CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
March 1, 2022 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
4:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION AND CLOSED SESSION:
Mayor Sharp called the study session and closed session to order at 4:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL BY THE CITY CLERK :
Diane Sharp, Kalish Morrow, Art Brieno, Amanda Saltray
Late: Francisco Ramirez
PUBLIC COMMENT :
This is the time for citizens to comment on subject matters not on the agenda within the jurisdiction of the Hanford City Council. This is also the public’s opportunity to request an item from the Consent Calendar be pulled for discussion purposes or to comment on any item on the agenda. Comments related to Public Hearing items will be heard at the time the item is discussed.
A maximum of three minutes is allowed for each speaker. Please begin your comments by stating your name and providing your city of residence.
None.
STUDY SESSION :
Discussion and direction on modifications to Section 13.12 of the Municipal Code relating to compliance with SB 1383.
Public Works Director John Doyel and Public Works Deputy Director Jim Ross presented the Solid Waste ordinance. Staff discussed the significant changes and additions made to comply with State mandates for the Council's review and direction. Staff also d iscussed the recycling requirements of both commercial and residential customers, timelines, enfo rcement, fines, and community outreach. Staff addressed questions and concerns from the Council. After a brief discussion, the Council directed staff to move f orward with the presented changes. Staff will present the ordinance at a future meeting for the C ouncil’s review and approval.
The Council convened to closed session at 5:08 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION FOR THE DICUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING :
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (GC 54956.9 (d)(1):
Bradley Glen-Smith v. City of Hanford
Kings County Case No. 21C0037
Helena v. City of Hanford
Kings County Case No. 17C0102
Paula Lofgren v. City of Hanford
Kings County Case No. 21C0188
McLemore, et al. v. City of Hanford
Kings County Case No. 21C0023
Mendoza, et al. v. City of Hanford, Fabian Avalos
Eastern District of California Case No. 1:21-cv-00721
Luis Ortiz Alonzo v. City of Hanford, Ruben Cano
Kings County Case No. 21C0396
Nathaniel Rodriguez v. City of Hanford
Kings County Case No. 21C0172
David Ponce v. City of Hanford
Eastern District of California Case No. 1:21-cv-01045
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (GC 54956.9 (d)(2)):
Threatened litigation regarding zoning and land use matter
Claim filed by Darlene Mata dated January 6, 2021
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Mayor Sharp called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm
ROLL CALL:
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Diane Sharp Mayor Present 3:45 PM
Art Brieno Council Member Present 3:59 PM
Kalish Morrow Vice Mayor Present 3:52 PM
Amanda Saltray Council Member Present 3:58 PM
Francisco Ramirez Council Member Present 4:12 PM
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Rev. Robert Lee Hayden, Sr.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Angie Dow.
CLOSED SESSION ACTION REPORT:
No action was taken.
City Attorney Ty Mizote took this time to address the public in attendance regarding public comments on the Northstar project matter.
COUNCIL REPORTS/GENERAL REPORTS:
Brief information -only reports from City Council and/or Staff, including committee reports and report s by City Council related to meetings attended at City expenses (AB1234).
Council Members Ramirez and Brieno and Vice Mayor Morrow had nothing to report.
Council Member Saltray attended an event at the Carnegie Museum.
Mayor Sharp discussed the meetings she attended.
City Manager Cifuentez discussed meeting he attended provided departmental updates.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
This is the time for citizens to comment on subject matters not on the agenda within the jurisdiction of the Hanford City Council. This is also the public’s opportunity to request an item from the Consent Calendar be pulled for discussion purposes or to comment on any item on the agenda. Comments related to Public Hearing items will be heard at the time the item is discussed.
A maximum of three minutes is allowed for each speaker. Please begin your comments by stating your name and providing your city of residence.
This is the time for citizens to comment on subject matters within the jurisdiction of the Hanford City Council. This is also the public’s opportun ity to request an item from the Consent Calendar be pulled for discussion purposes or to comment on any item on the agenda. State law does not allow the Council to discuss or take action on issues not on the agenda, except that m embers of the Council or s taff may briefly respond to statements made or questions posed by persons exercising their public testimony rights (Gov. Code sec. 54954.2). A maximum of three minutes is allowed for each speaker. Please begin your comments by stating your name and providing your city of residence.
Rose Shapley commented on the Northstar project design and offered her suggestions. She also commented on the COVID-19 Vaccines.
Jim Nelson spoke in opposition of the Northstar project. He also comm ented on the city’s projec t approval processes. Mr. Nelson asked Mayor Sharp to step down from her position as the Mayor.
Christine Leach commented on the Northtar project. She shared some the publics feedback that she received. She also provided the Council with pictures accumulated from anonymous downtown business owners.
Liz Toppan expressed her concerns regarding the findings in her public records request. She also shared her concerns regarding the future occupants of the units in the Northstar pr oject.
Jessica (did not provide a last name) commented on the information provided by the developers of the Northstar Project and expressed her concerns regarding future staff of the facility.
Larry Faria expressed his concerns about the Council membe rs who support the Northst ar project. He also spoke in favor of a Council reorganization to remove Diane Sharp as Mayor.
Dr. Robert Hudson expressed his concerns regarding the Northstar Project. He also asked the Council; how can we the current project issues be mitigated?
Lynn Nelson questioned the zoning of the Northstar project and expressed her concerns.
Chris Jordan shared his background and commented on the Northstar project. He expressed his concerns for the safety of the community.
Bob Ramos suggested a Council reorganization and expressed his concerns regarding Mayor Sharp’s actions.
Emily Burnias responded to the public comment made regarding District D and spoke in support of the Northstar project. She also invited the Council and public to an upcoming event.
John Darpli commented on the Northstar project and the town hall meeting. He expressed his concerns regarding the Mayor's actions during the town hall meeting. He also suggested a Council reorganization to remove Diane Sharp from the Mayor position.
Lou Martinez emphasized the importance of the public comments period.
Lana Grigsby expressed her concerns regarding the NorthStar project.
City Attorney Ty Mizote discussed zoning and land use information and addressed public comments regarding the density bonus. He also discussed the process of the city’s site plan review.
Mayor Sharp convened to the scheduled public Hearing at 8:00 p.m. and t he public comment period was reopened at 8:48 p.m.
Liz Toppan questioned the density bonus of the Northstar project.
Lynn Nelson suggested a better location for the Northstar project.
Rochelle Hill would like to know why the Council was not aware of the Northstar project.
Liz Toppan, Bob Ramos, and Rochelle Hill shared their co ncerns regarding the process and approval of the Northstar Project.
City Attorney Mizote and City Manager Cifuentez addressed some of the public comments and questions.
Mayor Sharp closed the public comment period at 9:03 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Consent Calendar items are considered routine and will be enacted in one motion.
There will be no separate discussion of these matters unless a request is made and then the item will be removed from the Consent Calendar to be discussed and voted upon by a separate motion.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kalish Morrow, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
A. PROCEDURAL WAIVER: Waive reading in full of resolutions and ordinances and approval and adoption of same by reading title the only.
B. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the August 4, 2021 Special Meeting C. Administration: Authorization for the City Manager to approve an annual Professional Services Agreement with Thorn Run for federal legislative advocacy services, effective March 1, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2022, for a monthly fee of $5,000.
D. Administration: Approval of a Letter of Support to the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) for the Tulare/Kings Cross -Valley Corridor (CVC) Zero -Emission Bus (ZEB) Expansion project (PHASE 1).
E. Public Works: Adoption of Resolution 22 -07-R authorizing submittal of Notice of Intent to Comply with the requirements of SB 1383.
F. Public Works: Approval of Resolution 22-08-R authorizing submittal of applications for payment programs and related authorizations as required by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).
G. Public Works: Dedication of street right-of-way to the State Department of Transportation for the roundabout right-of-way on Highway 43 at Lacey Boulevard H. Public Works: Approval of the Purchase of a 2023 Peterbilt/Heil 2 7yd rear loader refuse truck from E.M. Tharp Inc., of Porterville, Ca., in the amount of $307,454.94 as replacement of a 20 08 20yd rear loader truck; Authorization of an additional appropriation of $61,454.94 from Refuse Capital Reserve Funds to cover the cost of the purchase; and declare the 2008 unit as surplus.
Pulled items:
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kalish Morrow, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
1. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the July 20, 2021, Meeting [Item B]
Pulled by Mayor Sharp.
Motion to approve as amended.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kalish Morrow, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
2. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the August 3, 2021, Meeting [Item C]
Pulled by Mayor Sharp.
Motion to approve as amended.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Art Brieno, Council Member
SECONDER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
3. Public Works: Authorization to Advertise for Bids for the FY 21/22 Reclamite Sea l Treatment Project and pre -authorize the City Manager to award and execute the contract on behalf of the City to the lowest responsible bidder providing project bid is within current budget appropriation.
[Item G]
Pulled by Council Member Brieno.
Public Works Director John Doyel answered questions from Council Member Brieno.
Motion to approve.
8:00 PM PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Clerk: Conduct the Third Public Hearing to Receive and Update on the Redistricting Process; Review Draft Maps that were received; a nd Receive input from the community regarding the redrawing of City Council District Boundaries
Mayor Sharp opened the public hearing at 8:01 p.m. and called for the staff report. Best Best and Krieger (BB&K) Consultant Tyler Anthony provided the backgroun d, rules and goals of the Redistricting Process. He presented draft maps drawn by BB&K and the pu blic. Mr. Anthony and City Manager Cifuentez answered questions regarding the deviation from the Council Member Brieno.
Mayor Sharp opened the public comment period at 8:27 p.m.
Rebecca Belle questioned the redistricting process.
Man (did not provide his name) commented on the importance of majority/minority districts and protecting the interest of the city. He asked for the consultant’s map recommendation.
Emily Burnias shared her concerns regarding the voting cycle.
Lou Martinez commented on Gerrymandering.
Liz Toppan and Travis Paden questioned the census data.
Mr. Anthony addressed the public’s questions and comments.
Mayor Sharp closed the public comment period at 8:44 p.m.
Vice Mayor Morrow, Council Members Ramirez and Brieno spoke in support of map options 1 and 2 and requested adjustments to include two majority-minority districts.
Council Member Saltray spoke in support of map option 1.
Mayor Sharp spoke in support of map option 2.
Mayor Sharp closed the public hearing at 8:47 p.m.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Adoption of Resolution Nos. 22 -04-R and 22 -05-R, establishing communit y facilities, district goals, and policies and stating the Council’s intention to form Community Facilities District 2022-01 (Live Oak).
City Attorney Ty Mizote discussed the adoption of Resolution Nos. 22 -04-R and 22 -05-R, establishing community facilitie s, district goals, and policies and stating the Council’s intention to form Community Facilities District 2022-01 and invited questions from the Council.
Motion to approve Resolution 22-04-R
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
SECONDER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
Motion to approve Resolution 22-05-R
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
SECONDER: Art Brieno, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS:
At this time, any Council Member may ask a question for clarification, make an announcement, or report briefly on their activities. In addition, subject to Council Polices and Procedures, they may request staff to report back to the Council at a subsequent meeting concerning any matter or take action to direct staff to place a matter of business on a future agenda (GOV. CODE. 54954.2)
Mayor Sharp discussed meetings and activities she participated in. She also addressed the comments made regardin g a Council reorganization.
Council Member Ramirez shared his experience in the Mayor position and expressed his concerns regarding Ms.
Sharp’s actions during her time as Mayor. It was the consensus of the Council to conduct a Council reorganization at the next regular City Council Meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Sharp adjourned the meeting at 9:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk