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, August 18, 2025
Part 2
ROLL CALL
Council Member Brian Poochigian, Mayor Brett Taylor, Council Member Steve Nelsen, Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez
Soto, and Vice Mayor Liz Wynn
Present:
CALL TO ORDER WORK SESSION - 4:30 PM (Unless otherwise noted) Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 4:30 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.
Public comment was received from Jennifer Herron.
WORK SESSION AND ACTION ITEMS (as described)
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1. 25-0356Administration Department Airport Division Overview Presentation - Airport Division staff will present an overview of the Administration Department Airport Division to include a general overview of the operations, fuel sales, flight analytics, and project updates.
Airport Manager Jody Miller and Assistant City Manager John Lollis provided a presentation to Council on the current status and operations of the Visalia Municipal Airport. The presentation included an overview of airfield conditions, aviation fuel sales, flight operation trends, recent and ongoing projects, and future plans for airport development.
Mayor Taylor opened the matter to the public. Public comment was received from Jennifer Herron.
Council thanked staff for the presentation. It was noted that no formal action was required.
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2. 25-0019Hillsdale Park and Storm Drain Basin Proposed Changes - Receive the presentation on the Northside Scenic Corridor - Hillsdale Park/Storm Basin for a proposed change in project approach and provide direction to staff for the project.
Associate Engineer Katherine Woodhull-Fuget, City Engineer Chris Crawford, and Director of Engineering and Building Jason Huckleberry delivered a presentation outlining a proposed change in approach for the Northside Scenic Corridor - Hillsdale Park and Storm Drain Basin project. The presentation emphasized the need to address basin capacity in advance of the full connection of the regional tributary area, as construction on the first segment of the Shirk Street storm drain trunk line is now underway.
The presentation covered five key areas: background, existing conditions, the proposed change in approach, justification for the change, and next steps. Staff noted that the Scenic Corridor established as a 200-foot open space setback along Highway 198 in the City’s General Plan has been the focus of long-standing Council discussions and planning initiatives.
Two alternatives to the current linear basin expansion plan were presented:
Alternative Approach 1: Deepening the Existing Linear Basin the staff-recommended option, which would increase the basin depth from 7 to 18 feet within the existing footprint, eliminating the need for land acquisition. This alternative would include perimeter landscaping and a fenced trail, while preserving the integrity of the Scenic Corridor.
Alternative Approach 2: Expanding the Developer Basin this option would involve acquiring and enlarging a temporary developer-owned basin located outside the Scenic Corridor setback. While it meets capacity needs, it would require land acquisition and present additional challenges.
Engineering staff cited cost-efficiency, land use considerations, implementation timing, and alignment with Scenic Corridor policies as reasons for recommending Alternative Approach 1.
Mayor Taylor opened the matter for the public comments at 5:30 p.m. Public comments were received from Jim Reeves and Jennifer Herron.
At 5:36 p.m., Mayor Taylor recessed the meeting due to a power outage.
The meeting reconvened at 5:49 p.m., at which time Mayor Taylor called for any additional public comment. There being none, Mayor Taylor closed the public comment portion of the meeting at 5:50 p.m. and referred the matter to Council.
A motion was made by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, seconded Visalia City Council Printed on 9/22/2025Page 3
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final August 18, 2025 by Vice Mayor Liz Wynn, to approve Alternative Approach 1: Deepening the Existing Linear Basin. The motion carried by the following unanimous vote:
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel
Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn
Aye:
3. 25-0330Fourth of July Post Report - Receive a report summarizing the 2025 activities related to community engagement and public safety.
Fire Marshal Corbin Reed, Police Captain Dan Ford, Parks and Recreation Director Jason Glick, and Animal Services Analyst Candace Herrington provided a presentation summarizing the 2025 Fourth of July activities, including legal fireworks sales, enforcement of illegal fireworks, the Independence Spectacular event, and animal services efforts.
Staff reported a continued decline in illegal fireworks complaints, a strong community turnout of nearly 10,000 attendees at the Independence Spectacular, and successful efforts to reunite lost pets with their owners. Notably, 73 citations were issued for illegal fireworks use, and a reward was issued to a resident whose report led to an arrest.
Mayor Taylor called for any public comments. There being none, the matter was referred back to Council.
Council thanked staff for the presentation. It was noted that no Council action was required.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM (Or, immediately following Work Session)
Mayor Taylor adjourned the meeting into Closed Session at 6:03 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION - 7:00 PM
Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION LED BY PASTOR JOHNNY RENTERIA, HEART OF THE
VALLEY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
SPECIAL PRESENTATION / RECOGNITION
PUBLIC COMMENTS
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Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final August 18, 2025 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 April Lancaster, Jim Reeves, and Irene Lapin.
ITEMS OF INTEREST
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.
A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Brian Poochigian, to approve the Consent Calendar as read. The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel
Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn
Aye:
1. 25-0253Authorization to read ordinances by title only.
2. 25-0194Award Purchase Order to Golden State Emergency Vehicle Service- Authorize a purchase order in the amount of
$133,893.88 to Golden State Emergency Vehicle Service for repairs on Fire Truck 51 and appropriate $133,893.88 from the General Fund.
3. 25-0282Approval of Change Order for the Caldwell Avenue Widening Project - Approve Contract Construction Change Order for the Caldwell Avenue Widening Project from Santa Fe Street to Lovers Lane in the amount of $271,830.61.
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4. 25-0317Commercial Solid Waste Container Purchase Contract - Authorize the City Manager to award a 4-year Sourcewell contract to Wastequip Manufacturing Company, LLC for the purchase of solid waste commercial bins, roll off containers, and supplies for the total amount not to exceed $2,643,000 over four (4) years.
5. 25-0331Airport Sewer Lift Station Rehabilitation Project Award & Appropriation of Funds - Authorize the City Manager to award the construction contract to GSE Construction for the Airport Sewer Lift Station Rehabilitation Project in the amount of $713,650 and authorize the additional appropriation of funds in the amount of $272,000 from the Wastewater Fund (431).
6. 25-0332Summary Abandonment of a portion of City Property - Request authorization to adopt Resolution No. 2025-61 ordering the summary vacation and abandonment of City owned excess
property along the south side of the Mill Creek Trail between Demaree Street and Main Street.
7. 25-0336Authorization to Award Traffic Data Collection Services Contract - Authorize the City Manager to award the contract to AimTD LLC to perform traffic data collection services in an amount not to exceed $55,000 annually, with the option to renew for up to four (4) one-year periods.
8. 25-0340Authorize State Transit Grant Applications and Appropriation of Funds - Authorization to submit two (2) grant applications to the California Department of Transportation to fund the Regional Transit Green Line Call Center in the amount of $215,000 and Travel Training in the amount of $110,000 for the total amount of $325,000, and appropriate the funds if awarded and received.
Section 5310 (Resolution No. 2025-62 required)
9. 25-0342Record Final Parcel Map - Authorize the recording of the final parcel map for Tentative Map No. 2024-07 located on Ferguson Avenue, 650 lineal feet east of Linwood Street. (APN:
077-190-015)
10. 25-0345Measure R Trails Reallocation of Funds - Authorization to reallocate Measure R Trail Funds between project categories within update the City of Visalia’s Measure R Trail funding allocation of $30,390,000 as outlined in this report.
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11. 25-0348Award a Contract for Maintenance, Repair, Testing, & Inspection of City-owned Fueling Facilities- Authorize the City Manager to award an annual contract to Precision Environmental Services for maintenance, repair, testing and inspection of City-owned fueling facilities. The Contract shall not exceed $50,000.00 annually and is renewable each year for a potential total of five (5) years.
12. 25-0349Reimbursement Agreement Amendment - Authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the existing
reimbursement agreement with Visalia Shirk, LLC., established with the development of the apartment complex “Tuscany Villas”, located at the northeast corner of Shirk Street and Doe Avenue.
13. 25-0350Approve an Emergency Contract with Holloway Environmental - Approve a 1-year emergency contract with Holloway
Environmental not to exceed $144,000 to dispose of the 2024 biosolids stockpile generated at the Visalia Water Reclamation Facility and the appropriation of $220,000 from the Wastewater Fund.
14. 25-0351Record Final Subdivision Map - Request authorization to record the final map for Shepherds Ranch II Phase 1, located on the east side of Clancy Street, approximately ¼ mile south of West Goshen Avenue (72 lots).
15. 25-0352Approve a contract amendment with Mike Clark Trucking - Approve an amendment to the contract with Mike Clark Trucking to increase the annual not-to-exceed amount from $170,000 to $226,800 to haul biosolids from the Visalia Water Reclamation Facility.
16. 25-0360Notice of Completion - Request authorization to file a Partial Notice of Completion for Highland Park, Unit Nos. 3 & 4 subdivision, excepting the exterior landscape outlot
improvements, located at the northwest corner of Riggin Avenue and Giddings Street.
17. 25-0361Notice of Completion - Request authorization to file a Notice of Completion for Sycamore Heights subdivision, located at the northeast corner of Ferguson Avenue and Akers Street,
containing 91 residential lots.
REGULAR ITEMS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS
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Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final August 18, 2025 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. 25-0353Authorization to Amend the Measure N Spending Plan - Conduct the first of two Public Hearings to amend the Measure N Spending Plan to increase allocated funds for the modernization of elevators within both parking structures and Fire Station 52.
Parks and Facilities Manager Alvin Dias and Building Maintenance Superintendent Donny MacLennan provided a presentation regarding a proposed amendment to the Measure N Spending Plan to appropriate an additional $519,638 for the modernization of elevators within both parking structures and Fire Station 52.
Staff outlined that the amendment would fund three change orders to the existing elevator modernization contract due to increased material costs, necessary hydraulic system repairs, and anticipated line replacement at Fire Station 52. It also includes costs for required Fire, Life, Safety system upgrades and a construction contingency.
Council questions included clarification on the number of change orders and whether security cameras would be included in the elevator upgrades.
Mayor Taylor opened the public hearing at 7:18 p.m., there being no public comments, the hearing was closed at 7:19 p.m.
This was the first of two required public hearings under Measure N. It was noted that no Council action was required at this time.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Taylor adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m.
UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
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1. 25-0251Upcoming City Council Meetings
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. Special Joint Meeting with Visalia City Council and Visalia Planning Commission at Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia
Tuesday, September 2, 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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