City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening, residents of Tulare and guests, Tulare City staff and fellow council members. Welcome to the Tulare City Council meeting for Tuesday, September 1st, 2026. As we start our meeting, we will have a Pledge of Allegiance and invocation. After the Pledge of Allegiance, if you'd please remain standing as Greg Peterson, pastor of Sunrise Community Church, will deliver an invocation. If you would please join me in our salute. Ready? Salute. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liber

All right. With all council members present, wanted to present to council that we have an item on the agenda that also might have individuals here for general public comment. I would like to ask if the council, if there's a consensus, which is before public comment, to bring up item 9.1 at the start of the agenda.

Yes, that's what I'm asking. Okay. So with that, as we move up on the agenda, 9.1, which is a request to discuss a potential moratorium on data center permits submitted by Councilman Segala, just want to introduce this item that for those in the audience, I'd like to note that what this is, is only an action. to put that item specifically on the agenda and whether council should have that discussion in the future meeting. Tonight's discussion is not about the actual contents of the data center or debate or information related to that. It's to put it on the agenda. I'd also like to remind counc

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Council. With this particular item, what I was wanting to get council support as you stated to put on a future agenda item for further discussion to see if the council is willing to support a 90-day moratorium i mean i've been thinking about that i mean that was what i put out there but but it's something a conversation will have if it does get agendas at the next meeting and then also a part of the request is also to ask staff um to provide information on what it would take if someone were to want to do a open up a data center in the city what does it take does it is it

I I would make the motion after we if anybody in the public wants to provide public comment that's that would be the request so with that thank you Councilman Segala uh previously we did not have public comment on this item as the item was called to question uh with that is I will see if there's anybody in chambers who would like to speak on item 9.1 Good evening. Welcome. with that as the public approaches the microphone i do want to set the rules for the public comment and presentation is i will limit the public comment to three minutes per person and we will limit the presentation of public

Thank you for your comments. Good evening. Welcome.

Thank you for your comments. Good evening. Welcome.

That was you already okay just making sure i've gotten in trouble so before assuming the same person is there anyone else in chambers there's still four minutes towards the time matt cook do we have anyone on the phone all right, thank you.

All right, thank you. With the phone, do we have one more on the phone, Clarence? Okay, in time, I think with that, we'll go to the one first and we'll see about time after that.

Thank you. With that, you said we have one more caller? Okay, go ahead.

um if i push the button right okay all right with that i'm going to stop the general um comment for 9.1 ladies and gentlemen public comment is next uh for the meeting and so with that i will go to council members um council member wow the comment was made to me uh you know when i said

Mayor Mrakas, Okay, one of the or just as I was looking to the clerk to reiterate to is setting up the the rules amongst Council to have three minutes a piece on this on this item, if you if you choose to want to speak on it, so I just want to give the opportunity Councilman Sarah anything just different.

Councilman Segala, with your three minutes, anything you'd like? Yes.

I mean, I cannot make it any more clear than the fact that this is not about the fairgrounds. The fairgrounds is its own process. The city has no jurisdiction over it as far as we know now. What's being proposed today is us as an independent council representing City of Tulare residents. I have been approached by a lot of residents. I appreciate the people that have come to speak, but I've had my neighbors and Tulare residents reach out to me about this issue. A lot of them support it. What I'm asking for today is not to take a position on the fairgrounds. I've made it very, very clear and I d

Well, just for the record, I support open public forums. And so quickly, those questions can definitely be said in public.

Hearing the debate and positions of council members, is there a consensus? And I am not seeing a consensus. No, I did give Terry an opportunity to speak. With that, I mean, not seeing the consensus or the change in the vote. I think Councilman Segala, I think part of that and my thoughts is your request is putting an action item on the agenda. Would you be open that it's not the action item, but that it's a study session as you've sent? And I think a report from our staff of what, as you had said, what we are researching, that it could be under a general information item, under general informa

So, Mr. Mayor, what I would propose to do is to bifurcate the item and ask for a roll call on agendizing the 90-day moratorium, and then I would ask for a roll call on agendizing the study session. So I would be okay with that. So I would ask that we first say whether we want to put the 90-day moratorium on the agenda for future agenda and let that go through the process, and then we can do the study session part as well. So that would be my record. That would be my request at this point.

I think towards that material, I'm not hearing that there is three votes.

Well, for the record, I just wanted. So for the record, I would ask the mayor to ask the council if there is consensus for a 90 day moratorium to be placed on a future agenda item.

So on the moratorium, it would be a 4 to 1 against that being moving forward, correct? Well, there's not a consensus. There's no second. Okay. So there's no action. So it's a 4 to 1 to not do that. So then the second item then I would be, would there be consensus to ask for a study session to try to get answers on number of planning processes or other things? So that would be the second item request.

So, would there be a consensus on a study session amending your request that there would be on the agenda to have a presentation or a study session towards those items of what's taking place? What are we looking at? And the questions that were asked, how would this process go?

Put it on the agenda. We can just be on the agenda for that. I just want to be careful. We're not debating.

Oh, yeah. So, I think the consensus that I'm understanding would be that on the next council meeting, we would have a conversation about the study session. And then I think you're.

your question about do we wait for the next council which i don't know i'm just trying to be i'm just trying to be fair to them and i agree with you that i have no problems with that okay so gentlemen with this issue ladies and gentlemen of the council with this issue i'm with that and what i'm i'm understanding is that we would have on the agenda next John Potter, The motion in front of us, or the proposal in front of us and summary would be to have on the agenda to vote and go through an item which would be that study session. John Potter, Discussed that's okay so with that i'm seeing the co

John Potter, Okay. Moving forward on our agenda, I'm going to go to public comment item three. Members of the public wishing to comment on any item not appearing on the agenda may address the City Council at this time. State law prevents Council from acting on any matter not on the agenda. However, your comments may be referred to staff for follow up. This is also the time for the public to comment on items listed under the consent calendar or to request an item from the consent calendar be pulled for discussion purposes. Please begin your comments by stating your name and providing your city

And that's it. All right. Thank you, Mr. Young. Thank you. Does anyone else in chambers wish to make public comment? Madam Clerk, do we have anyone on the phone? No, I'm going with the phone. And then I'll come back to you.

Okay. Anyone back on the phone? All right. With that, I'm going to move forward on our agenda. Item four, communications. Mr. Thomas? No communications.

We don't want them to feel uncomfortable staying. This is a moment where you're welcome to leave if you'd like to. And as the Councilman said, you're surely welcome to stay, just addressing that issue. So, Thomas, perhaps you would enlighten, of course, those that we have left. You're in the hot seat tonight for communications. You're standing in for Mr. Mondale.

That's why I was confused. Yes, any communications?

Okay. Item five, council reports and item of interest, Vice Mayor Harrell.

Yeah, I just had a couple of things that I'd like to see. Maybe they're incorporating that in the weekly report or if staff can can get back to me on on the questions um first one is uh I think on Sunday was it Sunday I was out there Saturday I was on the ballot I ran into Mr Madero's better half uh Miss Kathy Maderos was promoting the event that uh Mr. Bender was talking about. But I was out there hanging out downtown waiting for folks to pick me up from the shopping spree they were on. But I had a chance to go around and talk to people in some of the businesses. A lot of folks were asking me

Yeah, just to figure out why some of the benches haven't been replaced in downtown. And then the other thing, I did talk to Manny briefly, but I also would like to see if we can get a report about the process. We're glad that the new homeless shelter is open, but I was trying to understand the noticing and the process because the encampment has been totally wiped clean. I mean, it's been knocked down. And the other 1, yes, and I've noticed there's a lot more people out on the street and I think part of it is because they don't want to go to the new shelter. So they're out on the street again.

If you can also include the numbers, like how many you've actually...

Yeah, I appreciated the chance to speak at the State of the City hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and to present some notes on our departments and I think to present on some of the surely the wins that we've had and of course our financial stability. So a few events I missed too. My apologies, missed the pinning ceremony and a few other things in the community. Something about work. It made the schedule difficult. okay with that is uh moving on to item six our consent calendar all matters listed in the consent calendar are considered by the council to be routine and will be enacted in one mot

Council members and the other requests or actions just, uh, wanted to ask a couple of questions on 6.9.

Okay. So, so far, staff has requested to remove item 6.3, and then we have a poll of 6.4, 6.5, and 6.9. If there's no other items, does council have an action?

I'll move the consent calendar minus the items described by the mayor.

Second. Okay. We have a motion and a second. All in favor?

Yeah, I have a question. So is so were these in a goat?

Okay. And there's no timeline that has to be done by certain? No.

We have a motion of approval for 6.4 and 6.5 as per the staff report recommendation. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Moving forward to 6.9, Mr. Segala.

Yes, my understanding this is an item regarding an annual street striping contract. Um, that I went out to bid and staffs recommending a particular company that fell within the bid guidelines. I guess the question I had a couple of questions and these particular. Contracts, um, are they exclusively to street. um sort of markings i mean would they could potentially expand to bike lanes and other things or bike lanes included yeah bike lanes are included in here so you can see it like midway through that first chart six inch bike lanes so we did identify bike lanes right and so i think uh i gues

I guess what I'm trying to, I guess what I'm trying to understand is, will there be enough funding? I know a couple years ago years ago, we talked about setting aside. I think it was a 50,000 dollars for bike lanes. You know, I think at that time I got incorporated in a budget somewhere, but the idea was to have funding to restripe existing ones and perhaps new ones. So what I was trying to figure out is how much could be carved out of this contract if bike lanes needed to be restriped and created.

Okay. And the last question I have is, I know that Mr. Harrow worked very, very hard to get the stop sign on O. Oh, and then you know, and I've noticed that either there's a million cars driving by there and it's, it's deterred the paint. Is the quality of paint an issue with these contractors or, I mean, who striped that? Because it's been only a few months, but the paint looks like it's been there 100 years.

Thank you. Any other comments on 6.9 or proposed action?

If there are none, Mr. Mayor, then I would move to approve item 6.9.

Second. OK, motion and second. All in favor? Aye. 6.9 is approved. Moving forward to item 7, public hearing. Comments related to public hearing items are limited to three minutes per speaker for a maximum of 30 minutes per item, unless otherwise extended by council. Again, for those that wish to provide public comment, while attending the meeting remotely, press 9 on your phone to raise your hand or click Raise Hand in the webinar. 7.1, Resolution of Necessity for an Overhead Utility Easement. Mr. Gaffrey.

John Potter, I will open the public hearing for 7.1 resolution of necessity for an overhead utility easement regarding APM 172 dash 370 dash 032 is there anyone in chambers who wishes to speak on this item. John Potter, Do we have anyone on the phone.

Okay, with that, I will close the public hearing. Council members, any further questions on this item to staff?

Second. Okay, we have a motion and second on 7.1, resolution of necessity for an overhead utility easement. All in favor?

I had a question before we voted. Usually we have discussion after a motion. Was that, did we change the process?

So I'm going to continue with the vote, but I will surely allow you to ask your question.

So I have a motion and I have a second. Okay, Mr. Segala.

I guess the question I was asking the city attorney. So there's two figures out there. The 2100, which it was appraised to be the cost. And then there's an offering by the developer, correct? It was 2100 and 15,000. With this particular action, what is the city's responsibility in regards to offering the The owner for for their property. Is it the appraised value, or is it the. Value that the developer has put out there. I mean, what is what it would be our responsibility in other words, we did this. Here's your we're acting eminent domain. Here's your 2100. Thank you. Or do we offer more than

So at the end of the day, we're only responsible for 2100.

Well, I'm willing to vote for it if we stick to the 2100. I mean, you snooze, you lose. I mean, how many times has this owner been asked to come here to... You know, to be work good faith with the developer and gone to the point where we have to do eminent domain. So, I mean, to me, I just wouldn't want to go over 1.

specifically deals with the resolution and that's fine I mean I just was clarity on the appraisal and what was offered and if it ever if it ever comes back to us I will stick to the appraisal amount yes and that's our that's our intent to present that to the owner so if there's no rescinding of motions or seconds

Okay. We have the motion and second. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Okay. 7.1 resolution of necessity is approved. Moving forward to item 8 general business. 8.1 presentation on the pavement management system update.

I could tell she was moving quick. I just, um, we used to have an alley for those listening. Sorry.

Do you have any questions, Vice Mayor Hero? Do you have any comments?

Yeah, I think on the issue of alleys, do we, two questions, are there still dirt alleys in the city? And second, is there any ranking of alleys in terms of like prioritization? And I think you mentioned that might be something we do, but are there still alleys that are all dirt?

And I guess the final question on that, how, I mean, I kind of see alleys as, you know, they're there. They may not be as high priority as a street or an arterial collector. And they just are going to get left by the wayside. So what what can be done to prioritize some dirt alleys or things like that and not get lost in with the big boys, I guess I would say in terms of the other priorities. So I don't know if there's any thought to that.

Dave Kuntz, I think it sounds like a topic for our strategic planning is new Council with some measuring money.

Dave Kuntz, Okay, so this is just a presentation. Dave Kuntz, All right, with that, thank you to our presenter. John Potter, Our consultant and thank you staff. John Potter, Or that John Potter, We moving forward on our agenda. We are item 10 which is staff updates, Mr or You know, if I can, I just want to apologize, Mr. Orr. So as general business, I'm going to take a step back. 8.1 is I want to go back to public comment. My apologies with that. It's presentation. I'm used to that for action items. Is there anyone in chambers who'd like to make public comment on 8.1, the presentation of the p

So if you're available tomorrow, Councillor Madero, I can bring donuts in the morning. We can stop by Dayton and say hello to the workers and then maybe swing by the overpass up there.

Just, we're just talking. There's no action here. There's no action. We're just talking.

One of the things, Mr. Bender, if I can, just a clarification. The 25th anniversary of September 11th, what's the anniversary for the Rotary Blood Drive? How many years is this? 20th.