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CITY OF TULARE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tulare Public Library & Council Chamber
491 North M Street, Tulare
Tuesday, October 7, 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
Vice Mayor Steve Harrell
Councilmember Dennis A. Mederos
COUNCIL ABSENT: Councilmember Jose Sigala
Councilmember Terry A. Sayre
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Marc Mondell; City Attorney Mario U. Zamora; Administration Analyst Diana Smith; Assistant City Manager Thomas W. Gaffery IV; Deputy City Manager/Chief Technology Officer Jason Bowling; Chief Financial Officer Mark Roberts; City Engineer Michael Miller; Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield; Community Services Director Chris Orr; Police Captain Jon Hamlin; Fire Chief Michael Ott; Community Development Director Mario Anaya; Executive Director of Economic Development & Redevelopment Jennifer Gomez; Human Resources Director Janie Venegas; Assistant Finance Director Melanie Gaboardi
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Isherwood called to order the special meeting of the Tulare City Council at 6:04 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 491 North M Street.
2. STUDY SESSION
2.1 Fiscal Impact Analysis and Community Facilities District Overview.
Recommended Action: Receive a presentation by NBS providing an overview of the fiscal impact analysis and Community Facilities District (CFD).
Presented By: Sara Mares, Chief Operating Officer of NBS Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: No action was taken on this item.
3. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Isherwood adjourned the special meeting at 6:44 p.m.
4. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Isherwood called to order the regular meeting of the Tulare City Council at 7:03 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 491 North M Street.
5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION
Vice Mayor Harrell led the Pledge of Allegiance, and an invocation was given by Dennis Sunderland, Pastor of Tulare Bethel Church.
City Council Meeting Minutes
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6. PROCLAMATIONS & RECOGNITIONS
6.1 Proclamation for Fire Prevention Week – October 5-11, 2025. Vice Mayor Harrell read and presented a proclamation to Fire Department Captain Ryan Leonardo proclaiming October 5-11, 2025 as Fire Prevention Week. Captain Leonardo spoke about the importance of properly recycling lithium-ion batteries.
6.2 Proclamation for Code Enforcement Officer Appreciation Week – October 5-11, 2025. Mayor Isherwood read and presented a proclamation for Code Enforcement proclaiming October 5 – October 11, 2025 Code Enforcement Officer Appreciation Week.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
David Young spoke about his concerns with massive consumption of alcohol in city parks, specifically at Prosperity Sports Park.
Shea Gowin provided information on a community event called Break the Silence.
Rodney Clausen, a resident in the Del Lago neighborhood, provided an update on the group home that is in the neighborhood. He requested the City provide an update on their efforts to address these ongoing issues. Mayor Isherwood informed him that an update will be given during the Items of Interest portion of the agenda.
Terry [no last name provided] spoke on the resettlement of Afghan and Middle Eastern refugees in Tulare, particularly the vetting process flaws and how that may impact community safety. She provided paper copies to the Council of a Press Release from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. She urged Council to take the following steps: Request a briefing from the Sheriff and federal partners on managing these challenges, advocate for resettlement programs to align with our safety priorities and host a “Stop the Bleed Event” through local partners.
Donette Silva-Carter from Tulare Chamber of Commerce provided an update on upcoming events in Tulare.
8. PRESENTATIONS
8.1 Review of the City’s Draft Active Transportation Plan (ATP). Ruta Jariwala, Principal at TJKM, provided a presentation of the City of Tulare Active Transportation Public Review Draft. Principal Planner Steven Sopp requested input from Council. Mayor Isherwood instructed the PowerPoint presentation be sent to Council.
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
It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and carried 3 to 0 (Councilmembers Sigala and Sayre absent) to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as presented.
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.
City Council Meeting Minutes
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11.2 Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve the minutes of the special and/or regular meeting of September 16, 2025. [M. Wilcox]
11.3 Purchase of Motorola Patrol Two-Way Radios.
Recommended Action: Award the purchase of 10 Motorola Patrol two-way radios to Motorola Solutions in the amount of $62,289.62, using Sourcewell Contract No. 042021- MOT (price includes all fees, taxes, and shipping charges). [M. Reed]
11.4 Capital Improvements Project Dashboard for October 2025.
Recommended Action: Accept the Capital Improvements Project Dashboard for October 2025. [M. Miller]
11.5 Parcel Map Acceptance – TPM 2025-01.
Recommended Action: Approve the parcel map filed by BF Central Valley Holdings, LLC, a Washington Limited Liability Company, for the division of land located 400 feet east of E Street and 1,300 feet north of Paige Avenue for recording, and accept all dedications and easements offered to the City. [M. Miller]
11.6 Project for Communications at Tulare County Fire Station 25.
Recommended Action: Approve appropriation of $181,000 from the Technology reserve from General CIP Fund (Formally Fund 603 Technology CIP) for the creation of an out-ofcycle Capital Improvement Project to add communications equipment at County Fire Station 25 in the amount of $226,000; and authorize a sole source purchase of police and fire radio equipment from Motorola Solutions to be used at County Fire Station 25 from Motorola Solutions in the amount of $68,628.26. [J. Bowling]
11.7 Electric Vehicle Purchase.
Recommended Action: Authorized the City Manager or designee to apply for an electric vehicle grant from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) and sign all applicable paperwork. [M. Correa; T. Whitfield]
12. GENERAL BUSINESS
12.1 FY 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Single Audit.
Recommended Action: Review and accept the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Single Audit for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024.
Presented By: Engagement Manager Anthony Gonzalez, Price Paige & Company Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Mayor Isherwood asked what actions are being taken to have the audit completed faster for Fiscal Year 2025. Chief Financial Officer Roberts responded thereto stating he expects the audit to be complete in March. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and carried 3 to 0 (Councilmembers Sigala and Sayre absent) to accept the item as presented.
12.2 Cross Avenue Traffic Studies and Designation of All-Way Stop.
Recommended Action: Receive the results of traffic studies conducted for the intersections of Cross Avenue and Brentwood Street and Cross Avenue and Coelho Avenue; and adopt a resolution designating the intersection of Cross Avenue and Brentwood Street as an all-way stop intersection and authorizing the installation of corresponding stop control.
Presented By: City Engineer Miller
Public Comment: Steve Celentano voiced his concerns on the danger of Coelho and Cross and disagrees with the recommendation.
City Council Meeting Minutes
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Council Action: Council agreed with the public comment. Council discussed the study and shared concerns. City Manager Mondell recommended staff conduct research on roadway examples from other communities that address speed control and present to Council. There was a consensus by Council to take City Manager Mondell’s offer and allow him to bring information at a future meeting. It was moved by Vice Mayor Harrell, seconded by Councilmember Mederos, and carried 3 to 0 (Councilmembers Sigala and Sayre absent) to table the item.
12.3 SJV Horizontal, LLC Improvement Agreement for Mooney Blvd Street Improvements.
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to execute an improvement agreement with SJV Horizontal, LLC for the construction of street improvements along the west side of Mooney Boulevard (State Route 63) from Cartmill Avenue to the south side of the Bella Oaks subdivision located approximately 290 feet south of Bella Oaks Avenue, subject only to minor conforming and clarifying changes acceptable to the City Attorney and City Manager.
Presented By: City Engineer Miller
Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Assistant City Manager Gaffery clarified that there is no conflict with Councilmember Mederos. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and carried 3 to 0 (Councilmembers Sigala and Sayre absent) to approve the item as amended: Authorize the City Manager to execute an improvement agreement with SJV Horizontal, LLC for the construction of street improvements along the west side of Mooney Boulevard (State Route 63) from Cartmill Avenue to the south side of the Bella Oaks subdivision located approximately 290 feet south of Bella Oaks Avenue, subject only to minor conforming and clarifying changes acceptable to the City Attorney and City Manager, which will include the Bella Oaks and Mooney Blvd intersection to be completed, and authorizing the funding as indicated by staff under the circumstances from the Del Lago settlement, the LTF funds, and other general funds.
12.4 City Manager Employment Agreement Amendment.
Recommended Action: Approve the Fourth Amendment to the Employment Agreement with City Manager Marc Mondell.
Presented By: City Attorney Zamora
Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: City Attorney Zamora pointed out an arithmetic mistake in the staff report, to which City Manager Mondell gave a correct dollar amount of $18,192.50. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and carried 3 to 0 (Councilmembers Sigala and Sayre absent) to approve the item as presented.
13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - NONE SUBMITTED
14. STAFF UPDATES
Staff provided updates on department activities.
15. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS
15.1 Conference with Real Property Negotiations (Govt. Code § 54956.8) Property: APNs 191-070-025, 182-230-047, and 171-090-034 Agency Negotiator(s): City Attorney Zamora, City Manager Mondell, Assistant City Manager Gaffery, Deputy City Manager/CTO Bowling, City Engineer Miller Negotiating Parties: California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Under Negotiations: Price and terms of payment
City Council Meeting Minutes
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15.2 Conference with Labor Negotiators (Gov. Code § 54957.6) Agency Designated Representatives: City Attorney Zamora, City Manager Mondell, Assistant City Manager Gaffery, Deputy City Manager/CTO Bowling Employee Organization(s): Tulare Professional Fire Fighter Association – Management, Tulare Professional Fire Fighter Association – Non-Management Unrepresented Employee(s): Fire Battalion Chiefs
Council recessed to closed session at 9:19 p.m.
16. RECONVENE FROM CLOSED SESSION
Council reconvened from closed session at 9:39 p.m.
17. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
There was no reportable action.
18. ADJOURNMENT
Seeing no further business to discuss, Mayor Isherwood adjourned the regular meeting at 9:39 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true and
correct copy of the minutes of October 7, 2025, as
approved by the Tulare City Council.
Marc Mondell, City Clerk
By Melissa Wilcox, Chief Deputy City Clerk
Council Meeting Minutes
Final Audit Report 2025-10-24
Created: 2025-10-24
By: Melissa Wilcox ([email protected])
Status: Signed
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