Visalia City Council
Regular MeetingVisalia, CA · January 17, 2023
Minutes
Visalia City Council
Visalia City Council 707 W. Acequia
Visalia, CA 93291
City Council
Meeting Minutes - Final
Mayor Brian Poochigian
Vice Mayor Brett Taylor
Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto
Council Member Steve Nelsen
Council Member Liz Wynn
Tuesday, January 17, 2023 7:00 PM City Council Chambers
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Brian Poochigian, Council Member Steve Nelsen,
Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, and Council
Member Liz Wynn
Absent: Vice Mayor Brett Taylor
1. Government Code Section 54953(b) provides the rules for 22-0472
teleconferencing for City Council meetings. Councilmember Liz
Wynn will participate in the January 17, 2023 Regular meeting
via teleconference. The address of the teleconference location
is Pueblo Bonito Rose Resort, Medrano 450, 23410 Cabo San
Lucas, BCS Mexico. The public is able to attend and participate
from this teleconference location.
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.
There were no public comments.
WORK SESSION AND ACTION ITEMS (as described)
Page 1 of 7
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 17, 2023
1. NEW EMPLOYEE INTRODUCTIONS: 22-0458
Police Department:
Dominic Saelee, Police Officer
Edgardo Sandoval, Police Officer
Dana Boss, Analysis Technician
Erin Marquez, Records Specialist
Whitney Scarbrough, Community Outreach Coordinator
Parks Division:
Jon Carlton - Park Maintenance Lead Custodial
Francisco Castro - Park Maintenance Lead Custodial
Alx Medina - Park Maintenance Worker
Recreation Division:
Sandra Leyva - Recreation Coordinator
Emily Scarborough - Recreation Coordinator
2. Receive, review, and discuss the narrative report and aviation 22-0424
forecast elements of the in-progress Visalia Municipal Airport
(VMA) Airport Layout Plan (ALP).
Jody Miller, Airport Superintendent, provided the report and aviation forecast
elements in progress.
3. Presentation and discussion of the proposed 2023 Citizens 22-0474
Advisory Committee Annual Public Opinion Survey.
Frank Ruiz, Chair of the CAC and Jason Serpa, Public Works Manager
discussed the 2023, City of Visalia Public Opinion Survey. The CAC
recommended 5 open ended questions this year. The private ambulance
question will be removed from the survey. The CAC will return to Council at a
later date to finalize the survey.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM (Or, immediately following
Work Session)
The meeting adjourned to Closed Session.
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION - 7:00 PM
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION
Page 2 of 7
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 17, 2023
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.
Jeff Toledo, Visalia, has a neighbor who is feeding feral cats in his neighborhood. His dog was
outside and killed a feral cat that activated a call to Animal Control. Since then he has made
concessions to keep the dogs in the house. His dog was deemed vicious and had to be
surrendered to Animal Control. He set up a meeting with Tracy Robertshaw and when he met
with her she was rude and would not listen to him. She informed Mr. Toledo that the first
code enforcement officer was not doing his job so another officer was sent. Mr. Toledo filed
an appeal and had to pay $350. He was also informed the first staff person who said his dog
would not be deemed vicious is on leave. He has never been treated as bad as he was when
he met with Mrs. Robertshaw.
Gabriel Jacquez, Visalia, congratulated the newly elected Council Members and provided
words of encouragement to be guided by the moral compass as things come up for Council
consideration. In addition, the Bird Land subdivision does not have proper lighting and it is
badly needed to make it safe.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Council Member
Emmanuel Hernandez Soto to approve the Consent Calendar except for items 6 (EHS) and 9
(SN). The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Brian Poochigian, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Steve
Nelsen,Liz Wynn
Absent: Brett Taylor
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 .
Page 3 of 7
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 17, 2023
1. Authorization to read ordinances by title only. 22-0475
2. Authorize and accept recommended expenditures for training, 22-0394
equipment, salary & benefits for 1.5 police officer positions
through the State of California fiscal year 2022-2023 Citizens
Option for Public Safety (COPS) Program funds of $219,458 and
$139,245 for fiscal year 2021-22 COPS Growth funds for a total
Grant $358,703, and appropriate $115,500 for the current Grant
and $46,797 from prior year funds.
3. Affirm the submission to the Caltrans Aeronautics Airport 22-0457
Improvement Program matching grant for the amount of $6,075
to fund a portion of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
required Pavement Maintenance Management Plan (PMMP).
Resolution 2023-01 required.
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute the reimbursement 23-0001
agreement for the dedication of riparian waterway areas as
dedicated with the River Island Ranch Phase 1 and Phase 2 final
subdivision maps.
5. Accept the City of Visalia Cash and Investment Report for the 23-0004
first quarter of the fiscal year which consists of months July,
August, and September 2022.
6. Appoint Karen Ayala to a partial term on the Historic Preservation 23-0005
Advisory Committee.
Paul Bernal, Community Development Director, was available to answer
questions. Councilmember Hernandez Soto pulled the item to abstain from
vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Mayor
Brian Poochigian to approve as recommended. The motion carried by the
following vote:
Aye: Brian Poochigian, Steve Nelsen,Liz Wynn
Absent: Brett Taylor
Abstain: Emmanuel Hernandez Soto
Page 4 of 7
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 17, 2023
7. Authorize the City Manager to execute an Automotive and Truck 23-0007
Replacement Parts, Accessories and Services contract with
Genuine Parts Co. dba NAPA Auto to supply aftermarket parts
and accessories for the Fleet Division of Public Works. The
contract will be Not-To-Exceed $500,000 per year with the costs
split monthly through allocations to the appropriate City divisions.
The contract will be for one year with an option to annually renew
for up to two consecutive years to coincide with the Sourcewell
contract termination date of May 19, 2025, for a maximum of 3
years.
8. Approve the Citizens Advisory Committee’s recommendation to 23-0008
appoint Bryan Prosser to fill a vacant voting position on the
Citizens Advisory Committee vacated by Dr. Juan Lopez.
9. Authorize staff to apply for Encampment Resolution Funding 23-0010
Program, Round 2 in the amount of $3.3 million to assist with the
development of the Visalia Navigation Center to provide interim
shelter for persons living in encampments within the City of
Visalia.
Councilmember Nelsen pulled the item for clarification of the timeline for the
program. Margie Perez, Housing Specialist explained that 50% of the funds
must be spent by 2025 and the remainder in 2026.
A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Council
Member Liz Wynn, to approve as recommended. The motion carried by the
following vote:
Aye: Brian Poochigian, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez
Soto,Liz Wynn
Absent: Brett Taylor
10. Authorize the recruitment and reappointment process for two 23-0012
Planning Commission positions with terms expiring June 30,
2023.
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 5 of 7
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 17, 2023
1. Appeal of the Planning Commission’s approval of Conditional 22-0476
Use Permit No. 2022-15, a request by 7Ten Properties LLC to
amend previously approved Conditional Use Permit Nos. 279
and 365 in order to operate “The Woodlands” outdoor
entertainment/event venue on a developed lodge site in the
Quasi-Public zone. The property is located at 4211 West Goshen
Avenue (APN: 085-630-001 and -003).
Paul Bernal, Community Development Director, explained the appeal request
regarding a permit for an outdoor venue referred to as the Woodlands. The
appellant is seeking modification to a condition approved by the Planning
Commission. Condition is regarding placement of an acoustical sound
dampening fence.
Sam Ramirez, provided a document handout regarding the project site and
sound decibels. The location of the study is on the project site and noted the will
not be outside music, bands, and only a sound machine.
Comments by Council.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
1. For the purposes of reporting out, for the record, transactions 23-0014
that occurred as a result of Closed Session Real Property
Negotiations: Buyer: The Creative Center, a California Non-Profit
Public Benefit Corporation and Visalia Players, a California
Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation Seller: City of Visalia APN:
094-095-001 Purpose: sale of surplus land Price: $1,400,000.00
Closing Date: 1/11/2023 Closed Session Council Date: 8/2/2021
& 5/2/2022 Ordinance: 2022-13, dated 11/9/2022, Project
Manager: Devon Jones.
Ken Richardson, City Attorney, reported our for the record the real property
transaction that was approved by Council as listed on the agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m
Page 6 of 7
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 17, 2023
1. UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS: 22-0465
Monday, February 06, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m., 707 W. Acequia
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m., 707 W. Acequia
Note: Meeting dates/times are subject to change, check posted
agenda for correct details.
In Compliance with the American Disabilities Act, if you need
special assistance to participate in meetings call (559) 713-4512
48-hours in advance of the meeting. For Hearing Impaired - Call
(559) 713-4900 (TTY) 48-hours in advance of the scheduled
meeting time to request signing services.
Any written materials relating to an item on this agenda
submitted to the Council after distribution of the agenda are
available for public inspection in the Office of the City Clerk, 220
N. Santa Fe Street, Visalia CA 93292, during normal business
hours.
Page 7 of 7
Agenda
Visalia City Council
Visalia City Council 707 W. Acequia
Visalia, CA 93291
City Council
Meeting Agenda - Final
Mayor Brian Poochigian
Vice Mayor Brett Taylor
Council Member Steve Nelsen
Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto
Council Member Liz Wynn
Tuesday, January 17, 2023 7:00 PM City Council Chambers
ROLL CALL
1. *Government Code Section 54953(b) provides the rules for 22-0472
teleconferencing for City Council meetings. Councilmember Liz
Wynn will participate in the January 17, 2023 Regular meeting via
teleconference. The address of the teleconference location is
Pueblo Bonito Rose Resort, Medrano 450, 23410 Cabo San Lucas,
BCS Mexico. The public is able to attend and participate from this
teleconference location.
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)
Page 1 of 5
City Council Meeting Agenda - Final January 17, 2023
1. NEW EMPLOYEE INTRODUCTIONS: 22-0458
Police Department:
Dominic Saelee, Police Officer
Edgardo Sandoval, Police Officer
Dana Boss, Analysis Technician
Erin Marquez, Records Specialist
Whitney Scarbrough, Community Outreach Coordinator
Parks Division:
Jon Carlton - Park Maintenance Lead Custodial
Francisco Castro - Park Maintenance Lead Custodial
Alx Medina - Park Maintenance Worker
Recreation Division:
Sandra Leyva - Recreation Coordinator
Emily Scarborough - Recreation Coordinator
2. Receive, review, and discuss the narrative report and aviation 22-0424
forecast elements of the in-progress Visalia Municipal Airport
(VMA) Airport Layout Plan (ALP).
3. Presentation and discussion of the proposed 2023 Citizens 22-0474
Advisory Committee Annual Public Opinion Survey.
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
Page 2 of 5
City Council Meeting Agenda - Final January 17, 2023
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. 22-0475
2. Authorize and accept recommended expenditures for training, 22-0394
equipment, salary & benefits for 1.5 police officer positions through
the State of California fiscal year 2022-2023 Citizens Option for
Public Safety (COPS) Program funds of $219,458 and $139,245
for fiscal year 2021-22 COPS Growth funds for a total Grant
$358,703, and appropriate $115,500 for the current Grant and
$46,797 from prior year funds.
3. Affirm the submission to the Caltrans Aeronautics Airport 22-0457
Improvement Program matching grant for the amount of $6,075 to
fund a portion of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) required
Pavement Maintenance Management Plan (PMMP). Resolution
2023-01 required.
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute the reimbursement 23-0001
agreement for the dedication of riparian waterway areas as
dedicated with the River Island Ranch Phase 1 and Phase 2 final
subdivision maps.
5. Accept the City of Visalia Cash and Investment Report for the first 23-0004
quarter of the fiscal year which consists of months July, August,
and September 2022.
6. Appoint Karen Ayala to a partial term on the Historic Preservation 23-0005
Advisory Committee.
Page 3 of 5
City Council Meeting Agenda - Final January 17, 2023
7. Authorize the City Manager to execute an Automotive and Truck 23-0007
Replacement Parts, Accessories and Services contract with Genuine
Parts Co. dba NAPA Auto to supply aftermarket parts and accessories for
the Fleet Division of Public Works. The contract will be Not-To-Exceed
$500,000 per year with the costs split monthly through allocations to the
appropriate City divisions. The contract will be for one year with an option
to annually renew for up to two consecutive years to coincide with the
Sourcewell contract termination date of May 19, 2025, for a maximum of
3 years.
8. Approve the Citizens Advisory Committee’s recommendation to 23-0008
appoint Bryan Prosser to fill a vacant voting position on the Citizens
Advisory Committee vacated by Dr. Juan Lopez.
9. Authorize staff to apply for Encampment Resolution Funding 23-0010
Program, Round 2 in the amount of $3.3 million to assist with the
development of the Visalia Navigation Center to provide interim
shelter for persons living in encampments within the City of Visalia.
10. Authorize the recruitment and reappointment process for two 23-0012
Planning Commission positions with terms expiring June 30, 2023.
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. Appeal of the Planning Commission’s approval of Conditional Use 22-0476
Permit No. 2022-15, a request by 7Ten Properties LLC to amend
previously approved Conditional Use Permit Nos. 279 and 365 in
order to operate “The Woodlands” outdoor entertainment/event
venue on a developed lodge site in the Quasi-Public zone. The
property is located at 4211 West Goshen Avenue (APN:
085-630-001 and -003).
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
1. For the purposes of reporting out, for the record, transactions that 23-0014
occurred as a result of Closed Session Real Property Negotiations:
Buyer: The Creative Center, a California Non-Profit Public Benefit
Corporation and Visalia Players, a California Non-Profit Public
Benefit Corporation Seller: City of Visalia APN: 094-095-001
Purpose: sale of surplus land Price: $1,400,000.00 Closing Date:
1/11/2023 Closed Session Council Date: 8/2/2021 & 5/2/2022
Ordinance: 2022-13, dated 11/9/2022, Project Manager: Devon
Jones.
ADJOURNMENT
Page 4 of 5
City Council Meeting Agenda - Final January 17, 2023
1. UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS: 22-0465
Monday, February 06, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m., 707 W. Acequia
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m., 707 W. Acequia
Note: Meeting dates/times are subject to change, check posted
agenda for correct details.
In Compliance with the American Disabilities Act, if you need
special assistance to participate in meetings call (559) 713-4512
48-hours in advance of the meeting. For Hearing Impaired - Call
(559) 713-4900 (TTY) 48-hours in advance of the scheduled
meeting time to request signing services.
Any written materials relating to an item on this agenda submitted
to the Council after distribution of the agenda are available for
public inspection in the Office of the City Clerk, 220 N. Santa Fe
Street, Visalia CA 93292, during normal business hours.
Page 5 of 5
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