CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
June 21, 2022 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION AND CLOSED SESSION:
Mayor Morrow called the study session and closed session to order at 5:00 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 listed 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.
Mark Pratter comm ented on a conversation he had with Council Member Saltray regarding funding for Hidden Valley Park. He also suggested allocating ARPA funds to expand Hidden Valley Park.
Bob Ramos suggested allocating funds to Hidden Valley Park.
William Harman commented on the fitness court at Hidden Valley Park and vandalism at the parks.
Travis Paden commented on the ARPA funds and questioned the funds that were allocated to the police departme nt.
Larry Faria commented on Hidden Valley Park.
Dan Chin discussed q uality of life and expressed his concerns regarding city parks. He also commented on the response time of the city’s first responders.
STUDY SESSION :
Finance: Presentation of the A merican Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding information related to the $13,077,740 in funding that the City of Hanford received from Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) and Council direction to staff regarding the second allocation of funding
Finance Director Chris Tavarez presented the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding information related to the $13,077,740 that the City of Hanford received from Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) for the Council’s direction regar ding the second allocation of funding. Public Works Director John Doyel d iscussed the Proposed Downtown Improvements and the estimated cost breakdown. Staff answered questions from the Council. The Council provided their feedback. Mayor Morrow, Vice Mayor Sharp and Council Member Ramirez spoke in favor of the Proposed Downtown Improvements. Council Member Ramirez suggested allocating ARPA funds for the expansion of Hidden Valley Park. Council Member Brieno expressed his concerns regarding the proposed addit ion of three roundabouts downtown. He spoke in support of adding one roundabout and utilizing the ARPA funds for other projects.
After a lengthy discussion, Vice Mayor Sharp motioned to approve the item, amending the Skate Park/Plunge Fencing Project budget to $125,000 and allocating $75,000 for the expansion design of Hidden Valley Park and any project savings will be allocated to the Xeriscape Projects.
A substitute motion to remove $750,000 from the Downtown Street Economic Development Project and allocate it to the Xeriscape Projects and Water Conservation projects was i ntroduced by Council Member Brieno. Seconded by Council Member Saltray. Motion failed (2/3).
The Council convened to closed session at 6:35 p.m.
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 1]
MOVER: Diane Sharp, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
NAYS: Brieno
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (GC 54956.8):
Property: 330 N. Harris Street
APN: 010-276-021
Agency Negotiators: Mario Cifuentez and Ty Mizote
Negotiating Party: Stuart Clark
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -LABOR NEGOTIATIONS (GC 54957.6):
Agency Designated Representative: Che Johnson, Mari o Cifuentez, Sarah Cardoza, Chris Tavarez, and Brenda Garcia.
Employee Organizations: Hanford Polic e Officers Association (POA); Hanford Firefighters; LOcal 3898 (IAFF); Hanford General Employee Management Association (GEMA); Service Employees Internation al Union Local 521 (SEIU); and Executive Management Employees Association (EMA).
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (GC 54957 (b)(1)):
Title: City Manager
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Mayor Morrow called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Diane Sharp Vice Mayor Present 4:00 PM
Art Brieno Council Member Present 4:58 PM
Kalish Morrow Mayor Present 4:50 PM
Amanda Saltray Council Member Present 4:54 PM
Francisco Ramirez Council Member Present 4:51 PM
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Pastor Candice Cortez.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Mayor Morrow.
CLOSED SESSION ACTION REPORT:
None.
COUNCIL REPORTS/GENERAL REPORTS:
Brief information -only reports from City Council and/or Staff, including committee reports and reports by City Council related to meetings attended at City expenses (AB1234).
The Council discussed the meetings and events they attended.
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.
Rose Shapley commented on the Lacey Park basketball court project and the skate park. She also brought samples of cement for staff and Council. Ms. Shapley expressed her concerns regarding community safety at the Fast Plaza.
Nick Wagner requested to pull consent items H and N for more clarification.
Bob Ramos commented on surplus properties. He also commented on the handout t hat he provided to the Council regarding public housing.
Rebecca Belle expressed her concerns regarding handicap parking, shade a Freedom Park, and the Boys and Girls Club.
Travis Paden requested to pull Item J for clarification. He also suggested addi ng a public comment period to the end of the agenda. He also shared his ideas for the ARPA funds.
Lou Martinez expressed his concerns regarding community outreach for the roundabout project downtown. He also commented on Hidden Valley Park.
Mark Pratter thanked the Council for allocating funds for Hidden Valley Park.
Mel Weaver, owner of Mel's Towing claims that he was treated unfairly by the police department.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Consent Calendar items are considered routine and will be enacted in on e motion.
There will be no separate discuss ion 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.
Item F was pulled by Mayor Morrow, Items K and O were pulled by Council Member Brieno. Motion to approve except for the items pulled for separate consideration.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Diane Sharp, 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 February 1, 2022 Meeting C. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the February 15, 2022 Meeting D. City Clerk: Denial of a claim for damages and authorization for the City Clerk to send out notification of such to Douglas Sinclair.
E. City Clerk: Denial of a claim for damages and authorization for the City Clerk to send out notification of such to Ashlynn See.
F. Adoption of Ordinance No. 22 -07 Amending Chapter 13.04 of Hanford Municipal Code and modifying late fee, interest and payment plan provisions as directed by Council G. Parks and Community Services: Adoption of Resolution 22-28-R authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents to accept $256,143 in grant funding from the CalTrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program to create a Comprehensive Active Transportation Plan (ATP)
H. Community Development: Adoption of Resolut ion NO. 22 -25-R; Revising the Funding amount from the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Block Grant Program Corona Virus Response (CDBG -CV2) that was previously approved by Council through the adoption of Resolution No. 21-19-R
I. Community Development: Review and approval of the proposed amendment No. 1 to the Community Development Block Grant Documents: 2021 Annual Action Plan to provide for additional funding for parking lot improvements to the Police Activities League (PAL) facility J. Public Works: Adoption of Resolution No. 22 -26-R, thereby approving the Vacation of Excess Right of Way of Trewhitt Street between Sixth Street and Seventh Street, and Approval of Final Parcel Map No. 2021-01
PULLED ITEMS:
1. Council: Adoption of Resolution No. 22 -31-R Designating the Mayor and Vice -Mayor as the voting delegate and alternate for the purpose of advancing the City’s position at the League of California Cities Annual Conferences.
[Item F]
Pulled by Mayor Morrow.
Mayor Morrow recommended Council Member Ramirez to be the alternate voting delegate for the 2022 League of California Cities Annual Conference.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Diane Sharp, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
2. IT: Approval of a contract with CivicPlus for the redesign of the City of Hanford website and new Agenda Management Software in the amount of $49,907.25 [Item H]
Pulled during public comment.
Finance Director Chris Tavarez addressed Mr. Wagner's comments and questions.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
SECONDER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
3. Parks and Community Services: Adoption of Resolution No. 22 -30-R, Approving the Annual Engineer’s Report and Intention to Levy and Collect Assessments as outlined, pursuant to Chapter 3 of the Landscape and Lighti ng Act of 1972, and setting July 19, 2022 as the Public Hearing date to consider the increases in assessments as proposed. [Item J]
Pulled during public comment.
Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert addressed Mr. Paden's questions and comme nts. He al so answered questions from the Council.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
SECONDER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
4. Community Development Department: Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with LSA Associates, Inc. (LSA) to prepare the “City of Hanford Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Thresholds and Implementation Guidelines” and authorize City Manager to execute Professional Services Agreement with LSA for $48,890.
[Item K]
Pulled by Council Member Brieno
Interim Community Development Director Mary Beaty answered questions from the Council. Dir. Doyel discussed the traffic study process and the project evaluation process. City Attorney T y Mizote d iscussed mitigation measures and program fees.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
SECONDER: Diane Sharp, Vice Mayor
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
5. Approval of the Notice of Complet ion for Tract No. 928 Unit No. 1 and authorization for the Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest and file said Notice with the Kings County Recorder’s Office.
[Item N]
Pulled during public comment.
Public Works Director addressed the questions asked during public comment.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
SECONDER: Diane Sharp, Vice Mayor
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
6. Public Works: Authorization to Award a contract to MAC General Engineering of Exeter CA, in the amount of $715,720.97, establish a construction contingency of $71,600 and approve an additional appropriations of $287,300 from the TDA Transportation Fund in order to fully fun d the Campus Drive Resurfacing project from Lacey Boulevard to Greenfield Avenue. [Item O]
Pulled by Council Member Brieno.
Public Works Director Doyel answered questions from Council Member Brieno.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Art Brieno, Council Member
SECONDER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Finance: Approval of an additional Appropriation of $3,361,645 in the GF and $8,016,639 across all Other Funds for the 2022 -23 Fiscal Year Budget and the addition of three (3) allocated positions to the position control budget, one (1) to the salary schedule.
Finance Director Chris Tavarez and Finance Manager Destiny Borba (teleconference) discussed the additional appropriation of $3,361,645 in the Gen eral Fund and $8,016,639 across all Other Funds for the 2022 -23 Fiscal Year Budget and the addition of three (3) allocated positions. Staff ad dressed the Council's questions and concerns. The Council requested a future discussion regarding cannabis revenue . After a lengthy discussion Council Member Francisco motioned to approve as presented.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
SECONDER: Diane Sharp, Vice Mayor
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
B. Finance: Adoption of Resolution 22 -27-R establishing the 2022/2023 appropriations limit of $82,564,920 for the City of Hanford's General Fund
Finance Director Chris Tavarez discussed Resolution 22 -27-R, establishing the 2022/2023 appropriations lim it of $82,564,920 for the City of Hanford's General Fund, which is mandated by the state.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Diane Sharp, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
C. Administration: Adoption of Resolution 22 -29-R Declaring the Property Located at 113 Court Street (Courthouse) as Surplus Property a nd adoption of Notice of Exemption 2022 -47, which determines that the disposition of the property is exempt from environmental review.
City Manager Cifuentez (teleconference) and City Attorney Ty Mizote discussed resolution 22 -29-R, declaring the property located at 113 Court Street (Courthouse) as Surplus Property and adoption of Notice of Exemption 2022-47. Mr. Mizote answered questions from the Council.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
SECONDER: Amanda Saltray, 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 r eport briefly on their activities. In addition, subject to Council Policies 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 SEC. 54954.2)
The Council addressed Mr. Weaver's comments made during public comment. Council Member Brieno requested a future d iscussion regarding his censure. The Council was opposed to bringing it back for further discussion.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Morrow adjourned the meeting at 8:49 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk