Visalia City Council Meeting – June 20, 2025: Budget, Recreation, Oak Trees, and Special Events Policy
Visalia City Council Meeting – June 20, 2025
Note: The meeting transcript indicates the meeting occurred on June 16, 2025, but the provided date is June 20, 2025. This summary uses the provided date. The meeting included a work session and a regular session, covering financial reports, recreation projects, oak tree ordinance revisions, special events policy reconsideration, and various routine matters.
Consent Calendar
- Consent Calendar (Regular Meeting): The council approved the consent calendar (excluding item 7) on a 5-0 vote. Item 7 (FY 2025-26 salary schedule) was pulled for discussion and passed 5-0 after clarification that salary increases only apply to newly elected council members.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Work Session – Public Comments (Item 2 – Financial Report): No public speakers.
- Work Session – Public Comments (Item 3 – Recreation Projects): Joyce Reed (Visalia) expressed strong support for additional pickleball courts, noting the sport's growth, and requested bathroom facilities at Recreation Park.
- Work Session – Public Comments (Item 4 – Oak Tree Ordinance): Jim Reeves (Visalia) urged caution, supporting Option 1 (modify removal criteria) and warning that Options 2 or 3 could lead to a loss of most valley oaks within a decade.
- Work Session – Public Comments (Item 5 – Special Events Ordinance): No public speakers.
- Regular Meeting – General Public Comments:
- Irene Lappin (Visalia) requested advanced pet safety warnings for July 4th and questioned the costs and transparency of the July 3rd "City Spectacular" event.
- Suzanne Gundy (Visalia) asked the city to expand the feral cat neuter program, noting limited vet options.
- Maria Guillen (Visalia) praised the Source LGBTQ+ Center proclamation and announced a Juneteenth celebration collaboration with Parks and Rec.
- Jim Reeves (Visalia) thanked the council for the Pride Month proclamation and highlighted the Source's capital campaign.
- Regular Meeting – Contested Special Assessments (Item 1):
- Abigail Trevino (Visalia) claimed a court ordered refund of $12,066 plus interest from 2014-2015 property tax roll charges, stating the city hasn't complied.
- Suzanne Gundy (Visalia) requested a waiver of $12,000 in interest fees on delinquent utility bills for her low-income rental property, citing hardship.
- Regular Meeting – Central Core Sidewalk Survey (Item 3): Maria Guillen (Visalia) thanked the city for addressing trip hazards, noting risks for elderly residents.
- Public Comments on Other Regular Items: None.
Discussion Items
Work Session
- Item 1 – New Employee Introductions: The police chief introduced two new police department employees.
- Item 2 – FY 2025-26 Mid-Cycle Financial Report (Renee Nagel, Finance Director):
- Overview of the two-year budget cycle; second budget review focused on FY 25-26 changes.
- Key adjustments: property tax revenue growth revised from 2% to 3%; health insurance costs increased (city share to 8%); city allocations up $300,000.
- Forecast: revenues growing ~2% annually, but expenditures rising faster (staffing, technology, PERS, insurance). Projected general fund savings of $5.4 million.
- Request to appropriate an additional $1 million for Riverway Sports Park fence (total $2.5 million).
- Surplus policy discussion: current policy channels surplus to emergency reserve (30% of operating expenditures) then to Civic Center Public Safety Reserve Fund. Council discussed future project priorities (Civic Center Phase 3, East Regional Park, community pool, community center upgrades).
- Councilmembers expressed caution on expenditure growth and desire to maintain surplus for major projects while also funding smaller “quick-win” improvements.
- Item 3 – Recreation Projects Update (Jason Glect, Parks & Rec Director):
- Recap of completed ARPA-funded projects (shade structures, playgrounds, restrooms, irrigation, etc.).
- Ongoing projects: Stonebrook shade structures, Riverway fence, splash pad renovation, Harrell Grove upgrade.
- Future projects: HVAC replacements at community centers, three new neighborhood parks (Elliott, Pearlwoods, Victory Oaks), East Regional Park.
- Staff recommended project list totaling ~$1.6 million: Anthony Center gym floor ($220k), HVAC conversion at Anthony and Manuel Hernandez centers ($350k each), Plaza Park pickleball court resurfacing ($85k), Recreation Park pickleball courts with lights ($470k), Jefferson Park mini-pitch ($220k), Summers Park basketball restriping ($15k).
- Council generally supportive; Vice Mayor Wynne emphasized using surplus funds for these projects.
- Item 4 – Oak Tree Ordinance Review (Jason Glect, Zach Huff):
- Historical background: ordinance adopted 2018, with permit requirements for removal of valley oaks on private property.
- Challenges: increasing insurance non-renewals, safety concerns, administrative burden.
- Four options presented:
- Modify removal criteria (e.g., allow removal for damage to structures, close proximity to buildings, insurance non-renewal).
- Partial deregulation: exempt existing single-family residential properties from permits (multifamily, commercial, new subdivisions still require permits).
- Full ordinance elimination: no permits for any private property removal; city manages public trees.
- Seek further public input.
- Council discussion favored Options 2 or 3. Councilmember Rosoto moved Option 2 with amendment to include all existing private property (not just single-family). Councilmember supported with desire for a heritage grove. Mayor wanted to celebrate oak trees via website/planting programs.
- Item 5 – Reconsideration of Special Events Ordinance (City Manager):
- City manager explained misinterpretation of November 2024 motion: the ordinance was to return February 18, 2025 for discussion, but no meeting occurred. Staff brought item for council direction.
- Discussion focused on Downtown Visalia Farmers Market: vendor Lacey Lancaster raised concerns about notification requirements (good neighbor policy) and limitations on using both sides of Main Street (12 events per year limit).
- Councilmember Nelson gave a lengthy statement about past conflicts with the farmers market director, alleging attacks and an FPPC complaint. He argued the ordinance should stay as is.
- Councilmember Soto noted that productive meetings occurred but no consensus was reached.
- Council vote: motion to leave ordinance as adopted November 18, 2024 passed 3-2 (Councilmembers Wynne and Soto opposed).
Regular Meeting
- Special Presentation: Isabel Flores recognized for winning the 2025 State Lions Speaker Contest; she gave brief remarks and received a $21,000 scholarship.
- Proclamation: Pride Month and the Source LGBTQ+ Center recognized. Source representative thanked council and highlighted upcoming events.
- PRSA Awards: City Communications received four Image Awards for holiday decorating contest and ATP Cycle 7 campaign.
- Item 7 – Salary Schedule Pulled from Consent: Amy Powell (HR) explained salary increases occur only at the start of a new council term; the current adjustment was approved for future terms. Public comment: none. Motion passed 5-0.
- Item 1 – Contested Special Assessments (Ruth Pena, Finance):
- Staff recommended placing $44,509.36 on the tax roll for eight contested parcels, with three removals and two modifications (stipulated agreements).
- Council discussed utility interest fees; no reduction made. Motion to adopt Resolution 2025-40 passed 5-0.
- Item 2 – FY 2025-26 Rates and Fees (Jana Ferguson, Finance):
- Proposed inflationary increases (CPI 3.06%, ENR 1.68%, business tax CPI 5.02%).
- Adjustments: pickleball/tennis court rental to $8/hour; trolley rates rounded to $162/hour for non-city; Sequoia Shuttle changes deferred to next year.
- Public hearing held; no speakers. Motion to adopt Resolution 2025-08 passed 5-0.
- Item 3 – Central Core Sidewalk Survey (Chung Perry, Engineering):
- Survey of 1,400 grant-funded trees found 65% offsets (shaving), 30% remove/replace, 5% gaps.
- Immediate shaving/filling work costs $214,325 from $500,000 budget; remaining funds for root trimming.
- Full remove/replace estimated at $1.2 million; staff will return with details. Work begins July 7.
- Public comment from Maria Guillen supportive. No motion required; council received report.
- Item 4 – Ordinance Adoption – Zoning Text Amendment 2025-01 (Paul Burnell):
- Cleanup to align zoning ordinance with council’s previous adoption of objective design standards by resolution.
- Public hearing; one councilmember voted no. Motion passed 4-1.
- Item 5 – Measure N Spending Plan Amendment – Axon Contract (Capt. Dan Ford):
- Authorized city manager to execute contract amendment for body cameras and technologies; appropriate $138,121 from Measure N fund.
- Public hearing; no speakers. Motion passed 5-0.
Key Outcomes
- FY 2025-26 Mid-Cycle Financial Report: Motion passed 4-1 to accept report, appropriate $1 million for Riverway Sports Park fence, and begin surplus policy discussion.
- Recreation Projects: Motion passed 5-0 to accept staff report and appropriate $1.6 million from projected FY 24-25 general fund surplus for the recommended projects list.
- Oak Tree Ordinance: Motion passed 4-1 to adopt Option 2 (partial deregulation) with amendment to exempt all private property (not just single-family). Staff to return with ordinance revisions.
- Special Events Ordinance: Motion passed 3-2 to keep the ordinance as adopted November 18, 2024.
- Consent Calendar: Approved 5-0; item 7 (salary schedule) approved 5-0 after discussion.
- Contested Special Assessments: Resolution 2025-40 approved 5-0 to place $44,509.36 on the tax roll.
- Rates and Fees: Resolution 2025-08 approved 5-0.
- Zoning Text Amendment: Ordinance 2024-16 introduced (first reading); passed 4-1.
- Measure N Amendment: Authorized city manager to execute Axon contract and appropriate funds; passed 5-0.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, everybody, and welcome. Today is June sixteenth, two thousand twenty five. We appreciate everyone being here. Um, we're gonna go ahead and uh open it up to public comments. Citizens are now invited to comment on issues within the jurisdiction of the Isaiah City Council and items list uh items listed on the closed session agenda. The council asks that you keep your comments concise and positive. Creative criticism represented or 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. Anyone wishing to speak at this time, please come forward. All right, so we're gonna go ahead and close public comments, and we will go on to work session item number one new employee introductions. Uh Chief, and you you're the one taking care of this one. Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor and Council members. It's my pleasure this afternoon to introduce two new Vice Lady Police Department employees. Well, thank you so much, ladies. If you'd like to come on up, uh shake our hands. Share, yeah. Come on up. Uh shake our hands, and we like to welcome you aboard. So we see it. Okay, thank you very much. Next, we're gonna go on to item number two, which is a fiscal year two thousand twenty-five-two thousand twenty-six mid-cycle financial report. And looks like Renee is doing this one, so go ahead. Good evening, Council. Renee Nagel, Finance and Technology Director for the City of Isalia. And tonight I'm here to present the fiscal year twenty-five-twenty-six mid-cycle financial um review. Let me just kind of get some of my stuff squared away real quick. Um, let's just first kind of go over how the budget cycle works. Um, because what most people don't understand is that we have an adopted two-year budget, which council approved in June of twenty twenty four, which was for fiscal year twenty-four-twenty-five, which ends in two weeks. And then we have the second year, which is twenty-five twenty-six, which starts on July one. And so we did the first budget review, which is called mid year for and it focuses on fiscal year 24-25. We did that in April, and that is where we project the revenues and expenditures for both budget years, and then we do our forecast as well. And then we turn around and we come back literally almost two months later, and we do the second budget review, which is also called the mid-cycle. And so this more focuses on fiscal year 25-26. This is where we report any changes that we've become aware of from April to today. So we didn't re-project all the numbers. We don't go back out and re-download and work with all the departments. We more plug in what we know about. So if we know of any additional increases of contracts or just additional costs that we become aware of, then we'll put those in here. And so we also can request um revisions for expenditures for the year we're ending or for next year as well. And so we more focus on the general fund because that's our largest single fund. And then any other funds if there's any changes that we know about. So this next slide talks about some of a change, some of our changes that we've done from mid-year, which again, we just came here in April. So this is just going to kind of just talk about that. So for fiscal year 24-25, we do not have any changes that we're projecting from what when we came last month. Um for fiscal year 25-26, we do have a couple more changes that we've added to our forecast, which we've changed the property tax from a 1% or excuse me, from a 2% to a 3%. Um for health costs, that cost did go up. We got our what our numbers are going to be for that one. Originally we were projecting four for the city.
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