Visalia City Council
707 W. Acequia
Visalia, CA 93291
Visalia City Council
Visalia City Council
Meeting Minutes - Final
Mayor Brian Poochigian
Vice Mayor Brett Taylor
Council Member Steve Nelsen
Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto
Council Member Liz Wynn
7:00 PM City Hall Council ChambersTuesday, February 20, 2024
ROLL CALL
Mayor Brian Poochigian, Vice Mayor Brett Taylor, Council Member Steve Nelsen, Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez
Soto, and Council Member Liz Wynn
Present:
CALL TO ORDER WORK SESSION
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 and items listed on the Closed Session. 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. 24-0035New Employee Introductions
Finance Department:
Gladys Ruiz, Administrative Analyst
Roxanna Plasencia, Accounting Assistant
Parks & Recreation:
Daniel Scott Rhea, Landscape Inspector
Katrina Bond, Accounting Assistant
Stephany, Soto, Recreation Coordinator
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 20, 2024
2. 23-0438Capital Improvement Program - Review select FY 2024/25 and 2025/26 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budgets and future capital plans
Melody Murch, Assistant Finance Director, provided the review of the select FY 2024/25 and 2025/26 Capital Improvement Program Budgets and future capital plans as listed in the staff report. There were no pubic comments. No action required.
3. 23-0365Overview of Visalia Animal Services and the Municipal Code Title 6 changes - Review of proposed changes to the Municipal Code relating to the regulation of animals, consider potential updates, and direct staff to return with a proposed ordinance to enact such updates, and direction to explore options for feral cats.
Candace Harrington, Animal Services Manager, provided a review of proposed changes to the Municipal Code relating to the regulation of animals. Staff requests for Council to consider potential updates, and provide direction to staff who will return with a proposed ordinance to enact such updates, and direction to explore options for feral cats.
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, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel
Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn
Aye:
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 20, 2024
4. 24-0025Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) - Condition Assessment and Facility Plan Update - Receive a report and update presentation on the Condition Assessment, Facility Plan and Master Plan Update for the Water Reclamation Facility.
Nick Bartsch, Public Works Director, Ben Litwack, Public Works Manager, and Reace Fisher with Carollo Engineers, provided the Council with an update and presentation on the Condition Assessment, Facility Plan and Master Plan Update for the Water Reclamation Facility.
The report identified a list of the necessary near-term projects to be completed within the next 6 years. It also included a proposed timeline and the estimated costs of each project. These cost estimates total approximately $50 million, of which, around $6 million of these projects are recommended to be completed over the next 24 months. Currently, the Wastewater fund has sufficient funding to address the immediate projects over the next 24 months. Staff will be exploring additional funding opportunities to complete the remaining projects identified in the report.
Once the Master Plan has been completed, a rate study has been proposed to evaluate current rates and fees to determine if additional adjustments are necessary to cover the ongoing costs of operations and any necessary capital improvements. There were no public comments. No action required.
5. 24-0040Short-Term Rental Regulation Discussion - Discussion and direction on potential recommended changes to the Zoning Ordinance Section 17.32.166 Short-term rental permits.
Paul Bernal, Planning and Community Preservation Director, and Josh Dan, Senior Planner, provided the staff report, staff presentation, and public comments.
Based on the information received, the City Council may direct staff to initiate further zone text amendment changes to the recently adopted Short-term Rental ordinance (Section 17.32.166) as outlined in the report. Revisions to be considered as part of the Zone Text Amendment process related to Short-Term Rentals may be subject to a future work session discussion with City Council based on staff’s analysis of the potential changes.
A motion was made by Council Member Liz Wynn, seconded by Council Member Steve Nelsen, to move forward with the investigation as listed in the staff report with staff to return in 6 months for further review. The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn
Aye:
Brett TaylorNo:
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 20, 2024 ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM (Or, immediately following Work Session)
The meeting was adjourned to Closed Session at 6:20 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 people to comment on matters 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 the opportunity to address the Council on any matter of interest, whether on the agenda or not, other than the Consent Calendar.
People may comment one time during the evening for up to three minutes unless additional time is authorized by the Council. 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 Faulkner, Visalia, acknowledged and recognized former Council Member Greg Collins as an environmental hero. Mark Wall, Bill Osak, Noel Bringhurst, and Sophia Pacheco, spoke in support of Greg Collins as an environmental hero.
Taylor Heine, Visalia, commented on how much she appreciates the St. John's River Walk/Bike path. She believes a cross walk on the bridge would be good to have to connect the path.
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 by a City Council Member 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 Vice Mayor Taylor, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, to approve the Consent Calendar except item 5 (SN). The motion carried unanimously.
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 20, 2024 Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel
Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn
Aye:
1. 24-0011Authorization to read ordinances by title only.
2. 23-0011Authorization to Accept the Officer Wellness and Mental Health Grant - Authorize and accept the State of California Officer Wellness and Mental Health Grant from The Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) and appropriate $102,504 to enhance and support the physical, mental, and emotional health of police officers.
3. 23-0232Consultant Services Contract with Provost & Pritchard - Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Provost & Pritchard for professional consulting services for the Cameron Creek Linear Recharge Project in the amount not to exceed $236,259.00.
4. 24-0004Authorization to Apply for the CHP Cannabis Tax Fund Grant - Authorize the Visalia Police Department to apply for the California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program for up to $200,000 and submit the application by the February 23, 2024, deadline.
5. 24-0022Notice of Completion for Houston Roundabout Landscaping - Request authorization to file a Notice of Completion for the Houston Roundabout Landscaping Project and the appropriation of an additional $5,000 from the Transportation Impact Fee Fund.
Council Member Nelsen pulled item 5 to congratulate and thank staff for a great job on the completion of the roundabout.
A motion was made by Council Member Liz Wynn, seconded by Council Member Steve Nelsen, to approve as recommended. The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel
Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn
Aye:
6. 24-0028Ponding Basin Change Order Request - Consideration and action related to Groundwater Recharge Basin G at the East Side Regional Park Site: 1. Approve Change Order No. 8 for an HDPE Bore related to Landscape & Irrigation Improvements, in the amount of $188,228.
7. 24-0036Award of L&L Contract - Authorize the City Manager to Award RFB 22-23-06 annual contract for Landscape Maintenance of Landscape and Lighting Districts within Quadrant E to JC’s Land Management, Inc., not to exceed $72,453.22.
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 20, 2024
8. 24-0039Authorization for TRATT Software Licenses - Authorize the City Manager to accept and appropriate $40,205 from the Tulare County AB286 Auto Theft Fund and award a 46-month sole
source contract with Axon Enterprise Inc. to provide the Tulare Regional Auto Theft Task Force (TRATT) with four (4) software licenses for Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR).
9. 24-0042Alley Abandonment North of Meadow Ave - Request authorization to adopt Resolution No. 2024-03, ordering the summary vacation and abandonment of the alleyway owned by the City of Visalia dedicated under the subdivision map, Beverly Glen and reserving a public utility easement (APNs: 096-023-031 & 096-023-023).
10. 24-0044Purchase of Five (5) CNG-Powered Solid Waste Trucks Authorize the City Manager to award a purchase order to E.M.
Tharp of Porterville, CA for the purchase of five (5)
CNG-powered solid waste trucks through the Sourcewell
Cooperative contract in the amount of $2,466,220 and
appropriate an additional $558,720 from the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund (441).
11. 24-0046Request to appropriate funding for Independence Day Celebration - Request for the City Council to review event options for 2024 Independence Day Celebrations, appropriate additional funding up to $55,700 from the General Fund for the fiscal year 2023/2024 Independence Day Celebration Capital Project, request to authorize staff to apply for grant funding and confirm funding through the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Clean Alternative to Fireworks Pilot Incentive Program
12. 24-0047Approval of Agricultural Conservation Easement - A request by Sequioa Riverlands Trust to have their agricultural conservation easement form and content approved as required per the City’s adopted Agricultural Preservation Ordinance.
13. 24-0050Fire Department Grant Application Authorization - Authorize staff to submit a grant application for the 2023 Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) in the amount of $86,542.75 to replace seven (7) base station radios and purchase seven (7) vehicular repeaters.
REGULAR ITEMS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 20, 2024 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. 24-0048Authorize a resolution to receive Homekey funds - Approve a resolution authorizing a joint application with RHCB Development LP and Visalia Homekey LP for Homekey Round 3.0 not to
exceed $15 million for the Majestic Gardens Project; the Mayor to be named as the authorized signer for Homekey documents; and the City Manager to sign Resolution 2024-02.
Margie Perez, Housing Specialist, provided an overview of the Majestic Gardens Project and requested for Council to authorize a resolution to receive Homekey funds with the Mayor to be named as the authorized signer for Homekey documents. The resolution authorizing a joint application with RHCB Development LP and Visalia Homekey LP for Homekey Round 3.0 are not to exceed $15 million for the Majestic Gardens Project. There were no public comments.
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, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel
Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn
Aye:
2. 24-0054Business Regulations Amendment - Open Public Hearing and continue the item for an ordinance to amend Visalia Municipal Code Chapters 5.04 and 5.28 to include general updates and to address changes required for compliance with other sections of the Visalia Municipal Code.
Melody Murch, Assistant Finance Director, explained to Council the item was published 1/19/24 and 2/22/24 for the first reading; however, the item is not ready to proceed at this time.
Staff requested to open the Public Hearing and continue the item for an ordinance to amend Visalia Municipal Code Chapters 5.04 and 5.28 to include general updates and to address changes required for compliance with other sections of the Visalia Municipal Code. There were no public comments.
A motion was made by Council Member Liz Wynn, seconded by Vice Mayor Brett Taylor, to open the public hearing and continue the item to the March 4, 2024 Council meeting. The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel
Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn
Aye:
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final February 20, 2024
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
1. 24-0031Upcoming Council Meeting: Upcoming Council Meetings:
Monday, March 04, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. @ 707 W. Acequia
Monday, March 18, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. @ 707 W. Acequia
If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to fully participate in the meeting, please contact Michelle Nicholson, to discuss your accessibility needs: 559-713-4512 or [email protected]