City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
August 1, 2023 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
4:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION AND CLOSED SESSION:
Mayor Paden called the study session and closed session to order at 4:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL BY THE CITY CLERK:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Diane Sharp
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.
Dennis Ham commented on the selection process for the Chair and Vice Chair of the Planning Commission. City Attorney Ty Mizote responded to his comments.
Bob Ramos spoke in favor of allowing public comment for three minutes.
Nick Wagner questioned the study session start time and expressed his concerns regarding comments made by Vice Mayor Kairis.
Mark Pratter expressed his concerns about the Council's discussion about the public comment period.
Jim Nelson commented on the selection process for the Chair and Vice Chair for the city's commissions.
Rusty Brookshire commented on the public comment period time limit.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Presentation regarding the Annual Fire inspection process and an overview of the Program including the types, frequency, and costs of the inspections.
Fire Chief Pendergrass provided an overview of the fire inspection process including the types, frequency, and cost. Chief Pendergrass took the Council through the West Wing of the Civic Auditorium for a walkthrough fire inspection. Staff answered questions from the Council. No action was taken. The presentation was for informational purposes only.
B. Review of the Handbook of Rules and Procedures for the Hanford City Council and discussion of potential amendments
City Manager Cifuentez provided an overview of the City Council's Rules and Procedures Handbook, covering the major sections. He also discussed the process of amendments. The Council discussed special sessions, the brown act, and the public comment section. The Council provided their feedback. The City Manager will bring back the Handbook with staff recommendations for the Council's review and consideration at a future meeting.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (GC 54956.8):
1. Property: 113 Court St. (Court House) APN: 010-265-001-000 Agency Negotiators: Mario Cifuentez and Ty Mizote
Negotiating Party: Kevin Nickell and Jason Carvalho
2. Property: 113 Court St. (Bastille) APN: 010-265-001-000 Agency Negotiators: Mario Cifuentez and Ty Mizote
Negotiating Party: Julie Green and Steven Green
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Mayor Paden called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Diane Sharp
Council Member Kalish Morrow
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Pastor Bobby Guerra.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Vice Mayor Kairis.
CLOSED SESSION ACTION REPORT:
None.
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. The Council also addressed the homeless camp located at Hume Ave. and Shepard Dr.
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.
Liz Wagner spoke in opposition to the proposed location of the homeless shelter.
Steven Denton, has been working with Vice Mayor Kairis regarding the stray cats in his neighborhood and he is seeking additional assistance from the Council.
Nick Wagner commented on the proposed location of the homeless shelter. He expressed his concerns regarding the increase in homeless people by having a homeless shelter in the city.
Bob Ramos expressed his concerns about pedestrian safety in the area of the proposed location of the homeless shelter.
Mark Pratter commented on the 18 aces across from Hidden Valley Park.
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.
Mayor Paden pulled item C. 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
Travis Paden, Kalish Morrow, Lou Martinez, Mark Kairis, Diane Sharp A. Procedural Waiver: Waive reading in full of resolutions and ordinances and approval and adoption of same by reading title the only.
B. Public Works: Approval of FY 23/24 blanket purchase orders (BPOs) over $50,000 for various divisions in the Public Works Department. The total amount of these BPOs for FY 23/24 is $5,520,900.
C. Finance: Adoption of Resolution 23-29-R to update the authorization of investment of monies in the Local Agency Investment Fund.
D. Finance: Acceptance and authorization for staff to File the City of Hanford's Quarterly Investment Portfolio and Transactions Reports as of 06/30/2023.
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Public Works: Approval of the Final Map and Subdivision Agreement for Tract No. 934 with Lennar Homes of California, LLC, and adopt the attached Resolution 23-27-R Establishing the Formation of Assessment District No. 20-02; and adopt the attached Resolution 23-31-R Intention to Levy Assessment and Confirmation of Engineer's Report; and adopt the attached Resolution 23-30-R Initiating Proceedings for the Formation of Assessment District No. 20-02.
[Item C]
Pulled by Mayor Paden.
Mayor Paden recused himself from the discussion and the vote.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSTAIN:
Passed
Council Member Diane Sharp
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Kalish Morrow, Diane Sharp, Mark Kairis, Lou Martinez
Travis Paden
PUBLIC HEARING:
A. Parks and Community Services: Public Hearing to Adopt Resolution 23-28-R, approving the collection of Landscape Assessment District assessments as outlined, pursuant to Chapter 3 of the Landscape and Lighting Act of 1972, and approving the assessment increases as proposed.
Mayor Paden opened up the public hearing at 7:38 p.m. The Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert, presented the staff report and invited questions from the Council. Mayor Paden questioned the district's property taxes.
Vice Mayor Kairis commented on the district areas. Staff and City Attorney Mizote responded to questions from the Council. The Council provided their feedback regarding outreach and educating the homeowners in the districts.
Public Comment:
IN-FAVOR:
None.
OPPOSSED:
None.
Mayor Paden closed the public hearing at 8:00 p.m.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Travis Paden, Kalish Morrow, Lou Martinez, Mark Kairis, Diane Sharp GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Police: Adoption of Resolution No. 23-32-R, authorizing the acceptance of a grant from California Highway Patrol in the amount of $63,033.28, Amendment to the Police Department operating budget to recognize the grant, Appropriation of the same amount in the General Fund for the Police Department, and Authorization for the Police Chief to execute the grant agreement.
Police Chief Sever discussed the grant for the Council's review and approval. Chief Sever answered questions from the Council.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
(UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Mark Kairis
Travis Paden, Kalish Morrow, Lou Martinez, Mark Kairis, Diane Sharp B. Parks and Community Services: Approval of a contract with Park Planet, totaling $174,586.80, for the purchase of replacement playground equipment and installation services at Earl F Johnson Park, to be funded by the Accumulated Capital Outlay (ACO) Fund.
Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert discussed the contract and the vendor selection process. He also recommended relocating the playground equipment. The Council discussed the high school students in the area. Council Members Sharp and Morrow spoke in support of relocating the equipment and expressed some concerns regarding the budget.
Motion to approve the contract with the amendment to relocate the playground to site number two, in an amount not to exceed 252,000.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
(UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Diane Sharp
Travis Paden, Kalish Morrow, Lou Martinez, Mark Kairis, 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)
A. Council Future Agenda Items
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
Every Saturday: Free Fitness Court Classes at Hidden Valley Park 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
August 12: Helping Hands Volunteer Program at Hidden Valley Park 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
August 15: Regular City Council Meeting
August 19: Walk with a Doc at Hanford Mall (food court entrance) 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
More info
September 4: City offices will be closed in observance of Labor Day September 5: Cancelled City Council meeting
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Paden adjourned the meeting at 8:29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Natalie Corral
City Clerk