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CITY OF TULARE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tulare Public Library & Council Chamber
491 North M Street, Tulare
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
5:00 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
Vice Mayor Steve Harrell
Councilmember Jose Sigala
Councilmember Terry A. Sayre
Councilmember Dennis A. Mederos
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Marc Mondell; Assistant City Attorney Megan Crouch; Chief Deputy City Clerk Melissa Hermann; Assistant City Manager Thomas W. Gaffery IV; 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; Executive Director of Economic Development & Redevelopment Jennifer Gomez; Chief Technology Officer Jason Bowling; Management Analyst Irene Santos; Finance Budget Manager Jacob Del Cid
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Isherwood called to order the special meeting of the Tulare City Council at 5:02 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 491 North M Street.
2. STUDY SESSION
2.1 Fiscal Year 2026 Preliminary Budget Review.
Recommended Action: Review the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget and provide direction thereto.
Presented By: Chief Financial Officer Mark Roberts; Finance Budget Manager Jacob Del Cid; City Manager Marc Mondell
Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala requested there be a presentation on the future fire station.
It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to allocate $50,000 to the Parks Master Plan Implementation for Fiscal Year 2026 providing staff discretion to decrease funds from another project.
Councilmember Sayre commented on the gopher holes at Centennial Park. City Manager Marc Mondell stated this issue can be taken care of through Maintenance and Operation funds.
It was the consensus of Council to incorporate red curb as part of the Centennial Park Parking Lot project and to move the project up in prioritization.
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It was the consensus of Council to move the Station 61 Concrete project up in prioritization.
It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Councilmember Sayre, and unanimously carried to submit the modified list of projects to the Planning Commission.
Councilmember Sigala expressed his desire to cap Measure I expenditures to avoid exceeding revenues. It was the consensus of Council to add this topic to future budget discussions.
It was the consensus of Council to support the addition of three police officer positions.
Mayor Isherwood, Vice Mayor Harrell, and Councilmember Sigala endorse the addition of five police officer positions. Staff will look into this and bring back for further discussion.
3. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Isherwood adjourned the special meeting at 7:06 p.m.
4. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Isherwood called to order the regular meeting of the City Council at 7:24 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 491 North M Street.
5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION
David Furlich from Troop 274 led the Pledge of Allegiance, and an invocation was given by Brian Bell, Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints.
6. PROCLAMATIONS & RECOGNITIONS
6.1 National Salvation Army Week – May 12-18, 2025. Councilmember Sayre read and presented a proclamation to representatives of the Salvation Army of Tulare County proclaiming May 12-18, 2025 as National Salvation Army week in the City of Tulare.
6.2 National Police Week – May 11-17, 2025 and Peace Officers Memorial Day – May 15, 2025. Vice Mayor Harrell read and presented a proclamation to Chief Ynclan proclaiming the week of May 11-17, 2025 as National Police Week and May 15, 2025 as Peace Officer Memorial Day in the City of Tulare.
6.3 National Public Works Week – May 18-24, 2025. Councilmember Sigala read and presented a proclamation to Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield proclaiming the week of May 18-24, 2025 as National Public Works Week in the City of Tulare.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Lesley Gleason of Lesley & Associates addressed the Council regarding the City’s new logo and expressed that she felt she was not given an opportunity to be considered to create the new logo.
She also expressed concern that the City is doing less business with her company.
Donnette Silva-Carter addressed the Council to provide various Chamber of Commerce updates.
8. PRESENTATIONS
8.1 ENGIE Project Recap by Ashu Jain. Ashu Jain and Adam Davis of ENGIE provided an overview of the completed energy improvement project.
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8.2 Pension Program Review and Cost Management Strategy Assessment by NHA.
Eric Scriven and Mike Meyer of NHA Advisors provided an overview of the pension program and cost management strategy assessment.
9. COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Marc Mondell advised there were no communications.
10. COUNCIL REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
Council reported on recent events and discussed items of interest.
11. CONSENT CALENDAR
Items 11.9, 11.16, and 11.17 were removed from the Consent Calendar.
It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Councilmember Sayre, and unanimously carried to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as presented except for items 11.9, 11.16, and 11.17.
11.1 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.
11.2 Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve the minutes of the special and/or regular meeting of April 15, 2025. [M. Hermann]
11.3 Replace Existing FARO (Focus Laser Scanner).
Recommended Action: (1) Authorize the establishment of an Equipment Replacement appropriation of $60,952.02 and use of Equipment Replacement for purchase of a 3D Laser scanner for the Police Department; and
(2) Authorize the purchase of a FARO 3D Laser Scanner for the Police Department from ZNet Tech, LLC of Olney, Maryland, utilizing U.S. General Services Administration (“GSA”) Contract #47QTCA18D003S in the amount of $60,952.02 and authorize a 5% contingency of $3,048 for a total not to exceed the amount of $64,000. [G. Merrill]
11.4 Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 2025-05.
Recommended Action: Adopt Ordinance 2025-05 repealing and replacing Section
8.36.280 (Hours of Use) of Chapter 8.36 (City Park and Trail Ordinance); enacting Chapter
8.37 City Property Exclusion; and enacting Chapter 8.38 (Encampments on Public Property) of Title 8 Public Ways and Property of the Tulare Municipal Code. [M. Correa]
11.5 Adding Annexed Territory to Council District.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution adopting the revised City Council Election District Boundaries to include the recently annexed territory through the Mission Creek Annexation to Council District 5. [M. Hermann]
11.6 Purchase of Bauer Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Air Compressor.
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to approve the purchase of a new Bauer Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Air Compressor in the amount of $91,953.40 utilizing California State Purchasing Contract and approve the appropriation of up to $96,953.40 in Equipment Replacement Fund 623-4623-7702 for this project. [M.
Ott]
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11.7 Regional Surface Transportation Program Exchange Fund Claim.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Finance Director to file a claim with the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) for the City of Tulare’s Fiscal Year 2024-2025 apportionment of Regional Surface Transportation Program funds. [M. Miller]
11.8 Design Consultant Contract Amendment for Project EN0097.
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager or designee to sign a $47,000 contract amendment with Peters Engineering Group of Clovis, CA, for additional design services related to CIP Project EN0097 – International AgriCenter Way Extension. [M.
Miller]
11.10 Notice of Completion for Mooney Boulevard Frontage Improvements.
Recommended Action: (1) Accept as complete the required public works improvements for Mooney Boulevard frontage associated with Phases 2 and 3 of The Greens at Oak Creek residential subdivision;
(2) Authorize the City Engineer to sign a Notice of Completion (NOC); and (3) Direct the City Clerk to file the NOC with the Tulare County Recorder’s Office. [M.
Miller]
11.11 Purchase of 8 Self-Contained-Breathing-Apparatus and Accessories.
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to approve the purchase of 8 SelfContained-Breathing-Apparatus (SCBA) and accessories in the amount of $80,563.98. [M. Ott]
11.12 Downtown Tulare Property-Based Improvement District Committee Appointments.
Recommended Action: Appoint additional members to the Downtown Tulare PropertyBased Improvement District (PBID) Committee to include Jennifer Gomez (replacing Marc Mondell), Chris Beck, Don LeBaron, Lino Pimentel, and Steven Macias. [J. Gomez]
11.13 Parcel Map Acceptance – TPM 2023-02.
Recommended Action: Approve the Parcel Map filed by Darshan Singh and Jagroop Sing, members of Jagroop & Taran Properties, LLC, a Michigan limited liability company, for the division of land located on the southeast corner of Prosperity Avenue and West Street for recordation, and accept all easements and dedications offered to the City. [M.
Miller]
11.14 Initiate Proceedings for Formation of Landscape Maintenance District 2025-01.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution initiating proceedings for the formation of Landscape Maintenance District 2025-01 for the Mission Creek Subdivision, and setting May 20, 2025, as the date for a public hearing regarding the same. [M. Miller]
11.15 CLOCEA Clarifying Side Letter.
Recommended Action: Approve a Side Letter of Agreement with the California League of City Employees Association (CLOCEA) regarding clarifying revisions and amendments to Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) adopted October 15, 2024. [S. Oneal; M.
Zamora]
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ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
11.9 Purchase Portable Restroom Trailers for CIP for Project PK0033.
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute a contract for $112,899.35 with Ready 2 Go Restroom Trailer Sales LLC of Pittsburgh, GA, to procure portable restrooms as part of Project PK0033 Zumwalt Park Renovation. [M. Miller] Council Action: Vice Mayor Harrell pulled this item for clarification and inquired how the restrooms would be used when not in use at the amphitheater. City Manager Marc Mondell stated that the restrooms could be used for events downtown as well as City events. It was moved by Vice Mayor Harrell, seconded by Councilmember Sayre, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
11.16 Sorrento Mooney Boulevard Short-term Deferred Improvement Agreement.
Recommended Action: Approve a short-term deferred improvement agreement with SJV Horizontal, LLC allowing the construction of frontage improvements along the west side of Mooney Boulevard (State Route 63) from Cartmill Avenue to Ribolla Avenue to be deferred for a maximum of four (4) years, or prior to the City’s acceptance of the required public improvements for the Sorrento subdivision, whichever occurs first. [M. Miller] Council Action: This item was pulled by staff to provide clarification. Questions posed by Council were responded to by staff and Steve Macias of San Joaquin Valley Homes. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Sayre, and unanimously carried to approve items 11.16 and 11.17 with the addition of requiring the developer to provide an update to the City Council annually.
11.17 Conditional Final Map Acceptance – Sorrento Subdivision.
Recommended Action: Contingent on Council’s approval of the short-term deferred improvement agreement for the Sorrento Subdivision’s Mooney Boulevard frontage improvements, conditionally approve the final map and subdivision improvement agreement for the Sorrento Subdivision for recordation, and accept all easements and dedications offered to the City, subject to receipt of the signed final map, all fees, and other required items before July 5, 2025. [M. Miller]
Council Action: This item was pulled by staff to provide clarification. See Item 11.16 for Council action.
12. PUBLIC HEARING
12.1 2025-2029 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI), Consolidated Plan, and Citizen Participation Plan Draft Presentation.
Recommended Action: Receive a presentation and conduct a public hearing on the Draft Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI), Consolidated Plan, and Citizen Participation.
Presented By: Community Development Director Mario Anaya Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to continue this item to May 20.
12.2 Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts.
Recommended Action: Conduct a public hearing on position vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts as mandated by California Government Code 3502.3.
Presented By: Human Resources Director Shonna Oneal; Management Analyst Irene Santos
Public Comment: The public hearing was opened at 9:11 p.m. Receiving no public comment, the public hearing was closed at 9:12 p.m.
Council Action: Staff provided a presentation to Council. There was no action taken.
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12.3 Resolution of Necessity for a Portion of Property Located at APN 172-040-031.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution declaring certain 1,821 square feet of real property located on APN 172-040-031, commonly known as 3158 East Bardsley Avenue, in the City of Tulare, County of Tulare, State of California, necessary for public purposes and authorizing the acquisition thereof in connection with the Bardsley Avenue Sidewalk Improvement Project.
Presented By: City Engineer Michael Miller; Assistant City Attorney Megan Crouch Public Comment: The public hearing was opened at 9:18 p.m. Receiving no public comment, the public hearing was closed at 9:18 p.m.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Sayre, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - NONE SUBMITTED
14. STAFF UPDATES
Staff provided updates on department activities.
A moment of silence was held in memory of former Fire Department employee Curt White.
15. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS
15.1 Conference with Labor Negotiators (Govt. Code § 54957.6) Agency Designated Representatives: City Manager Mondell; Assistant City Manager Gaffery; City Attorney Zamora; Human Resources Director Oneal Employee Organization: California League of City Employees Association (CLOCEA) Council recessed to closed session at 9:25 p.m.
16. RECONVENE FROM CLOSED SESSION
Council reconvened from closed session at 9:31 p.m.
17. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Assistant City Attorney Megan Crouch advised that the Council unanimously approved a letter of agreement with California League of City Employees Association (CLOCEA) to resolve issues related to retroactivity of the CLOCEA agreement approved by the City Council on October 15, 2024. It was agreed that the following items be paid:
Boot Allowance: The $200 annual boot allowance was provided to the employees the first full pay period of July 2024. This amount was increased to $250 in the new agreement approved October 15, 2024. The parties agree that the remaining $50 will be provided to the current employees in this group through payroll. Future boot allowance will be provided to the employees through payroll allocations instead of through the Accounts Payable process.
Dispatch Certificate Pay: Dispatch certificate pay was added in the agreement approved October 15, 2024. Several of the dispatchers were providing trainings from July through the time the agreement was approved. Those dates/times were recorded and provided. Three dispatchers will receive a total of 19 days of the training certificate pay which is compensated at a 3% differential rate on the next available payroll cycle.
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18. ADJOURNMENT
Seeing no further business to discuss, Mayor Isherwood adjourned the regular meeting at 9:33 p.m.
These meeting minutes were approved by the Council on May 20, 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 (Jun 6, 2025 19:25 PDT)
Minutes 05062025
Final Audit Report 2025-06-09
Created: 2025-06-06
By: Melissa Hermann ([email protected])
Status: Signed
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