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 707 W. AcequiaMonday, May 6, 2024
ROLL CALL
Mayor Brian Poochigian, Council Member Steve Nelsen,
Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, and Council
Member Liz Wynn
Present:
Vice Mayor Brett TaylorAbsent:
CALL TO ORDER WORK SESSION - 4:00 PM (Unless otherwise noted) The meeting was called to order at 4:02 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. 24-0153Capital Improvement Program - Review FY 2024/25 and 2025/26 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget for Narcotics
Forfeiture Fund (621)
Melody Murch, Assistant Finance Director, provided the CIP Narcotics forfeiture report to Council. The Council is scheduled to act upon the CIP budget during the month of June in conjunction with the operating budget. Council has reviewed all Capital budget requests in prior Work Sessions, however, the Narcotics Forfeiture Fund (621) was excluded from the visual presentation made on April 15, 2024 in error. For this reason, the budget detail for the Narcotics Forfeiture Fund is being brought for Council review and direction prior to final adoption of the 2-year budget planned for June 2024. No formal action is required or requested at this time
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final May 6, 2024
2. 24-0156Review and discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2024/25 & 25/26 Measure N Budget and continue with the amended expenditure plan previously approved.
Renee Nagel, Finance and Technology Director, and Amee Swearingen, Financial Analyst provided the report to Council for the Measure N requirements regarding the Visalia Essential City Services Measure. Sales Tax from Measure N will provide for essential city services such as police and fire, as well as maintenance of parks and roads.
In November of 2016, the voters of Visalia passed a ½ cent Sales Tax Override, Measure N - The Visalia Essential City Services Measure. Sales Tax from Measure N will provide for essential city services such as police and fire, as well as maintenance of parks and roads.
Council must approve for the staff to take this to Measure N committee. Staff will present the report to the Measure N Oversight Committee on May 9, 2024.
A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, to approve as recommended. The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn
Aye:
Brett TaylorAbsent:
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final May 6, 2024
3. 24-0160Survey Findings Update on Potential Cannabis Tax - Receive the staff report and survey findings presentation from FM3 Research on a potential local cannabis tax measure that Council could choose to include on the November 2024 ballot and provide additional direction as appropriate.
Richard Bernard, FM3 Research and Devon Jones, Economic Development Director, provided the survey findings from FM3 Research for a potential local cannabis tax measure. The Council could choose to include the measure on the November 2024 ballot and provide additional direction as appropriate.
On July 17, 2023, Council authorized staff to hire a consultant through a sole source contract process to assist with the preparation of a potential local sales tax measure specifically for cannabis sales for the 2024 general election.
On November 6, 2023, Council authorized the City Manager to award a contract to HdL Companies for an amount not to exceed $35,000, with a total budget of $40,000, and a contract to Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3 Research) for an amount not to exceed $39,500, with a total budget of $45,000, and appropriate $85,000 from the General Fund.
The proposed measure to tax cannabis businesses in Visalia appears viable for November 2024. The measure receives broad and consistent support among the electorate, regardless of whether or not a state mandate is mentioned in the ballot language. Although many are uncertain about whether it is legal or not to sell cannabis in Visalia, majorities support allowing cannabis business activity.
Additionally, nearly three-quarters perceive a need for funding for city services. ia, spoke about the cannabis and the promises made to cities about the revenues. CAnnabis is a difficult business. Mr. Jacquez suggested giving the money to emergency response teams.
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, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn
Aye:
Brett TaylorAbsent:
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM (Or, immediately following Work Session)
The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 4:52 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION - 7:00 PM
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final May 6, 2024
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION
ITEMS OF INTEREST
SPECIAL PRESENTATION / RECOGNITION
1. 24-0123City of Visalia designate May 2024 as Historic Preservation Month
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.
The following citizens spoke regarding the mural request application from the Urbanist Collective for one mural located on the south-facing facade of the retail building located at 1500 W. Houston Avenue. Reggie Gamboa, Gabriella Vaca, Dr. Randy Villegas, Grace Buckley, Makayla Gauley, Diego Vaquez Cisneros, Ann Solis, Annaleese Lira, April Lancaster.
Lindell Yoshimura, Visalia spoke regarding the Lovers Lane 198 intersection and the traffic impact at that intersection. When is the intersection going to be approved to be upgraded? The Mayor referred Mr. Yoshimura to Jason Huckleberry.
Jim Reeves, Visalia, announced the 8th anniversary of the LGBT+ Source Center. The Center has outgrown the 4500 square feet space they have now and are the largest Source Center from Sacramento to Los Angeles. The Source has county and state contracts to serve the youth.
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 Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, to approve the Consent Calendar except item 2 to be pulled and discussed by separate motion. The motion carried by the following vote:
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final May 6, 2024 Brian Poochigian, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn
Aye:
Brett TaylorAbsent:
1. 24-0071Authorization to read ordinances by title only.
2. 24-0082Mural Request - Consideration of a mural application request from Urbanists Collective for one mural located on the
south-facing façade of the retail building located at 1500 West Houston Avenue (northwest corner of Houston Avenue and
Rinaldi Street).
Paul Bernal, Community Development, was available to answer Council questions.
A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, to approve as recommended. The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn
Aye:
Brett TaylorAbsent:
3. 24-0084Change Order Approval -Approve Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $196,619 to Cummins Pacific and appropriate
$200,000 for repairs and maintenance from the WWTP Fund .
4. 24-0104Landscape & Lighting District Actions - Request authorization to initiate proceedings and order the dissolution of Landscape and Lighting Assessment District No. 07-06 “Parcel Map 0609”; and authorization for the formation, ordering the improvements, and levying the annual assessments for Landscape and Lighting Assessment District No. 23-04 “Renewed Parcel Map 0609” (Resolution Nos. 2024-15, 2024-16, 2024-17 and 2024-18)
5. 24-0128Asset Works Fleet Focus Software - Authorize the City Manager to amend the current 5-year contract with Asset Works for the annual maintenance and support of fleet software for a 5-year total contract of $133,162.
6. 24-0136Residential Solid Waste Container Purchase Contract - Authorization for the City Manager to award a 5-year sole source contract to Toter, LLC in the amount not to exceed $1,550,000 to purchase solid waste containers.
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final May 6, 2024
7. 24-01502024 Election Consolidation Authorization - Adoption of resolutions relating to the regular municipal election to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Resolutions request and consent to the consolidation of elections and set specifications of the election order; and request the Tulare County Board of
Supervisors to permit the County Registrar of Voters to render specified election related services to the City of Visalia. (Resolution 2024-13 and Resolution 2024-14 required)
8. 24-0152Approval of a single exemption for alcohol consumption at Riverway Sports Park - Authorize City Manager to grant a single use exemption for the issuance of an alcohol permit for alcohol consumption at Riverway Sports Park for a City of Visalia sponsored Independence Spectacular community special event.
9. 24-0157Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Brown Armstrong Accountancy Corporation (Brown Armstrong) for a not to exceed amount of $356,500 as the City’s independent
financial auditor.
10. 24-0174Purchase Contract - Authorize and award a purchase contract to Proper Performance, located in New Wilmington, PA to purchase four 2023 Dodge Ram two-wheel drive pick-up trucks and one Dodge Ram four-wheel drive pick-up truck in the amount of $235,740.40 using funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.
11. 24-0164Low Carbon Transit Operations Allocation Request - Authorization to submit an allocation request in the amount of $443,302 to the California Department of Transportation Low Carbon Transit Operations Program for operating funds to continue funding V-LINE operations and approve funds to be appropriated when grant funds are awarded (Resolution
No.2024-19 required).
12. 24-0154Authorization to Apply for a Wellness Grant: Confirm the application submittal by the Visalia Police Department for the Law Enforcement Mental Health Wellness Act Grant for a maximum amount of $200,000.
13. 24-0169Police Officers Contract - Authorize the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Understanding by and between the City of Visalia and the Visalia Police Officers Association (Group B) for the period July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027.
14. 24-0155Adjust the Not To Exceed amount on Trillium Contract. Authorize staff to adjust the contract terms from the not to exceed $150,000 annually previously approved by the City Council up to and not to exceed $350,000 annually.
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final May 6, 2024
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.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
24-0112Monday, May 20, 2024 at 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 email: [email protected] or call 713-4512.
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.