CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
October 4, 2022 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
4:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION AND CLOSED SESSION:
Vice Mayor Sharp called the study session and closed session to order at 4:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL BY THE CITY CLERK:
Present: Diane Sharp, Francisco Ramirez, Amanda Saltray, Art Brieno
Absent: Kalish Morrow
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.
None.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Presentation by Alarm Program Services (APS) regarding their automated system for the overall administration of the Alarm Permitting process for the City of Hanford.
The presentation was postponed until October 18, 2022.
RESULT: TABLED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Saltray, Ramirez
ABSENT: Morrow
B. Discussion regarding the impacts of homelessness in the City of Hanford; the City resources available and being used to address the issue; and direction from Council regarding future efforts and resources needed to address the issue.
Police Chief Parker Sever discussed the problems that the city is experiencing in various city departments, from criminal matters that occur, dangers to the staff, and problems staff experiences with maintaining park fac ilities.
Staff also discussed the issues the city's re sidents and businesses are experiencing and the fiscal impact to the city for addressing the homelessness issue. Chief Sever also addressed the hostile architecture in some areas in the city and suggest ed removing them. Deputy City Manager Jason Waters and Administrative Analyst Sandra Lerma discussed possible funding sources for a low -barrier shelter, long-term solutions, solutions used by other cities/agencies, key partnerships, and the process to move forward on a low -barrier navigation center. Staff answered questions from the Council. Kings Tulare Alliance Executive Director Miguel Perez discussed the organization's goals and mission, state resources, and funding sources and answered questions from t he Council.
Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert recommended closing the Civic Park restroom due to the homeless. After much discussion, the Council directed staff to move forward with removing benches in the problematic areas, removing the ar bor and outlets at the old courthouse, and temporally closing the Civic Park bathrooms for no more than a two -week period. Council Member Brieno suggested signage for the restroom closure. Staff will bring back a study session for a future discussion with an action plan for the Council's review and direction.
C. Presentation to Council and Receive direction regarding proposed improvements to the Civic Auditorium
Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert discussed the continuing maintenance of the Civic Auditorium. He presented the suggested repairs and took the Council and the audience to view the site. Building Superintendent Randy Shaw discussed the flooring options, the budget, and the project timeline. Staff answered questions from the Council. The Council directed staff to move forward with replacing the hardwood floor and ceiling paint. Staff will present the projects at a future meeting for the Council’s review and approval.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
The Council convened to the closed session at 6:10 a.m.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (GC 54956.8):
Property: APN 012-086-004
Agency Negotiators: Mario Cifunetez and Ty Mizote
Negotiating Party: A2Z Investments, LLC
Property: 113 Court St.
APN: 010-265-001-000
Agency Negotiators: Mario Cifunetez and Ty Mizote
Negotiating Party:
Property: APNs 028-240-018, 028-240-020, 08-310-007, 028-310-008, 028-310-025 Agency Negotiators: Mario Cifunetez and Ty Mizote
Negotiating Party: City Farm Industries, Inc.; Ross Lyndon-James and Mark Askey CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Vice Mayor Sharp called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Diane Sharp Vice Mayor Present 3:50 PM
Art Brieno Council Member Present 3:59 PM
Kalish Morrow Mayor Absent
Amanda Saltray Council Member Present 3:35 PM
Francisco Ramirez Council Member Present 3:54 PM
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Pastor Ignacio Valdez.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Kings United Way Executive Director Nanette Villarreal.
CLOSED SESSION ACTION REPORT:
None.
RECOGNITIONS/PROCLAMATIONS:
Proclamation National Fire Prevention Week October 9-15, 2022 Vice Mayor Sharp issued a proclamation for National Fire Prevention Week. Chief Steve Pendergr ass discussed fire prevention week.
COUNCIL GENERAL REPORTS:
Brief information-only reports from City Council and/or Staff, including committee reports and repor ts 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.
Abraham Valencia, Public Health Emergency Planner for Kings County informed the Council of programs offered by the county. He also discussed grant opportunities.
Nanette Villario, Ex ecutive Director of Kings United Way requested a fee waiver for the non -profit organization Kings Commission on Aging for the use of the Civic Auditorium, for a f uture event.
Bobbie Wartson, Executive Director of Kings County Commission on Aging, request ed a fee waiver for the use of the Civic Auditorium and she discussed their events.
Amory Marple, Executive Director of the Hanford Chamber of Commerce requested a partnership or alternative assistance from the city.
Bob Ramos commented on a political commercial. He also commented on the traffic circles project and spoke in opposition.
Michael Quinn spoke in support of waiving facility rental fees for non -profit organizations. He also expressed his concerns of the proposed placement of the traffic circles.
Lou Martinez spoke in favor of partnering with non -profit organizations. He also requested to pull items F and H from the consent calendar and he expressed his concerns about the lighting at the skate park.
Larry Faria spoke in favor of the reques t to waive rental fees for non -profit organizations. He also suggested adding a public comment period at the end of the study sessions.
Chad Draxler requested to pull consent items F and H for clarification. He also stated the police department needs a new police station.
Mark Kairis comme nted on the Bob Hill sports complex lighting. He also spoke in support of the request to waive rental fees for non-profit organizations.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Consent Calendar items are considered routine and will be enac ted in one motion.
There will be no s eparate 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: Art Brieno, Council Member
SECONDER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Saltray, Ramirez
ABSENT: Morrow
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 June 7, 2022 Meeting C. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the June 21, 2022 Meeting D. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the June 23, 2022 Special Meeting E. Public Works: Approval of an Annual Purchase Order with Martin Marietta, for a not to exceeded amount of $100,000 for street maintenance materials.
PULLED ITEMS:
1. Parks and Community Services: Approval of a contract with Fresno Fence Connection in the amount of $98,410 for the Skate Park Fencing Project.
[Item F]
Pulled during public comment.
Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert discussed the contract for the Council's review and approval. Police Chief Sever provided his input on the condition of the current fence. Staff answered questio ns the Council.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Art Brieno, Council Member
SECONDER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Saltray, Ramirez
ABSENT: Morrow
2. Finance: Approval of a Contract amendment with Avenu - MuniServices LLC, to provide Cannabis tax audit services, for a contract amount not to exceed a $7,500 flat fee per retail establishment or 35% of additional Cannabis tax revenue collected by City, whichever is greater. [Item H]
Pulled during public comment.
Finance Direct or Chris Tavarez discussed the purpose of the audit. City Manager Cifuentez discussed the services provided by MuniServices and answered questions from the Council.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [3 TO 1]
MOVER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
SECONDER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Saltray, Ramirez
NAYS: Brieno
ABSENT: Morrow
3. City Attorney: Approval of a Purchase and Sale Agreement for the Sale of the City -Owned Parking Lot at Southeast Corner of Redington and Sixth Streets to A2Z Investments, LLC. [Item E]
Pulled by Vice Mayor Sharp. She did not want to vote on the item due to a conflict of interest.
City Attorney Ty Mizote invited questions from the Council.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [3 TO 0]
MOVER: Art Brieno, Council Member
SECONDER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
AYES: Brieno, Saltray, Ramirez
ABSTAIN: Sharp
ABSENT: Morrow
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Community Development: Authorization for Interwest, JAS and Rod Carsey to provide on -call plan check services and Crawford and Bowen to provide on -call environmental planning services and Willdan to provide on-call building inspection services each contract not to exceed $150,000 annually for the City of Hanford.
Deputy City Manager Jason Waters discussed the proposed services provided by Interwest, JAS, and Rod Carsey and the on -call building inspection services provided by Wildan, each contract not to exceed $150,000 annually for the City of Hanford. Dep. City Manager Waters answered questions from the Co uncil.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Art Brieno, Francisco Ramirez
SECONDER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Saltray, Ramirez
ABSENT: Morrow
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, 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)
City Manager Cifuentez provided an update of the sale of the Comfort Inn parking lot and the lighting at the Bob Hill youth athletic complex.
The Council directed staff to bring back the following future agenda items:
• Review of facility rental fees for non-profit organizations. • Discussion of a Chamber Sub-Committee.
Council Future Agenda Items
ADJOURNMENT:
Vice Mayor Sharp adjourned the meeting at 8:04 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk