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, June 2, 2025 7:00 PM City Council Chambers ROLL CALL Present: Council Member Brian Poochigian, Council Member Steve Nelsen, and Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto Absent: Mayor Brett Taylor, and Vice Mayor Liz Wynn CALL TO ORDER WORK SESSION - 4:00 PM (Unless otherwise noted) Council Member Steve Nelsen called the meeting to order at 4:23 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) Visalia City Council Page 1 Printed on 8/22/2025 Page 1 of 9 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 1. Fiscal Year 2025-26 Rates and Fees - Receive, review, and 24-0589 discuss proposed new fees, increases, and adjustments to the City's Rates and Fees Schedule for Fiscal Year 2025-26. Finance Director Renee Nagel and Financial Analyst Jana Ferguson provided a power point presentation on the proposed fees for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, highlighting new fees, adjustments, and deletions across various departments. The presentation included an overview of inflation-based increases and noted efforts to align fees with actual service costs. Councilmembers expressed general support for the proposed adjustments, emphasizing the importance of clear, rounded pricing and encouraging consideration of equitable pricing strategies, such as potential discounts for seniors, veterans, and children. Council Member Steve Nelsen called for public comment. There being no public comment, the matter was referred back to Council. No formal action was taken at this meeting, with final consideration scheduled for a future Council meeting. 2. Fire Department Prevention Division Overview Presentation - 25-0211 Fire Department command staff are presenting an overview of the Fire Department Prevention Division to include a general overview of the functions and key programs of the Fire Prevention Division. Fire Chief Dan Griswold and Fire Marshal Corbin Reed provided a power point presentation giving an overview of the Fire Prevention Division, outlining its main responsibilities, core functions, personnel, and key programs. Councilmembers acknowledged the important role of the division within the Fire Department and the City, recognizing the challenges faced by the staff. They thanked the Fire Department Command Staff for their work and dedication. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM (Or, immediately following Work Session) Council Member Nelsen adjourned to closed session at 5:09 p.m. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION - 7:00 PM Council Member Nelsen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE INVOCATION LED BY APRIL LANCASTER, LANCASTER CREATIONS LLC Visalia City Council Page 2 Printed on 8/22/2025 Page 2 of 9 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 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 comment was received from Irene Lapin, Jatinder Chopra, and Susan Gundhi. 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. Council Member Poochigian pulled consent calendar agenda item 6 for separate discussion. A motion was made by Council Member Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Brian Poochigian, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto Aye: Brian Poochigian, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto 1. Authorization to read ordinances by title only. 25-0091 2. Civic Center Phase 2 Materials Testing Lab Contract Award - 25-0107 Authorize the City Manager to issue a purchase order through the on-call materials testing contract to BSK Associates to provide inspection and materials testing services for the Civic Center Phase 2 project in the amount of $437,933.60. Visalia City Council Page 3 Printed on 8/22/2025 Page 3 of 9 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 3. Chemical Supply Services Contract - Authorize the City Manager 25-0029 to sign a chemical supply services contract to Target Specialty Products of Fresno for an annual not to exceed amount of $235,000. 4. Chemical Supply Services Contract - Authorize the City Manager 25-0183 to sign a chemical supply services contract to Helena Agri Enterprise of Sacramento for an annual not to exceed amount of $215,000. 5. Fiscal Year 2025/26 Appropriations Limit - City Council approval 25-0177 of Resolution 2025-33 adopting the 2025-26 appropriations limit for the City of Visalia’s General Fund. 6. Approval of single exemption for alcohol consumption at 25-0179 Riverway Sports Park - Authorize City Manager to grant a single use exemption for the issuance of an alcohol permit for alcohol consumption at Riverway Sports Park for a City of Visalia hosted Independence Spectacular community special event. Council Member Brian Poochigian pulled the item for separate discussion. Parks & Recreation Director Jason Glick stepped forward and provided a report on the item. Public comment was received from Irene Lapin, April Lancaster, and Efrain Becerra. There being no further comment, the matter was referred back to Council. 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, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto 7. Confirmation of the contract with Stripe for Microtransit Credit 25-0197 Card Payment Processing Services - Confirm the contract with Stripe to act as a third-party credit card processing services provider for the Visalia Connect microtransit pilot program for one (1) year with the option of up to four (4) one-year renewals, with processing fees not to exceed $30,000 annually. Visalia City Council Page 4 Printed on 8/22/2025 Page 4 of 9 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 8. Revised Resolution - Adoption of Revised Resolution No. 25-0193 2025-27 pertaining to the upholding of an appeal in accordance with the City Council's prior action taken for Historic Preservation Advisory Committee Item No. 2025-05, a request to replace 48 windows on a single-family residence located in the Downtown Mixed Use Zone. The project site is located at 410 North Court Street (APN: 094-271-006). 9. Capital Improvement Program - Approve updates to the Fiscal 25-0192 Year 2025/26 Wastewater Capital Improvement Program Budget, and appropriate an additional $24,760,000 from the Wastewater Fund. 10. Measure T District Tax Recertification - Recertify the Measure T 25-0205 plan for Fiscal Year 2025/26. 11. Reappointment of the City Attorney - Approve the reappointment 25-0212 of the City Attorney and Assistants and authorization for City Manager to execute a new agreement with the Peltzer Richardson Law Firm for a two-year period with monthly rates of $50,600 for year one and $52,625 for year two for in-scope and routine matters, and hourly rates of $220 and $150 for special services 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 8/22/2025 Page 5 of 9 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 1. Public Hearing Authorizing Miscellaneous Special Assessments 25-0157 on Tulare County Secured Property Tax Roll - Adoption of Resolution 2025-17 which allows the City of Visalia to place Miscellaneous Special Assessments on the Tulare County secured property tax roll for Curb and Gutter, Sewer Connection, Deferred Impact Fees, Property and Business Improvement District, Northeast Improvement District, Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District, Landscape and Lighting Parks Construction, Open Space Assessment District, Orchard Walk East/West Utility Assessment District, Laura and Atwood Water Main Assessment District, Delinquent Utilities, Code Enforcement, and Weed & Lot Abatement. Financial Analyst Ruth Pena provided a power point presentation outlining the proposed placement of miscellaneous special assessments on the Tulare County secured property tax roll for Fiscal Year 2025/26. She noted that one formal protest had been received prior to the meeting and that additional inquiries and informal protests had been made by property owners in advance of the hearing. Council Member Nelsen opened the public hearing at 7:28 p.m. Public comment was received from Timothy Shane Smith, Jennifer Mesa, Marisol Monsol, Susan Gundy, Lisa Colburn, Mark Scoworitz, Gary Hockins, and April Lancaster. City Manager Caviglia added that there was an addition speaker who arrived earlier in the meeting. There being no further public comment, the public hearing was closed at 7:39 p.m. The matter was referred back to Council for consideration. A motion was made by Council Member Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, to adopt as amended. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Brian Poochigian, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto Visalia City Council Page 6 Printed on 8/22/2025 Page 6 of 9 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 2. Blankenship Subdivision Annexation - Public Hearing and 25-0169 consideration for the following actions related to the project located at the southeast corner of East Caldwell Avenue and South Santa Fe Street (APN: 123-400-005 and 123-400-001): 1. Adopt Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration No. 2024- 63 for Annexation No. 2024-05 and Blankenship Tentative Subdivision Map No. 5602 (Resolution No. 2025-31 required); and 2. Initiation of proceedings for Annexation No. 2024-05, a request by San Joaquin Valley Homes to annex two parcels totaling approximately 71.43 acres into the City limits of Visalia (Resolution No. 2025-32 required); and 3. Authorize the detachment from County Service Area No. 1 in accordance with State and County Requirements; and 4. Authorize the City Manager to sign and enter into a Pre-Annexation Agreement. Assistant Planner Colleen Moreno provided a power point presentation on the Blankenship Subdivision Annexation, a proposal to annex two parcels totaling approximately 71.43 acres located at the southeast corner of East Caldwell Avenue and South Santa Fe Street. The project includes adopting an Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration, initiating proceedings for annexation with the Tulare County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), authorizing the detachment from County Service Area No. 1, and entering into a Pre-Annexation Agreement. The annexation supports the development of a 203-lot single-family residential subdivision consistent with the City’s General Plan and Tier II Urban Development Boundary. Council Member Nelsen opened the public hearing at 7:46 p.m. Public comment was received from Efrain Becerra. There being no further public comment, the hearing was closed at 7:48 p.m. The matter was referred back to Council for consideration. A motion was made by Council Member Brian Poochigian, seconded by Council Member Steve Nelsen, to approve. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Brian Poochigian, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto Visalia City Council Page 7 Printed on 8/22/2025 Page 7 of 9 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 3. Ordinance Adoption - Public hearing and first reading of 25-0181 Ordinance No. 2024-16 to adopt Zoning Text Amendment No. 2025-01: A request by the City of Visalia to amend text within the Visalia Municipal Code Title 17 (Zoning Ordinance) to clarify and facilitate City Council adoption of Single-Family Residential Objective Design Standards and Planned Residential Development standards applicable to new single-family residential developments by Resolution rather than by Ordinance. City Manager Caviglia requested that Council continue the item to the June 16, 2025 Council Meeting. Council Member Nelsen requested public comment on the matter. There being no one to speak for or against the item, the matter was referred back to Council for consideration. A motion was made by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, seconded by Council Member Brian Poochigian, to continue the item to the June 16, 2025 Council Meeting. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Brian Poochigian, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto 4. Authorization to Amend Measure N Spending Plan and the Axon 25-0202 Contract - Conduct the first of two Public Hearings to amend the Measure N Spending Plan for an amendment to the current Body-Worn Camera contract with Axon Enterprises in the amount of $431,350.65, and appropriate $138,121 for Fiscal Year 2025/26. Police Lieutenant Dan Ford stepped forward to provide a power point presentation on the proposed amendment to the Body-Worn Camera contract with Axon Enterprises, emphasizing the need for additional cameras and new software to enhance officer safety and reduce administrative time. Council Member Nelsen opened the public hearing at 7:57 p.m. There being no public comment, the hearing was closed at 7:58 p.m. and the item was referred back to the Council. Staff advised that this is the first of two required public hearings to amend the Measure N Spending Plan for a $431,350.65 contract amendment, with an appropriation of $138,121 for Fiscal Year 2025/26. No formal action was taken at this meeting, with final consideration scheduled for a future Council meeting. CLOSED SESSION REPORT Visalia City Council Page 8 Printed on 8/22/2025 Page 8 of 9 Visalia City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 ADJOURNMENT Council Member Nelsen adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m. UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 1. Upcoming City Council Meetings 25-0142 Monday, June 16, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m. at 707 W. Acequia Monday, July 21, 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 9 Printed on 8/22/2025 Page 9 of 9