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CITY OF TULARE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tulare Public Library & Council Chamber
491 North M Street, Tulare
Tuesday, March 3, 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; Budget Finance Manager Jacob del Cid
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Isherwood called to order the regular meeting of the Tulare City Council at 5:35 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 491 North M Street.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION
Chief Ynclan led the Pledge of Allegiance, and an invocation was given by Caleb Byron, Youth Pastor of Tulare Community Church.
3. PROCLAMATIONS & RECOGNITIONS
3.1 Proclamation for Women’s History Month – March 2026. Mayor Isherwood read a proclamation proclaiming March 2026 as Women’s History Month in the City of Tulare.
3.2 Recognition for International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month Honorees.
Councilmember Sigala honored Eloysa Segura-Moraza, Councilmember Sayre honored Jocelyn Limas, Vice Mayor Harrell honored Alyssia Cardenas, Councilmember Mederos honored Renee Soto, and Mayor Isherwood honored Darla J. Rambonga.
The Council recessed the meeting at 6:06 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 6:16 p.m.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Dolores Taylor, CEO of the Building Industry Association of Tulare and Kings Counties (BIATKC), commended the City Council and staff for the great work happening in the City. Ms. Taylor also extended an invitation to an upcoming mixer hosted by the BIATKC.
Maria Santos-Silva extended an invitation for an upcoming Soroptimist International fundraising event.
City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 3, 2026
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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.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Item 7.3 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 7.3.
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 February 17, 2026. [M. Wilcox]
ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
7.3 Amphitheater Operator Fee Schedule.
Recommended Action: Receive the fee schedule for Spade Entertainment, official operator of the Adventist Health Amphitheater, for private events held at the amphitheater. [C. Orr]
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala pulled this item for clarification. City Manager Mondell advised those that are interested in putting on a concert at the amphitheater are encouraged to reach out to him and that the operator fees will be attached to the park use policy. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
8. PUBLIC HEARING
8.1 Master Fee Schedule Amendment.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution amending the City’s Master Fee Schedule related to Parks and Recreation fees associated with the use of Zumwalt Park.
Presented By: Community Services Director Orr
Public Comment: The public hearing was opened at 7:12 p.m. Receiving no public comment, the public hearing was closed at 7:12 p.m.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Sayre, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.1 Planning Commission Appointment.
Recommended Action: Appoint one member to the Planning Commission to the vacant seat for a term ending December 31, 2029.
Presented By: Chief Deputy City Clerk Wilcox
Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Councilmember Mederos, and unanimously carried to appoint Ralph Cantu to fill the vacant seat on the Planning Commission with a term ending December 31, 2029.
City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 3, 2026
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9.2 Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Facility Plan Draft Report.
Recommended Action: Receive the Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Facility Planning draft report dated February 2026 and a presentation from Carollo Engineers regarding their findings and recommendations.
Presented By: Public Works Director Whitfield; Ryan Sellman and John Witter of Carollo.
Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to receive the Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Facility Planning draft report dated February 2026.
9.3 Funding for the 250th Anniversary Independence Day Event at Zumwalt Park.
Recommended Action: Approve a subsidy of $40,000 from the General Fund unassigned fund balance account to subsidize the July 4th 250th Anniversary Independence Day Event at Zumwalt Park Featuring the Sequoia Symphony Orchestra.
Presented By: Community Services Director Orr; City Manager Mondell Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the item as amended to include the following:
• The City will commit to the Sequoia Symphony to hold the July 4th Independence Day event.
• Based on the estimated cost of $40,000, each councilmember will contribute $1,000 from their Community Improvement funds.
• Councilmember Mederos will attempt to raise at least $5,000 in sponsorships to match the Council’s contributions.
• Councilmember Sigala’s $1,000 contribution will be designated specifically for janitorial services or other costs unrelated to production. • Sponsorships will be pursued as discussed, including:
o Councilmember Mederos and Spade Entertainment seeking a named sponsor for $15,000 to cover the symphony expense.
o Sponsorships for boxes at $500 each to offset estimated $40,000 event cost.
o Spade Entertainment will solicit sponsorships and split proceeds 50/50 with the City, with sponsorships of $2,000 or more including a box and no revenue share from standalone box sales.
o Spade Entertainment receiving a guaranteed minimum fee of $4,000, with a maximum of $10,000, depending on sponsorships secured. o All revenue received from the bar payable to Spade Entertainment will be applied to Spade Entertainment minimum and maximum.
9.4 Fiscal Year 2026 General Fund Mid-Year Budget Review.
Recommended Action: Receive a presentation and adopt a resolution approving Fiscal Year 2026 Budget supplemental appropriation requests.
Presented By: Chief Financial Officer Roberts; Budget Finance Manager Del Cid Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala expressed a desire to have a separate line item specifically for Council-approved allocations used to support the concert series. Staff clarified that the existing account is used to track both Council-approved allocations and amphitheater operational expenses paid by the City. Councilmember Sigala further requested that the balance of the reserve fund be included in the City Manager’s weekly report to the Council. It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the item as amended to include the offsetting revenue for the Independence Day event.
City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 3, 2026
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10. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
10.1 Teens on Board with Youth Commission.
Recommended Action: Direct staff to add to a future agenda or take no action.
Submitted By: Mayor Isherwood
Council Action: It was the consensus of Council to have staff add this item to a future agenda.
11. STAFF UPDATES
Staff provided updates on department activities. City Manager Mondell provided an update on the outstanding agenda items requested by Councilmember Sigala. He noted that the items listed on the Council Item Tracking Sheet, which was provided to Council on February 21, are currently being prepared for presentation to the Council for formal action. Mr. Mondell also reported that the requested healthcare presentation and the joint meeting with the school districts have been scheduled.
12. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS
12.1 Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Govt. Code § 54956.9(d)(1)) Name of Case: VCU317197 Laborers International Union of North America Local 294 and People of the State of California, Ex Rel. Rob Bonta, Attorney General of the State of California v. City of Tulare
Prior to recessing to closed session, a moment of silence was held in memory of Will Tiesiera.
Council recessed to closed session at 8:40 p.m.
13. RECONVENE FROM CLOSED SESSION
Council reconvened from closed session at 9:24 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 9:24 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 March 3, 2026, as approved
by the Tulare City Council.
Marc Mondell, City Clerk
By Melissa Wilcox, Chief Deputy City Clerk