City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
February 21, 2023 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION AND CLOSED SESSION:
Mayor Paden called the study session and closed session to order at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL BY THE CITY CLERK:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Diane Sharp
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Travis Paden
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Study Sessions are considered Special Meetings under the Brown Act. Accordingly, 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.
Public Comment for Study Session Item A:
Michelle Brown, Director of Main Street Hanford, provided a brief overview of Main Street's partnership with the city for the Winter Wonderland Event.
Larry Faria commented on the Winter Winterland event.
Public Comment for Study Session Item B:
Micheal Quinn asked questions regarding zoning. City Attorney Ty Mizote and Deputy City Manger Waters responded to his questions.
Larry Faria questioned the city's representation on the LAFCO Board.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Parks and Community Services: Presentation and Debriefing on the 2022 Winter Wonderland Event
Parks and Community services Director Brad Albert began the presentation with a promotional video of the event and discussed sponsorships, marketing, event data, the financial report, and recommendations for the 2023 Winter Wonderland event. The Council provided their feedback and recommendations.
B. Community Development: Overview of the City Annexation Process and the Role of LAFCO
Deputy City Manager James Waters discussed the annexation process and the role of LAFCO. Deputy Waters and City Attorney Ty Mizote answered questions from the Council.
The Council convened to closed session 6:23 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (GC 54956.8):
Property: 426 W. Lacey Blvd.
APN: 010-253-001-000
Agency Negotiators: Mario Cifuentez and Ty Mizote
Negotiating Party: Nick Warner for MSI Hanford
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Mayor Paden called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Diane Sharp
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Pastor John Escalera.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Council Member Martinez.
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 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. 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 respond 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 residence.
Miguel Ramirez, SoCal Gas representative, discussed the increase in gas bills and provided an explanation and tips for customers.
William Ochoa spoke in opposition to the traffic circle project.
Onan Champi commented on the continuation of the public hearing for Annexation 160, Part 4 and thanked the Council.
Geovanna Champi introduced herself and commented on the Champi family business. She also commented on the annexation and the zoning change.
Judy Scott expressed her concerns regarding the negative community feedback on the traffic circle project. She shared her experience driving on roundabouts, and stated people will learn how to use them just fine. She also commented on the annexation. She also suggested adding walking paths to the parks.
Nathan Odom gave a speech about his company, Ssussudriad.
Nick Wagner commented on traffic circles and spoke in opposition to the location of the traffic circle project.
Anna Brookshire questioned the funds for the traffic circle project. She also requested to pull consent item E.
Brett Breakman spoke in opposition to the traffic circle project location.
Larry Faria asked the council to listen to the public's input.
Craig Johnson expressed his concerns regarding the homeless in front of his business. He also provided pictures for the Council's review and asked for help with the issue. Mr. Johnson also spoke in opposition to the traffic circles in the downtown.
Bob Ramos commented on the Downtown Pedestrian Safety & Traffic Circulation Project report. He also spoke in opposition to the traffic circle project.
Kirsten Bookout provided pictures for the Council's review and commented on the traffic circle project, and expressed her concerns about the approved location of the traffic circles. She also expressed her concerns about the homeless on her street in front of her business.
Noor Memon provided his background and commented on the Bastille.
Chris Jordan provided his background, and asked several questions regarding the traffic circle project.
Jeff Mora provided his background and experience in the community and commented on the businesses that will be affected by the traffic circle project.
Ernie Wing, owner of several businesses in Hanford, shared his suggestions for downtown improvements.
Kimber Regan commented on the approval of the traffic circle project. She stated downtown merchants do not want traffic circles downtown. She also expressed her concerns regarding the homeless problem downtown.
Mike Portugal commented on the area of the location of the traffic circle project. He also shared his suggestions for improvement downtown.
Leroy Brook suggested other locations for traffic circles.
Micheal Quinn commented on Annexation No. 160, Part 4.
Rusty Brookshire asked the Council to leave the downtown area alone.
Jennifer Sousa commented on the business owners who will be affected by the traffic circles and asked the Council to listen to the business owners' feedback.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Consent Calendar 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.
The Council pulled items B and E.
Motion to approve the consent calendar except for the items pulled for separate discussion.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Diane Sharp
Council Member Mark Kairis
Diane Sharp, Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez 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 appointment of Bert Parolini and Scott Goddard to the Parking and Traffic Commission.
C. Administration: Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 23-04, Amending Chapters 2.32 and 2.28 of the Municipal Code to create Alternate seats on both the Parks & Recreation and Parking & Traffic Commissions.
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the December 20, 2022 Meeting [Item B]
Pulled by Council Member Martinez.
Council Member Martinez expressed his concerns regarding the vote during the study session of the December 20, 2022 meeting. City Clerk Natalie Corral and City Attorney Ty Mizote answered questions from the Council. After a brief discussion, Council Member Morrow made the motion to approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSTAIN:
Passed
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Sharp
Diane Sharp, Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Travis Paden
Lou Martinez
B. Police: Authorization to accept a tobacco enforcement grant in the amount of $70,110.00 and Authorization for Chief of Police, on behalf of the City of Hanford, to execute the MOU with the Department of Justice for the grant.
[Item E]
Pulled by the public during public comment.
Lt. Huddleston addressed the questions asked by the public.
Motion to approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Diane Sharp
Council Member Mark Kairis
Diane Sharp, Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez PUBLIC HEARING:
A. Community Development: Annexation No. 160, Part 4: A proposal to annex approximately 93.2 +/- acres into the City of Hanford from the Kings County jurisdiction.
Prezone No. 2021-09: A proposal to prezone Annexation 160 Area 4 a combination of R-L-5 Low-Density Residential and MX-C Corridor Mixed Use, in accordance with the General Plan designation for the area – Low-Density Residential and Corridor Mixed Use. CEQA Determination: The project has been determined to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), per Categorical Exemption Class 19 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15319(a). The project is generally located east of 10th Avenue, South of Florinda Street, North of Lacey Boulevard.
Before the public hearing was continued, Council Member Sharp recused herself from the discussion and vote. Mayor Paden opened the continued public hearing at 8:16 p.m. and called for the staff report. Senior Planner Gabrielle Myers and Deputy City Manager Waters provided a brief overview of the annexation and approval process. The Council addressed the concerns expressed by Mr. Champi. Staff answered questions from the Council.
Motion to adopt the Notice of Exemption, in accordance with CEQA.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSTAIN:
PASSED
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Vice Mayor Mark Kairis
Lou Martinez, Kalish Morrow, Mark Kairis, Travis Paden
Diane Sharp
Motion to introduce and waive the first reading of Ordinance 23-02, approving Prezone No. 2021-09.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSTAIN:
PASSED
Mayor Travis Paden
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Lou Martinez, Kalish Morrow, Mark Kairis, Travis Paden
Diane Sharp
Motion adopt Resolution No. 23-02-R, initiating proceedings for Annexation 160 (Part 4) and direct staff to file the appropriate forms with the Kings County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo).
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSTAIN:
PASSED
Mayor Travis Paden
Vice Mayor Kairis
Lou Martinez, Kalish Morrow, Mark Kairis, Travis Paden
Diane Sharp
The public hearing was closed at 9:02 p.m.
CONVENE AS SUCCESSOR AGENCY:
Mayor Paden convened as the Successor Agency at 9:03 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT-SUCCESSOR AGENCY :
Any person may directly address the Board at this time on any item on the agenda, or on any item that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Board. A maximum of three minutes is allowed for each speaker.
Nick Wagner asked questions about the report.
SUCCESSOR AGENCY FOR THE DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. Finance: Review And Approval Of The Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS 23-24) For The Period July 1, 2023 To June 30, 2024 Finance Director Chris Tavarez presented the staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Motion to approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Vice Mayor Mark Kairis
SECONDER:
AYES:
Council Member Diane Sharp
Diane Sharp, Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez ADJOURN AS THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY:
Mayor Paden adjourned as the Successor Agency and reopened the regular meeting at 9:09 p.m.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS::
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)
The Council addressed the public comments regarding the traffic circle project. The Council also briefly discussed the upcoming community meeting coordinated by Mayor Paden and Vice Mayor Kairis.
A. Council Future Agenda Items
None.
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
March 7: Regular City Council Meeting
March 11: Hanford Helping Hands Volunteer Program at Encore Park-Sign up here March 21: Regular City Council Meeting
March 22: Special City Council Meeting-Goals Setting, Time: TBD ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Paden adjourned the meeting at 9:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk