Visalia City Council Meeting – May 4, 2026

The Visalia City Council met on May 4, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included recognition of City Clerks Week, public comments, approval of a consent calendar, a regular item approving a new site and design contract for the Inclusive Park Project, and a public hearing to adopt the Measure N 10-year plan (2027–2037) and two-year budget. All items were approved unanimously.

Special Presentation / Recognition

• Mayor Brett Taylor recognized City Clerk Reina for City Clerks Week, noting her service of over two years.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Esther Perez (Visalia resident) requested the city honor the National Day of Prayer (May 7), citing the strong religious community in Visalia (e.g., Visalia First Assembly with up to 5,000 weekend attendees, and the largest Catholic parish in North America).
• Jim Reeves (Visalia) noted the 10th anniversary of The Source LGBT+ Center (opened May 6, 2016), which has grown from a $5,000 budget to a multi-million dollar budget and is now the largest LGBT+ center between Sacramento and Los Angeles. He thanked the city and county for cooperation.

Items of Interest

• Vice Mayor Liz Wynn reported on improved air quality in the San Joaquin Valley: the number of days exceeding federal health standards dropped from 47% in 2002 to 5% in 2025 (based on American Lung Association data). She encouraged residents to use Valley Air District incentives for electric vehicles and lawn equipment.

Consent Calendar

• All nine consent items were approved unanimously (5-0) without discussion. Key items included:
  • Authorization to submit enrollment applications for Southern California Edison Charge Ready Programs for EV charging infrastructure at the new Civic Center, Convention Center, Transit Operations and Maintenance Facility, Public Works Corporation Yard, and Tulare County Office of Education Doe Avenue Complex.
  • Approval of a contract with Genuine Parts Co. (Napa Auto Parts) for auto parts, annual not-to-exceed $1,200,000 (max $6,000,000 over life).
  • Approval of a contract with Lawson Products for miscellaneous fleet parts, annual not-to-exceed $175,000 (max $525,000 over life).
  • Authorization to assist Tulare County Association of Governments in a joint grant application for Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program Cycle 8 for Cross Valley Express and Mooney Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit.
  • Filing of notice of completion for River Run Ranch 6 & 7 subdivision.
  • Second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-03 (administrative code enforcement procedures).
  • Amended Resolution No. 2026-14 revising grant term for California Violence Intervention and Prevention.
  • Second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-02 (airport lease with FAA).

Discussion Items

1. Inclusive Park Project (Item 25-0777)

• Staff Presentation: Engineering Director Jason Huckleberry and Assistant Engineer Cody McLaughlin presented a proposal to change the site for the fully inclusive park to an undeveloped parcel at McAuliff Street and Millcreek Parkway (four to four and a half acres). The project is funded by $7.8 million in competitive state grant funds (California State Parks). The park would feature accessible playground equipment, inclusive restrooms, interactive water and music amenities, inclusive ball courts, and fitness equipment. Operations would include fenced perimeter (6-foot tall), on-site parking (20–40 stalls), and staff opening/closing gates daily. An outreach meeting on April 15, 2026, drew 14 attendees; 900 mailers were sent. Public comments raised concerns about traffic, parking on narrow Manzanita Street, safety (homeless use, vehicle intrusion), noise, and the need for security. Staff noted a traffic signal is planned for the McAuliff/Millcreek intersection.
• Public Testimony:
  • Theresa Glessner (three doors from site) requested the entrance on McAuliff rather than Manzanita, a 7-foot fence, and natural sound/vision barriers (e.g., cypress trees). She supported the park but emphasized safety for single homeowners.
  • John Petersen (corner of Manzanita and Race) expressed concerns about lack of a detailed plan: parking lot location (inside or outside fence), loitering, litter, security patrols, bathroom design, noise-making equipment placement, lighting, trash receptacles. He noted existing problems with campers and homeless and asked for high-use areas away from Manzanita.
  • Jim Reeves (Visalia) supported the park but requested an intrusion barrier to prevent vehicles from entering the play area, with playgrounds set back from McAuliff.
  • Maria Guillén (Visalia) criticized the focus on fencing and exclusion, arguing that the city should address homelessness and community needs instead of locking people out. She expressed hope that Measure N funds could help.
• Council Discussion:
  • Council Member Nelsen acknowledged the neighborhood's legitimate questions but noted the park is a long-awaited (six-year) project for people with disabilities. He committed to ensuring minimal impact and promised community involvement in design. He advocated for a fence for safety but clarified no on-site staffing is planned (parks open/close by maintenance, patrolled by rangers).
  • Council Member Poochigian supported the project, noting that eyes on the park will deter unwanted activity. He favored a fence to protect children.
  • Council Member Hernandez Soto supported the park but opposed a fence, preferring to hire an additional park ranger instead. He noted fencing around restrooms might be acceptable.
  • Vice Mayor Wynn noted the fence originated from the grant application to keep children with disabilities from running into traffic. She supported a five-foot aesthetically pleasing fence.
  • Mayor Taylor supported the project, citing personal experience living near parks and the need for inclusive play for special needs children.
• Key Outcomes:
  • Motion by Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Poochigian, to approve the new site location (McAuliff and Millcreek Parkway) for the Inclusive Park Project and approve Contract Amendment No. 2 with Westwood Professional Services for $405,500.63 for design change and update.
  • Vote: 5-0 (all in favor).
  • Next steps: Staff will develop a conceptual design and bring it back to council for further comment and approval. Neighborhood will be notified when design returns.

2. Measure N Public Hearing (Item 25-0781)

• Staff Presentation: Finance Director Renee Nagel presented the second public hearing on the proposed 10-year plan (2027–2037) and the two-year budget for FY 2026/27 and FY 2027/28. Measure N is a half-cent sales tax approved in 2016, generating about $20 million annually in year 11, projected to bring ~$230 million over the decade (assuming no recession). The new plan continues funding police, fire, recreation, and maintenance of parks, roads, and facilities. New elements include: hiring 7 police officers, 2 community service officers, and 2 professional staff over the plan; designing and constructing Fire Station 57; increasing annual street maintenance to $4 million (with 0.05% annual increase); increasing park and trail maintenance by 2% annually; increasing building maintenance from $1.1 million to $1.5 million annually; and allocating 2% of budgeted revenues for youth programs (police and recreation). The two-year budget totals $39.6 million for FY 2026/27 (including additional appropriation for Fire Station 51 construction) and $19.2 million for FY 2027/28. Fund balance projections include maintaining a 30% uncertainty reserve.
• Public Testimony: None.
• Council Discussion:
  • Council Member Hernandez Soto asked about potential revisions to youth program funding. Director Nagel responded that any changes should first be reviewed by the Measure N Citizens Oversight Committee and then brought to council. Vice Mayor Wynn indicated interest in increasing youth grants and staff will bring a proposal.
• Key Outcomes:
  • Motion by Vice Mayor Wynn, seconded by Council Member Hernandez Soto, to adopt the Measure N 10-year plan (2027–2037) and the FY 2026/27 and FY 2027/28 budgets.
  • Vote: 5-0 (all in favor).

Closed Session Report

• Nothing to report.

Adjournment

• Mayor Taylor adjourned the meeting at 8:00 PM. The next meeting is a special meeting on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 4:00 PM, and a regular meeting on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 7:00 PM.