Visalia City Council Meeting - July 15, 2024: Logo Redesign, Military Equipment Renewal, and Zoning Amendments
Visalia City Council Meeting - July 15, 2024
The Visalia City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, July 15, 2024, at 7:00 PM. The council addressed a consent calendar, three regular agenda items, and received public comments. Key actions included renewing the police department's military equipment use policy, adopting a zoning text amendment, and selecting a new city logo after a community-driven redesign process.
Consent Calendar
- The council approved 12 of 14 consent calendar items in a single motion (5-0). Items 7 and 14 were pulled for separate discussion.
- Item 7 – Sports Lighting Contract: Authorized a sole-source contract with Musco Sports Lighting for $819,755.39 to upgrade lighting at Rawhide ballpark to meet Major League Baseball standards. The contract is contingent on a signed agreement with the team and MLB approval. Approved 5-0.
- Item 14 – Amended Resolution for Cannabis Tax Measure: Corrected the ballot measure language to comply with California Election Code 75-word limit by removing the title and adding a separate section. Approved 5-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Levi and Caleb Lewis (Visalia): Expressed support for the new bike lane, stating it makes them feel safe.
- Nick Bartsch, Public Works Director: Reported that the June 22 Dump on Us event served 813 vehicles, diverting approximately 40.87 tons of recyclable/compost material (32.5% diversion rate). The next event is August 17.
- Taylor (Visalia resident): Urged the council to support a ceasefire in Gaza and pass a resolution condemning genocide, arguing that local taxes fund Israeli military actions while local needs go unmet. Criticized the council for not addressing the issue.
- Jay Pena (Visalia): Called for immediate action to provide clean drinking water to the homeless population, urging activation of public water fountains and hydration stations, especially during summer heat.
- Catherine Doe, Irene Lapin, Efrain Becerra (Visalia residents): Commented on the logo redesign. Doe questioned the shortened public comment timeline; Lapin and Becerra stated the process had been thorough and should conclude.
Discussion Items
- Military Equipment (AB 481) Annual Report: Lt. Osvaldo Dominguez presented the 2024 report. The Visalia Police Department does not use surplus military equipment. In the reporting period: armored rescue vehicle deployed 19 times, drones used 63 times, bomb truck 27 times, bomb robot 8 times. No citizen complaints received. The council unanimously adopted Resolution 2024-23 renewing the military equipment use policy.
- Zoning Text Amendment (Ordinance 2024-07): Principal Planner Brandon Smith and Economic Development Manager Devon Jones presented a comprehensive cleanup of multiple municipal code titles (17, 5, 8, 12, 16, 18) based on state law changes, typos, and procedure updates. The Planning Commission recommended approval. The public hearing was opened and closed, and the first reading was approved 5-0.
- Logo Redesign Update: Communications Manager Allison Mackey provided an update. 87 logos were submitted by the community; a committee of five council-appointed members met July 8 and 10, selecting finalists: Nos. 7, 34, 35, 56, and 59. Public comment was accepted July 12–15 (over 139 emails received). Council discussion: Members expressed preferences for logo 59 (with four members supporting it) and debated compensation for the winning artist. A motion to select logo 59, offer a $1,500 honorarium and optional plaque/recognition, and bring the final decision to the August 5 meeting was made by Councilmember Wynn, seconded by Councilmember Nelsen, and passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Military Equipment Policy Renewal: Approved 5-0.
- Zoning Text Amendment: First reading adopted 5-0.
- Logo Selection: Logo No. 59 selected as the preferred design; final approval deferred to August 5 meeting.
- Closed Session Report: The city purchased a right-of-way parcel (APN 124-010-003) for the Caldwell Widening Project for $100,000 from Rick G. and Patricia A. January (closing date 6/28/2024).
- Upcoming Meetings: August 5 and August 19, 2024, at 7:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
We're gonna begin with the Pledge of Allegiance led by myself, followed by the invocation by Councilmember Wynne. Please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ready? Begin. Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, individual with liberty and justice for all. This evening, I just ask that all of you join me in a moment of silence as we pray for peace and unity in our country and our city and the important things that we have ahead of us this evening. So please just bow your heads and think peaceful. Happy thoughts. Thank you. All right, we're gonna skip over items of interest tonight. And we're gonna right now move into public comments. Um before we move into public comments, I think I just want to make a quick statement. You know, a lot has happened over the past week in our political environment. Um you know, it's always okay to disagree and have good civil discord with each other, but we also got to keep it positive and make sure nothing turns violent. So remember that as we move forward. All right. Um at this time we're gonna move to public comments. This is your uh this is the time for people to comment on matters within the jurisdiction of the Vicela City Council. The council asks that you keep your comments brief and positive. Creative criticism, president with appropriate courtesy is welcome. This is the opportunity to address the council on any matter of interest, whether on the agenda or not, other than the consent calendar. During the evening for up to three minutes, unless additional time is authorized by the council. 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. All right, microphones out. Mayor, will people have a chance to speak on item number three on the right session? Yes, just so that they know not to speak now. Yeah. Thank you. Hi, my Ms. Leah Lewis. Hi, I'm Miss Ken Lewis. And we really like to ride bikes. Thank you. We love the new bike lane. We love the new bike lane. I'm County Santa. It makes us feel safe. Thank you. Thank you for building it. Thank you for your comments. We appreciate those. Uh uh Mr. Mayor, if we could, um, I want to have Diego who's sitting right in front of the boys stand up because that was one of his projects, and he's here. And I thought maybe they could all come up and get a picture. Diego and the boys and the council. Definitely. Please come forward.
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