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City Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, July 21, 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; Assistant City Attorney Christina Smith; City Clerk & Public Affairs Director 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; Assistant Public Works Director Jan Bowen; Community Services Director Chris Orr; Police Chief Fred Ynclan; Fire Chief Michael Ott; General Services Director Manny Correa; Executive Director of Economic Development & Redevelopment Jennifer Gomez; Human Resources Director Janie Venegas
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Isherwood called to order the regular meeting of the Tulare City Council at 5:32 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 491 North M Street.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION
Police Captain Greg Merrill led the Pledge of Allegiance, and an invocation was given by Noel Stout, Pastor of Tulare First Methodist Church.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Alberto Aguilar addressed the Council regarding the work of the Cesar Chavez Park Review Committee.
Robyn Jones and Jay Brock addressed the Council regarding issues with a short-term rental located on Dorset Street expressing safety concerns and nuisance issues.
Xander Tapia addressed the Council expressing a need for investment in the youth.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.1 New Employee Introductions. City staff hired between January 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026, were introduced to the City Council and community.
4.2 Tulare Chamber of Commerce Annual Report and TBIZ Update. Donnette Silva and Jacob Fraga provided the annual report for the Tulare Chamber of Commerce and the Tulare Business Innovation Zone (TBIZ). Questions posed by Council were responded to by Ms. Silva and City staff.
5. COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Mondell acknowledged the letters received from Alberto Aguilar addressed to the City Council regarding the Cesar Chavez Park Review Committee.
6. COUNCIL REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
Council reported on recent events and discussed items of interest.
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7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Item 7.7 was removed from the Consent Calendar.
It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Councilmember Mederos, and unanimously carried to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as presented except for item 7.7.
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 July 7, 2026. [M. Wilcox]
7.3 Asphalt Contract with Deer Creek.
Recommended Action: Award and authorize the City Manager to sign a contract with Jaxon Enterprises, DBA Deer Creek Asphalt (Deer Creek), of Redding, CA in the amount of $68/ton for 3/8” Plant Run Cold Mix with Oil, $63/ton for ½” Plant Run Cold Mix with Oil and $61/ton for ½” Hot Asphalt Concrete; subject to minor conforming or clarifying changes acceptable to the City Attorney. [T. Whitfield]
7.4 Purchase of 2027 Ford Police Interceptors.
Recommended Action: Award the purchase of seven new/unused 2027 Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles to National Auto Fleet Group of Watsonville, CA using Sourcewell Contract No. 081325-NAF in the amount of $398,852.16. [T. Whitfield]
7.5 Quitclaim Deed for APN 182-350-011.
Recommended Action: Approve a Quitclaim Deed from the County of Tulare transferring any and all rights to the real property identified as Assessor’s Parcel Number 182-350-011, located on Foster Drive between Laspina Street and Sunrise Street, to the City of Tulare; and authorize the City Manager to sign the respective Certificate of Acceptance. [M. Miller]
7.6 Grant Deed and Relinquishment of Access Rights for APN 169-360-047.
Recommended Action: Accept a grant deed in fee interest from Isabel Casanova Ruiz as Prosperity Avenue right-of-way dedication across the frontage of 1039 W. Prosperity Avenue (APN No. 169-360-047); accept a relinquishment of access rights across a portion of said property frontage; and authorize the City Manager to execute the respective Certificate(s) of Acceptance and any related documents. [M. Miller]
7.8 Caltrans Easement Acquisition for APN 182-350-011.
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents required for the sale of easement rights to the State of California for the benefit of Southern California Edison covering a portion of Assessor’s Parcel Number 182-350-011; and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute a Certificate of Conveyance and all other documentation necessary to accept compensation and complete conveyance. [M. Miller]
7.9 Consulting Services for Land-Use/Permitting System Replacement.
Recommended Action: Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Plante Moran in the amount of $238,250 ($149,990 for core services, and $88,260 for optional services) for consulting services related to the implementation of a new land use/permitting system (RFP 26-850), subject to minor and clarifying changes approved by both the City Attorney and the City Manager; and authorize the City Manager or designee to approve contract change orders in an amount not to exceed 10% ($23,825). [J. Bowling]
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7.10 Technology Disaster Recovery Site Partnership with the City of Merced.
Recommended Action: Approve a Technology Disaster Recovery Site Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Tulare and City of Merced and authorize the City Manager to execute the MOU and any administrative documents necessary to implement the MOU. [J. Bowling]
7.11 Award for Tulare Animal Services Strategic Plan Consultant.
Recommended Action: Award and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Matrix Consulting Group in an amount not to exceed $65,900 to conduct a comprehensive operational study and strategic plan for Tulare Animal Services. [F. Ynclan]
7.12 Capital Improvement Project Dashboards for July 2026.
Recommended Action: Accept the Capital Improvement Project Dashboards for July 2026. [M.
Miller]
7.13 Recognition of Ex-Officio City Clerk Appointment.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution reaffirming the appointment of the City Manager to the Office of the City Clerk and recognizing the City Manager’s appointment of Melissa Wilcox as Ex-Officio City Clerk effective July 11, 2026. [M. Mondell]
ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
7.7 All-Way Stop Designation for the Intersection of Foster Drive and Turner Drive.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution designating the intersection of Foster Drive and Turner Drive as an all-way stop intersection and authorizing the installation of corresponding stop control. [M. Miller]
Council Action: This item was pulled by Vice Mayor Harrell who stated he has a conflict of interest and recused himself. Mr. Harrell left the dais for discussion of the item. City Manager Mondell advised of his desire to table this item for three months for additional research. It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Councilmember Sayre, and carried 4 to 0 (Vice Mayor Harrell recused) to approve the item as presented.
8. PUBLIC HEARING
8.1 Landscape Maintenance Assessments for Fiscal Year 2027.
Recommended Action: Hold a public hearing; adopt a resolution confirming diagram and landscape maintenance assessments and levying assessments for Fiscal Year 2027; and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the Compliance Certification and Hold Harmless Statement regarding the assessment of fees.
Presented By: City Engineer Miller
Public Comment: The public hearing was opened at 6:52 p.m. Receiving no comments, the public hearing was closed at 6:52 p.m.
Council Action: Questions posed by Council were responded to by staff. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Sigala, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
8.2 Resolution of Necessity for APN 172-370-032.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution of necessity for APN 172-370-032 (“Property”) authorizing the City Attorney to take the necessary steps to finalize the acquisition of the overhead utility easement. (Continue to August 18, 2026)
Presented By: Assistant City Manager Gaffery
Public Comment: The public hearing was opened at 6:58 p.m. Receiving no comments, the public hearing was closed at 6:59 p.m.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Sayre, and unanimously carried to continue this item to the August 18, 2026 meeting.
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9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.1 2026 Citywide Speed Zone Study Presentation.
Recommended Action: Receive a presentation from Willdan Engineering regarding the findings and recommendations of the 2026 Citywide Speed Zone Study, and set August 4, 2026 as the public hearing date for adoption of an ordinance amending the existing speed zones.
Presented By: City Engineer Miller; Nicolle Spann, Senior Engineer with Willdan Public Comment: Robyn Jones addressed the Council regarding the speed on Mooney Boulevard between Cartmill Avenue and Visalia.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Councilmember Sayre, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
9.2 Economic Development Quarterly & June Updates.
Recommended Action: Receive an update on economic development activities.
Presented By: Executive Director of Economic Development & Redevelopment Gomez Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Councilmember Mederos inquired about the development that appears to be at a standstill on the northwest corner of Tulare Avenue and K Street. Staff provided a response..
Councilmember Sigala inquired about the development off the Santa Fe Trail. Staff provided a response. This item was informational only; therefore, no action was taken.
9.3 Strategic Plan Status Update.
Recommended Action: Receive a status update of the City’s strategic plan.
Presented By: Assistant City Manager Gaffery
Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: This item was informational only; therefore, no action was taken.
10. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - NONE SUBMITTED
11. STAFF UPDATES
Staff provided updates on department activities. City Manager Mondell advised that a mid-year report for the concert season will be provided at the August 4 meeting. Mr. Mondell also provided an update on the sales tax measure and new community calendar.
12. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS
12.1 Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Govt. Code § 54956.9(d)(2) or (3): 1 case Name of Case: Aguayo, Misael (Dec’d) vs. City of Tulare Worker’s Compensation Case: FR230627
Council recessed to closed session at 7:49 p.m.
13. RECONVENE FROM CLOSED SESSION
Council reconvened from closed session at 7:55 p.m.
14. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
There was no reportable action.
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15. ADJOURNMENT
Seeing no further business to discuss, Mayor Isherwood adjourned the regular meeting at 7:55 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 July 21, 2026, as approved by the Tulare City Council.
Melissa Wilcox, City Clerk & Public Affairs Director