CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
October 18, 2022 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY 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 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.
Rusty Brookshire spoke in opposition of the traffic circles project.
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.
Alarm Program Services Vice President Brett Glass provided a brief overview of the company and discussed the proposal and goals, with a primary focus to reduce false alarms with a false alarm reduction program and creating awareness of the ordinance in the city. Police Chief Parker Sever discu ssed commercial and residential registered alarms and the protocol for alarm calls. The Council discussed the ordinance and invoicing process.
Mr. Glass and staff answered questions and concerns from the Council. After much discussion the Council directed staff to move forward and amend the ordinance to reflect the services.
B. Presentation and Discussion Regarding the Rental and Usage of City of Hanford Facilities Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert pres ented the facility rental usage and fe es for the Council's direction. Recreation Supervisor Armando da Silva discussed the current rates and fees for non -profit organizations. He also answered questions from the Council regarding the park arbors and specia l events. King County Commission On Ag ing Executive Director Bobbie Watson discussed their events and past arrangement with the city. Staff addressed the questions and concerns from the Council. Council Member Ramirez suggested the city sponsor or host the Commission on Aging’s Health Fair/Senior Day. The Council directed staff to bring back a revised resolution with the facility rental fees and the rules and regulations, and the cost of potentially sponsoring the Health Fair/Senior Day event.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (GC 54956.9(d)(1)):
Helena v. City of Hanford
Kings County Case No. 17C0102
Paula Lofgren v. City of Hanford
Kings County Case No. 21C0188
Mendoza, et al. v. City of Hanford, Fabian Avalos
Eastern District of California Case No. 1:21-cv-00721
Luis Ortiz Alonzo v. City of Hanford, Ruben Cano
Kings County Case No. 21C0396
David Ponce v. City of Hanford
Eastern District of California Case No. 1:21-cv-01045
Darlene Mata v. City of Hanford
Kings County Case No. 22C0077
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (GC 54956.8):
Property: APNs 028-240-018, 028-240-020, 08-310-005, 028-310-007, 028-310-008, 028-310- 025 Agency Negotiators: Mario Cifuentez and Ty Mizote
Negotiating Party: City Farm Industries, Inc.; Ross Lyndon-James and Mark Askey 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 4:30 PM
Art Brieno Council Member Present 4:37 PM
Kalish Morrow Mayor Present 4:28 PM
Amanda Saltray Council Member Present 4:35 PM
Francisco Ramirez Council Member Present 4:33 PM
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Pastor Pablo Róvere.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Mayor Morrow.
CLOSED SESSION ACTION REPORT:
City Attorney Ty Mizote informed the Council that Francisco Ramirez was dismissed from the Darlene Mata lawsuit.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Public Works: Public Hearing regarding the City of Hanford's proposed refuse rate in crease, including the counting of any protest votes and, if supported, adopt the proposed refuse rate increases and other report recommendations.
Mayor Morrow op ened the public hearing at 7:09 p.m. and called for the staff report. IGS President Dan Bergman provided the Council with a presentation packet and presented the next steps, existing rates, the rate study, and Prop 218. Mr. Bergman and staff answered questions from the Council.
Public Comment:
IN-FAVOR:
None.
OPPOSED:
Brenda Griffin asked for clarification of the rate increase.
Deputy Public Works Director Jim Ross discussed the protest letters received and the threshold. The city received 13 letters, two were the from the same residents. The Council discussed the cost of the trash bins, bin requirements and business enclosures. Dir. Ross and Mr. Bergman answered questions from the Council.
Motion to approve resolution 22-41-R
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Art Brieno, Council Member
SECONDER: Diane Sharp, Vice Mayor
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
Motion to approve:
• The purchase of one additional front load refuse vehicle at a cost of $374,066.54 from EM Tharpe utilizing a Souncewell contract. This expense is slated for FY2024, but lead time on such vehicles is currently running 12 months.
• The hiring of two additional refuse driver at an annual cost of $65,000 each, including benefits. • The conversion of two part time refuse positions to full time positions. • The installation of scales on the refuse vehicles to reduce overweight loads; estimated cost is $125,000.
Mayor Morrow closed the public hearing at 7:47 p.m.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Diane Sharp, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Art Brieno, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
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).
The Council discussed the events and meetings they atte nded. Council Member Ramirez commented on the Mata lawsuit.
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.
This is the time for citizens to comment on subject matters within the jurisdiction of the Hanford City Council. This is also the public’s opportunity to request an it em from the Consent Calendar be pulled for discussion purposes or to comment on any item on the agenda. State law does not allow the Council to discuss or take action on issues not on the agenda, except that members of the Council or staff may briefly res pond to statements made or questions posed by persons exercising their public testimony rights (Gov. Code sec. 54954.2). A maximum of three minutes is allowed for each speaker. Please begin your comments by stating your name and providing your city of res idence.
Andre Barone, 9 1/4 Avenue resident, commented on the high -speed rail and expressed his concerns regarding the safety on the east side of town. He also commented on Heroes Park and requested speed bumps on 9 1/4 Ave.
Bob Ramos commented on Hero es Park. He also stated nobody wants traffic circles downtown. He also suggested other ways to use the ARPA funds.
Stella Yarbrough questioned the removal of the arbors at the old courthouse. She also spoke in opposition of the traffic circles.
Richard Tippton commented on the traffic circles project and the high -speed rail. He also questioned the traffic circles project bids. City Manager Cifuentez discussed the bid process for the project.
Larry Faria questioned the traffic circles project and asked why it has not been brought back for Council discussion.
Nathan Odom commented on the new cameras in the Council Chambers and the surveillance cameras throughout the city. He shared his concerns regarding the of license plate reader cameras. He also shar ed some facts regarding surveillance cameras.
Joseph Garcia commented on the traffic circles project and spoke in opposition. He suggested using the funds for more police officers.
Anna Brookshire commented on the city’s website. City Manager Cifuentez asked the Communications Relations Manager Brian Johnson to assist Ms. Brookshire with her questions outside of the Council Chambers.
Liz Toppan commented on city council candidate campaigning, and she questioned the social media policy for council members.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Consent Calendar items are considered routine and will be enacted in one motion.
There will be no separate discussio n 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.
Council Member Bieno pulled consent item D. Motion to approve the consent calendar except for the items pulled for separate discussion.
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 July 19, 2022 Meeting C. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the August 2, 2022 Meeting D. Fire: Approval of an Instructor Service Agreement (ISA) with Fresno City College to provide training services for the Hanford Fire Department
PULLED ITEMS:
1. Public Works: Approval of an invoice from Valley Pump & Dairy Systems in the amount of $61,099.63, for an emergency repair of Well #41, and appropriation of $61,099.63 from water capital reserves to fund the repair.
[Item D]
Pulled by Council Member Brieno.
Deputy Public Works Director Jim Ross answered questions from Council Member Brieno.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Art Brieno, Council Member
SECONDER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Police: Discussion and consideration of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) System and associated costs for the acquisition of 25 Automated License Plate Reader Cameras from Flock Camera Systems
Police Chief Parker Sever disc ussed the system. Flock Safet y representative Hector Soleman -Valdez was available for questions (teleconference). Chief Server also discussed the several private businesses that are currently using the system. Mayor Morrow expressed her concerns regarding the cost and retention period. Staff addressed the Council’s questions and concerns. Vice Mayor Sharp and Council Member Ramirez spoke in support of the item.
Staff presented three options for the Council's review and consideration:
• Option 1: Direct staff to include as a possible project in the next two -year budget Capital Improvement Program.
• Option 2: Authorize purchase agreement with Insight Public Sector and appropriate funding immediately in current fiscal year and future years.
• Option 3: D o not consider implementation at this time and have staff bring back in the future when additional funding is identified.
Motion to approve Option 1.
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 1]
MOVER: Diane Sharp, Council Member
SECONDER: Amanda Saltray, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray
NAYS: Ramirez
B. Fire: Authorization for Interwest Consulting Group, Bureau Veritas, and Fire Safety Solutions to provide on-call fire plan check and fire safety inspection services; each contract not to exceed $100,000 annually for the City of Hanford.
Fire Chief Steve Pendergrass presented the authorization for Interwest Consulting Group, Bureau Veritas, and Fire Safety Solutions to provide on -call fire plan check and fire safety inspection services for the Council's review and consideration. Chief Pendergrass answered questions from the Council.
Motion to approve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Francisco Ramirez, Council Member
SECONDER: Art Brieno, Council Member
AYES: Sharp, Brieno, Morrow, Saltray, Ramirez
C. Council: Consideration of the reformation of a Council Ad -Hoc subcommittee to work with the Hanford Chamber of Commerce for consideration of future City support of the Chamber City Manager Cifuentez discussed the background for the Council's direction. Co uncil Member Saltray commended the Chamber staff and discussed her interest in reforming a subcommittee to partner with them without direct funding. Vice Mayor Sharp recommended reforming a subcommittee and suggested tabling the item until after the electi on. Hanford Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amory Marpel addressed the rental fees and other cost for their upcoming events. City Manager Cifuentez suggested Ms. Marple provide a proposal to be presented at a future meeting for the Council's review and consideration.
RESULT: CONSENSUS
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 Proce dures, 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 C ifunetez provided an update on the Civic Park restroom closures and the Hidden Valley Park rezoning.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Morrow adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk