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CITY OF TULARE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tulare Public Library & Council Chamber
491 North M Street, Tulare
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
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 Patrick Isherwood (arrived at 6:30 p.m.) Vice Mayor Steve Harrell
Councilmember Jose Sigala
Councilmember Terry A. Sayre
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; Community Services Director Chris Orr; Police Chief Fred Ynclan; Fire Chief Michael Ott; Human Resources Director Shonna Oneal; Community Development Director Mario Anaya; Chief Technology Officer Jason Bowling
1. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Mayor Harrell called to order the special meeting of the Tulare City Council at 6:02 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 491 North M Street.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT PERTAINING TO CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
There were no public comments.
3. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING
3.1 Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Gov. Code § 54956.9) Name of Case: VCU297860 Jathan Quiroz, a minor, by and through his Guardian ad Litem Javier Quiroz v. City of Tulare
3.2 Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Gov. Code § 54956.9) Name of Case: VCU317258 People of the State of California, Ex Rel. Rob Bonta, Attorney General of the State of California v. City of Tulare
3.3 Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Gov. Code § 54956.9) Name of Case: VCU317197 Laborers International Union of North America, Local Union 294, an organized labor union v. City of Tulare
Council recessed to closed session at 6:03 p.m.
4. RECONVENE FROM CLOSED SESSION
Council reconvened from closed session at 7:19 p.m.
City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, February 4, 2025
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5. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Mario U. Zamora advised that for items 3.2 and 3.3, Council considered a contract to hire outside legal counsel for those two lawsuits. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Sigala, and unanimously carried to retain Downey Brand out of Sacramento and authorize the City Manager to sign an agreement. Mr. Zamora also advised there was no reportable action in regard to item 3.1.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Isherwood adjourned the special meeting at 7:21 p.m.
7. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Isherwood called to order the regular meeting of the City Council at 7:21 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 491 North M Street.
8. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION
Councilmember Mederos led the Pledge of Allegiance, and an invocation was given by Susan Henard, Senior Pastor of River Valley Church.
9. PROCLAMATIONS & RECOGNITIONS
9.1 Proclamation for Black History Month. Mayor Isherwood read and presented a proclamation to Ethel Shaver, Desiree Timmons, and Julia Young proclaiming February 2025 as Black History Month in the City of Tulare.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT
Desiree Timmons addressed the Council to express her appreciation to the City Council and Police Chief Ynclan for their support during the recent Martin Luther King, Jr. March.
11. COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Marc Mondell advised there were no communications.
12. COUNCIL REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
Council reported out on recent events and discussed items of interest.
13. CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as presented.
13.1 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.
13.2 Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve the minutes of the special and/or regular meeting of January 21, 2025. [M. Hermann]
13.3 Local Agency Investment Fund Authorization.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution authorizing certain City of Tulare officials to direct Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) transactions and to execute and deliver LAIF documents and rescinding Resolution 15-07. [M. Roberts] City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, February 4, 2025
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13.4 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Cleaning Facility.
Recommended Action: Authorize the establishment of an Other General Fund CIP Fund appropriation of up to $100,000 and a transfer from the General Fund to the Other General Fund CIP Fund in the same amount, using unassigned General Fund fund balance for building modifications to create a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Cleaning Facility at Fire Station 61. [M. Ott]
13.5 Purchase of 2025 Ford Police Interceptors.
Recommended Action: Award the purchase of 11 new/unused 2025 Ford Police Interceptor Utility (K8A) AWD vehicles to National Auto Fleet Group of Watsonville, CA using Sourcewell Contract No. 091521-NAF in the amount of $597,061.85. [T. Whitfield]
13.6 City Council Travel Expense and Community Improvement Budget Policy.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution establishing guidelines for use of City Council Travel Budget and Community Improvement Budget. [M. Hermann]
14. PUBLIC HEARING
14.1 Farmland Mitigation Ordinance Revisions.
Recommended Action: Adopt Zone Amendment No. 757 approving revisions to the City of Tulare’s Farmland Mitigation Ordinance (Chapter 10.222 of the City of Tulare Municipal Code).
Presented By: Community Development Director Mario Anaya Public Comment: The public hearing was opened at 7:49 p.m. Darlene Mata addressed the Council expressing support for the proposed ordinance. City Manager Marc Mondell advised a letter of support was received from the Building Industry Association in regard to the proposed ordinance. The public hearing was closed at 7:51 p.m.
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala inquired about the property on the southwest corner of Pratt and Bardsley in regard to whether it was being protected or not at which he was advised that was not City-owned property where this ordinance only includes Cityowned property. Mr. Sigala also expressed concern over decision-making being moved from Council to staff. Councilmember Mederos and Mayor Isherwood shared that concern.
Mr. Mederos also expressed concern that projects 20 acres or less would be exempt from the in-lieu fee as indicated in the proposed ordinance as well as the recommended price per acre. Mr. Mederos would like a better understand on how this program would be administered. Mayor Isherwood expressed concern over legal review and inquired whether the proposed ordinance in full is compliant from the City Attorney’s Office perspective. City Attorney Mario U. Zamora did confirm it was reviewed and approved by the City Attorney’s Office. Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to close the public comment portion of the public hearing and continued the remainder of the public hearing to March 4. It was the consensus of Council to direct staff to provide the additional information requested as discussed prior to March 4.
15. GENERAL BUSINESS
15.1 Update on Mooney Boulevard and Cross Avenue Intersection.
Recommended Action: Receive an update regarding the Mooney Boulevard and Cross Avenue intersection.
Presented By: City Engineer Michael Miller
Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: There was no discussion on this item due to current litigation.
City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, February 4, 2025
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15.2 Temporary Encampment Facility Operational Plan and Related Costs.
Recommended Action: Approve a new twelve-month operational plan and budget for the Temporary Encampment Facility; and authorize the City Manager and/or his designee(s) to establish the necessary contracts and/or grant agreements to fulfill the operational plan and related budget expectations where feasible.
Presented By: City Manager Marc Mondell; Housing & Grants Manager Alexis Costales Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala expressed that he understands the need for the services provided in Table 3 but is concerned over the shortfall in funds which would be covered by the General Fund and Measure Y which has not yet been obligated.
Councilmember Mederos expressed concern over funding and being able to sustain services. Mr. Mederos stated he would not be able to support additional services at this time. Councilmember Sayre provided rationale for the request for additional services in regard to security. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos and seconded by Councilmember Sayre to approve Plan C with the inclusion of services provided in Table
3. Prior to the Council voting on the motion, Mayor Isherwood expressed concern over sources and uses when making adjustments to provided services as that information was not provided. Mr. Isherwood also expressed the need for City staff to look into more cost effective ways to provide services as well as the need for a transition plan from the encampment to the homeless shelter. Following continued discussion, Councilmember Mederos withdrew his motion and Councilmember Sayre withdrew the second to the motion. It was the consensus of Council to have staff come back with a table of funding for objectives and sources of funds.
15.3 City of Tulare Budget Policies & Practices Amendment.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution approving the proposed amendment to the City of Tulare Budget Policies & Practices “Long-Term Financial Planning” section, which includes: 1) consolidating the General Fund Reserve Account policy and General Fund Contingency Reserve into a single reserve; 2) setting a target range for the consolidated reserve of between seventeen and thirty-three percent of a single fiscal year’s budgeted General Fund operating expenditures; 3) establishing a replenishment schedule for the Reserve for if it falls below its minimum target level; and 4) designating $15.3 million of current General Fund unassigned fund balance, which is equal to approximately twentyfive percent of fiscal year 2025 General Fund operating expenditures, as the General Fund Contingency Reserve, to classify it as committed fund balance as defined by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board in its Statement Number 54 (GASB 54).
Presented By: Chief Financial Officer Mark Roberts
Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala expressed concern with lowering the 25% minimum. Councilmember Mederos inquired whether the other reserves in the current policy are being affected and expressed concern over the shift of decision-making from the Council to City Manager. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos and seconded by Councilmember Sigala to approve the item as amended to have the policy reflect that the “guidelines may be suspended, in whole or in part, if financial or economic circumstances are determined by the City Council to prevent meeting any or all of the timelines.” Mayor Isherwood called for the clerk to poll the Council. The motion passed 5 to 0 as follows:
Ayes: Councilmember Mederos, Councilmember Sigala, Councilmember Sayre, Vice Mayor Harrell, Mayor Isherwood
Noes: None
City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, February 4, 2025
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15.4 City of Tulare Investment Policy Amendment.
Recommended Action: Approve the proposed amendment to the City of Tulare Statement of Investment Policy.
Presented By: Chief Financial Officer Mark Roberts
Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
16. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
16.1 Initiation of Collaborative Process to Consider Roundabout at Cartmill & West.
Recommended Action: Direct staff to add to a future agenda or take no action.
Submitted By: Councilmember Mederos
Council Action: It was the consensus of Council to have staff add this item to a future agenda.
17. STAFF UPDATES
Staff provided updates on department activities.
18. ADJOURNMENT
Seeing no further business to discuss, Mayor Isherwood adjourned the regular meeting at 10:04 p.m.
These meeting minutes were approved by the Council on February 18, 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 (Feb 21, 2025 08:43 PST)
Council Meeting Minutes
Final Audit Report 2025-02-21
Created: 2025-02-21
By: Melissa Hermann ([email protected])
Status: Signed
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