Clovis City Council Meeting – October 12, 2026

The Clovis City Council met on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chamber at 1033 Fifth Street. The meeting included approval of routine consent calendar items, a public hearing and workshop on the Water Master Plan Phase III amendment, approval to cancel the next council meeting, and several public comments and council member announcements. The council also entered closed session for labor negotiations and the city manager's performance evaluation.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved Consent Calendar items 1–8 (minutes, treasury reports, weed abatement charges, property acquisition, Armstrong Avenue street improvements final acceptance, water treatment plant consulting contract) with one exception. Item 7 (final map for Tract 6154 at Fowler and Teague Avenues) was pulled and continued to a date uncertain. A motion to approve the remaining items carried unanimously.
• During public comment on the consent calendar, Bill Scott (341 Evergreen) criticized the quality of the Armstrong Avenue road repairs (item 6), calling it the "bumpiest part of Armstrong" and likening it to a dirt road. Mike Brandini (262) countered that the new section was a "vast improvement" over previous conditions. The council clarified that the project was not a Measure S project.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Glenn Harrington (Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California): Spoke during general public comment about epilepsy awareness and training. He provided statistics: 1 in 10 people will have a seizure, 1 in 26 will develop epilepsy, 3.4 million Americans live with active epilepsy, and the annual healthcare burden is $54 billion in the U.S. He highlighted SUDEP (sudden unexpected epilepsy death), noting that 1 in 1,000 people with epilepsy will die from it. He offered free seizure first aid training for law enforcement, medical staff, bus drivers, and others, and requested a proclamation for Epilepsy Awareness Month in November. Council expressed willingness to provide a proclamation.

Discussion Items

• Item 9: Water Master Planning Workshop and Amendment to Water Master Plan Phase III

  • Staff (Kevin Tuttle, Assistant Public Utilities Director, and consultant Thad) presented a comprehensive review of the water master plan update. The presentation covered four technical memorandums (TMs) analyzing design criteria, demand trends, infrastructure evaluation, water supply reliability, and cost alternatives for a new surface water treatment plant.
  • The preferred alternative (Alternative 2) proposes a 20 million gallons per day (MGD) treatment plant in the northwest, with a total capital cost of approximately $506 million over 50+ years (general plan buildout to 2083). Alternatives 1, 3, and 4 ranged from $512–518 million. Alternative 1 (northeast plant) was the most expensive. The recommendation is to proceed with environmental review and formal adoption later.
  • Council members asked about reliability, financing, scalability, and relationship to the general plan update. Councilmember Bessinger noted that the $506 million figure is the largest he has seen. Councilmember Lynn questioned the decision to favor the northwest over splitting between northwest and northeast; staff explained that the northeast plant relied on uncertain Frank Kern Canal water and that the northwest plant offers better access to Fresno Irrigation District supplies and is more nimble for near-term growth. The mayor pro tem inquired about financing policies and whether developers could be required to fund part of the cost; the city manager indicated that financing options (Melan Ruse, bonding, impact fees) will be addressed during the general plan update and fee update process. Councilmember Ashback asked about recycled water; staff noted it is not in this document but is part of separate plans.
  • A motion to approve the amendment and proceed with environmental review carried unanimously.

• Item 10: Change of Council Meeting Schedule

  • City Manager Andrew Haussler requested approval to cancel the council meeting scheduled for October 19, 2026, due to consolidation of items. The motion carried unanimously. Councilmember Bessinger requested that a workshop on SB9 impacts on Clovis be scheduled for a future date when there are no other agenda items.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent calendar items 1–8, with item 7 continued to a date uncertain.
• Approved the Water Master Plan Phase III amendment (Alternative 2) to proceed with environmental review and eventual formal adoption. The resolution will be brought back after the environmental document is completed.
• Approved cancellation of the October 19, 2026 council meeting.
• Proclamation requests: Consensus to provide a proclamation for Epilepsy Awareness Month (November) for Glenn Harrington; for Family Caregivers Month (November) requested by Mayor Pro Tem Pierce; and for Sikh Heritage Month (November) requested by Mayor Vogt. Staff will prepare language.
• Future agenda items: Councilmember Bessinger requested a future agenda item to discuss honoring Cora Shipley (lighting, name plate downtown) and a report on painting the water tower at Letterman Park. Councilmember Ashback requested information on traffic calming at Teague/Fowler/Sunnyside intersections and a beta test of LED pedestrian lighting. The mayor pro tem asked about a workshop on SB9 impacts.
• Closed session: The council convened closed session for labor negotiations (unrepresented employees) and the city manager's performance evaluation. No reportable action was taken.
• Council announcements: Councilmember Bessinger reported attending the funeral of retired dispatch supervisor Tom Tucker in Georgia, presenting a proclamation and honoring his 34 years of service. Mayor Vogt and Mayor Pro Tem Pierce shared updates on community events (pastors appreciation, senior center car show, Clovis High all-class reunion, Fresno Fair, Clovis Community College president's luncheon).