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, April 6, 2026
ROLL CALL
Council Member Brian Poochigian, Mayor Brett Taylor, Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, and Vice Mayor Liz
Wynn
Present:
Council Member Steve NelsenAbsent:
CALL TO ORDER WORK SESSION - 5:00 PM (Unless otherwise noted) Mayor Brett Taylor called the meeting to order at 5:00 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 April 6, 2026
1. 25-0542Review Capital Improvement Programs - Continue review of select fiscal year 2026/27 and 2027/28 Capital Improvement Program Budgets and future capital projects. Funds to be reviewed are General Fund Vehicle & Equipment Replacement, Measure T Police Vehicle Replacement, Measure T Fire Vehicle Replacement, Measure N Vehicle Replacement, Fleet
Maintenance, Information Services, Risk, and Building Safety.
Finance Manager Nichol Ritchie provided an overview of select fiscal year 2026/27 and 2027/28 Capital Improvement Program Budgets and future capital projects. Funds reviewed included General Fund Vehicle & Equipment Replacement, Measure T Police Vehicle Replacement, Measure T Fire Vehicle Replacement, Measure N Vehicle Replacement, Fleet Maintenance, Information Services, Risk, and Building Safety.
Council received the presentation and thanked staff.
No action was required.
2. 25-0750Presentation of solid waste electric truck pilot - Presentation of staff recommended solid waste electric truck pilot and
comparative analysis.
Public Works Manager Jason Serpa and Public Works Director Nick Bartsch provided a presentation regarding the proposed solid waste electric truck pilot program and comparative analysis.
Council received the presentation and discussed the information presented.
Public comment was received from Jim Reeves.
No action was required.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM (Or, immediately following Work Session)
Mayor Brett Taylor adjourned the Work Session to Closed Session at 6:03 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION - 7:00 PM
Mayor Brett Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION LED BY REV. WARD, ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH SPECIAL PRESENTATION / RECOGNITION - Odyssey of the Mind State Champion Recognition
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 6, 2026
ITEMS OF INTEREST
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 April Lancaster, Irene Lapin, Ricardo Florez and Jeanette Brichta.
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.
Public comment was received from Chris Ortiz, Maria Guillen, Irene Lapin.
Council Member Brian Poochigian requested to pull Item No. 5 and Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto requested to pull Item No. 6 for separate discussion.
Approval of the Consent Agenda
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, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn
Aye:
Steve NelsenAbsent:
1. 25-0703Authorization to read ordinances by title only. approve
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 6, 2026
2. 25-0677Award a contract for the supply of ferric chloride - Authorize the City Manager to award a contract to California Water
Technologies for the supply and delivery of ferric chloride to the Visalia Water Reclamation Facility for a one-year term, with four annual renewal options, with an annual not-to-exceed amount of $167,000 for a total contract limit of $835,000.
approve
3. 25-0678Authorization to purchase four police services canines from Gold Coast K9 Services - Authorize a sole source purchase to replace four (4) police services canines from Gold Coast K9 Services in Ventura, CA, and purchase the required supplies and training for a total project cost of $87,400. Appropriate an additional $10,300 in Asset Forfeiture Funds.
approve
4. 25-0685Developer Reimbursement Agreement - Authorize the City Manager to execute the reimbursement agreement associated with Pearl Woods - Phase 1 Subdivision located at southwest corner of Cherry Avenue and McAuliff Street.
approve
5. 25-0688Joint letter of support for Naval Air Station Lemoore - Authorize the Mayor to sign a regional joint letter of support for Naval Air Station Lemoore in the proposed action by the U.S. Navy to transition existing FA-18E/F squadrons to F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadrons and home basing new F-35C aircraft at the Navy’s master jet base over an approximate 10-year period.
Assistant City Manager John Lollis responded to Council inquiries.
A motion was made by Council Member Brian Poochigian, seconded by Vice Mayor Liz Wynn, to approve. The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn
Aye:
6. 25-0694Letter of opposition to Assembly Bill 1383 (McKinnor) - Approve a letter of opposition to Assembly Bill 1383 (McKinnor) as amended January 22, 2026, which makes several significant changes to public employees’ retirement benefits and would lead to increased pension liability for public agencies.
City Manager Leslie Caviglia provided information regarding the item.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Liz Wynn, seconded by Council Member Brian Poochigian, to approve. The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Liz WynnAye:
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 6, 2026 Emmanuel Hernandez SotoNo:
7. 25-0713Award Design Contract- Authorize the City Manager to award a professional design services contract to Peters Engineering for the Mill Creek Parkway traffic signal and improvements project, from Lovers Lane to McAuliff Street in the amount of $260,200. approve
8. 25-0715Award Design Contract - Authorize the City Manager to award a professional design services contract to Provost & Pritchard for the Beyond Bike Lanes - Elevating Santa Fe project in the amount of $821,769.
approve
9. 25-0729Approval of a citywide equipment rental contract - Approve a citywide contract with United Rentals for equipment rental utilizing Sourcewell Contract No. 040924-URI with an annual not-to-exceed amount of $205,000, for an initial term through June 11, 2028, which may be extended for up to three additional one-year terms, to align with the terms of the Sourcewell contract, with a maximum contract amount of $1,025,000 over the life of the contract, including any extensions; however, actual contract duration and expenditures shall not exceed the City’s five-year contracting limit, and any extension beyond that limit would require separate approval.
approve
10. 25-0730Award construction contract and accept California Department of Water Resources funding - Authorize the City Manager to award the construction contract for the Peoples Basin Project to Yanez Construction, Inc. in the amount of $2,020,025.00; transfer $170,000 within the Storm Sewer Deficiency Fund out of the Flood Layoff Feasibility Study project to the Peoples Basin Project, and accept and appropriate an additional $730,000 grant funding from the State of California Department of Water Resources.
approve
11. 25-0736Approve revised resolution - Consider approval of revised Resolution No. 2026-08, per City Council adoption at the March 16, 2026 public hearing to uphold the appeal and overturn the Visalia Planning Commission's adoption of Condition of Approval No. 3, for Conditional Use Permit No. 2025-32.
approve
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 6, 2026
12. 25-0737Award a construction contract for the fiscal year 2025-26 Cape Seal Project - Authorize the City Manager to award a contract to VSS International in the amount $1,573,325 for the construction of the fiscal year 2025-26 cape seal project.
approve
13. 25-0738Authorize the purchase of three (3) Skydio unmanned aerial systems (UAS) - Request authorization to award a purchase contract with Axon Enterprise located in Scottsdale, Arizona for two (2) Skydio X10 UAS and one (1) R10 Indoor UAS in the amount of $53,600 under a Sourcewell cooperative procurement agreement under contract #101223 and appropriate $18,470 from the General Fund.
approve
14. 25-0739Purchase of Altec bucket truck and appropriation of funds- Authorize the City Manager to award the purchase of an Altec bucket truck from Altec Industries in the amount of $249,353.13 and appropriate funds from the Vehicle Replacement Fund. approve
15. 25-0741Award a contract to Ray Gaskin Service for parts and service- Authorize the City Manager to award an annual contract to Ray Gaskin Service for service, repair, and parts for New Way refuse truck bodies. The contract shall not exceed $150,000 annually, totaling $750,000 over the term of the contract, with an option to renew annually for up to (4) additional one-year terms. approve
16. 25-0745Authorization for payment to Ray Gaskin Service- Authorize the payment of Ray Gaskin invoices for parts for refuse truck bodies in the amount of $113,413.93.
approve
17. 25-0751Approve purchase of solid waste pilot electric truck - Approve the purchase of one 2025 model year solid waste electric residential side loader demonstrator truck from Haaker, Inc. through the Sourcewell Cooperative in the amount of $876,368.58 and appropriate $876,368.58 from the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund. approve
REGULAR ITEMS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 6, 2026 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. 25-0723Public Hearing to consider land use changes - land use changes to the properties owned by the Tulare County Office of Education and located at 11720 and 11836 Ave 264 and 6200 South
Mooney Boulevard (APNs: 122-470-003, 122-480-004,
122-480-008, and 122-480-018):
1. Adoption of Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration prepare by Tulare County Office of Education consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act (Resolution No. 2026-21).
2. General Plan Amendment No. 2025-05: A request by Tulare County Office of Education (TCOE) to expand the Urban
Development Boundary for 24.32 acres east of their current administrative offices located at 6200 South Mooney Boulevard and to change the land use designations on APN: 122-480-004 from Commercial Mixed Use to Public/Institutional and APNs:
122-470-003, 122-480-008 and -018 from Agriculture to
Public/Institutional (Resolution No. 2026-19).
3. Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 2026-01 for Prezone and Change of Zone No. 2025-06: A request by TCOE to change the zoning designation on APN: 122-480-004 from C-MU (Mixed-Use Commercial) to QP (Quasi-Public) and to prezone APNs: 122-470-003, 122-480-008 and -018 to QP
(Quasi-Public) (Ordinance No. 2026-01, required).
4. Initiation of Proceedings for Annexation No. 2025-03: A request by TCOE to initiate annexation of APNs: 122-470-003, 122-480-008, and 122-480-018 into the city limits of Visalia (Resolution No. 2026-20).
Planning and Community Preservation Director Paul Bernal provided a presentation regarding the Tulare County Office of Education request for annexation.
Mayor Brett Taylor opened the public hearing at 7:56 p.m.
Public comment was received from Tulare County Office of Education General Services Director Jeff Ramsey, and Josh McDonald of Four Creeks.
Mayor Brett Taylor closed the public hearing at 8:01 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, to Adopt. The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn
Aye:
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 6, 2026
2. 25-0724Public Hearing to review draft 2026 Annual Action Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan Amendment - Conduct the first public hearing to review and comment on the proposed use of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership
Program for the Program Year (PY) 2026 Annual Action Plan and PY 2025 CDBG Annual Action Plan Amendment.
Housing Specialist Margie Perez provided a presentation and reviewed the draft 2026 Annual Action Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan Amendment.
Mayor Brett Taylor opened the public hearing at 8:12 p.m.
Public comment was received from April Lancaster.
Mayor Brett Taylor closed the public hearing at 8:14 p.m.
Housing Specialist Margie Perez responded to questions regarding downtown tree wells, audible pedestrian signals, ADA compliance along transit routes, and ADA pathway improvements.
No action was required.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
1. 25-0740For the purposes of reporting out, for the record, transactions that occurred as a result of Closed Session Real Property Negotiations:
Buyer: City of Visalia
Seller: Ricardo H. Hinojosa and Dulce M. Lopez, husband and wife, as joint tenants
APN: 100-630-001 (previously 126-670-001) (portion)
Purpose: Caldwell Widening Project - Santa Fe to Lovers Lane Brief Description: Caldwell Improvement Project Santa Fe to Lovers Lane
Price: $5,500.00
Closing Date: 3/24/2026
Closed Session Council Date: 6/5/2023
Project Manager: Eric Bons
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Brett Taylor adjourned the meeting at 8:16 p.m.
UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 6, 2026
1. 25-0702Upcoming City Council Meetings
Monday, April 20, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m. at 707 W. Acequia
Monday, May 4, 2026 @ 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.