City Council Study Session
Regular MeetingTulare, CA · February 24, 2021
Minutes
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ACTION MINUTES OF TULARE
CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF TULARE
February 24, 2021
A study session of the City Council, City of Tulare was held on Tuesday,
February 24, 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(6:38 p.m.), Jose Sigala,
Stephen C. Harrel, Patrick Isherwood
STAFF PRESENT: Rob Hunt, Megan Dodd, Josh McDonnell, Wes Hensley, Luis
Nevarez, Michael Miller, Craig Miller, Darlene Thompson, Trisha Whitfield, Wes
Hensley, Traci Myers(via Zoom), Janice Avila, Ken Wales, Jason Bowling, Mario Anaya,
Jon Hamlin, Roxanne Yoder
I. CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION
Mayor Mederos called the study session to order at 6:00 p.m.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION
Mayor Mederos led the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence was held in
memory of the 500,000 COVID-19 related deaths.
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.
No public comments were provided.
IV. 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) Community & Economic Development:
a. Review, discussion and direction to staff on Homeless Shelter Siting
Criteria. [Submitted by: T. Myers] Deputy City Manager Josh McDonnell
provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding Emergency Shelter Siting
Criteria in the City of Tulare.
Mayor Mederos opened up discussions to public comment. Machael Smith of
Tulare Kings Homeless Alliance requested that the Council be conscious of
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the low-barrier navigation centers and that they, too, are deemed an
emergency shelter.
Janet LeBaron addressed the Council regarding the use of the Fairgrounds
for a shelter.
Kurt Lange addressed the Council on whether the City is moving to a model
of many smaller shelters as opposed to one or two larger shelters.
Mari Perez-Ruiz, Executive Director Board Chair of Central Valley
Empowerment Alliance addressed the Council with concerns over moving the
vulnerable encampments during the pandemic and the length of time one has
to wait for available beds within the County.
John Harman addressed the Council with concerns over the number of beds
increasing, if a shelter is built, encouraging more to come to Tulare.
Deputy City Manager Josh McDonnell responded thereto. Comments and
questions posed by Council were addressed by staff.
Following discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to address any
concerns or potential changes in the criteria through the Housing Element
Update.
b. Further discussion regarding State Route 99 encampments. [Requested
by: City Council at the 2/16/2021 meeting] City Manager Rob Hunt
provided an update for the Council’s review and consideration on the current
CalTrans process in addressing the dangerous condition of State Route 99
homeless encampments. He further advised of a meeting that he and Police
Chief Wes Hensley will attend with California Highway Patrol officials
concerning same. Chief Hensley also commented on the matter.
V. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION
Mayor Mederos adjourned the study session at 7:46 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
Agenda
On March 4, 2020, Governor Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency in California
due to the threat of COVID-19. On March 12 and 18, 2020, the Governor issued
Executive Order N-25-20 and N-29-20, which temporarily suspends portions of the
Brown Act addressing the conduct of public meetings.
As such, Tulare City Council Meetings may include teleconference participation by
some or all of the City Council Members and City staff. Pursuant to Executive Order
N-20-20, teleconference locations utilized by City Council Members shall not be
accessible to the public and are not subject to special posting requirements.
For those individuals who choose not to shelter in place and attend the Council
meeting, in an effort to promote social distancing, seating in the Council Chamber
has been reduced to 12 available seats on a first come, first served basis.
Meetings will be available for public viewing via YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWZiv2o7do1JY0OvGe1_aw/videos
If you are sheltering in place, and wish to provide public comment during the meeting
you may do so by calling 559-366-1849, if you receive a busy signal please
continue to call until you are able to get through.
Note: There will be approximately a 20 second delay in broadcast for viewers. If
viewing from YouTube and calling in please mute your speakers.
AGENDA
TULARE CITY COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021
STUDY SESSION - 6:00 p.m.
TULARE PUBLIC LIBRARY & COUNCIL CHAMBERS
491 North “M” Street
MISSION STATEMENT
TO PROMOTE A QUALITY OF LIFE MAKING TULARE THE MOST DESIRABLE COMMUNITY IN
WHICH TO LIVE, LEARN, PLAY, WORK, WORSHIP AND PROSPER.
Meeting audio will be uploaded to the City’s website www.tulare.ca.gov, no later than the Friday following
the meeting, barring any technical difficulties, accessible by selecting the appropriate meeting date
on the City Meeting Calendar page.
6:00 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION
AGENDA
TULARE CITY COUNCIL
February 24, 2021
Page 2
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.
IV. GENERAL BUSINESS
(1) Community & Economic Development:
a. Review, discussion and direction to staff on Homeless Shelter Siting Criteria.
[Submitted by: T. Myers]
b. Further discussion regarding State Route 99 encampments. [Requested by:
City Council at the 2/16/2021 meeting]
V. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities and Brown Act, if you need special assistance to
participate in the meeting, including the receipt of the agenda and documents in the agenda package in
an alternate format, please contact the City Manager’s Office (559) 684-4200. Notification 48 hours prior
to the meeting will enable the city to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this
meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35, 104 ADA Title II), and allow for the preparation of documents in the
appropriate alternate format.
[Note: Pursuant to Government Code 54957.5 - Effective 7/1/08 Documents produced and distributed
less than 72 hours prior to or during an open session of a regular meeting to a majority of the legislative
body regarding any item on the agenda will be made available for public inspection at the meeting and at
the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall located at 411 East Kern Avenue during normal business hours.]
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