[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6546928,"mediaKeyId","3411623-7c7023e52890bfbcb06609ff56594bf4","parentId",3411623,"title","Votes at a glance: Porterville council actions on contracts, appointments and letters","audioSeconds",1195,"startMs",8777000,"endMs",9972000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411623-7c7023e52890bfbcb06609ff56594bf4&start=8777&end=9972","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411623-7c7023e52890bfbcb06609ff56594bf4/thumbnail_8777000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6546928/Porterville/Tulare-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Porterville-council-actions-on-contracts-appointments-and-letters","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546928-e54a24349fc4aadee05409438350cdeb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172337&Signature=knq3Y5w0JarJDVcUGdYaYdjuH-mEr-IaqSWIEJe4lFgjCnpKAEFq1I6gAOEy2JGLroIfOjflOYKfO2ygY1RBbVrrT3k8kvbuQBolhU04HUvi1nURkfmaKIIVeEoGcZh3iP7VIWQqYqBDqn25yRsXtnbYSSwmWglAG8ky~3owMlvv36VkRP3u~8JxPWvbzjjDgU1EOj2TUNA36GPpjZqz1sEnZ8v~Sg3K9hejbFnoeL2NebWTmYar7ouKWjkxBMRpyaB2sPDWAHZPQv56VGs1MhtkJpifWILqQwW9qR51Q5kMjtkrGhKHRMj0daTUbzB6Crv-1~~hajYJPP7VoSjdkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Porterville City","date","2025-05-20T23:09:19Z","article","At its meeting, the Porterville City Council took several formal actions beyond the ordinance and water items covered separately. Highlights and outcomes follow.

Letter to governor and State Water Resources Control Board (agenda item 20)
- Action: Authorized the mayor to sign and transmit a draft letter supporting strategic redistribution of surplus reservoir water to the West Side of the San Joaquin Valley, with copies to local and regional state representatives. The letter asks for strategic redistribution to relieve seasonal conveyance strain, preserve groundwater and support agriculture.
- Vote: Approved 5‑0.

Extension of special purposes reserve for Porterville Navigation Center events (agenda item 21)
- Action: Approved an extension of time to expend remaining funds ($5,000 originally allocated for special events at the Navigation Center), with council amendment removing a fixed end date so funds remain available for planned events (staff to manage expenditure stewardship).
- Vote: Approved 5‑0.

Budget calendar (agenda item 22)
- Action: Approved an alternative schedule for the FY 2025–26 budget process that includes continuing the FY2024–25 budget for a transitional quarter and additional study sessions; staff recommended the alternative due to leadership transition and active labor negotiations.
- Vote: Approved 5‑0.

Interim city manager agreement for Richard Tree (agenda item 23)
- Action: Approved an employment agreement making Richard Tree interim city manager (beginning 05/24/2025) while he continues as director of transportation, with a 10% salary adjustment and customary executive terms; agreement runs until a permanent appointment or 12/31/2025, whichever is first.
- Vote: Approved 5‑0.

Bus stop sign replacement and related transit capital contracts (pulled consent items 4 and 5)
- Action: Awarded contract(s) for bus stop sign replacement (capital project to renew signage and stops); project is part of a planned capital expenditure cycle for transit infrastructure.
- Council discussion: Councilman Beltran pulled the items to question the timing and optics of capital spending while transit service reductions (route cuts) had been discussed at a prior meeting; staff explained the bus stop work is a capital item with a multiyear replacement cycle and that operating route reductions and capital replacements are funded and tracked separately.
- Vote: Approved 4‑1 (one dissent noted by Councilman Beltran).

Consent calendar and other votes
- The consent calendar was approved as amended (items 1–3 and 6–16 approved; item 12 continued; items 4 and 5 were pulled for discussion and later approved as described above). The roll call votes reported on items above matched the tallies announced on the record.

Staff follow‑up: Several items approved tonight require staff implementation steps: distribution of the water‑redistribution letter to named state officials, publication/printing of ordinances and scheduling of subsequent hearings for project‑level development agreements, processing of the interim city manager employment agreement, and procurement steps for the transit capital project. Staff committed to providing required notices and monthly status updates where applicable.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Porterville - City Council Meeting of May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A roundup of formal actions taken at the Porterville City Council meeting: the council approved a letter to the governor on water redistribution, extended special‑events funding for the Navigation Center, confirmed an interim city manager agreement, approved bus stop sign replacement contracts, and adopted a modified budget calendar.","taxTitle","Porterville, Tulare County, California","taxId",3952,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546933,"Porterville council approves three‑day watering plan for summer, directs monitoring",2973,3183000,6156000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411623-7c7023e52890bfbcb06609ff56594bf4&start=3183&end=6156","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411623-7c7023e52890bfbcb06609ff56594bf4/thumbnail_3183000.jpg","/articles/6546933/Porterville/Tulare-County/California/Porterville-council-approves-threeday-watering-plan-for-summer-directs-monitoring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546933-d53768b97ae0d84b4576e139645779ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172337&Signature=L9UohuWMCEmMQ5jGpQzEh6OUyaBZjF9xs-tVUczTE7qSrunoV18rY5vYb6bR8MisANEivbHFtqTrQxxxaLuBLjB~-YFdAC6OGI7QSpi3XZAnvgzlx9j~5iTQXHO1jNpldilfkeYSF18PB1llAUVnwLWGIGNq85FgM-y0c8IiRWYJVtnq7blPZVJfHSZB8D~ISicb-7Tu431lKuCWHawSaeVzks5g8~EbP~-MgRKU88P-2QOVmOAdTWUoCj1ie7l2PjCp6EL1xPVc1Q1XThqFKoRYSTHfnbmm9W8jWmUI4Kgc7gigZf5m4aIGsz4Il1T6R09QOkwwn3rlb8SkhF-uEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Porterville City Council voted 5‑0 to implement Phase 2 of the city’s water conservation plan for the summer, moving from Phase 4 (the more restrictive winter schedule the city had been operating under) to a mandatory three‑day outdoor irrigation schedule by odd/even addresses.

Assistant City Manager Mike Knight presented the staff report, explaining that the city had been operating under Phase 4 through the winter and that hydrologic indicators and recent rainfall (TUI subbasins received about 90% of average rainfall) supported easing restrictions for the summer. Staff recommended either Phase 3 (two days per week) or, alternatively, Phase 2 (three days per week) to provide greater flexibility during the hotter months while preserving the city’s long‑term conservation goals. Staff proposed that the seasonal schedule be effective June 1 through September 30, with a return to Phase 4 for fall and winter.

Councilmembers expressed support for Phase 2 while asking staff to continue monitoring system production and groundwater levels. Councilman Rivas asked that staff notify the mayor and vice mayor immediately if system stress indicators emerge; staff pledged to provide status updates and to bring back an item for council consideration if conditions change. Councilman Beltran said the action reflected long‑term investments in a diversified water portfolio, and councilmembers noted the last comparable three‑day schedule was in about 2014–2015.

The council motion to implement the staff’s alternative (Phase 2) passed 5‑0. Staff said the schedule would take effect June 1 and run through September 30, and the council asked staff to return in September (or earlier if conditions warrant) to reassess and to provide the required public notices for any future changes.

The council also stressed continued enforcement of no runoff and adherence to address‑based watering days and hours. Staff reiterated they would provide monthly status updates to council and would bring forward any necessary adjustments if production or groundwater indicators showed system stress.","The City Council voted unanimously to implement Phase 2 of Porterville’s water conservation plan for the summer months — allowing three mandatory watering days per week — with staff to monitor system stress and return to stricter limits in the fall if needed.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546938,"Porterville council updates cannabis rules, expands zoning; debates drive‑throughs and deliveries",3014,4550000,7564000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411623-7c7023e52890bfbcb06609ff56594bf4&start=4550&end=7564","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411623-7c7023e52890bfbcb06609ff56594bf4/thumbnail_4550000.jpg","/articles/6546938/Porterville/Tulare-County/California/Porterville-council-updates-cannabis-rules-expands-zoning-debates-drivethroughs-and-deliveries","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546938-a95ca677a2376cc74074322a692ef8ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172337&Signature=QVT3W1WGJWf~5~HFwljRScFriWX~II9ol6lKsDCnJyMqzBb~c79ib5N8~5aHnJbUtL2UCQ~uFl5WQdXcKpbhxI8~mR7HK~7s3oX1axgmatOLcF7CC47Mkg79ppJLm~BUzaNmGkRPU~DaWnVjpUOvTQNELpfHOlmwSOK95ALNTT5KYxQKmpZFwviW5mPolXr4aMmGakq~BtRgvlqaHwUeaAFlff3vhLgZveXZsCuGnQmrzvTwFb2rxP5U35W1IS062uX3kuBj3DCCwx3BDtn~FI~L8~MzNBLg6wutu-njpKYB3ed-YJO0Xj9eH3-KiwOaRWWnmGqHzG6etSwt5l94XA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Porterville City Council approved two related measures to update local cannabis rules and expand where dispensaries may operate, voting 4‑1 to give initial approval to an ordinance amending Chapter 15, Article 7 (operational standards) and 4‑1 to allow dispensaries as a permitted use in the CG (General Commercial) zone under Chapter 21, Series 203.

The ordinances change local requirements on hours and premises security, remove the requirement for bullet‑resistant exterior windows, allow drive‑through operations if the city approves adequate security, and prohibit deliveries into the city from outside dispensaries unless required by state law. Councilmembers also clarified that employee permits will be required from the Porterville Police Department and that the council will set hours of operation by separate resolution.

Council and staff said the changes are intended to modernize local rules and align municipal code with prevailing state practice. Assistant City Manager/transportation director Mike Knight presented staff’s analysis and noted that the Cannabis Committee recommended permitting dispensaries in the CG zone; Community Development staff said the zoning change is consistent with the general plan and is exempt from CEQA review under the exemption cited in staff materials.

Public comments included local business representatives and residents. Christopher Navarro, general manager of Premium Blossom, said security protocols and ID checks are strict and urged the council to distinguish regulated dispensaries from on‑site consumption venues: “There is no on‑site consumption allowed at these dispensaries in town … any law abiding dispensary would not let that happen on their premises,” Navarro said. Candace Garrett, speaking for Premium Blossom’s owners, emphasized compliance with state rules and noted the state’s 600‑foot rule applies to K‑12 schools and does not specifically bar adult schools: “The state law requires 600 feet from a K through 12. It does not mention anything about the adult school,” Garrett said.

Several council members voiced concerns about drive‑through windows and proximity to schools. Councilman Beltran said he opposed drive‑through dispensaries, citing optics and the potential to lower community standards, while other council members said modern security practices, delivery limits and taxes favor allowing regulated operations and could also help move dispensaries off Main Street. The council noted that a proposed relocation by Premium Blossom (from 200 to 1432 West Olive Avenue) would require a separate development agreement and additional public hearings specific to that site; staff confirmed relocation would not be finalized by the ordinance votes alone.

The council also received and acknowledged an on‑record disclosure that Vice Mayor McCurvey had received and then returned a campaign contribution from an entity affiliated with a dispensary owner; the disclosure was noted during the hearing. The council approved the ordinance amendment (first reading) and the zoning text amendment by four votes in favor and one opposed in each case. The measures now proceed to ordinance printing and follow‑up actions required for project‑specific approvals, including development agreements and parcel mapping where applicable.

The council directed staff to ensure any required development agreements and public notices be handled in subsequent hearings. The council also noted that deliveries from outside the city would be restricted under the new language unless state law requires otherwise, and that employee permitting and police oversight remain part of the regulatory framework.

Votes and next steps: The council approved the Chapter 15 amendment (first reading) and the Chapter 21 zoning amendment by 4‑1 votes. Site‑specific relocations and development agreements (for example, Premium Blossom’s requested move) will require separate hearings and ordinances before any relocation is final.

Community context: Opponents focused on concerns about proximity to schools (including Porterville Adult School and other nearby educational sites) and the visibility of cannabis activity; supporters emphasized security measures, economic benefits, and the need to regulate and tax activity that is already occurring. Staff and council repeatedly distinguished the municipal ordinance and zoning changes (which apply citywide if approved) from any later project‑level approvals tied to a property.","The Porterville City Council voted to amend local cannabis regulations and allow dispensaries in the city’s General Commercial (CG) zone, clearing the way for relocations such as Premium Blossom while drawing debate about drive‑through service, deliveries and proximity to schools.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Porterville council actions on contracts, appointments and letters

Porterville council approves three‑day watering plan for summer, directs monitoring

Porterville council updates cannabis rules, expands zoning; debates drive‑throughs and deliveries