Visalia City Council
707 W. Acequia
Visalia, CA 93291
Visalia City Council
Visalia City Council
Meeting Minutes - Final
Mayor Brett Taylor
Vice Mayor Liz Wynn
Council Member Steve Nelsen
Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto
Council Member Brian Poochigian
7:00 PM City Council ChambersMonday, June 2, 2025
ROLL CALL
Council Member Brian Poochigian, Council Member Steve
Nelsen, and Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto
Present:
Mayor Brett Taylor, and Vice Mayor Liz WynnAbsent:
CALL TO ORDER WORK SESSION - 4:00 PM (Unless otherwise noted) Council Member Steve Nelsen called the meeting to order at 4:23 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)
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1. 24-0589Fiscal Year 2025-26 Rates and Fees - Receive, review, and discuss proposed new fees, increases, and adjustments to the City's Rates and Fees Schedule for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
Finance Director Renee Nagel and Financial Analyst Jana Ferguson provided a power point presentation on the proposed fees for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, highlighting new fees, adjustments, and deletions across various departments.
The presentation included an overview of inflation-based increases and noted efforts to align fees with actual service costs. Councilmembers expressed general support for the proposed adjustments, emphasizing the importance of clear, rounded pricing and encouraging consideration of equitable pricing strategies, such as potential discounts for seniors, veterans, and children.
Council Member Steve Nelsen called for public comment. There being no public comment, the matter was referred back to Council.
No formal action was taken at this meeting, with final consideration scheduled for a future Council meeting.
2. 25-0211Fire Department Prevention Division Overview Presentation - Fire Department command staff are presenting an overview of the Fire Department Prevention Division to include a general overview of the functions and key programs of the Fire
Prevention Division.
Fire Chief Dan Griswold and Fire Marshal Corbin Reed provided a power point presentation giving an overview of the Fire Prevention Division, outlining its main responsibilities, core functions, personnel, and key programs. Councilmembers acknowledged the important role of the division within the Fire Department and the City, recognizing the challenges faced by the staff. They thanked the Fire Department Command Staff for their work and dedication.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM (Or, immediately following Work Session)
Council Member Nelsen adjourned to closed session at 5:09 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION - 7:00 PM
Council Member Nelsen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION LED BY APRIL LANCASTER, LANCASTER CREATIONS LLC Visalia City Council Printed on 8/22/2025Page 2
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PUBLIC COMMENTS
This is the time for general public comment on issues within the jurisdiction of the Visalia City Council. Each speaker tonight may speak for up to 3 minutes during this general comment period on a matter that is not on this agenda.
The public may also make one comment for up to 3 minutes prior to the consideration of the Consent Calendar, and immediately before any regular agenda item is heard. The Council asks that you keep you 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.
Public comment was received from Irene Lapin, Jatinder Chopra, and Susan Gundhi.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent Calendar items are considered routine and will be enacted in one motion.
This is the time for members of the public to provide public comment on an item on the Consent Calendar. Comments will not be taken individually by the public if an item is pulled by a Council Member. Each speaker is allowed up to 3 minutes, and a timer will notify you when your time is expired. Please begin your comments by stating and spelling you name and providing your city of residence.
Council Member Poochigian pulled consent calendar agenda item 6 for separate discussion.
A motion was made by Council Member Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez SotoAye:
Brian Poochigian, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez SotoAye:
1. 25-0091Authorization to read ordinances by title only.
2. 25-0107Civic Center Phase 2 Materials Testing Lab Contract Award - Authorize the City Manager to issue a purchase order through the on-call materials testing contract to BSK Associates to provide inspection and materials testing services for the Civic Center Phase 2 project in the amount of $437,933.60.
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3. 25-0029Chemical Supply Services Contract - Authorize the City Manager to sign a chemical supply services contract to Target Specialty Products of Fresno for an annual not to exceed amount of $235,000.
4. 25-0183Chemical Supply Services Contract - Authorize the City Manager to sign a chemical supply services contract to Helena Agri Enterprise of Sacramento for an annual not to exceed amount of $215,000.
5. 25-0177Fiscal Year 2025/26 Appropriations Limit - City Council approval of Resolution 2025-33 adopting the 2025-26 appropriations limit for the City of Visalia’s General Fund.
6. 25-0179Approval of 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 hosted Independence Spectacular community special event.
Council Member Brian Poochigian pulled the item for separate discussion.
Parks & Recreation Director Jason Glick stepped forward and provided a report on the item.
Public comment was received from Irene Lapin, April Lancaster, and Efrain Becerra. There being no further comment, the matter was referred back to Council.
A motion was made by Council Member Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, to approve. The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez SotoAye:
7. 25-0197Confirmation of the contract with Stripe for Microtransit Credit Card Payment Processing Services - Confirm the contract with Stripe to act as a third-party credit card processing services provider for the Visalia Connect microtransit pilot program for one (1) year with the option of up to four (4) one-year renewals, with processing fees not to exceed $30,000 annually.
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8. 25-0193Revised Resolution - Adoption of Revised Resolution No. 2025-27 pertaining to the upholding of an appeal in accordance with the City Council's prior action taken for Historic Preservation Advisory Committee Item No. 2025-05, a request to replace 48 windows on a single-family residence located in the Downtown Mixed Use Zone. The project site is located at 410 North Court Street (APN: 094-271-006).
9. 25-0192Capital Improvement Program - Approve updates to the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Wastewater Capital Improvement Program
Budget, and appropriate an additional $24,760,000 from the Wastewater Fund.
10. 25-0205Measure T District Tax Recertification - Recertify the Measure T plan for Fiscal Year 2025/26.
11. 25-0212Reappointment of the City Attorney - Approve the reappointment of the City Attorney and Assistants and authorization for City Manager to execute a new agreement with the Peltzer
Richardson Law Firm for a two-year period with monthly rates of $50,600 for year one and $52,625 for year two for in-scope and routine matters, and hourly rates of $220 and $150 for special services
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.
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1. 25-0157Public Hearing Authorizing Miscellaneous Special Assessments on Tulare County Secured Property Tax Roll - Adoption of Resolution 2025-17 which allows the City of Visalia to place Miscellaneous Special Assessments on the Tulare County
secured property tax roll for Curb and Gutter, Sewer Connection, Deferred Impact Fees, Property and Business Improvement District, Northeast Improvement District, Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District, Landscape and Lighting Parks
Construction, Open Space Assessment District, Orchard Walk East/West Utility Assessment District, Laura and Atwood Water Main Assessment District, Delinquent Utilities, Code
Enforcement, and Weed & Lot Abatement .
Financial Analyst Ruth Pena provided a power point presentation outlining the proposed placement of miscellaneous special assessments on the Tulare County secured property tax roll for Fiscal Year 2025/26. She noted that one formal protest had been received prior to the meeting and that additional inquiries and informal protests had been made by property owners in advance of the hearing.
Council Member Nelsen opened the public hearing at 7:28 p.m.
Public comment was received from Timothy Shane Smith, Jennifer Mesa, Marisol Monsol, Susan Gundy, Lisa Colburn, Mark Scoworitz, Gary Hockins, and April Lancaster. City Manager Caviglia added that there was an addition speaker who arrived earlier in the meeting.
There being no further public comment, the public hearing was closed at 7:39 p.m. The matter was referred back to Council for consideration.
A motion was made by Council Member Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, to adopt as amended. The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez SotoAye:
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2. 25-0169Blankenship Subdivision Annexation - Public Hearing and consideration for the following actions related to the project located at the southeast corner of East Caldwell Avenue and South Santa Fe Street (APN: 123-400-005 and 123-400-001):
1. Adopt Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration No. 2024- 63 for Annexation No. 2024-05 and Blankenship Tentative Subdivision Map No. 5602 (Resolution No. 2025-31 required); and
2. Initiation of proceedings for Annexation No. 2024-05, a request by San Joaquin Valley Homes to annex two parcels totaling approximately 71.43 acres into the City limits of Visalia (Resolution No. 2025-32 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.
Assistant Planner Colleen Moreno provided a power point presentation on the Blankenship Subdivision Annexation, a proposal to annex two parcels totaling approximately 71.43 acres located at the southeast corner of East Caldwell Avenue and South Santa Fe Street. The project includes adopting an Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration, initiating proceedings for annexation with the Tulare County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), authorizing the detachment from County Service Area No. 1, and entering into a Pre-Annexation Agreement. The annexation supports the development of a 203-lot single-family residential subdivision consistent with the City’s General Plan and Tier II Urban Development Boundary.
Council Member Nelsen opened the public hearing at 7:46 p.m.
Public comment was received from Efrain Becerra. There being no further public comment, the hearing was closed at 7:48 p.m. The matter was referred back to Council for consideration.
A motion was made by Council Member Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Steve Nelsen, to approve. The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez SotoAye:
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3. 25-0181Ordinance Adoption - Public hearing and first reading of Ordinance No. 2024-16 to adopt Zoning Text Amendment No. 2025-01: A request by the City of Visalia to amend text within the Visalia Municipal Code Title 17 (Zoning Ordinance) to clarify and facilitate City Council adoption of Single-Family Residential Objective Design Standards and Planned Residential
Development standards applicable to new single-family
residential developments by Resolution rather than by
Ordinance.
City Manager Caviglia requested that Council continue the item to the June 16, 2025 Council Meeting.
Council Member Nelsen requested public comment on the matter. There being no one to speak for or against the item, the matter was referred back to Council for consideration.
A motion was made by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, seconded by Council Member Brian Poochigian, to continue the item to the June 16, 2025 Council Meeting. The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez SotoAye:
4. 25-0202Authorization to Amend Measure N Spending Plan and the Axon Contract - Conduct the first of two Public Hearings to amend the Measure N Spending Plan for an amendment to the current Body-Worn Camera contract with Axon Enterprises in the
amount of $431,350.65, and appropriate $138,121 for Fiscal Year 2025/26.
Police Lieutenant Dan Ford stepped forward to provide a power point presentation on the proposed amendment to the Body-Worn Camera contract with Axon Enterprises, emphasizing the need for additional cameras and new software to enhance officer safety and reduce administrative time.
Council Member Nelsen opened the public hearing at 7:57 p.m. There being no public comment, the hearing was closed at 7:58 p.m. and the item was referred back to the Council.
Staff advised that this is the first of two required public hearings to amend the Measure N Spending Plan for a $431,350.65 contract amendment, with an appropriation of $138,121 for Fiscal Year 2025/26. No formal action was taken at this meeting, with final consideration scheduled for a future Council meeting.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
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ADJOURNMENT
Council Member Nelsen adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m.
UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
1. 25-0142Upcoming City Council Meetings
Monday, June 16, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m. at 707 W. Acequia
Monday, July 21, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m. at 707 W. Acequia
Note: Meeting dates and 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 contact 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.
Respectfully submitted,
Reyna Rivera
Chief Deputy City Clerk
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