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City Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 15, 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 (arrived at 5:47 p.m.), 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; 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; Housing & Grants Specialist Norveen Brar; Housing & Grants Specialist Jessica Cervantez
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
Fire Chief Ott led the Pledge of Allegiance, and an invocation was given by Caleb Byron, Youth Pastor of Tulare Community Church.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Gina Haycock, Mike Lee, Jordan Higareda, and Mariana Alvarenga (Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability) shared concerns related to data centers and encouraged the Council to schedule a study session to discuss the potential benefits and impacts of data centers.
Rick Gorham expressed support for scheduling a study session to learn more about data centers and advised data centers are essential.
Donnette Silva, Tulare Chamber of Commerce CEO, shared recent and upcoming Chamber events.
It was the consensus of Council to hear Item 8.4 following Item 3 Public Comment.
4. COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Mondell advised there were no communications.
5. COUNCIL REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
Council reported on recent events and discussed items of interest.
6. 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.
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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 September 1, 2026. [M. Wilcox]
6.3 Grant of Easement to SCE Related to F&C Farming Subdivision.
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, B, E, and F of the F&C Farming subdivision, subject only to minor conforming and clarifying changes acceptable to the City Attorney and City Manager. [M. Miller]
6.4 Enterprise Resource Planning System Financial Reconciliation & Close Support.
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement with Macias Gini & O’Connell LLP (MGO) for enterprise resource planning system (“ERP system”) financial reconciliation and year-end close support services to assist the City with its first fiscal year-end close following the conversion from Eden Systems to Tyler Enterprise ERP (“EERP”), including general ledger validation and reconciliation, year-end close procedures, and related financial reporting, fund balance, capital project, and purchase order/encumbrance reconciliation services, in an amount not to exceed $50,000, subject to available appropriations; and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute any necessary documents associated with the agreement pending non-substantive changes recommended by the City Attorney. [M. Roberts]
6.5 Economic Development Updates.
Recommended Action: Receive an update on economic development activities. [J. Gomez]
6.6 Grant of Easement to SoCalGas for the Parking Lot South of 215 E. Kern Avenue.
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to execute a Grant of Easement and Certificate of Conveyance to Southern California Gas Company (“SoCalGas”) for installation and maintenance of SoCalGas utilities located in the parking area south of the property at 215 E Kern Ave, subject only to minor conforming and clarifying changes acceptable to the City Attorney and City Manager. [M. Miller]
7. PUBLIC HEARING
7.1 2025 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER).
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution approving the 2025 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation (CAPER); and authorize the City Manager or their designee to submit the 2025 CAPER to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on behalf of the City of Tulare.
Presented By: Housing & Grants Specialist Brar; Housing & Grants Specialist Cervantez Public Comment: The public hearing was opened at 6:46 p.m. There being no public comments, the public hearing was closed at 6:47 p.m.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
7.2 TMC Chapter 10.83 By-Right Approvals Revision.
Recommended Action: Pass-to-print an ordinance approving Zone Amendment 778 to amend Chapter 10.83 (By-Right Approvals) to the Tulare Municipal Code (TMC).
Presented By: Community Development Director Anaya
Public Comment: The public hearing was opened at 6:51 p.m. There being no public comments, the public hearing was closed at 6:51 p.m.
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Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Harrell, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
7.3 Historic-Cultural Landmark Nomination for the Frew House.
Recommended Action: Pass-to-print an ordinance designating the Frew House, located at 260 E. Merritt Avenue, as a Historic-Cultural Landmark and amending the City of Tulare Zoning Map to change the zoning designation from R-1-6 (Single-Family Residential) to R-1-6(H) (SingleFamily Residential with Historic Site and Historic Neighborhood Overlay), Zone Amendment No. 774.
Presented By: Community Development Director Anaya
Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: Staff requested that the item be continued to October 6, 2026, to allow for sufficient public notice. It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Sigala, and unanimously carried to continue this item to October 6, 2026.
8. GENERAL BUSINESS
8.1 State and Federal Legislative Update and November Election Preview.
Recommended Action: Receive a presentation providing an update on state and federal legislative activity and a preview of the November 2026 statewide ballot measures.
Presented By: City Manager Mondell; Spencer Street of Townsend Public Affairs Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: This item was informational only; therefore, no action was taken.
8.2 ACFR and Single Audit for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025.
Recommended Action: Review and accept the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Single Audit for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025.
Presented By: Chief Financial Officer Roberts; Anthony Gonzales of Price Paige & Company Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Mederos, seconded by Councilmember Sigala, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
8.3 Community Gardens Presentation.
Recommended Action: Receive a presentation regarding community gardens and the Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley and City of Watsonville community garden partnership.
Presented By: Community Services Director Orr; Gustavo Indarose of Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley; Leonardo Cruz of the City of Watsonville Public Comment: There were no public comments.
Council Action: This item was informational only; therefore, no action was taken.
8.4 Discussion Regarding a Potential Data Center Study Session.
Recommended Action: Discuss and provide direction regarding whether to schedule a City Council study session concerning data centers and, if desired, identify topics to be addressed as part of the study session.
Presented By: City Manager Mondell; Assistant City Manager Gaffery Public Comment: Mike Lee inquired about the City’s standpoint, involvement, and what the City can do to be part of the Global Stack issue with the Tulare County Fairgrounds. Rick Gorham addressed the Council advising that data centers are already all over and there are current bills related to data centers on the Governor’s desk. Jordan Higareda requested documents shared at the recent American Planning Association retreat that City Manager Mondell participated in and expressed concern specifically with hyperscale data centers or closed-loop data centers.
Council Action: It was the consensus of Council to direct staff to schedule a data center study session within the next 90 days. As part of the study session, Council requested information regarding the different types and definitions of data centers; potential benefits and impacts, including resiliency centers; the City's approval process; available studies and expert City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, September 15, 2026 City of Tulare Page 4 of 4
perspectives; potential impacts on electric rates, including information directly from Southern California Edison; input from City Information Technology staff; and information regarding how other cities are addressing data centers.
8.5 Measure A Voter Education Update.
Recommended Action: Receive an update regarding the City's Measure A voter education efforts (informational only).
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.
9. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - NONE SUBMITTED
10. STAFF UPDATES
Staff provided updates on department activities.
11. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS
11.1 Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Gov. Code § 54957) Title: City Manager
A moment of silence was held in memory of Rachel Saenz Mora.
Council recessed to closed session at 9:05 p.m.
12. RECONVENE FROM CLOSED SESSION
Council reconvened from closed session at 11:20 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 11:20 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 September 15, 2026, as approved by the Tulare City
Council.
Melissa Wilcox, City Clerk & Public Affairs Director