City Council Meeting - Study Session 5 p.m.; Special Session 6 p.m.

8255 ACTION MINUTES OF TULARE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF TULARE January 12, 2021 A study session of the City Council, City of Tulare was held on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at 5:00 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. Harrell, Patrick Isherwood STAFF PRESENT: Rob Hunt, Mario Zamora, Josh McDonnell, Michael Miller, Trisha Whitfield, Luis Nevarez, Traci Myers, Janice Avila, Fred Ynclan, Nick Bartsch, Clay Roberts, Jason Bowling, Roxanne Yoder I. CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION Mayor Mederos called the study session to order at 5:05 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION Council Member Sigala led the Pledge of Allegiance and Vice Mayor Sayre lead the invocation. III. 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. Donnette Silva-Carter, Tulare Chamber CEO provided an update for the Council. IV. GENERAL BUSINESS (1) Engineering: a. Receive a PowerPoint presentation from staff regarding potential aesthetic enhancements to the new South Tulare Interchange at Commercial Avenue and Highway 99, and provide staff with feedback regarding any features Council would like to request that Caltrans consider incorporating. City Engineer Michael Miller provided a PowerPoint presentation on the South Tulare Interchange for the Council’s review and consideration. Questions and comments posed by Council were addressed by staff. TCAG Executive Director Ted Smalley also commented on the project. Jerry Sinift, CEO of the International Agri-Center addressed the Council. Lynn Dredge addressed the Council on behalf of the Faria family. Donnette Silva-Carter addressed the Council on behalf of the Chamber. Council feedback was provided on the aesthetics and design details, consensus being similar to Cartmill with a few deviations, preference for  8256 angled concrete, raised surface, decorative bridge lighting and signage referencing the World Ag Expo. b. Receive a PowerPoint presentation from staff regarding the reconfiguration and potential renaming of Commercial Avenue in conjunction with the South Tulare Interchange Project. City Manager Rob Hunt introduced the item and City Engineer Michael Miller provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the reconfiguration and potential renaming of Commercial Avenue in conjunction with South Tulare Interchange project. Mr. Sinift, Mr. Dredge and Ms. Silva-Carter addressed the Council on this matter and supported renaming representing the International Agri-Center. Following discussion, it was moved by Mayor Mederos, seconded by Vice Mayor Sayre and unanimously carried to rename Commercial Avenue from Turner Drive through K Street as International Agri-Center Way. Lastly, the Council directed staff to look into the options for future extension of Commercial Avenue/International Agri-Center way and return to the Council with an update. V. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION Mayor Mederos adjourned the study session to order at 6:47 p.m. A special session of the City Council, City of Tulare was held on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at 6:00 p.m., in the Tulare Public Library & Council Chambers, 491 North “M” Street. COUNCIL PRESENT: Dennis A. Mederos, Terry A. Sayre, Jose Sigala, Stephen Harrel, Patrick Isherwood STAFF PRESENT: Rob Hunt, Mario Zamora, Josh McDonnell, Michael Miller, Trisha Whitfield, Luis Nevarez, Traci Myers, Janice Avila, Fred Ynclan, Nick Bartsch, Clay Roberts, Jason Bowling, Roxanne Yoder VI. CALL TO ORDER SPECIAL SESSION Mayor Mederos called the regular session to order at 6:55 p.m. 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. No public comment.  8257 VIII. MAYOR’S REPORT (1) Mayor Mederos’ announcement of appointment to Board of Public Utilities Vacancy to be confirmed at the January 19, 2021, Council Meeting. Mayor Mederos advised of his appointment to the BPU, Tony G. Sozinho to be confirmed at the next Council meeting. Mayor Mederos invited Council Member Isherwood to comment for consideration of a campaign effort to keep Tulare Clean to be discussed at the upcoming goal setting. IX. GENERAL BUSINESS [The following item is a continued Public Hearing from December 15, 2020.] (1) Public Hearing: a. Continued Public Hearing for Council consideration and request for approval to enter into negotiations with Self Help Enterprises to loan $1 Million in Low and Moderate Asset Funds for Multifamily Rental Affordable Housing Development. [Submitted by: T. Myers] Council Member Isherwood recused himself due to business conflict and left the room. Mayor Mederos incorporated the current staff report and PowerPoint and previous PowerPoint into the record as well as the seven letters in support of award to Self-Help from Habitat for Humanity dated January 8, 2021; Kings View Behavioral Health dated December 23, 2020; Turning Point dated December 23, 2020; United Way dated December 23, 2020; Salt & Light dated December 23, 2020; Kings Tulare Homeless Alliance dated December 16, 2020; Mental Health Systems dated December 23, 2020 and CSET dated December 23, 2020; all of which are on file with the Community & Economic Development Department. Mayor Mederos then asked for a motion to reopening the public hearing. It was moved by Vice Mayor Sayre, seconded by Council Member Harrell and carried 4 to 0 (Council Member Isherwood recused) to reopen the public hearing. Mr. Raymond Vanbeek addressed the Council on behalf of the Lighthouse Rescue Mission noting that they withdraw their application to receive NOFA funding. Questions and comments posed by Council were addressed by staff and Tom Collishaw and Suzy Kim representatives from Self-Help. Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Sigala, seconded by Vice Mayor Sayre and carried 3 to 1 (Mayor Mederos voting no; Council Member Isherwood recused) to approve, as amended, staff entering into negotiations with Self Help Enterprises for a grant of $1 million in low and moderate asset funds for Multifamily Rental Affordable Housing Development.  8258 (2) City Manager: a. Update, discussion and receive direction, if necessary, regarding COVID-19, etc. [Submitted by: R. Hunt] City Manager Rob Hunt provided an update to the Council for review and consideration. Council, by consensus requested staff include in the City utility billings information on how they can register to receive the vaccinations. X. ADJOURN SPECIAL SESSION Mayor Mederos adjourned the regular meeting at 7:35 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