City of Tulare Page 1 of 2
City Council Meeting Minutes
Special Joint Meeting of the Tulare City Council, Tulare Joint Union High School District Board, and College of the Sequoias Board Monday, March 30, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
Council Chamber, 491 North M Street, Tulare, California Proper notice of this special joint meeting of the Tulare City Council, Tulare Joint Union High School District Board, and College of the Sequoias Board was given pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.
City Council Present: Vice Mayor Stephen C. Harrell, Jose Sigala, Terry A. Sayre, Dennis A. Mederos City Council Absent: Mayor Patrick Isherwood
Tulare Joint Union High School District Board of Trustees Present: Laura Fonseca, Tyler Ribeiro, Cathy Mederos
Tulare Joint Union High School District Board of Trustees Absent: Craig Hamilton, Kelley Nicholson College of the Sequoias Board of Trustees Present: President Raymond Macareno, Vice President John Lehn, Robert Aguilar, Connie Diaz, Ken Nunes
Staff Present: City of Tulare: Marc Mondell, City Manager; Melissa Wilcox, Chief Deputy City Clerk; Trisha Whitfield, Public Works Director; Michael Winton, Senior Civil Engineer Tulare Joint Union High School District: Lucy Van Scyoc, Superintendent; Gretchen Vander Tuig, Executive Director of Special Education and Support Systems; Vivian Hamilton, Chief Business Officer; Jason Bonds, Director of Facilities
College of the Sequoias: Brent Calvin, Superintendent/President; Luanne Waldner, Tulare Campus Provost; Jesse Wilcoxson, Vice President of Academic Services
1. CALL TO ORDER SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
Vice Mayor Harrell called to order the special joint meeting of the Tulare City Council, Tulare Joint Union High School District Board, and College of the Sequoias Board at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 491 North M Street.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION
Councilmember Sigala led the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation was given by Councilmember Sayre.
3. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS BY THE MAYOR
Each legislative body introduced themselves and their staff.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
James Cardoza, a local business owner, addressed the legislative bodies requesting future funds related to education be earmarked for manufacturing education, specifically things such as 3D design, CNC programming, CNC equipment operation, general electrical knowledge, and parts assembly.
5. GENERAL BUSINESS OF THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE BODIES
5.1 Tulare Joint Union High School District Board
• Facilities
• Community Schools
City Council Meeting Minutes Monday, March 30, 2026
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Dr. Van Scyoc and Ms. Vander Tuig presented on District activities, successes, and future projects. Trustee Diaz complimented the District as a parent of students that attend schools within the District. Councilmember Sigala inquired about softball parks at which Dr. Van Scyoc advised they have sufficient softball facilities but are lacking baseball facilities as Tulare Union currently uses Live Oak Park and Elk Bayou Park which is why they are planning the baseball/soccer complex next to their softball field on Bardsley Avenue.
5.2 College of the Sequoias Board
• Tulare Center Technology and Trades Complex
Dr. Calvin introduced Dr. Waldner who presented on the Tulare campus and its current offerings as well as commenting on the heavy traffic on Bardsley Avenue. Trustee Ribiero touched on recent conversations regarding what a diesel program could look like for Tulare high schools and how to set students up for success when entering COS. Councilmember Sigala inquired about the annex building at Cross Avenue and H Street. Dr. Calvin advised one of the buildings is still being leased to use in partnership with the Tulare Joint Union High School District.
Councilmember Sigala also inquired about transportation services for students within Tulare and Kings Counties, specifically expanding student access to micro transit. Dr. Calvin advised they would reach out to TCAG regarding this request. City Manager Mondell addressed the traffic concerns related to Bardsley Avenue. Trustee Diaz inquired about the future projection for concurrent/dual enrollment which was responded to by Dr. Calvin.
5.3 Tulare City Council
• Corporation Yard Project
City Manager Mondell presented on the City’s future Corporation Yard Project including a possible opportunity to partner on fleet maintenance and charging. Trustee Ribeiro inquired about the current location if the Corporation Yard is moved to the proposed location at which City Manager Mondell advised he recommended to Council to extend International Agri-Center Way (formerly known as Commercial Avenue) through that property to connect to a potential business parkinland port to the west of the railroad tracks. Trustee Nunes complimented the City on Zumwalt Park and reconfiguration of the old courthouse building.
6. CLOSING COMMENTS BY THE MAYOR
Closing comments were made by attendees.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Seeing no further business to discuss, Vice Mayor Harrell adjourned the special meeting at 7:18 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 30, 2026, as
approved by the Tulare City Council.
Marc Mondell, City Clerk
By Melissa Wilcox, Chief Deputy City Clerk