CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
July 19, 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, Amanda Saltray, Art Brieno
Late: Francisco Ramirez
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 expressed his concerns regarding the City Manager’s performance evaluation. He suggested the Council terminate him.
STUDY SESSION:
A. KCAG Kings Regional Vision Presentation
KCAG Executive Director Terri King and DKS Associates Task Manager Kendall Flin t discussed Kings Regional Vision Scenario Development. They also announced their upcoming workshop dates and answered questions from the Council.
B. Refuse Rate Study Analysis Presentation
IGS Principal Dan Bergman presented the refuse rate study and di scussed Proposition 218. Mr. Bergman also discussed operating cost, revenue, residential cost, and answered questions from Council. After a lengthy discussion, the Council directed staff to move forward with the rate increase process. The public hearing fo r proposed rate increase will be on October 18, 2022, for the Council's review and consideration. If approved, the new rates will take effect on November 1, 2022.
C. Water Conservation Update Presentation
Public Works Director John Doyel presented the wa ter conserva tion update and discussed the Governor’s Executive order. Staff addressed the Council’s questions and concerns. The Council directed staff to move forward with water conservation outreach programs. Staff will present options to the Council at a future meeting.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION FOR THE FOLLOWING:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-LABOR NEGOTIATIONS (GC 54957.6):
Agency Designated Representatives: Che Johnson, Mario Cifuentez, Sarah Cardoza, Chris Tavarez, and Brenda Garcia.
Employee Organizations: Hanford Police Officers Association (POA); Hanford Firefighters; Local 3898 (IAFF); Hanford General Employees Management Association (GEMA); Service Employe es International Union Local 521 (SEIU); and Executive Management Employees Association (EMEA).
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (GC 54957 (b)(1)):
Title: City Manager
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (GC 54956.8):
Property: APN 012-086-004
Agency Negotiators: Mario Cifuentez and Ty Mizote
Negotiating Party: Anand Investments, LLC
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION (GC 54956.9 (d)(1)):
Helena v. City of Hanford
Kings County Case No. 17C0102
Darlene Mata v. City of Hanford
Kings County Case No. 22C0077
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANITICIPATED LITIGATION (GC 54956.9(d)(2)):
Litigation threatened over development project site plan.
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 3:55 PM
Art Brieno Council Member Present 3:59 PM
Kalish Morrow Mayor Present 3:53 PM
Amanda Saltray Council Member Present 3:53 PM
Francisco Ramirez Council Member Late 4:21 PM
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Pastor Mark Curts.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Mayor Morrow.
CLOSED SESSION ACTION REPORT:
None.
RECOGNITIONS/PROCLAMATIONS:
A. Recognition of the 2022 West Side Scholarship Recipients Westlands Water District Public Affairs Representative Elizabeth Jon asson recognized scholarship recipients in attendance, Jenna Bracey and Gabrielle Costmagna.
B. PAL Boxers Recognition and the acceptance of a donation from Craig Johnson Officer Josh Levin accepted a donation from Craig Johnson for the Mountain Bike Prog ram.
Lt. Stephanie Huddleston recognized the PAL Program championship winners.
COUNCIL 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).
Council Member Saltray, Vice Mayor Sharp, and Mayor Morrow discussed the meetings and events they attended.
Council Members Ramirez and 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.
Lynn Nelson commented on the roundabout project.
Larry Faria commented on the roundabout project and expressed his concerns regarding the cost of the project. He also questioned the status of the old courthouse.
Travis Paden commented on the Downtown Master Streetscape and Street Tree Guideline Plan adopted on February 15, 2000. He also commented on the Downtown Improvement Plan and expressed his concerns regarding the ARPA funding.
Bob Ramos requested to pull consent Item I. He also expressed his concerns regarding Vice Mayor Sharp's property located in the downtown area and her vote on the roundabout project. He suggested the Council revisit the project for discussion. Vice Mayor Sharp responded to Mr. Ramos's comments.
Nick Wagner expressed his concern s regarding the study sessio n refuse rate discussion. He also suggested utilizing the ARPA funds for the homeless.
Lou Martinez expressed his concerns regarding the roundabout project.
Rusty Brookshire spoke in opposition of the roundabout project and suggested that the ARPA fund s be spent on other projects.
Stella Yarbrough spoke in opposition of the roundabout project.
Michael Quinn commented on the old courthouse.
City Manager Cifuentez stated it was the Council’s direction to move forward with the roundabout project afte r several study sessions. He also responded to the public comments regarding the old courthouse. Council Member Saltray stated that she will address the roundabout project during council comments and future agenda items.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Consent Calenda r 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.
Item I was pulled during public comment. Mayor Morrow pulled item J and Council Member Brieno pulled item Q.
Motion to approve the consent calendar except for the items pulled for separate discussion.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Diane Sharp, Vice Mayor
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: Denial of a claim for damages and authorization for the City Clerk to send out notification of such to Meghan Verheul.
C. City Clerk: Denial of a claim for damag es and authorization for the City Clerk to send out notification of such to Ricky Williams.
D. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the March 1, 2022 Meeting E. Administration: Approval of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the General Employees Management Association (GEMA).
F. Administration: Approval of Compensation and Benefit Summary with the Exec utive Management Employees Association (EMEA).
G. Administration: Approval of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Hanford Professional FireFighters (HPFF).
H. City Attorney: Adoption of Resolution 22 -32-R declaring the City -owned parking located immediately west of the Comfort Inn on Sixth Street (southeast corner of Sixth and Redington Streets) to be surplus property; and adopt Notice of Exemption 2021-58, which determines that sale of the lots is exempt from environmental review.
I. Public Works: Approve Purchase Orders with Badasci Tire Co., Inc., for the amount of $123,160.00 and Delray Tire and Retreading, Inc., for the amount of $110,320.00 f or tire replacements and repairs on all City vehicles and equipment.
J. Public Works: Approve Purchase Orders with Buford Oil Company in the amount of $100,000, Kings Pertoleum, LLC, in the amount of $616,070 and Silvas Oil Co., Inc., in the amount of $160,000, for diesel and unleaded fuels for use on all City vehicles and equipment.
K. Public Works: Approve a Purchase Order with UNIVAR Solutions, the amount of $226,000, for liquid chlorine used as a disinfectant for the City's water quality.
L. Public Works: Approve Purchase Order with Ennis Paint, Inc., in the amount of $79,110.00, for traffic paint for use on all City streets.
M. Public Works: Authorization to reject all bids and Re -Advertise the Bonnyview Basin - Sand Slough Basin Project
N. Public Works: Approval of a Purchase Order with Telstar, Inc. in the amount of $172,500 for instrumentation services.
O. Public Works: Authorization to establish a blanket purchase order (BPO) with Zenner Performance Meters for the purchase of replacement water meters and related equipment in an amount not to exceed $300,000.
P. Public Works: Approve a Purchase Order with Thatcher in the amount of $220,0 00 for bulk chlorine in cylinders to be used at the City's wastewater treatment plant.
PULLED ITEMS:
1. Parks and Community Services: Appropriation of an additional $23,352 in Park Impact Fee funds for the closeout of the Hidden Valley Park Fitness Court Installation Project [Item I]
Pulled by the public.
Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert discussed the repairs needed at the Fitness Park and answered questions from the Council.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Art Brieno, Council Member
SECONDER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
2. Police: Adoption of Resolution No. 22 -31-R, authorizing the acceptance of an award of $68,548 in grant funding from the California Highway Patrol for DUI enforcement and retroactively authorize the Police Chief to execute the Agreement.
[Item J]
Pulled by Mayor Morrow.
Chief Parker Sever discussed the grant for the Council's review and considerat ion. City Manager Cifuentez answered questions from Mayor Morrow.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 1]
MOVER: Art Brieno, Council Member
SECONDER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Saltray, Ramirez
NAYS: Morrow
3. Public Wo rks: Approve a Purchase Order with Fruit Growers Laboratory in the amount of $80,000 for analytical testing and related services.
[Item Q]
Pulled by Council Member Brieno.
Public Works Director John Doyel answered questions from Council Member Brieno.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Art Brieno, Council Member
SECONDER: Diane Sharp, Vice Mayor
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Parks and Community Services: Public Hearing to Adopt Resolution 22 -30-R, app roving the Annual Engineer's Report and Intention to Levy and Collect Assessments as outlined, pursuant to Chapter 3 of the Landscape and Lighting Act of 1972, and approve the increases in assessments as proposed.
Mayor Morrow opened the public heari ng at 7:56 p.m. and called for the staff report. Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert discussed the Engineer’s Report and addressed the error of the resolution number.
Dir. Albert answered questions from the Council.
Public Comment:
IN-FAVOR:
None.
OPPOSED:
Larry Faria expressed his concerns regarding city funds being spent on the roundabout project.
City Manager Cifuentez and Dir. Albert addressed questions from the Council.
Motion to approve resolution 22-33-R.
Mayor Morrow closed the public hearing at 8:12 p.m.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
SECONDER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Public Works: Approval of the addition o f the Grangeville Blvd. Grade Separation Project to the FY 22/23 Capital Improvement Project list and Appropriation of $50,000 from Accumulated Capital Outlay Reserves to fund the project.
Public Works Director John Doyel discussed the project details for the Council's review and consideration. Dir Doyel answered questions from the Council.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Diane Sharp, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
B. Public Works: Authorization of a Sole -Source Purchase of four (4) 2022 Dodge Durango Pursuit vehicles from Wondries Fleet Group, of Watsonville, Ca., in the amount of $179,096.38, Approve the contract with Cooks communications for vehicle upfitting for $93,143.84; authorize an additional appropriation of $123,630.22 from the Accumulated Capital Outlay Reserve Funds; and declare four patrol units as surplus.
Public Works Director John Doyel discussed the purchase of the vehicles and the additional ap propriation for the Council's review and direction. He also discussed the potential option to lease vehicles in the future. Vice Mayor Sharp encouraged staff to consider opportunities to save money when purchasing vehicles.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Diane Sharp, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
C. Public Works: Authorization to Award a contract to Nick Champi Enterprises of Hanford Ca, in the amount of $42 4,531.00 (This includes the add alternate), establish construction contingency of $25,736.60 and approve an additional appropriation of $211,267.70 from the Accumulated Capital Outlay Fund in order to fully fund The Police Activities League Parking Lot Project Public Works Director John Doyel discussed the project for the Council's review and consideration and 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 COMMUNICATION :
At this time, any Council Member may ask a question for clarification, make an announcement, or report briefly on their activities. In addition, subje ct 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)
Council Future Agenda Items
Council Member Saltray discussed the roundabout (traffic circles) project. She apologized and explained that she did not fully understand what she voted on, and after receiving feedback from the community, she would like to bring back the item for discussion and community input at a future study session. Council Member Brieno also expressed his concerns regarding the allocation of the ARPA funds for the roundabout project.
Mayor Morrow discussed the background and timeline of the project a nd expressed her concerns. Vice Mayor Sharp stated that there is still room for public input for the project. City Attorney Ty Mizote discussed the potential procedural issue of bringing it back for reconsideration. It was the consensus to bring back the roundabout project for a future discussion.
The motion to reconsider the roundabout project and bring back to the Council for a future discussion was introduced by Council Member Ramirez. Seconded by Council Member Brieno.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
SECONDER: Art Brieno, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Morrow adjourned the meeting at 8:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk