Visalia City Council
Regular MeetingVisalia, CA · September 18, 2023
Minutes
Visalia City Council
Visalia City Council 707 W. Acequia
Visalia, CA 93291
Visalia City Council
Meeting Minutes - Final
Brian Poochigian, Mayor
Brett Taylor, Vice Mayor
Steve Nelsen, Council Member
Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Council Member
Liz Wynn, Council Member
Monday, September 18, 2023 7:00 PM City Council Chambers
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Brian Poochigian, Vice Mayor Brett Taylor, Council
Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Council Member Steve
Nelsen, and Council Member Liz Wynn
CALL TO ORDER WORK SESSION - START TIME: 5:30 PM
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 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)
Page 1 of 7
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 18, 2023
1. Receive a report and presentation from the Tulare County 23-0318
Economic Development Corporation (TCEDC) and approve
continued membership in TCEDC for FY 2023/24 for $60,000
and appropriate $10,000 from General Fund to Economic
Development Division budget.
Devon Jones, Economic Development Manager, introduced Airica de Oliveira,
new CEO of the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation.
Airica de Oliveira, CEO, provided the annual report to Council and year-end
activity to Council. TCEDC will begin using GIS Webtech. The program will
come at an increased cost to TCEDC but will allow for a more robust site
selection tool as it will incorporate the City’s local GIS layers, such as zoning,
general plan land use, urban development boundaries, local infrastructure
locations, circulation element and other ESRI based layers with other economic
development partners.
There were no public comments.
A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Council
Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, to approve as recommended. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto,
Steve Nelsen, Liz Wynn
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM (Or, immediately following
Work Session)
The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 5:57 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
ITEMS OF INTEREST
SPECIAL PRESENTATION / RECOGNITION
1. Jennah "The Gem" Creason - International Brandenburg Cup 23-0357
Gold Medal Winner
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Page 2 of 7
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 18, 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 .
A motion was made by Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Vice Mayor Taylor, to approve
the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto,
Steve Nelsen, Liz Wynn
1. Authorization to read ordinances by title only. 23-0045
2. Authorize the City Manager to award the construction contract for 23-0124
FY 22-23 Measure N Street Rehab - County Center from
Houston Ave to Riggin Ave (RFB 22-23-62), to Avison
Construction of Madera, CA. in the amount of $1,909,122 and
appropriate $254,900 from Gas Tax Fund (111) (CIP
1410-72000/CP0599-999).
3. Authorization to submit and accept two grant applications to the 23-0304
California Department of Transportation to fund the Regional
Transit Green Line Call Center in the amount of $147,393 and
Travel Training in the amount of $60,000 for the total amount of
$207,393. Section 5310 (Resolution No. 2023-44 required).
4. Authorization to award two contracts; one in the amount of 23-0329
$135,737 to Mohawk Lifts LLC, the manufacturer, for the
purchase of a Vertical Rise Drive-On Lift and a second contract
in the amount of $12,845 to Midstate Automotive Equipment
Company, the distributor, for the installation of the lift. Further,
approve the appropriation of $150,000.00 from the Transit Fund.
Page 3 of 7
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 18, 2023
5. Authorize the City Manager to utilize Sourcewell Contract No 23-0349
080521-PBL to purchase one (1) PB Loader Model 500-PT 500G
Emulsion Trailer from PB Loader Corporation of Fresno, Ca for
use in the Street Maintenance division at a cost of $112,706.54.
6. Authorize City Manager to execute a new annual sole source 23-0350
contract for service, repair and parts with Peterbilt
trucks/Cummins engines with E.M. Tharp dba Golden State
Peterbilt, not to exceed $150,000 annually. This is a one-year
contract with four one-year renewals.
7. Authorize the City Manager to Award RFB 22-23-02 annual 23-0352
contract for Landscape Maintenance of Landscape and Lighting
Districts within Quadrant A to JC’s Land Management, Inc., of
Kingsburg, CA, for an annual not to exceed amount of $25,960.
8. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Measure R 23-0355
Supplemental Agreement with the Tulare County Transportation
Authority (TCTA), and appropriate $3,000,000 from the Measure
R Regional Fund (133) and $3,075,000 from the Transportation
Impact Fee Fund (241) in order to fund the Riggin Avenue
Widening from Roeben to Akers Project.
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 4 of 7
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 18, 2023
1. Consider property owner request to revoke the approved Oak 23-0347
Tree Removal Permit #23-19 to remove a Valley Oak tree
located at APN: 000-015-509 based on the City’s Arborist’s Tree
Risk Assessment and applying the assessment/evaluation to the
removal standards outlined in the City of Visalia’s Oak Tree
Ordinance No. 12.24.035.
Alvin Dias, Parks Manager, provided the information regarding the appeal of the
intent to remove.
Nick Ruiz, attorney for the applicant, requested an additional 90 days to resolve
the issues. Nutrinut is the business that will be impacted by the removal of the
tree and he hopes the parties are able to come to an agreement.
Jim Robinson, San Joaquin Valley Homes spoke in support of the tree removal.
He stated the language proposed by the appellant was over the top. The parties
are a long way from being close to an agreement.
Ken Richardson, City Attorney, stated the options for the Council to consider
tonight.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Brett Taylor, seconded by Council Member
Steve Nelsen, to deny the appeal and allow the removal of the tree. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto,
Steve Nelsen, Liz Wynn
2. Public Hearing to modify improvements in Landscape and 23-0351
Lighting Assessment District No. 16-01 "Di Mello Toscana" and
levy the annual assessments for Assessment District 16-01;
APN: 077-720-002 (Resolution Nos. 2023-46 and 2023-47
required).
Paul Bernal, Community Development Director, provided the report to Council
regarding the Assessment District 16-01 for the DiMello Toscana Subdivision.
There is no ballot required due to the decrease in the assessment.
The public hearing was opened at 7:25 and closed. There were no public
comments.
A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Vice Mayor
Brett Taylor, to approve as recommended. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto,
Steve Nelsen, Liz Wynn
Page 5 of 7
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 18, 2023
3. Public Hearing and approval of the 2022/23 Program Year 23-0291
Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report
(CAPER) and Resolution No. 2023-45.
Margie Perez, Housing Specialist, presented the Consolidated Annual
Performance and evaluation Report also known at the CAPER and requested
Council to approve resolution 2023-45. The CDBG expenses and
accomplishments include public services, affordable housing, public facility
improvements and total public facility improvements.
The public hearing was opened at 7:37 p.m. and closed. There were no public
comments.
A motion was made by Council Member Liz Wynn, seconded by Council
Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, to approve as recommended. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto,
Steve Nelsen, Liz Wynn
4. Public Hearing to approve and adopt the Program Year (PY) 23-0303
2023/24 Annual Action Plan Amendment for the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) activities and
projects.
Margie Perez, Housing Specialist, provided the report to Council to approve and
adopt the Program Year 2023/24 Annual Action Plan Amendment for the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block
Grant activities and projects. The total for FY 23/24 amendment is $1,856,775.
The completion of the navigation center is this summer.
The public hearing was opened and closed at 7:40 p.m. There were no public
comments.
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, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto,
Steve Nelsen, Liz Wynn
Page 6 of 7
Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 18, 2023
5. Receive a presentation regarding the proposed improvements to 23-0341
the Valley Oaks Golf Course and perform the first reading and
adoption of Ordinance 2023-09 approving Amendment #1 to the
2018 Lease Agreement with CourseCo, Inc.
Nick Mascia, Assistant City Manager and Aaron Hensley, CourseCo General
Manager provided the report on the Valley Oaks Golf Course. The clubhouse
renovation and lighted driving range is completed. The Clubhouse renovation is
long overdue. Under CourseCo the renovation would include flooring, lighting
and ceiling fans, garage door, and bar counter. The Clubhouse Patio is currently
not shaded and is sanctioned off and separated from the dining room . The
lighted driving range is needed for the inclement weather. Driving range stalls
would be fully covered and fit with fans / heaters for all-weather use. The current
driving range does not offer a food and beverage experience or have modern
technology that allows gamification. This will offer a limited range menu. Inside
the bays, each one will be retrofitted with Top Tracer technology. Will appeal to
the golfers and non golfers alike. There were no public comments.
A motion was made by Council Member Liz Wynn, seconded by Council
Member Steve Nelsen, to approve as recommended. The motion carried by the
following vote:
Aye: Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto,
Steve Nelsen, Liz Wynn
CLOSED SESSION REPORT - None
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
1. UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 23-0227
Monday, October 02, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m. at 707 W. Acequia
Monday, October 16, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m. at 707 W. Acequia
If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation
to fully participate in the meeting, please contact Michelle
Nicholson, on or before Monday, September 18, 2023 to discuss
your accessibility needs: 559-713-4512 or
Michelle.Nicholson@Visalia.City
<mailto:Michelle.Nicholson@Visalia.City>
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 Emmanuel Hernandez Soto
Council Member Steve Nelsen
Council Member Liz Wynn
Monday, September 18, 2023 7:00 PM City Council Chambers
ROLL CALL
CALL TO ORDER WORK SESSION - START TIME: 5:30 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. Receive a report and presentation from the Tulare County 23-0318
Economic Development Corporation (TCEDC) and approve
continued membership in TCEDC for FY 2023/24 for $60,000 and
appropriate $10,000 from General Fund to Economic Development
Division budget.
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
Page 1 of 4
City Council Meeting Agenda - Final September 18, 2023
SPECIAL PRESENTATION / RECOGNITION
1. Jennah "The Gem" Creason - International Brandenburg Cup Gold 23-0357
Medal Winner
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. 23-0045
2. Authorize the City Manager to award the construction contract for 23-0124
FY 22-23 Measure N Street Rehab - County Center from Houston
Ave to Riggin Ave (RFB 22-23-62), to Avison Construction of
Madera, CA. in the amount of $1,909,122 and appropriate
$254,900 from Gas Tax Fund (111) (CIP
1410-72000/CP0599-999).
3. Authorization to submit and accept two grant applications to the 23-0304
California Department of Transportation to fund the Regional
Transit Green Line Call Center in the amount of $147,393 and
Travel Training in the amount of $60,000 for the total amount of
$207,393. Section 5310 (Resolution No. 2023-44 required).
4. Authorization to award two contracts; one in the amount of 23-0329
$135,737 to Mohawk Lifts LLC, the manufacturer, for the purchase
of a Vertical Rise Drive-On Lift and a second contract in the
amount of $12,845 to Midstate Automotive Equipment Company,
the distributor, for the installation of the lift. Further, approve the
appropriation of $150,000.00 from the Transit Fund.
Page 2 of 4
City Council Meeting Agenda - Final September 18, 2023
5. Authorize the City Manager to utilize Sourcewell Contract No 23-0349
080521-PBL to purchase one (1) PB Loader Model 500-PT 500G
Emulsion Trailer from PB Loader Corporation of Fresno, Ca for use
in the Street Maintenance division at a cost of $112,706.54.
6. Authorize City Manager to execute a new annual sole source 23-0350
contract for service, repair and parts with Peterbilt trucks/Cummins
engines with E.M. Tharp dba Golden State Peterbilt, not to exceed
$150,000 annually. This is a one-year contract with four one-year
renewals.
7. Authorize the City Manager to Award RFB 22-23-02 annual 23-0352
contract for Landscape Maintenance of Landscape and Lighting
Districts within Quadrant A to JC’s Land Management, Inc., of
Kingsburg, CA, for an annual not to exceed amount of $25,960.
8. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Measure R Supplemental 23-0355
Agreement with the Tulare County Transportation Authority
(TCTA), and appropriate $3,000,000 from the Measure R Regional
Fund (133) and $3,075,000 from the Transportation Impact Fee
Fund (241) in order to fund the Riggin Avenue Widening from
Roeben to Akers Project.
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. Consider property owner request to revoke the approved Oak Tree 23-0347
Removal Permit #23-19 to remove a Valley Oak tree located at APN:
000-015-509 based on the City’s Arborist’s Tree Risk Assessment and
applying the assessment/evaluation to the removal standards outlined in
the City of Visalia’s Oak Tree Ordinance No. 12.24.035.
2. Public Hearing to modify improvements in Landscape and Lighting 23-0351
Assessment District No. 16-01 "Di Mello Toscana" and levy the
annual assessments for Assessment District 16-01; APN:
077-720-002 (Resolution Nos. 2023-46 and 2023-47 required).
3. Public Hearing and approval of the 2022/23 Program Year 23-0291
Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)
and Resolution No. 2023-45.
4. Public Hearing to approve and adopt the Program Year (PY) 23-0303
2023/24 Annual Action Plan Amendment for the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) activities and projects.
Page 3 of 4
City Council Meeting Agenda - Final September 18, 2023
5. Receive a presentation regarding the proposed improvements to 23-0341
the Valley Oaks Golf Course and perform the first reading and
adoption of Ordinance 2023-09 approving Amendment #1 to the
2018 Lease Agreement with CourseCo, Inc.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT - None
ADJOURNMENT
UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
1. UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 23-0227
Monday, October 02, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m. at 707 W. Acequia
Monday, October 16, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m. at 707 W. Acequia
If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to
fully participate in the meeting, please contact Michelle Nicholson,
on or before Monday, September 18, 2023 to discuss your
accessibility needs: 559-713-4512 or
Michelle.Nicholson@Visalia.City
<mailto:Michelle.Nicholson@Visalia.City>
Page 4 of 4
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