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CITY OF TULARE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tulare Public Library & Council Chamber
491 North M Street, Tulare
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
5:30 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 Wilcox; 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 Chief Fred Ynclan; Fire Chief Michael Ott; General Services Director Manny Correa; Community Development Director Mario Anaya; Executive Director of Economic Development & Redevelopment Jennifer Gomez; Human Resources Director Janie Venegas; Housing and Grants Manager Alexis Costales
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Isherwood called to order the regular meeting of the Tulare City Council at 5:43 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 491 North M Street.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION
Darla Rambonga of Tulare Amvets Post 56 led the Pledge of Allegiance, and an invocation was given by Councilmember Sayre.
3. PROCLAMATIONS & RECOGNITIONS
3.1 Proclamation for National Mentoring Month – January 2026. Mayor Isherwood read a proclamation proclaiming January 2026 as National Mentoring Month in the City of Tulare and presented it to Nick Lutton of Big Brother Big Sisters of Central Valley.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
5. COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Marc Mondell advised there were no communications.
6. COUNCIL REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
Council reported on recent events and discussed items of interest. City Attorney Zamora provided an update on the issue with the group home in Del Lago.
City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 20, 2026
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7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Items 7.10, 7.12, and 7.13 were 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 items 7.10, 7.12, and 7.13.
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 December 16, 2025. [M. Wilcox]
7.3 B.E.S.T. Club After School Program Agreement Amendment.
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute an amendment to the agreement with the Tulare City School District (TCSD) for the B.E.S.T.
After School Program, originally approved by City Council on May 20, 2025, to include notification requirements related to fingerprinting and criminal background checks for thirdparty operators. [B. Beck]
7.4 Final Map Acceptance – Glass Ave Apartments Phase 1.
Recommended Action: Approve the final map for Phase 1 of the Glass Avenue Apartments subdivision for recordation, and accept all easements and dedications offered to the City. [M. Miller]
7.5 Fiscal Year 2026 Salary Schedule Amendment.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution amending the City’s Fiscal Year 2026 Salary Schedule and authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to update the Salary Schedule accordingly. [J. Venegas]
7.6 Police Department Citizen Complaint Review Board Annual Report.
Recommended Action: Accept the Police Department Citizen Complaint Review Board annual report for calendar year 2025. [J. Stanley]
7.7 Purchase of Textile Equipment for the Tulare Business Innovation Zone Makerspace.
Recommended Action: Approve the purchase of textile equipment and furnishings from Authorized Vac & Sew in the amount of $136,186.20, to support the conversion of an adjacent room into a dedicated textile and apparel production space within the Tulare Business Innovation Zone. [G. Gonzalez]
7.8 City of Tulare 2026 Quality Assurance Program.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution adopting the 2026 update to the City of Tulare Quality Assurance Program for materials used on construction projects; and delegate authority to the City Engineer to approve future revisions and updates to the City’s Quality Assurance Program on behalf of the City. [M. Miller]
7.9 Designate Stop Control at Various Intersections.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution designating stop control at various uncontrolled intersections located between Paige Avenue, Bardsley Avenue, Highway 99, and Laspina Street. [M. Miller]
City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 20, 2026
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7.11 Monthly Investments Report.
Recommended Action: Accept the monthly investments report for September and October 2025. [M. Roberts]
7.14 Acceptance of Grant and Administrative Agreement for Cycle Park.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept a grant (G25-03-04-G01) offer from the State of California Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OMHV) for the Tulare Cycle Park, with operating expenses not to exceed $499,507 for the year 2026, and to sign all applicable paperwork. [M. Correa]
ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
7.10 Application For Funding – HOME Program Income and Eligible HOME Activities.
Recommended Action: Authorize submittal of an application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for funding under the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME); and if selected, the execution of a standard agreement, any amendments thereto, and of any related documents necessary to participate in the HOME Program. [A. Costales]
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala pulled this item for clarification. Mayor Isherwood recused himself due to a conflict of interest. Housing and Grants Manager Costales provided an overview of the item. Questions posed by Council were answered by staff. It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Councilmember Sayre, and carried 4 to 0 (Mayor Isherwood recused) to approve the item as presented.
7.12 Mefford Field Airport Hangar Lease Agreement.
Recommended Action: Approve the proposed Airport Hangar Lease Agreement (“Agreement”) between the City of Tulare and the Tulare Mosquito Abatement District; and authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement and all necessary documents related thereto. [M. Correa]
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala pulled this item for clarification regarding chemicals being stored in the hangar. General Services Director Correa and Fire Chief Ott responded thereto confirming there are no concerns. It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Councilmember Mederos, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
7.13 Emergency Shelter Operator Terms Sheet & Preliminary Operating Budget.
Recommended Action: Review an emergency shelter service agreement with Lighthouse Rescue Mission regarding the City’s emergency shelter project for the term of April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027. [M. Correa; M. Anaya] Council Action: Councilmember Sigala pulled this item for clarification. Staff walked through the agreement and answered questions posed by Council. Renee Soto of the Lighthouse Rescue Mission Board responded to questions regarding the Policy and Procedures document. Councilmember Sigala inquired about the benefits being offered to the employees of the shelter who will be employed by the Lighthouse Rescue Mission and the total cost of the employees. City Manager Mondell will provide additional information as those details are worked through and requested that any additional comments or questions be emailed to him.
8. PUBLIC HEARING
8.1 Historic-Cultural Landmark Nominations.
Recommended Action: Pass-to-print an ordinance approving and designating the Tulare Veterans Memorial Building, Hoyt House, T29A Convair Airplane, B-17 Bomber, and F-4 Phantom Jet as City of Tulare Historic-Cultural Landmark, and adding them to the Local City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 20, 2026
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Register of Historic-Cultural Landmarks pursuant to Tulare Municipal Code Chapter 10.38, as described herein.
Presented By: Community Development Director Anaya
Public Comment: The public hearing was opened at 5:53 p.m. There were no public comments.
Council Action: It was moved by Vice Mayor Harrell, seconded by Councilmember Mederos, and unanimously carried to continue the public hearing to February 3, 2026.
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.1 Capital Improvements Project Dashboard for January 2026.
Recommended Action: Accept the Capital Improvements Project Dashboard for January 2026.
Presented By: City Engineer Miller
Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: This item was informational only; therefore, no action was taken.
9.2 Economic Development Quarterly & September Updates.
Recommended Action: Receive an update on economic development activity.
Presented By: Executive Director of Economic Development & Redevelopment Gomez Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: This item was informational only; therefore, no action was taken.
10. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
10.1 Establishment of a No Commercial Truck Parking Zone on Inyo and West Streets.
Recommended Action: Direct staff to add to a future agenda or take no action.
Submitted By: Councilmember Sigala
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Mayor Isherwood, and unanimously carried to add this item to a future agenda.
10.2 Traffic Calming Measures on E Street between Bardsley and Lemonwood Avenues.
Recommended Action: Direct staff to add to a future agenda or take no action.
Submitted By: Councilmember Sigala
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Councilmember Mederos, and unanimously carried to add this item to a future agenda.
10.3 Annual Cinco De Mayo Celebration at Zumwalt Park.
Recommended Action: Direct staff to add to a future agenda or take no action.
Submitted By: Councilmember Sigala
Council Action: It was the consensus of Council to have staff add this item to a future agenda following approval of the Zumwalt Park Use Policy by the Parks and Recreation Commission.
11. STAFF UPDATES
Staff provided updates on department activities.
12. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS
12.1 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, Human Resources Director Venegas
Unrepresented Employee(s): City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Deputy City Manager/CTO, Department Heads, Assistant Directors, Chief Deputy City Clerk City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 20, 2026
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Council recessed to closed session at 8:46 p.m.
13. RECONVENE FROM CLOSED SESSION
Council reconvened from closed session at 9:41 p.m.
14. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
There was no reportable action.
15. ADJOURNMENT
Seeing no further business to discuss, Mayor Isherwood adjourned the regular meeting at 9:41 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true and
correct copy of the minutes of the special and/or
regular meeting held on January 20, 2026, as
approved by the Tulare City Council.
Marc Mondell, City Clerk
By Melissa Wilcox, Chief Deputy City Clerk