City Council Meeting - Budget Session @ 5:30 p.m.; Regular Session @ 7:00 p.m.

8306 ACTION MINUTES OF TULARE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF TULARE May 18, 2021 A budget session of the City Council, City of Tulare was held on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at 5:30 p.m., in the Tulare Public Library & Council Chambers, 491 North “M” Street. COUNCIL PRESENT: Dennis A. Mederos, Terry A. Sayre, Jose Sigala, Stephen C. Harrell, Patrick Isherwood STAFF PRESENT: Rob Hunt, Megan Dodd, Josh McDonnell, Michael Miller, Darlene Thompson, Trisha Whitfield, Jason Glick, Wes Hensley, Janice Avila, Traci Myers, Nick Bartsch, Ken Wales, Jason Bowling, Brian Beck, Roxanne Yoder 5:30 p.m. I. CALL TO ORDER BUDGET SESSION Mayor Mederos called the budget session to order at 5:36 p.m. II. CITIZEN COMMENTS - Comments from the public are limited to items listed on the agenda (GC 54954.3a). Speakers will be allowed three minutes. Please begin your comments by stating and spelling your name and providing your city of residence. There were no public comments. III. BUDGET SESSION a. Review and provide direction on the Fiscal Year 2021/22 Proposed Budget. [Submitted by: R. Hunt] Deputy City Manager Josh McDonnell provided a PowerPoint presentation for the Council’s consideration, review and further direction. Finance Director Darlene Thompson provided further information for the Council’s consideration regarding a loan repayment on the former Redevelopment Loan; review of proposed General Fund revenue and expenditures. Mr. McDonnell provided a summary on the City support and contributions to non-profits. He further reviewed the 10 budget requests posed by Council Member Sigala. Council Member Sigala provided his rationale on his requests. Comments by Council in response. Following a lengthy discussion, it was moved by Council Member Sigala, seconded by Vice Mayor Sayre, and unanimously carried to direct staff to augment the proposed budget as follows: (1) Establish a new line item in the amount of $2,500 per council district for a total of $12,500 for Community Improvement; and (2) Increase the Tulare Chamber of Commerce amount from $12,500 to $25,000. IV. ADJOURN BUDGET SESSION Mayor Mederos adjourned the budget session at 6:55 p.m.  8307 A regular session of the City Council, City of Tulare was held on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at 7:00 p.m., in the Tulare Public Library & Council Chambers, 491 North “M” Street. COUNCIL PRESENT: Dennis A. Mederos, Terry A. Sayre, Jose Sigala, Stephen C. Harrel, Patrick Isherwood STAFF PRESENT: Rob Hunt, Megan Dodd, Josh McDonnell, Michael Miller, Darlene Thompson, Trisha Whitfield, Wes Hensley, Dave Rossman, Ryan Leonardo, Traci Myers, Janice Avila, Ken Wales, Jason Bowling, Nick Bartsch, Jim Funk, Roxanne Yoder V. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION Mayor Mederos called the regular session to order at 7:09 p.m. VI. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION Council Member Sigala led the Pledge of Allegiance and Vice Mayor Sayre led the invocation. VII. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mayor Mederos requested those who wish to speak on matters not on the agenda within the jurisdiction of the Council, or to address or request a matter be pulled from the consent calendar to do so at this time. He further stated comments related to general business matters would be heard at the time that matter is addressed on the agenda. Donnette Silva-Carter, Chamber CEO, addressed the Council updating them on community efforts. Kayla Nichols addressed the Council with concerns regarding homeless issues in her neighborhood. VIII. COMMUNICATIONS There were no items for this section of the agenda. IX. CONSENT CALENDAR It was moved by Council Member Harrell, seconded by Council Member Sigala, and unanimously carried that the items on the Consent Calendar be approved as presented with the exception of items 6 & 7. (1) Authorization to read ordinances by title only. (2) Approve minutes of May 4, 2021 special/regular meeting(s) [Submitted by: R. Yoder]  8308 (3) Authorize the City Manager to execute Agreement Supplement No. 12, in the annual amount of $60,000 plus 4.8% administrative costs and expenses, with Townsend Public Affairs (TPA) public sector funding advocates to lobby for funding for City projects; and receive the annual advocacy report. [Submitted by: R. Hunt] (4) Adopt Resolution 2021-15 approving the revisions to the City of Tulare Records Retention Schedules. [Submitted by: M. Hermann] (5) Accept as complete the contract with Don Berry Construction, Inc. of Selma, CA for work on Project EN0071 – Prosperity & Blackstone Improvements; Authorize the City Engineer to sign the Notice of Completion, and direct the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the Tulare County Recorder’s Office. [Submitted by: N. Bartsch] (6) Conditionally approve the final map and subdivision improvement agreement for Phase 4 of the Oak Creek Subdivision for recordation, and accept all easements and dedications offered to the City, subject to receipt of the signed final map, all fees, and other required items prior to July 17, 2021. [Submitted by: M. Miller] Council Member Sigala pulled the item for clarification. City Engineer Michael Miller responded thereto. With no further discussion, it was moved by Council Member Isherwood, seconded by Council Member Harrell and carried 4 to 1 (Council Member Sigala voting no) to approve the item as presented. (7) Approve agreements with Luis Perez and Rosario Isais to construct and finance utility connection and/or side walk, curb, gutter, and driveway construction and place costs thereof on property tax rolls in installments. [Submitted by: D. Thompson] Finance Director Darlene Thompson requested that the item be pulled to correct a clerical error in the agreements with regard to length of term from 5 years to 10 years. With no further discussion, it was moved by Mayor Mederos, seconded by Council Member Sigala, and unanimously carried to approve the item as amended. (8) Receive the monthly investment report for April 2021. [Submitted by: D. Thompson] (9) Adopt Resolution 2021-16 extending the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program for 10 years. [Submitted by: W. Hensley] X. SCHEDULED CITIZEN OR GROUP PRESENTATIONS (1) Certificate of Recognition to Richard Torrez, Jr. in recognition of qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team. Mayor Mederos presented Richard Torrez, Jr. with a Certificate of Recognition in qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team. Richard Torrez, Sr. commented on his son’s career. Comments by Mr. Torrez, Jr. and Council.  8309 (2) Presentation by Nathan Ahle, President/Chief Executive Officer of the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation outlining their goals and direction for Fiscal Year 2021/2022. Chamber CEO Donnette Silva-Carter introduced Tulare County EDC President & CEO Nathan Ahle who provided a PowerPoint presentation for the Council’s review and consideration and introduced Sam Diaz, VP, Business Success. XI. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORTS OR ITEMS OF INTEREST - G.C. 54954.2(3) XII. GENERAL BUSINESS Comments related to General Business Items are limited to three minutes per speaker, for a maximum of 30 minutes per item, unless otherwise extended by the Council. (1) Public Hearing: a. Public Hearing to adopt Resolution 2021-14 approving the 2020 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan (APP) Amendment I to confirm the allocation of available CDBG entitlement funds and program income in the amount of $1,115,795 to existing project and activities approved under the 2020 AAP previously adopted on May 5, 2020; and authorize the City Manager or his designee to submit the same to HUD on behalf of the City of Tulare. [Submitted by: T. Myers] Housing & Grant Specialist Alexis Costales provided a PowerPoint presentation for the Council’s review and consideration. Mayor Mederos opened the public hearing at 8:15 p.m.; with no public comment, he closed the public hearing at 8:16 p.m. With no further discussion, it was moved by Council Member Sigala, seconded by Council Member Isherwood, and unanimously carried to adopt Resolution 2021-14 as presented. (2) City Manager: a. Receive a staff report on the City of Tulare’s Boards, Commissions and Committees, consider options for the Strategic Action Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness, and provide direction to staff related thereto. [Submitted by: J. McDonnell] Deputy City Manager Josh McDonnell provided a PowerPoint presentation for the Council’s review and consideration. Mayor Mederos invited public comment at 8:31 p.m. Chuck Miguel, Chair of the Strategic Action (Ad Hoc) Committee on Homelessness addressed the Council. Following a lengthy discussion, it was moved by Mayor Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Sayre, and unanimously carried to direct staff to return with a Resolution assigning the authority of the Housing & Building Appeals Board to the City Council. It was further moved by Mayor Mederos, seconded by Council Member Harrell, and unanimously carried to extend the following terms to December 31, 2021:  8310 Police Review Board: Committee on Aging: Vacancy (at-large appointment) Jackie Zupp Gene Chavez (Dist. 5 appointment) Albert Lemus Karen Presant (Dist. 4 appointment) Vacancy - 1 Maria Grijalva (Dist. 1 appointment) Xavier Avila (Dist. 2 appointment) Measure I Oversight Committee Duane Goree, Jr. (at-large appointment) Jose Ruiz-Salas Charlie Ramos (Dist. 3 appointment) The Council, by consensus, directed staff to schedule a special meeting for Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 6 p.m. for review, discussion and direction regarding the Strategic Action Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness; review and discussion regarding Council Member Sigala’s list of non-housing homeless initiatives; discussion regarding a safe location for the homeless to reside and park their cars; and discussion and direction regarding the housing set-aside funds. All other boards, committees and commissions will remain the same. Council Member Sigala expressed concern over inconsistencies in the appointment process. Staff advised they would review his concerns. b. Update, discussion and receive direction, if necessary, regarding COVID-19, etc. [Submitted by: R. Hunt] City Manager Rob Hunt provided a brief update for the Council’s review and consideration. XIII. STAFF UPDATES AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – GC 54954.2(3) Council Member Harrell requested a Public Hearing for the June 1 meeting to consider increasing the maximum fine for possession and use of illegal fireworks. It was the consensus of Council to direct staff to facilitate that request. Council Member Harrell requested staff review amending the City’s municipal code to add a chapter on the illegal fireworks and to amend Section 6.40.030 of Chapter 6.40 to include Safe and Sane Fireworks; and lastly, amend Section 6.40.073 to exempt Safe and Sane fireworks for a specific time frame. It was the consensus of Council to direct staff to return with an item for discussion. XIV. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION(S): Mayor Mederos adjourned to closed session at 9:25 p.m. for the item as noted by the City Attorney. (a) 54956.8 Conference with Real Property Negotiations Property: Property APN168-470-011 located at 325 N. West Ave. (30,117 sq.ft.) Agency Negotiators: Rob Hunt, Josh McDonnell, Manny Correa, Traci Myers Negotiating Parties: Lighthouse Rescue Mission  8311 Under Negotiation: Price, terms and conditions regarding purchase and sale agreement (b) 54956.9(d)(4) Conference with Legal Counsel -- Initiation of Litigation (1) (c) 54957 Public Employment Title: City Manager XV. RECONVENE CLOSED SESSION Mayor Mederos reconvened from closed session at 10:40 p.m. XVI. CLOSED SESSION REPORT (if any) Mayor Mederos advised there was no reportable action. XVII. ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING Mayor Mederos adjourned the regular meeting at 10:40 p.m. President of the Council and Ex-Officio Mayor of the City of Tulare ATTEST: _________________________________ Chief Deputy City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the City of Tulare