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City Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 - 5:30 p.m. Regular Meeting
City Council Chamber, 491 North M Street, Tulare, California Proper notice of this regular meeting of the Tulare City Council was given pursuant to California Government Code Section 54954.2.
City Council Present: Mayor Patrick Isherwood, Vice Mayor Stephen C. Harrell, Jose Sigala, Terry A.
Sayre, 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; Chief Financial Officer Mark Roberts; Deputy City Engineer Michael Winton; Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield; Assistant Community Services Director Brian Beck; Police Chief Fred Ynclan; Fire Battalion Chief Brandon West; General Services Director Manny Correa; Community Development Director Mario Anaya; Executive Director of Economic Development & Redevelopment Jennifer Gomez; Human Resources Director Janie Venegas; Principal Planner Steven Sopp; Finance Budget Manager Jacob Del Cid
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Isherwood called to order the regular meeting of the Tulare City Council at 5:33 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 John Maher, Pastor of Calvary Chapel Tulare.
3. PROCLAMATIONS & RECOGNITIONS
3.1 Resolution of Remembrance for Flora Johnson. Mayor Isherwood presented the Resolution of Remembrance for Flora Johnson to members of the board of Grandma’s House and family members of Ms. Johnson.
3.2 Proclamation for National Salvation Army Week, May 11-17, 2026. Mayor Isherwood read and presented to Major Vasquez a proclamation proclaiming May 11-17, 2026 as National Salvation Army Week in the City of Tulare.
3.3 Proclamation for LGBTQ Pride Month, June 2026. Vice Mayor Harrell read a proclamation proclaiming June 2026 as LGBTQ Pride Month in the City of Tulare.
3.4 Proclamation for National Dairy Month, June 2026. Councilmember Mederos read and presented to Jacob Fraga, on behalf of the Tulare Chamber of Commerce, a proclamation proclaiming June 2026 at National Dairy Month in the City of Tulare.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Ray Vallejo addressed the Council regarding concerns with the Tulare CARES Temporary Encampment.
Erica Mejia addressed the Council regarding parking issues in front of her business in Downtown Tulare and requests a designated parking spot for her business.
Alberto Aguilar addressed the Council inquiring about when the Cesar Chavez Memorial Park Review Committee will be meeting, expressed concern with alleyway maintenance behind Grandma’s House, and expressed concern with lack of park tree maintenance at Del Lago Park.
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5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Update on the HWY 99 Widening/Paige Interchange Project by Caltrans. Shavonne Conley, Caltrans Project Manager, provided an update on the widening project. Questions posed by Council were responded to by Ms. Conley.
5.2 Update on the Tulare Mail Theft Case by the Tulare Police Department. Police Chief Ynclan provided an update on the recent mail theft case.
6. COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Mondell advised there were no communications.
7. COUNCIL REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
Council reported on recent events and discussed items of interest.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
Items 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, and 8.10 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 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, and 8.10.
8.1 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.
8.2 Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve the minutes of the special and/or regular meeting of May 19, 2026. [M. Wilcox]
8.3 California League of City Employees Association Side Letter of Agreement No. 2.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution approving and authorizing the execution of Side Letter of Agreement No. 2 between the City of Tulare and California League of City Employees Association (CLOCEA) clarifying revisions to Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the term of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027 adopted October 15, 2024. [J. Vanegas]
8.7 Award Purchase of Night Vision Goggles.
Recommended Action: Award the purchase of specialized night operations equipment from Black Box Safety Company under the League of Oregon Cities Cooperative Purchasing Agreement (RFP #2530) in the amount of $95,807.18, plus applicable freight costs, if required. [R. Guerrero]
8.8 Award Contracts for EN0098 Various Streets Northeast of Dayton and Tulare.
Recommended Action: [M. Miller] Award and authorize the City Manager to sign contracts related to construction of CIP Project EN0098 Various Streets Northeast of Dayton and Tulare; and authorize the City Manager or designee to approve contract change orders in an amount not to exceed 10% of each contract amount.
Task Description Contractor Amount
1. Construction Contractor 99 Pipeline of Porterville, CA $7,268,707.60
2. Inspection 4 Creeks of Visalia, CA $618,660.00
3. Materials Testing Krazan of Clovis, CA $120,220.00
4. Surveying Lane Engineers of Tulare, CA $149,400.00
5. Labor Compliance Labor Consultants of California of
Hanford, CA
$30,600.00
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8.9 Approve Program Guidelines for HOME Investment Partnerships Program Activities.
Recommended Action: Approve Program Guidelines for the City of Tulare HOME OwnerOccupied Rehabilitation and First-Time Homebuyer Assistance activities; and authorize the City Manager and/or their designee to finalize and submit said guidelines to the California Housing and Community Development Department. [J. Cervantez; N. Brar]
ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
8.4 Downtown Tulare PBID Summary Report.
Recommended Action: Receive the Summary Report of the Formation and Engagement Activities of a Downtown Property Based Business Improvement District (PBID) with no further action recommended at this time. [J. Gomez]
Council Action: Councilmember Mederos pulled this item to request a verbal report. Executive Director of Economic Development & Redevelopment Gomez provided a verbal report in response to said request. Questions posed by Council were responded to by Ms. Gomez and City Manager Mondell. It was the consensus of Council to receive the Summary Report as presented.
8.5 Project Delivery Schedule for EN0097 International Agri Center Way Extension.
Recommended Action: Receive and file the project delivery schedule for capital improvement project EN0097 International Agri-Center Way Extension, and direct staff to circulate to project stakeholders. [M. Miller]
Council Action: Councilmember Mederos pulled this item to request a verbal report. Deputy City Engineer Winton provided a verbal report in response to said request. Various revisions were requested by Councilmember Mederos. Councilmember Sigala requested to see a funding schedule for the project. City Manager Mondell advised staff would start creating that schedule and provide it to Council as the project progresses. Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Mayor Isherwood, and unanimously carried to receive and file the project delivery schedule for capital improvement project EN0097 International AgriCenter Way Extension as amended to include revisions as requested by Councilmember Mederos and direct staff to circulate to project stakeholders.
8.6 Cooling & Heating Resilience Center Relocation.
Recommended Action: Authorize the relocation of the Cooling & Heating Resilience Center from Prosperity Sports Park (PSP) to the Tulare Public Library. [M. Ott] Council Action: Councilmember Sigala pulled this item to express concern regarding impact of moving the center to the library, specifically security and cleanliness and recommended that a additional security be brought in when the cooling/heating center is open, provide enhanced cleaning, and distribute additional communications regarding the opening of the center during extreme heat and cold events. Fire Battalion Chief West explained why the library was chosen as an ideal location. City Manager Mondell advised that he will notify Council if the need arises that additional security or cleaning is necessary. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Sayre, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
8.10 Acceptance and Appropriation of 2024 CalHome Program Grant.
Recommended Action: Accept and appropriate a 2024 CalHome Program Award in the amount of $1,000,000 from the California Department of Housing and Community Development; and authorize the execution of a standard agreement, any amendments thereto, and any related documents necessary to participate in the CalHome Program. [J. Cervantez] Council Action: Mayor Isherwood pulled this item to recuse himself due to a conflict of interest (employed by Self-Help Enterprises). With no discussion, it was moved by Vice Mayor Harrell, seconded by Councilmember Sayre, and carried 4 to 0 (Mayor Isherwood recused) to approve the item as presented.
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9. PUBLIC HEARING
9.1 Active Transportation Plan Adoption.
Recommended Action: Approve a resolution adopting the City of Tulare 2026 Active Transportation Plan.
Presented By: Principal Planner Sopp; Ruta Jariwala of TJKM Transportation Consultants Public Comment: The public hearing was opened at 8:15 p.m. Craig Shyman inquired about what attributes were included in the collision analysis. The public hearing was closed at 8:17 p.m.
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala inquired about the implementation of the recommendations within the study. City Manager Mondell advised that recommended projects be incorporated with capital improvement projects. Councilmember Sigala inquired about restriping bike lanes on West Street as well as using green paint for bike lanes. City Manager Mondell advised he would report out on this issue in Council’s weekly report. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
10. GENERAL BUSINESS
10.1 Actions Related to the 2026 Municipal General Election.
Recommended Action: 1) Adopt a resolution calling the General Municipal Election, requesting and consenting to consolidation with the statewide general election on November 3, 2026, and requesting election services from the Tulare County Registrar of Voters; 2) Adopt a resolution calling an election and submitting to voters an additional one-cent Transactions and Use Tax Measure for general purposes; 3) Introduce and authorize the submission to voters of an ordinance amending Tulare Municipal Code Chapter 5.78 to increase the Transactions and Use Tax by one cent, contingent upon majority voter approval; and 4) Adopt a resolution of intention conveying the Council’s intended use of revenue from the additional one-cent general sales tax measure.
Presented By: City Manager Mondell; Chief Deputy City Clerk Wilcox Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Sigala, and unanimously carried to adopt a resolution calling the General Municipal Election, requesting and consenting to consolidation with the statewide general election on November 3, 2026, and requesting election services from the Tulare County Registrar of Voters. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to adopt a resolution calling an election and submitting to voters an additional one-cent Transactions and Use Tax Measure for general purposes. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to introduce and authorize the submission to voters of an ordinance amending Tulare Municipal Code Chapter
5.78 to increase the Transactions and Use Tax by one cent, contingent upon majority voter approval. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Sigala, and unanimously carried to adopt a resolution of intention conveying the Council’s intended use of revenue from the additional one-cent general sales tax measure as discussed including to support public safety, roads, homelessness, parks, economic development, and recognizing that investment in youth also helps to prevent crime and gang activity.
10.2 Adoption of City of Tulare Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget.
Recommended Action: 1) Adopt a resolution approving and adopting the City of Tulare Fiscal Year 2027 Budget totaling $205,503,980, including a General Fund operating budget where revenues plus operating transfers in exceed expenditures plus operating transfers out by $22,755; approving several additional capital improvement projects totaling $1,953,540 using available unassigned General Fund fund balance, establishing the appropriations therefor, and authorizing the City Manager to approve the necessary interfund transfers; and adopting the Fiscal Year 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program; 2) Adopt a resolution establishing the appropriations limit for Fiscal Year 2027; and 3) Adopt a resolution establishing the Position Authorization City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 2, 2026
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Resolution for Fiscal Year 2027; and 4) Adopt a resolution approving an amendment to the City’s Master Salary Schedule.
Presented By: Chief Financial Officer Roberts; Finance Budget Manager Del Cid Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Councilmember Mederos inquired about the history of investment interest revenue on an annual basis. Councilmember Sigala requested that the $22,000 surplus be applied to expenses related to opening and operating the cooling/heating center. City Manager Mondell advised this could be added to the contingency account providing the City Manager discretion to utilize those funds for that purpose. Councilmember Sigala requested a breakdown of costs and funding sources regarding the Tesori project. It was moved by Mayor Isherwood, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the item as amended to include the $22,755 surplus applied to City Manager Contingency.
11. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - NONE SUBMITTED
12. STAFF UPDATES
Staff provided updates on department activities.
13. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS
13.1 Conference with Real Property Negotiations (Govt. Code § 54956.8) Property: 1370 South O Street (APN 181-070-062)
Agency Negotiator(s): Assistant City Manager Gaffery
Negotiating Parties: Unknown
Under Negotiations: Price and terms of payment
13.2 Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Initiation of litigation pursuant to Govt. Code § 54956.9(d)(4): 2 cases Council recessed to closed session at 9:23 p.m.
14. RECONVENE FROM CLOSED SESSION
Council reconvened from closed session at 9:47 p.m.
15. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
There was no reportable action.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Seeing no further business to discuss, Mayor Isherwood adjourned the regular meeting at 9:47 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 June 2, 2026, as approved by the Tulare City Council.
Marc Mondell, City Clerk
By Melissa Wilcox, Chief Deputy City Clerk