Visalia City Council Meeting: Capital, Cannabis, and Fire Fees – March 16, 2026
Visalia City Council Meeting – March 16, 2026
The Visalia City Council held a combined work session (4:00–6:09 PM) and regular session (7:00–7:37 PM) on Monday, March 16, 2026, in City Council Chambers. Council Member Steve Nelsen was absent; all other members were present. The work session covered the Capital Improvement Program, Measure N 10‑year plan, Prohousing Designation, a Cannabis Ordinance framework, and a new city website. The regular session included a public hearing on a drive‑thru hours appeal and modifications to Fire Department fees. Key outcomes included approval of the Measure N budget, direction to apply for Prohousing designation (30‑point system), authorization of a cannabis fee study, and overturning a Planning Commission condition to allow extended drive‑thru hours.
Consent Calendar
- 12 items were approved unanimously (4‑0) except Item 9 (Grant Award), which was pulled for comment and then separately approved (4‑0).
- Approved items included: authorization to read ordinances by title only; amendment of Plaza Park Raceway agreement; developer reimbursement for Sycamore Heights Subdivision ($297,931.92 from Transportation Impact Fee Fund); final parcel map for Tentative Parcel Map 2024-09 (including Open Space District formation); Housing Element annual progress report for 2025; purchase of two solid waste trucks (up to $226,770.14 with additional $118,270.14 appropriation); appropriation of $1,246,000 from Transit Capital Fund for the Cross Valley Express project (TIRCP); reauthorization of Stage 2 Water Conservation Ordinance; award of emergency culvert replacement contract to Dawson‑Mauldin, LLC ($435,070 with $590,000 from Gas Tax fund); purchase of Dell computers ($719,000 using NASPO agreement with $185,300 from various funds); and filing of notice of completion for traffic signal improvements at St. Johns Parkway and Burke Street.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Work Session Public Comments (4:00 PM): No public comments on the Capital Improvement Program, Measure N, or Prohousing items. Two speakers addressed the Cannabis Ordinance: Gabriel Jacquez (business owner) expressed opposition to cannabis, urging high standards and noting workforce drug‑testing concerns. Adolfo Castillo (Banyan Tree, Fresno) supported the framework, highlighted potential revenue (approx. $25,000‑$26,000/month local tax to Fresno), and advocated for local ownership and a merit‑based rather than lottery process. One speaker (Gabriel Jacquez) also praised the new city website and suggested QR code integration.
- Regular Session Public Comments (7:00 PM, before Consent Calendar):
- Richie Sayavong (Fresno, outreach analyst for CA Dept. of Insurance) requested council support for three state wildfire recovery/insurance reform bills (AB 1795, SB 876, AB 1680).
- Ricardo Flores (Visalia resident) questioned a code enforcement letter regarding his basketball hoop, citing vague regulations and proposing a monthly fee schedule. City staff (Paul Bernal) was asked to follow up.
- Camila Chavez (high school senior) presented a pilot program proposal to provide free menstrual products in public restrooms, citing survey data and the need for dignity and accessibility.
Discussion Items
- Capital Improvement Program (25‑0540): Finance staff presented proposed FY 2026/27 and 2027/28 CIP budgets across multiple funds (Gas Tax, SB1, Measure R, Transportation Impact Fees, Landscape & Lighting, State Transportation, Northeast Capital Improvement). Total appropriations: ~$22 million in FY 26/27 and ~$29 million in FY 27/28, with $134 million in the outer four years. Council discussed specific projects (e.g., Shirk/198 interchange interim signals, ponding basins) and thanked staff for the report. No formal action taken; item received and filed.
- Measure N 10‑Year Plan and Two‑Year Budget (25‑0718): Staff reviewed the proposed 10‑year plan (2027‑2037) and detailed FY 2026/27 and 2027/28 budgets. Highlights: continuation of current plan plus adding 7 police officers, 2 CSOs, 2 professional staff; design/construction of Fire Station 57 with 3 of 9 required FTEs; increased street maintenance (0.05% annually) and building maintenance ($1.5M/year). The FY 26/27 budget includes $21M additional for Station 51 construction and $1.5M for building maintenance. The motion to approve the proposed plan and budgets carried 4‑0.
- Prohousing Designation Program (25‑0699): Planning staff presented the CA HCD Prohousing Designation, which offers competitive and non‑competitive funding (up to $1.25M). City currently scores 24 points (minimum 30 needed). Council provided direction to proceed with applying using the 30‑point system, targeting points from the upcoming subdivision ordinance streamlining (ministerial approval) and ADU policies. Council declined to pursue parking reduction points, citing concerns about impacts. No vote required; consensus to file application.
- Cannabis Ordinance Discussion (25‑0675): Staff presented draft ordinance, application/selection process, and zoning updates. The framework establishes license types but sets the number of licenses to zero (can be changed by resolution later). Key provisions: retail hours 9 AM–9 PM; 600‑foot buffers from sensitive uses; lottery selection; $50,000 annual minimum or 1% of gross receipts; transfer fee consideration. Council discussed ensuring quality applicants and preventing license flipping. Motion to authorize amendment to HdL contract for a fee nexus study ($12,000 from General Fund) carried 4‑0.
- New City Website Update (25‑0711): Staff unveiled the redesigned website (goes live March 17, 2026). Features include mobile‑optimized design, improved search, “See Click Fix” for reporting issues, public records request portal, ADA compliance (WCAG 2.1 AA, due April 24, 2026), and integration with social media. Council praised the work and thanked staff. No action required; item received and filed.
- Appeal of Drive‑Thru Hours (Public Hearing, 25‑0696): The applicant appealed Planning Commission Condition No. 3 requiring drive‑thru hours to end at 10 PM daily (requested hours: 6 AM–2 AM Fri‑Sat, 6 AM–12 AM Sun‑Thu). Staff recommended denying the appeal. Council heard from applicant Javier Maldonado (owner of Hobbies) and Eoller Torres (supporting). No neighbors opposed. Council voted 4‑0 to overturn the Planning Commission decision and approve the original requested hours of operation.
- Fire Department Rates and Fees (Public Hearing, 25‑0682): Fire Marshal presented a simplified fee structure: flat $82 per business inspection (was $29.93–$93.80), $82 per operational permit (max 3), $12.09 per apartment unit (was $7.65, no cap). Fees are based on 15 minutes of engine company time. Council adopted Resolution 2026‑11 as recommended with a 4‑0 vote.
Key Outcomes
- Measure N 10‑Year Plan and Budget: Approved for FY 2026/27 and 2027/28, with continued funding for public safety, street maintenance, and youth programs; includes new positions and Fire Station 57 design. (Motion carried 4‑0)
- Cannabis Program Framework: Staff authorized to amend HdL contract for a fee nexus study ($12,000). Draft ordinance, zoning, and selection process will return for adoption; licenses remain at zero for now. (Motion carried 4‑0)
- Prohousing Designation: Council directed staff to file an application targeting at least 30 points, leveraging existing policies and the upcoming subdivision ordinance. (Consensus, no formal vote)
- Drive‑Thru Appeal: Council overturned the Planning Commission’s restriction, allowing Hobbies to operate drive‑thru 6 AM–12 AM Sun‑Thu and 6 AM–2 AM Fri‑Sat. (Motion carried 4‑0)
- Fire Department Fee Schedule: Adopted Resolution 2026‑11 with simplified flat fees and removal of the apartment inspection cap. (Motion carried 4‑0)
- Consent Calendar: Approved 11 items on consent, plus Item 9 (Violence Intervention/Prevention Grant, $2,000,000) separately.
- New City Website: Approved for launch on March 17, 2026.
- Next Meeting: Monday, April 6, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, everybody. Welcome to the Visaya City Council work session today. We're gonna go ahead and get started. Uh by starting off with public comments. Citizens are now invited to comment on issues within the jurisdiction of the Visaya 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's expired. Please begin your comments by stating and spelling your name and providing your city of residence. Anyone wishing to speak at this time? Uh please come forward to the podium over here on my left. And seeing all city stuff, but I think one person. Gabe, you want to say anything? He's like, No. You're the only public we have here, so I'm gonna give you a hard time. All right. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, there she is. All right. Um, so uh seeing nobody we'll go ahead and close public comments, and we'll go ahead and uh start off with our work session with item number one capital improvement program staff report, please. Good evening, Mayor and members of council, and I would like to introduce myself. Nicole Ritchie, finance manager. This is Renee Nagel, Finance Man uh Director, and this is our third opportunity that we have to bring the capital projects forward for your review. Some of the items discussed this evening again may seem repetitive, however, this is intentional to ensure that we have clarity for any members of the public that's listening who may be hearing it for the first time. Um the capital improvement program is a six-year capital plan. The first fiscal year, fiscal year 26-27 and 27-28 are proposed for adoption and appropriation. The remaining four years are included for planning purposes, which shows infrastructure needs and financial impacts. This slide outlines how the capital improvement process moves from project development to final adoption. The process begins with departments identifying infrastructure needs, reviewing regulatory requirements, estimating costs, and aligning projects with appropriate funding sources. The projects are then presented to council and organizing and organized fund groups. So council can review priorities and provide direction based on that feedback. Staff will refine project timing, fund allocations while considering available revenues and grant opportunities. And then the last step would be final CIP is then brought back to council for adoption in June alongside the city's annual operating budget. Before reviewing the individual funds this evening, I wanted to briefly highlight the overall objectives guiding the CIP. The first objective this evening is protecting public health and meeting regulatory compliance. Second, preserving and monetizing our existing infrastructure. Third, supporting strategic growth and service improvements across the city of Isolia. The proposed six-year CIP reflects a balanced investment in street maintenance and transportation infrastructure throughout the city. This slide summarizes the transportation-related capital funds included in tonight's review. The funds included tonight is first gas tax, SB1 road maintenance and rehabilitation measure R, local and regional, the transportation impact fee, landscape and lighting district, state transportation, and the Northeast Capital Improvement Impact Fee. The proposed appropriations total approximately 22 million in fiscal year 26-27. And 27-28 is approximately 30 or 29 million. The outer four years is 134 million. As discussed in the last two council work sessions, anything highlighted in the screens coming up are considered to be multi-funds, which is just that portion of the cost for that fund only, and it's not to be considered the total cost. The next few slides will show each fund's cash balance and a list of the proposed projects and the two-year appropriated period, and the entire six-year capital being reviewed this evening has been provided to council council in attachment A of your agenda for your convenience. So the first fund to discuss is the gas tax fund. So the gas tax revenues are derived from state exercise taxes on transportation fuels and just that which is distributed to cities based primarily on population and registered vehicles. This fund's revenues are projected to continue to grow. However, as you know, the state is pilot piloting a program that could change this. So at this time, we're going to continue to project it as if we're going to continue to see growth.
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