City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
May 16, 2023 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
4:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION:
Mayor Paden called the study session to order at 4:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL BY THE CITY CLERK:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Diane Sharp
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Kalish Morrow
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). Public Comment will be accepted during each agenda item. A maximum of three minutes is allowed for each speaker. Please begin your comments by stating your name and providing your city of residence.
Chad Draxler commented on study session item B, and questioned the Calcot facility.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Presentation and review of Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for upcoming fiscal year 2024 and 2025 Budget and direction from Council on which projects to prioritize, and review of some operating budgets.
Finance Director Chris Tavarez presented the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the upcoming fiscal year 2024 and 2025 Budget and projects for the Council's direction. Staff discussed the Council's goals, financial sustainability, fiscal sustainability, fund groups, and fund availability. Finance Manager Destiny Borba presented the Preliminary Operating Budget. The Council expressed some concerns regarding TOT tax, future projects, grants, water meters, and community complaints. Staff addressed the Council's concerns and questions. Ms. Borba will send the budget details to the Council and the final budget review will be presented at the June 6, 2023 study session. No formal action was taken.
B. Presentation to Council regarding the City's current Cannabis Tax Structure for non-retail businesses, Council consideration of alternative rate structures and, if supported, Authorization for Staff to Prepare Amendments to the rate structure and the Application Process
Deputy City Manager Waters provided a brief overview of the cannabis rate structure. He also discussed fee comparison, revenue scenarios, and the states' process. Dep. Waters presented 3 options for the Council's review and direction. Dep.
Waters answered their questions. It was a Council consensus to move forward with option 2 (Modify non-competitive rates to approximate average of nearby rates) and streamline the application process. Staff will bring the item back to the Council at a later date for review and approval.
C. Presentation to Council and discussion of the City of Hanford's overall street system and maintenance operations
Deputy Public Works Director Russ Sterling presented the overall street system and maintenance operations for the Council's review and feedback. Dep. Sterling presented 3 scenarios addressing the Pavement Condition Index (PCI).
Staff answered questions from the Council. No action was taken. The presentation was to provide the Council with an overall status of the city's ability to improve the conditions of the roads throughout the city. After a brief discussion, the Mayor adjourned the study session at 6:14 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Mayor Paden called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Diane Sharp
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Kalish Morrow
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Jay Rulbalcava
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by the Police Department Explorers.
RECOGNITION:
A. Acceptance of a donation from Ali Azizuddin, owner of Jackpot Sinclair Gas Station & Car Wash, benefitting the Hanford Police and Fire Departments.
Mr. Azuzuidon, owner of Sinclair Gas Station at 11th and Fargo, presented a donation check of $10,000 to the Fire Department and Police Department.
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 Members discussed the events and meetings 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.
Noor Memon provided his background and commented on the letters he had sent in the past to the City Council Member's and City Manager.
Lynn Nelson thanked the Mayor for attending the Son's of Liberty meeting. She also commented on the Vice Mayor's comments regarding the Downtown Improvement Project, and she requested an apology.
Bob Ramos commented on the Fair Political Practice Commission regulations and provided a copy to the Council.
He also commented on Council Member Sharp's vote on the traffic circle project.
Art Brieno commented on item D and requested that it be pulled for separate discussion. He also shared his experience during his time as a City Council Member.
Dennis Ham commented on bicycling in the city. He also stated, May 18, 2023 is Bike to Work Day.
Onan Champi commented on the public comment periods. He also asked why the city council members are not full- time.
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.
Item D was requested to be pulled by the public. Motion to approve except for the items pulled for separate discussion.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Diane Sharp
Council Member Kalish Morrow
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 Minutes of the May 2, 2023 Meeting C. Human Resources: Approval of a 5-year contract renewal, for Workers' Compensation Third Party Administration services, with Acclamation Insurance Management Services, Inc., with a year one cost of $124,681.67 and authorization for the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
D. Community Development: Approval of Amendment No. 4 to the lease agreement between the City of Hanford and Mechanics Bank for the property located at 218 N.
Douty Street (Old Post Office).
E. Public Works: Adoption of Resolution no. 23-10-R regarding the public transit needs within the City of Hanford and authorization for the City Manager to sign and submit the claim for funds and any subsequent amended claims, and Approve the filing of the Notice of Exemption to certify that projects to be constructed with these funds are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Community Development: Approval of an Agreement Between the County of Kings and the City of Hanford for cooperation in updating the Housing Element of the Kings County Comprehensive General Plan pursuant to Government Code Section 65580 and authorization to use the City's award of LEAP grant funds to pay for the City's share of the Housing Element.
[Item D]
Pulled during public comment. Staff responded to the public comment.
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: A Public Hearing to accept comments related to the Approval of the 2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan and Adoption of Resolution No. 23-8-R, Authorizing and Approving the proposed 2023-24 Annual Action.
Mayor Paden opened the public hearing at 7:42 p.m. and called for the staff report. Housing Analyst Sandra Lerma- Martinez presented the staff report. Vice Mayor Karis thanked the staff for their hard work. Staff answered questions from the Council. Mayor Paden expressed his concerns about funding a homeless navigation center. He also discussed his conversation with KCAO Executive Director Jeff Garner at the City-County Coordinating Conference.Staff addressed Mayor Paden's questions and concerns. Staff also clarified the direction provided by the Council regarding the CDBG Action Plan and the next steps after the approval of the Action Plan. Council members Sharp and Morrow spoke in support of the recommendations as presented. After a lengthy discussion, Vice Mayor Kairis made the motion to approve.
Public Comment:
Art Brieno commented on an annexed area in Hanford and expressed his concerns regarding the homeless people. He also suggested the Council visit homeless camps.
Noor Memon shared a solution for the homeless in Hanford.
Mayor Paden closed the public hearing at 8:36 p.m.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Nays:
(UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Lou Martinez
Diane Sharp, Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Lou Martinez
Travis Paden
B. Community Development: Public hearing to accept comments related to the adoption of Resolution No. 23-13-R, under the Tax and Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act (“TEFRA”) in connection with the proposed issuance of revenue bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority (the “CMFA”), a joint exercise of powers authority and public entity of the State of California, in an amount not to exceed $40,000,000, (the “Bonds”), a portion of the proceeds of the Bonds (approximately $7,000,000) will be used to construct an approximately 15,000 square foot health center at 939 South 12th Avenue in Hanford, California, containing approximately 24 medical exam rooms and ten dental rooms (the “Project”).
Mayor Paden opened the public hearing at 8:38 p.m. and called for the staff report. Financial Advisor at California Municipal Finance Authority, Anthony Stubbs, presented the staff report. Mr. Stubbs answered questions from the Council. Javier Diaz, Chief Financial Officer at Family Health Care Network, also answered questions from the Council.
Public comment:
Art Brieno questioned the project funds.
Mayor Paden closed the public hearing at 8:48 p.m.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Diane Sharp
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Diane Sharp, Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Public Works: Approval of the City of Hanford Local Road and Safety Plan City Engineer Lisa Dock presented the Local Road and Safety Plan for the Council's review and consideration. Ms. Dock answered questions from the Council.
Motion to Approve
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Diane Sharp
Diane Sharp, Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez B. Public Works: Adoption of Resolution 23-11-R identifying a “Project List” for Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) gas tax funding for Fiscal Year 2023/24
Council Member Sharp recused herself from the discussion and vote due to a conflict of interest. City Engineer Lisa Dock presented the project list for the Council's review and consideration. Ms. Dock answered questions from the Council.
Motion to Approve
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSTAIN:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez
Diane Sharp
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)
There was a Council consensus to review the City Council Handbook at a future study session, brought forth by Council Member Morrow.
A. Council Future Agenda Items
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
May 1-27: Spring Cleanup Event Kings Waste and Recycling Authority 7803 Hanford - Armona Rd. (Ticket required. Check your April utility bill) May 20: Walk with a Doc Hanford at Freedom Park 2000 9 1/4 Ave., 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
May 20 and 27: Free Fitness Court Classes, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. at Hidden Valley Park May 27: Reimagining Hidden Valley Park Outreach Event #1, 9 – 11 a.m. at Hidden Valley Park
June 1: Reimagining Hidden Valley Park Outreach Event #2, 6 – 8 p.m. at Civic Auditorium June 3: Carnegie Car Show in Civic Park, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
June 3: Reimagining Hidden Valley Park Outreach Event #3, 3 - 5 p.m. at Hidden Valley Park June 6: Regular City Council Meeting
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Paden adjourned the meeting at 9:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Natalie Corral
Natalie Corral, City Clerk