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

8289 ACTION MINUTES OF TULARE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF TULARE April 6, 2021 A joint budget session of the City Council and Board of Public Utilities, City of Tulare was held on Tuesday, April 6, 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(5:39 p.m.), Jose Sigala, Stephen C. Harrell, Patrick Isherwood BPU PRESENT: Howard Stroman, Ray Fonseca, Tom Griesbach, Renee Soto BPU ABSENT: Tony Sozinho STAFF PRESENT: Rob Hunt, Mario Zamora, Josh McDonnell, Michael Miller, Darlene Thompson, Trisha Whitfield, Wes Hensley, Luis Nevarez, Janice Avila, Nick Bartsch, Jose Rivas, Jason Bowling, Roxanne Yoder 5:30 p.m. I. CALL TO ORDER JOINT BUDGET SESSION Mayor Mederos called the joint budget session to order at 5:32 p.m. Due to technical difficulties, Mayor Mederos temporarily recessed the meeting at 5:36 p.m. to address these issues. Mayor Mederos reconvened the meeting at 5:46 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. JOINT BUDGET SESSION a. Receive a presentation and provide direction to staff regarding Council and Board of Public Utilities priorities for coordination of resources for the 2021 Capital Improvement Plan. [Submitted by: R. Hunt] City Manager Rob Hunt provided an introduction of the item for the joint bodies review and consideration. Senior Project Manager Nick Bartsch provided an overview of the City’s Transportation/Utility Infrastructure 2021/2026 CIP program. Following the presentation and discussion, it was moved by Council Member Sigala, seconded by Vice Mayor Sayre and clarified by Council Member Isherwood to move EN2021- 03 to follow EN2021-01-B, pending staff’s evaluation of workflow of budgeted projects.  8290 IT Manager Jason Bowling provided an overview of the City’s Information Technology CIP projects. The consensus of Council and the Board was to move forward as presented. Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield provided an overview of the City’s Public Works CIP program. The consensus of Council and the Board was to move forward as presented. Finance Director Darlene Thompson provided an overview of the City’s Vehicle and Equipment Replacement CIP program. The consensus of Council and the Board was to move forward as presented. City Manager Rob Hunt advised that the Budget Committee will review the proposed projects and make recommendations for the Council’s and Board’s consideration at a future meeting. IV. ADJOURN JOINT BUDGET SESSION Mayor Mederos adjourned the joint budget session at 7:50 p.m. A regular session of the City Council, City of Tulare was held on Tuesday, April 6, 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, Mario Zamora, Josh McDonnell, Michael Miller, Darlene Thompson, Trisha Whitfield, Wes Hensley, Luis Nevarez, Traci Myers, Janice Avila, Jose Rivas, Jason Bowling, Roxanne Yoder V. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION Mayor Mederos called the regular session to order at 8:01 p.m. VI. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION Mayor Mederos 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, Tulare Chamber CEO, updated the Council on local efforts related to the impacts of Covid-19 on the business community.  8291 Heidi Clark, Library Manager, addressed the Council on Library Week. Rene Cruz addressed the Council with concerns over the homeless and drivers running the stop signs at the intersection of Prosperity and West. Vicki Gilson addressed the Council with concerns over the homeless and local cemetery. Karim Shahaby addressed the Council with concerns over discrimination against him. Linda Maloy addressed the Council with concerns over the misinformation over the local cemetery. Alberto Aguilar addressed the Council with concerns over the local cemetery. Xavier Avila addressed the Council regarding the issues surrounding the local cemetery. VIII. COMMUNICATIONS City Manager Rob Hunt provided information regarding a communication from Sunmet received after the publication of the agenda requesting an item for the next Council meeting to discuss the renegotiation of contract affecting property they are purchasing. Mayor Mederos indicated this would be considered under Staff Items/Future Agenda Items. IX. CONSENT CALENDAR It was moved by Council Member Sigala, seconded by Council Member Harrell, and unanimously carried that the items on the Consent Calendar be approved as presented. (1) Authorization to read ordinances by title only. (2) Approve minutes of February 24, 2021 and March 16, 2021 special/regular meeting(s) [Submitted by: R. Yoder] (3) Approve and authorize the City Manager to sign contract amendment in the amount of $39,898.75 with Kleinfelder for additional geotechnical and materials testing services related to City Project EN0086 – Tulare Avenue Improvements. [Submitted by: N. Bartsch] (4) Receive the monthly investment report for February 2021. [Submitted by: D. Thompson] (5) Award Bid 21-731 to Will Tiesiera Ford in the amount of $378,204.80 for the purchase of ten (10) 2021 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles. [Submitted by: M. Correa]  8292 (6) Reject the second amended liability claim for damages filed on March 23, 2021, by Attorney Ronald D. Rosengarten on behalf of claimant Henri Alexander Camin, III. [Submitted by: J. Avila] X. SCHEDULED CITIZEN OR GROUP PRESENTATIONS (1) Presentation to Women Honorees in recognition of International Women’s Day & Women’s History Month 2021. [Cont. from 3/16 for Councilmember Sayre’s nominee.] This item is continued to the April 20, 2021 meeting at the request of Vice Mayor Sayre. 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 Works: a. Review, discuss and provide direction on the painting of the old water tower. [Submitted by: T. Whitfield] Janet Lebaron addressed the Council urging that the iconic water tower mural not be painted over and offered assistance to staff on efforts to revitalize the painting. Donnette Silva-Carter, Chamber CEO addressed the Council urging that the mural not be painted over. Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield and Assistance Public Works Director Tim Doyle provided information for the Council’s review and consideration on the status of the water tower repairs. It was the consensus of the Council to maintain the mural and directed staff to return with proposed estimates for the repairs. (2) City Manager: a. 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. The Council directed staff to return with cost estimates on the continued videoing of Council meetings. XIII. STAFF UPDATES AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – GC 54954.2(3) Council Member Harrell requested and it was the consensus of the Council to add an item on the April 20 meeting pertaining to the renegotiation of a contract as stated in the communication received from Sunmet. Council Member Sigala requested and it was the consensus of the Council (Council Member Isherwood opposed) to direct the Parks and Recreation Commission to take up the issue of establishing a dog park in the City.  8293 Council Member Sigala requested Council consider at the next meeting a Letter of Support regarding the National Infrastructure Bill. City Manager Rob Hunt advised such support is in line with our Legislative Guiding Principles Policy and staff will coordinate through Townsend Public Affairs. Council Member Sigala requested and it was the consensus of the Council to add an item on the April 20 meeting pertaining to the cannabis fee structure. Council Member Sigala requested Council consider at the next meeting a review of the items he presented to the Strategic Action Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness. City Manager Rob Hunt advised that a review of all Boards, Committees and Commissions is tentatively scheduled for the May 4 meeting and that request can be incorporated in those discussions. XIV. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION(S): Mayor Mederos adjourned to closed session at 9:41 p.m. for the item as noted by the City Attorney. (a) 54957.6 Conference with Labor Negotiators Represented/Unrepresented Employee(s): Fire, All Groups Negotiators: Rob Hunt, Janice Avila, Mario Zamora [Submitted by: J. Avila; M. Zamora] XV. RECONVENE CLOSED SESSION Mayor Mederos reconvened from closed session at 10:00 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 10:00 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