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
4:00 PM City Council ChambersWednesday, May 13, 2026
Special Meeting
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 SPECIAL SESSION - 4:00 PM
Mayor Taylor called the meeting 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.
SPECIAL SESSION ITEMS (as described)
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final May 13, 2026
1. 25-0617Council presentation for the Houston community connectivity project - Receive a presentation for the Houston community connectivity project along the W. Houston Avenue corridor, between N. Mooney Boulevard and N. Willis Street, as well as the surrounding local streets, and consider approval of the proposed design option.
Associate Engineer Rudy Lopez, City Engineer Chris Crawford, and Engineering and Building Department Director Jason Huckleberry provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Houston Community Connectivity Project, including the project timeline, public outreach efforts, proposed pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements, parking modifications, and the recommended design option.
Public comment was received from Rosemary Garcia Guerrero.
Council discussed pedestrian and bicyclist safety, crossing improvements, neighborhood input and outreach efforts, neighborhood accessibility, parking impacts, emergency vehicle access, and overall project design considerations.
A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Vice Mayor Liz Wynn, to approve staff recommendation.The motion carried by the following vote:
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel
Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn
Aye:
2. 25-0797Review Capital Improvement Programs - Continued review of the Fiscal Year 2026/27 and Fiscal Year 2027/28 Capital
Improvement Program budgets and future capital projects for the General Fund.
Finance Manager Nichol Ritchie and Finance and Technology Director Renee Nagel provided a PowerPoint presentation reviewing the Fiscal Year 2026/27 and Fiscal Year 2027/28 Capital Improvement Program budgets and future capital projects for the General Fund. Staff discussed that the General Fund represented the final capital category to be reviewed and further explained the capital improvement program evaluation process.
Council discussed various projects detailed in the presentation, with staff providing clarification on project details and applicable requirements.
Council discussed various projects detailed in the presentation, with staff providing clarification on project details and applicable requirements.
Council thanked staff for the information. No Council action was required.
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final May 13, 2026 ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM (Or, immediately following Special Session)
Mayor Taylor adjourned the special meeting at 5:13 p.m. and announced that Council would convene in the previously posted closed session. Mayor Taylor advised that no reportable action was anticipated.
UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
1. 25-0814Upcoming City Council Meetings
Monday, June 1, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m. at 707 W. Acequia
Monday, June 15, 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.
Respectfully submitted,
Reyna Rivera,
Chief Deputy City Clerk