The Visalia City Council met on October 7, 2024, beginning with a work session at 4:00 PM, followed by closed session at 5:18 PM (adjourned from work session), and a regular session at 7:00 PM. Mayor Brian Poochigian presided, with all five council members present (Vice Mayor Brett Taylor, Council Members Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, and Liz Wynn). The meeting included new employee introductions, a presentation from Tulare County Health & Human Services, two municipal ordinance updates, recognition of a national champion soccer team, public comments on various topics, and a consent calendar with 23 items.
Work Session (4:00 PM):
Regular Session (7:00 PM):
Work Session:
New Employee Introductions (24-0430): Six new Public Works employees were introduced: Andrew Stanley (Solid Waste Operator), Eddie Moreno (Solid Waste Operator), Faptima Velasco (Industrial Waste Inspector), Samuel Aceves (Industrial Waste Inspector), Rehana Cale (Sr. Project Manager), and Arturo Enriquez (Street Maintenance Worker).
Tulare County Health & Human Services Presentation (24-0412): Anita Ortiz (Associate Director) and Dr. Natalie Bolin (Behavioral Health Director) presented on Proposition 1 (Behavioral Health Services Act), CARE Court implementation, and SB 43. Key statistics: HHSA makes contact with approximately 350-400 homeless individuals countywide; the county has about 320 behavioral health housing beds at various levels; Proposition 1 redirects MHSA funding without new money; CARE Court (starting December 1, 2024) is a voluntary civil court process for individuals with psychosis who are homeless; SB 43 expands 5150 hold criteria to include substance use disorder, untreated medical conditions, and unsafe living environments (implementation deferred to 2026). Council members asked about navigation center access, metrics for unsanitary conditions, and estimated petition volumes. The Council gave positive feedback.
Vehicle Storage Ordinance Update (24-0340): Code Enforcement Officer Jesse Villegas proposed amending Visalia Municipal Code Chapter 10.16.050 to require vehicles parked on streets for more than 72 hours be moved at least 1,000 feet from the original location. Council discussed alternatives, potential for abuse (moving back and forth), and the need to distinguish responsible users from chronic storage. Motion to direct staff to initiate revisions passed 5-0.
Illegal Dumping Ordinance Update (24-0362): Code Enforcement Officer Tommy Contreras proposed amending Chapter 8.40 to define "illegal dumping" and establish a fine of $1,000 per day. Staff noted that the SWEEP program has collected 15 tons of illegally dumped material since July 2024 (approx. 10,000 pounds per month). Council discussed liability for property owners vs. tenants and the goal of stopping behavior. Motion to direct staff to initiate revisions passed 5-0.
Regular Session:
The work session of the Viselia City Council. We are going to begin with public comments. Citizens are now invited to comment on issues within the jurisdiction of the Viselia 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. And one of the things that struck me both times was that the city manager was referred to as he or him. Are not the end. The other thing was on your consent agenda tonight. Now I'm not making any statement about whether proposition three is a good idea or a bad idea. Proposition 36. Pardon me. It's proposition 36. Proposition 36? Yeah. Okay. Well, whichever one it is. We uh change to a previous proposition. I don't think it's appropriate for the city to take a stand on ballot initiative, ballot proposition, but should be something left to the individual's conscience and whether or not it's a good idea for the city. If it passes or doesn't pass, I don't think that the city as an organization should be basically telling the citizens how they should vote. Um I would like to see that uh that one hold and the tabled over uh vote again. Thank you. Thank you. Any more public comment? All right. Let's go to work session and action items. Number one, new employee introductions. Let's do public works. Good evening, counsel, Jason Serco, public works manager. I have the pleasure of introducing two new employees today. Umrew Stanley was recently hired at a solid waste operator, is looking forward to everything that the city has to offer. He grew up locally in the city of Tilery. His past employment was working for Kaya custom hauling at the heavy equipment transporter and Bulmer excavation uh in Strathmore, the heavy equipment operator. Uh Andrew's married with two boys, eight and six years old. He spends his time coaching baseball for his son that enjoys working and writing on more recycled third bikes on his free time with them. He appreciates the opportunity to work uh in a municipal setting and is optimistic that his experience and work ethic local system and further use career with the city by side. Eddie Moreno is also excited to start his career with the city of Visia as a new solid waste operator. And in the past two years, he worked for the city of Canford in their solid waste division. He was born and raised in Visya where he graduated from regular high school. Eddie was married and has two group of children in this free time. You can find them watching his son or the daughter playing baseball or just spending uh those cherished family moments together. In addition to being uh admitted father, Eddie enjoys his time at the gym and catching radio. Would you guys like to say anything? No, I'm yeah. If you guys can, please come around so we welcome in the city of Aisella. Thank you. guys like to say anything no I'm here if you guys can please come around so we welcome you in the city of Isaiah congratulations that one exercise things with them board thank you microphone on this working yes I hear now all right cool thank you good e good evening council we have uh three new employees for the wastewater uh we're starting with Fatima Velasco Fatima was recently hired as an industrial waste inspector at the water reclamation facility she lives in Viselia but was born and raised in Lindsay after high school she moved to Los Angeles to further her education at California State University of Los Angeles Vatima earned a degree in exercise and biological sciences with a minor in biology while in LA she didn't just earn her degree she also met her future husband in 2020 the couple decided they wanted to buy a home and the Central Valley was where they wanted to buy it. Outside of work they love going to concerts traveling and spending time with family next up we have Samuel Acives. Samuel is a new high is the newest uh industrial waste inspector at the water reclamation facility previously he worked for Conninger for over 10 years as a wastewater tech.