City of Tulare Page 1 of 5
CITY OF TULARE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tulare Public Library & Council Chamber
491 North M Street, Tulare
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
6:30 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; City Attorney Mario U. Zamora; Chief Deputy City Clerk Melissa Wilcox; Assistant City Manager Thomas W. Gaffery IV; Deputy City Manager/Chief Technology Officer Jason Bowling; Assistant Finance Director Melanie Gaboardi; City Engineer Michael Miller; Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield; Community Services Director Chris Orr; Police Chief Fred Ynclan; Fire Battalion Chief Pablo Reynoso; General Services Director Manny Correa; Community Development Director Mario Anaya; Executive Director of Economic Development & Redevelopment Jennifer Gomez
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Isherwood called to order the special meeting of the Tulare City Council at 6:31 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 491 North M Street.
2. STUDY SESSION
2.1 Library Board Appointment.
Recommended Action: Interview applicants and appoint a member to the Library Board for a term ending June 30, 2028.
Presented By: Chief Deputy City Clerk Wilcox
Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Following review of the applications and interviews of the applicants present, Mayor Isherwood recommended the appointment of Jose Andre Iniguez to the Library Board. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the appointment of Jose Andre Iniguez to the Library Board for a term ending June 30, 2028.
3. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Isherwood adjourned the special meeting at 6:48 p.m.
4. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Isherwood 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.
City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 19, 2025
City of Tulare Page 2 of 5
5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION
Councilmember Mederos led the Pledge of Allegiance, and an invocation was given by John Maher, Pastor of Calvary Chapel Tulare.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Rodney Klassen, resident of the Del Lago neighborhood, addressed the Council regarding concern with a house being rented out and used as a type of group home under the name Scotts Social Services. Mr. Klassen advised he was in attendance with other neighbors who share the same concerns.
Euler Torres addressed the Council expressing gratitude for everything the City is doing.
Donnette Silva-Carter, CEO of the Tulare Chamber of Commerce, provided an update on Chamber events.
7. COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Marc Mondell advised there were no communications.
8. COUNCIL REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
Council reported on recent events and discussed items of interest.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Item 9.8 was removed from the Consent Calendar.
It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as presented except for item 9.8.
9.1 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.
9.2 Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve the minutes of the special and/or regular meeting of August 5, 2025. [M. Wilcox]
9.3 Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 2025-10.
Recommended Action: Adopt Ordinance 2025-10 approving Zone Amendment 762, repealing and reenacting Chapter 10.38 (Historic Cultural Landmark and Historic Neighborhood Overlay Zone) of the Tulare Municipal Code. [M. Anaya]
9.4 Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 2025-11.
Recommended Action: Adopt Ordinance 2025-11 approving Zone Amendment 763, designating the Tulare First United Methodist Church property as a City of Tulare HistoricCultural Landmark, and adding it to the Local Register of Historic-Cultural Landmarks pursuant to Tulare Municipal Code Chapter 10.38, as described herein. [M. Anaya]
9.5 Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 2025-12.
Recommended Action: Adopt Ordinance 2025-12 repealing and replacing Sections
8.52.010, 8.52.030, 8.52.060, and 8.52.070 of Chapter 8.52 (Preservation of Heritage Trees) of the Tulare Municipal Code. [C. Orr]
City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 19, 2025
City of Tulare Page 3 of 5
9.6 Risk Management Authority Joint Powers Agreement.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution approving the Amended Central San Joaquin Valley Risk Management Authority (CSJVRMA) Joint Powers Agreement (JPA). [T.
Gaffery]
9.7 2022-2023 HOME Investment Partnerships Program.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution authorizing the submittal of an application for funding under the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and the execution of a standard agreement, any amendments thereto, and of any related documents necessary to participate in the HOME Program. [A. Costales]
9.9 Surplus Vehicles.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution authorizing the surplus of certain city vehicles. [M. Reed]
ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
9.8 Economic Development Updates.
Recommended Action: Receive an update on economic development activities in the City of Tulare. [J. Gomez]
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala pulled the item to request a verbal update.
Following a presentation by Executive Director of Economic Development and Redevelopment Gomez, it was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
10. PUBLIC HEARING
10.1 Actions Pertaining to Farmland Mitigation.
Recommended Action: (1) Adopt a resolution adopting a per-acre fee for agricultural conservation easements; (2) Approve a Conservation Services and Contribution Agreement with Great Valley Land Trust in the amount of $1,095,000; and (3) Provide staff direction on recordation of conservation easements. [T. Gaffery] Presented By: Assistant City Manager Gaffery
Public Comment: The public hearing was opened at 7:43 p.m. Receiving no public comments, the hearing was closed at 7:44 p.m.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Sayre, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
11. GENERAL BUSINESS
11.1 West Tulare Study.
Recommended Action: Receive a presentation on the findings from the analysis conducted regarding potential commercial development in West Tulare and provide direction to staff thereto.
Presented By: Executive Director of Economic Development & Redevelopment Gomez; Andrew Williams and Daniel Guimond of Economics & Planning Systems (EPS) Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: There was no action taken on this item.
Item 11.2 was taken out of order and heard prior to item 11.1.
11.2 Downtown Tulare Assistance for Small Town Eateries (TASTE) Program.
Recommended Action: (1) Approve the Downtown Tulare Assistance for Small Town Eateries (TASTE) Program Guidelines and Application as presented; and (2) appoint the recommended committee members to oversee the review and evaluation of program applications.
City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 19, 2025
City of Tulare Page 4 of 5
Presented By: Executive Director of Economic Development & Redevelopment Gomez Public Comment: John Harman of the Tulare Downtown Association expressing support for this program. Adolfo Leyva, a downtown business owner, addressed the Council regarding repairs needed for his restaurant as well as the issue with food giveaways that he was conducting out of his restaurant affecting the parking. Euler Torres inquired about the map and possibly including additional areas. Dora Marmolejo, a downtown business owner, addressed Council regarding opening a restaurant in the area and expressing gratitude for including that location in the map for the TASTE program.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Sayre, and unanimously carried to approve the item as amended to include the following:
Expansion of the boundaries; clarification of language on Page 5 regarding the Forgiveness Criteria to include “…subject to the Repayment Obligation as provided below.”; appointing Vice Mayor Harrell to the Review Committee; and adding a member of the Tulare-Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to the Review Committee.
11.3 Bicycle Lanes Discussion.
Recommended Action: Discuss and provide direction regarding a request for staff presentation on bicycle lanes.
Presented By: City Manager Mondell on behalf of Councilmember Sigala Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Councilmember Mederos, and unanimously carried to incorporate bike lanes into the ATP presentation scheduled for October 7.
11.4 Study Session Request for Inyo Corridor.
Recommended Action: Discuss and provide direction regarding a request for a study session on the Inyo Corridor.
Presented By: City Manager Mondell on behalf of Councilmember Sigala Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Councilmember Sayre, and unanimously carried to schedule a presentation in October regarding economic development in relation to the Inyo Corridor.
11.5 Request for Joint Meeting with COS and TJUHSD Boards.
Recommended Action: Discuss and provide direction regarding a request for a joint meeting between the College of the Sequoias (COS) Board of Trustees, Tulare Joint Union High School District (TJUHSD) Board of Trustees, and the Tulare City Council.
Presented By: City Manager Mondell on behalf of Councilmember Sigala Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Councilmember Mederos, and unanimously carried to direct staff to reach out to COS, Tulare Joint Union High School District, and Tulare City School District to schedule a joint meeting regarding collaboration between all parties.
11.6 Request for AdHoc Committee on Public Transit Corridor.
Recommended Action: Discuss and provide direction regarding a request to form an adhoc committee to explore the possibility of establishing a public transit corridor between the cities of Corcoran and Tulare.
Presented By: City Manager Mondell on behalf of Councilmember Sigala Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: There was no action taken on this item.
City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 19, 2025
City of Tulare Page 5 of 5
11.7 Consideration of Modifying the Start Time of Regular City Council Meetings.
Recommended Action: Discuss and consider modifying the start time of regular City Council meetings.
Presented By: City Manager Mondell
Public Comment: Adolfo Leyva addressed the Council offering to provide refreshments to the Council and staff during breaks at Council meetings.
Council Action: It was moved by Vice Mayor Harrell, seconded by Councilmember Sayre, and unanimously carried to direct staff to move forward with the process of changing the regular meeting start time to 5:30 p.m.
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - NONE SUBMITTED
13. STAFF UPDATES
Staff provided updates on department activities.
14. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS
14.1 Conference with Labor Negotiators (Gov. Code § 54957.6) Agency Designated Representatives: City Manager Mondell, Assistant City Manager Gaffery, City Attorney Zamora, Deputy City Manager/Chief Technology Officer Bowling Employee Organization(s): Tulare Professional Firefighter Association (nonmanagement); Tulare Professional Firefighter Association (management) Unrepresented Employee(s): Battalion Chiefs
Council recessed to closed session at 10:20 p.m.
15. RECONVENE FROM CLOSED SESSION
Council reconvened from closed session at 10:55 p.m.
16. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Mayor Isherwood advised there was no reportable action.
17. ADJOURNMENT
Seeing no further business to discuss, Mayor Isherwood adjourned the regular meeting at 10:55 p.m.
These meeting minutes were approved by the Council on September 2, 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 (Sep 24, 2025 07:13:47 PDT)
Minutes 08192025
Final Audit Report 2025-09-24
Created: 2025-09-16
By: Melissa Wilcox ([email protected])
Status: Signed
Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAASzxVLlFO1nmDif4-j-pOrg7ikv6gUrRI "Minutes 08192025" History
Document created by Melissa Wilcox ([email protected]) 2025-09-16 - 9:19:39 PM GMT
Document emailed to Patrick Isherwood ([email protected]) for signature 2025-09-16 - 9:19:43 PM GMT
Email viewed by Patrick Isherwood ([email protected]) 2025-09-24 - 2:13:19 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Patrick Isherwood ([email protected]) Signature Date: 2025-09-24 - 2:13:47 PM GMT - Time Source: server Document emailed to Melissa Wilcox ([email protected]) for signature 2025-09-24 - 2:13:48 PM GMT
Email viewed by Melissa Wilcox ([email protected])
2025-09-24 - 3:02:25 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Melissa Wilcox ([email protected]) Signature Date: 2025-09-24 - 3:02:36 PM GMT - Time Source: server Agreement completed.
2025-09-24 - 3:02:36 PM GMT