City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
September 19, 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 Travis Paden
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Diane Sharp
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.
Judy Scott spoke in support of the project and the grant that was presented by Deputy City Manager Jason Waters.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Presentation from Lechowicz & Tseng Municipal Consultants on progress of a Rate Study for water, wastewater and storm drain rates and Council direction to staff and consultants to assist with the completion of the Study.
Lechowicz & Tseng Municipal Consultants Project Manager Alison Lechowicz presented the Utilities Rate Study and their proposal for the Council's review and direction. The Council and the City Attorney questioned the proposed tier system. The City Attorney shared his experience with Prop 218 litigation. He also expressed concerns about the consumption rates, and the tier system. Ms. Lechowicz addressed Mr. Mizote's questions and concerns. The Council discussed the Rate Study schedule and the public hearing date. Staff answered questions from the Council. The final recommendations will be presented to the Council on October 17, 2023.
B. Preview of the Active Transportation Plan, including the scope of work, timeline, community outreach, and it’s relationship with the Reconnecting Communities Program Alta Transportation Planning Associate Ryan Johnson discussed the Active Transportation Plan. He also discussed the next phase after he receives the community's input. Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert discussed the health and wellness benefits. Deputy City Manager Jason Waters presented the Neighborhood Access and Equity (NAE) Grant Program, and the People's Bridge Project. The grant application deadline is September 28th. Staff answered questions from the Council. The Council spoke in support of the grant application.
The Mayor adjourned the study session at 5:45 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT (GC 54957)
TITLE: Police Chief
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Mayor Paden called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Diane Sharp
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Pastor Albert Toralez.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Vice Mayor Kairis.
CLOSED SESSION ACTION REPORT:
None.
RECOGNITION:
Oath of office and Badge Pinning Ceremony for Officer Robert Leist, Officer Michael Crawmer, Officer Dario Salazar, Officer Cyrena Lopez, and Officer Evan Gonzales
Chief Sever introduced each of the new officers and the City Clerk, Natalie Corral administered the oath.
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.
John Draxler commended the Council for their hard work.
Thomas Doyel expressed his concerns regarding theft and trash left behind by tenants near his home.
Noor Memon commented on the Bastille. He would the total cost to repair the Bastille so that he can submit a a proposal.
Bob Ramos thanked the city for opening the restrooms at Civic Park during the events in the park. He also commented on the street sweeper contract, and he asked when Hidden Valley Park would be on the agenda for discussion.
Sharon Reed commented on the homeless person on 11th Ave. and LaceyBlvd.
Kimber Regan commented on the homeless camp on Shepard Dr. and Hume Ave. She asked where the homeless people would be relocated?
FEMA Representative, Stephanie Carnero commented on the homeless camp on Shepard Dr. and Hume Ave., and she shared her concerns about the people being kicked out of there.
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 F.
Motion to approve the consent calendar except for the items pulled for separate discussion.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
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 August 1, 2023 Meeting C. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the August 15, 2023 Meeting D. Administration: Approval of a 5-year contract with Brandley Engineering, of Loomis, California, to provide Airport Engineering, Planning and Construction Management Services for State and Federally funded Airport Improvement Projects.
E. IT: Approval of the renewal of the three-year Microsoft software licensing from Dell Computer Corporation in the amount of $244,154.58
F. Public Works: Approval of the Suggested Routes to School plans for Hanford Elementary School District and Saint Rose-Thomas McCarthy School for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.
G. Public Works: Approval of the Suggested Routes to School plans for Frontier Elementary School, Pioneer Elementary School, and Pioneer Middle School for the upcoming 2023- 2024 school year.
H. Fire: Approval of the acceptance of an award from the 2022 State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) funding, in the amount of $49,115 for the Hanford Fire Department; Appropriation and Authorization to utilize the funding to purchase Unmanned Aircraft (Drones) and Incident Command Training.
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Public Works: Approval of the Notice of Completion, for a final project cost of $3,594,350.00, for the Drilling and Development of Water Wells 51 and 52 Project, by ZIM Industries, Inc., and Authorization for the Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest and file said Notice with Kings County Recorder’s Office. [Item F]
Pulled by Mayor Paden.
Mayor Paden pulled the item to commend staff.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Lou Martinez
Travis Paden, Kalish Morrow, Lou Martinez, Mark Kairis
Diane Sharp
PUBLIC HEARING:
A. Community Development: Public hearing to consider any comments received regarding the 2022-23 CDBG Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) and Approval of the submittal of the Program Year 2022 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report.
Mayor Paden opened the public hearing at 7:44 p.m. and called for the staff report. Housing Analyst Sandra Lerma- Martinez presented the staff report for the Council's review and approval.
Public Comment:
IN-FAVOR:
None.
OPPOSSED:
None.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Mark Kairis
Kalish Morrow, Lou Martinez, Mark Kairis
Diane Sharp
Mayor Paden closed the public hearing at 7:46 p.m.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Public Works: Approval of a two-year contract, with three one year options for a total of five (5) years, with Sweeping Corporation of America (Visalia, CA) in the amount of $632,660.07 and approve designating four City owned street sweepers as surplus and authorizing their sale.
Interim Public Works Director Russ Sterling provided the background and discussed other cities' sweep schedules, the bid proposal options, and the advantages of outsourcing. Dir. Sterling presented the modified recommendation to approve the award of the contract to Sweeping Corporation of America (SCA) for an amount not to exceed $869,290.00 for the contract to include 4 per month frequency on City streets; 3 per week frequency in the Downtown Historic areas; Removal of the line item for sweeping of the Corp Yard lots; and declare four (4) City- owned street sweepers as surplus and authorize their sale for the Council's review and consideration. Staff answered questions from the Council. Council Member Morrow spoke in support of the contract. After a brief discussion, Council Member Morrow made the motion to approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Lou Martinez
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)
The City Manager reminded the Council he would not be at the next City Council meeting, and the City Council Handbook discussion will be presented on October 19th. Council Member Martinez requested an update on Hidden Valley Park.
A. Council Future Agenda Items
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
September 20 & 21: Active Transportation Plan (ATP) Walk Assessment Open House in the Civic Auditorium More info
September 20-22: League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo in Sacramento
September 23 & 30: Free Fitness Court Classes 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. at Hidden Valley Park
October 3: Regular City Council Meeting
October 3: Hanford Police Department 2023 National Night Out 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in Civic Park
October 7 & 8: Renaissance Fair 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. in Civic Park ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Paden adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Natlie Corral
City Clerk