Visalia City Council Continued Meeting – August 12, 2024: Transit Contract and Park Camping Ordinance
Visalia City Council Continued Meeting Summary – August 12, 2024
The Visalia City Council reconvened at 5:15 PM on Monday, August 12, 2024, as a continuation of the August 5, 2024 meeting. All five members were present: Mayor Brian Poochigian, Vice Mayor Brett Taylor, Council Members Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, and Liz Wynn. The council approved the second reading of two ordinances: a transit operations and maintenance contract with RATP Dev and a municipal code amendment restricting camping in parks and public property. The meeting adjourned at 5:48 PM.
Action Items
- Authorization to read ordinances by title only (24-0333): Approved 5–0 on a motion by Council Member Liz Wynn, seconded by Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto.
- Transit Operations and Maintenance Contract (24-0328): Approved 5–0. Ordinance No. 2024-08 authorizes a lease of the Transit Operations and Maintenance Facility at 525 N. Cain St. to RATP Dev for up to 10 years, with a 5-year base contract not to exceed $109,000,000 and five single option years. Transit Manager Angelina DeRossett requested approval; no public comments were received.
- Municipal Code Amendment (24-0334): Approved 4–1, with Council Member Hernandez Soto dissenting. Ordinance 2024-09 amends Chapters 12.32 and 12.52 of the Visalia Municipal Code to remove the limited exemption for camping and storing property overnight in city parks, recreation areas, trails, and other public property. City Attorney Ken Richardson said the changes take effect immediately if approved by a four-fifths vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Taylor (Visalia resident) opposed the ordinance, arguing it criminalizes homelessness, addresses symptoms rather than root causes, and does not build community. They criticized the governor’s encampment funding threat and emphasized rehabilitation over deterrence.
- Julia Doyal (Visalia resident) expressed frustration, asked where displaced people would go, noted local programs such as Salt and Light and the Tulare Kings Homeless Alliance, and suggested a task force or community-based solutions to address root causes.
- Maria Guillen (Visalia resident) criticized the council’s public comment process, saying officials appeared to have already made up their minds and used time after comments to justify positions. She also announced a photography exhibit at the Visalia Arts Center featuring local unhoused residents.
- April Lancaster (Visalia resident, District 2) urged the council to delay the second reading and convene a roundtable discussion involving city/code enforcement, police, and housing stakeholders.
Discussion Highlights
- Police Chief Jason Salazar expressed support for the ordinance, stating it gives the Police Department another enforcement tool but is not a complete solution. He said enforcement would generally be complaint-driven rather than active nighttime park patrols. He noted ongoing gaps in resources and supported the concept of a low-barrier emergency drop-in shelter.
- Council Member Hernandez Soto questioned enforcement logistics and the likely displacement of people from parks. He stated he did not believe the ordinance would make parks safer and suggested an emergency drop-in shelter would be more effective; he said he would not support the ordinance.
- Council Member Steve Nelsen supported the ordinance, arguing it reverts to the original ordinance and that California’s housing-first approach has not reduced homelessness. He highlighted local efforts such as Salt and Light’s planned 100 tiny homes and a navigation center, and encouraged residents to mentor individuals one-on-one.
- Council Member Liz Wynn and Vice Mayor Brett Taylor stated support. Vice Mayor Taylor cited HOPE team contacts and said the ordinance could incentivize people to accept services, while Wynn said children deserve safe parks and the ordinance addresses complaints at sports parks.
Key Outcomes
- Item 24-0333 approved unanimously (5–0).
- Item 24-0328 approved unanimously (5–0); City Manager authorized to execute the RATP Dev agreement and lease.
- Item 24-0334 approved 4–1; effective immediately.
- Upcoming meetings announced: Monday, August 19, 2024 at 7:00 PM and Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 7:00 PM at 707 W. Acequia.
Meeting Transcript
We're gonna continue the meeting of August 5th. Um we're gonna start with a uh call to order of the continued meeting of August 5th and public comments. This is time for people to comment on matters within the jurisdiction of Isolia City Council. The council asks that you keep your comments brief and positive. Creative criticism presented with appropriate courtesy is welcome. Each speaker will be allowed three minutes and a timer will notify you uh when your times expire. Please begin your comments by stating and spelling your name and providing your city or residence. And if you're here to talk about one of the items, I would hold those comments so we get to those items. All right, seeing no public comment, we'll move to uh continued action items. No, we're gonna are we going one item at a time or all right. Item one authorized to read ordinance by title only okay. Let's go. Item number two, transit op, oh sorry, we do need we need need a uh motion and second, second, and I motion from council member when second from council member so all in favor signify by saying aye. Aye aye, all opposed. Motion passes five zero. Uh item number two, transit operations and maintenance contract root in a presentation. Sorry, new to this piece. Um, Angelina Durassett, I'm the transit manager at the city of Iselia. This is the second reading for our ordinance 2408 to authorize the up to 10 year lease of our transit facility to RETP. Do I need to read the entire agenda ordinary I I think that's pretty good? Um do you guys have any questions? Councilmember Nelson? No, Councilman Wynn. No, Council Rosotel? No, thank you. Vice Mayor, I have no questions. Any public comment on this? Seeing none, I'm bringing back to council for a motion. I move we approve the transit operations maintenance contract as stated. Second, second. I got a motion by Councilmember Wynn. Vice Mayor and Teller to beat you to it on a second. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed. Motion passes. 5-0. All right. Item number three, municipal code amendment. Uh good evening, Mayor. City Council. This is uh ordinance number 20-24, 2024 oh nine. Uh this would amend chapters 1232 and 1252 of the Visalia Municipal Code to remove a limited exemption for camping and storing property overnight in our parks and trails. There would now no longer be any camping allowed in public places in Visalia after the adoption of this ordinance. The first reading was approved and moved forwarded on an urgency basis. And so if you adopt the ordinance this evening by a four-fifth vote or better, uh it will take effect immediately. Any questions? Um, before you guys want questions, want to open public comment? Any public may I make a suggestion that perhaps we ask the police chief um to provide some comments um prior to public comment, or would you rather have public comment? Chief Salzar, would you like to say anything?
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