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CITY OF TULARE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tulare Public Library & Council Chamber
491 North M Street, Tulare
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting
Proper notice of this meeting was given pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2.
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; City Attorney Mario U. Zamora; 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; Housing and Grants Manager Alexis Costales; Finance Budget Manager Jacob Del Cid
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Isherwood called to order the regular meeting of the City Council at 7:03 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 491 North M Street.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION
Police Chief Fred Ynclan led the Pledge of Allegiance, and an invocation was given by Councilmember Sayre.
3. PROCLAMATIONS & RECOGNITIONS
3.1 Proclamation for Parks and Recreation Month – July 2025. Mayor Isherwood read and presented a proclamation to Community Services Director Chris Orr proclaiming July 2025 as Parks and Recreation Month in the City of Tulare.
Tulare Police Explorers Program Advisor Joshua Avalos recognized members of the Tulare Police Explorers for their recent accomplishments at the Central Valley Law Enforcement Competition.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Linda Malloy and Vicki Gordon addressed the Council regarding damaged and missing flags and poles that are placed Downtown and commented on the homelessness issue.
Antonia Lopez addressed the Council regarding smoking in public which is affecting children and polluting the air.
Maria Grijalva addressed the Council regarding smoking at Santa Fe Commons and requested a designated smoking area.
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Evelyn Long Walls addressed the Council regarding smoking at Santa Fe Commons and requested a designated smoking area.
James Cardoza addressed the Council regarding ongoing issues with transient activity at his family’s business that operates near the homeless encampment and proposed changing the lock on the garbage bin, earmarking budget dollars to be used for drug treatment, and requested the City to support Assembly Bill 306.
James Wyatt addressed the Council to request different signage at the roundabout at Tulare Avenue and Morrison Street.
5. COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Marc Mondell advised there were no communications.
6. COUNCIL REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
6.1 July 1 Council meeting canceled. It was announced that the July 1 Council meeting is canceled.
Council reported on recent events and discussed items of interest.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Items 7.7, 7.8, and 7.9 were removed from the Consent Calendar.
It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Sigala, and unanimously carried to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as presented except for items
7.7, 7.8, and 7.9.
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 June 3, 2025. [M. Hermann]
7.3 Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 2025-07.
Recommended Action: Adopt Ordinance 2025-07 designating the Tulare Elks Building as a City of Tulare Historic-Cultural Landmark and adding it to the Local Register of Historic-Cultural Landmarks pursuant to Tulare Municipal Code Chapter 10.38. [M. Anaya]
7.4 Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 2025-08.
Recommended Action: Adopt Ordinance 2025-08 designating the Tulare Union High School Campus, Buildings, Olympic Cauldron, Football/Track Stadium, and Community Auditorium as City of Tulare Historic-Cultural Landmarks and adding them to the Local Register of Historic-Cultural Landmarks pursuant to Tulare Municipal Code Chapter 10.38. [M. Anaya]
7.5 Landscape Maintenance Assessments for Fiscal Year 2026.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution to set July 15, 2025 as the public hearing date to adopt landscape maintenance assessments for Fiscal Year 2026. [M. Miller] City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 17, 2025
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7.6 Full Reconveyance for Tulare Local Healthcare District Properties.
Recommended Action: Authorize the mayor to sign a substitution of trustee and full reconveyance releasing the City’s rights and interests for APNs 171-300-015, 170-092- 003, 170-072-020 (3 separate portions), 170-322-034 (2 separate portions), 170-072-002, and 170-322-020, properties owned by the Tulare Local Healthcare District for which were held as security for the line of credit issued in 2019 as represented in the recorded Short Form Deed of Trust and Assignment of Rents. [M. Zamora]
ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
7.7 Economic Development Updates.
Recommended Action: Receive an update on the economic development activity in the City of Tulare. [J. Gomez]
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala pulled this item to comment on the report and request Executive Director of Economic Development & Redevelopment Jennifer Gomez to speak on it. Councilmember Sigala requested future reports include status of redevelopment properties, as well as an update on the status of the downtown grants. It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
7.8 Community Choice Aggregation.
Recommended Action: Receive a report and staff recommendation on Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) electric utility services. [T. Gaffery] Council Action: Councilmember Sigala pulled this item to provide history and requested to continue the item until more research and analysis can be done and to allow staff to meet with consultants. Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and carried 4 to 1 (Mayor Isherwood voted no) to direct staff to meet with CCA consultants and grant permission for consultants to provide analysis to Council for next steps.
7.9 City of Tulare Merit System Rules and Regulations Amendment.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution amending the City of Tulare Merit System Rules and Regulations, Section 431, Department Head Performance Incentive Program and Section 809, Management Leave. [S. Oneal; M. Zamora] Council Action: Councilmember Mederos pulled this item for clarification on Section 809.
Human Resources Director Shonna Oneal responded thereto. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Sayre, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
8. PUBLIC HEARING
8.1 Parking and Business Improvement Area Report and Annual Assessments.
Recommended Action: Conduct a public hearing and adopt a resolution confirming recommendation of the Tulare Downtown Association Board of Directors and levy assessments for the Tulare Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area Annual Assessments for Fiscal Year 2026.
Presented By: Chief Financial Officer Mark Roberts
Public Comment: The public hearing was opened at 9:46 p.m. Receiving no public comments, the public hearing was closed at 9:46 p.m.
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala inquired about the enforcement on collecting assessments. There was discussion amongst Council and staff regarding the assessment rates and whether Council has authority to change those numbers. Council directed staff to come up with different solutions for enforcement of payment. It was moved by Mayor Isherwood, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
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Mayor Isherwood called a recess at 9:54 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:59 p.m.
8.2 Adoption of City of Tulare Fiscal Year 2026 Budget.
Recommended Action: 1) Adopt a resolution approving and adopting the City of Tulare Fiscal Year 2026 Budget totaling $177,938,330, including a General Fund operating budget where revenues plus operating transfers in equal expenditures plus operating transfers out; approving several additional capital improvement projects totaling $1,500,000 using available unassigned General Fund fund balance, establishing the appropriations therefor, and authorizing the City Manager to approve the necessary interfund transfers; establishing a Workers’ Compensation reserve/committed fund balance with initial funding of $2,000,000 from available Workers’ Compensation fund balance; and adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program; 2) Adopt a resolution approving and adopting the Fiscal Year 2026 Position Control Budget and fixing the rate of compensation of regular full-time and part-time employees, councilmembers, and seasonal/temporary employees; 3) Adopt a resolution establishing the appropriations limit for fiscal year 2026; and 4) Adopt the updated Strategic Plan.
Presented By: Chief Financial Officer Mark Roberts, Finance Budget Manager Jacob Del Cid; City Manager Marc Mondell
Public Comment: The public hearing was opened at 10:08 p.m. Receiving no public comments, the public hearing was closed at 10:09 p.m.
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala requested to reallocate 10% of Measure Y funds for at risk youth. It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, to modify the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget to reallocate 10% of Measure Y funds for at risk youth. Councilmember Sigala requested a roll call vote. Mayor Isherwood called for a roll call vote. The motion failed 2 to 3 as follows:
Ayes: Councilmember Sigala, Vice Mayor Harrell
Noes: Councilmember Mederos, Councilmember Sayre, Mayor Isherwood It was moved by Councilmember Mederos and seconded by Councilmember Sayre to approve the item as presented. Mayor Isherwood called for a roll call vote. The motion passed 5 to 0 as follows:
Ayes: Mayor Isherwood, Vice Mayor Harrell, Councilmember Sigala, Councilmember Sayre, Councilmember Mederos
Noes: None
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
Items 9.1 and 9.2 were taken out of order and heard prior to Public Hearing items 8.1 and 8.2.
9.1 Emergency Shelter Operator Term Sheet & Preliminary Operating Budget.
Recommended Action: Review and approve a term sheet and accompanying preliminary operating budget, precedent to entering into a final and comprehensive service agreement with Lighthouse Rescue Mission regarding the City’s emergency shelter project.
Presented By: Community Development Director Mario Anaya Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala expressed concern regarding the process by which the operator was chosen, their capacity for operating the shelter, staff not being present at the shelter around the clock, and no staff member overseeing the operator and term sheet. Councilmember Sigala also inquired about the Emergency Shelter Director position and any consideration for this to be staffed by a City employee. Housing & Grants Manager Alexis Costales and City Manager Marc Mondell addressed the concerns. Mayor Isherwood inquired about the bylaws for the Lighthouse Rescue Mission board bylaws City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 17, 2025
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and how many members were currently serving on the board. Lighthouse Rescue Mission representative Raymond Van Beek stated there were currently four board members with hopes of increasing to seven and that although they are a faith-based organization, guests at the homeless shelter will not be required to be involved in faith-based activities. It was moved by Councilmember Sayre, seconded by Councilmember Mederos, and carried 4 to 1 (Councilmember Sigala voted no) to approve the item with revision to Section G (Emergency Shelter Mission, Goals, and Outcomes), Subsection 1 (Mission Statement) of the term sheet to read, “City will make every reasonable attempt to maintain a shelter in order to reasonably provide a humane, safe, and clean public facility for Tulare based individuals experiencing homelessness to reside, address basic needs, and use services intended to address their physical health, behavioral health, employment, social welfare, and/or housing outcomes.”
9.2 Tulare Avenue and Oakmore Street Intersection Deferred Improvement Agreement.
Recommended Action: Consider a Deferred Improvement Agreement with the developer of the Fulton Estates project at the southwest corner of Tulare Avenue (SR-137) and Oakmore Street.
Presented By: Assistant City Manager Thomas W. Gaffery IV Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Councilmember Mederos provided additional comments following staff presentation regarding the Deferred Improvement Agreement, Personal Guarantee, Security Agreement (noted revisions are required), and Short Form Deed of Trust. Greg Nunley of Quest Equity LLC addressed the Council in regard to the agreements. The following items were discussed in regard to the proposed agreements: It was noted that the documentation needs to reflect that Mr. Nunley will put up property owned by his entity, Quest Equity LLC, as collateral for the improvements that he will make in conjunction with Mr. Bonadelle. The developer of residential phase 2, Mr. Bonadelle, shall not have a hold on building permits or certificates of occupancy issued for the 85 lots if the developer has posted improvement bonds and if State Route 137 frontage improvements are delayed due to CalTrans failure to issue an encroachment permit or conduct additional plan reviews in a timely manner. It was noted that language needs to specify that this agreement would not exempt them from having to meet their standard obligation of frontage improvements on SR 137. Councilmember Mederos clarified that Mr. Nunley would not need to get an appraisal but rather would rely on the assessment completed by Tulare County. Additionally, the word “bonds” is to be modified to “security”. Assistant City Manager Thomas W. Gaffery IV provided the Council with the agreements that were being discussed. It was moved by Councilmember Sayre, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the agreement with amendments based on the discussions including the Bonadelle item, the frontage item, Councilmember Mederos’ participation in discussions, and any other non-substantive modifications necessary with direction to the City Attorney that his approval as to form constitutes confirmation that this agreement is consistent with today’s direction, authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement, and follow through with escrow at First American title under the escrow number 7282335, including the Estopple Certificate that is mentions and also in conformance with the agreements that have been put together.
10. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - NONE SUBMITTED
11. STAFF UPDATES
Staff provided updates on department activities. Councilmember Sigala requested more benches be added at the dog park.
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12. ADJOURNMENT
Seeing no further business to discuss, Mayor Isherwood adjourned the regular meeting at 10:27 p.m.
These meeting minutes were approved by the Council on July 15, 2025.
Patrick Isherwood, President of the Council
and Ex-Officio Mayor
ATTEST:
Marc Mondell, City Clerk
__________________________________
By Melissa Wilcox, Chief Deputy City Clerk
Patrick Isherwood (Jul 21, 2025 12:22 PDT)
Minutes 06172025
Final Audit Report 2025-07-21
Created: 2025-07-16
By: Melissa Wilcox ([email protected])
Status: Signed
Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAlN_IK70KH4BJyWEqjeupP_8ndToPUrFR "Minutes 06172025" History
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