Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lemoore public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
15 issues in public safety
72-Hour Parking Ordinance Final Adoption
A new ordinance would require cited vehicles to move a half mile or onto private property to reset the 72-hour parking clock, closing the 'move it two feet' loophole. Enforcement is complaint-driven, and council members raised concerns about vacationing residents' cars getting towed.
Cybersecurity Grant Acceptance
The city accepted a federal-state cybersecurity grant to bolster its defenses against cyber threats.
Service club storage evictions from city buildings
The Lemoore and Kings Lions Clubs received a 30-day notice to clear their long-standing storage spaces at the Vets Hall and Civic Auditorium. They're asking for a rental agreement or another solution and note other tenants weren't affected.
E-bike safety near Lemoore High School
Mayor Pro Tem Gornick described chaos on East Bush after school — e-bikes, walkers and cars all mixed with few helmets — and asked police to consider safety measures.
Code enforcement staffing and tenant habitability complaints
Tenants say they can't get code complaints filed, and a housing advocate claims the city is out of compliance with AB 838/AB 584. Staff plans to bring a dedicated code enforcement officer position to council early next year.
Suicide Prevention Awareness
September is now Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in Lemoore, with a remembrance table at the Rec Department and the 988 crisis lifeline promoted citywide.
KCAO Low-Barrier Shelter Funding Gap
The Kings Community Action Organization shelter project is now roughly $3 million short of funding its first phase, up from about $600,000, and may reduce the number of beds to bring costs down.
Cat licensing ordinance rejected
The city's animal ordinance exempts cats from at-large rules, and residents are frustrated with feral cat populations — enough that the city is apparently 'TikTok famous' over it. Council wants staff to look at Long Beach's cat ordinance and consider microchip requirements instead of license fees.
$1 Million Grant for Park Surveillance Cameras
The city won a $1 million BSCC grant to install cameras in seven parks, all feeding live to police dispatch. Councilmember Brewster said they'd already generate investigative leads on three shootings. Completion window is five years.
Volunteer Fire Department Ordinance
The council is considering a new chapter in the municipal code establishing a Volunteer Fire Department, but continued the hearing to June 2 while materials are completed.
DOJ tobacco enforcement grant opportunity
A community advocate told the council about a state DOJ grant to fund enforcement against illegal tobacco sales to minors, with applications due June 19 and funding running through 2030.
Dispatch Center Delay
The police chief says the dispatch move is on track for next week, with two days of call-taking training before the switch. The council plans to tour the facility during the transition.
Street sweeping schedule confusion
Residents constantly ask when the street sweeper comes to their neighborhood, and the schedule isn't intuitive. The council asked whether it can be included in trash-day mailers and noted the color-coded website schedule.
Kings County Commission on Aging seat vacancy
The city will lose its voice on the county Commission on Aging because Councilmember Lyons can no longer attend. The council will look for a member of the public to fill the seat.
Police staffing shortage
The police chief said the department is down three officers and hasn't been fully staffed in eight years, with constant recruiting just to hold even. It came up during the early retirement debate as a reason officers can't be offered the incentive now.