Visalia City Council

Visalia City Council Visalia City Council 707 W. Acequia Visalia, CA 93291 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final Tuesday, January 21, 2025 7:00 PM City Council Chambers ROLL CALL Present: Council Member Brian Poochigian, Mayor Brett Taylor, and Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto Absent: Council Member Steve Nelsen, and Vice Mayor Liz Wynn CALL TO ORDER WORK SESSION - 4:30 PM (Unless otherwise noted) Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS Citizens are now invited to comment on issues within the jurisdiction of the Visalia City Council and items listed on the Closed Session agenda. 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 presentation from Nielsen, Merksamer, Parrinello, Gross 24-0538 & Leoni (NMPGL) on 2024 state legislative activity and a forecast of state legislative activity for 2025. Economic Development Manager Devon Jones introduced John Moffatt, Geoff Neill, and Michelle Rubalcava from Nielsen, Merksamer. They provided a presentation including a legislative summary for 2024 and new laws for 2025. An overview of the 2025-26 legislature, future legislative topics, and State budget were also provided. Mayor Taylor expressed interest in staying informed about EV mandates, local control, and law enforcement. He also inquired about potential bills requiring better protections and clearances in urban areas from wild fires. Mr. Moffatt opined on the potential changes that the fires in Los Angeles may have throughout California including water storage. Visalia City Council Page 1 Printed on 1/24/2025 Page 1 of 9 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 21, 2025 2. Receive the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the City 24-0547 of Visalia for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Finance & Technology Director Renee Nagel introduced City staff, as well as the auditor from Brown Armstrong. A presentation was provided giving an overview of the audit process and noted that no audit findings were given. A general overview of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and City funds were provided by staff. A motion was made by Council Member Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, to accept the report. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto Absent: Steve Nelsen, Liz Wynn 3. Review and acceptance of the annual Measure T Independent 24-0504 accountants’ report on applying agreed-upon procedures for fiscal year ending 6/30/24. Financial Analyst Kari Williams provided a presentation regarding Measure T and related requirements. Staff requested that the Council review and accept the annual Measure T Independent Accountants' Report. A motion was made by Council Member Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, to accept the report. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto Absent: Steve Nelsen, Liz Wynn 4. Review and acceptance of the Annual Measure N Independent 24-0506 accountants’ report on applying agreed-upon procedures for fiscal year ending 6/30/24. Finance & Technology Director Renee Nagel provided a presentation regarding Measure N and related requirements. An overview of the Annual Measure N Independent Accountants' Report was given, and staff requested that the Council review and accept the report. Darlene Mata, Chairperson of the Measure N Committee, expressed the Committee's gratitude toward City staff for answering their questions when reviewing the records. A motion was made by Council Member Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, to accept the report. The motion carried by the following vote: Visalia City Council Page 2 Printed on 1/24/2025 Page 2 of 9 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 21, 2025 Aye: Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto Absent: Steve Nelsen, Liz Wynn ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM (Or, immediately following Work Session) Mayor Taylor adjourned to closed session at 5:46 p.m. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION - 7:00 PM Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE INVOCATION SPECIAL PRESENTATION / RECOGNITION 1. 2024 USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country 24-0569 Championships 2. 2024 TCAG Local Motion Awards 24-0542 · Outstanding Transportation Beautification Project o Houston Ave Roundabout Landscaping - Project Manager Cody McLaughlin · Innovative & Sustainable Transportation Project o County Center Street Rehabilitation with Class IV Bike Lanes - Project Manager Diego Corvera PUBLIC COMMENTS This is the time for general public comment on issues within the jurisdiction of the Visalia City Council. Each speaker tonight may speak for up to 3 minutes during this general comment period on a matter that is not on this agenda. The public may also make one comment for up to 3 minutes prior to the consideration of the Consent Calendar, and immediately before any regular agenda item is heard. The Council asks that you keep you 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. Taylor, a young resident, commented on actions taken against illegal immigrants in other communities and requested that the Council make Visalia a sanctuary city. Visalia City Council Page 3 Printed on 1/24/2025 Page 3 of 9 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 21, 2025 ITEMS OF INTEREST Council Members commented on the events and activities that they recently attended . CONSENT CALENDAR Consent Calendar items are considered routine and will be enacted in one motion. This is the time for members of the public to provide public comment on an item on the Consent Calendar. Comments will not be taken individually by the public if an item is pulled by a Council Member. Each speaker is allowed up to 3 minutes, and a timer will notify you when your time is expired. Please begin your comments by stating and spelling you name and providing your city of residence. A motion was made by Council Member Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto Absent: Steve Nelsen, Liz Wynn 1. Authorization to read ordinances by title only. 24-0125 2. Authorize the City Manager to sign a contract with Gold Coast 24-0387 K-9 - Authorize the City Manager to approve a five-year service contract with Gold Coast K-9 located in Ventura, CA in the amount of $90,000 and appropriate $27,000 from the General Fund. 3. Fiscal Year 2025-26 Federal Congressional Community Project 24-0462 Funding Requests - Approve the submittal of federal Congressional Community Project Funding requests for the upcoming 2025-26 Fiscal Year. 4. Authorize an Amendment and Extension to Airport Concession 24-0487 Agreement - Authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment and extension to the Airport Concession Agreement between the City of Visalia and the Enterprise Rent-a-Car Company for its location at the Visalia Municipal Airport. 5. Adoption of the 2024 Title VI Program for Visalia Transit - Adopt 24-0551 the 2024 Title VI Program to maintain compliance with United States Department of Transportation anti-discrimination regulation including approval of Resolution No. 2025-01 and authorize the City Manager to sign on behalf of Visalia Transit. Visalia City Council Page 4 Printed on 1/24/2025 Page 4 of 9 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 21, 2025 6. Authorization to accept and appropriate $64,311 for the 2024 24-0559 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program through the Bureau Justice Assistance and approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Tulare County for the Visalia Police Department 2024 JAG Joint Purchase Program. 7. Ordinance Adoption - Second reading and adoption of Ordinance 24-0560 No. 2024-13 approving the revision to Visalia Municipal Code Chapter 10.16.050, which prohibits the storage of vehicles on city streets, in residential zones within the City of Visalia, citywide. 8. Ordinance Adoption - Second reading and adoption of Ordinance 24-0561 No. 2024-14 approving the amendments to Visalia Municipal Code Chapter 8.40.020, which lists definitions of this chapter, and Chapter 8.40.030, which declares certain acts and conditions as public nuisances. 9. Authorization to Apply for the STEP Grant - Authorize the Visalia 24-0567 Police Department to apply for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) for FY 2025-26 Grant for an estimated amount of $260,000 and submit the application by the January 31, 2025, deadline. 10. Authorization to Apply for the CHP Cannabis Tax Fund Grant - 24-0572 Authorize the Visalia Police Department to apply for the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program for up to $98,000 and submit the application by the February 23, 2025, deadline 11. Ordinance Adoption - Second reading and adoption of Ordinance 24-0575 No. 2024-17 pertaining to the approval of Zoning Text Amendment No. 2024-05: A request by the City of Visalia to implement programs in the Housing Element of the General Plan pertaining to the Permit Streamlining Act, Accessory Dwelling Units, and the rezoning of certain sites within the Housing Element Sites Inventory to allow by-right development without discretionary action. The regulations will apply Citywide to properties within the city limits of the City of Visalia. Environmental Status: The project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Code of Regulations Section 15061(b)(3). Visalia City Council Page 5 Printed on 1/24/2025 Page 5 of 9 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 21, 2025 12. Ordinance Adoption - Second reading and adoption of Ordinance 24-0576 No. 2024-15 pertaining to the approval of Zoning Text Amendment No. 2024-03: A request by the City of Visalia to add to and amend regulations within the Visalia Municipal Code Title 17 (Zoning Ordinance) pertaining to Accessory Dwelling Units. The regulations will apply Citywide to properties within the city limits of the City of Visalia. Environmental Assessment Status: The project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.17. 13. Ordinance Adoption to Authorize an Airport Lease Agreement - 24-0577 Second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 2024-18 to authorize the City Manager to execute an Airport Lease Agreement between the City of Visalia and Air Methods, LLC for its location at the Visalia Municipal Airport Administration Building. 14. Youth Non-Profit Grant Awards - Review and Approval of the 24-0582 Citizens Advisory Committee and Staff recommendations for the 2025 Youth Non-Profit Grant Awards. 15. Approve recommendation from Mayor Brett Taylor regarding 24-0588 appointments of individuals to represent the Visalia City Council on various boards and committees. 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. Ordinance Adoption - A Public Hearing and Introduction of the 24-0574 first reading of Ordinance No. 2024-12 for Zoning Text Amendment No. 2024-04: A request by the City of Visalia to amend Visalia Municipal Code Title 17 (Zoning Ordinance), Chapter 17.32.166 Short-Term Rentals, Citywide. Senior Planner Josh Dan provided a presentation on the proposed text amendment. Staff responded to questions and comments by the Council. Mayor Taylor opened the Public Hearing at 7:38 p.m. and with no comments given, closed the Public Hearing at 7:38 p.m. A motion was made by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, seconded by Council Member Brian Poochigian, to continue the item to the February 3, 2025 City Council meeting. The motion carried by the following vote: Visalia City Council Page 6 Printed on 1/24/2025 Page 6 of 9 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 21, 2025 Aye: Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto Absent: Steve Nelsen, Liz Wynn 2. Ordinance Adoption - First reading and public hearing for 24-0553 Ordinance No. 2025-01 for Zoning Text Amendment No. 2024-02, a request by the City of Visalia to amend Visalia Municipal Code Title 17 (Zoning) based on multiple factors including, but not limited to: streamlining of land use review and changes in business and/or development trends and activity, citywide. Principal Planner Brandon Smith and Economic Development Manager Devon Jones provided a presentation on proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to streamline land use review by establishing new land use categories, re-evaluation of land uses, expansion of existing land uses, removal of uses in table, and to create and amend definitions. Staff responded to questions and comments by the City Council. Mayor Taylor opened the Public Hearing at 7:57 p.m. Michelle Kenner commented on the sections regarding the definitions for Personal Services and stated that massages may want to be included. Mayor Taylor closed the Public Hearing at 7:59 p.m. Director of Planning & Community Preservation Paul Bernal commented on an ordinance being drafted to address massage businesses specifically. A motion was made by Council Member Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, to approve. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto Absent: Steve Nelsen, Liz Wynn Visalia City Council Page 7 Printed on 1/24/2025 Page 7 of 9 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 21, 2025 3. Appeal of Planning Commission Action - A Public Hearing to 24-0558 consider an appeal of the Planning Commission’s denial of Conditional Use Permit No. 2024-29, which was a request to amend the hours of operation for the Jack in the Box drive-thru facility to 24-hours located at 1145 South Lovers Lane, in the Neighborhood Commercial zone. Senior Planner Josh Dan provided a brief presentation of the request for a Conditional Use Permit and the action taken by the Planning Commission denying the CUP. Mayor Taylor opened the Public Hearing 7:21 p.m. The owner of Jack in the Box stated that attempts to have a conversation with the neighbor was difficult and was unable to find a compromise. Deborah Cardoza referenced her last petition that she submitted and stated that while all of the petitioners had different reasons to oppose the CUP, they all opposed the restaurant being open 24 hours. Ernest, a nearby resident, opposed it being open 24 hours and fears late night disturbances that will need to be addressed by the police. Leslie, a local resident, also requested that the business maintain normal business hours. Emailed correspondence was received from Nicole Villanueva, Bill Huott, and Collen Moreno and added to the record. Mayor Taylor closed the Public Hearing at 7:31 p.m. A motion was made by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, seconded by Council Member Brian Poochigian, to continue the item to the February 3, 2025 City Council meeting. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto Absent: Steve Nelsen, Liz Wynn CLOSED SESSION REPORT Visalia City Council Page 8 Printed on 1/24/2025 Page 8 of 9 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 21, 2025 1. For the purposes of reporting out, for the record, transactions 24-0568 that occurred as a result of Closed Session Real Property Negotiations: Buyer: City of Visalia Seller: Visalia Unified School District, a California School District APN: 124-010-015 (previously 126-130-031) (portion) Purpose: Right of Way Easement Brief Description: Caldwell Improvement Project Santa Fe to Lovers Lane Price: $101,000.00 Closing Date: 12/18/2024 Closed Session Council Date: 10/7/2024 Project Manager: Eric Bons City Attorney Ken Richardson reported out the item. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Taylor adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m. UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 1. Upcoming City Council Meetings 24-0377 Monday, February 3, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m. at 707 W. Acequia Tuesday, February 18, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m. at 707 W. Acequia Note: Meeting dates and 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 contact 713-4512. 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. Visalia City Council Page 9 Printed on 1/24/2025 Page 9 of 9