CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
April 5, 2022 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
4:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION AND CLOSED SESSION:
Mayor Morrow called the study session and closed session to order at 4:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL BY THE CITY CLERK :
Present: Kalish Morrow, Diane Sharp, Francisco Ramirez, Amanda Saltray, Art Brieno PUBLIC COMMENT :
Comments from the public are limited to items on the agenda (GC 54954.3a). A maximum of three minutes is allowed for each speaker. Please begin your comments by stating your name and providing your city of residence.
Bob Ramos asked for clarification for the additional appropriation to the FY 2021-22 budget. He also commented on the anticipated litigation claim.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Recognition of Employee of the Year and Service Award Recipients City Manager Cifuentez recognized the Service Award recipients and the Employee of the Year recipients.
B. Presentation to City Council related to CalPERS Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL) Restructuring Project and 2022 Pension Obligation Bonds Finance Director Chris Tavarez and NHA Advisors Eric Scriven, and Mike M yers (teleconference) discussed the CalPERS UAL Restructuring Project that began in the Fall of 2021. They presented an update on the process and discussed the revised restructuring options. The advisors and staff answered questions from the Council. After a lengthy discussion the Council directed staff to continue executing the UAL restructuring.
C. Approval of an additional Appropriation of $678,000 to the 2021 -22 Fiscal Year Budget and the addition of four (4) allocated positions to the position control budget and salary schedule Finance Director Chris Tavarez and Finance Manager Destiny Borba presented the budget for the Council's review and consideration. Staff discussed the recommendation of additional appropriation of $678,000 to the 2021-22 Fiscal Year Budget and the addition of four (4) allocated positions. Staff answered questions from the Council. Council Member Brieno expressed his concerns regarding the Community Relations Manager position.
After much discussion Vice Mayor Sharp made the motion to approve as presented.
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 1]
MOVER: Diane Sharp, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
NAYS: Brieno
D. Review and discussion of recommended amendments to the City's C ommunity De velopment Block Grant (CDBG) 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan and Budget The review and discussion of recommended amendments to the City's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan and Budget was postponed until April 19th.
The Council convened to the closed session at 5:41 p.m.
RESULT: CONSENSUS
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING :
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (GC 54956.9 (d)(1)):
Darlene Mata v. City of Hanford, Art Brieno, Francisco Ramirez Kings County Case No. 22C0077
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (GC 54956.9 (d)(2)):
1. Threatened litigation regarding zoning and land use matter.
2. Arthur Brieno Claim
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE EVALUATION (GC 54957 (b)(1)):
Title: City Attorney
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Mayor Morrow called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Diane Sharp Vice Mayor Present 4:50 PM
Art Brieno Council Member Present 4:57 PM
Kalish Morrow Mayor Present 4:55 PM
Amanda Saltray Council Member Present 4:57 PM
Francisco Ramirez Council Member Present 4:55 PM
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Frank Carbajal Jr.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Mayor Morrow.
CLOSED SESSION ACTION REPORT:
None.
COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS:
Brief information -only reports from City Council and/or Staff, including committee reports and reports by C ity Council related to meetings attended at City expenses (AB1234).
Mayor Morrow, Vice Mayor Sharp and Council Memb ers Saltray and Ramirez discussed the meetings they attended.
Council Member Brieno had nothing to report.
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.
Larry Faria commented on the Northstar project and spoke in opposition of the project.
Christine Leach asked several questions regarding the TEFRA public hearing. She also commented on the redistricting maps and spoke in favor of map number 8. City Manager Cifuentez stated that he would like to respond Ms. Leach's questions after the meeting.
Michelle Wiser invited the Council and the public to the upcoming events for the local BMX Organization.
William Harmon expressed his concerns regarding an email addressed to the Council from Russ Curry. He also commented on the vandalism near his home and shared his concerns fo r the safety of the community.
Bob Ramos commented on the approval of an additional Appr opriation of $678,000 to the 2021 -22 Fiscal Year Budget and disagreed with the Council’s action. Mayor Morrow and Council Member Ramirez responded to his comments.
Jim Nelson commented on Hidden Valley Park.
Kyle Hathaway commented on the mask signs i n public buildings. He also expressed his concerns about paper wasting.
Stella Yarbrough expressed her concerns regarding homelessness and the safety of the commun ity.
Lynn Nelson expressed her concerns regarding the items that need to be repaired at the little league park. Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert addressed her concerns outside of the Council Chambers.
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.
Items D was pulled by Vice Mayor Sharp and item H was pulled by Council Member Saltray. M otion to approve the consent calendar except for the items pulled for separate consideration.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
SECONDER: Amanda Saltray, 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 September 21, 2021 Meeting C. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the October 5, 2021 Meeting D. Public Works: Notice of Completion for Tract 922, Unit 1 E. Police: Authorization to accept an Agreement between the County of Kings and the Ci ty of Hanford to provide a sub -award from the FY 2021 State Homeland Security Grant Programs Funding for the purchase of software and equipment to improve community safety F. Police: Authorization to accept an Agreement betwe en the County of Kings and the City of Hanford to provide a sub -award from the FY 2019 State Homeland Security Grant Programs Funding for the purchase of CERT (Citizens emergency Response Team) equipment.
PULLED ITEMS:
1. Public Works: Approval of Final Map and Subdivision Agreement f or Tract 865, Unit 2, Live Oak East Unit 2
[Item D]
Pulled by Vice Mayor Sharp.
Engineering Manager Lisa Dock addressed the Vice Mayor's concerns regarding the subdivision street names.
Staff will reach out the developer regarding the Vice Mayor’s concerns.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Diane Sharp, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
2. Finance: Authorization to enroll in the Low I ncome Household Water Assistanc e Program (LIHWAP) and Authorization for the City Manager to execute the agreement with The California Department of Community Services and Horne LLP [Item H]
Pulled by Council Member Saltray.
City Manager Cifuentez discussed the program and answered questions from the Council.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Art Brieno, Council Member
SECONDER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
8:00 PM PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Clerk: Conduct the fourth and Final Public Hearing of the City's Redistricting Process; Review the final Draft of Maps as previously requested by Council; Receive input from the community regarding the redrawing of City Council District Boundaries; and Adoption of Resolution No. 22- 14-R adjusting the boundaries of the City Council election districts as detailed in the selected map Mayor Morrow opened the public hearing at 8:00 p.m. and called for the staff report. Best Best & Kri eger (BBK) consultant Tyler Anthony provided a backgro und of the redistricting and an overview of the past three public hearings. BBK revised two maps to create two districts with two majority minority districts. Mr.
Anthony and staff answered questions from the Council.
Public Comment:
Travis Paden spoke in favor of Map 8.
Christine Leach spoke in favor of Map 8.
Mayor Morrow, Vice Mayor Sharp and Council Member Saltray spoke in support of Map 8.
Motion to adopt map 7 was introduced by Council Member Brieno. With no second, the motion died.
Motion to approve.
The public hearing was closed at 8:21 p.m.
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 1]
MOVER: Diane Sharp, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Kalish Morrow, Mayor
AYES: Sharp, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
NAYS: Brieno
B. City Attorney: Approval of Resolution Nos. 22 -11-R, 22-12-R, and 22-13-R, and Introduction of Ordinance No. 22-04 related to the creation of the Community Facilities District for the Live Oak Development
Mayor Morrow opened the public hearing at 8:22 p.m. and called for the staff report. City Attorney Ty Mizote presented the staff report. Staff answered questions from the Council.
Public Comment:
William Harman commented on the area of the homes. He also exp ressed his concerns regarding the annual increase. Staff addressed his concern.
Larry Faria commented on California's population and asked the Council what their vision of Hanford is. Staff and the Council addressed his comments.
Travis Paden commented on the growth of Hanford.
Speaker (name was not provided) ask for clarification regarding the specia l tax and shared her experience with paying HOA fees.
Kenneth Olson commented on new development in Hanford and he spoke in favor of the additional f ees.
Nick Wagner questioned the resources being provided to the new housing developments. Staff respon ded to Mr.
Wagner's comments.
The Mayor closed the public comment period at 8:57 p.m. The Council addressed the public comments regarding the growth of the city. Council Member Brieno expressed his concerns regarding the special tax.
#1: Motion to approve Resolution No. 22-11-R.
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
SECONDER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
ABSTAIN: Brieno
#2: Motion to approve Resolution No. 22-12-R.
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
SECONDER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
ABSTAIN: Brieno
City Attorney Mizote discussed the ballot and the results of the election and answered questions from the Council.
#3: Motion to approve Resolution No. 22-13-R.
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Diane Sharp, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
ABSTAIN: Brieno
#4: Motion to approve first reading of Ordinance 22-04 and pass to the second reading.
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
SECONDER: Diane Sharp, Vice Mayor
AYES: Sharp, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
ABSTAIN: Brieno
Mayor Morrow closed the public hearing at 9:09 p.m.
C. Community Development: Adoption of Resolution 22-15-R setting April 19, 2022, as the date for a public hearing on Roadway Abandonment No. 2021-01, a request by CM Construction Services to abandon approximately 7,994 square feet of right -of-way, an alley ("China Alley ”, portion) to allow a parking lot and landscaping for the future Kings Area Regional Transit (KART) facility.
Mayor Morrow opened the public hearing at 9:10 p.m. and called for the staff report. Senior Planner presented the staff report and clarified the correct date of the next public hearing will be May 3, 2022. Ms. Myers answered questions from the Council. During the public comment period Angie Dow answered responded to the question from the public.
Mayor Morrow closed the public hearing at 9:15 p.m.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
SECONDER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
D. Community Development: Adoption of Resolution 22-16-R setting April 19, 2022, as the date for a public hearing on Roadway Abandonment No. 2022 -01, the City of Hanford to abandon approximately 2, 252 square feet of right -of-way, an alley ("Civic Center”, portion) to allow a secured parking lot and storage for police vehicles.
Mayor Morrow opened th e public hearing at 9:16 p.m. and called for the staff report. Senior Planner Gabrielle Myers presented the staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Public comment:
None.
Motion to approve.
Mayor Morrow closed the public hearing at 9:21 p.m.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
SECONDER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
E. Public hearing to consider the issuance of bonds by the California State wide Communities Development Authority in support of the Northstar Apartments project (TEFRA Hearing) The public hearing to consider the issuance of bonds by the California Statewide Communities Development Authority in support of the Northstar Apartments project (TEFRA H earing) was postponed until April 19th, 2022.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Community Development: Acceptance of the mandated General Plan Annual Progress Report for Calendar Year 2021 and authorization for the submittal to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research
Senior Planner Gabrielle Myers presented the General Plan (GP) Annual Progress Report and answered questions from the Council. City Manager Cifuentez discussed the history of the approval of the General Plan Annual Progress report.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Diane Sharp, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
B. City Clerk: Denial of a claim for damages and authorization for the City Clerk to send out notification of such to Arthur Brieno
City Manager Cifuentez discussed the claim and explained that the item is on general business because the claimant is a Council Member. He also clarified the error in the recommendation on the staff report. City Manager Cifue ntez answered questions from Council Member Brieno. Council Member Brieno discussed his claim. City Attorney Ty Mizote discussed the claim process and the recommendation.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [3 TO 0]
MOVER: Diane Sharp, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Kalish Morrow, Mayor
AYES: Sharp, Morrow, Saltray
ABSTAIN: Brieno, Ramirez
COUNCIL FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
At this time, any Council Member, subject to Council Policies and Procedures, may request staff to report back to the Council at a subsequent meetin g concerning any matter or take action to direct staff to place a matter of business on a future agenda. (GOV. CODE SEC. 54954.2)
Council Member Ramirez expressed his concerns regarding housing development and would like to discuss it further at a future meeting. City Manager addressed his request.
A. Council Future Agenda Items
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Morrow adjourned the meeting at 9:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk