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City Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 4, 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; 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; 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
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
Fire Chief Ott led the Pledge of Allegiance, and an invocation was given by Councilmember Sayre.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
James Cardoza addressed the Council regarding the proposed annexation of Matheny Tract, specifically street naming, ensuring community is fully represented, and agendas for the committee meetings be posted in areas such as C & E Market, the neighborhood church, and Palo Verde School.
Esmeralda Addington addressed the Council regarding the Tulare County Fairground’s potential agreement with Global Stack, encouraging the Council to get involved and oppose the agreement.
Rosie Espinoza addressed the Council regarding safety concerns with the intersection of J Street and Prosperity Avenue, specifically lack of signage and no yield or turning lanes.
4. COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Mondell advised of a letter received from the Tulare Historical Society expressing appreciation for the City’s continued support. Community Development Director Anaya and Assistant City Manager Gaffery provided information regarding recent meetings they attended related to data centers.
City Manager Mondell advised that he would reach out to the CEO of the Tulare County Fairgrounds to request any publicly available documents.
It was the consensus of Council to hear Item 9.2 following Communications.
5. COUNCIL REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
Council reported on recent events and discussed items of interest. Councilmember Sigala commented on the cooling center, requesting that chairs be made available in the lobby when activated and more signage.
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6. CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Vice Mayor Harrell, seconded by Councilmember Mederos, and unanimously carried to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as presented.
6.1 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.
6.2 Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve the minutes of the special and/or regular meeting of July 21, 2026. [M. Wilcox]
6.3 2026/2027 K/T AAA Agreements.
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager or designee to sign agreements with Kings/Tulare Area Agency on Aging (“K/T AAA”) for the City of Tulare to provide nutritional services through the 2026/2027 K/T AAA Senior Nutrition Program. [B. Beck]
6.4 Notice of Completion – PK0039 Alpine Property Improvements.
Recommended Action: Accept as complete the contract with Clean Cut Landscaping, Inc, of Clovis, CA, for work on Project PK0039 Alpine Property Improvements; and authorize the City Engineer to sign the Notice of Completion and direct the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the Tulare County Recorder’s Office. [M. Miller]
6.5 Award Construction Contract for Project IT0055 Fire Station 25 Radio Equipment.
Recommended Action: [J. Bowling] Award and authorize the City Manager to sign contracts related to the construction of CIP Project IT0055 – Fire Station 25 Radio Equipment; 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 Apex Site Solutions Inc. $75,960
2. Labor Compliance Labor Consultants of California $8,100
6.6 Paragon Partners Consultants, Inc. Contract Change Order.
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Engineer to execute a change order in the amount of $8,970 to an existing contract with Paragon Partners for right-of-way services associated with CIP Project EN0105 Hwy 99 Widening / Paige Avenue Interchange. [M. Miller]
7. PUBLIC HEARING
7.1 Amending the Established Speed Limits in the City of Tulare.
Recommended Action: Hold a public hearing and pass to print an ordinance amending the existing speed zones.
Presented By: City Engineer Miller
Public Comment: The public hearing was opened at 6:34 p.m. Patti Galvin addressed the Council regarding concerns with Oaks Street, specifically speeding issues. There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed at 6:41 p.m.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
8. GENERAL BUSINESS
8.1 Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant.
Recommended Action: Receive a presentation from Tulare County Office of Education (TCOE) on the Scope of Services included in the Proposition 64 (Prop 64) Public Health and Safety Grant Program; and adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign the grant agreements, City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 4, 2026
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amendments, and any related documents from the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).
Presented By: Deputy City Manager/CTO Bowling; Bob Mayo, Brittaney Quinonez, and Nani Dodson of Tulare County Office of Education
Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Staff advised that the proposed resolution would be brought back for Council consideration at a future meeting. Staff and TCOE representatives responded to Council questions. There was no action taken.
8.2 Zumwalt Park Amphitheater - 2026 Concert Series Update.
Recommended Action: Accept the 2026 mid-season concert series update and adopt a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2026 Adopted Budget authorizing an increase of up to $160,000 to the General Fund Zumwalt Park Amphitheater Operations appropriation and use of General Fund balance for Zumwalt Park concert operational expenses, which will be offset by special one-time funds.
Presented By: City Manager Mondell
Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala inquired about expectations, accountability, and continued financial investment for the concert series, specifically regarding the goal for return of investment. City Manager Mondell advised that the goal continues to be for the City to not need to subsidize the concert season at all and advised staff’s focus is on strategies to lower costs, increase ticket sales, and bringing in national and regional sponsorships. Councilmember Sigala expressed a desire to see all revenue including sponsorships and fees collected by vendors. City Manager Mondell advised that staff will put together a report on how much the City has expended in expenses associated with the concert series and what is expected to come in for the remainder of the season. Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Sayre, and carried 4 to 1 (Councilmember Sigala voted no) to approve the item as presented.
9. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
9.1 Parkwood Meadows Park Volleyball Courts.
Recommended Action: Direct staff to add to a future agenda or take no action.
Submitted By: Councilmember Sigala
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala requested this topic be presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission for consideration. It was the consensus of the Council to refer the matter to the Parks and Recreation Commission for consideration.
9.2 Request for a Future Discussion on the Pros and Cons of Data Centers.
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 and seconded by Councilmember Sayre to add this item on the August 18 agenda to allow for public comment, broader debate, and consider a future study session on the topic. Following discussion, Councilmember Sayre requested to remove her second to the motion. It was moved by Councilmember Sigala to add this item to the August 18 agenda. Mayor Isherwood called for a roll call vote following a request by Councilmember Sigala. The motion failed 1 to 4 as follows:
Ayes: Councilmember Sigala
Noes: Councilmember Sayre, Councilmember Mederos, Vice Mayor Harrell, Mayor Isherwood
10. STAFF UPDATES
Staff provided updates on department activities.
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11. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS
11.1 Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Govt. Code § 54956.9(d)(2): 1 case Council recessed to closed session at 8:33 p.m.
12. RECONVENE FROM CLOSED SESSION
Council reconvened from closed session at 8:43 p.m.
13. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
There was no reportable action.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Seeing no further business to discuss, Mayor Isherwood adjourned the regular meeting at 8:43 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 August 4, 2026, as approved by the Tulare City Council.
Melissa Wilcox, City Clerk & Public Affairs Director