Visalia City Council

Visalia City Council Visalia City Council 707 W. Acequia Visalia, CA 93291 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final Mayor Steve Nelsen Vice Mayor Brian Poochigian Council Member Greg Collins Council Member Brett Taylor Council Member Liz Wynn Monday, June 20, 2022 7:00 PM City Council Chambers ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Steve Nelsen, Vice Mayor Brian Poochigian, Council Member Greg Collins, Council Member Brett Taylor, Council Member Liz Wynn CALL TO ORDER WORK SESSION - 4:00 PM The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. 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. Presentation of the Short Range Transit Plan by consultant 22-0040 Moore & Associates on behalf of Visalia Transit for consideration of adoption by the Visalia City Council. Nick Mascia, Assistant City Manager, introduced the item to Council. Mr. Moore of Moore & Associates provided a brief overview of the Short Range Transit Plan and answered Council questions. Ridership has increased with the return of traditional work schedules. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Brett Taylor, to approve as recommended. The motion carried unanimously 5-0. Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor, and Liz Wynn Page 1 of 11 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2022 2. Review and accept the 2021 Annual Report from the City of 22-0194 Visalia Historic Preservation Advisory Committee. Cristobal Carrillo, Associate Engineer, Walter Deissler, Historic Preservation Committee Chair, and Paul Bernal, Community Development Director provided the annual report from the HPAC. The local historic project list contained 19 projects in 2021. The public works department created new historic district signs that were mounted in the District to identify the historic homes and areas. The local register list is being updated and staff is sending information to all residents in the Historic District. Walter Deissler, Historic Preservation Chair, offered comments to Council. The signs designating structures in the Historic District are a great asset to the HPAC and the City of Visalia. A motion was made by Council Member Liz Wynn, seconded by Council Member Brett Taylor, to approve as recommended. The motion carried unanimously 5-0. Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor, and Liz Wynn 3. Presentation on pro-active efforts being undertaken to deter the 22-0245 use of illegal fireworks. Corbin Reed, Fire Marshal, provided the presentation on pro-active efforts being undertaken to deter the use of illegal fireworks. The City of Visalia residents are encouraged to celebrate safely on the 4th of July. 2500 door hangers will be distributed throughout the community to inform and educate citizens. A call center to report illegal fireworks will be available on July 3 and 4. There will be 10 city staff to answer calls with information to be relayed in real time to patrol units in the field. This will assist the dispatch call center by reducing the amount of calls to 911 regarding illegal fireworks. The City is partnering with Tulare County, Tulare and Dinuba for united messaging and prevention. The Rawhide will host an event on July 4 and the city will assist in a monetary donation of $10,000 for a 4th of July celebration. There were no public comments. Page 2 of 11 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2022 ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM (Or, immediately following Work Session) 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 PUBLIC COMMENTS 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. Ian Lockwood, owner of the Wise Frog reptile rescue asked the city for assistance to keep the rescue open. Is there a way for any government agency to assist the rescue to stay in business? The following citizens spoke in support of Ian Lockwood and the Wise Frog Reptile Rescue business: David Crawford, Linda Fry, Jarred Hinojos, Emmanuel Soto, Rae Crawford, Perla Reyes, Zachary Schmit, Jill Swinson. CONSENT CALENDAR 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 . A motion was made by Council Member Brett Taylor, seconded by Vice Mayor Brian Poochigian, to approve the balance of the consent calendar except items 2, 4, 8, 9, 18. The motion carried unanimously 5-0. Page 3 of 11 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2022 Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor, and Liz Wynn 1. Authorization to read ordinances by title only. 22-0151 Approved 5-0. 2. Authorize the City Manager to award a sole-source professional 22-0166 design services contract to CWE for design of the East Side Regional Park’s (ESRP) Basin D for an amount not to exceed $275,265.18, and approve an appropriation of $324,070 from the various funds outlined within this report. (3010-72000/CP0396-999) Councilmember Collins commented on the basins as he does not agree with using the park and recreation funds for this award. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Brett Taylor, to adopt. The motion 4-1 carried by the following vote: Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, and Liz Wynn No: Greg Collins 3. Adopt resolutions 2022-39 and 2022-40, designating a portion of 22-0199 City owned property located within 2 parcels of two different subdivisions; Lot “A” of Highland Park Estates subdivision and Lot “A” of Highland Park, Unit No. 2 subdivision as part of the public City Street System respectively. Approved 5-0. 4. Authorization for the City Manager to approve an agreement with 22-0212 Workforce Investment Board of Tulare County to continue the Environmental Clean-Up Opportunities (ECO) Transitional Jobs Program through FY2022/2023 in the amount of $221,847 from the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund. Jason Serpa, Public Works Manager, provided a brief report on the program and explained the general use of the program. The funding is from the solid waste fund from the city. A motion was made by Council Member Liz Wynn, seconded by Council Member Brett Taylor, to approve as recommended. The motion carried unanimously 5-0. Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor, and Liz Wynn Page 4 of 11 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2022 5. Adopt Resolution No. 2022-41 to designate various road projects 22-0215 for Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) 2022/23 funding from the State of California Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (Senate Bill SB1) as outlined within this report. Approved 5-0. 6. Authorization for staff to appropriate $100,000 from the Airport 22-0225 Enterprise Fund to pay expenses generated by the recently approved lease between the Federal Express Corporation and the City of Visalia. Approved 5-0. 7. Authorization to execute annual service agreement with Visalia 22-0228 Economic Development Corporation (VEDC) for $60,000 and appropriate $40,000 ($20,000 for FY 22/23 and $20,000 for FY 23/24) from the General Fund to fund the increase in requested services. Approved 5-0. 8. Accept the City of Visalia Cash and Investment report for the 22-0229 third quarter of the fiscal year which consists of months January, February, and March 2022. Renee Nagel, Finance Director, answered Council questions regarding the Cash and Investment report for the third quarter of the fiscal year that consists of months January, February, and March 2022. A motion was made by Council Member Greg Collins, seconded by Vice Mayor Brian Poochigian, to approve as recommended. The motion carried unanimously 5-0. Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor, and Liz Wynn Page 5 of 11 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2022 9. Approve annual membership in the Tulare County Economic 22-0230 Development Corporation (TCEDC) for FY 22/23 in the amount of $50,000. Devon Jones, Economic Development Manager, answered Council questions regarding the annual membership in the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation for FY 22/23 in the amount of $50,000. Vice Mayor Poochigian is a member of the board and stated it is a good time to stay the course with the TCEDC for the new business leads. The regional effort needs to work. The quarterly payment is put in place and we can pull out if needed. Lisa Walsh, Visalia, spoke in support for the TCEDC annual membership to assist filling jobs in the area. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Brett Taylor, to approve as recommended. The motion carried 4-1 by the following vote: Aye: Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor, and Liz Wynn No: Steve Nelsen 10. Authorize the City Manager to award a construction contract to 22-0234 Bush Engineering, Inc. for two locations; Enhanced Crosswalk at Denton Street and Ferguson Avenue and the Linwood Street Pedestrian Pathway Projects, in the amount of $282,322 (CIP 3010-72000/CP0297-999 & CIP 3010-72000/CP0476-999) and appropriate $50,200 from the Measure R Local Fund. Approved 5-0. 11. Approve Resolution Number 2022-37 adopting the City of 22-0235 Visalia’s annually updated Investment Policy and delegating authority to invest funds for the City to the Finance Director/Treasurer for fiscal year 2022/23. Approved 5-0. 12. Consideration of a Mural Application request from Habitat for 22-0240 Humanity of Tulare / Kings Counties for one mural proposed on the east and north-facing facades of the commercial building located at 637 S. Lovers Lane. Approved 5-0. Page 6 of 11 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2022 13. Appoint Walter Deissler and Jay Hohlbauch to a second 22-0243 one-year term, appoint Tyler Davis to a second two-year term, and appoint Patricia Kane and Michael Kreps to a third two-year term on the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee. Approved 5-0. 14. Selection of Visalia’s recommendation to represent the Council 22-0244 of Cities as the Transit Representative on the Tulare County Association of Governments. Approved 5-0. 15. Authorize the City Manager to extend the emergency contract for 22-0248 Engineering Plan Review and Related Services to lnterwest Consulting Group, not to exceed $200,000, for one year ending June 30, 2023. Approved 5-0. 16. Adopt the revised salary schedule for full-time employees, City 22-0250 Manager, and City Council members of the City of Visalia Approved 5-0. 17. City Council approval of Resolution 2022-42 adopting the 22-0253 2022-23 appropriations limit for the City of Visalia’s General Fund. Approved 5-0. 18. Reappointment of Lisa Walsh to a two-year term and 22-0254 authorization to open recruitment for one vacant position on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Laurissa Roggenkamp, Recreation Manager was in attendance to answer Council questions. Lisa Walsh, spoke in support of the reappointment. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Greg Collins, to approve as recommended. The motion carried unanimously 5-0. Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor, and Liz Wynn REGULAR ITEMS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS 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. Page 7 of 11 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2022 1. Conduct the second public hearing and approve the proposed 22-0251 Fiscal Years 2022/23 & 2023/24 Measure N budget. Amee Swearingen, Financial Analyst, requested for Council to hold a public hearing on the proposed budget for Measure N. The public hearing was opened at 7:53 p.m. There were no public comments. A motion was made by Council Member Liz Wynn, seconded by Council Member Brett Taylor, to approve as recommended. The motion carried unanimously 5-0. Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor, and Liz Wynn 2. Annual Recertification of the Measure T (Sales Tax) Plan for FY 22-0252 2022/23. Amee Swearingen, Financial Analyst provided the overview of the annual recertification of Measure T. The current amended plan elements were reviewed. Renee Nagel, Finance Director, explained the trend lines of the sales tax revenues. There were no public comments. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Greg Collins, to approve as recommended. The motion carried unanimously 5-0. Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor, and Liz Wynn 3. Public Hearing on, and adoption of, the City of Visalia 2022/23 22-0255 and 2023/24 multi-year budget. Resolution 2022-43. Renee Nagel, Finance Director, provided the report for the adoption of the City of Visalia budget and requested for Council to conduct a public hearing to adopt the City budget. All funds are facing challenges during this budget. Revenues for the major funds are at an annual increase of 2%. Police Chief Salazar explained the command structure staffing is currently is running shorter than the last 7 years. The reduction of the command staff is being outgrown which is the justification for a third captain. The public hearing was opened at 8:18 p.m. There were no public comments. A motion was made by Council Member Brett Taylor, seconded by Council Member Liz Wynn, to approve as recommended. The motion carried unanimously 5-0. Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor, and Liz Wynn Page 8 of 11 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2022 4. Authorization to allow the City of Visalia to place the item 22-0246 contested during the June 6, 2022 public hearing on the Miscellaneous Special Assessments on the Tulare County secured property tax roll. Ruth Pena, Financial Analyst, provided the report for the contested item during the June 6th meeting. The contested item should be added to the tax roll for collection. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Brett Taylor, to approve as recommended. The motion carried unanimously 5-0. Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor, and Liz Wynn 5. Public Hearing and adoption of resolution 2022-30 to authorize 22-0075 proposed new fees, increases, and adjustments to the City’s Rates and Fees schedule for Fiscal Year 2022-23. Kari Williams, Financial Analyst, provided the report for the proposed new fees, increases, and adjustments of the City's rates and fees schedule for Fiscal Year 2022-23. The public hearing was opened at 8:22 p.m. There were no public comments. A motion was made by Council Member Liz Wynn, seconded by Council Member Brett Taylor, to approve as recommended. The motion carried unanimously 5-0. Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor, and Liz Wynn 6. Introduce and conduct the second reading of Ordinance No. 22-0257 2022-09 an ordinance to approve the adoption of Visalia Police Department Military Equipment Policy #708 per California Assembly Bill (AB) 481. Osvaldo Dominguez, Police Lieutenant, introduced the second reading of Ordinance No 2022-09 and requested for Council to open the public hearing. The public hearing was opened at 8:29 p.m. There were no public comments. A motion was made by Council Member Greg Collins, seconded by Council Member Brett Taylor, to approve as recommended. The motion carried unanimously 5-0. Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor, and Liz Wynn Page 9 of 11 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2022 7. Public Hearing and consideration of the following actions related 22-0214 to the project site located on the southeast corner of East Cherry Avenue and South Lovers Lane (APN: 127-030-018): 1. Certification of Initial Study / Negative Declaration No. 2021- 49 for Annexation No. 2021-03, Higgins Ranch Tentative Subdivision Map No. 5585, and Tentative Parcel Map No. 2022- 01 (Resolution No. 2022-38 required); and 2. Initiation of Proceedings for Annexation No. 2021-03 a request by Quest Equity, LLC to annex a 32.35-acre parcel into the City Limits of Visalia; and 3. Authorize the detachment from County Service Area No. 1 in accordance with State and County requirements; and 4. Authorize the City Manager to sign and enter into a Pre-Annexation Agreement (Resolution No. 2022-35 required) Rafael Garcia, Senior Planner, provided a brief overview of the project site located on the southeast corner of East Cherry Avenue and South Lovers Lane and requested for Council to conduct a public hearing. Paul Bernal, Community Development Director, answered Council questions. The smaller lots are within an Edison easement and stated the builder has complied with the city standards allowed by all services. The public hearing was opened at 8:50 p.m. Darlene Mata, spoke in support of the certification of initial study and annexation and explained the reasons for the TID access and homeless using the ditch. The public hearing was closed. A motion was made by Mayor Steve Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Brett Taylor, to approve as recommended. The motion carried 3-2 by the following vote: Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, and Brett Taylor No: Greg Collins, and Liz Wynn CLOSED SESSION REPORT Page 10 of 11 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2022 1. For the purposes of reporting out, for the record, transactions 22-0249 that occurred as a result of Closed Session Real Property Negotiations: Buyer: City of Visalia Seller: Buhl Properties, LLC a California limited liability company APN: 119-340-012 (portion) Purpose: Caldwell Widening Project - Akers to Shady Brief Description: Temporary Construction Easement Price: $3,100.00 Closing Date: 6/13/2022 Project Manager: Fred Lampe ***************************************************************** Buyer: City of Visalia Seller: Buhl Properties, LLC a California limited liability company APN: 119-340-012 (portion) Purpose: Caldwell Widening Project - Akers to Shady Brief Description: Temporary Construction Easement Price: $3,100.00 Closing Date: 6/13/2022 Project Manager: Fred Lampe ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:01 p.m. 1. Upcoming Visalia City Council Meetings: 22-0261 Monday, July 18, 2022 at 7:00 PM: Regular Meeting, City Hall, 707 W. Acequia Monday, August 1, 2022 at 7:00 PM; Regular Meeting, City Hall, 707 W. Acequia Page 11 of 11