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Tulare council declines immediate study session after heated debate over proposed Fairgrounds data center
Summary
Council members debated whether to place a requested study session about data centers — prompted by a proposed 100‑year GlobalStack lease at the fairgrounds — on the Aug. 18 agenda. After extended discussion about timing and available facts, the council voted not to move the item forward.
Mayor Isherwood opened discussion after public comment about a proposed data-center lease at the fairgrounds and the city’s limited visibility into the project. Esmeralda Addington warned the council that GlobalStack — a company she said was formed in March — was seeking a “100 year” lease at the fairgrounds and urged the council to oppose the contract until the public had more information. Mario Anaya, who attended the fairboard meeting, said the item had been tabled and that only draft contracting materials and a referenced feasibility study were available on the fairboard agenda.
Assistant City Manager Thomas said staff had submitted a public-records request for the fairboard materials and that the city would monitor whether CEQA or other state review processes would trigger local review. Several council members said they were uncomfortable setting a study session date without clearer facts. Council member Segala moved to place a study-session request (item 9.2) on the Aug. 18 agenda; he argued the city must provide a public forum. After extended debate over timing, jurisdiction and public access, the council took a roll-call vote and the motion failed for lack of consensus (Segala voted aye; the majority voted no). Mayor Isherwood said the council would continue to monitor the matter and bring a study session when “the issue is ripe.”
Why this matters: council members flagged overlapping jurisdiction and the limits of local control on state property; staff said CEQA could provide a review pathway depending on final project details. The council did direct staff to continue pursuing information from the fairboard and to work with regional partners so the city and residents have accurate, shared facts if and when the project advances.
Representative quote: “We understand they’re a state agency, but typically there is, for any major capital project, at least some information available…We just look forward to seeing more information when the feasibility study comes out,” Mario Anaya said.
Next steps: staff will share public-records responses and feasibility materials when available; council members and regional partners will continue fact‑finding before scheduling a study session.
