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 Council ChambersTuesday, September 3, 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 - 4:00 PM (Unless otherwise noted) 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 agenda. 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)
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 3, 2024
1. 24-0332New Employee Introductions & Promotions:
Administrative Services
Macey Schonbachler, Communications & Marketing Specialist Police Department
Jesus Loera, Officer
Jesus Luna, Officer
Benjamin Partlow, Officer
Alexis Perez, Officer
Christopher Rajskup, Officer
Rodrigo Rescalvo, Officer
Parks & Recreation
Jason Glick, Parks & Recreation Director
Engineering and Building
Chris Crawford, City Engineer
2. 24-0322Short-term Rental Ordinance Update -
Paul Bernal, Planning and Community Preservation Director and Josh Dan, Senior Planner, provided the update on the City’s Short-term Rental (STR) Ordinance and permitting process per Section 17.32.166. Staff requests for Council to consider potential revisions to the STR Ordinance.
Paul Bernal explained the recommendations and the noted changes as listed in the staff report.
The following are recommendations for Council consideration:
Item No. 1: Amend STR Ord. language to address compliance fee assessment Item No. 2: Amend STR Ord. to incorporate annual permit processing requirements,
Item No. 3: Solicit software and services that may help in capturing short-term rental properties that have not applied for the appropriate City permits and licenses.
A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, to approve as recommended by the following vote:
Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn
Aye:
Brian PoochigianNo:
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 3, 2024
3. 24-0358City Support of Coffee Pot Fire Incident - Receive a report on the City’s support of the Coffee Pot Fire incident response.
John Lollis, Assistant City Manager, provided a report on the City's support of the Coffee Pot Fire. The City is providing several personnel, equipment and resources to assist Cal Fire with the containment of the fire.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM (Or, immediately following Work Session)
The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 5:08 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
SPECIAL PRESENTATION / RECOGNITION
1. 24-0352Recognition of Maria Barrios, Cesar Barrios, Brooke Bedrosian-Lopez, for their decisiveness and quick action to help their fellow Visalians.
2. 24-0234Recognition of Achievement - Government Finance Officers Association Award to City of Visalia Finance Department.
This item was pulled from the agenda at the request of staff.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 3, 2024 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 during public comment:
Carmen Collie, Exeter, requested for the Visalia Animal Services item to be on the next agenda to lower the euthanasia rate.
Raquel Arias, Visalia, spoke regarding the rights of people in the city and opined the Council does not support those who make public comment. Raquel announced a documentary screening of an educational event that will be held on September 10, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at COS. The event is free.
Vicken Totten, Visalia asked for the opportunity to address animal services at the next council meeting.
Fida Taha, Visalia, spoke regarding the crimes and war in Palestine.
Taylor Heine, Visalia, spoke regarding the war in Palestine. She wishes for Council to pass a symbolic, cease-fire resolution.
Jennifer Maze, Visalia spoke regarding the concerns of the process and procedures at the Animal Care Services.
Miki Kenner, Visalia, attended the last meeting of the Downtown Visalians Association. Ms.
Kenner stated Council Member Nelsen and Vice Mayor Taylor are both on boards that are in conflict with non-profit bylaws and does not understand why the Mayor is selected by the Council and not elected by the voters.
Anna Madrigal Garcia, Visalia, spoke regarding the passing of a resolution to cease fire in Gaza. The international court of justice has called the Gaza war a genocide.
Maria Hernandez, Visalia, spoke about a party that took place in Visalia and many minors attended the party and given alcohol. Ms. Hernandez expressed extreme concern about the individual who had this party.
Efrain Becerra, Visalia, spoke regarding the remodel at the Rawhide that he believes is costing the tax payers a lot of money. Funds should be used to fix the cracks in the roads.
Council needs to stop gas lighting people in the city. Mr. Becerra told the people watching the
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 3, 2024 stream to vote on November 5 and vote for Districts1 and 2 because Visalia needs a change.
Amanda Lovelady, Visalia spoke about the unhoused people and she believes drugs are a big part of the problem. We need hope and need to be heard.
Maria Reveles, Exeter, spoke about the Visalia Animal Services. Her small non-profit is called the Underdog Foundation. She is hoping to partner with the Animal Services to provide timely, updated information on social media.
Kris Agarza, Visalia, requested for Council to revisit the budget for the Visalia Animal Services and would like issue of animal services to be on the next meeting agenda.
Stephanie Young, Visalia, spoke regarding the Animal Care Services process and procedures. What are you doing with the carcasses? Is the city paid for the carcass? Why not network and have free adoptions?
Kate Carlson, Visalia, spoke regarding the Animal Care Services, and also wants to have the budget revisited and this item to be on the next meeting agenda.
Colleen Sullivan, San Diego, spoke regarding the Animal Care Services. She visited the Animal services a few hours ago and she said the staff noted some of the animals may be forgotten. It would be beneficial for the budget to be more comprehensive.
Brittany Bligh, Visalia, also addressed the Animal Care Services. She would like to have the Animals Services representative at the next meeting to get their questions answered.
Indigo, Visalia, stated this is the first Council meeting and she is seeing a complete disregard for life in general. The focus should be on the people. Why is the Council silent? People are being disregarded. No one is better than anyone else. Indigo.
Julia Doyal, Visalia, spoke regarding bringing awareness of the people of Palestine. This country spends a lot of money for bombs to be dropped. The un housed have no services and everyone complains about the trash.
Leslie Caviglia, City Manager, requested citizens who would like to be notified about the upcoming meetings for Animal Services to meet with Parks & Recreation Director, Jason Glick and Assistant City Manager, John Lollis, in the lobby now to provide their contact information.
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 Vice Mayor Brett Taylor, to approve the Consent Calendar. 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 September 3, 2024
1. 24-0343Authorization to read ordinances by title only.
2. 24-0320Developer Reimbursement Agreement at Visalia Parkway - Authorize the City Manager to execute the reimbursement agreement for improvements of Visalia Parkway Phase 1 from Woodland Ave to Mooney Boulevard.
3. 24-0321Request Appropriation for Civic Center Phase 2 Project - Request authorization for an additional appropriation of $1.7 million from the Civic Center Reserve Fund
4. 24-0325Request Authorization to File Notice of Completion: Authorize the filing of a Notice of Completion for the ADA Pathway
Improvements from Main Street to Transit Center Project.
5. 24-0314Accept Federal Grant Funds for New Airfield Sweeper - Authorize the conditional acceptance of a Federal Aviation Administration grant in the amount of $385,999 for the
acquisition of a new airfield sweeper, and appropriate additional funds of $162,032 to increase the capital budget to $430,688.
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 September 3, 2024
1. 24-0143Public Hearing on Development of the ConPlan. Conduct a public hearing to allow City Council and citizen input on identifying high priority needs for the City’s next 5-year Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 - FY 2029/30 Consolidated Plan (ConPlan) for the use of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and
HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds.
Margie Perez, Housing Specialist, and Monique Caston, Consultant for the City of Visalia's development of a 5-year Consolidation Plan and First Year Action Plan through fiscal years 2025/2026 through 2029/2030 provided the ConPlan report to Council and requested public comment. No action is requested tonight.
Monique Caston provided the overview of the following:
Housing and Homelessness Needs Assessment
Housing Market Analysis
Strategic Plan
Annual Action Plan
The plan translates the ConPlan goals into actionable steps by program year. It includes feedback collected from the public and noted the Annual Acton Plan should not deviate from the ConPlan. Citizen participation is vital to the ConPlan. Surveys were taken in July of 2024 and provided an overview of the results.
Questions and comments by Council.
The public hearing was opened at 8:11 p.m. and closed at 8:14 p.m.
Kathy Falconer, Visalia, provided public comment regarding the number of people who were surveyed about the ConPlan.
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 3, 2024
2. 24-0354Elliott Annexation - Public hearing and consideration of the following actions:
1. Adopt Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration No. 2024- 05 for Annexation No. 2024-01 and Elliott Tentative Subdivision Map No. 5597 (Resolution No. 2024-47 required); and
2. Initiation of Proceedings for Annexation No. 2024-01, a request by San Joaquin Valley Homes to annex two parcels totaling approximately 59.13-acres into the City Limits of Visalia.
Upon annexation the area would be zoned R-1-5 (Single-Family Residential, 5,000 square foot minimum site area), which is consistent with the General Plan Land Use Designation of Residential Low Density. The project site is located west of South Roeben Street, approximately 650 feet south of West Tulare Avenue within the jurisdiction of the County of Tulare (APNs: 087 -010-006, 008) (Resolution No. 2024-48 required); and
3. Authorize the detachment from County Service Area No. 1 in accordance with State and County requirements; and
4. Authorize the City Manager to sign and enter into a
Pre-Annexation Agreement.
Paul Bernal, Planning and Community Preservation Director, requested the annexation public hearing item to be withdrawn from the September 3, 2024 City Council agenda. The annexation, along with an appeal of the Elliott Tentative Subdivision Map No. 5597, filed on August 21, 2024, has been noticed for the September 16, 2024 City Council meeting.
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, Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel
Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn
Aye:
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 3, 2024
1. 24-0129Upcoming City Council Meeting:
Monday, September 16, 2024 at 707 W. Acequia @ 7:00 p.m.
Monday, October 7, 2024 at 707 W. Acequia @ 7:00 p.m.
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 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.