Visalia City Council
707 W. Acequia
Visalia, CA 93291
Visalia City Council
Visalia City Council
Meeting Minutes - Final
Brian Poochigian, Mayor
Brett Taylor, Vice Mayor
Steve Nelsen, Council Member
Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Council Member
Liz Wynn, Council Member
7:00 PM City Council ChambersMonday, October 16, 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 - 5:30 PM
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 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)
1. 23-0381Review the biannual budget process for FY 24/25 & 25/26 and establish the biannual budgetary strategic goals.
Melody Murch Assistant Finance Director and Amee Swearingen, Financial Analyst, provided the strategic goals for the 24/25 and 25/26 budget for the City.
There are many benefits to using a two-year budget such as reinforcing the importance of long-range planning, concentrates on budgeting for the accomplishments of significant objectives, creates a proactive budget that provides for stable operations, promotes more spending patterns, and reduces the amount of time and resources in preparing the budget document.
Council reviewed the recommended strategic goals by each line.
A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Liz Wynn, to approve as recommended. The motion carried by the following vote:
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 16, 2023 Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Steve Nelsen, Liz Wynn
Aye:
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 5:57 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION - 7:00 PM
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION
ITEMS OF INTEREST
The Council commented on various activities they participated in the last few weeks.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION / RECOGNITION
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.
Rhett Anderson, Water Resource Manager, spoke regarding the irrigation schedule in effect.
Barry Caplan, Visalia, requested Consent items 14 and 15 to be pulled and voted on separately.
CONSENT CALENDAR
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.
A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Vice Mayor Brett Taylor, to Approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Steve Nelsen, Liz Wynn
Aye:
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 16, 2023
1. 23-0067Authorization to read ordinances by title only.
2. 23-0372Authorize the City Manager to award and enter into a contract with Talley Oil in the amount of $1,325,012.20 for the
construction of the FY 23-24 Reclamite Project (CIP
1410-72000/CP0248-999 & CIP 2730-72000/CP8358-999).
3. 23-0256Authorize the City Manager to award and enter into a design services contract with Peters Engineering Group to design and prepare construction bid documents for the Shirk Street and State Route 198 Operational Improvements project, in the amount not to exceed $705,970 and, appropriate a total of $781,000 from the Transportation Impact Fee (241) and the Measure R Local (131) Fund.
4. 23-0280Authorize the City Manager to approve Amendment Number 2 with Quad Knopf Consultants (Purchase Order No. 02479) for additional professional design services for the Shirk Capacity Enhancement Project (3010-72000/CP0369-999) in the amount not to exceed $139,635.00.
5. 23-0330Authorize the City Manager or designee to enter into a contract with Trillium for the Management and Maintenance of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Facility, management of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) credits, Electric credits, and ensure the supply of Renewable Compressed Natural Gas
(RCNG) to the facility for an initial term of three (3) years with the option to renew for two (2) consecutive one-year periods up to five (5) years.
6. 23-0368Request authorization to record the final map for Sequoia Bend, Unit 2 subdivision, located south of East Goshen Avenue between North Cain and North Virmargo Street (45 lots); and initiate proceedings for the annexation of Sequoia Bend Unit 2 into the Landscape and Lighting Assessment District No. 22-06 “Sequoia Bend”, and ordering the improvements and levying the annual assessment for Landscape and Lighting Assessment District No. 22-06 “Sequoia Bend” (Resolution Nos. 2023-51 and 2023-52 required) APN: 098-142-057, and 098-330-006.
7. 23-0369Approve a Consultant Contract Amendment with Darden Architects for the Civic Center Phase 2 project for an amount not to exceed $1,147,748, and authorize the appropriation of $1,200,000 from the Civic Center Reserve Fund.
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 16, 2023
8. 23-0371Authorize the City Manager to award the construction contract for RFB 22-23-65, FY 23-24 Cape Seal Project (CIP
1410-72000/CP0247-999) to VSS International in the amount of $1,867,768.
9. 23-0373Confirm acceptance of a cooperative agreement amendment with Caltrans to receive an additional $90,000 through the Clean California State Initiative to support Dump On Us event operations through FY23-24.
10. 23-0375Authorize to accept the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) FY 2023-24 Grant in the amount of $170,000 awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), appropriate $20,000 from the General Fund and authorize the Chief of Police to execute the Grant Agreement.
11. 23-0380Authorize the City Manager to award a sole source annual contract for the purchase, service, and repair of, storm and sanitary lift station pumps to Shape Incorporated of Pleasanton, CA, renewable for up to four (4) additional one (1) year terms, in an amount not to exceed $150,000 for the first year and $300,000 for each subsequent year.
12. 23-0384Appropriate $100,000 from the Wastewater Fund (431) for the disposal of biosolids produced at the Visalia Water Reclamation Facility.
13. 23-0385Second reading and adoption of Ordinance 2023-05 of proposed revisions and amendments of Visalia Municipal Code Chapter
8.28, Solid Waste Collection and Disposal. Revisions and amendments incorporate Senate Bill (SB) 1383 regulations related to state recycling requirements.
14. 23-0391A request by Sequoia Riverlands Trust to be certified as an entity for the purposes of holding agricultural conservation easements in accordance with the City of Visalia Agricultural Preservation Ordinance.
Barry Caplan requested this consent item to be pulled and voted on by separate motion.
A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Vice Mayor Brett Taylor, to approve as recommended. The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Steve Nelsen, Liz Wynn
Aye:
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 16, 2023
15. 23-0392Authorize and award a purchase contract with National Auto Fleet Group located in Watsonville, CA, for a not to exceed amount of $3,040,000 to purchase thirty-two (32) 2024 Police patrol vehicles and appropriate additional funds of $233,200 from various funds.
Barry Caplan requested this consent item to be pulled and voted on by separate motion.
Kevin Cruz, Police Lieutenant was available to answer questions for Council.
A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Vice Mayor Brett Taylor, to approve as recommended. The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Steve Nelsen, Liz Wynn
Aye:
16. 23-0401Confirm submission of support letters requested by Tulare Irrigation District for Bureau of Reclamation grant applications the District is submitting for the Okieville and Water Dashboard Projects.
17. 23-0308Consider adoption of Resolution 2023-43 requesting to participate in the Department of Water Resources Temporary Land Clearing reimbursement for Flood Diversion Equipment & Recharge Enhancement Initiative.
REGULAR ITEMS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS
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.
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 16, 2023
1. 23-0377Public Hearing and Introduction of the first reading of Ordinance No. 2023-11 for Zoning Text Amendment No. 2023-01, a request by the City of Visalia to amend Title 17 (Zoning) Chapter 17.32 Special Provisions to regulate Short-Term Rentals in
single-family residential zones, Citywide.
Josh Dan, Planning Division, provided the report to Council for Zoning Text Amendment No. 2023-01, a request by the City of Visalia to amend Title 17 (Zoning) Chapter 17.32 Special Provisions to regulate Short-term rentals in single family residential zones.
On May 1, 2023, staff conducted a work session with City Council on the subject of Short-Term Rentals (STRs) based on several complaints received from local residents earlier in the year. The elements of the short term rentals were discussed and council requested a stand alone ordinance. Staff presented to the City Council the potential operational standards for short-term rentals, and begin a Zoning Text Amendment. Title 3 Revenue and Finance, Chapter 3.28 TOT for compliance. There is a limitation to only one STR on any parcel. Only one unit may be used if there is an ADU on the one parcel. This ordinance is targeted for residential dwellings in this zone. The City of Visalia Title 17 “Zoning” provides a precise and detailed plan for the use of land within the city, and more precisely works to achieve the policies and objectives of the General Plan.
The public hearing was opened at 7:59 p.m. and closed at 8:15 p.m. The following citizens spoke to the Short Term Rental issue: Bruce George, Denise Anaya, Barry Caplan, Jose Briseno, Rosa Baiza
A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, to approve with conditions. The motion passed by the following vote:
Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Steve Nelsen, Liz WynnAye:
Brian Poochigian, Brett TaylorNo:
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final October 16, 2023
1. 23-0254UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS:
Monday, November 06, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m. at 707 W. Acequia, Visalia, CA 93291
Monday, November 20, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m. at 707 W. Acequia, Visalia, CA 93291
If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to fully participate in the meeting, please contact Michelle Nicholson, on or before Monday, October 16, 2023 to discuss your accessibility needs: 559-713-4512 or
[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>