City of Tulare Page 1 of 5
City Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 18, 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, Dennis A.
Mederos
City Council Absent: Terry A. Sayre
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; Assistant Community Services Director Brian Beck; 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; Housing and Grants Manager Alexis Costales
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Isherwood called to order the regular meeting of the Tulare City Council at 5:34 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 491 North M Street.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION
Vice Mayor Harrell led the Pledge of Allegiance, and an invocation was given by Susan Henard, Pastor of River Valley Church.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Bruce Young addressed the Council regarding being asked to leave Zumwalt Park with his daughter while the park was closed for a scheduled event.
Rhett Gorham addressed the Council regarding the recent data center issue and requested the Council hold a study session on the topic.
Jason Bender addressed the Council to extend an invitation to the annual 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.1 Business Toolkit Presented by Economic Development. Executive Director of Economic Development and Redevelopment Gomez provided a presentation and responded to questions from the Council regarding the new Business Toolkit.
5. COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Mondell advised there were no communications.
6. COUNCIL REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
Council reported on recent events and discussed items of interest.
City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 18, 2026
City of Tulare Page 2 of 5
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Items 7.3, 7.4, 7.7, 7.8, 7.13, and 7.14 were removed from the Consent Calendar.
It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and carried 4 to 0 (Councilmember Sayre absent) to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as presented except for items 7.3, 7.4, 7.7, 7.8, 7.13, and 7.14.
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 August 4, 2026. [M. Wilcox]
7.5 California League of City Employees Association Side Letter of Agreement No. 5.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution approving and authorizing the execution of Side Letter of Agreement No. 5 between the City and California League of City Employees Association (CLOCEA) revising Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the term of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027 adopted October 15, 2024. [J. Venegas]
7.6 Position Authorization Resolution and Master Salary Schedule Amendments.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution amending the City’s Position Authorization Resolution (PAR) and a resolution amending the City’s Master Salary Schedule to update certain classification titles, establish the Administrative Analyst/Deputy City Clerk, Planning Manager, and Water Treatment Operator I/II classifications and associated salary ranges, amend salary ranges for Principal Planner, City Engineer, Deputy City Engineer, Senior Civil Engineer and Senior Engineering Assistant, and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to update the PAR and Master Salary Schedule accordingly. [J. Venegas]
7.9 Tulare Fire Chief Officer Group Side Letter of Agreement No. 2A.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution approving Side Letter of Agreement No. 2A between the City and Tulare Fire Chief Officer Group (TFCO) to correct the salary adjustment for the Fire Marshal classification from four percent (4%) to five percent (5%) effective July 11, 2026. [J.
Venegas]
7.10 Grant of Easement to SCE for Utilities to be Located Within City Landscape Lots.
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to execute a Grant of Easement and Certificate of Conveyance to Southern California Edison Company (SCE) for installation and maintenance of SCE utilities located within Lots A and B of the Cottonwood 3 Estates subdivision, subject only to minor conforming and clarifying changes acceptable to the City Attorney and City Manager. [M. Miller]
7.11 Notice of Completion – EN0074 Cross Avenue Improvements.
Recommended Action: Accept as complete the contract with 99 Pipeline, Inc, of Porterville, CA, for work on Project EN0074 Cross Avenue Improvements; 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]
7.12 Downtown Trash Bin Auto Lock Installation.
Recommended Action: Authorize staff to proceed with the installation of automatic locking mechanisms on the downtown trash bins identified as Phase 1 in the attached, funded through Solid Waste Operating Fund 105. [T. Whitfield]
City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 18, 2026
City of Tulare Page 3 of 5
7.15 Notice of Completion - KCOK Ranch Nos. 5 & 9 Subdivision.
Recommended Action: Accept as complete the required public works improvements for the KCOK Ranch Nos. 5 & 9 subdivision located at the northwest corner of Morrison Street and Seminole Avenue; authorize the City Engineer to sign the Notice of Completion (NOC); and direct the City Clerk to file the NOC with the Tulare County Recorder’s Office. [M. Miller]
7.16 Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 2026-07.
Recommended Action: Adopt Ordinance 2026-07 amending Municipal Code Section 9.12.010 of Chapter 9.12 of Title 9 pertaining to the established speed limits in the City of Tulare. [M. Miller]
ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
7.3 Economic Development Updates.
Recommended Action: Receive an update on economic development activities. [J. Gomez] Council Action: Councilmember Mederos pulled this item to inquire about the IAC Way project schedule. Staff responded to Councilmember Mederos’ questions. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and carried 4 to 0 (Councilmember Sayre absent) to approve the item as presented.
7.4 Bargaining Units Bereavement Leave Update.
Recommended Action: [J. Venegas] Adopt resolutions approving and authorizing the execution of the following to update Bereavement Leave:
• Side Letter of Agreement No. 4 between the City and the California League of City Employees Association (CLOCEA) amending the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the term of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027 adopted October 15, 2024 • Side Letter of Agreement No. 1 between the City and Tulare City Professional Fire Fighters Association Non-Management Bargaining Group (TPFA) amending the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the term of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028 adopted April 7, 2026
• Side Letter of Agreement No. 1 between the City and Tulare City Professional Fire Fighters Association Management Bargaining Group (TPFA-M) amending the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the term of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028 adopted April 7, 2026
• Side Letter of Agreement No. 3 between the City and Tulare Fire Chief Officer Group (TFCO) amending the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the term of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028 adopted December 2, 2025
• Side Letter of Agreement No. 1 between the City and Tulare Police Officers Union (TPOU) amending the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the term of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027 adopted January 21, 2025
Council Action: Staff requested items 7.4, 7.7, and 7.8 be pulled from consideration at this time; therefore, no action was taken.
7.7 Tulare Police Management Group Benefits Update.
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution amending Resolution 2025-16 to formally codify and update benefit provisions for the Tulare Police Management Group. [J. Venegas] Council Action: Staff requested items 7.4, 7.7, and 7.8 be pulled from consideration at this time; therefore, no action was taken.
7.8 City of Tulare Merit System Rules and Regulations Amendment.
Recommended Action: Approve a resolution amending Section 1206 - Compensation for Use of Personal Automobile While on City Business, Section 1211 – Management Employees, and Section 801 – Bereavement Leave of the City of Tulare Merit System Rules and Regulations. [J.
Venegas]
Council Action: Staff requested items 7.4, 7.7, and 7.8 be pulled from consideration at this time; therefore, no action was taken.
City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 18, 2026
City of Tulare Page 4 of 5
7.13 Agreement with Salt+Light Works Involving PLHA Funds.
Recommended Action: Approve an agreement between the City of Tulare and Salt+Light Works to appropriate a total of $125,500 for the provision of case management and housing navigation services; and authorize the City Manager and/or their designee to execute said agreement and all related materials. [A. Costales]
Council Action: Councilmember Sigala pulled this item to ask if the provider would be providing services to those from outside of the city limits. Housing & Grants Manager Costales and City Manager Mondell responded to Councilmember Sigala’s question. Councilmember Mederos asked whether the agreement ensures that funds will be used to provide services to individuals in Tulare. Housing & Grants Manager Costales stated that the agreement contains a schedule which addresses this. It was moved by Councilmember Sigala, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and carried 4 to 0 (Councilmember Sayre absent) to approve the item as presented.
7.14 International Agri-Center Way Railroad Grade Separation Project Study Report.
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to approve a task order with Peter’s Engineering Group under their existing on-call consultant services contract in the amount of $249,900 for the International Agri-Center Way Railroad Grade Separation Project Study Report; and to approve change orders in an amount not to exceed 10% ($24,990) of the task order amount. [M. Miller]
Council Action: This item was requested to be pulled from consideration at this time.
Councilmember Sigala asked whether the City’s purchasing policy establishes a threshold requiring a Request for Proposals (RFP) process and asked about Council being provided options for location of the grade separation. City Manager Mondell advised that there is a threshold and the City regularly puts out RFPs to secure consultants for on-call services. He also advised that the location of the grade separation has already been determined and would pass through the City’s existing Corporation Yard. There was no action taken on this item.
8. PUBLIC HEARING
8.1 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 September 1, 2026)
Presented By: Assistant City Manager Gaffery
Public Comment: There was no public comment.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and carried 4 to 0 (Councilmember Sayre absent) to continue this item to September 1, 2026.
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.1 Investment Performance Review by PFM Asset Management.
Recommended Action: Receive a presentation from PFM Asset Management regarding performance of the City’s actively managed investment portfolio for the one-year period ending June 30, 2026.
Presented By: Chief Financial Officer Roberts; Michael Kronbetter of PFM Asset Management Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: This item was informational only; therefore, there was no action taken.
9.2 Authorization to Proceed with Refinancing Process for Sewer Revenue Bonds.
Recommended Action: Authorize City staff and the City’s Municipal Advisor (NHA Advisors) to proceed with the next steps necessary for evaluating and executing a refinancing (known as a “refunding”) of the City’s 2015 and 2016 Sewer Revenue Refunding Bonds.
Presented By: Chief Financial Officer Roberts; Eric Scrivens and Michael Meyer of NHA Advisors Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and carried 4 to 0 (Councilmember Sayre absent) to approve the item as presented.
City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 18, 2026
City of Tulare Page 5 of 5
9.3 Progress Report on Housing Element Housing Plan Implementation.
Recommended Action: Receive a presentation and provide input and guidance to staff regarding the Housing Element Housing Plan implementation.
Presented By: Community Development Director Anaya; Housing & Grants Manager Costales Public Comment: Julia Nelson addressed the Council regarding support for individuals transitioning out of foster care.
Council Action: Staff responded to questions from the Council. There was no action taken.
9.4 Designation of Voting Delegate and Alternate for Annual Cal Cities Conference.
Recommended Action: Designate one voting delegate and up to two alternate voting delegates to represent the City of Tulare at the League of California Cities 2026 Annual Conference and Expo General Assembly, scheduled for September 25, 2026, in Anaheim, California.
Presented By: City Clerk & Public Affairs Director Wilcox Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Staff clarified that Councilmember Mederos was inadvertently listed in the staff report as attending the annual conference and was therefore not considered for designation. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and carried 4 to 0 (Councilmember Sayre absent) to designate Councilmember Sigala as the voting delegate and Councilmember Sayre as the alternate voting delegate.
10. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - NONE SUBMITTED
11. STAFF UPDATES
Staff provided updates on department activities.
A moment of silence was held in memory of Edna Geraldine “Gerry” Soults and Warren “Bud” Mouw.
12. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS
12.1 Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Gov. Code § 54957) Title: City Manager
Council recessed to closed session at 8:34 p.m.
13. RECONVENE FROM CLOSED SESSION
Council reconvened from closed session at 10:19 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 10:19 p.m.
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the special and/or regular meeting held on August 18, 2026, as approved by the Tulare City Council.
Melissa Wilcox, City Clerk & Public Affairs Director