Visalia City Council Meeting – March 2, 2026

The Visalia City Council held a Work Session (4:00–6:24 PM) and a Regular Session (7:00–7:47 PM) on March 2, 2026. The Work Session included new employee introductions, a state legislative forecast, review of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for seven funds totaling $79 million over six years, a subdivision streamlining ordinance discussion, and an update on City Council goals and priorities. The Regular Session featured a centennial recognition for California Water Service, public comments, and a consent calendar from which two items were pulled: the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) membership agreement and a contract for a sales tax measure feasibility survey. The EDC membership was approved 4–1, while the feasibility survey failed 2–3.

Consent Calendar

• Approved by a 5–0 vote (items not pulled): authorization to read ordinances by title; facility use agreements with Visalia Youth Baseball and Visalia Little League; accept the Cash and Investment Report; approve federal congressional funding requests; authorize Alcohol Policing Program grant application; confirm letter of support for Visalia Heritage depot project; file notice of completion for Teagan Ranch subdivision.
• Item 3 (Tulare County EDC membership) and Item 9 (sales tax feasibility survey) were pulled for separate discussion (see Key Outcomes below).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jim Reeves (Visalia) raised concerns about the Flock license plate reader system (data breach, number of cameras, data access) during the Work Session public comment period. He also praised city staff responsiveness in later comments.
• Maria Guillen (Visalia) expressed dismay at the city’s opposition to Assembly Bill 339 (employee contracting notification) and supported SB 707 (remote meeting requirements) during the Work Session.
• Kathy Falconer (Visalia) asked about bike trails, bus stops, and the broader impact of growth (energy, water, jobs) before the subdivision streamlining ordinance discussion.
• Vicken Totten (Visalia) requested extending Chinouth Street to Goshen and enforcement of motorcycle use on the St. John River Trail (Regular Session public comment).
• Irene Lapin (Visalia) criticized communication practices (gaslighting, infantilization) and later urged that a sales tax survey clearly specify its purpose (e.g., a luxury aquatic center) rather than general parks and rec.
• Max Lupercio (Visalia) thanked the council for a $6,500 nonprofit grant to the Sequoia Symphony, enabling Link Up concerts with 4,000 middle school students.
• Harold Myers (Visalia) opposed the sales tax feasibility survey, arguing the city should focus on needs (not wants) and that the $45,000 could be used for existing projects like the inclusive park.
• Maria Guillen (again) supported the survey, saying it would provide needed neutral data and allow residents to weigh in.
• Jim Reeves (again) supported the survey and expressed willingness to pay a higher sales tax for an Olympic-size pool.

Discussion Items

• State Legislation Presentation (Item 2): Representatives from Nielsen, Merksamer, Parrinello, Gross & Leoni (Michelle Rubalcava, Geoff Neill) summarized 2025 state legislation (794 bills signed of 2,400 introduced) and forecast 2026 activity. Key topics included the Brown Act (SB 707), housing bills, Prop 36 implementation, a potential mileage tax, and the state’s $20 billion deficit. Council members asked about homelessness funding, public safety, and the fiscal outlook. No action taken; presentation received and filed.
• Capital Improvement Program (Item 3): Finance staff presented the six-year CIP for seven funds (Measure R Bike/Trail, Recreational Facilities, Storm Sewer Construction, Storm Sewer Deficiency, Groundwater Recharge, Waterways, Storm Sewer Maintenance) with $11.3 million proposed for FY 26/27 and $7.3 million for FY 27/28. Projects included the east side regional park design, MODOC Basin improvement, and groundwater recharge. Council asked questions about timelines and funding; item received and filed.
• Subdivision Streamlining Ordinance (Item 4): Staff proposed a zone text amendment to streamline approval of small subdivisions (residential up to 80 lots/units, no other discretionary permits). The Planning Commission split on the recommendation. Public comment raised concerns about infrastructure and growth. Councilmember Poochigian motioned to direct staff, with direction to investigate raising the threshold to achieve 20% of past subdivisions. Motion passed 5–0.
• Review of City Council Goals and Priorities (Item 5): City Manager Leslie Caviglia reported on progress on over 120 projects from the January 2025 workshop. Highlights included completion of the wastewater treatment master plan, industrial land inventory, single-family design standards, and digital access improvements (e.g., Visalia Connect app, online business licenses). Challenges included delays in the downtown street project and stalled partnership with Goshen CSD. Council praised staff; no motion required.
• Tulare County EDC Membership (Consent Item 3): Councilmember Nelsen pulled this item. Assistant City Manager John Lollis noted changes within the EDC, a new consultant, and ongoing prospecting activity. Councilmember Nelsen opposed further spending, citing 10 years of limited results. Vice Mayor Wynn argued for maintaining a seat at the table to shape the organization. Motion to approve as recommended passed 4–1 (Nelsen dissenting).
• Sales Tax Measure Feasibility Survey (Consent Item 9): Pulled by Councilmembers Nelsen and Poochigian. Staff proposed a $45,000 contract with FM3 Research to gauge voter support for a potential sales tax measure for the November 2026 election. Council debate centered on timing, the measure’s focus (some said it was for a pool/aquatic center; others argued it could fund broader needs like the civic center, Hope Team, parks). Councilmembers Nelsen and Poochigian opposed, calling it a knee-jerk reaction and arguing the city should plan long-term. Councilmembers Hernandez Soto and Vice Mayor Wynn supported it as a way to let voters decide. Motion to approve failed 2–3 (Hernandez Soto, Wynn in favor; Poochigian, Taylor, Nelsen opposed).

Key Outcomes

• Subdivision Streamlining: Motion passed 5–0 to direct staff to draft an ordinance for streamlined approval of small subdivisions (residential up to 80 lots/units, no other permits), with a designated official as approval body and administrative hearing process, and to investigate a threshold that would capture 20% of past subdivisions.
• Tulare County EDC Membership: Approved 4–1 to authorize payment of $30,000 for the first half of FY 25/26.
• Sales Tax Feasibility Survey: Failed 2–3; no contract awarded.
• Consent Calendar (remaining items): Approved 5–0.
• No action taken on state legislation presentation, CIP review, or goals update (received and filed).