CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
August 16, 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, Francisco Ramirez, Amanda Saltray, Art Brieno
Absent: Diane Sharp
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.
Dennis Ham commented on the sign ordinance and expressed his concerns regarding political signs.
Chad Draxler commented on the sign ordinance restrictions. He also expressed his concerns about the need for more patrolling officers in the downtown area.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Discussion of Automated Meter Reading System evaluation and options Public Works Director John Doyel and Deputy Public Works Director Jim Ross discussed the current conditions of the system, non -functional equipment and the need for equipment to repa ired and replaced. Staf f presented three options for the Council’s review and consideration:
• Option 1A: Replace All Non-functioning Zenner Equipment with Different Brand Total cost ~ $2,000,000 ($500 per site)
Note: cost could be up to 50% higher depending on number of non-functioning sites.
• Option 1B: Replace All Zenner Equipment
Total cost ~ $8,150,000 ($453 per site)
Completely new system
• Option 2: Repair Zenner Equipment
Estimated cost of Phase 1, equipment, and labor, ~$313,000 This would return the system to better than 97% functionality Phase 2: Sweep the remaining 14,000 sites and test, repair / replace as needed Estimated time frame of 34 weeks
Estimated cost of Phase 2, equipment, and labor, ~ $136,00 Because number of non -functioning sites could be as high as 6000, staff recommends an appropriatio n of $750,000 be made from Water Capital reserves for the project.
Staff addressed the Council’s questions and concerns. After much discussion the Council directed staff to move forward with option number 2.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Art Brieno, Council Member
SECONDER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
AYES: Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
ABSENT: Sharp
B. Presentation and Consideration of the City's Sign Ordinance Deputy City Manager Water s presented and discussed the Sign Ordinance , Hanford Municipal Code Chapter
17.56. The Council discussed increasing the duration of use for temporary signs to 60 days. They also discussed mural restrictions and the approval process . Staff addressed the Council's questions and concerns. Staff will prepare some options to be discussed at future Study Session for the Council's review and direction.
The Council convened to closed session at 6:00 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF 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 Organization: Service Employees International Union L ocal 521 (SEIU) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (GC 54956.9):
Litigation threatened over development project site claim.
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 Absent
Art Brieno Council Member Present 4:57 PM
Kalish Morrow Mayor Present 4:50 PM
Amanda Saltray Council Member Present 4:40 PM
Francisco Ramirez Council Member Present 4:47 PM
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Reverend Bobby Guerra.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Mayor Morrow.
CLOSED SESSION ACTION REPORT:
None.
RECOGNITIONS/PROCLAMATIONS:
Fire: Recognition of Retired Fire Captain David Sumaya for his 33 years of dedicated service to the City of Hanford.
Fire Chief Steve Pendergrass recognized retired Captain David Sumaya. Congressman David Valadao presented Mr. Sumaya with a Certificate of congressional recognition.
COUNCIL GENERAL REPORTS:
Brief information -only reports from City Coun cil and/or Staff, including committee reports and reports by City Council related to meetings attended at City expenses (AB1234).
Council Members Ramirez, Saltray and Mayor Morrow discussed the meetings and events they attended. Council Member Saltray inv ited the public to volunteer to help with the fire station repairs. 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.
Daniel Leon commented on a complaint that he filed on the police department . He provided his background in law enforcement and demanded a written apology from the officer in question.
Christopher Johnson commented on his claim against the city, item E on the consent calendar. The item was b pulled from the consent calendar for separate discussion.
Lou Martinez co mmented on the high temperatures this summer and asked the Council to extend the hours of the Plunge pool and the park splash pads. He also commented on the condition of the splash pads.
Bob Ramos commented on the discussion of the traffic circles project. He suggested letting the community decide how the ARPA funds should be used.
Stella Yarbrough addressed the City Manager's salary increase and asked that is be postponed. She also commented on homelessness.
Chad Draxler thanked Lou Martinez for addr essing the park splash pads . He also commented on the traffic circle s project and the Mayor's social media page.
John Doyel addressed the public’s comments on the traffic circles project. He also provided the background and the benefits of the project.
Michael Quinn commented on the traff ic circles project. He also provided his experience biking on roundabouts. He suggested putting them in a busier area of the city.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Consent Calendar items are considered routine and will be enacted in one motion.
There will be no separate discussi on of these matters unless a request is made an d then the item will be removed from the Consent Calendar to be discussed and voted upon by a separate motion.
Item E was pulled during public comment. Council Member Brieno pulled item H.
Motion to approve the consent calendar except for the items pulled for separate discussion.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Art Brieno, Council Member
SECONDER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
AYES: Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
ABSENT: Sharp
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 Michael Ramirez.
C. City Cl erk: Denial of a claim for damages and authoriz ation for the City Clerk to send out notification of such to Jagar Singh Estate & Family Members.
D. City Clerk: Denial of a claim for damages and authorization for the City Clerk to send out notification of such to Joseph B. McCasland.
E. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the April 19, 2022 Meeting F. Public Works: Approve a Notice of Completion for the FY 21 -22 Pavement Resurfacing Project and authorize the Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest a nd file said Notice with the Kings County Recorder's Office.
PULLED ITEMS:
1. City Clerk: Denial of a claim for damages and authorization for the City Clerk to send out notification of such to Christopher Johnson.
[Item E]
Pulled by the claimant during public comment.
City Manager Cifuentez discussed the claim. Mr. Johnson discussed the damages and provided the background.
He asked the Council to settle the claim and questioned the scheduled maintenance of the tree. He also answered questions from the Council. City Attorney Ty Mizote addressed the process of denying the claim.
After a brief discussion, Council Member Ramirez motioned to table the item.
RESULT: TABLED [3 TO 1]
MOVER: Amanda Saltray, Francisco Ramirez
SECONDER: Art Brieno, Council Member
AYES: Brieno, Saltray, Ramirez
NAYS: Morrow
ABSENT: Sharp
2. Public Works: Authorization to reimburse Presidio JJR Bella Vista 128, LLC., $647,041.54 for the construction of off-site street improvements along the development frontage of Tract No. 919, Unit No. 1, authorize an additional appropriation of $447,041.54 from the Transportation Impact Fee Reserves, reimburse $25,533.45 for the oversizing of the water main within Centennial Drive from an 8 inch to an 18 inch, and reimburse $9,752.00 for the oversizing of the sewer main within Centennial Drive from an 8 inch to an 12 inch. (Centennial Drive and Fargo Avenue) [Item H]
Pulled by Council Member Brieno.
Public Works Director John Doyel discussed the project and answered questions from Council Member Brieno.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Art Brieno, Francisco Ramirez
SECONDER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
AYES: Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
ABSENT: Sharp
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Finance: P ublic Hearing and Adoption of Resolution 22 -34-R to authorize a comprehensive Master Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2022 -23 which includes proposed new fees, deletion of fees and increases/adjustments to existing fees.
Mayor Morrow opened the p ublic hearing at 7:52 p.m. and called for the staff report. Finance Manager Destin y Borba presented the staff report and discussed the amendments. Council Member Brieno expressed his concerns of the required utility servic e deposit fee and hardships of cus tomers. He su ggested lowering the fee . Staff addressed Mr. Brieno's concerns and reminded the Council of th e revised Water Service Discontinuance Policy.
Council directed staff to create a payment plan policy.
Public Comments:
None.
Motion to approve.
Mayor Morrow closed the public hearing at 8:03 p.m.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Art Brieno, Council Member
SECONDER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
AYES: Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
ABSENT: Sharp
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Parks and Community Services: Approval of a sole -source contract agreement with Sebastian Corporation for the design/build contract for the Civic Park Electrical Infrastructure Project in the amount of $159,194.12 and appropriate $175,113 including 10 % contingency reserve fr om the ACO Fund for the project.
Parks and Community Service Director Brad Albert discussed the project and background. Staff answered questions from the Council. Dir. Albert also discussed the timeline for the Winter Wonderland. Ma yor Morrow expressed her concerns regarding the timeline and suggested increasing the contingency reserve to 15% .
Finance Director Chris Tavarez spoke in favor of the suggested increase. After much discussion , Council Member Salt ray made the motion to approve with the amendment t o increase the contingency reserve f ee to 15%.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
SECONDER: Kalish Morrow, Mayor
AYES: Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
ABSENT: Sharp
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATION:
At this time, any Council Member may ask a question for c larification, make an announcement, or report 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)
Council Future Agenda Items
City Manager Cifuentez and Mayor Morrow recognized Public Works Director John Doyel.
Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert addressed the comments made regarding the hours of the Plunge pool and splash pads. He also stated he will follow up on the condition of the splash pads.
It was a Council consensus to cancel the September 6th regular City Coun cil meeting due to the conflict in traveling dates for the League of California Cities Annual Conference.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Morrow adjourned the meeting at 8:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk