City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
August 15, 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 Lou Martinez
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Diane Sharp
Council Member Mark Kairis
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.
Bob Ramos commented on the mural approval process. He also commented on basketball hoops, and spoke in opposition to creating a permitting process.
Judy Scott agreed with Council Member Morrow's comments regarding the mural approval process.
Jennifer Butts, a local muralist, commented on the mural approval process and shared her experience in other cities.
She also answered questions from Council Member Morrow.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Community Development: Presentation regarding potential changes to the City's mural approval process that would either limit content-based restrictions on murals or effectively prohibit murals within the city
Deputy City Manager Jason Waters discussed the potential changes to the city's mural approval process for the Council's review and direction. The Council discussed the presented options and provided their feedback. Dep. Waters and City Attorney Mizote answered questions from the Council. Council Member Morrow spoke in favor of streamlining the process. After much discussion, the Council directed staff to bring back a mural policy for the Council's review and approval.
B. Community Development: Presentation regarding the required permitting and ordinance changes needed to allow basketball hoops in the City's right-of-way Deputy City Manager Jason Waters discussed the possible permitting process for allowing basketball hoops in the city's right of way. Dep. Waters also discussed the California Attorney General's suggestion on how to protect the public. The Council discussed staff time, the code enforcement process, the current policy, and the challenges of implementing a permitting process. Staff answered questions from the Council. It was a Council consensus to not take any action at this time.
Mayor Paden adjourned the study session at 5:20 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATION (GC 54956.8) APN: 014-230-030
Negotiation Party:Thomas G. Loogman, Robert A. Loogman, Colette M. Quinn, John M.
Loogman, Jr., Lisa M. Askins, and Trudy N. Simas
Agency Negotiators: Mario Cifuentez, Ty Mizote, and Brad Albert B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATION (GC 54956.8) APNs: 028-240-018, 028-240-020, 028-310-008, 028-310-025, 028-310-005, 028-310-007, 028-240-008, 028-240-016, 028-240-021, and 028-240-019
Negotiating Party: Philip Verwey
Agency Negotiators: Mario Cifuentez and Ty Mizote
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Mayor Paden called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Diane Sharp
Council Member Mark Kairis
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Ralph Hurtado.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Council Member Sharp.
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 members discussed the meetings and events that 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.
Geni Lefler commented on the code violation notice she received from the city.
Eliazbeth Garzarick commented on the city's youth camps programs.
Mike Mendoza commented on his past complaint regarding his tenants' water bill and the lien notice he received. He also questioned the policy for delinquent bills.
Larry Faria spoke in support of the request for approval to add two new police officers.
Victor Chavarin Jr., representative for Senator Hurtardo's office, introduced himself to the Council.
Jaime Barrella commented on animal control's schedule. He stated that the city needs animal control to be available on weekends.
Noor Memon commented on the letters he sent to the Council and the City Manager and he requested a response.
Bob Ramos commented on the basin in the city that remains dry. He stated, "it needs to be checked". He also asked why the Civic Park restrooms were closed during the Main Street event.
Susan Davis, an employee at the Star restaurant, commented on an incident at the restaurant. She also provided pictures of the homeless issue in the alley. She also commented on the homeless issue in the downtown area.
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.
Items E, F, and H were pulled by the Council. Motion to approve the consent calendar except for the items pulled for separate discussion.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Diane Sharp
Council Member Kalish Morrow
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. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the July 18, 2023 Meeting C. City Attorney: Approval of the Lease with Latis, LLC for the property known as the Future Heroes Park Land and Authorization for the Mayor to execute the Lease Agreement.
D. City Attorney: Approval of an Agricultural Ground Lease with Phillip Verwey Farms for the 1,600 acres of land owned by the City's Wastewater Fund for an annual amount of $161,600, with an annual credit of $69,000 for the development of two (2) wells on the site by the Lessee.
E. Public Works: Approval of a Grant of Easement to Southern California Edison for the purpose of installing utilities to a telecommunications site and Authorization for the City Manager to execute and the City Clerk to attest and file said deeds with the Kings County Recorder's Office; and Approval of an Access and Utility Agreement with T- Mobile West LLC, a Delaware limited liability company for the right to construct, operate, maintain, repair, and replace utility infrastructure within the easement.
F. Police: Approval of an amended contract between the City of Hanford and Kings County Office of Education School Resourse Officer services, for an annual contract amount to $98,000 for one officer.
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Community Development: Adoption of Resolution 23-34-R, Supporting the submittal of an application for up to $3,000,000 from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) State's 2023 Manufactured Housing Opportunity and Revitalization Program (MORE) program, for the Rehabilitation or Replacement of Resident's Mobile homes within Hanford city limits.
[Item E]
Pulled by Council Member Martinez.
Housing Analyst Sandra Lerma-Martinez answered questions from Council Members Martinez and Morrow.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (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 three-year agreement with Magic Ice, Inc. (Miami, FL) for the rental of a 60' x 100' natural ice skating rink for the Winter Wonderland Event for a total contract price of $552,917 [Item F]
Pulled by Council Member Martinez.
Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert answered questions from the Council.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Lou Martinez
Travis Paden, Kalish Morrow, Lou Martinez, Mark Kairis, Diane Sharp C. Police: Approval of an amended contract between the City of Hanford and the Hanford Joint Union High School School District, in the amount of $98,000 for each of the four School Resource officers, for a total contract amount of $392,000 annually. [Item H]
Pulled by Mayor Paden.
Mayor Paden expressed his concerns regarding the overtime expenditures for school events. Chief Sever clarified. The Mayor would like the contracts to be more specific. Vice Mayor Kairis expressed his concerns regarding the contract verbiage and would like at least to see an addendum to cover that area. Council Member Sharp motioned to approve as presented and instruct staff to approach the district and see if they would be amenable to drilling down and see how they can cover these overtime events. After a brief discussion regarding her motion, Council Member Sharp clarified her motion.
Motion to a approve as written and instruct staff to visit the District about this issue and report back to Council with possible addendum.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
NAYS:
Passed
Council Member Diane Sharp
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Travis Paden, Kalish Morrow, Lou Martinez, Diane Sharp
Mark Kairis
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Police: Authorization to add two (2) new Police Officer positions and one (1) new patrol vehicle from existing and 2023/2024 funding from the Citizens Options' for Public Safety (COPS) Fund and Appropriation of $317,800 in the fiscal year 2023/2024 budget to cover the expenses.
Chief Sever presented to the staff a report for the Council's review and consideration. Staff answered questions from the Council.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Lou Martinez
Travis Paden, Kalish Morrow, Lou Martinez, Mark Kairis, Diane Sharp B. Community Development: Approval of the purchase of four (4) 2023 Ford E-Transit-350 Cargo Vans from Future Ford of Clovis (Clovis, CA) for a total price of $266,821.52, to be partially funded by $80,000 in grant funding from the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District (SJVUAPCD) and adoption of Resolution No. 23-35-R to authorize the City Manager as administrator for the Alternative Fuel New Vehicle Program Grant.
Deputy City Manager Jason Waters discussed the transition to a Mobile Workspace vehicle for building inspectors. Staff answered questions from the Council.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Diane Sharp
Council Member Mark Kairis
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
Council Member Sharp addressed some concerns expressed by the public regarding the homeless situation. Mayor Paden addressed Mr. Mendoza's public comment and question the language in the utility policy regarding delinquency.
City Attorney Mizote responded to the Mayor's comments and questions. The Council advised Mr. Mendoza to contact the Utility Department regarding his situation.
The Council directed staff to provide a budget update at a future meeting, brought forth by Vice Mayor Kairis.
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 19: Walk with a Doc at the Hanford Mall (food court entrance) 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
September 4: City offices will be closed in observance of Labor Day September 5: Cancelled City Council Meeting
September 19: Regular City Council Meeting
September 20-22: Annual Conference and Expo in Sacramento ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Paden adjourned the meeting at 8:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Natalie Corral
City Clerk