Visalia City Council

Visalia City Council Visalia City Council 707 W. Acequia Visalia, CA 93291 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final Mayor Brett Taylor Vice Mayor Liz Wynn Council Member Steve Nelsen Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto Council Member Brian Poochigian Monday, March 17, 2025 7:00 PM City Council Chambers ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Brett Taylor, Council Member Steve Nelsen, Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, and Vice Mayor Liz Wynn Absent: Council Member Brian Poochigian CALL TO ORDER WORK SESSION - 5:00 PM (Unless otherwise noted) Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 5:00 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. Microtransit Branding Recommendation - Recommendation from 25-0074 staff on branding for the new Visalia Transit microtransit service. Transit Manager Angelina DeRossette presented a PowerPoint on the proposed Visalia Microtransit logo, prompting Council feedback on branding, design, and messaging. Suggestions included enhancing the "V" for stronger branding, adjusting the color palette to reflect city themes, and incorporating city colors near the van’s tires. Council also discussed the potential for a full vehicle wrap, its durability, adding a QR code to connect riders with transit services, and ensuring public messaging clearly states the service is open to all, not just city employees. The idea of selling advertising space on the vehicles was also raised. A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Vice Mayor Liz Wynn, to approve with revisions. The motion carried by the following vote: Visalia City Council Page 1 Printed on 5/7/2025 Page 1 of 8 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 17, 2025 Aye: Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn 2. Effectiveness Review for Measure N. 25-0063 Finance Director Renee Nagel and Budget Analyst Amee Swearengin delivered a PowerPoint presentation outlining the key requirements and progress of Measure N, including the required eight-year effectiveness review. Since its passage in 2016, Measure N has generated $117.8 million in revenue, funding 50 essential positions, major street and park maintenance, public safety improvements, and youth programs. Council members expressed support for the presentation, appreciation for the work of the Sales Tax Oversight Committee, and gratitude to the community for its continued support. It was also noted that Measure N does not include a sunset date, and staff recommended extending the measure for an additional eight years. A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, to approve. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn 3. Traffic and Construction Impacts - Receive a staff presentation 24-0612 outlining the construction phases of work, traffic detours, closures and resident impacts for the Shirk Street Capacity Enhancement Project and provide feedback to staff. Engineering and Building Director Jason Huckleberry and City Engineer Chris Crawford presented a PowerPoint outlining the current status and next steps of the project. Council members discussed the road closures and how emergency services, including access to the fire station, would be accommodated. They also asked whether the same presentation would be used for public outreach and suggested using large maps to enhance clarity. Council expressed appreciation for the multiple planning approaches, acknowledged the phased project timeline with a target completion date of January 2026, and recognized that while progress can be challenging, it is essential. A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Vice Mayor Liz Wynn, to approve the report. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn Visalia City Council Page 2 Printed on 5/7/2025 Page 2 of 8 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 17, 2025 ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM (Or, immediately following Work Session) Mayor Taylor adjourned the Work Session at 5:40 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 LED BY REV. WARD, ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH SPECIAL PRESENTATION / RECOGNITION American Red Cross of the Central Valley Chief Jason Salazar, California Police Chiefs Association 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. Public comments were received from Irene Lapin, Efrain Becerra, Dee Souza, Kathy Falconer, and Maria Guillen. ITEMS OF INTEREST CONSENT CALENDAR Visalia City Council Page 3 Printed on 5/7/2025 Page 3 of 8 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 17, 2025 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 Vice Mayor Liz Wynn, seconded by Council Member Steve Nelsen, to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn 1. Authorization to read ordinances by title only. 25-0046 2. Developer Reimbursement Agreement - Authorize the City 24-0598 Manager to execute a reimbursement agreement for improvements constructed with the Greystone Phase 3 Subdivision located at the northeast corner of Akers St and Sedona Ave. 3. Purchase of Five (5) CNG-Powered Solid Waste Trucks - 24-0613 Authorize the City Manager to award a purchase order to E.M. Tharp of Porterville, CA for the purchase of five (5) CNG-powered residential side-load solid waste trucks through the Sourcewell Cooperative contract in the amount of $2,232,375. 4. Intent to Abandon Public Street Right-of-Way - Adopt Resolution 25-0033 No. 2025-16 initiating proceedings to vacate a portion of public alleyway and right-of-way on Meadow Avenue and Shady Street, located west of Mooney Boulevard and north of Tulare Avenue. (Resolution required) 5. Walnut Orchard Removal - Notice of Completion - Authorize the 25-0054 filing of a Notice of Completion for the walnut orchard removal project surrounding the Water Reclamation Facility. 6. Housing Element Annual Progress Report for Calendar Year 25-0058 2024 - Adoption of a resolution accepting the Housing Element Annual Progress Report for Calendar Year 2025 and finding that it satisfies the city’s reporting requirements to the state. 7. Contract Award - Authorize the City Manager to enter a purchase 25-0061 agreement with Little Tikes Commercial - PlayPower Inc. for inclusive playground equipment, in the amount of $923,438.11; through a Sourcewell contract. Visalia City Council Page 4 Printed on 5/7/2025 Page 4 of 8 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 17, 2025 8. Accela Automation Permit System Migration to Cloud Services - 25-0064 Authorize the City Manager to execute the contract with Accela Inc for services related to the migration of the self-hosted permit system to an Accela Cloud based application at a cost not to exceed $114,100 and enter into a seven-year maintenance agreement at a cost not to exceed $2,236,605 over the seven year period; and appropriate $193,200 for FY 25/26. 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. Visalia City Council Page 5 Printed on 5/7/2025 Page 5 of 8 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 17, 2025 1. Shirk-Riggin Industrial Project - The development of an industrial 25-0031 park with a total building footprint of approximately 3,720,149 square feet on 284 acres, and consisting of the following actions: · Certification of a Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (State Clearinghouse #2022080658): A request to certify the Environmental Impact Report for the Shirk Riggin Industrial Project (“Project”). The City of Visalia is the lead agency in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). · Initiation of Proceedings for Annexation No. 2024-03: A request to annex three parcels totaling approximately 284 acres into the City limits of Visalia. Upon annexation the area will be zoned Industrial (I) and I-L (Light Industrial) consistent with the land use designations of the Visalia General Plan Land Use Map. · General Plan Amendment No. 2025-01: A request to decrease the Light Industrial land use designation and to increase the Industrial land use designation on the project site consisting of approximately 284 acres. · Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance for adoption of a Development Agreement for the Shirk & Riggin Industrial Park: A request to authorize the City to sign and enter into a development agreement pursuant to Government Code Section 65864 et. seq., and Section 17.60 of the City of Visalia Zoning Ordinance. Project Applicant: Seefried Industrial Properties, Inc. Project Location: The proposed Project is located on approximately 284 acres, on the north side of Riggin Avenue between Shirk Street and Kelsey Street. (APN:077-840-004, 005, 006) Principal Planner Brandon Smith presented a PowerPoint on the Shirk-Riggin Industrial Project. Council discussed surrounding property zoning, project designation, and anticipated job creations upon completion. Mayor Taylor opened the public hearing at 7:47 p.m., with public comments received from Paul Guerrero, Steve Alarcon, Zachary Pimental, John Henry Lopez, Eric Lasapian, Jared Darey, Andy Lopez, and Jason Quintel, a representative of the Seifried Industrial Project. There being no further public comment, Mayor Taylor closed the public hearing at 7:58 p.m. Council members expressed appreciation for the public input, the use of local union labor, and the environmental review. They also acknowledged the long development timeline and the potential for job creation both during and after the project’s build out. Visalia City Council Page 6 Printed on 5/7/2025 Page 6 of 8 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 17, 2025 A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Vice Mayor Liz Wynn, to approve. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn 2. Appeal of Planning Commission Action - An appeal of the 25-0060 Planning Commission’s approval of the following entitlements pertaining to the Shirk-Riggin Industrial Project: · Tentative Parcel Map No. 2024-08: A request to subdivide approximately 284 acres into 14 parcels to facilitate industrial and supportive service-oriented development, and · Conditional Use Permit No. 2024-26: A request to allow a planned development that includes the creation of lots without public street frontage, reduced lot sizes, and the establishment of two pads with drive-through lanes, convenience store, and car wash. Project Applicant: Seefried Industrial Properties, Inc. Project Location: The proposed Project is located on approximately 284 acres, on the north side of Riggin Avenue between Shirk Street and Kelsey Street. (APN:077-840-004, 005, 006) Principal Planner Brandon Smith stepped forward to provide a PowerPoint presentation on the appeal filed regarding Tentative Parcel Map No. 2024-08 and Conditional Use Permit No. 2024-26 for the proposed Shirk and Riggin Industrial Park project. The appeal was filed on February 20, 2025 with the City Clerk. Mayor Taylor opened the public hearing at 8:06 p.m., and with no public comments received, he then closed the hearing at 8:06 p.m. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Liz Wynn, seconded by Council Member Steve Nelsen, to approve. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn CLOSED SESSION REPORT ADJOURNMENT Mayor Taylor adjourned the meeting at 8:07 p.m. UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS Visalia City Council Page 7 Printed on 5/7/2025 Page 7 of 8 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 17, 2025 1. Upcoming City Council Meetings 25-0047 Thursday, April 3, 2025, @ 5:30 p.m. Joint Meeting with VUSD & Visalia Charter Independent Study (VCIS) at 424 N. Lovers Ln. Monday, April 7, 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. Respectfully submitted, Reyna Rivera, Chief Deputy City Clerk Visalia City Council Page 8 Printed on 5/7/2025 Page 8 of 8