and Redevelopment Traci Myers; Chief Technology Officer Jason Bowling; Senior Administrative Assistant Diana Smith
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Sayre called to order the special meeting of the Tulare City Council at 6:05 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 491 North M Street.
2. STUDY SESSION
2.1 Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Update Review.
Recommended Action: Review and discuss the proposed updates to the City’s Zoning Ordinance.
Presented By: Principal Planner Steven Sopp; Community Development Director Mario Anaya; Kira Stowell of QK
Public Comment: Lenord Ogans, resident of Matheny Tract, addressed the Council regarding the lack of curbs and gutters in Matheny Tract. Michael Lozeau from Lozeau Drury LLP on behalf of the Laborers International Union of North America Local 294 addressed the Council expressing concern over the inclusion of cold storage or ice house allowed in certain zones and their impacts. Reinalda Palma, resident of Matheny Tract, addressed the Council requesting consideration of including commercial and retail around their community and stated it would be beneficial to have Matheny Tract as part of the City of Tulare. Victor Castillo, resident of Matheny Tract, addressed the Council requesting public notification to the community anytime there is development in proximity of the community, consider rezoning industrial development away from the community, concerns regarding contamination, and deterioration of the roads when development occurs nearby.
Council Action: Questions posed by Council were responded to by staff and Ms. Stowell of QK. This item was informational; therefore, no action was taken.
3. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Sayre adjourned the special meeting at 7:01 p.m.
City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, December 17, 2024 City of Tulare Page 2 of 6
4. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Sayre called to order the regular meeting of the City Council at 7:01 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 491 North M Street.
5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION
Councilmember Harrell led the Pledge of Allegiance, and an invocation was given by Steve Duyst, Pastor of Tulare Community Church.
6. ACTIONS FOLLOWING THE 2024 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
6.1 Declare Results of the City of Tulare November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution accepting the official canvass and certified Statement of Votes of the November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election and declaring the results and other such matters as provided by law.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
6.2 Administration of Oath of Office to Newly Elected City Councilmembers: Jose Sigala for District 1, Steve Harrell for District 3, and Patrick Isherwood for District 5.
City Manager/City Clerk Marc Mondell administered the oath of office to the newly elected members of the City Council.
6.3 Reorganization of the City Council.
Recommended Action: Select the mayor and vice mayor amongst the membership.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Mederos and seconded by Councilmember Sigala to select Patrick Isherwood as mayor. City Attorney Zamora called for a roll call vote. The motion passed 5 to 0 as follows:
Ayes: Mayor Sayre, Vice Mayor Isherwood, Councilmember Mederos, Councilmember Sigala, Councilmember Harrell
Noes: None
It was further moved by Mayor Isherwood and seconded by Councilmember Sayre to select Stephen C. Harrell as vice mayor. City Attorney Zamora called for a roll call vote.
The motion passed 5 to 0 as follows:
Ayes: Mayor Isherwood, Councilmember Sayre, Councilmember Sigala, Councilmember Harrell, Councilmember Mederos
Noes: None
Council took a short recess at 7:20 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
7. PROCLAMATIONS & RECOGNITIONS
7.1 Resolution of Commendation to Canby’s Air Conditioning & Heating for 100 Years.
Vice Mayor Harrell presented a resolution of commendation to representatives of Canby’s Air Conditioning and Heating.
8. PRESENTATIONS
8.1 2024 Concert Series Recap by Todd Speelman of Spade Entertainment. Todd Speelman of Spade Entertainment provided a presentation to the Council regarding the concerts held at the new Adventist Health Amphitheater. Mr. Speelman thanked City staff for their efforts. Executive Director of Economic Development & Redevelopment Traci Myers provided comments made from downtown business owners regarding the concerts’ City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, December 17, 2024 City of Tulare Page 3 of 6
positive effects on their businesses. Questions posed by Council were responded to by Mr. Speelman.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT
Connie Diaz introduced herself as a newly elected member to the College of the Sequoias Board of Trustees.
Jerry Quinonez addressed the Council requesting a streetlight be placed in the 800 block of E.
San Joaquin Ave.
John Harman of the Tulare Downtown Association provided an update on the Christmas parade and thanked the Tulare Police Department for their efforts in response to the incident that occurred.
10. COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Marc Mondell advised a letter was received on December 16, 2024 from Emma De La Rosa of the Leadership Counsel for Justice & Accountability regarding the Zoning Ordinance update, and an email received on December 17, 2024 from Michael Lozeau of Lozeau Drury LP regarding the Zoning Ordinance update.
11. COUNCIL REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
Council reported out on recent events and discussed items of interest.
12. CONSENT CALENDAR
Item 12.5 and 12.8 were removed from the Consent Calendar by Council.
It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as presented except for items 12.5 and
12.8. 12.1 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.
12.2 Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve the minutes of the special and/or regular meeting of December 3, 2024. [M. Hermann]
12.3 Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 2024-06.
Recommended Action: Adopt Ordinance 2024-06 amending Chapter 7.09 (Wells) of the City of Tulare Municipal Code. [T. Whitfield]
12.4 Amendment to Contract with RSG, for Consulting Services.
Recommended Action: Approve an amendment to the contract with RSG, for consulting services associated with administration of American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) funding. [M. Gaboardi]
12.6 Parcel Map Acceptance – TPM 2022-01.
Recommended Action: Approve the Parcel Map filed by Paula C. Ametjian, general partner of the Armistre Ametjian Staley Family Limited Partnership and Trustee of the Paula C. Ametjian Separate Property Trust for the division of land located on the north City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, December 17, 2024 City of Tulare Page 4 of 6
side of Tulare Avenue between Mountain View Street and Aronian Street for recordation, and accept all easements and dedications offered to the City. [M. Miller]
12.7 Parcel Map Acceptance – TPM 2024-02.
Recommended Action: Approve the Parcel Map filed by Joe Pedro, chairperson of The First Church of God of Tulare, for the division of land located on North Blackstone Street, and accept all easements and dedications offered to the City. [M. Miller]
ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
12.5 Lease of City-owned Property - 407 North K Street.
Recommended Action: Approve a five-year lease agreement with New Life Ministries of Tulare County for the building located at 407 North K Street for $1,500 per month; and authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents on behalf of the City.
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala pulled this item to request clarification on the type of lease the City will have with New Life Ministries of Tulare County. City Manager Marc Mondell provided a response thereto. It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Councilmember Sayre, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
12.8 City of Tulare Health Care Center Agreement.
Recommended Action: Approve the City of Tulare Health Care Center Agreement with Elite Corporate Medical Services, Inc. (Elite), subject to minor clarifying and confirming revisions as approved by the City Attorney; and authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement.
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala pulled this item to state that this agreement will positively impact City employees and their families. It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Councilmember Mederos, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
13. PUBLIC HEARING
13.1 Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Update.
Recommended Action: Pass-to-print an ordinance adopting Zone Amendment No. 756 approving a Comprehensive Update to the City of Tulare’s Zoning Ordinance (Title 10 of the City of Tulare Municipal Code).
Presented By: Principal Planner Steven Sopp; Community Development Director Mario Anaya
Public Comment: The public hearing was opened at 8:33 p.m. A presentation was provided by Ashley Vega of the Leadership Counsel of Justice & Accountability providing recommendations to protect residents from industrial development. Michael Lozeau of Lozeau Drury LLP on behalf of the Laborers International Union of North America Local 294 addressed the Council expressing concern over the inclusion of cold storage or ice house allowed in certain zones and their impacts and the common sense exemption as well as concerns with inconsistencies with the General Plan and policy. The public hearing was closed at 8:52 p.m.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Mederos and seconded by Councilmember Sayre to approve the item as amended to include enhanced landscaping in buffer zones utilizing two rows of trees, prohibiting the internal circulation idling trucks offsite, and on-site public notice signs as recommended by the Leadership Counsel of Justice & Accountability. City Attorney Zamora called for a roll call vote. The motion passed 5 to 0 as follows:
Ayes: Councilmember Mederos, Councilmember Sayre, Councilmember Sigala, Vice Mayor Harrell, Mayor Isherwood
Noes: None
City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, December 17, 2024 City of Tulare Page 5 of 6
14. GENERAL BUSINESS
14.1 Analysis of Impediments and Consolidated Plan 101.
Recommended Action: Receive and consider a presentation from Baker Tilly Advisory Group on a project plan and overall development of an updated Fiscal Years (FY) 2025- 2029 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice and updated FY 2025 – 2029 Consolidated Plan for the City of Tulare.
Presented By: Housing and Grants Manager Alexis Costales; Baron Jamaal, Jolena Presti, and Sydni Pierce of Baker Tilly Advisory Group
Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Questions posed by Council were responded to by staff. This was an informational item; therefore, there was no action taken.
14.2 MOU with Cyclum Renewables, LLC and Central Cal Truck Stops, LLC.
Recommended Action: Receive a presentation on a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Tulare and Cyclum Renewables, LLC and Central Cal Truck Stops, LLC to Establish a Collaborative Relationship to Redevelop Mefford Field with a Renewable Energy Truck and Vehicle Charging Center on 26 acres of city-owned, nonFederal Aviation Administration Property; and to authorize the City Manager or designee to execute same with any minor revisions as approved by the City Attorney.
Presented By: Executive Director of Economic Development Traci Myers; Shawn Lee of Cyclum Renewables, LLC
Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Questions posed by Council were responded to by staff and Mr. Lee. It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Councilmember Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the item with the stipulation that staff will explore Vice Mayor Harrell’s request to ensure the airplanes at Mefford Field are kept in a safe location.
14.3 Police Department Citizen Complaint Review Board Appointments.
Recommended Action: Appoint seven members to the Police Department Citizen Complaint Review Board to serve a term for January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026.
Presented By: City Manager Marc Mondell obo Chief Deputy City Clerk Melissa Hermann Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: It was the consensus of Council to table this item to January 7, 2025.
It was the consensus of the Council to move Item 14.4 forward on the agenda to be heard following the Consent Calendar.
14.4 Cost Reimbursement for Parades and Events.
Recommended Action: Provide direction to staff regarding cost reimbursement for parades and events in which the city expends funds.
Presented By: Community Development Director Mario Anaya Public Comment: Willard Epps addressed the Council regarding the Martin Luther King Jr. event held in January. John Harman inquired whether this item only related to MLK walk or inclusive to all events as which Council responded that it was related only to the MLK walk. Jason Bender addressed the Council stating there may be a bigger discussion regarding the requirements for parades and events in downtown.
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala offered to pay for the permit fees through his Community Benefit fund if those fees have not been paid yet. There was no action taken on this item.
14.5 Council Representation on Local and Regional Boards and Committees.
Recommended Action: Approve appointments of the City Council representatives to local and regional boards and committees.
Presented By: City Manager Marc Mondell obo Chief Deputy City Clerk Melissa Hermann City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, December 17, 2024 City of Tulare Page 6 of 6
Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: It was the consensus of Council to table this item until January 21, 2025.
15. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
15.1 Moratorium of Demolition Permits.
Recommended Action: Direct staff to add to a future agenda or take no action.
Submitted By: Councilmember Harrell
Council Action: It was the consensus of Council to have staff add this item to a future agenda.
16. STAFF UPDATES
Staff provided updates on department activities.
17. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS
17.1 Conference with Labor Negotiators (Govt. Code § 54957.6) Agency Designated Representatives: City Manager Mondell; City Attorney Zamora; Assistant City Manager McDonnell; Human Resources Director Oneal Employee Organization: Tulare Police Officers Union (TPOU) Unrepresented Employee: Police Management Group
Council recessed to closed session at 10:37 p.m.
18. RECONVENE FROM CLOSED SESSION
Council reconvened from closed session at 10:59 p.m.
19. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Mario Zamora advised there was no reportable action.
20. ADJOURNMENT
Seeing no further business to discuss, Mayor Isherwood adjourned the regular meeting at 10:59 p.m.
These meeting minutes were approved by the Council on January 7, 2025.
Patrick Isherwood, President of the Council
and Ex-Officio Mayor
ATTEST:
Marc Mondell, City Clerk
By Melissa Hermann, Chief Deputy City Clerk
Patrick Isherwood (Jan 9, 2025 10:40 PST) Melissa Hermann (Jan 10, 2025 14:51 PST) Council Meeting Minutes 12/17/2024
Final Audit Report 2025-01-10
Created: 2025-01-09
By: Melissa Hermann ([email protected])
Status: Signed
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