Visalia City Council
Regular MeetingVisalia, CA · December 5, 2022
Minutes
Visalia City Council
Visalia City Council 707 W. Acequia
Visalia, CA 93291
City Council
Meeting Minutes - Final
Monday, December 5, 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, and 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. NEW EMPLOYEE INTRODUCTION: 22-0443
Transit: Robert Shane, Senior Building Maintenance Technician
Page 1 of 6
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final December 5, 2022
2. Presentation of, and direction regarding a series of options for 22-0435
the City Council’s consideration ahead of a future adoption of an
Agricultural Preservation Ordinance to implement the City’s
Agricultural Mitigation Program as outlined in General Plan Land
Use Policy LU-P-34.
Paul Bernal, Community Development Director, introduced the consultants, Sara
Allinder, AICP and Morgan Wright of Provost and Pritchard. The purpose of this
Work Session is for staff and consultants to present the City Council with
options and for the Council to provide direction as to the preparation of the
agricultural preservation program. The staff and consultant will present the City
Council with options and request for the Council to provide direction as to the
preparation of the agricultural preservation program.
Confirm Farmland Designation of Property: The Council consensus is option 2.
Maile Melkonian, Visalia asked about soil samples and what happens if a
property owner challenges the soil sample.
Exemption for Size of Project: The Council consensus is option 3.
Exemption for Affordable Housing Projects: The Council consensus is option 3.
Exemption for Portion of the Project: The Council consensus for this option is
option 2.
Location of Easements: The Council consensus is option 3.
The following citizens spoke to the location of easements:
Daniel O'Connell, Fresno
Dale Simmons, Visalia
Kathy Falconer, Visalia
Mark Wall, Visalia
City Involvement: Easement Acquisition and Maintenance: The consensus of
the Council is option 3.
Qualifying Criteria: Adequate Water Supply: The Council consensus is option 2.
Legislative Fee or Ad Hoc Fee: The Council consensus is option 2.
City Involvement: In-lieu Fee Collection and Expenditure - The Council
consensus is option 1.
The consultant and staff will take the direction received during the work session
meeting and will prepare an Administrative Draft Agricultural Preservation
Ordinance for review and consideration by City staff and the public. The draft
Page 2 of 6
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final December 5, 2022
Agricultural Preservation Ordinance will be made available for a 30-day public
review period during which time the consultant and staff will facilitate a workshop
with the City Council to respond to questions raised during the public review
period and to focus on consensus building prior to final adoption.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM (Or, immediately following
Work Session)
The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 5:54 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION - 7:00 PM
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION
SPECIAL PRESENTATION / RECOGNITION
1. Ceremonial Swearing In - Nicholas Bartsch, Public Works 22-0447
Director
2. Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting 22-0448
to City of Visalia
ITEMS OF INTEREST
The Council commented on various activities they participated in the last few weeks.
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.
Gwen Schrank, Visalia thanked Councilmember Greg Collins for his service to the community.
Page 3 of 6
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final December 5, 2022
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 Council Member Liz Wynn,
to approve the Consent Calendar except item 7 (SN). The motion carried 5-0.
1. Authorization to read ordinances by title only. 22-0153
2. Approve the Citizens Advisory Committee’s recommendation to 22-0421
appoint Rebecca Donabed and Charles Garza to fill two vacant
voting positions on the Citizens Advisory Committee.
3. Authorize the City Manager to approve a contract amendment for 22-0414
Carollo Engineers, Inc. in the amount of $97,070 for the Update
to the Stormwater Master Plan (Project Number
2450-72000/CP9067-999) and an additional appropriation of
$100,000 from Storm Sewer Construction Fund 221.
4. Authorize the City Manager to approve payment to California 22-0408
Water Service in the amount of $150,259.00 for the installation
of five fire hydrants and two irrigation services as part of the
Riggin Widening project between Mooney Blvd to Conyer St and
appropriate an additional $85,000 in Highway Infrastructure
Program (HIP) funds (3010-72000/CIP0473-999).
5. Authorize the City Manager to award the construction contract for 22-0402
RFB 22-23-19, Riggin Avenue Widening & Improvements (Akers
to Demaree), to Agee Construction Corporation in the amount of
$4,059,548.45 and transfer $1.6M of Measure R Regional Funds
(133) from other Riggin Avenue Widening projects as specified in
this report.
6. Authorize the City Manager to extend the contract with Denali 22-0430
Water Solutions for the removal and disposal of biosolids
produced at the Visalia Water Reclamation Facility for a period of
six (6) months for an amount not to exceed $220,000 and
appropriate an additional $100,000 from the Wastewater Fund.
Page 4 of 6
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final December 5, 2022
7. Confirmation of the proposed Warming Center at 701 E Race per 22-0446
the Council approved funding requirements and confirmation of a
lease through April 1, 2023 of this City owned property for a
warming center at a rate of $1 per month upon approval of all
appropriate planning and building requirements including the
approval of a Temporary Conditional Use Permit through the
Planning Commission and compliance with all building
requirements.
Leslie Caviglia, City Manager, was available to provide a report or answer
Council questions.
Mayor Nelsen commented that the warming center is consistently late in
applying for the TCUP. He is concerned about the location of the warming
center because that area has a high concentration of homeless individuals
already.
Council Member Taylor wants to be clear the lease includes the property being
returned in the same condition it is provided.
Gwen Schrank, Visalia, works with a lot of homeless individuals and this
warming center is a good place no matter the location. Homeless people are a
part of our community and we should consider partnering with churches for help
as she does not like to complain without providing solutions.
A motion was made by Council Member Greg Collins, 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
8. Consideration and adoption of Resolution No. 2022-65 to amend 22-0406
the Official Speed Zone List of the City of Visalia and establish
prima facie speed zones within the City limits at the 28 specified
locations identified within the report.
9. Request authorization to file a Notice of Completion for 22-0429
Greystone Phase 3 subdivision which contains 63 single-family
residential lots located on northeast corner of North Akers Street
and West Sedona Avenue.
10. Request for City Council to receive, review, and file the 2021/22 22-0420
Impact Fee Report as required by State Law.
Page 5 of 6
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final December 5, 2022
11. Request to Authorize the City Manager to file Notice of 22-0413
Completion for the Ave 288 Reconstruction & WWTP Onsite
Improvements Project. (Project Number
4330-72000/CP0314-999 & 3010-72000/CP0319-999)
12. Review and approval of the Citizens Advisory Committee’s 22-0423
recommendations for the 2023 Youth Non-Profit Grant Awards.
13. Second reading of Ordinance Nos. 2022-14 and 2022-15 for the 22-0436
2022 Building and Fire Code adoption.
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.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT - None
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:21 p.m.
UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS: 22-0449
Monday, December 19, 2022 at 7:00 p.m., 707 W. Acequia
Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., 707 W. Acequia
Page 6 of 6
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, December 5, 2022 7:00 PM City Council Chambers
ROLL CALL
CALL TO ORDER WORK SESSION - 4:00 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 INTRODUCTION: 22-0443
Transit: Robert Shane, Senior Building Maintenance Technician
2. Presentation of, and direction regarding a series of options for the 22-0435
City Council’s consideration ahead of a future adoption of an
Agricultural Preservation Ordinance to implement the City’s
Agricultural Mitigation Program as outlined in General Plan Land
Use Policy LU-P-34.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM (Or, immediately following
Work Session)
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION - 7:00 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION
Page 1 of 4
City Council Meeting Agenda - Final December 5, 2022
SPECIAL PRESENTATION / RECOGNITION
1. Ceremonial Swearing In - Nicholas Bartsch, Public Works Director 22-0447
2. Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to 22-0448
City of Visalia
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. 22-0153
2. Approve the Citizens Advisory Committee’s recommendation to 22-0421
appoint Rebecca Donabed and Charles Garza to fill two vacant
voting positions on the Citizens Advisory Committee.
3. Authorize the City Manager to approve a contract amendment for 22-0414
Carollo Engineers, Inc. in the amount of $97,070 for the Update to
the Stormwater Master Plan (Project Number
2450-72000/CP9067-999) and an additional appropriation of
$100,000 from Storm Sewer Construction Fund 221.
4. Authorize the City Manager to approve payment to California Water 22-0408
Service in the amount of $150,259.00 for the installation of five fire
hydrants and two irrigation services as part of the Riggin Widening
project between Mooney Blvd to Conyer St and appropriate an
additional $85,000 in Highway Infrastructure Program (HIP) funds
(3010-72000/CIP0473-999).
Page 2 of 4
City Council Meeting Agenda - Final December 5, 2022
5. Authorize the City Manager to award the construction contract for 22-0402
RFB 22-23-19, Riggin Avenue Widening & Improvements (Akers to
Demaree), to Agee Construction Corporation in the amount of
$4,059,548.45 and transfer $1.6M of Measure R Regional Funds
(133) from other Riggin Avenue Widening projects as specified in
this report.
6. Authorize the City Manager to extend the contract with Denali 22-0430
Water Solutions for the removal and disposal of biosolids produced
at the Visalia Water Reclamation Facility for a period of six (6)
months for an amount not to exceed $220,000 and appropriate an
additional $100,000 from the Wastewater Fund.
7. Confirmation of the proposed Warming Center at 701 E Race per 22-0446
the Council approved funding requirements and confirmation of a
lease through April 1, 2023 of this City owned property for a
warming center at a rate of $1 per month upon approval of all
appropriate planning and building requirements including the
approval of a Temporary Conditional Use Permit through the
Planning Commission and compliance with all building
requirements.
8. Consideration and adoption of Resolution No. 2022-65 to amend 22-0406
the Official Speed Zone List of the City of Visalia and establish
prima facie speed zones within the City limits at the 28 specified
locations identified within the report.
9. Request authorization to file a Notice of Completion for Greystone 22-0429
Phase 3 subdivision which contains 63 single-family residential lots
located on northeast corner of North Akers Street and West
Sedona Avenue.
10. Request for City Council to receive, review, and file the 2021/22 22-0420
Impact Fee Report as required by State Law.
11. Request to Authorize the City Manager to file Notice of Completion 22-0413
for the Ave 288 Reconstruction & WWTP Onsite Improvements
Project. (Project Number 4330-72000/CP0314-999 &
3010-72000/CP0319-999)
12. Review and approval of the Citizens Advisory Committee’s 22-0423
recommendations for the 2023 Youth Non-Profit Grant Awards.
13. Second reading of Ordinance Nos. 2022-14 and 2022-15 for the 22-0436
2022 Building and Fire Code adoption.
REGULAR ITEMS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS
Page 3 of 4
City Council Meeting Agenda - Final December 5, 2022
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.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT - None
ADJOURNMENT
UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS: 22-0449
Monday, December 19, 2022 at 7:00 p.m., 707 W. Acequia
Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., 707 W. Acequia
Page 4 of 4
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