Visalia public meetings in 2021

Visalia City Council

The City Council will discuss the appropriation of $29,364,455 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. A public hearing is scheduled to identify eligible activities for $1,840,059 in HOME-ARP funds. The Council will also review a recommendation for the future Fire Station 51 site.

• Recommendation for the future Fire Station 51 site south of Acequia Ave
• $865,120 contract for grading of Peoples Basin to Wood Bros. Inc.
• $200,305 crack seal project contract with Graham Contractors, Inc.
• 35-year lease of airport property to Aircraft Mechanical Services (AMS) Inc.
• $26,800 purchase of a BMW motorcycle police unit

The Visalia City Council approved the appropriation of $29,364,455 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, with a 4-0 vote (Councilmember Taylor absent). The council also approved the recommended site for future Fire Station 51 south of Acequia Avenue between Conyer and Stevenson Streets, in a 3-2 vote. Several consent calendar items were approved, including contracts for transit audits, crack sealing, and grading, as well as a lease for an aircraft maintenance facility at the airport.

• Appropriated $29,364,455 in ARPA funds (4-0)
• Approved Fire Station 51 site south of Acequia Ave between Conyer and Stevenson Sts (3-2)
• Approved $25,090 annual contract with Transit Resource Center for fleet audits (4-0)
• Approved $200,305 contract with Graham Contractors for crack seal project (4-0)
• Approved $865,120 contract with Wood Bros. Inc. for grading of Peoples Basin (4-0)
• Approved redirecting $75,000 from Measure N Youth Grants to Visalia PAL (4-0)
• Approved 35-year lease at airport to Aircraft Mechanical Services Inc. at $28,080/year (4-0)
• Approved HOME-ARP funds action plan and RFP, amended to encourage supportive services (4-0)

City Council Closed Session

The Visalia City Council will hold a closed session to confer with labor negotiators regarding all bargaining units. The council will also meet with legal counsel concerning one potential litigation case.

• Conference with labor negotiators for all bargaining units (21-0666)
• Conference with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation (21-0675)

Visalia City Council

The Visalia City Council will consider an interim ordinance regulating the location of smoke and tobacco shops citywide. The meeting includes a public hearing on district redistricting and discussions regarding American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund expenditures. The Council will also vote on several infrastructure contracts and housing agreements.

• Ordinance to regulate the location of smoke and tobacco shops
• $1,300,000 loan and grant for the Lofts Project
• $644,233 contract with NV5, Inc. for downtown street projects
• $100,000 loan for affordable housing at 621 South Santa Fe Street
• $116,566.75 purchase of a tire roller from Quinn Company

The Council approved a $6,500/month federal lobbying contract with Thorn Run Partners for 2022, and adopted an interim urgency ordinance regulating smoke shop locations citywide. It also authorized changes to the City Manager's employment terms and discussed ARPA fund spending guidelines, with staff to return with a project list. The Council directed staff to use paper maps for redistricting, with a possible digital tool.

• Approved annual service agreement with Thorn Run Partners for federal lobbying, $6,500/month for 2022.
• Adopted interim urgency ordinance 2021-10 regulating smoke shop locations, requiring 750-foot distance between stores.
• Authorized changes to City Manager's terms and conditions of employment.
• Approved consent calendar including Motorola dispatch upgrade, $100,000 housing loan, and warming center location.
• Approved $1.3 million loan to Lofts at Fort Visalia and added city to Infill Infrastructure Grant.
• Approved $644,233 agreement with NV5 for downtown streetlight and pavement projects.
• Adopted second readings of ordinances 2021-08 and 2021-09 on density bonuses and residential zoning.
• Directed staff to use paper maps for redistricting, with possible digital tool.

City Council Closed Session

The City Council will meet in closed session to discuss three active litigation cases. These matters involve the Ninth Circuit, Tulare County Superior Court, and United States District Court.

• Murguia, et al. v. Langdon, et al. (9th Circuit Case No: 21-16709)
• Huerta, et al. v. City of Visalia, et al. (Tulare County Superior Court Case No: VCU284185)
• Gutierrez, et al. v. City of Visalia, et al. (US District Court Case No: 1:21-cv-01700-NONE-HBK)

Visalia City Council

The council will hold public hearings on zoning amendments related to the city's 2020-2023 Housing Element. They will also review construction plans for downtown streetlight and pavement projects. Several contract approvals are included in the consent calendar.

• Zoning Text Amendment No. 2021-07 regarding density bonuses
• Zoning Text Amendment No. 2021-08 regarding noise and downtown regulations
• Cape Seal Project construction contract for $883,000.00
• Purchase of streetlight poles for $822,050.25
• Legislative advocacy agreement with NMPGL at $7,000 per month

The Visalia City Council approved the consent calendar, including contracts for a vacuum excavator, cape seal project, and streetlight poles. They also approved zoning text amendments for density bonuses and residential uses in mixed-use districts, denied an appeal to revoke an oak tree removal permit, and reported a $1.2 million sale of surplus land to Self Help Enterprises.

• Approved consent calendar items including $883,000 cape seal contract and $822,050 streetlight poles (5-0)
• Denied appeal to revoke Oak Tree Removal Permit #21-146 (4-1, Collins dissenting)
• Approved zoning text amendment for density bonus regulations (5-0)
• Approved zoning text amendment for residential uses in mixed-use districts (5-0)
• Approved $37,397 JAG grant acceptance (5-0)
• Approved redistricting timeline revision and $10,500 appropriation (5-0)
• Reported closed session sale of surplus land to Self Help Enterprises for $1,200,000

City Council Closed Session

The Visalia City Council scheduled a closed session for November 15, 2021. This meeting includes a public employee performance evaluation for the City Manager.

• Performance evaluation of the City Manager

Visalia City Council

The Visalia City Council will consider several items, including the final map for a 63-lot subdivision. A public hearing is scheduled to discuss accepting federal justice assistance grant funds. The agenda also includes airport funding and transit center project updates.

• Final map for 'Greystone Phase 3' subdivision (63 lots) at N. Akers St and W. Sedona Ave
• $307,461 federal grant for Visalia Airport Layout Plan
• $37,397 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funding
• Notice of Completion for Visalia Transit Center concrete repairs
• MOU for Cross Valley Rail and High-Speed Rail bus connectivity

The Visalia City Council approved the consent agenda, which included agreements for Cross Valley Rail collaboration, recording of final parcel maps, renewing FEMA/CalOES authorized agents, filing a notice of completion for transit center repairs, forming a landscape assessment district for Greystone Phase 3, and accepting a federal grant for the airport layout plan. The council also voted to continue the public hearing on the 2021 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to the November 15, 2021 meeting. All votes were 3-0 with two members absent.

• Approved consent agenda including MOU for Cross Valley Rail (3-0)
• Approved recording final parcel map for Tentative Parcel Map No. 2020-06 (3-0)
• Approved Resolution 2021-57 renewing City Manager and Assistant City Manager as FEMA/CalOES agents (3-0)
• Approved recording final parcel map for Tentative Parcel Map No. 2019-13 (3-0)
• Approved filing Notice of Completion for Visalia Transit Center Concrete Repair Project (3-0)
• Approved recording final map for Greystone Phase 3 and forming Landscape and Lighting Assessment District No. 21-06 (3-0)
• Approved accepting $307,461 FAA grant for Airport Layout Plan update (3-0)
• Continued public hearing on $37,397 JAG grant to November 15, 2021 (3-0)

Visalia City Council

The council will review the 2022 Regional Transportation Plan update and discuss temporary sign regulations. Members will also review the biannual budget process for fiscal years 22/23 and 23/24.

• Contract award to Wastequip for solid waste bins up to $406,000 annually
• Presentation on the 2022 Regional Transportation Plan update
• Public hearing for the 2020-21 CAPER report
• Review of temporary sign regulations in the Municipal Code
• Annexation into Landscape and Lighting Assessment District No. 93-01

The Council approved the biannual budget process and strategic goals for fiscal years 2022-23 and 2023-24, as recommended by staff. They also approved the consent calendar, the CAPER report, and continued the emergency proclamation. A motion to have staff review temporary sign ordinance language passed 3-2.

• Approved biannual budget strategic goals for FY 22/23 & 23/24 (5-0)
• Approved consent calendar including waste bin contract and redistricting participation (5-0)
• Approved 2020-21 CAPER report (Resolution 2021-50) (5-0)
• Directed staff to review temporary sign ordinance language (3-2)
• Kept emergency proclamation in place (5-0)

Visalia City Council

The Council will discuss a proposed transit transfer station and changes to the Historic Preservation District Ordinance. The agenda also includes several contract approvals, such as funding for road widening and a warming center. A public hearing is scheduled regarding bond issuance for the Lofts Project at 300 E. Oak Avenue.

• $20 million revenue bond issuance for the 80-unit Lofts Project at 300 E. Oak Avenue
• $1,387,000 in SB 1 funds for the Caldwell Avenue Widening project
• $118,275 annual contract with Visalia Homeless Center for a warming center at 744 E. Douglas
• $915,915 contract for the FY 21-22 Reclamite Project construction
• Proposed Transit Transfer Station at Woodland and Visalia Parkway

The Visalia City Council approved a new transit transfer station at Woodland and Visalia Parkway, replacing the Orchard and Mooney stop. They also approved amendments to the Historic Preservation District Ordinance, with the HPAC to consult the Building Advisory Committee on specific items. Numerous consent calendar items were approved, including a warming center contract, a Caltrans litter removal agreement, and several construction and service contracts. The council also approved bond issuances for affordable housing projects.

• Approved transit transfer station at Woodland and Visalia Parkway (5-0)
• Approved Historic Preservation District Ordinance changes as amended (5-0)
• Approved $118,275 annual warming center contract with Visalia Homeless Center (5-0)
• Approved Caltrans litter removal agreement with CSET, Inc. up to $505,530 (5-0)
• Approved $915,915 Reclamite Project contract with Intermountain Slurry Seal (5-0)
• Approved $1,387,000 SB1-LPP appropriation for Caldwell Avenue Widening (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 2021-55 for Rancho Robles Mobile Home Park bond refinancing (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 2021-56 for $20M Lofts Project affordable housing bonds (5-0)

City Council Closed Session

The City Council is meeting in closed session to consider the terms and conditions of a potential property sale. The discussion involves APN 103-120-085, located near the southeast corner of Houston and McAuliff.

• Negotiation of terms for the potential sale of APN 103-120-085

Visalia City Council

The council will review a presentation on city district redistricting and consider several contract approvals. Items include the sale of 300 E Oak Ave for $1,200,000 and a recycling processing contract up to $1,620,000. A public hearing will also address property acquisition for widening Shirk Street.

• Sale of 300 E Oak Ave to Self Help Enterprises for $1,200,000
• Contract with Brentwood Industries Inc. for $177,107.82 for water facility renovations
• Recycling processing contract with Pena’s Disposal up to $1,620,000 total
• Presentation on Visalia Police Department operations and staffing
• Property acquisition along Shirk Street for road widening

The Visalia City Council approved the sale of APN 094-283-001 (300 E Oak Ave.) to Self Help Enterprises for $1,200,000, and approved several other consent items including a sole-source contract for water reclamation equipment, a state transportation funding agreement, a final parcel map, an emergency medical supplies contract, a traffic enforcement grant, and a building advisory committee appointment. The council also tabled the annexation of four lots into Landscape and Lighting Assessment District No. 20-04 to a future meeting to correct an error in the resolution. A public hearing was held on redistricting, with workshops scheduled for October 13 and 23, 2021, and a map adoption vote set for January 10, 2022. The council adopted a Resolution of Necessity to acquire property for the widening of Shirk Street.

• Approved sale of 300 E Oak Ave. to Self Help Enterprises for $1,200,000 (Ordinance 2021-07, 5-0).
• Approved sole-source contract with Brentwood Industries Inc. for $177,107.82 for water reclamation facility renovations (5-0).
• Approved state transportation funding agreement with Caltrans (Resolution 2021-52, 5-0).
• Approved final parcel map for Tentative Parcel Map No. 2021-04 at Plaza Drive and Kibler Avenue (5-0).
• Approved emergency medical supplies contract with Bound Tree Medical LLC up to $55,000/year (5-0).
• Approved acceptance of $235,000 STEP grant from California Office of Traffic Safety (5-0).
• Approved appointment of Zishan Lokhandwala to Building Advisory Committee (5-0).
• Tabled annexation of four lots into L&LD No. 20-04 to a future meeting to correct a resolution error (5-0).

City Council Closed Session

The Visalia City Council will meet in closed session regarding a public employee appointment. This item concerns the position of Assistant City Manager.

• Public employee appointment for Assistant City Manager

Visalia City Council

The Council will review several routine items for approval, including construction management and traffic striping contracts. The agenda also includes adopting a revised salary schedule for city employees and Council members.

• $410,100 agreement with 4Creeks, Inc. for Caldwell Avenue Improvement Project management
• $235,000 annual contract with Central Valley Striping for traffic markings and bike lanes
• Amendment to Interwest Consulting Group contract up to $600,000
• Adoption of a revised salary schedule for city employees and Council members
• Letter of support for Self-Help Enterprises affordable housing development

The Visalia City Council approved the consent calendar except items 8 and 10, which were pulled for separate discussion. Item 8, a request to add a pool concept presentation to the October 4 meeting, was denied 3-2. Item 10, appointing members to the Citizens Advisory Committee, was approved 4-0 with one abstention. The council also reported a closed-session real property purchase for the Caldwell Avenue Improvement Project.

• Approved consent calendar items 1-7, 9, 11-15 (5-0), including contract amendments, appointments, and a resolution to vacate right of way on Pinkham Street
• Denied 3-2 a request to add a pool concept presentation to the October 4, 2021 agenda
• Approved 4-0 (one abstention) appointments of Mark Wall, Kelly Pierce, Darin McCall, and Jon Bueno to the Citizens Advisory Committee
• Reported closed-session purchase of property from First Church of the Nazarene for $16,500 for the Caldwell Avenue Improvement Project

City Council Closed Session

The City Council will meet in closed session to discuss the appointment of a Community Development Director. The council will also confer with negotiators regarding potential land purchases at the intersection of Riggin Avenue and Shirk Street, and near Santa Fe and Douglas.

• Appointment of a Community Development Director
• Negotiations for property portions of APN 077-200-006, 077-840-002, 077-840-003, and 077-100-088 at Riggin Avenue and Shirk Street
• Negotiations for property APN 094-110-019 at Santa Fe and Douglas