Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lemoore public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
28 issues with medium priority
Service club park naming and sponsorship program
Three parks named for service clubs operate under vague, decades-old agreements. The proposed policy would set $2,500/year and defined service hours, with written accountability — but clubs want flexibility and earlier communication.
New city website launch
Council members agree the city website is hard to use — even finding meeting agendas and trash days is a chore. A new website was approved a few meetings ago and is in process.
Freedom Drive Crosswalk Improvements
The city is funding engineering for a more visible, raised crosswalk on Freedom Drive at 19th, right next to an elementary school. Most of the cost will be reimbursed by outside funding.
Meyer Ranch House acquisition proposal
The Sarah Mooney Museum wants the city to sell it the historic Meyer Ranch House next door for $1, to expand exhibits, add a research library, and beautify downtown. The house currently serves as transitional housing, and that contract is reportedly ending.
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.
Glendale Lift Station Construction Contract
HPS Mechanical Inc. won the construction contract for the Glendale lift station structures, approved on consent with a budget amendment.
Cybersecurity Grant Acceptance
The city accepted a federal-state cybersecurity grant to bolster its defenses against cyber threats.
Housing Feasibility Study Near Lemoore College
Dutch Bros, Ross, Five Below, Wendy's, McDonald's, 24 Hour Fitness and more are in the pipeline for late 2026 or 2027, and ordinance updates to meet the housing element deadline go to Planning Commission in October.
Neighborhood traffic calming program
Residents can now petition for speed bumps and other traffic calming in their neighborhoods. It takes written support from 67% of developed parcels in the area, is mostly resident-funded, and any installation still has to pass city engineering review.
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.
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.
New City Seal and Logo
Lemoore has never had a city seal — just a logo — and the council is launching a public contest, April 1 to May 31, to create one, with a $1,000 prize and public voting. The winning seal will appear on documents, signage, and the new city website.
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.
Former Kmart Redevelopment: Ross, Five Below, Anytime Fitness
Ross, Five Below, and Anytime Fitness are coming to the old Kmart center next to Tractor Supply, plus a pharmacy near the old Pioneer Square once state approval comes through.
Second Pharmacy Coming to Lemoore
Sharon Black asked for a second pharmacy, describing 25-person lines at the town's only one — and the city manager confirmed one is coming, pending state approval.
Master User Fee Schedule and Cost Allocation Updates
The city updated its 200-plus fees for the first time since 2020: building permits rise to cover rising costs, a general plan fee triples to save up for a roughly $1 million update, and hall rentals and indoor soccer fees go up. Recreation fees still run below actual cost because the general fund subsidizes them.
2026 Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy
Progress is finally coming to the long-awaited roundabouts at Bush and Bellhaven/41, with heavy construction timed around the school year. CART also approved new fixed-route schedules and will install twelve public EV chargers near the new transit center in Hanford.
Audit Prep Consulting Contract (Price Page and Company)
The city's books got a clean bill of health: no findings, unqualified opinion, and the general fund grew $2.4 million to $17.6 million. Councilmember Gornick wants the city to review its reserve policy to make the most of the upward trend.
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.
Veteran hiring preference reform proposal
A NAS Lemoore senior leader told the council that veterans' preference points are useless if military resumes get filtered out by civilian HR screens before a human ever sees them. He wants qualified veterans to bypass initial HR filters and go straight to interviews.
Bush/41 Roundabouts and Local Infrastructure
The Caltrans roundabout designs at Bush and 41 are 100 percent complete, with permits expected in June. Mayor Matthews noted she's heard both compliments and complaints about construction disruptions around town.
Iowa Avenue Safety and Lighting
Councilmember Gornick flagged that the General Plan progress report says nothing about Iowa Avenue, which he says has safety and lighting issues on a designated truck route that need to be addressed for residents and businesses.
Unfunded Pension (PERS) Liability
The city now has a tool to offer early retirement to employees in positions where retiring saves money — hiring replacements at lower pay or not backfilling at all. It's off the table for police officers right now given the department is down three officers and paying overtime.
City council stipend increase
The council is raising its own pay from current levels to $750/month, plus $100 for the mayor and $100 for board service. It brings Lemoore closer to the state maximum of $950 and what neighboring cities pay.
Playground equipment at Lemoore Little League Park
A just-over-$40,000 grant will bring new playground equipment to the Little League Park, with the rest covered by park impact fees. League leaders say the park is becoming a true community hub, especially for families with little ones at games.
Downtown entertainment zone
During permitted events like Flight Fest, adults 21+ could carry drinks in official cups within C and D street corridors. Council introduced the ordinance unanimously; some members raised cannabis and enforcement questions.
Annexation planning along Hanford-Amona Road
The city will hold community meetings with property owners in areas eyed for future annexation, addressing concerns about taxes (unchanged) and keeping animals under negotiated exemptions.
City Council Member Profile
A quick shout-out in the Hanford Sentinel puts Lemoore City Council member John Plourde in the news — but that's about all we get. No policy votes, no controversies, no budget details attached, just a name-drop tying your local council to regional coverage. Basically a blip, but it's a reminder that your council members are being watched beyond city limits.