Visalia City Council
707 W. Acequia
Visalia, CA 93291
Visalia City Council
City Council
Meeting Minutes - Final
Mayor Brian Poochigian
Vice Mayor Brett Taylor
Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto
Council Member Steve Nelsen
Council Member Liz Wynn
7:00 PM City Council ChambersMonday, February 6, 2023
ROLL CALL
Mayor Brian Poochigian, Vice Mayor Brett Taylor, Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Council Member Steve
Nelsen, and Council Member Liz Wynn
Present:
CALL TO ORDER WORK SESSION - 4:00 PM
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Citizens are now invited to comment on issues within the jurisdiction of the Visalia City Council. The Council asks that you keep your comments concise and positive. Creative criticism, presented with appropriate courtesy, is welcome.
Each speaker will be allowed three minutes and a timer will notify you when your time is expired. Please begin your comments by stating and spelling your name and providing your city of residence.
WORK SESSION AND ACTION ITEMS (as described)
Time permitting, Work Session items 2, 3, 4, and 5 will be presented during the Work Session at 4:00 p.m.; otherwise the items will be called and discussed during Regular Session at 7:00 p.m.
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 6, 2023
1. 23-0017Continue discussion on the Civic Center Phase II: Public Safety Office Building (PSOB, Police Services Building
(Evidence/Training/Crime Lab), and City Council Chambers Project. Receive information on the City Council chambers layout and building orientation and possible outdoor amenities and recreational activities programming to be included in the project. Provide direction as needed.
Nick Mascia, Assistant City Manager introduced the item and staff.
Vice Mayor Taylor asked if the chambers rooms and community room were flipped or moved. If an overflow room is needed the current layout should considered.
Nick Mascia, ACM, introduced the second portion of the item.
Mike Porter, Civil Engineer explained the next steps. Staff will return in early 2023 for budget and finance options.
The design will work with the Civic Center having multiple floors.
What about the issue of birds above the pavilion? Council requested for staff to look at option to stop the birds from landing or nesting to keep the area clean.
2. 23-0024Receive presentation from Nielsen, Merksamer, Parrinello, Gross & Leoni (NMPGL) on 2022 state legislative activity and a forecast of state legislative activity for 2023.
Devon Jones, Economic Development Manager introduced the item for the legislative activity and a forecast of state legislation. John Moffett and Michelle Rubalcava, state lobbyists with Nielsen Merksamer, explained the two main areas for the legislative information. Geoff Neill, is a new attorney in Nielsen, Merksamer, with a deep knowledge with local government.
Michelle Rubalcava, Nielsen Merksamer, explained the legislative information per the PowerPoint presentation.
Council comments, questions and compliments to staff and the lobbyist work.
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 6, 2023
3. 22-0471Receive the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the City of Visalia for the 2021-22 fiscal year.
Renee Nagel, Finance Director, Kari Williams, Financial Analyst, Jason Montgomery, Finance Manager, and Sophia Kuo from the Pun Group provided the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report to Council.
Jason Montgomery, Finance Manager, provided the information on the accounting of assets, debt, depreciation, and net pension liability. Renee Nagel, Finance Director, explained the General Fund Summary.
Comments and questions by Council. No motion or action required.
4. 22-0469Review and acceptance of the Annual Measure T Compliance Audit for fiscal year ending 6/30/22.
Kari Williams, Financial Analyst, provided the Measure T Audit findings. The review must be completed every eight (8) years before sunset. Revenues are providing a net change in the fund balance.
The City, as part of the voter approved Measure T sales tax override, must have an annual audit of the uses of Measure T funds. M. Green and Company has performed this audit and it is now being presented to Council.
There were no audit findings for FY 21/22.
This audit did not include financial management and accounting practices. The purpose of this audit is to ensure that Measure T funds are used in accordance with the Ballot Measure, Program Guidelines and Expenditure Plan for fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. The financial management and accounting practices are included in the City ’s annual audit which is also being presented tonight (February 6, 2023).
This is a review of the audit and is not intended as a discussion of plan adjustments or other operational issues. Those adjustments should be considered as part of a separate discussion.
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 6, 2023
5. 22-0470Review and acceptance of the Annual Measure N Compliance Audit for fiscal year ending 6/30/22.
Renee Nagel, Finance Director, Kari Williams, Financial Analyst, and Jason Montgomery, Finance Manager, provided the Annual Measure N compliance audit for fiscal year ending 6/30/22 which has requirements for the revenues and expenditures.
The effectiveness review will be on April 1, 2025.
The City, as part of the voter approved Measure N sales tax override, must have an annual audit of the uses of Measure N funds. M. Green and Company has performed this audit and it is now being presented to Council.
This audit did not include financial management and accounting practices. It is only to ensure that Measure N funds are used in accordance with the Ballot Measure, Program Guidelines, and Expenditure Plan for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. The financial management and accounting practices are included in the City’s annual Audit, which is also being presented tonight (February 6, 2023).
There was one audit finding for fiscal year 21/22. A park maintenance invoice was miscoded to tree maintenance which took it over budget. City Staff made the coding correction before the audit was completed.
This is a review of the audit and is not intended as a discussion of plan adjustments or other operational issues. Those adjustments should be considered as part of a separate discussion.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM (Or, immediately following Work Session)
The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 6:01 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION - 7:00 PM
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR LOUIS DORADO, City of Visalia Heavy Equipment Operator, Streets Maintenance Division.
INVOCATION
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 6, 2023
ITEMS OF INTEREST
The Council commented on various activities they participated in the last few weeks.
Mayor Poochigian asked for RV parking for next meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
This is the time for citizens to comment on subject matters that are not on the agenda and within the jurisdiction of the Visalia City Council. The Council asks that you keep your comments brief and positive. Creative criticism, presented with appropriate courtesy, is welcome.
This is also the time for citizens to request an item from the Consent Calendar be pulled for discussion purposes. Public comments related to all pulled Consent Calendar items and Regular or Public Hearing items listed on the agenda will be heard at the time that item is discussed or when the Public Hearing is opened.
Each speaker will be allowed three minutes, and a timer will notify you when your time is expired. Please begin your comments by stating and spelling your name and providing your city of residence.
Kathy Falconer, Visalia Environmental Alliance, would like to recognize Bill Huott for his work as an Environmental Hero. For 22 years he has cleaned up the area of the North side of Visalia. He now cleans Mooney to Ferguson and Cain to. Stephanie Benton, Karen Freidman andDominique from the Environmental Alliance spoke in support of Bill Huott's efforts to clean up Visalia. spoke in support of Mr. Huott. He sees a problem and fixes them.
Irene Lapin, spoke about an ability to not get an appointment with the animal shelter. The crisis is not about her. The manager position needs to be filled. Ms. Lapin recommends a new opening time or half time veterinarian.
Jaklin Rowley, Engineering, pulled item 2 for an error in the report, which was an unintentional line left in the report.
Laura Duarte, Visalia lives near the Dutch Bros and Uno Hawaiian BBQ. She was referred to Leonard Herr's office. The problems have not gone away.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Vice Mayor Brett Taylor, to approve the Consent Calendar except for items 2 (staff) and 12 (SN). The motion carried by the following vote:
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 6, 2023
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Steve Nelsen,Liz Wynn
Aye:
Consent Calendar items are considered routine and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these matters unless a request is made and then the item will be removed from the Consent Calendar to be discussed and voted upon by a separate motion.
1. 23-0036Authorization to read ordinances by title only.
2. 22-0338Authorize the appropriation of $1.7M for Phase VI of the Riverway Sports Park which will include the overflow parking lot north of the Riverway Sport Park and the Riverway Community Dog Park Project.
Jaklin Rowley, Engineering, pulled item 2 for an unintentional error left in the report, and requested Council not to consider that line.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Brett Taylor, seconded by Council Member Steve Nelsen, to adopt as amended. The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel
Hernandez Soto,Liz Wynn
Aye:
3. 22-0460Request authorization to file a Notice of Completion for RFB 21-22-20, Grading of Peoples Basin. (CIP
3010-72000/CP8334-999)
4. 23-0002Authorize the City Manager to file a Notice of Completion for the construction of the FY 22-23 Cape Seal Project
(1410-72000/CP0247-999).
5. 23-0015Authorization for the City Manager to award the annual contract in the amount of $72,566 to William B. Oliver d.b.a. Kaweah Maintenance of Lemon Cove, CA for the steam cleaning of the Visalia Transit owned bus shelters/stops. This is a single year contract with the ability for single year extensions for a total of five years.
6. 23-0019Authorize a sole source purchase to replace three (3) Police Services Dogs from Gold Coast K9 Services located in Ventura, CA, appropriate $83,300 and accept a donation of $40,000 from the non-profit organization, Friends of Visalia Police K-9.
7. 23-0020Authorize the award of a Contract for Veterinary Supplies to Patterson Veterinary Supply Inc, for a 1-year initial period with 4 additional 1-year renewal options not to exceed $30,000.00 per year for a possible 5-year term and total of $150,000.
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 6, 2023
8. 23-0025Authorize the City Manager to execute a new contract with DelRay Tire & Retreading for tires and retreading services for all City vehicles and equipment serviced by the Fleet Division.
Pricing for this contract will "piggyback" on State of California contract pricing. The contract will be Not-To-Exceed $500,000 per year with the costs split monthly through allocations to the appropriate City divisions whose vehicles are receiving the tires.
This contract will be for one year, with an option to annually renew for up to four years.
9. 23-0026Authorize the City Manager to execute a new Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) contract with Lawson Products, Inc. to provide the small parts, fasteners, hydraulic hoses, clamps, and vehicle repair supplies for the Fleet Division, Solid Waste Division and Wastewater Treatment Plant Division of Public Works. The contract will include storage cabinets, machining tools and weekly inventory replenishment. The contract will be not-to-exceed $125,000 per year, with the costs split monthly through allocations to the appropriate City divisions whose vehicles and equipment are receiving the parts. This contract will be for one year, with 1 one-year optional renewal.
10. 23-0027Annual fee waiver request from Visalia Gadabouts to utilize the Visalia Senior Center for the purpose of providing programs and services for senior citizens.
11. 23-0033Authorize the appropriation of $29,875.00 from the Golf Fund for well repair at the Valley Oaks Golf Course which is utilized for Plaza Park irrigation.
12. 23-0038Authorize Staff to seeking funding through area State and Federal Legislative Representatives for a variety of projects as listed in this report.
Leslie Caviglia, City Manager, was available to answer questions.
Councilmember Nelsen wants a more detailed report on the warming center which is listed as item 4 in the report.
Comments by Council.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Brett Taylor, seconded by Council Member Steve Nelsen, to approve as amended by removing item four from the motion.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen,Liz WynnAye:
Emmanuel Hernandez SotoNo:
REGULAR ITEMS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 6, 2023
Comments related to regular Items and Public Hearing Items are limited to three minutes per speaker, for a maximum of 30 minutes per item. The Mayor may reasonably limit or extend the public comment period to preserve the Council's interest in conducting efficient, orderly meetings.
1. 23-0029Receive a presentation and approve the revised proposed 2023 Citizens Advisory Committee Annual Public Opinion Survey.
Jason Serpa, Public Works Manager and staff representative of the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC). Captain Luma Fahoum was also in attendance as the co-staff representative. CAC members Brian Prosser and Kelly Pierce were in attendance to support.
The new proposed questions are as listed in the handout. Should we have retail cannabis stores and what amenities should the city explore providing? Comments by Council. Nelsen agrees the amenities should stay. He believes the cannabis question is redundant.
A motion was made by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, seconded by Vice Mayor Brett Taylor, to adopt as amended using options 1 and 2(a) as suggested by staff. The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto,Liz Wynn
Aye:
Steve NelsenNo:
CLOSED SESSION REPORT - None
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m.
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 6, 2023
1. 22-0409UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS:
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m., 303 E. Acequia
Monday, March 06, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m., 707 W. Acequia
Note: Meeting dates/times are subject to change, check posted agenda for correct details.
In Compliance with the American Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in meetings call (559) 713-4512 48-hours in advance of the meeting. For Hearing Impaired - Call (559) 713-4900 (TTY) 48-hours in advance of the scheduled meeting time to request signing services.
Any written materials relating to an item on this agenda submitted to the Council after distribution of the agenda are available for public inspection in the Office of the City Clerk, 220 N. Santa Fe Street, Visalia CA 93292, during normal business hours.