Visalia City Council

Visalia City Council Visalia City Council 707 W. Acequia Visalia, CA 93291 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final Monday, December 6, 2021 7:00 PM City Council Chambers ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Steve Nelsen, Vice Mayor Brian Poochigian, Council Member Greg Collins, Council Member Greg Collins, Council Member Brett Taylor, Council Member Liz Wynn, and Council Member Liz Wynn CALL TO ORDER WORK SESSION - 3:30 PM The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m. **Note: Contact the City Clerks office for audio file. There is not video for this meeting. PUBLIC COMMENTS Citizens are now invited to comment on issues within the jurisdiction of the Visalia City Council. The Council asks that you keep your comments concise and positive. Creative criticism, presented with appropriate courtesy, is welcome. Each speaker will be allowed three minutes and a timer will notify you when your time is expired. Please begin your comments by stating and spelling your name and providing your city of residence. WORK SESSION AND ACTION ITEMS (as described) 1. Employee Recognition 20+ year of service to the City of Visalia 21-0602 Page 1 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final December 6, 2021 2. Receive Presentation and Update on the Visalia Community 21-0628 Services Department. Jeremy Rogers, Community Services Director, provided the overview of Community Services. The Community Services Department is currently comprised of 45 Full Time employees plus an additional 6 vacant positions. Each of these positions plays an important role in delivering an exceptional level of service to our citizens and other City Departments. Laurissa Roggenkamp, Recreation Manager, provided the overview of the recreation division of the Department. The Division is looking forward to having all of the programs back in place that were suspended as a result of the pandemic. Alvin Dias, Parks and Buildings Manager, provided the Parks and Urban Forestry portion of the presentation. The pandemic has also created new challenges for the entire department. The Parks and Urban Forestry divisions saw an increase to workload as the number of residents utilizing the parks increased over the course of the pandemic, especially during the lockdown, with many residents wanting a place to go to get out of the house. Comments and questions by Council regarding the L&L district, Oak Tree mitigation, shade structures in parks, adult baseball, Plaza Park upgrade, new soccer fields and turf usage. Page 2 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final December 6, 2021 3. Receive presentation from Thorn Run Partners on 2021 national 21-0594 legislative activity and authorize City Manager to approve an annual service agreement with Thorn Run for federal legislative advocacy services, effective Jan. 1, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2022, for a monthly fee of $6,500, with up to four additional one-year extension options. Devon Jones, Economic Development Manager, introduced Greg Burns, Federal Lobbyist from Thorn Run Partners located in Washington D.C. Greg Burns, Federal Lobbyist with Thorn Run Partners provided the 2021 national legislative activity. Mr. Burns lobbies Congress and the Executive Branch on issues such as Federal funding, water resources, transportation, economic development, and public safety. Mr. Burns has been the City’s federal lobbyist for several years, beginning with a contract that started in 2010 with prior service provider, Van Scoyoc. Thorn Run is also presenting on prior legislative year to give an overview of federal legislative activity and will discuss the coming year and issues that will be areas of focus. Thorn Run and city staff will also be seeking any input the Council may have for priority areas of focus, or any other comments/insight for the year ahead. FEMA is working on the future of flood insurance. Implementing and suggesting significant changes to the National Flood Insurance Program. A rate structure needs to be formed due to the type of flooding Visalia is prone to experience . Should critical structures be located outside of the floodplain? Looking ahead to midterms are being defined with Redistricting, Retirements, and Referendum on the party in power. Risk rating 2.0 is underway and will be monitored. Comments and questions by Council. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Brett Taylor, to adopt. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor, and Liz Wynn Page 3 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final December 6, 2021 4. Discuss the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) expenditure 21-0573 guidelines, reporting requirements, and City process for appropriation of funds. The presentation for today is a review and summary of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill. Within the ARPA, the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFRF) provides $350 billion for states, municipalities, counties, tribes, and territories. Of the $350 billion, the City will receive an estimated $29.4 million in one-time funding. Staff will return to the next meeting for the City of Visalia for the $29.3M. The money can be used to enhance the community and services provided by the ARPA. Visalia received the 14.7 M in June 2021. There are 66 categories that the city must fit into. Jana Ferguson, Financial Analyst, explained what the ineligible uses for the ARPA are. The timeline for the ARPA is March 2021, May 2021. All agencies. Projects and programs planned, initiated, executed and completed by December 21, 2024. Contracts must be signed and approved. Jana reviewed the reporting requirements as listed in the presentation. The final report is due 3/31/27. Comments and questions from Council. The projects are being recommended and vetted by staff and the City Manager. A list will be provided to Council at the next meeting. Page 4 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final December 6, 2021 5. Presentation of the Environmental Cleanup Opportunities 21-0572 Program (ECO Program), a joint program between the Workforce Investment Board and the City of Visalia to employ people experiencing homelessness. Jason Serpa, Public Works Manager, introduced Craig Craig Wierenga, Workforce Investment Board, Roquel Roa,CSET were in attendance for the program presentation In 2017, the City of Visalia and the Workforce Investment Board of Tulare County (WIB) established a program that would allow Visalia residents experiencing homelessness, to acquire the work skills necessary to obtain gainful employment while simultaneously addressing a community need, by cleaning up illegally dumped material. After acquiring skills and experience, the goal is for the participant to obtain outside employment. The City currently has two hourly employees that have been hired from the ECO Program and many others have obtained outside employment successfully. Comments and questions. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM (or immediately following Work Session) Adjourn 5:56 p.m Meeting went into Recess Meeting Reconvened CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION - 7:00 PM The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE INVOCATION ITEMS OF INTEREST The Council commented on various activities they participated in the last few weeks. PUBLIC COMMENTS Dale Simmons, Visalia spoke to the about the environmental and the CAC budget for earth day. Page 5 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final December 6, 2021 This is the time for citizens to comment on subject matters that are not on the agenda and within the jurisdiction of the Visalia City Council. The Council asks that you keep your comments brief and positive. Creative criticism, presented with appropriate courtesy, is welcome. This is also the time for citizens to request an item from the Consent Calendar be pulled for discussion purposes. Public comments related to all pulled Consent Calendar items and Regular or Public Hearing items listed on the agenda will be heard at the time that item is discussed or when the Public Hearing is opened. Each speaker will be allowed three minutes, and a timer will notify you when your time is expired. Please begin your comments by stating and spelling your name and providing your city of residence. CONSENT CALENDAR 1, 12, (GC) move ahead. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Brett Taylor, to adopt. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor, and Liz Wynn Consent Calendar items are considered routine and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these matters unless a request is made and then the item will be removed from the Consent Calendar to be discussed and voted upon by a separate motion . 1. Consider endorsement of Letter of Support for Tulare Irrigation 21-0647 District’s grant application for the McKay Point Reservoir Project. A motion was made by Council Member Brett Taylor, seconded by Vice Mayor Brian Poochigian, to adopt. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor, and Liz Wynn 2. Authorize staff to execute a 10-year agreement with Motorola 21-0546 Solution, Inc. for Police & Fire Dispatch system upgrades not to exceed $58,250 annually and appropriate $58,250 for the first year of the contract. 3. Appropriate $100,000 in Successor Agency Housing (SAH) funds 21-0595 and authorize the execution of a forgivable loan agreement not to exceed $100,000 in SAH funds between the City of Visalia and Kaweah Management Company (KMC) for rehabilitation of one rental quadruplex, located at 621 South Santa Fe Street for affordable housing. Page 6 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final December 6, 2021 4. Request authorization to record the final map for “Maddox at 21-0603 Caldwell 7”, a subdivision located on the northeast corner of East Monte Verde Avenue and South Ben Maddox Way (41 lots); authorize the formation of Landscape and Lighting Assessment District No. 21-05 and ordering and levying the annual assessments for Landscape and Lighting Assessment District No. 21-05 (Resolution Nos. 2021-66 and 2021-67 required.) 5. Adopt Resolution No. 2021-65 approving the addition of the City 21-0608 of Visalia to the $1,300,000 Infill Infrastructure Grant (IIG) award for the Lofts Project and approve a loan to the Lofts at Fort Visalia, L.P. in the amount of $1,300,000. 6. Approve the proposed location of the 2021-22 Warming Center 21-0611 at 1625 E. Walnut Avenue, contingent upon successful completion of the Temporary Conditional Use Permit (TCUP) Planning Process. 7. Request to authorize the City Manager to file a Notice of 21-0614 Completion for the Traffic Controller Replacement Project. (Project Number 2370-72000/CP0285-999). 8. Authorization to award a contract to purchase one (1) Pneumatic 21-0619 Rubber Tire Roller to Quinn Company of Fresno, CA for use in the Street Maintenance division. Total purchase price is $116,566.75, which will be funded out of the Gas Tax Fund (111). City will piggyback on Sourcewell Contract No. 032119-CAT for this equipment. (2370-72000/VH0213-999) 9. Request authorization to record the final map for Highland Park 21-0622 Estates, a subdivision located on the southeast corner of West Corvina and West Sedona Avenue intersection (55 lots); authorize the formation of Landscape and Lighting Assessment District No. 21-07 “Highland Park Estates”; and ordering and levying the annual assessments for Landscape and Lighting Assessment District No. 21-07 "Highland Park Estates" (Resolution Nos. 2021-71 and 2021-72 required.) 10. Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with NV5, 21-0623 Inc. to provide the construction management services for the Downtown Streetlight Project (CIP 1410-72000/CP0345-999) and the Downtown Pavement Rehabilitation Project (CIP 2390-72000/CP0373-999) in the amount of $644,233.00. Page 7 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final December 6, 2021 11. Adopt Resolution 2021-70, a resolution designating a portion of 21-0624 City owned property located within Lot “A” of the Wood Ranch - Unit No. 3 subdivision at the intersection of East Noble Avenue and South Summit Street, as part of the public City street system. 12. Accept the City of Visalia Cash and Investment Report for the 21-0631 first quarter of the fiscal year which consists of months July, August, and September 2021. Councilmember Collins asked about deposits made by the city. Are there funds that go out 5 years. What if we took some of out money and put it in the note. Jason Montgomery, Finance Manager, explained the process of the investments for the city. Hopefully rates will go up. The Covid pandemic has caused low rates. A motion was made by Council Member Liz Wynn, seconded by Council Member Brett Taylor, to adopt. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor, and Liz Wynn 13. Adoption of the second reading of Ordinance No. 2021-08 21-0634 pertaining to the approval of Zoning Text Amendment No. 2021-07: A request by the City of Visalia to amend Visalia Municipal Code Chapter 17.32, Article 2, as to implement a program contained in the City of Visalia 2020-2023 Housing Element pertaining to density bonuses regulations. The project area is contained within the City of Visalia’s Urban Development Boundaries that are illustrated in the Visalia General Plan, Citywide. 14. Adoption of the second reading of Ordinance No. 2021-09 21-0635 pertaining to the approval of Zoning Text Amendment No. 2021-08: A request by the City of Visalia to amend portions of Visalia Municipal Code Chapter 8.36 (Noise) and Title 17 (Zoning) as to implement a program contained in the City of Visalia 2020-2023 Housing Element pertaining to regulations for residential uses in Downtown Mixed Use, Commercial Mixed Use, and Office Conversion Zone Districts. The project area is contained within the City of Visalia’s Urban Development Boundaries that are illustrated in the Visalia General Plan, Citywide. REGULAR ITEMS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS Page 8 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final December 6, 2021 Comments related to regular Items and Public Hearing Items are limited to three minutes per speaker, for a maximum of 30 minutes per item. The Mayor may reasonably limit or extend the public comment period to preserve the Council's interest in conducting efficient, orderly meetings. 1. Authorize Changes to Terms and Conditions of Employment by 21-0621 and between the City of Visalia and City Manager Diane Davis, Human Resources Manager, explained the changes of the City Manager contract based on evaluation performance. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Brett Taylor, to adopt. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor, and Liz Wynn 2. Consider adoption of Ordinance 2021-10, an interim zoning 21-0633 ordinance to be adopted as an urgency measure to regulate the location of smoke shops and tobacco shops, Citywide. (4/5’s approval of the Council required for passage.) Paul Bernal, Community Development Director, provided the background on the zoning text amendment. Council did direct staff to look at the regulations and should proceed without delay. Puts businesses that provide tobacco products on notice that permanent regulations are being considered. The interim ordinance requires a 750 foot smoke shop distance between stores. Council's direction regarding greater distance requirements being considered. Anticipated public hearing dates for PC in February and City Council by March. Distance requirements. Comments and questions by Council. If distance is increased we need to look at signage. All businesses must comply. Public Comments: Lucia Vasquez, Jason Salazar, Police Chief, stated the department applied for a grant for the tobacco education component for minors. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Liz Wynn, to adopt. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor, and Liz Wynn Page 9 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final December 6, 2021 3. TIMED ITEM: 7:30 p.m.; Public Hearing No. 3 and City Council 21-0630 District Decennial Redistricting Presentation and Map Review The public hearing was opened at 7:30 p.m. Ken Chawkins, National Demographics Corporation, explained the process and where we are now. The city is required to have a set number of public hearings. This is the 3rd public hearing for the City of Visalia. All jurisdictions are dealing with a very compressed time frame. Mr. Chawkins stated the mapping workshops were designed to get a feel for the maps. We want people to be able to draw maps to be submitted to NDC. Federal Laws - Equal population, follow federal voting rights act, no racial Gerrymandering. The target population for a specific district is listed on the current map of all 5 Council districts. The federal law requires a specific deviation. 1. Must be geographically contiguous and 2. undivided neighborhoods and "communities of interest" (Socio-economic geographic areas that should be kept together. 3. Easily identifiable boundaries and 4. Compact - Do not bypass one group of people to get to a more distant group of people. Public Mapping and Map Review Tools. Mr. Chawkins explained the census data was late to NDC and the staff is needing to decide which mapping tool will be used for the City of Visalia. Processing Map Submissions. When a map is submitted to NDC they will contact the map submitter only if they do not understand what is going on with the submission. NDC will not contact each person who submits a map. Council can also ask NDC to take a map submission and work on it. The whole point is you don't want to be challenged on the map that is approved . Comments by Council. Councilmember Wynn also stated that the Esri program at the County was easier than the paper map. Councilmember Collins stated his comment may be too simplistic is it as simple as taking district the difference and adding it to the other districts. If the current districts are good but it needs to be massaged why not do that? Each race is delineated on the chart as separate. Leslie Caviglia, City Manager, explained the digital tool we have now is not complete and some of the landmarks are not accurate. All of the other cities in Tulare County are using paper map kits. Page 10 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final December 6, 2021 Greg Mattis, GIS Analyst, vetted the Maptitue tool. The current digital map features has wrong landmarks and understanding where you are in the city. Mr. Chawkins stated NDC does not tweak maps to adjust it to change the map. We can take the labeling off the map so the landmarks do not show. Councilmember Taylor indicated we should use the paper version. Vice Mayor Poochigian stated he wants the City to offer a digital tool and paper maps. Mayor Nelsen indicated we need to use paper maps. We need to get going. Public Comment: Begin at 8:15 p.m. Angel, Equitable coalition map process. He encouraged the council to spend the money to buy Esri. It is inefficient work and the contract should be released because they are not living up to their word. Visalia is the highest populated area in the County. Maile Melkonian, League of Women Voters, hoping to see a revised time line. When will we see actual dates. Both workshops had did not have any Wi-FI tools. We have not seen any proposed maps on the website. The County would apologize if a map is submitted and not shared with the public. Tulare County had digital the whole time and the City. Lucia Vasquez, Visalia, stated the Dave's redistricting tool was available to the city. Thank you for taking the slide out of the presentation on with the columns. Lauri Pasante, Dolores Huerta, has worked with many agencies and she has not attended a Public Hearing like this one. How is this going to help Visalia be the strongest democracy for the constituents. She hopes the maps that have been submitted are in compliance with the CVAP. The consultant should be doing that analysis for the Council. Statewide Database. Luis Sepulveda, Visalia thanked the staff for seeing the importance of the issue. Invest the $110,000 for Esri. He is a former Commission member use by the County. We need a digital mapping tool. Encourages council to buy Esri. As a tax payer for this city he is appalled the contractor is providing inadequate work. Calisha Feliz, Visalia thanked the Council for taking this more seriously. The public hearings were a waste of time. The fact that the County used Esri. She hates to call out whoever decided to not use Esri. Ms. Feliz also requested that the maps include and incorporate. Vincent Salinas, Visalia attended tonight to see if a digital mapping tool is available by taking off the overlay to proceed to use the Page 11 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final December 6, 2021 Public Hearing: 8:32 p.m. Closed Leslie Caviglia, City Manager, that staff have time to assess the Caliper tool. Questions by Council. The Council provided direction to staff if we can make the digital tool work along with the paper maps. The consultants were asked for a written process and Mr. Chawkins provided an in writing process. It will be posted on our map submission page. CLOSED SESSION REPORT 1. For the purposes of reporting out, for the record, transactions 21-0643 that occurred as a result of Closed Session Real Property Negotiations: Buyer: City of Visalia Seller: Gerald Blankenship Jr. and Jean Kristy Blankenship, trustees of the Blankenship Family Trust under Trust Agreement dated February 8, 1996 and Gerald B. Blankenship Jr. APN: 126-100-054 (portion) Purpose: Caldwell Widening Project Santa Fe to Lovers Lane. Price: $12,349.00 Closing Date: 11/19/2021 Project Manager: Fred Lampe ADJOURNMENT 8:41 p.m. Page 12 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final December 6, 2021 1. Upcoming Visalia City Council Meetings: **** Thursday, March 24, 2022 - Special Joint Meeting @ 4:30 PM - 915 S. Mooney Blvd Monday, April 4, 2022 - Regular Meeting @ 7:00 PM - 707 W. Acequia Page 13 of 13