Visalia City Council
Regular MeetingVisalia, CA · July 18, 2022
Minutes
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, July 18, 2022 7:00 PM City Council Chambers
ROLL CALL
CALL TO ORDER WORK SESSION - 4:30 PM
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 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. New Employee Introductions: 22-0284
Visalia Police Department
Arturo Campos, Police Officer
Samantha Elias, Police Officer
Nicholas Jones, Police Officer
Ricardo Leyva, Police Officer
Carter Stewart, Police Officer
Brady Wilson Police Officer
Miriam Gomez, ID Technician
Ariel Gonzales, Police Technician
Visalia Fire Department
Jeromy Rivinius, Firefighter Paramedic
Landon Sunia, Firefighter Paramedic
Jacob Cervantes, Firefighter Paramedic
Page 1 of 9
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final July 18, 2022
2. Presentation of the 2022 Public Opinion Survey Results by the 22-0267
Citizens Advisory Committee.
Jason Serpa, Public Works Manager, Frank Ruiz Jr., Chair of CAC, Mark Wall
Chair of the CAC Sub-Committee were in attendance to present the 2022 public
opinion survey results. No action required.
3. Consideration of and direction on initiating potential Zoning 22-0278
Ordinance Updates for traditional Single-Family Residential
Development Design Standards for R-1-5 (Single-Family
Residential 5,000 square feet minimum lot size) Zoned
Subdivisions.
Paul Bernal, Community Development Director, and Jason Huckleberry,
Assistant Community Development Director and Building Official provided the
potential zoning ordinance updates for traditional single-family Residential
development design Standards for R-1-5.
Jason Huckleberry, Assistant Community Development Director, provided the
housing development design standards. The Residential Development Design
standards and the use of the setback may be for residential development
standards discussion.
Councilmember Collins would like to have pocket parks in new residential
neighborhoods. Paul Bernal, Community Development Director explained the
pocket parks in the R-1-5.
Jim Robinson, SJVH Builders, spoke is support of pocket parks in the new
neighborhoods.
A motion was made by Council Member Liz Wynn, seconded by Council
Member Greg Collins, to approve as amended. The motion carried unanimously
5-0.
Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor,
and Liz Wynn
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
Page 2 of 9
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final July 18, 2022
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.
William Callahan, Visalia spoke in opposition of fire works in the City of Visalia. Why did the
task force not work longer to enforce? Mr. Callahan also stated he requested information via
a public records requests to the clerk and it is passed the required 10 days for him to receive
the information.
Gwen Schrank, Cofounder of Shrank's Clubhouse thanked the Council for their work on the
homeless issues in the community.
David Farris, Visalia requested item 2 to be pulled from the Consent Calendar.
Raymond Rincon, asked if cannabis dispensaries are going to be allowed in the City of
Visalia. Leslie Caviglia, City Manager, explained the item will be on the agenda at a later date
yet to be determined.
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 .
Consent item 2 pulled by David Farris for comment and discussion.
A motion was made by Council Member Brett Taylor, seconded by Vice Mayor Brian
Poochigian, to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar. The motion carried unanimously
5-0.
Aye: Steve Nelsen, Brian Poochigian, Greg Collins, Brett Taylor,
and Liz Wynn
Page 3 of 9
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final July 18, 2022
1. Authorization to read ordinances by title only. 22-0148
Approved 5-0
2. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a sole source five (5) 22-0236
year maintenance contract effective July 1, 2021, through June
30, 2026, with Motorola Solutions for Spillman Flex Software for
Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management
Systems (RMS) for a total cost of $836,675 and appropriate
$324,078 for FY 2022/23.
Jason Salazar, Chief of Police explained this is a maintenance contract for the
Spillman software which is the operating system for the 911 center, police
dispatch center and the records management system.
Davis Farris, Visalia expressed concern about the cloud-based command and
control implementation that is included as part of this maintenance contract.
Specifically, by allowing this bridge it is a significant privacy concern for the
community. We are giving away our community information. Chief Salazar
responded.
Rosalinda Alexander, Visalia asked if there was a possibility of personal
information to be compromised. No, the
RMS system does not gather anyone else's personal information.
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
3. Authorize the City Manager to award the construction contract for 22-0262
RFB 21-22-49, FY 22-23 Cape Seal Project (CIP
1410-72000/CP0247-999) to VSS International of West
Sacramento, CA, in the amount of $674,000.
Approved 5-0
4. Authorize the City Manager to award Request for Bids (RFB) 22-0265
21-22-43, an annual contract to Rebuild and Repair KSB Influent
Pumps at the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) to KSB, Inc. of
Bakersfield, CA for a not to exceed amount of $100,000
annually.
Approved 5-0
Page 4 of 9
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final July 18, 2022
5. Authorize the City Manager to award and enter into a contract 22-0266
with Talley Oil in the amount of $792,462.93 for the construction
of the FY 22-23 Reclamite Project (CIP 1410-72000/CP0248-999
& CIP 2730-72000/CP8358-999).
Approved 5-0
6. Approve the purchase of two (2) Portable Changeable Message 22-0269
Signs (PCMS) for use on various City of Visalia CIP; and
appropriate $45,000 from the Gas Tax Fund (111).
Approved 5-0
7. Accept and authorize the appropriation of funds allocated from 1) 22-0271
$1,833,734 from the Surface Transportation Block Grant
Program (STBGP) and 2) $1,155,266 from the Highway
Infrastructure Program (HIP) to the Major Street Rehabilitation -
Tulare Ave. from Demaree St. to Cotta St. Project; and 3)
$3,086,000 from the Surface Transportation Block Grant
Program (STBGP) to the Major Street Rehabilitation - Tulare
Ave. from Roeben St. to Demaree St. Project.
Approved 5-0
8. Request authorization to record the final parcel map for Tentative 22-0272
Parcel Map No. 2019-06, located at the northwest corner of West
Sunnyview Avenue and North Clancy Street. APN: 077-200-039.
Approved 5-0
9. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a (3) year service and 22-0273
software license agreement with ePlus Technology, Inc., of
Rocklin, to purchase CrowdStrike next-generation antivirus and
cyber security protection services piggybacking the State of
California Department of General Services (DSG) Software
Licensing Program contract, for a total of $345,000.
Approved 5-0
10. Approve the Citizens Advisory Committee’s recommendation to 22-0277
appoint Miguel Salgado to fill a vacant position on the Citizens
Advisory Committee. In addition, reappoint Frank Ruiz for a third
term of service.
Approved 5-0
Page 5 of 9
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final July 18, 2022
11. Authorize the City Manager to award a contract with Mintier 22-0279
Harnish for an amount not to exceed $394,747 for the
preparation of an update to the City of Visalia Housing Element,
including optional tasks of updating the Safety Element and
preparing an Environmental Justice Element.
Approved 5-0
12. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a purchase agreement 22-0282
with Dell, to purchase video conferencing capable computer
monitors and standard monitors piggybacking on the National
Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) ValuePoint
competitively bid agreement, for an amount not to exceed
$400,000.
Approved 5-0
13. Authorize the Mayor to send cosponsor request letter to 22-0287
appropriate federal representatives for the HELPER Act of 2021
(S. 2981/H.R. 3172).
Approved 5-0
14. Authorize City Manager to execute a new lease agreement with 22-0259
Tulare County Office of Education for the continued lease for a
portion of the Manuel F. Hernandez Community Center for
operation of the Tulare County Early Childhood Education
Program.
Approved 5-0
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 6 of 9
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final July 18, 2022
1. Conduct a Public Meeting to renew the Visalia Tourism 22-0290
Marketing District.
Leslie Caviglia, City Manager, provided an overview of the Tourism Marketing
Development. The VTMD is a benefit assessment district designed to help fund
sales & marketing and destination development programs for certain Visalia
lodging businesses.
This approach has been used successfully in other destination areas throughout
the state to improve tourism and drive demand for additional room nights to
assessed lodging businesses.
The renewed VTMD shall include all lodging businesses with twenty (20) rooms
or more located within the boundaries of the City of VisaliaA public hearing must
be held.
No action required this evening.
Page 7 of 9
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final July 18, 2022
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute agreements for the award 22-0270
of RFP 21-22-28 to RH Community Builders (RHCB) to convert
the Majestic Motel at 4545 W. Noble Avenue for the
Development of a 42-unit Permanent Affordable Rental Housing
complex for qualifying populations; and appropriate $1,800,000
in HOME Investment Partnership American Rescue Plan
Program (HOME-ARP) and $900,000 in Successor Agency
Housing (SAH) funds.
Margie Perez, Housing Specialist, provided the overview for the City Manager to
execute agreements for the award of RFP 21-22-28.
What is the difference between the Majestic Motel and the Sequoia Village?
The Majestic Motel will become affordable housing apartments. It is not a
shelter.
Jason Salazar, Police Chief shared information regarding the calls for service.
In 2021 there were 313 calls for service. In 2022, to date there have been 88
calls for service. The Sequoia Village calls for service have also been reduced.
Good management of the building assists with a good security plan. There is
also security on site.
The public hearing was opened at 7:39 p.m.
Deene Souza, Visalia, spoke in opposition to the grant funding for the Majestic
Hotel and respectfully requested for the Council to deny it. None of the business
owners in the area were notified of the RFP award for this type of housing. Do
we really want this to be one of the first things visitors to Visalia see?
Michelle Smith from RH Community Builders spoke in support of the City
entering into an agreement for the award of RFP 21-22-28. This project is to
convert the Majestic Motel at 4545 Noble Ave into an apartment complex, not a
homeless shelter. Anyone wishing to tour a similar facility is welcome.
Gwen Schrank, Visalia, asked Council to vote no on this item because there is a
huge need to help homeless families with children. There are other projects that
can benefit from this funding.
Emmanuel Soto, Visalia, supports this project because Visalia needs more
affordable housing.
Doug Niederreiter, Visalia, spoke in opposition of the project. One of the issues
is the lack of inclusion of the surrounding businesses in the planning process.
What is the long term commitment? What is it going to look like in 3 years?
Rosalinda Alexander, Visalia, echoed the sentiment of Gwen Schrank to not
allow the project because she believes this will not lead Visalia to a better future.
Page 8 of 9
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final July 18, 2022
A motion was made by Council Member Greg Collins, seconded by Council
Member Liz Wynn, to approve as recommended. The motion carried by the
following vote:
Aye: Steve Nelsen, Greg Collins, and Liz Wynn
No: Brian Poochigian, and Brett Taylor
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m.
1. Upcoming City Council Meetings: 22-0274
Monday, August 01, 2022, at 7:00 PM; Regular Meeting, City
Hall, 707 W. Acequia
Monday, August 15, 2022, at 7:00 PM; Regular Meeting, City
Hall, 707 W. Acequia
Page 9 of 9
Agenda
Visalia City Council
Visalia City Council 707 W. Acequia
Visalia, CA 93291
City Council
Meeting Agenda - Final
Mayor Steve Nelsen
Vice Mayor Brian Poochigian
Council Member Greg Collins
Council Member Brett Taylor
Council Member Liz Wynn
Monday, July 18, 2022 7:00 PM City Council Chambers
ROLL CALL
CALL TO ORDER WORK SESSION - 4:30 PM
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. New Employee Introductions: 22-0284
Visalia Police Department
Arturo Campos, Police Officer
Samantha Elias, Police Officer
Nicholas Jones, Police Officer
Ricardo Leyva, Police Officer
Carter Stewart, Police Officer
Brady Wilson Police Officer,
Miriam Gomez, ID Technician
Ariel Gonzales, Police Technician
Visalia Fire Department
Jeromy Rivinius, Firefighter Paramedic
Landon Sunia, Firefighter Paramedic
Jacob Cervantes, Firefighter Paramedic
2. Presentation of the 2022 Public Opinion Survey Results by the 22-0267
Citizens Advisory Committee.
Page 1 of 4
City Council Meeting Agenda - Final July 18, 2022
3. Consideration of and direction on initiating potential Zoning 22-0278
Ordinance Updates for traditional Single-Family Residential
Development Design Standards for R-1-5 (Single-Family
Residential 5,000 square feet minimum lot size) Zoned
Subdivisions.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM (Or, immediately following
Work Session)
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION - 7:00 PM
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.
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 .
1. Authorization to read ordinances by title only. 22-0148
2. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a sole source five (5) year 22-0236
maintenance contract effective July 1, 2021, through June 30,
2026, with Motorola Solutions for Spillman Flex Software for
Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management
Systems (RMS) for a total cost of $836,675 and appropriate
$324,078 for FY 2022/23.
Page 2 of 4
City Council Meeting Agenda - Final July 18, 2022
3. Authorize the City Manager to award the construction contract for 22-0262
RFB 21-22-49, FY 22-23 Cape Seal Project (CIP
1410-72000/CP0247-999) to VSS International of West
Sacramento, CA, in the amount of $674,000.
4. Authorize the City Manager to award Request for Bids (RFB) 22-0265
21-22-43, an annual contract to Rebuild and Repair KSB Influent
Pumps at the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) to KSB, Inc. of
Bakersfield, CA for a not to exceed amount of $100,000 annually.
5. Authorize the City Manager to award and enter into a contract with 22-0266
Talley Oil in the amount of $792,462.93 for the construction of the
FY 22-23 Reclamite Project (CIP 1410-72000/CP0248-999 & CIP
2730-72000/CP8358-999).
6. Approve the purchase of two (2) Portable Changeable Message 22-0269
Signs (PCMS) for use on various City of Visalia CIP; and
appropriate $45,000 from the Gas Tax Fund (111).
7. Accept and authorize the appropriation of funds allocated from 1) 22-0271
$1,833,734 from the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program
(STBGP) and 2) $1,155,266 from the Highway Infrastructure
Program (HIP) to the Major Street Rehabilitation - Tulare Ave. from
Demaree St. to Cotta St. Project; and 3) $3,086,000 from the
Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBGP) to the Major
Street Rehabilitation - Tulare Ave. from Roeben St. to Demaree St.
Project.
8. Request authorization to record the final parcel map for Tentative 22-0272
Parcel Map No. 2019-06, located at the northwest corner of West
Sunnyview Avenue and North Clancy Street. APN: 077-200-039.
9. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a (3) year service and 22-0273
software license agreement with ePlus Technology, Inc., of
Rocklin, to purchase CrowdStrike next-generation antivirus and
cyber security protection services piggybacking the State of
California Department of General Services (DSG) Software
Licensing Program contract, for a total of $345,000.
10. Approve the Citizens Advisory Committee’s recommendation to 22-0277
appoint Miguel Salgado to fill a vacant position on the Citizens
Advisory Committee. In addition, reappoint Frank Ruiz for a third
term of service.
11. Authorize the City Manager to award a contract with Mintier 22-0279
Harnish for an amount not to exceed $394,747 for the preparation
of an update to the City of Visalia Housing Element, including
optional tasks of updating the Safety Element and preparing an
Environmental Justice Element.
Page 3 of 4
City Council Meeting Agenda - Final July 18, 2022
12. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a purchase agreement 22-0282
with Dell, to purchase video conferencing capable computer
monitors and standard monitors piggybacking on the National
Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) ValuePoint
competitively bid agreement, for an amount not to exceed
$400,000.
13. Authorize the Mayor to send cosponsor request letter to 22-0287
appropriate federal representatives for the HELPER Act of 2021 (S.
2981/H.R. 3172).
14. Authorize City Manager to execute a new lease agreement with 22-0259
Tulare County Office of Education for the continued lease for a
portion of the Manuel F. Hernandez Community Center for
operation of the Tulare County Early Childhood Education
Program.
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.
1. Conduct a Public Meeting to renew the Visalia Tourism Marketing 22-0290
District.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute agreements for the award of 22-0270
RFP 21-22-28 to RH Community Builders (RHCB) to convert the
Majestic Motel at 4545 W. Noble Avenue for the Development of a
42-unit Permanent Affordable Rental Housing complex for
qualifying populations; and appropriate $1,800,000 in HOME
Investment Partnership American Rescue Plan Program
(HOME-ARP) and $900,000 in Successor Agency Housing (SAH)
funds.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
ADJOURNMENT
1. Upcoming City Council Meetings: 22-0274
Monday, August 01, 2022, at 7:00 PM; Regular Meeting, City Hall,
707 W. Acequia
Monday, August 15, 2022, at 7:00 PM; Regular Meeting, City Hall,
707 W. Acequia
Page 4 of 4
Get email alerts for Visalia
A daily email when new agendas and minutes are posted.