Visalia Administration  
707 W. Acequia  
Visalia City Council  
Visalia City Council  
Visalia, CA 93291  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Mayor Brett Taylor  
Vice Mayor Liz Wynn  
Council Member Steve Nelsen  
Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto  
Council Member Brian Poochigian  
Monday, July 20, 2026  
7:00 PM  
City Council Chambers  
ROLL CALL  
Council Member Brian Poochigian, Mayor Brett Taylor, Council  
Member Steve Nelsen, Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez  
Soto, and Vice Mayor Liz Wynn  
Present:  
CALL TO ORDER WORK SESSION - 5:00 PM (Unless otherwise noted)  
Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and announced that the meeting was  
being conducted in accordance with the teleconferencing requirements of Senate Bill 707. He  
noted that teleconference access information for remote public participation was included on  
the posted agenda.  
PUBLIC COMMENTS  
Citizens are now invited to comment on issues within the jurisdiction of the Visalia 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 is expired. Please begin your comments by stating and spelling your name and providing  
your city of residence.  
Public comment was received by Jeff Pool.  
WORK SESSION AND ACTION ITEMS (as described)  
1.  
Proposed elimination of Transit Fixed Route 17 - Consider the  
proposed elimination of Transit Fixed Route 17 that serves the  
Visalia Industrial Park and the scheduling of a 30-day public  
comment period and public hearing.  
26-0041  
Assistant City Manager John Lollis and Transit Manager Angelina Baker  
presented a PowerPoint regarding the proposed elimination of Transit Fixed  
Route 17 serving the Visalia Industrial Park and recommended opening a  
30-day public comment period and scheduling a public hearing for a future  
meeting.  
Council discussed the proposed elimination of Route 17, including the cost  
analysis and transportation options available for the remaining riders.  
A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Council  
Member Brian Poochigian, to approve as recommended, opening a 30-day  
public comment period and scheduling a public hearing at a future meeting for  
further consideration. The motion carried by the following vote:  
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel  
Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn  
Aye:  
2.  
City Department Fourth of July post report - Receive a report  
summarizing the 2026 activities related to community  
engagement and public safety.  
26-0060  
Fire Marshal Corbin Reed and Parks and Recreation Director Jason Glick  
presented a PowerPoint summarizing the City's 2026 Fourth of July community  
engagement activities and public safety efforts, including legal fireworks sales,  
illegal fireworks enforcement, and the City's Annual Independence Spectacular.  
Staff also reported that five lost animals were recovered, two of which were  
reclaimed by their owners.  
Council discussed the report and thanked staff for the presentation and their  
efforts in making the event a success.  
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM (Or, immediately following  
Work Session)  
Mayor Taylor adjourned to closed session at 5:49 p.m.  
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION - 7:00 PM  
Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and announced that the meeting was  
being conducted in accordance with the teleconferencing requirements of Senate Bill 707. He  
noted that teleconference access information for remote public participation was included on  
the posted agenda.  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
INVOCATION LED BY PAUL PASION -GONZALES, NEIGHBORHOOD  
CHURCH  
SPECIAL PRESENTATION / RECOGNITION  
PUBLIC COMMENTS  
This is the time for general public comment on issues within the jurisdiction of the Visalia City  
Council. Each speaker tonight may speak for up to 3 minutes during this general comment  
period on a matter that is not on this agenda.  
The public may also make one comment for up to 3 minutes prior to the consideration of the  
Consent Calendar, and immediately before any regular agenda item is heard. The Council  
asks that you keep you 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 is  
expired. Please begin your comments by stating and spelling your name and providing your  
city of residence.  
Public comment was received from Linda Martinez, Maria Guillén, Irene Lapin, and Mikki K.  
ITEMS OF INTEREST  
CONSENT CALENDAR  
Consent Calendar items are considered routine and will be enacted in one motion.  
This is the time for members of the public to provide public comment on an item on the  
Consent Calendar. Comments will not be taken individually by the public if an item is pulled by  
a Council Member. Each speaker is allowed up to 3 minutes, and a timer will notify you when  
your time is expired. Please begin your comments by stating and spelling you name and  
providing your city of residence.  
A motion was made by Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Poochigian, to  
approve the Consent Calendar as read. The motion carried by the following vote:  
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel  
Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn  
Aye:  
1.  
2.  
Authorization to read ordinances by title only.  
26-0005  
This Consent Item was approved.  
Ordinance Adoption - Second reading and adoption of Ordinance  
No. 2026-04 pertaining to the approval of Change of Zone No.  
2025-03: A request by the City of Visalia to change the zoning  
designation on a 21-acre parcel from QP (Quasi-Public) to CMU  
(Commercial Mixed Use). The site is located on the northwest  
corner of Akers Street and Riggin Avenue, within the City limits of  
Visalia (APN: 077-100-103).  
26-0038  
This Consent Item was approved.  
3.  
4.  
Record final map- Request authorization to record the final map  
for Belissa Phase 2 subdivision located at the northwest corner  
of North Demaree Street and West Pratt Avenue (108 lots); and  
the annexation of Belissa - Phase 2 into the Landscape and  
Lighting District No. 25-09 “Belissa” (Resolution Nos. 2026-51  
and 2026-52 required).  
25-0828  
25-0851  
This Consent Item was approved.  
Declare surplus City property and authorize disposition process -  
Request for Council to adopt Resolution No. 2026-41, declaring  
certain real property located on APN 077-100-103 (Akers and  
Riggin) as surplus property and authorize the property to be  
made available for purchase proposals and/or development  
proposals from qualified entities in accordance with California  
Government Code Section 54220. (Resolution 2026-41 required)  
This Consent Item was approved.  
5.  
Authorization to accept the Office of Traffic STEP grant -  
Authorize the Visalia Police Department to accept the Selective  
Traffic Enforcement Program grant in the amount of $189,525  
awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety, appropriate  
$39,525 from the General Fund and authorize the Visalia Chief  
of Police to execute the grant agreement.  
26-0022  
This Consent Item was approved.  
6.  
7.  
Fire Department personal protective equipment (PPE) contract -  
Authorize the City Manager to enter a one-year contract with All  
Star Fire Equipment for structural firefighting turnout gear in an  
amount not to exceed $120,000 annually, with four additional  
one-year options to renew.  
26-0023  
26-0046  
This Consent Item was approved.  
Authorize the City Manager to issue a sole source purchase  
order to Cummins, Inc. - Authorize the City Manager to issue a  
sole source purchase order to Cummins, Inc., for the  
commissioning and startup of the renewable power generation  
system at the Visalia Water Reclamation Facility, in the amount  
of $251,757, and the appropriation of $260,000 from Wastewater  
Fund.  
This Consent Item was approved.  
8.  
Award Design Contract - Authorize the City Manager to execute  
a professional services agreement with 4Creeks, Inc. for design  
services for the fleet maintenance shop improvements and  
expansion project in the amount of $147,255.  
26-0028  
This Consent Item was approved.  
9.  
Authorization to Award Contract for Central Valley Regional  
Bomb Squad Vehicle Replacement - Authorization to award a  
contract to Lynch Diversified Vehicles in the amount $436,397 to  
replace the Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad Vehicle and  
appropriate $4,800 from Police Unclaimed Funds.  
26-0032  
26-0033  
This Consent Item was approved.  
10.  
Award Design Contract - Authorize the City Manager to award a  
professional design services contract to 4Creeks, Inc. in the  
amount of $667,446 to advance the 30% design to final plans,  
specifications and estimates for the widening of Shirk Street  
between Walnut Avenue and Noble Avenue and authorize the  
City Manager to execute a Measure R supplemental agreement  
with the Tulare County Transportation Authority in the amount of  
$726,600.  
This Consent Item was approved.  
11.  
12.  
Notice of completion - Authorization to file the notice of  
completion for the Evans Ditch culvert replacement on Conyer  
Street project.  
26-0034  
26-0037  
This Consent Item was approved.  
Consider the Tulare six-lane and Paige Avenue Interchange  
Caltrans mitigation agreement - Approve Caltrans funding  
agreement for operation of the Mooney Avenue bus rapid transit  
segment of the Cross Valley Corridor project.  
This Consent Item was approved.  
13.  
14.  
Citizens Advisory Committee Appointment - Approve the Citizens  
Advisory Committee’s recommendation to appoint Scott Feil to fill  
vacant position on the Citizens Advisory Committee for a term  
ending June 2028.  
26-0040  
26-0043  
This Consent Item was approved.  
Service Agreement for after school club for Visalia Unified  
School District - Authorize City Manager to execute an  
agreement with Visalia Unified School District to provide an  
after-school club for Crowley elementary school students at the  
city operated Manuel F. Hernandez Community Center.  
This Consent Item was approved.  
15.  
Notice of completion - Request authorization to file a notice of  
completion for the Riverway Sports Park Fencing Project.  
26-0054  
This Consent Item was approved.  
16.  
17.  
Award annual contract for landscape and irrigation repair  
services at various City owned locations - Authorize the City  
Manager to award a contract to JC Land Management for an  
annual amount not to exceed amount of $45,000.  
26-0055  
26-0029  
This Consent Item was approved.  
Ordinance authorizing the City Manager to award a contract and  
approve a long-term lease agreement for 408 acres of open  
ground to Correia Custom Farming Inc. - First reading of  
Ordinance No. 2026-08 to authorize the City Manager to award a  
contract and approve a long-term lease agreement for 408 acres  
of open ground to Correia Custom Farming  
This Consent Item was approved.  
18.  
Notice of Completion - Request authorization to file a notice of  
completion for Carleton Acres Phase 1A subdivision, located on  
the north side of Riggin Avenue between Shirk Street and  
Denton Street; containing 73 residential lots.  
25-0829  
This Consent Item was approved.  
REGULAR ITEMS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS  
Comments related to regular Items and Public Hearing Items are limited to three minutes per  
speaker, for a maximum of 30 minutes per item. The Mayor may reasonably limit or extend  
the public comment period to preserve the Council's interest in conducting efficient, orderly  
meetings.  
1.  
Ordinance Adoption - First reading and public hearing for  
Ordinance No. 2026-05, adding Chapter 4.04, “Commercial  
Cannabis Activity” to the Visalia Municipal Code, rescinding  
Chapter 5.66, amending Chapter 8.64, and approving Zoning  
Text Amendment No. 2026-01, and adoption of Resolution No.  
2026-42, establishing the application and selection process for  
both storefront and non-storefront retail cannabis business  
license applications.  
25-0871  
City Attorney Jim Koontz, Planning and Community Preservation Director Paul  
Bernal, and Economic Development Manager Devon Jones presented a  
PowerPoint regarding the first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-05 establishing  
the regulatory framework for commercial cannabis activity, approving Zoning  
Text Amendment No. 2026-01, and adopting Resolution No. 2026-42  
establishing the application and selection process for storefront and  
non-storefront retail cannabis business license applications.  
Mayor Taylor opened the public hearing at 7:36 p.m. There being no public  
comment, the public hearing was closed at 7:37 p.m.  
Council discussed the proposed ordinance and application process, including  
revising the proposed community benefits requirement from a minimum annual  
contribution of $50,000 or 1% of annual gross receipts, whichever is greater, to  
$75,000 or 1.5% of annual gross receipts, whichever is greater.  
A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Council  
Member Brian Poochigian, to introduce the first reading of Ordinance No.  
2026-05, approve Zoning Text Amendment No. 2026-01, and adopt Resolution  
No. 2026-42, as amended to revise the community benefits requirement to a  
minimum annual contribution of $75,000 or 1.5% of annual gross receipts,  
whichever is greater. The motion carried by the following vote:  
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel  
Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn  
Aye:  
2.  
Appeal of Planning Commission Action - An appeal of the  
Planning Commission’s approval of Clements Ranch Tentative  
Subdivision Map No. 5606, Tentative Parcel Map No. 2025-13,  
and Conditional Use Permit No. 2025-24, with respect to  
conditions regarding curb, gutter, sidewalk, and related frontage  
improvements along Lovers Lane and sidewalks within the  
proposed gated subdivision. The project applicant and appellant  
is D.R. Horton. The project is located on a ±78.11-acre site  
located on the east side of South Lovers Lane Avenue, north of  
Caldwell Avenue (APN: 127-020-020 and -021).  
26-0044  
Principal Planner Jarred Olsen and Planning and Community Preservation  
Director Paul Bernal presented a PowerPoint regarding the appeal of the  
Planning Commission's approval of Clements Ranch Tentative Subdivision Map  
No. 5606, Tentative Parcel Map No. 2025-13, and Conditional Use Permit No.  
2025-24.  
Mayor Taylor opened the public hearing at 7:54 p.m.  
Public comment was received from Aman Narwal, Steven Brandt, and Dave  
Crinklaw.  
Mayor Taylor closed the public hearing at 8:05 p.m.  
Council discussed the appeal, including the required Lovers Lane frontage  
improvements and the proposed sidewalks within the gated subdivision, as well  
as neighborhood connectivity, walkability, maintenance, and development  
standards. Council also discussed considering the two issues raised in the  
appeal separately.  
A motion was made by Council Member Steve Nelsen, seconded by Council  
Member Brian Poochigian, to grant the appeal related to the required Lovers  
Lane frontage improvements. The motion carried unanimously.  
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel  
Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn  
Aye:  
A motion was made by Council Member Emanuel Hernandez Soto, seconded by  
Vice Mayor Liz Wynn, to deny the appeal related to the required sidewalks within  
the proposed gated subdivision. The motion carried by the following vote:  
Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn  
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor  
Aye:  
No:  
3.  
Consideration of General Plan amendment, prezone ordinance  
adoption, and annexation - A public hearing and consideration  
for the following actions requested by D.R. Horton related to the  
project located on ±78.11 acres on the east side of South Lovers  
Lane Avenue, north of Caldwell Avenue (APN: 127-020-020 and  
-021):  
26-0019  
1. Adoption of Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration  
prepared for General Plan Amendment No. 2025-04, and  
Annexation/Prezone No. 2025-04 (Resolution No. 2026-46);  
2. Approval of General Plan Amendment No. 2025-04, a request  
to reconfigure the land use designations on the parcels, in  
addition to amending the Circulation Element to realign the “K”  
Avenue Collector alignment to follow the Sunnyside Avenue  
alignment between Lovers Lane and Road 148 (Resolution No.  
2026-50);  
3. Initiation of Proceedings for Annexation No. 2025-04,  
consisting of:  
a. Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 2026-07, a  
request to prezone the subject property to R-1 (Single-Family  
Residential zone), R-M-2 (Multi-family residential zone - 3,000  
square foot minimum site area), R-M-3 (Multi-family residential  
zone - 1,200 square foot minimum site area), and QP  
(Quasi-public zone) to be consistent with the land use  
designation changes proposed in General Plan Amendment No.  
2025-04; and,  
b. A request to annex said parcels into the City limits of Visalia  
and detach from County Service Area No. 1 and the  
Consolidated Water District and authorizing the City Manager to  
sign and enter into a Pre-Annexation Agreement (Resolution No.  
2026-51).  
Principal Planner Jarred Olsen and Planning and Community Preservation  
Director Paul Bernal presented a PowerPoint regarding General Plan  
Amendment No. 2025-04, Prezone No. 2025-04, and Annexation No. 2025-04  
for the Clements Ranch project.  
Mayor Taylor opened the public hearing at 8:26 p.m. Public comment was  
received from Steven Brandt, representing the applicant. There being no further  
comments, Mayor Taylor closed the public hearing at 8:27 p.m.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Liz Wynn, seconded by Council Member  
Steve Nelsen, to Adopt. The motion carried by the following vote:  
Brian Poochigian, Brett Taylor, Steve Nelsen, Emmanuel  
Hernandez Soto, Liz Wynn  
Aye:  
CLOSED SESSION REPORT  
ADJOURNMENT  
Mayor Taylor adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m.  
UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS  
1.  
Upcoming City Council Meetings  
26-0018  
Monday, August 3, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m. at 707 W. Acequia  
Monday, August 17, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m. at 707 W. Acequia  
Note: Meeting dates and times are subject to change, check  
posted agenda for correct details. In compliance with the  
American Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to  
participate in meetings contact 713-4512.  
Written materials relating to an item on this agenda submitted to  
the Council after distribution of the agenda are available for  
public inspection in the Office of the City Clerk, 220 N. Santa Fe  
Street, Visalia CA 93292, during normal business hours.  
Respectfully submitted,  
Reyna Rivera  
Chief Deputy City Clerk