CITYOF FARMERSVILLE,  Farmersville City Council Regular Meeting  Tina Hernandez, Mayor Danny Valdovinos, Mayor Pro Tem Gregorio Gomez, Council Member Paul Boyer, Council Member Armando Hinojosa, Council Member  Monday, October 14, 2024, 6:00 PM Meeting held in Civic Center Council Chambers - 909W. Visalia Road Farmersville, California  Pending no technical difficulties, the City Council meeting will also be streamed  (for observation only) via Zoom and accessed as follows:  Please dial 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 89352151626 Password: 809506  1. Call to Order: Roll Call: Invocation: Pledge of Allegiance: Public Comment:  2. 3. 4. 5.  Provides an opportunity for members of the public to address the City Council on items of interest to the public within the Council's jurisdiction and which are not already on the agenda this evening. Iti is the policy of the Council not to answer questions impromptu. Concerns or complaints will be referred to the City Manager's office. Speakers should limit their comments to not more than two (2) minutes. No more than twenty (20) total minutes will be allowed for Public Comment. For items which are on the agenda this evening, members of the public will be provided an opportunity to address the council as each item is brought up for discussion. Comments are to be addressed to the Council as a body and not to any  individual Council Member. Presentations: Consent Agenda:  6. 7.  Under a CONSENT AGENDA category, a recommended course of action for each item is made. Any Council Member or Member of the Public may remove any item from the CONSENT AGENDA in order to discuss and/or change the recommended course of action, and the Council can approve the remainder of  the CONSENT AGENDA.    A. Authorization to waive full reading of ordinances and resolutions and  to identify by title only.  Recommend that the City" Council approve the full reading of all ordinances and resolutions be waived and to identify by title only. Minutes of Regular City Council Meeting of Sept 9, 2024 Documents: Draft Action Minutes of September 23, 2024  B.  Recommend approval of minutes.  8.  General Business  A. Crosswalks- Public Discussion  This is a Request for Public Comment and Informational Discussion  regarding crosswalks in Farmersville.  B. Public Hearing to Discuss Submittal for 2024 Community  Development  Block Grant (CDBG) Application.  Recommend that the City Council approve the submittal of a 2024 Community Development Block Grant Application. Documents: Additional Grantee Requirements  C. Animal Control Public Discussion  Animal Control Discussion and Direction Item.  9.  Council Reports  A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports  10. Staff Communications:  A. Staff Updates and Reports  1. Review Public Works written report.  11. Future Agenda Items:    Description Water Capacity  Responsible Party Agenda Date City Manager Public Works Director City Manager Public Works Director City Manager City Manager City Manager City Manager City Manager  Amend Ordinance- Temporary Outdoor Use Permit & Code Transit Services with' Visalia Transit and' TCRTA Downtown Drinking Fountain Pre-Approved ADU Plans and ADU Flyer Self! Help presents on Programs Community Garden Strategic Planning Council Handbook Update  Oct.2024 TBD TBD TBD TBD Jan. 2025 Oct.2024  12. Adjournment to Closed Session:  A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - SETTLEMENT LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1): Authorize to negotiate Brianna Garcia CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- POTENTIAL LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section  B.  54956.9 (d)(2)  Sabrina Perez appeal WWWTP Abatement  NOTICE TO PUBLIC  The City of Farmersville Civic Center and City Council Chambers comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Anyone needing special assistance please contact City Hall at (559) 747-0458 please allow atl least six (6) hours prior to the meeting sO that staff may make Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the City's offices during normal business hours.  arrangements to accommodate you.    CITYOF FARMERSVILLE,  Minutes Farmersville City Council Regular Meeting  Tina Hernandez, Mayor Danny Valdovinos, Mayor Pro Tem Gregorio Gomez, Council Member Paul Boyer, Council Member Armando Hinojosa, Council Member  Monday, September 23, 2024, 6:00 PM Meeting held in Civic Center Council Chambers 9 909 W. Visalia Road Farmersville, California  Pending no technical difficulties, the City Council meeting will also be streamed  (for observation only) via Zoom and accessed as follows:  Please dial 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 8990607 1240 Password: 935416  1. Call to Order: 6:02pm 2. Roll Call:  Title Mayor Hernandez Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos Council Member Gomez Council Member Boyer Council Member Hinojosa  Status present present present present present  Arrived 6:01pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm  3. 4. 5.  Invocation: Pastor Mendez, pastor from Potter House Church in Farmersville  Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Hemandez Public Comment: none given  Provides an opportunity for members of the public to address the City Council on items of interest to the public within the Council's) jurisdiction and which are not already on the agenda this evening. Iti is the policy of the Council not to answer questions impromptu. Concerns or complaints will be referred to the City Manager's office. Speakers should limit their comments to not more than two (2) minutes. No more than twenty (20) total minutes will be allowed for Public Comment. For items which are on the agenda this evening, members of the public will be provided an opportunity to address the council as each item is brought upi for discussion. Comments are to be addressed to the Council as a body and not to any  individual Council Member.    6.  Presentations:  Introduction and Swearing in for Stuart Nickel. Thomas gave a brief ofhis history as a firefighter. A brief recess took place from 6:11pm to 6:17pm.  Battalion Chief. Jim Thomas introduced Lieutenant Stuart Nickel to the Council. Chief  7. Consènt Agenda:  Under a CONSENT AGENDA category, a recommended course of action for each item is made. Any Council Member or Member oft the Public may remove any item from the CONSENT AGENDA in order to discuss and/or change the recommended course of action, and the Council can approve the remainder of A. Authorization to waive full reading of ordinances and resolutions and to  the CONSENT AGENDA.  identify by title only.  Recommend that the City Council approve the full reading of all ordinances and resolutions be waived and to identify by title only.  B.  Minutes of Regular City Council Meeting of Sept 9, 2024  Recommend approval of minutes.  Documents: Draft Action Minutes of September 9, 2024  C. Finance Update for August 2024: Warrant Register and Investment  Summary  Recommend that the City Council  1. Approve the Warrant Register as presented for the period. Period represents warrants issued for the current Fiscal Years 2. Accept the Investment Summary as presented for the period. This reporting represents an investment summary for the  2023-24 and 2024-25. previous month.  Documents: Warrant Register  Treasurer Report  D. Escheatment Funds  Recommend the City Council Escheatment Funds be deposited into the Recommend the approval of Escheatment Funds be deposited into the  General Fund. genèral fund.    E. 2024 League of Cities Conference- Annual Business Meeting Voting  Delegates.  Recommend that the City Council vote and approve Councimember Gomez tos serve as Farmersville's voting delegate for the Annual Business Meeting during this year's CA League of Cities Conference and submit the Delegate  Alternate Form.  Documents: Council Action  F. Fall Festival Event Funding  Recommend that the City Council review a request from Farmersville Youth  Soccer League in the amount of $2,000.  Documents: Application  G. Boys and Girls Club  Recommend Fiscal 24/25 funding $30,000 Consent item 7D was pulled for furtherreview.  Council Action: It was moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Hinojosa, and unanimously approved on items 7A,7B,7E, and 7G. Consent Item 7C was moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Hinojosa, and abstained by Councilmember Boyer, and was approved 4-0 vote. Consent Item 7F was moved by Councimember Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Hinojosa, and abstained by Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos, and was approved 4-0 vote. Consent item 7D. Escheatment Funds was review by Director of Finance and Administration Steve Huntley who reviewed the State policy regarding the Escheatment Council Action: It was moved by Councimember Gomez, seconded by  policy.  Councimember Boyer, and unanimously approved.  8. General Business  A. Annual Measure Q Report for Fiscal Year 2023-24  Discussion Item: City Council discuss the report after a brief  Presentation by City staff on the subject.  Documents: Measure Q Annual Report FY2 2024  Council Action: No action was taken. Item 8A was for review only.    B. Fiscal Year 2023-24 4th Quarter Financial Update Reporta as of 6/30/2024  Discussion Item: City Council discuss the report after a brief  presentation by City staff on the subject.  Documents: Finance Update  Council Action: No action was taken. Item 8B was forreview only. C. Update on Current City Planning and Development Activities  Discussion Item: City Council discuss the information contained in this Reportregarding: current City. Planning activities and provide questions and  Comments to staff and consultant.  Council Action: No action was taken. Item 8C was for review only. D. 2024 Community Development Block Grant (NOFA)  Recommend that the City Council approve the City Manager's collaboration with Self Help Enterprises to assist the City of Farmersville in preparing a Community Development Block Grant (NOFA) application.  Council Action: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos, seconded by Councilmember Hinojosa, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.  9.  Council Reports  A. City Council Updates and Committee Reports  Councilmember Hinojosa remarked that the Sports Park is looking good. Mr. Hinojosa  also gave a list of items that need to be addressed:  Hours of Veterans Park Bathrooms. Public Works Director Steven Thompson informed the Council the park bathroom hours are from 7:00am to 8:00 pm. Mr. Thompson is also looking into only keeping the bathrooms open during events due to homeless individuals living in the bathrooms. Mr. Hinojosa inquired about the possibilities of having porta potties during the day when events are not being Inquired about having signs put up in the parks that say, "Keep dogs on leashes". Chief Brock informed the Council that he could have Code Enforcement start Inquired if we could check into having dog waste systems put in the parks. Public Has concerns for parking down Citrus due to the soccer games. Would like more  held.  giving citations for unleashed dogs.  Works Director Steven Thompson said he would. look for pricing.  parking ifpossible.    Requested a tip line sO residents can call when complaints need to be made.  (Example, loud music, neighbors hosting parties.) Aresidenti requested one oft thé old street "Ash" signs. Would like public works to check the city forr missing street signs.  Councilmember Boyer requested that a flyer be posted on the city webpage and social media regarding the 2024 Farmworker Women's Conference, scheduled for October 31, 2024. Mr. Boyer also inquired about the remaining baseball bleachers for Veterans Park. Public Works Director Steven Thompson informed the Council that he recently located the remaining bleachers and would work on installing them. Mr. Boyer also  requested the monthly report from Townsend & Associates. Councilmember Gomez made the following requests and inquiries:  Asked Public Works to inspect the stop signs at Birch/Magnolia and Forrest Requested an inspection of the park benches at Freedom Sports Park. Inquired about business loans and grants. City Manager Michael Schulte informed the Council that grants are available and that he would review them Asked if there are any future plans for the development of the upstairs area at the Community Center and expressed interest in touring the space. Inquired about the visibility of home addresses throughout the City. Thanked City staff for their response regarding the website and the posting of Inquired about the completed list for the Pavement Management System and whether the South Side is included. He specifically requested that Ventura to Farmersville Blvd. and the Trailer Park on the South Side be reviewed. Also mentioned the need to inspect sidewalks, as wheelchairs are currently  Place.  with each Councimember.  possible volunteer opportunities within the City.  unable to use them.  Inquired about response to an email he sent. Discussion took place regarding roads and sidewalks.  Mayor Pro Tem Valdovinos thanked Public Works for their hard work. He also mentioned attending the Community School Program and expressed concerns about MayorHemandez inquired about the elevators in the Senior Complex on Farmersville  homeless individuals staying at the Church Museum.  Blvd.    10. Staff Communications:  A. Staff Updates and Reports  1. Review Public Works written report.  City Manager Michael Schulte gave an update regarding Well 3 and the Solar Plant. City Engineer Elsa Mejia informed the Council that the 2024 Street Improvement design Public Works Director Steven Thompson provided an overview of several projects Battalion Chief. Jim Thomas informed the Council that the plumbing work at the new Fire Station is nearly complete. He added that concrete will soon be poured, and by the end ofOctober, there should be a structure in place. He also attended the Community Police ChiefJay Brock informed the Council that the Police Department is currently working on putting a Citizen Academy together. He is also planning on setting up coffee  is about 60% complete.  currently being undertaken by Public Works.  School Program meeting.  with a Cop.  11. Future Agenda Items:  Description Amend Ordinance- Temporary Outdoor Use Permit & Code Water Restrictions Transit Services with' Visalia Transit and TCRTA Downtown Drinking Fountain Pre-Approved. ADU Plans and ADU Flyer Self Help presents on Programs Community Garden Strategic Planning & year end financials Boys & Giris Club funding request Council Handbook Update  Responsible Party Agenda Date City Manager Public Works Director City Manager Public' Works Director City Manager City Manager City Manager Finance Director City Manager City Manger  Oct.2024 TBD TBD TBD TBD 9/23 meeting 9/23 meeting Oct.2024  Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting at 9:20pm. No Closed Session.  12. Adjournment to Closed Session:  A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-POTENTIAL LITIGATION    Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section  54956.9 (d)(2): Authorize to negotiate Brianna Garcia City Attorney Search = tpdate-discussion) Real Estate Negotiations update-discussion,  B. C. D.  TCRTA (discussion  Respectiulysubmited,  Rochelle Giovani, City Clerk    CITYOF  FARMERSVILLE  City Council  Staff Report 8A  TO: FROM: DATE: RE:  Honorable Mayor and City Council  Michael Schulte October 14, 2024  Crosswalk Informational Discussion & Request for Public Comment  RECOMMENDED ACTION: in Farmersville. SUMMARY OF ITEM:  None. This is a Request for Public Comment and Informational Discussion regarding crosswalks  The purpose of this agenda item is to request public input and initiate a discussion on the locations, installation, improvement, and proper use of crosswalks within the City of Farmersville. This discussion will address the importance of crosswalks in enhancing pedestrian safety, assess current crosswalk locations, and consider resident education efforts to ensure crosswalks are  used effectively.  BACKGROUND & DISCUSSION:  The FUSD Superintendant has asked City Staff to meet with School Principals regarding crosswalks and crossing safety issues. City Staff have agreed to conduct those meetings. Itis presumed that some of those meetings may result in requests to improve, move, or add crosswalks and/or consider additional marking, noticing, and/or signage. When crosswalk discussions have come up in the past, the discussion is typically centered around a particular crosswalk location (the history, whether accidents have occurred at that location, etc.). Given that it is likely that the school discussions will generate requests to the City regarding crosswalks, Council believed it important to engage the community on the matter. Thus, it is proposed that this informational discussion and request for public comment be conducted as part of a City Council meeting. Staff will briefly address the following  considerations:    Does Farmersville have a street crossing safety issue? Crosswalk V No-Crosswalk in general (studies? liability?) [Farmersville Blvd and Visalia Rd] versus interior streets. Tools for getting people to notice crosswalks (lights, signs, dots, ??) Currently scheduled new locations for crosswalkslaids Process for approving new crosswalks or terminating crosswalks  Crosswalk types Crosswalk alternatives  Public Awareness Discusssion.  FISCAL IMPACT:  None. This issue is not set as an action item.  2    California MUTCD: 20141 Edition Section 3B.18 Crosswalk Markings  Page 695  (FHWA'SMUTCD: 2009 Edition, including Revisions 1,2, &3, as amended for use in California)  Support: stops. YIELD signs. Standard: Guidance:  o1Crosswalk markings provide guidance for pedestrians who are crossing roadways by defining and delineating paths on approaches to and within signalized intersections, and on approaches to other intersections where traffic 021 In conjunction with signs and other measures, crosswalk markings help to alert road users ofa designated pedestrian crossing point across roadways at locations that are not controlled by traffic control signals or STOP or  wAtnon-intersection locations, crosswalk markings legally establish the crosswalk. shall not bel less than 6 12 inches or greater than 241 inches in width.  04When crosswalk lines are used, they shall consist of solid white lines that mark the crosswalk. They os/ftransverse lines are used to mark a crosswalk, the gap between the lines should not be less than 6j feet. If diagonal or longitudinal lines are used without transverse lines to mark a crosswalk, the crosswalk should be not 06 Crosswalk lines, ifused on both sides of the crosswalk, should extend across the full width of pavement or to the edge oft the intersecting crosswalk to discourage diagonal walking between crosswalks (see Figures 3B-17 07AL locations controlled by traffic control. signals or on approaches controlled by STOP or YIELD. signs, crosswalk lines. should be installed where engineering. judgment indicates they are needed to direct pedestrians to 08 Crosswalk lines should not be used indiscriminately. An engineering study should be performed beforea marked crosswalk is installed at a location away, from a traffic control signal or an approach controlled by a STOPor YIELD: sign. The engineering study should consider the number oflanes, the presence ofa median, the distance from adjacent signalized intersections, the pedestrian volumes and delays, the average daily trafic (ADI), the posted or statutory speed limit or 85u-percentile, speed, the geometry of the location, the possible consolidation of multiple crossing points, the availability ofs street lighting, and other appropriate factors. 09New marked crosswalks across uncontrolled roadways should include dome,wihowfather measures designed to reduce traffic speeds, shorten crossing distances, enhance driver awareness ofthe crossing, and/or provide active warning of pedestrian presence, w.-Mhrien the speed A. The roadway has four or more lanes of travel without a raised median or pedestrian refuge island and an B. The roadway has four or more lanes oftravel with a raised median or pedestrian refuge island and an ADT 09a Ifa marked crosswalk exists across an uncontrolled roadway where the speed limite exceeds 40 mph and the roadway has four or more lanes oft travel anda an ADT of 12,000 vehicles per day or greater, advanced) yield lines with associated Yield Here to Pedestrians (R1-5, R1-5a) signs should be placed 20 to 501 fti in advance oft the crosswalk, adequate visibility should be provided by parking prohibitions, pedestrian crossing (W11-2) waming signs with diagonal downward pointing arrow (W16- 7p plaques should be installed at the crosswalk, and a high-visibility crosswalk marking patter should be used (See Figure 10Chapter 4F contains information on Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons. Section 4L.03 contains information regarding Warning Beaçons to provide active warning ofa pedestrian's presence. Section 4N.02 contains information regarding In-Roadway Warning Lights at crosswalks. Chapter 7D contains information regarding  less than 6feet wide. and. 3B-19).  the proper crossing path(s).  limit exceeds 40 mph and either:  ADTof12,000 vehicles per day or greater; or of15,000 vehicles per day or greater.  3B-17/CA)). Support:  school crossing supervision.  Chapter 3B Pavement and Curb Markings Part3- Markings  November 2014 7,    Califomia MUTCD: 20141 Edition Guidance: Support: Option: omitted Guidance:  696 Page  (FHWA'SMUTCD: 20091 Edition, including Revisions 1,2, &3, as amended for use in California)  1Because non-intersection, pedestrian crossings are generally unexpected by the road user, warning signs (see Section. 2C.50) should be installed for all marked crosswalks at non-intersection locations and adequate visibility 12Section 3B.16 contains information regarding placement of stop line markings near crosswalk markings. 13 For added visibility, the area oft the crosswalk may be marked with white diagonal lines at a 45-degree angle to the line of the crosswalk or with white longitudinal lines parallel to traffic flow as shown in Figure 3B-19. 14When diagonal or longitudinal lines are used to mark a crosswalk, the transverse crosswalk lines may be 14a This type of marking should be used at locations where substantial numbers of pedestrians cross without any other traffic control device, at locations where physical conditions are such that added visibility of the crosswalk is desired, orat 1s/fused, the diagonal or longitudinal lines should be 12 to 24 inches wide and separated by gaps of 12t0 60 inches. The design of the lines and gaps should avoid the wheel paths ifpossible, and the gap between the lines 16V When an exclusive pedestrian phase that permits diagonal crossing of an intersection is provided at a traffic 17Crosswalk markings should be located: so that the curb ramps are within the extension oft the crosswalk I8Detectable warning surfaces mark boundaries between pedestrian and vehicular ways where there is no raised curb. Detectable warning surfaces are required by 49 CFR, Part 37 and by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) where curb ramps are constructed at thej junction ofs sidewalks and the roadway, for marked and unmarked crosswalks. Detectable waming surfaces contrast visually with adjacent walking surfaces, either light-on-dark, or dark-on-light. The Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG)" (see Section IA.11) contains specifications for design and placement of detectable warning surfaces. 19. Crosswalk markings near schools shall be yellow as provided in CVC 21368. See Part7. 20 Pedestrian crosswalk markings may be placed ati intersections, representing extensions oft the sidewalk lines, or onany portion of the roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing. Refer to CVC275. 21 In general, crosswalks should not be marked ati intersections unless they are intended to channelize pedestrians. Emphasis is placed on the use of marked crosswalks as a channelization device. 22 The following factors may be considered in determining whethera marked crosswalk should be used:  should be provided by parking prohibitions.  places where a pedestrian crosswalk might not be expected.  should not exceed. 2.5 times the width of the diagonal or longitudinal lines. control signal, a marking as shown in Figure 3B-20 may be used for the crosswalk.  Option: Guidance: markings. Support:  Standard: Option: Guidance:  A. Vehicular approach speeds from both directions. B. Vehicular volume and density. Vehicular turning movements. D. Pedestrian volumes. E. Roadway width.  F. Day and night visibility by both pedestrians and road users. H. Discouragement of pedestrian use of undesirable routes.  G. Channelization is desirable to clarify pedestrian routes for sighted or sight impaired pedestrians. Consistency with markings at adjacent intersections or within the same intersection.  Option:  23 Crosswalk markings may be established between intersections (mid-block) in accordance with CVC: 21106(a).  Chapter 3B Pavement and Curb Markings Part3-Markings  November 7, 2014    Californial MUTCD: 2014) Edition Guidance:  697 Page  (FHWA'sMUTCD: 2009 Edition, including Revisions 1,2, &3, as amended for use in California)  24 Mid-block pedestrian crossings are generally unexpected by the motorist and should be discouraged unless, in the opinion of the engineer, there is strong) justification ini favor of such installation. Particular attention should be given to roadways with two or more traffic lanes in one direction as a pedestrian may be hidden from view byai vehicle yielding the 25 When diagonal or longitudinal lines are used to mark a crosswalk, the transverse crosswalk lines may be omitted. 26 However, when the factor that determined the need to mark a crosswalk is the clarification of pedestrian routes 27A At controlled approaches, limit lines (stop lines) help to define pedestrian paths and are therefore a factor the engineer 28 Where itis desirable to remove a marked crosswalk, the removal may be accomplished by repaving or surface treatment. 30 The worn or faded crosswalk retains its prominent appearance to the pedestrian at the curb, buti is less visible to the 31! Notification to the public shall be given at least 30 days prior to the scheduled removal ofa an existing marked crosswalk. The notice of proposed removal shall inform the public how to provide input related to the scheduled 32 Signs may be installed at or adjacent to an intersection directing that pedestrians shall not cross in a crosswalk indicated 33 White PED XING pavement markings may be placed in each approach lane to a marked crosswalk, except at  right-of-way to aj pedestrian. Option: Standard: Option: Guidance: Support: approaching road user. Standard: Option:  fors sight-impaired pedestrians, the transverse crosswalk lines shall be marked.  may consider in deciding whether or not tor mark the crosswalk.  29An marked crosswalk should not be eliminated by allowing itto fade out or be wor away.  removal and shall be posted at the crosswalk identified for removal. Refer to CVC 21950.5  att the intersection in accordance with CVC: 21106(b). intersections controlled by traffic signals or STOP or YIELD signs. Section 3B.19 Parking Space Markings  Support:  or! Marking of parking space boundaries encourages more orderly and efficient use of parking spaces where parking turnover is substantial. Parking space markings tend toj prevent encroachment into fire hydrant zones, bus stops, loading zones, approaches to intersections, curb ramps, and clearance spaces for islands and other zones where parking is restricted. Examples of parking space markings are shown in Figure 3B-21-3B-21/CA).  Standard: Option: persons with disabilities. Support:  02 Parking space markings shall be white.  03 Blue lines may supplement white parking space markings of each parking space designated for use only by 04Additional parking space markings for the purpose of designating spaçes for use only by persons with disabilities are discussed in Section 3B.20 and illustrated in Figure 3B-22-3B-22/CA). The design and layout of accessible parking spaces for persons with disabilities is provided int the "Americans with Disabilities Act  Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)" (see Section 1A.11). 05 Refer to CVC: 22500 through 22522 for parking space markings. 06 Refer to Section 2B.391 for Parking Regulations.  Support: Policy on Parking Restrictions Option:  07Local authorities may, by ordinance, provide for the establishment of parking meter zones and cause streets and highways to be marked with white lines designating parking spaces. Refer to CVC Section 22508.  Chapter 3B Pavement and Curb Markings Part3-Markings  November 7,2014    Tablel  Recommendations for Marked Crosswalka/Pedestionimprovements  at Uncontrolled Locations"  Vehicle ADT $9,000  Vehicle ADT  Vehicle ADT  Vehicle ADT >15,000  Roadway' Type (Number of Travell Lanes and Median Type)  9,000t012,000 12,000t015,000  Speed Limit*  $30 35 40 s30 35 40 s30 35 40 <30 35 40 mph mph mph mph mph mph mph mph mph mph mph mph  Two lanes Three lanes Multilane (4 or more lanes) with raised median*** Multilane (four or more lanes) without raised median  C -  P C C P C C N  C P N P P P N P N N P C P P P N N N N P P N N  C C P C P  N N N N N  Reference: FHWA's HRT-04-100, Safety Effects of Marked Versus Unmarked Crosswalks at Uncontrolled Locations *These guidelines include intersection and midblock locations with no traffic signals or stop signs on the approach to the crossing. They do not apply to school crossings. A two-way center turn lane is not considered a median. Crosswalks should not be installed at locations that could present an increased safety risk to pedestrians, such as where there is poor sight distance, complex or confusing designs, a substantial volume of heavy trucks, or other dangers, without first providing adequate design features and/or traffic control devices. Adding crosswalks alone will not make crossings safer, nor will they necessarily result in more vehicles stopping for pedestrians. Whether or not marked crosswalks are installed, it is important to consider other pedestrian facility enhancements (e.g, raised median, traffic signal, roadway narrowing, enhanced overhead lighting, traffic-calming measures, curb extensions), as needed, to improve the safety of the crossing. These are general recommendations; good engineeringjuagment should be used ini individual cases for deciding where to install crosswalks. **Where the speed limit exceeds 40 miles per hour, marked crosswalks alone should not be used at unsignalized ***The raised median or crossing island must be at least 41 feet wide and 61 feet long to serve adequately as ar refuge area for pedestrians, in accordance with MUTCD and American Association of State Highway and Transportation C= Candidate sites for marked crosswalks. Marked crosswalks must be installed carefully and selectively. Before installing new marked crosswalks, an engineering study is needed to determine whether the location is suitable for a marked crosswalk. For an engineering study, a site review may be sufficient at some locations, while a more in-depth study of pedestrian volume, vehicle speed, sight distance, vehicle mix, and other factors may be needed at other sites. Iti is recommended that a minimum utilization of 20 pedestrian crossings per peak hour (or 15 or more elderly and/or child pedestrians) be confirmed at a location before placing a high priority on the installation of a marked P=Possible increase inj pedestrian crash risk may occur if crosswalks are added without other pedestrian facility enhancements. These locations should be closely monitored and enhanced with other pedestrian crossing N=N Marked crosswalks alone are insufficient since pedestrian crash risk may be increased by providing marked crosswalks alone. Consider using other treatments, such as traffic-calming treatments, traffic signals with pedestrian signals where warranted, or other substantial crossing improvements to improve crossing safety for  locations.  Officials (AASHTO) guidelines.  crosswalk alone.  improvements, if necessary, before adding a marked crosswalk.  pedestrians.  www.4-creeks.com    7  Table2  PedestrianCountermeasure Options for Roadway Conditions  Posted Speed Limit and AADT  Vehicle AADT <9,000 Vehicle AADT 9,000-15,000 Vehicle AADT> >15,000 456 56 56456 56 56456 56 56 0230 00 00 30 00 00 00 00 e  Roadway Configuration s30 mph 35 mph 240 mph s30 mph 35 mph 240 mph s30 mph 35 mph 240 mph  02 0  O 90 0 5  0 e 0 O e 0 5 5 0 7 97 9 07 90 o 07 9 o o 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5  21 lanes (llane ine each direction) 31 lanes with raised median 45 (1 lane ine each direction) lwo-way lefl-turn lone) 4+ lanes with raised median (2orr more lanes in each direction) 4+ lanes w/o raised median (2orr more lanes ine each direction) Given the set of conditions inao cell, Signifies that the countermeasure is a candidate treatment at a marked uncontrolled crossing location. Signifies that the countermeasure should aiways be considered, but not mandated or required, based upon engineering judgment at a marked uncontrolled Signifies that crosswalk visibility enhancements should always occur inc conjunction with other identified The absence of a number signifies that the countermeasure is generally not an appropriate treatment, but exceptions may be considered following engineering judgment. "Refern toChapler 4, Using Tablel ond awZesiaOunioa 'forn morei information about using multiple counlermeasures. "shouldber noled haf he PHBa andR RRFB arer nott bolhi insiblledafthes samec arossing locafion. Thisk lobles Wos afuncontrolled developed usingi inforation from Zegeer CV.. JR Slewart, HH Huang, PA Logerwey, - Feogones. andB.J Clyon.E Ferguson, andR. Vonk Houten (2017). NCHRPR Report 841: Developmenfo Cosh Modification Foctors for Uncontrolled ondpersondli interviews withs selectedp pedestrians sofety proctifioners.  7 90 07 97 9  45  5 45  90 07 90 00 07 90 0  3k lanes w/o raised median 0230 00 00 30 00 00 00 00 e (1 lane in each direction witha 456 56 56456 56 56456 565 6  o 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 e 789789 80789080 80080 80 80 o 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 e 789789 80789080 80080 80 80  56 50 50 50 50  50 50 50 50  High-visibility crosswalk markings, parking restrictions on crosswalk approach, adequate nighttime lighting levels,  and crossing waming signs Raised crosswalk Advance) Yield Herel To andy yield (stop) line In-Street Pedestrian Crossing sign Curb extension Pedestrian refuge island Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon (RRFB)"* Road Diet Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB)**  Pedestrians sign  (Stop Here For)  crossing location. countermeasures.  (2005). Safely erlects ofmakedy versus unmaked Cossing Treatments Transportafionk Research Board  locotions Findin report andi recommended guidelines. FHWA No FHWAHRTO 04- 100 Washinglon, DC BEFEE Monual on Uniform raftic Controll Devices. 2009E Edition.  (evised Sofely Guideando 2012). Chapler 4F, Pedestrion Selechions HybridB Beocons. PEDSAFE), FHWA Washington. hfp www pedbikesafe DC: FHWA OgPEDSAFEA Crosh Modificationi Zegeer Foctors CR Srinivason, Clearinghouse lanD hip Corer. www S Smih, mfc C Sundstom. inghouse. org! N FHWA Thirsk Pedestrian Zegeer, DC: Woshingion DC: Thomas Thirsk, andz Zegeer. (2016). NCHRPS Sinihesis 498: Applicofiono ofPedestrion Dossing Tredtments for Streetso ondh Highwoys. Tronsportation Research Boord. Woshinglon.  www.4-creeks.com    CITYOF  FARMERSVILLE,  City Council  Staff Report 8B  TO: FROM: DATE:  Honorable Mayor and City Council Michael Schulte, City Manager October 14, 2024 Grant (CDBG) Application.  SUBJECT: Public Hearing to Discuss submittal of a 2024 Community Development Block RECOMMENDED ACTION: It is recommended that the City Council approve the submittal ofa  2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application  BACKGROUND  CDBG Program régulations require that the City conduct a public hearing on all CDBG-related matters to provide for and encourage citizen participation, particularly by low-and-moderate income persons who reside in areas in which CDBG funds are used. Therefore, when the public hearing is opened, the public will be invited to comment on the City's proposed submittal ofa 2024 CDBG Grant application, use of CDBG Program Income, and to make their comments A public notice was published in the October 6, 2024 issue of the Visala Times Delta notifying On August 30, 2024, HCD released a NOFA announcing the availability of CDBG Program funds of approximately $34 million from the 2024 funding allocation. Over-the-Counter: (OTC) Eligible activities predominantly benefit low- and moderate-income Californians and include: Housing Assistance Programs (Single-Family Homeownership Assistance, and Single-Family Housing Rehabilitation); Public Facility and Public Improvements projects (including Public  known on the proposed activities. the public of this public hearing.  and Competitive Application submissions may begin October 29, 2024.    Improvements in Support of New Housing Construction); Public Service programs, Planning Studies, Economic Development Business Assistance and Microenterprise activities. The City may apply for a maximum of $1,500,000 for program activities and $3,500,000 for project  activities. DISCUSSION  The City proposes to apply for CDBG funds for the following housing program activities:  Homebuyer Assistance General Admin (max 7%) Total Homebuyer Assistance request Housing Rehabilitation General Admin (max 7%) Total Housing Rehabilitation request Total CDBG Request  $465,000 $ 35,000 $500,000 $930,000 $ - 70,000 $1,000,000 $1,500,000  When the Public Hearing is opened, citizens are encouraged to ask questions and/or comment on the proposed activties/application or on any aspect of the CDBG Program. Citizens are also invited to submit written comments to the City or to review information on the City's CDBG Program at City Hall, 909 W. Visalia Road, Farmersville, CA 93223. Write or contact Jennifer  Gomez, City Manager, at the same address. RECOMMENDED ACTION  Open the public hearing to accept comments on the City's proposed submittal of an application in response to the 2021 State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Notice of Funding  Availability (NOFA), and to solicit citizen input.  FINANCIAL IMPACT  The cost for preparation of the CDBG applications by Self-Help Enterprises is $4,000 and was  previously budgeted for in General Fund account 10-07000-655.  2    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  Overview  Grantees are responsible for several requirements that extend beyond administering the Community Development Block Grant project. These requirements include steps that local governments must take before applying for a grant and steps that may not be directly related to completing the project. For example, citizen participation requirements must be fulfilled before submitting an application and all Grantees must undertake annual actions to further fair housing Fair housing and civil rights laws impact many aspects of CDBG projects. Nondiscrimination must be shown with relation to any benefits created with a Grantee's public facilities projects. In addition, the Grantee will be expected to show that the community in general is committed to  even if their projects are not assisting or improving housing.  nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action.  Grantee Responsibilities  Follow public participation requirements and adopt a public participation plan, that is inclusive of all residents, regardless of language spoken, employment hours, etc. Affirmatively further fair housing by adopting a Fair Housing resolution  Implement fair housing activities toa affirmatively further fair housing onaconsistent basis Implement the CDBG project in a non-discriminatory manner which includes accessible  communications and adopting a non-discrimination resolution Maintain records that document project beneficiaries  Demonstrate compliance with fair housing, accessibility, and civil rights objectives This chapter discusses these requirements, imposed by Federal laws and regulations, in the  following sections:  4.1 California Housing-element Law 4.2 Public Participation  4.3 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) 4.4 Americans with Disabilities Act  Published March 2022 4-1    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  4.5 Limited English Proficiency  4.6 Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Compliance 4.7 Economic Opportunity - (Section 3 Requirements)  4.8 Conflict of Interest 4.9 Signage  4.10 Drug-Free Workplace Policy 4.11 Complaints and Appeals  Section 4.1 California's Housing-Element Law Since 1969, California has required that all local governments (cities and counties) adequately plan to meet the housing needs of everyone in the community. California's local governments meet this requirement by adopting housing plans as part of their  Housing Element Completeness Check  "general plan" (also required by the State). General plans serve as the local government's "blueprint" for how the city and/or county will grow and develop and include seven elements: land use, transportation, conservation, noise, open space, safety, and housing. The law mandating that housing be included as an element of each jurisdiction's general plan is known as California's housing element law acknowledges that, in order for the private market to adequately address the housing needs and demand of Californians, local governments must adopt plans and regulatory systems that provide opportunities for (and do not unduly constrain), housing development. As a result, housing policy in California rests largely on the effective implementation of local general plans and, in particular, local housing elements. Jurisdictions are required to submit an Annual Progress Report (APR) on the status and progress ini implementing the housing element to HCD. More information on the reporting requirements Detailed information ont the required housing element can be found oni the HCD Regional Housing  "housing element law."  can be found in Chapter 9: Reporting and Recordkeeping. Needs Allocation and Housing Elements webpage.  Published March 2022 4-2    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  Eligibility for Award of State CDBG Funds  Pursuant to Health and Safety Code (HSC) Section 50829, applicants must submit the Housing Element of their General Plan to the Department to be eligible for the state CDBG Program.  Specifically, an applicant must at least: 1. Submit a draft,  2. Consider the Department's findings,  3. Adopt the housing element in accordance with Government Code Section 65585; and  4. Meet ongoing reporting and compliance requirements.  Ata ar minimum, step 1 above must be completed with evidence of submittal by the date specified int the NOFA. While no application for funds shall be denied because of the content of the housing element, applicants with growth controls are generally not eligible to receive funds unless meeting conditions specified in Health and Safety Code: section 50830, such asal Housing Element Failure to complete the Housing Element compliance process will result in future program ineligibility and may result ina al breach of the Standard Agreement for funds awarded through the State CDBG program. Jurisdictions who fail to complete the Housing Element compliance process in a timely manner will be ineligible for funding until the Housing Element is brought into Applicants should verify the status of their Housing Element and the impact of growth control For more information about how growth controls and zoning can contribute to inequitable outcomes, see Appendix B: Equity and Belonging Toolkit. Definition of Growth Control Measure HSC $50830  found in substantial compliance by the Department.  compliance.  measures prior to submitting their application.  Ag general plan, ordinance, or other measure that directly limits the number of: 1. building permits that may be used for residential construction; or 2. buildable lots that may be developed for residential purposes.  Published March 2022 4-3    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  Statutory Authority for Compliance HSC $550829 and 50830.  Section 4.2 Public Participation Requirements  Local governments must provide reasonable opportunities for citizen participation, hearings, and access to information with respect to local community development programs. Certain citizen participation requirements are required to be met prior to application submission while other requirements apply throughout the course of the project. Grantees are expected to take whatever actions are appropriate to encourage the participation of all its residents, including members of historically marginalized communities and persons with limited English proficiency, as well as persons with disabilities. (Section 4.7 below addresses required steps to assist limited-  English proficient persons.) Citizen Participation Plan  All local governments receiving CDBG funds from the State of California, Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) must adhere to the Citizen Participation Requirements set forth in the State's Citizen Participation plan and adopt it. Each Grantee must meet the following requirements:  HCD Citizen Participation Plan  1. Solicit input on local community development needs and proposed activities particularly from low- and moderate-income persons (LMI) who reside within the local jurisdiction in 2. Promote public comment on the proposed application and community development activities via a minimum of two public hearings (more if any substantial change is  which the grant funds are proposed to be used;  proposed);  3. Provide special technical assistance to groupsrepresentative of LMI persons; 4. Identify the needs of persons with limited English proficiency residents and reasonable 5. Provide a timely, appropriate, and effective written answer to inquiries, complaints, and  accommodation for persons with disabilities;  grievances;  Published March 2022 4-4    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  6. Provide citizens with reasonable and timely access to information, including the amount of funds available, the range of eligible activities, the activities being applied for, and  amount of funds requested.  Required Public Participation  Local governments should pay particular attention to the Public Participation Component of the Grant Process. No application will be reviewed if the Grantee has not complied with the procedures  24CFR570.486  established and outlined below for public hearing notices and meetings. Two (2) public hearings are required at separate phases of the project. (Additional hearings may be required if  substantial changes or amendments occur.)  1. Notice of public hearings must be published in a daily Forexample, the Fresno Bee is sucha daily newspaper: serving  Appendix 4-1:  newspaper of general circulation in the local government. Sample Public Notice many communities of the central valley. Appendix 4-1isa sample format for the public notice. Publication of notices in non-English newspapers might be required based on results of the Four Factor Analysis (see Section 4.71 for more information). 2. The public notice must be posted as a printed legal notice in three other public places within the local government. Such other places may include:  1. Weekly papers (not a primary notice in a daily newspaper of general circulation).  2. Use of social media accounts such as Facebook or Twitter.  3. Website calendars that announce public events (may be the official municipal  website).  4. Local nonprofit websites such as Main Street organizations.  3. The notice must be published no less than 10 days prior to the date of the public hearing. When counting the 10-day period, you may NOT count the day the advertisement runs or 4. Notice of the Public Hearing must include a contact person/ADA coordinator's name and telephone number. Citizens should be advised to contact that individual, sO the jurisdiction can provide accommodations for any persons with disabilities and provide  the day of the hearing.  Published March 2022 4-5    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  assistance ifa significant number of persons with limited English proficiency are expected. See Section 4.7 in this chapter for requirements regarding Limited English Proficiency 5. Hearings must be scheduled during a time when citizens are generally available to attend (such as evenings and weekends). Morning or early afternoon sessions are unacceptable. 6. Grantees planning on earning Program Income (PI) or having PI on hand must provide adequate information about the use of PI at this hearing. More information on Program  (LEP).  Income can be found in Chapter 6: Financial Management.  In addition to the required notices, applicants must also make every effort to inform those who might not be reached through the newspaper notice that the public hearing is to be held. Such efforts might include the distribution of leaflets, post notices on bulletin boards at town hall, notices to local organizations, clubs, and churches, and/or personal contact. These efforts should especially be conducted in the neighborhoods affected by the proposed project. More information about equity in public participation can be found in Appendix B:  Equity and Belonging.  NOTE: Ifal hearing is cancelled, the public noticing process must repeat. It is recommended that all public notices include potential rescheduling dates to avoid this situation.  First Public Meeting Content  The first public hearing is an opportunity to educate and inform local residents about the project, to provide a forum for resident input, and to obtain any housing and community development needs. This hearing must be held prior to submission of the application to HCD. The following  information should be made available at public hearings:  1. Goals and objectives of the CDBG program, including the definition of LMI,  2. Total amount of CDBG funds available,  3. Community development and housing needs of the applicant,  4. Proposed activities for the project and the amount to be requested; estimated beneficiaries (such as approximate number of homes to be rehabbed, dwelling units connected to infrastructure, persons served), qualification requirements, how the  Published March 2022 4-6    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  program is managed, role of Grantee and consultant, if any, type of improvements or  construction proposed, timeframe to complete the project, 5. Proposed amount of funds to be used to benefit LMI people, 6. Amount and source of local funds to be expended on the 7. Adoption or update of a Residential Antl-displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan, as necessary per 24CFR42.325.  project, and  Sample Residential Antl-displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan  8. Review status of the local housing element.  Acopy, scan, or digital attachment of the newspaper posting for the first public hearing must be included as part of the application submitted to HCD. The date that the posting was published must be clear on any submitted copy. Also, a final approved copy of the hearing minutes from the first public hearing must be included with the grant application. The Grantee should retain the same information for the second or any additional hearings held prior to project completion for monitoring by HCD. The minutes from the public hearing and the final draft of the application  must be made available to the public. Second Public Meeting Content  The second public hearing is for the Grantee to review the results of the project with citizens and to take comments about the local governments' performance. The public hearing must be held prior to the close out of the grant, but no earlier than the projected mid-point, to provide status oft the program. The following information should be made available at public hearings: 1. Project progress/status of completion and expected timeframe to completion 2. Results to date and projected totals, such as number of beneficiaries assisted, housing 3. Funds expended, balance of funds available, and budget expectations to completion. When a Grantee is planning to conduct a second hearing from one grant in conjunction with the first hearing for a new grant, the advertisement language must be clear in the dual purpose of  units completed, portion of project in service, or persons served.  the hearing.  PublishedMarch20zz 4-7    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  Additional Public Hearings Content  Ifthe Grantee is required or chooses to hold additional public hearings, they must provide citizens with reasonable advance notice of, and opportunity to comment on, proposed changes to activities in an application to the state as described int the required notices for the first and second hearing. Grantees that propose substantial changes are required to hold an additional  hearing. Substantially changed means changes to:  Purpose  Scope, adding or removing an activity  Location  Increase or Decrease funding by 25% or more  Beneficiaries  The content of the additional public hearing would encompass all oft the same elements of the first hearing with two changes. Replace item #3 Community development and housing needs of the applicant with "3. Explanation for the change(s)." Then, all other content items from the original hearing should be revisited and discussed in comparison to the proposed revision or  amendment to the project. Complaints and Appeals  Occasionally Grantees receive complaints regarding their projects and activities. In order to respond, Grantees must develop procedures for responding to complaints. See Section 4.11  Complaints and Appeals int this chapter.  Section 4.3 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH)  All recipients of CDBG funds, including subrecipients and contractors, must assure that they do not discriminate or permit others to discriminate in provision of housing for every individual. Below is a list of groups with specific anti-discrimination protections under federal laws:  Race Color  Ancestry/National Origin  Published March 2022 4-8    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  Religion Sex Familial Status Disability Age (262)  HUD has expanded upon this list of federally protected groups fora all HUD assisted activities via regulations and notices to include:  24CFR5.403 Fact Sheet on HUD Assistance Animals Notice  Sexual Orientation Gender Identity  Persons who use service or support animals  Additionally, California state law adds the following to the list of protected classes within the  state:  California Protected Classes Housing  Age (240) tzensnp/mmgration Status Primary Language Source of Income Military or Veteran Status Genetic Information Medical Condition  Sex/Gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medicalconditions) Every Grantee must promote fair housing practices within its jurisdiction for anyone within these  protected classes.  NOTE: Housing designed to meet the physical and/or social needs of senior citizens, and in compliance with California laws governing senior housing, may exclude households with minor children. Similar provisions are provided for senior citizen mobile home parks under  federal fair housing laws.  The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) is as state agency established for the purpose of eliminating discrimination in employment, public accommodations and the sale or rental of housing or commercial property due to any of the above listed protections. The DFEH has the power to receive and investigate complaints ofi illegal discrimination. Grantees can consider coordinating their work to address discrimination with this state agency.  Published March:2022 4-9    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  Going beyond prohibitions of discrimination, receipt of HUD funds requires that Grantees affirmatively further fair housing. While there are many ways that Grantees can promote fair housing practices, HCD has implemented the following practices: the following guidelines have  been adopted by HCD:  Step 1: Impediments to Fair Housing  Pursuant to AB 686, which amended Housing Element Law when it was passed in 2017, all local agencies are required to ensure that their laws, programs and activities affirmatively further fair housing. To comply with these requirements, all local governments are required to conduct a robust public outreach, a housing needs assessment, a site inventory, identification and prioritization of contributing factors, and goals and actions as components of their Housing Element. More information on the requirements of AB 686 can be found at:  nttps//www.hcd.cagov/communitydevelopmentatt/afth/ndexshtm, Under federal law, Grantees are not required to perform their own Analysis of Impediments (AI) to Fair Housing but may use the analysis performed by HCD, a project partner, or by an adjacent entitlement community. The State completed a Housing Assessment in 2020 to  California 2020 Analysis of Impediments  comply with federal and state requirements. It can be found on the HCD's website. In concert with the locally prepared Housing Element components that comply with AB 686, these  documents are useful to help determine actions in Step 3. Step 2: Implement Activity that Affirmatively Furthers Fair Housing As a threshold requirement at application, each CDBG Grantee must select and implement at least one activity that affirmatively furthers fair housing (AFFH) pursuant to the State Objectives as described in Appendix 4-2. Ifa Grantee receives multiple grants in the same year,  Appendix 4-2: HCD AFFH Sample Activities  only one activity is required per year. If a Grantee receives grant awards in sequential or nearly sequential years, the AFFH Activity selected by the Grantee must be a different one each program year. Grantees must complete an AFFH Activity even if their projects do not entail housing AFFH Activities must be sufficiently documented. For each completed action, Grantees must submit a description of the documentation type (e.g., resolution), relevant links and additional description, if necessary. Relevant links includes links to planning documents, zoning codes and other documents that demonstrate the action was completed. Additional description should be  activities. Appendix 4-2 provides Sample AFFH Activities.  Published March: 2022 4-10    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  added only if necessary and provides additional information about the completed action. For example, additional description may include the location of a project to demonstrate investment ina an area of low resource opportunity or may include detail about a policy type such as general  plan policy number or title of a zoning ordinance.  Where appropriate, Grantees shall use Opportunity maps provided by the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (TCAC) or HCD to show where strategies and efforts are implemented to affirmatively further fair housing. In cases where opportunity maps may not be applicable or efforts might be city-wide, Grantees should include that information int the additional description column or select that the pertinent type of resource opportunity area does not exist in the community. HCD will consider the use of local data and knowledge on a case-by-case basis. Each year that a Grantee applies for CDBG funds, it must complete the supplemental section of the eCivis grant application that pertains to State Objective of Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing certifying the implementation of applicable activities from the list in Appendix 4-2.  Step 3: Display the Applicable Fair Housing Logo and Required Posters The Grantee andi itsg grant administrator are responsible for placing the applicable fair housing posters in conspicuous locations of public buildings, including municipal offices, and the posters must always be displayed at the job site. The required fair housing posters may be  HUD Fair Housing Posters  found on the HUD website. Other posters required for Equal Employment Opportunity are All housing-related notices, advertising, and brochures must include the fair housing logo. HCD  described in Section 4.5 of this chapter.  also recommends that the logo be displayed on all jurisdiction stationary.  Grantees must post the following documentation at the town/city hall in a prominent place for  viewing by the general public:  California Civil Rights Laws Certification  Fair Housing Policy Statement with Discrimination Complaint Procedure (Local  Resolution)  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice  ADA Grievance Procedure  Fair Housing Posters in both English and Spanish, or other languages as required by the  Published March 2022 4-11    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  Four Factor Analysis  Equal Employment Opportunity posters in both English and Spanish, or other languages  as required by the Four Factor Analysis  See Section 4.7 on Limited English Proficiency in this chapter for more information on required language access. HUD provides the required fair housing posters in several languages, which can bet found in the link above. Grantees may be required to translate documents in other languages  based on the Four Factor Analysis. Step 4: Contract Provisions  Include provisions for non-discrimination in all contracts issued to all recipients of CDBG funds, including businessmen, developers, contractors, and homeowners. Contractors should include non-discrimination language in any subcontract issued for a CDBG project as well. A Grantee should keep a copy of such provisions in its project file, along with any additional  information documenting its own compliance. See Chapter 5: Procurement.  Step! 5: Affirmative Marketing Plans  Affirmative marketing plans must be developed and implemented for all CDBG-assisted housing  with five or more units. An affirmative marketing plan must include:  Methods for informing the public, property owners, and potential tenants about fair housing laws and the local governments' policies (for example, use of the fair housing Description of what owners and/or the Grantee/subrecipient will do to affirmatively Description of what property owners and/or the Grantee/subrecpient will do to inform Maintenance of records to document actions takentoafirmatively market CDBG-assisted Description of how efforts will be assessed and what corrective actions will be taken  logo or equal opportunity language); market housing assisted with CDBG funds;  persons not likely to apply for housing without special outreach;  units and to assess marketing effectiveness; C and  where requirements are not met.  Grantees and local administrators should assist municipal officials to become thoroughly familiar with the Fair Housing Activity undertaken and other fair housing provisions since the local government is ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance with fair housing requirements.  Published March 2022 4-12    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  Failure to do sO can result in the Grantee being ineligible to apply for a grant in the future. Grantees may enlist public participation in carrying out the Fair Housing Activity and post The Grantee must pledge to carry out the Fair Housing Activity to overcome the identified  information sO that it is made available to the general public.  impediments to fair housing choice. Too often, local governments have made statements in contract assurances that they will fight housing discrimination but in actuality have done nothing to overcome housing discrimination or segregation in their  HUD Fair Housing Planning Guide  communities.  For more information, please see the HUD Fair Housing Planning Guide. This document is a useful  resource in understanding fair housing law and requirements.  Section 4.4 Accessibility  This section of the chapter reviews the requirements Grantees must follow to be in compliance with accessibility requirements of the Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504).  ADA Guide for Small Towns  Collectively, the accessibility laws andi implementing regulations prohibit discrimination based on disabilityandestabishrequirements for physicalaccessibiliyinconnectionwithfederaly funded housing and non-housing activities. Section 504 provides that no otherwise qualified individual shall, solely by reason of their disability, be excluded from participation in (including employment), denied program benefits, or subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal funding assistance. Specifically, Section 504 imposes requirements  related to:  Program accessibility; Communications;  Accessible design and construction for certain housing and non-housing activities; Grantee self-evaluation of programs, services, and activities to ensure programmaticand  physical accessibility to persons with disabilities; and Nondiscrimination in employment.  Published March:2022 4-13    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  Program Accessibility  Existing housing and non-housing programs administered by the Grantee and its funded entities (e.g., subrecipients, developers) must be accessible to persons with disabilities. Program accessibility means that a program, when viewed in its entirety, lsreadlyaccesibietoand: usable by persons with disabilities. This means that persons with disabilities must: 1) have an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from the program, and 2) be offered equitable choices and amenities as those offered to persons that do not have Grantees ensure that their programs and services are readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities to the maximum extent feasible. In other words, the Grantee must take steps to provide the necessary access to persons with disabilities, unless the actions would constitute an undue financial and administrative burden or require a fundamental alteration in the nature of More information on steps Grantees can take to ensure program accessibility can be found  disabilities.  the program.  in Appendix B: Equity and Belonging Toolkit.  Communication  Communication is an important component of program accessibility. Persons with impairments to! hearing, vision, speech, mobility, or other disabilities may have special communication needs. To the maximum extent feasible, Grantees must provide program information in ways to ensure that persons with disabilities that impact communication are able to access and enjoy the CDBG recipient must furnish auxiliary aids and services as necessary, which may include:  benefits of any program or activity receiving CDBG funds.  For persons with hearing impairments: Qualified sign language interpreters,  Note takers,  Telecommunication devices for deaf persons (TDDs)1,  1The! Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) is a public program mandated by the California State Legislature and administered by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The DDTP has two components: the California Relay Service (CRS), which includes Speech to Speech, and the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP)) which provides assistive telecommunications equipment. The mission of the program is to provide accesst to  basic telephone service for Californians who have difficulty using the telephone.  Published March:2022 4-14    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  Telephone handset amplifiers,  Assertive listening devices (devices that increase the sound in large group settings), Flashing lights (where aural communication is used, such as warning bells), Video text displays (devices that display text that is simultaneously being spoken can be  used where a public address system provides information),  Transcription services, and Closed and open captioning. For persons with vision impairments: Qualified readers,  Written materials translated into alternative formats (i.e. Braille, audio tape, large print), Aural communication (Bells or other sounds used where visual cues are necessary), and Audio description services (through a headset, a narrator describes what the visually  impaired person cannot see).  The Grantee must ensure effective communication with persons with all types of disabilities in all activities, to the greatest extent feasible. Where the Grantee communicates with applicants and system must be available. To be equally effective, aids, benefits, and services do not have to produce identical results, but must  HUD Checklist to Determine Whether System is Equally TTY  beneficiaries by phone, a TDD is required, or an equally equivalent Effective Alternative to  afford equal opportunity to obtain the same result int the most integrated setting appropriate (34 CDBG recipients must communicate in such a manner that people with disabilities may obtain the information they need regarding the recipient's programs. All public hearings must be held in locations accessible to people with disabilities. Recipients must provide a sign language interpreter or make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities to participate in  CFR$104.41b/2).  public hearings.  Grantees may require that persons with disabilities provide advance notice that they need a particular auxiliary aid or service. All communications must clearly outline the specific procedure, which must bet followed if an individual with disabilities intends to request an auxiliary aid and/or service. If for some reason effective communication as requested by the individual cannot be provided, the recipient must notify the individual immediately of the specific reasons why their  Published March 2022 4-15    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  request cannot be granted, why the decision was made, and what alternative accommodation NOTE: HCD recommends that Grantees limit advance notice requirements to no more than 24-48h hours. Advance notice in excess of 48 hours may cause undue burden for persons with  could be made.  disabilities.  Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan  HCD requires each ofi its Grantees to conduct a self-evaluation as well. If a Grantee has not already performed a Section 504 self- evaluation of programs, services, and activities to determine if theya are programmatically, and physically accessible to people with disabilities, they must conduct such evaluation and document all  Appendix 4-3: CDBG Section 504 Plan and Guidance  needs. If a Grantee has already performed a self-evaluation, a new one is not required, unless HCD has provided Appendix 4-3: CDBG Section 504 Plan and Guidance to assist Grantees in  facilities have been altered. the self-evaluation process.  Section 4.5 Limited English Proficiency  Federally assisted Grantees are required to make reasonable efforts to provide language assistance to ensure meaningful access for persons with Limited English Proficiency (including people who do not know English, and/ori for whom Englishisasecond language) tot the Grantee's programs and activities. In compliance with Executive Order13166, HCD has conducted the four- factor analysis for statewide purposes and developed the following Language Access Plan (LAP) In certain situations, failure to ensure that persons who have limited English proficiency can effectively participate in, or benefit from, federally assisted programs may violate the federal Alll localg governments are required tot follow the measures outlined below for each CDBG assisted  for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) persons.  prohibition against national origin discrimination.  project or program.  Published March 2022 4-16    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  Step 1: Conduct Analysis  Appendix 4-4: Four Factor Analysis for Limited English Proficiency  Conduct the Four Factor Analysis prior to advertising the initial public meeting. The steps for a Four Factor Analysis are included  inA Appendix 4-4.  Step 2: If Required, Provide Language Assistance during Application Process  Ift the Four Factor Analysis reveals one or more LEP populations (an LEP population of five percent but at least 50 persons oraLEP population of 1,000 or more persons) within the local government or other factor in the analysis dictates the need for language assistance, the Grantee will provide appropriate language assistance by 1) posting notices of the CDBG application public hearings in areas frequented by LEP persons of the threshold population(s) in the language(s) spoken, and 2) providing translation services at public hearings if requested to do so by LEP persons. Promoting the availability of language assistance is considered best practice and more information can be found in Appendix B: Equity and Belonging Toolkit.  Step 3: Develop Language Access Plan (LAP)  lfanapplication is funded and if the Four Factor Analysis dictates, the community will be required to develop a LAP and provide a description of outreach efforts. Particular attention will be given to plan details for projects including acquisition, relocation or housing rehabilitation. Guidance to develop a Language Access Plan has been included in this Implementation Guide as Appendix 4-5.  Appendix 4-5: Language Access Plan Template for LEP  Step 4: Documentation of LAP  Ifa LAP is required, the LAP will include certifications that Plans have been developed, adopted, and will be implemented for all CDBG funded projects. The Grantee's LAP will include:  an identification of all LEP populations exceeding 1,000 or five percent of total local government population, whichever is less, or other factor requiring language assistance, the identification of materials to be made available to LEP persons, the means by which the materials will be made available to LEP persons, and the identification of any other translation services which may be necessary.  Grantees will be monitored for implementation of their LAP.  Section 4.6 Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Compliance  Published March 2022 4-17    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  Local governments are required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in all federal assisted programs. This law and Executive Order 11246, as amended, specifically prohibits discrimination in employment practices. This Executive Order, applicable to any business or organization that has a federal contract/subcontract or multiple contracts totaling greater than $10,000, also imposes requirements for affirmative action. When procuring goods, construction contractors, or professional services, Grantees should incorporate equal opportunity in employment clauses in Executive Order 11246 and other statutes require Grantees, subrecipients, contractors, and  solicitation (bidding) and contract documents.  subcontractors to prohibit discrimination based on the following:  Race/Color Religion/ Creed Sex Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Ancestry/National Origin Age (262) Disability, mental and physical Genetic Information Military History  Additionally, California state law adds the following to the list of  California Protected Classes- Employment  protected classes within the state:  Age (240) Marital Status Medical Condition  Gender Identity, gender expression  Sex/Gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medicalo conditions)  EEO Posters must be displayed at the Grantee and all job sites supported with CDBG funds. It is the responsibility of the grant administrator to provide the posters to the Grantee, as well as any subrecipient of CDBG funds, and to verify that the posters are displayed at the job site. See DOL website for required Equal  DOL Equal Employment Opportunity Posters  Employment Opportunity Posters.  Published March 2022 4-18    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  Section 4.7 Economic Opportunity (Section 3 Requirements)  Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 imposes requirements pertaining to employment/raining opportunities and contracting arising from CDBG assistance, or other HUD funds, expended for rehabilitation, physical improvements, and public construction Congress established Section! 3t toensure that the employment and other economic opportunities generated by federal financial assistance for housing and community development programs shall, to the greatest extent feasible, be directed toward low and very-low-income persons, The requirements of Section 3 are discussed in greater detail in Chapter 5: Procurement, Chapter  projects, both residential and non-residential.  particularly those who are recipients of government assistance for housing. 7: Labor. Standards, and Chapter 11: Reporting and Recordkeeping.  Section 4.8 Conflict of Interest disclosed. These requirements apply to:  HCD policy requires that conflicts of interest on CDBG projects be  24CFR5570.611 24CFR5570.489th  procurement of supplies, equipment, construction services and professional services, the acquisition or disposition of real property, and  providing direct benefits to municipal officials, subrecipient officials, or persons  administering the CDBG project.  Federal and state guidelines stipulate that no person who performs any CDBG function or who has any CDBG responsibility, who is inac decision-making position, or who has inside information may obtain a financial interest or benefit from an activity funded in whole or in part with CDBG In general, a conflict of interest would exist if any municipal employee or person in a program decision-making capacity signs a contract funded with any portion of the CDBG State Program- including rehabilitation and consulting. This follows from the local government's signed  funds.  assistance agreement and from HUD regulations at 24CFR5570.611.  Published/March, 2022 4-19    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  In certain circumstances, HCD may grant an exception to conflict of interest, upon request, if 1. A disclosure of the nature of the conflict, including an assurance that there has been public disclosure of the conflict and a description of how the public disclosure was made. 2. AI legal opinion (from local Counsel) is submitted stating that the potential for conflict of interest is minimal, and that the situation does not violate either local or state conflict 3. The person applying for the waiver meets other program requirements. For example, 4. The person applying for the waiver is not in a decision-making position in the CDBG 5.7 The local government must certify to all oft the above, and also demonstrate that a system has been established to guarantee that no preferential treatment to the applicant has occurred. This mightrequire a numbered and dated system for accepting and processing  specific criteria are met:  statutes or rulings.  low/moderate income guidelines for housing rehabilitation. Program, either with the local government or subrecipient.  applications, for example.  6. Finally, the local government must submit a formal request to HCD seeking a waiver of conflict-of-interest requirements based on the above criteria. The waiver request should describe the circumstances for all five elements above. See Appendix 4-6 for the HCD Request for Exception Form.  Appendix 4-6: Request for Exception to Conflict of Interest  After review of the supporting documentation, if HCD agrees that the potential for conflict of interest is minimal andifthe applicant meets the above criteriai forawaiver, staffwillrecommend  approval.  Section 4.9 Excessive Force Policy  Ina accordance with Section 104(1) of the Housing and Community Appendix 4-7: Sample  Development Act, as amended, Grantees must adopt an excessive force policy that prohibits the use of excessive force against non-  Excessive Force Policy  violent civil rights demonstrations. (See also State's Certification Requirements at 24 CFR When Grantees sign the Standard Agreement they certify that they will pass and enforce a policy prohibiting the use of excessive force by law enforcement agencies within its jurisdiction against  91.325(b)(6)).  Published March 2022 4-20    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  anyi individuals engaged in non-violent civil rights demonstrations. Section 4.10 Drug-Free Workplace Policy A Drug-Free Workplace Policy must be formally adopted by the Grantee, if one does not exist. The policy should include procedures for providingas statement notifyinge employees that the  SAMHSA Drug-Free Workplace Toolkit  unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the Grantee's workplace and specifying the actions that will be taken against Grantees should work with their solicitor or other appropriate counsel to develop such a policy. Each local government is likely to have differing circumstances to consider in developing the procedures sini its own local policy. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides guidance and information tol help develop and sustain a successful drug-free workplace via its website toolkit.  employees for violation of such prohibition.  Section 4.11 Complaints and Appeals Procedures  Severalf federalregulatory compliance requirements instruct Grantees to develop and implement grievance procedures to address complaints or disputes that arise in administering CDBG or  federal funds in general. The types of complaints include:  discrimination  public participation/PuDlIc input contract and procurement disputes  other programr requirements such as acquisition and relocation actions or labor standards  decisions about eligibility and providing assistance Grantees must develop grievance procedures to address these that local governments can adopt to cover any of these complaints.  Appendix 4-8: Sample  situations. Appendix 4-8 contains Sample Complaints Procedures Complaints! Procedures Each complaint and the resolution of the complaint should be well documented in the Grantee's Ift the Grantee chooses to create its own procedure, the Grantee must provide beneficiaries with the name, address, and phone number of a contact person who can receive and respond to complaints. Complaints related to the scope and work of the project should be addressed by the Grantee. Where practical, the Grantee should respond to any complaints within 15 working days  files.  Published March 2022 4-21    Chapter 4: Additional Grantee Requirements  ofi its receipt. Complaints, appeals and all legal proceedings will be handled by the Grantee. HCD will forward any complaints it receives about a project to the Grantee. HCD will notify the person filing the complaint that it has been forwarded to the Grantee and will direct the complainant to follow up directly with the Grantee. It is the responsibility of the Grantee to address the complaints regardless of whether a subrecipient or consultant is managing the local project.  Section 4.12 Project Signage  All HCD contracts require that HCD's logo be displayed on all signage listing project funders. This signagei informs citizens that the projecti is being funded by HCD's CDBG Program, as well asl listing When signs are posted, both the HCD and the HUD logos must be used for any project signage. The HCD and HUDI logos may not be any smaller than 50% of the size of the largest logo  the sponsor, architect and/or engineer, and contractor, as applicable.  displayed.  This signage requirement can be waived ifno other partner/entity requires worksite signage and creating signage solely for HCD poses al hardship. Alternatively, if none of these are applicable/teasible, an alternative display of the HCD logo or public recognition must be approved by HCD.  HCD logo HUD Fair Housing logo  Photographic evidence of the signage must be made available at monitoring.  Published March 2022 4-22    Resolution of the Governing Body. RESOLUTION NO. 2024-053  A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR' FUNDING AND THE EXECUTION OF A GRANT AGREEMENT AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO FROM THE 2024 FUNDING YEAR OF THE STATE CDBG  PROGRAM  BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Farmersville as follows:  SECTION 1:  The City Council has reviewed and hereby approves the submission to the State of California of one or more application(s) in the aggregate amount, not to exceed, of $1,500,000 for the following CDBG activities, pursuant to the and 2024 CDBG NOFA:  List activities and amounts  Activity (e.g. Public Services, Infrastructure, etc.)  Dollar Amount Being Requested for the  Activity  Homeownership Assistance Housing Rehabilitation  $500,000 $1,000,000 e $  SECTION2 2:  The City Council hereby approves the use of Program Income in an amount not to  exceed $1,500,000 for the CDBG activities described in Section 1.  SECTION3:  The City Council acknowledges compliance with all state and federal public participation requirements in the development of its application(s).  SECTION4:  The City Council hereby authorizes and directs the City Manager or designee*, to execute and deliver all applications and act on the City's behalf in all matters pertaining  to all such applications. SECTION5 5:  Ifan application is approved, the City Mayor or designee*, is authorized to enter into, execute and deliver the grant agreement (i.e., Standard Agreement), any recordable or    nonrecordable contract documents, and any and all subsequent amendments thereto  with the State of California for the purposes of the grant.  SECTION 6:  Ifan application is approved, the City Manager or designee*, is authorized to sign and submit Funds Requests and all required reporting forms and other documentation as may be required by the State of California from time to time in connection with the grant. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of  Farmersville held on 10/14/2024 by the following vote:  AYES: Enter # of votes or names NOES: Enter # of votes or names  ABSENT: Enter # absentees or names ABSTAIN: Enter # of abstains or names  Enter Name and Title. Choose an item.  STATE OF CALIFORNIA City of Farmersville  Rochelle Giovani, City Clerk of the City of Farmersville, State of California, hereby certify the above and foregoing to be a full, true and correct copy of a resolution adopted by said City Council on this Enter Day. day of Enter Month, 20Enter Year. and that said resolution has not been amended, modified, repealed, or rescinded since its date of adoption and is in full force and effect as of the date hereof.  Rochelle Giovani, City Clerk of the City of Farmersville,  State of California  By: Rochelle Giovani, City Clerk, of the City of Farmersville    CDBG = Affidavit of Posting Notice  ORD  Affidavit of Posting Notice ,(Name of Poster)! Rochelle Giovani  hereby certify that on the 26 day of  September (month), 2024 (year), the notice of public meeting to discuss possible applications and to gather residents' ideas for possible activities for funding under the California Department of Housing and Community Development, Community Development  Block Grant Program was posted at the following 4 available to the public from 9-26-2024 Location 1: City Webpage Location 2: Facebook  (number) locations, and was  (date) to present  (date).  Location 3: Front Lobby Window Location 4: Newspaper page listing the additional locations.  **Ift the notice was posted at additional locations, please check this box D and attach an additional  Dgluu  Signature of Poster  City Clerk  Organization and Title of Poster  I, (name). Rochelle Giovani  employee or officer of The City of Farmersville  (city, county, or jurisdiction name), State of California, hereby certify the above and foregoing  is true and correct. Dated at The City ofFarmersville  (location), California, this  26  (date) day of September  (month), 2024  EM9  Signature of Employee or Officer City Mancges Title of Employee or Officer  (Poster and Employee/Oficer signatories must not be the same person)    CITYOF  FARMERSVILLE  City Council  Staff Report 8C  TO: FROM: DATE: RE:  Honorable Mayor and City Council  Michael Schulte October 14, 2024  Animal Control [Discussion and Direction Item]  STAFF SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONREQUEST  This extensive Staff Report addresses the deficiency of animal control shelter facilities, and the overall issue as it affects Farmersville, as well as offering a sustainable solution to the crisis. Currently, the animal control services offered to the City are inhumane, and not tolerable. Staff have already been discussing short-term and long-term solutions that would be sustainable, more humane, and tailored to resolve the root oft the problem -1 the critical lack of veterinary care and shelter space in the Tulare County area. The solution is complicated, but works by combining The request to the Council is for the Council to authorize staff to proceed on assessing the viability oft the solution offered herein, including assessing support and financing availability on a State and  existing models for shelters, veterinary services, and education.  County Level.  EXECUTIVESUMMARY  In the immediate term (301 to 90 days), Staff are asking Council to consider that the City take over animal control services that are currently supposed to be provided by the City of Visalia pursuant For the short-term (120 days to two years), this Staff Report asks the Council to authorize Staffto assess the viability and implementation ofa regional animal control facility that can take overflow from the surrounding areas - particularly those without any facilities, including Farmersville, Exeter, Woodlake, and Lindsay. Additional short term assessment will be a no-cost/low-cost  toal written contract between Visalia and Farmersville.  veterinary services clinic.    For the long-term, Staffasks the Council to consider the build out of a regional shelter, as well as implementation oflow-cost and no-cost veterinary services through the build-out oflow-cost and no-cost community facilities in any unserved and/or under-served areas, as well as the implementation ofa longer-term sustainability program that focuses on education as the means for The State ofCalifornia, and local animal control experts agree that the solution to overcrowded and inhumane animal control facilities is through a broad implementation of spay and neuter programs by veterinarians. However, Tulare County is woefully underrepresented by licensed veterinarians, and that is likely due to the lack ofl Hispanic and Tulare County representation in the State's Veterinary schools. The solution to the Iack of veterinary care is the provision of facilities, and pre-vet education by the Farmersville: High School and College of Sequoias - both ofwhich have existing programs that simply need coordination and directed efforts toward small animal  ai long term solution.  care.  FARMERSVILLE'S, ANIMAL CONTROL EFFORTS  Earlier this year, the City of Farmersvlle.contracted with the City of Visalia for animal control services. The Council will recall that Farmersville objected to the harsh euthanasia conditions in the Contract, but that Visalia refused to address the issue, offering only a verbal commitment that Farmersville animals would not receive disparate treatment from Visalia animals. " Over the short time period since the Contract was entered into, that commitment has not been upheld by Our Contract calls for Visalia to provide a field officer to be dedicated to the Farmersville/Excter area five days per week. Further, the contracted price is $211,000 base rate per year, for 300  Visalia.  animals per year. Onamonthly basis, that amounts to $17,500/mo for 25  animals/mo. ($700/animal).  However, year to date, through July 31, 2024, there were only 100 instances wherein VAC (Visalia Animal Control) retrieved animals from Farmersville. Those 100 calls cost the City $122,500. That's a cost of$1,225lanimal. Further, the "base amount" ofanimals in the contract was set at 300 animals. Thus, VAC: should be taking 25 animals per month at $700/animal. Further, Visalia is making less than 14 calls per services per month at $1,225/animal. In spite of this, VACig ignores calls from Farmersville PD and/or Code, and has failed to hire the dedicated field officer, and continues to insincerely tell Farmersville that "they are trying." In the meantime, a story broke on ABC 30 headlined, "[DJogs being euthanized due to lack of budget, not a lack ofspace at Visalia. Animal Services. " The story alleges that Visalia's euthanization rates at their shelter are extremely and abnormally high, in spite ofhaving space for the animals. Some oft those animals in question were animals from Farmersville. Shockingly, upon: investigation, it became apparent that, after the ABC: 30 story dropped, Visalia'sfield  euthanizations increased substantially.  It became obvious to Staff that Visalia was purposely reducing their shelter euthanization rates, by conducting moref field euthanizations, and then refusing to: hire the dedicated field officer, thus  limiting the number of animals at their shelter.  2    Staffr reached out to Visalia about these issues, and was told, by Visalia's City Manager on September 20, 2024, "we know. Farmersville has a choice; you do not need to work with us, and we are) fine with that. We are willing to work together, for our mutual benefit, but we understand that may not work to everyone' 's best benefit. " Ini the late afternoon of Friday, October 4, 2024, Visalia's City Attorney sent an email notifying Farmersville that they no longer would have staff to service Farmersville. On Saturday, October 5, 2024, Farmersville PD was notified by County Dispatch that they had been informed by Visalia Animal Control not to take any further calls for While Visalia'si inflexible insistence upon a high-euthanization business model has put Farmersville in a crunch for animal services, Staff1 have already been discussing short-term and long-term solutions that would be sustainable, more. humane, and tailored to resolve the root oft the problem - the critical lack ofv veterinary care and shelter space in the Central Valley. The solution isc complicated, but works by combining existing models for shelter, vet services, and education. HUMANE ANIMAL CONTROL THROUGH) SPAY/NEUTER RATHER THAN  animal services from Farmersville.  EUTHANASIA  A well documented and detailed article came out in September 2023, entitled "Local Shelters Dig in as Animals Overwhelm Resources." The article addresses the critical needs related to shelter space shortages, but also establishes that "an increased; population ofunsocialized animals have made their way through the doors oflocal. shelters, with not enough rescues to host them, or not enough people adopting them out. According to the animal services manager) from Visalia. Animal Services, Candace Harrington, this development is likely the result ofa lack ofaccess to. spay and The link between lack of veterinary services and shelter overcrowding, leading to inhumane euthanization rates, has already been acknowledged at the state level with SB 1233 (Wilk-2 2023- 24), which authorizes the teaching of expedited techniques for spay and neuter to veterinary students. However, for the Central Valley, this measure falls short of providing any benefit, as it has already been demonstrated that there is a critical lack of veterinarians ini the Central Valley, and that a large percentage ofn medical professionals return to their affiliated regions upon graduation. In other words, ifthey didn'tcome from Tulare County, they are: not returning to In 2018, California had 7,380 practicing veterinarians, 60% of whom practiced in the area. known as companion animals." Ofthose 4,428 companion animal veterinarians, less than 9% (400 total) operate in the entire Central Valley. Tulare County has aj population of 480,000 people, but only 102 registered veterinarians, for a ratio of one vet to every 4700 persons. For comparison, Santa Cruz County has aj population of262,000, but has 166: registered veterinarians, foraratio ofone vet for every 1600 persons (almost three times better than Tulare County). Itis safe to say that Tulare County has one oft the worst ratios of veterinarians to county-wide population in the State. Further complicating the issue is that there are only two universities that offer California veterinary medicine degrees. The public university is UC Davis. The private university is Western University of] Health Sciences. While the State of California now boasts a Hispanic population of approximately 40%. Tulare County has a Hispanic population of 65%, and  neuter services amidst the pandemic. -  Tulare County after graduation.  3    Farmersville has a Hispanic population of almost 98%. Meanwhile, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine shows an Hispanic population ofapproximately 5% each year. The conclusion is undeniable that one of the reasons that veterinarians do not come to the Valley is because the Valley is not sending students to Veterinary School. Without Veterinarians, the long term spay-neuter solution to animal population control cannot work. SB1233 acknowledges that this long term spay/neuter approach can work, but falls short ofhelping the under-represented  communities.  EDUCATIONALPATIWAYPROGRAM, ASA SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION  There is a model solution for this problem as well. Clovis Unified has created a "Career Technical Course for patient care" at Clovis East High School, acknowledging the regional lack of medical professionals who begin their education in the Valley. This pathway program prepares students for careers in the medical field, providing not just career-focused education, but also higher educational opportunities, as those students cycle into pre-med programs in college. One oft the stated benefits and goals of the Clovis Unified program was to address the critical lack of medical Applying that model to Farmersville, both the Jr. High and the High School have well existing and well attended FFA Programs, and the College of Sequoias aiready offers degrees and certificates in animal sciences and veterinary assisting. The entities are in place, and could implement a veterinary care program similar to the Clovis Unified program. To reiterated, ifthe Valley doesn't  professionals in the Valley.  send students out for Veterinary degrees, the shortages will likely continue.  CONCLUSION  Farmersville needs to solve it's animal control problem. There is concensus that the solution should be humane, sustainable; and cost effective. The way to achieve those goals is to scale lengthwise by included other Cities who have similar needs, and by scaling widthwise to include other entities who are critical to the sustainability, such as State Representatives, the High School, In the immediate' term, Farmersville will take the bull by the horns and resolve the means to capture, store, and transfer animals. This, however, is not a sustainable solution, as Farmersville lacks the financial and/or staffresources to handle a large volume of animals. Thus, a larger and scalable solution is to combine Farmersville's needs with the needs of surrounding Cities that are also struggling for an animal control solution. That included scale should enable a long-term None oft the surrounding communities have the financial wherewithal to build a new facility, and that will be al barrier to resolve. Additionally, the sustainable solution is to provide low-cost and/or no-cost veterinary care in each of these Cities as well SO that a broad program of spay/neuter can be implemented. Therein lies the real problem. We need veterinarians for this all to work, and there simply are none. Thus, viewing this problem as just "how does Farmersville handle it's animal control" is shortsighted and not universally beneficial. By partnering with our  the College of Sequoia, animal cruelty organizations, and FFA/Ag interests.  solution to a regional animal storage and handling facility.  4    State Representatives, animal rights organizations, local municipalities, the School District, the College District, UC Davis, FFA, and agricultural interests, we can do sO' much more than just animal control. We can provide educational opportunities for under-represented students to study veterinary care, and then provide those services to the region, and educate. the next generation, in facilities that we create for this purpose. All the while, creating a sustainable humane solution for  animal control.  5