Joint Meeting of City Council, Board of Public Utilities & Planning Commission

7631 ACTION MINUTES OF TULARE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF TULARE March 16, 2017 A joint session meeting of the City Council, Board of Public Utilities and Planning Commission, City of Tulare was held on Thursday, March 16, 2017, at 6:30 p.m., in the Tulare Public Library & Council Chambers, 491 North “M” Street. COUNCIL PRESENT: Carlton Jones, Maritsa Castellanoz, Greg Nunley, Jose Sigala8:29 p.m. COUNCIL ABSENT: David Macedo BPU PRESENT: Phil Smith, Lee Brehm, Dick Johnson, Ed Henry, Jim Pennington PLANNING COMMISSION PRESENT: Jeff Killion, Deanne Rocha, Ty Davis, Chuck Miguel, Linda Crase, Sandi Miller, Shannelle Herrera PLANNING COMMISSION ABSENT: Ty Davis STAFF PRESENT: Joe Carlini, Willard Epps, Janice Avila, Darlene Thompson, Rob Hunt, Michael Miller, Steve Bonville, Nick Bartsch, Traci Myers, Trisha Whitfield, Luis Nevarez, Tim Doyle, Dave LaPere, John Karli, Roxanne Yoder I. CALL TO ORDER JOINT SESSION Mayor Jones, Board President Smith & Planning Chair Killion called the joint meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION Donnette Carter Silva led the Pledge of Allegiance. An invocation was also provided. III. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mayor Jones advised that 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. DISCUSSION & OVERVIEW (Needs Assessment & Brain Storming Session) (1) Opening Statement and Welcome by Council Member Nunley. Council Member Nunley provided an opening statement and welcomed attendees. He expressed a desire to keep the meeting focused on the future, not the past and encouraged comments from those in attendance.  7632 (2) Business Community Input. Mike Lane of the Tulare/Kings Building Industry Authority addressed the joint bodies and expressed the need for continuity in the subdivision and zoning ordinances. He also expressed concerns with the bonding requirements contained within Tulare’s subdivision ordinance. Lino Pimentel addressed the joint bodies and expressed that this community does have a lot to offer. He stated that it is important to have a proactive Council, a fully staffed planning department, and strong economic development. Craig Smith addressed the joint bodies and stated he supports the direction that the City is proceeding based upon the comments this evening. Don LeBarron addressed the joint bodies about the challenges and successes of the downtown. Paul Daley addressed the joint bodies and stated that transparency and flexibility in the City’s processes is vital. (3) Council/Board/Commission comments. Council Member Nunley commented on the limitations of the Planning department being under-staffed and stretched thin. Interim City Manager Joe Carlini advised that the City is proposing to the Council at the budget meeting of March 17 and at their regular meeting of March 21 a reorganization of the those departments, creating a Community Services Department (Parks & Recreation, Senior Center & Library) and a Community Economic Development Department (Planning, Engineering, Building, Project Management & Economic Development) and highlighted the various positions that will be added to grow this department to facilitate and streamline processes within these divisions. Mayor Jones expressed his excitement over the proposed plan and expressed confidence in staff. Council Member Nunley commented how important growth is to a community. He noted the Tulare’s best asset is its access to Highway 99. Vice Mayor Castellanoz stated that one of the most important things to Council for an Interim City Manager/City Manager is their ability to work with staff and why they selected Mr. Carlini and believe his collaborative efforts aided the development of this reorganization. This meeting is to solicit ideas to help develop a vision for the community. Board Member Johnson commented on the issues that faced the Board in 15/16 with regard to the drought versus 17/18 and the plans in place for new wells, water storage tanks and improving the distribution of water throughout the City. Board Member Henry echoed those comments; however, he cautioned about growth being hindered with the State mandates. Board President Smith commented on the role of BPU in supporting growth by ensuring there is infrastructure sufficient to support that growth.  7633 Council Member Nunley expressed that the comments from the Board are even more of a reason to move forward with this window of opportunity prior to those State mandates going into effect by diversifying projects to provide consistent growth. Commission Chair Killion appreciated the comments expressed tonight and is excited about the energy in the room. He further stated it is important to speak positively about our community in addition to the plans for growth and economic development. Commissioner Herrera echoed the importance of keeping our youth here, keeping them off the street and active in the community. She expressed concerns over smoke shops and massage parlors in the downtown and believes businesses of this nature that aren’t operating as a legitimate business drives other business away. Commissioner Miller expressed that she is passionate about economic development. She stated it is imperative to have jobs that provide a family sustaining wage to grow the community. She advocated the ability for the City to fast track projects. Mayor Jones expressed that he wants Tulare to be that go-to City with luxury service to foster economic development and growth. Council Member Nunley noted that landowners and real estate brokers are key in the City’s growth; however, it is also key that the City’s infrastructure and streets are improved to facilitate this development vision, which not only will benefit these landowners and brokers, but the City at-large. Donnette Silva Carter commented on the improvements proposed in the reorganization. Lee Brehm supports the comments expressed and agrees the City needs to move forward and believes with the proposed reorganization that we are on the right track. Jason Bender addressed the joint bodies and stated the City should look to the Cartmill corridor, the development of a Specific Plan for Infrastructure, Assessment Districts or the like, develop a clear process regarding uninhabited buildings, create a unified vision of economic development from the City Council, create a check list that courts businesses to come to Tulare rather than begging businesses to come, affordable south Tulare freeway access, incentives for developing on the west side, software for development services that help customers through the development process, and the need to divest the City of the former RDA properties.  7634 Commissioner Miguel stated that as a community we need to be mutually supportive and cooperative. He expressed the need to diversify industries, expansions of businesses to expand in the downtown, and to hold on to our local hospital. Kyle Reinbeck addressed the joint bodies and expressed his appreciation on the proposed reorganization to support a proactive business model for economic development. Council Member Sigala looked forward to further discussions to grow Tulare and better the lives of the people who live here. Finance Director Darlene Thompson commented that the City does have supportive programs to assist the developers. Council Member Nunley expressed a desire to have a joint meeting of the three legislative bodies annually to continue this open dialogue. The Council concurred with that suggestion. Community Development Deputy Director Tracy Myers challenged the Council to develop a unified economic development plan through their upcoming team building session. Commissioner Herrera commended Council, staff and Mr. Carlini for their efforts. Council thanked staff, board members and commissioners for their work and support to the organization and community. (4) City Manager recap of discussions. Comments received as noted above. V. ADJOURN JOINT SESSION Mayor Jones, Board President Smith & Planning Chair Killion adjourned the joint meeting to order at 8:45 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