Visalia City Council Meeting Summary – February 2, 2026
Visalia City Council Meeting – February 2, 2026
The Visalia City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. Mayor Brett Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, and an invocation was given by Pastor Johnny Renteria of Heart of the Valley Christian Fellowship Church. All five council members were present. The meeting adjourned at 7:21 PM.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Irene Lapin (Visalia) – Spoke on the proposed aquatic center, urging the council to proactively seek resident input rather than advancing city preferences. She criticized the hiring of Pros Consulting (based in Indiana) to guide planning, questioned the timing of a presentation by a San Diego aquatics design firm before the bidding process, and cautioned against naming the center after a former councilman. She expressed concern about economic hardship for lower- and middle-income residents and questioned Vice Mayor Wynn’s earlier comment “go big or go home,” arguing that negotiation and compromise are essential in government planning.
- Louisa Carson (Visalia), Director for American Legion Writers – Described difficulties with the Bicelli Veterans Memorial Building, stating it is being booked for non-veteran groups, parking is insufficient, and scheduled events have been cancelled. She requested city assistance in finding a new location for Post 18.
Consent Calendar
The consent calendar was approved unanimously (5‑0) as presented. It included nine routine items:
- 25-0633 – Authorization to read ordinances by title only.
- 25-0587 – Award professional services contract to Roadway Asset Services for pavement management program update ($499,929) and appropriate $190,000 from the Gas Tax Fund.
- 25-0598 – Award contract to Kimley-Horn and Associates for a Local Road Safety Action Plan ($268,912.36) and appropriate $259,900 from the Transportation Fund (to be reimbursed by Tulare County Association of Governments).
- 25-0608 – Award three-year contract to ProForce Law Enforcement for replacement ballistic vests (not to exceed $158,000).
- 25-0631 – Amend contract with Mike Clark Trucking to increase annual biosolids hauling limit from $226,800 to $331,800 and appropriate $273,000 from the Wastewater Fund.
- 25-0632 – Amend contract with Holloway Environmental Solutions for disposal of 2024 biosolids stockpile (increase from $144,000 to $312,000).
- 25-0624 – Authorize Visalia Police Department to apply for CHP Cannabis Tax Fund Grant (up to $157,000) and, if awarded, accept and appropriate from the General Fund.
- 25-0635 – Award annual contract to Mike Clark Trucking Services for road material transport (not to exceed $126,000/year, renewable up to 5 years).
- 25-0637 – Award contract to Gallagher Benefit Services for total compensation and comprehensive classification study ($391,600) and appropriate $141,600 from the General Fund.
Discussion Items
- Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) 2026 Work Plan Calendar Presentation (Item 25-0628) – Public Works Manager Jason Serpa introduced CAC Chair Edward Jones, who presented the committee’s planned activities for the year. The CAC, established in 1969, consists of 11 voting members and acts as a liaison between the public and the council. The 2026 work plan includes reviewing Measure T and Measure N audits (January‑February), ADA presentations (March), CDBG and HOME funds (April), rates and fees (May), new member recruitment (June), adopting the work plan (July), subcommittee formation (August), CAPER review (September), nonprofit youth grant workshops (October), small grant discussions (November), and award recommendations (December). The committee noted increased capacity after the public opinion survey was discontinued and invited council to suggest additional items. Council members thanked the committee for its service and expressed appreciation for its recommendations. No action was required; the item was received and filed.
Key Outcomes
- The Consent Calendar was approved unanimously (5‑0).
- The Citizens Advisory Committee work plan presentation was received and filed; no vote was needed.
- The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 7:00 PM, followed by Monday, March 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everybody. Welcome to the Visalia City Council meeting. We appreciate you guys being here. We're gonna go ahead and start this meeting by uh offering the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilmember Soto, and then we will have an invocation by Pastor Johnny Renturia, Heart of the Valley Christian Fellowship. Please stand. One nation under God. Indivisible with everything in justice for all. Amen. If you would join with me by bowing your heads, I'd just like to say a quick prayer for us all as we begin this meeting. Father, we just come before you in the name of your son Jesus. We pray for our city council members. May your wisdom be upon them as they make decisions this evening, God, and just pray for a blessing on their lives, their families, and also all those in attendance tonight. God, would you just make yourself known? May we honor you. May you bless all that are here in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you, Pastor Enterir. Appreciate that blessing. All right, we'll go ahead and open up to public comments. This is the time for the general public to comment on issues within the jurisdiction of the Visalia City Council. Each speaker tonight may speak for up to three minutes during the general comment period on a matter that is not on the agenda. The public may also make one comment for up to three minutes prior to the consideration of the consent calendar and immediately before any regular agenda item is heard. 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 has expired. Please begin your comments by stating and spelling your name and providing your city of residence. Irene Lampen, L A P I N Visalia. Mayor, Vice Mayor, and members of the council. About the proposed aquatic center, this part of your parks and rec master plan. To avoid another one, I called to Learry Avenue Rehamp Fiasco. Here's what I recommend. You simply must reach out to residents proactively. For example, at your last two at your next two special meetings, don't spend precious time advancing the city's preferences, but instead ask residents to state theirs. Be prepared to have a council member present who will be able to answer questions. Apropos of this, I learned this morning from the Parks and Rec Director that a firm named Pros Consulting, which I found out is located in Indiana, was signed up to uh to guide, quote unquote, the planning for this massive project. And in fact, we'll be here in person to answer resident questions. How and why? Second, avoid making an extravagant aquatic center a way to thank or honor a former councilman. That would be a grave misstep in my view. To disrespect, no disrespect to former councilman Collins, but everyone here became exasperated with the proposal after years of exhaustive discussions. In the end, he was unable to secure the funding, and the idea was permanently shelved. I still have all the pertinent notes and emails, even uh cover story in the local paper. Sitting on my desk, still reminding me of what a fiasco looks like. Likewise, you don't owe any debt of gratitude to an upscale aquatics design company from San Diego, the Senate representative here. It was their decision to come here and to make their sales pitch in advance of any competition. Moreover, that was before the bidding process even began. To me, the timing seemed highly inappropriate, and my guess is not in compliance with state regulations. Last, as you know, these are extremely tough economic times for lower and middle income residents. Vice Mayor Wynne, I was baffled by your comment last time. Go big or go home.
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