City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
October 17, 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 Mark Kairis
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Diane Sharp
Council Member Lou Martinez
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 asked for clarification regarding making a public comment as city commissioner. He also questioned the process of selecting a chair and vice chair person.
Bob Ramos questioned voting during the study session. He asked for clarification regarding special meetings and study sessions.
Mark Pratter stated that he was unable to view the agenda online due to the internet being down in the area he lives in. The Council and staff addressed his concerns.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Presentation and Review of proposed amendments to the Council Handbook of Rules and Procedures and formal direction from Council on which elements to include in the final document
City Manager Cifuentez presented the Council Handbook with the proposed amendments for the Council’s review and direction. Council Members Sharp, Kairis and Morrow spoke in favor of the Handbook as presented. The Council and the city attorney addressed the public comments regarding voting during a study session. Staff also presented a draft Commissioner's Handbook for the Council's review and feedback. After much discussion, the Council directed staff to move forward with the Council Handbook. The Council also directed staff to bring back the commissioner's handbook for a future study session discussion.
Mayor Paden adjourned to the closed session at 6:04 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT (GC 54957)
TITLE: Fire Chief
B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (GC 54956.9(d)(4)) 1 Case
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 Travis Paden
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Diane Sharp
Council Member Lou Martinez
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Pastor Bud Haskell.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Hanford West High School's ASB Executive President, Lauren Escola.
RECOGNITION:
A. Procalmation of Down Syndrome Awareness Month and presentation of a Certificate of Recognition to Daniel Coakley
Mayor Paden presented a certificate of recognition to Daniel Coakley. He also presented proclamations to Tulare Kings Right to Life and Kings County Special Olympics for Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
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. Vice Mayor Kiaris discussed the Hume Ave and Shepard Dr. homeless camp. City Manager Cifuentez provided staff updates and introduced the Interim Police Chief, Jack Amoroso.
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.
Amy Minor thanked the Council for tabling and the discussion regarding the field permitting policy and fees.
Bob Ramos commented on the dark areas in Civic Park and expressed his concerns for the public's safety.
Sharon (she did provide her last name), thanked Vice Mayor Kairis for his response to her concerns about the homeless.
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.
City Manager Cifuentez requested that item G be pulled for separate discussion.
Motion to approve 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: Appointment of James Nelson to the Parking and Traffic Commissioner vacancy with a term ending on 12/31/2023
C. Parks and Community Services: Acceptance of an anonymous donation of Christmas and holiday decorations to enhance the Winter Wonderland event D. Community Development: Second Reading of Ordinance. 23-06, approving Prezone No. 0001-23. The project pertains to land proposed to be annexed, under Annexation 162, south of Hanford-Armona Road, east of 13th Avenue (APN 011-040-030).
E. Public Works: Approval of the Notice of Completion for the FY 23 Manhole and Valve Cover Adjustment Project, for a final contract price of $189,964.95 and authorization for the Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest and file said Notice with Kings County Recorder’s Office.
F. Public Works: Approval of the Notice of Completion for the FY 23 Sanitary Sewer Manhole Repair and Recoating Project, for a final contract price of $118,763.56, and authorization for the Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest and file said Notice with Kings County Recorder’s Office.
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Police: Approval of an Addendum to the existing contract, between Hanford Joint Union High School District and the City of Hanford, outlining specific coverage and overtime compensation for the School Resources Officer Program (SRO) Contract to cover school events
[Item G]
City Manager Cifuentez requested the addendum be tabled and brought back to the Council at a future meeting for discussion and direction.
Motion to Table.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Lou Martinez
Diane Sharp, Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez PUBLIC HEARING:
A. City Attorney: Public Hearing to accept comments regarding the adoption of the Resolution of Necessity 23-40 R for APN 001-040-015 (the “Property”) authorizing the City Attorney to take the steps necessary to finalize the acquisition of the property for the widening of 12th Avenue by the City (the “Project”).
Mayor Paden opened the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. City Attorney Megan Dodd presented the staff report for the Council's review and consideration. Ms. Dodd also clarified one error in the staff report: the property was not in escrow due to liens on the property.
Public Comment:
IN-FAVOR:
None
OPPOSED:
Steven Alfieris of Dias Law Firm, spoke in opposition and expressed his concerns regarding the city's evaluation.
Mayor Paden closed the public hearing at 7:38 p.m.
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 GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Community Development: Approval of Historic Resource Permit number HRA 0012-23:
A request to replace the door, side windows, and frame, due to vehicular damage, at 201 N. Douty Street, within the Historic Overlay Zone District.
Senior Planner Gabrielle Myers discussed the project and answered questions from the Council. Staff was unable to recommend the applicant's proposal for approval because it did not fully comply with the city's requirements. Staff presented alternative recommendations for the Council's review. After a brief discussion of the Council's authority to amend the motion, Council Member Morrow discussed updating the design requirements at a future meeting, and spoke in favor of the proposed materials.
Motion to approve 23-41-R with the amendment to remove conditions 3 and 4 subject to review and approval by staff.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Diane Sharp, Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez
B. Public Works: Authorization for the City Manager to execute a Utility Easement Agreement with Valley Strong Credit Union; and authorization to offer Grant of Easements for utility purposes to Southern California Edison across the city parking lot property (APN 012-022-011) located adjacent to Valley Strong Credit Union (216 W Eighth Street).
City Engineer Lisa Dock discussed the project for the Council's review and consideration. Staff answered questions from the Council. Richard Sazama, Director of Capital Projects at Valley Strong Credit Union, discussed the utility easement.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSTAIN:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Lou Martinez
Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez
Diane Sharp
C. Parks and Community Services: Award of a contract with Melton Design Group for the professional architectural and engineering design services for Heroes Park, in the amount of $1,044,840, and authorization for the City Manager to execute the professional services agreement.
Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert discussed the contract and the process of the final proposal. Staff answered questions from the Council. Melton Design Group representatives, Greg Mendonsa and Ryan Riedlinger were in attendance to answer questions from the Council. After a brief discussion, Council Member Sharp made the motion to approve.
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
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
It was a consensus of the Council to direct staff to bring back a study session to review the historical overlay design requirements, brought forth by Council Member Morrow.
Council Member Martinez requested an update on the downtown improvement survey, Hidden Valley Park and the cannabis tax revenue.
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
October 21& 28: Free Fitness Court Classes at Hidden Valley Park 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
October 27: Hanford Haunted House at the Old Courthouse, 113 Court Street, 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. More Info
November 6: Special Joint Meeting, City Council and the Planning Commission November 7: Regular City Council Meeting
November 10: Public holiday, City offices will be closed November 21: Regular City Council Meeting
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Paden adjourned the meeting at 8:38 p.m.
Respectfuly submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk