City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
November 7, 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 Travis Paden
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Lou Martinez
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.
Bob Ramos commented on public safety and questioned the city's cannabis revenue. He also provided his recommendation for a tax measure.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Presentation by the Carnegie Museum of Kings County regarding their 2023 Exhibits and Collections and ongoing efforts to restore the Historic Carnegie Library building.
Carnegie Museum President Jack Schwartz provided a brief update and Board Member Rob Bently discussed the Carnegie's partnerships, exhibits, events, community involvement, facility rentals, and future programs. The Council commented on their recent events and commended the board members and volunteers for their efforts. Mr. Schwartz answered questions from the council. Council Member Sharp spoke in support of the agreement that is on the consent calendar for the council's approval. She also questioned if the organization was planning to purchase the property. Mr.
Schwartz addressed her questions. No action was taken, and the presentation was for informational purposes only.
B. Presentation to Council and review of measures that the City of Hanford can take to improve the City’s financial position and direction to staff as appropriate.
Finance Director Chris Tavarez discussed the city's financial health and introduced potential revenue measures for the council's review and direction. The Council provided their feedback and staff answered questions from the Council.
During the discussion, City Manager Cifuentez addressed the Council's questions regarding the development of Hidden Valley Park, and staff will bring back a future agenda item for the Council's review. After much discussion, the Council directed staff to bring back a presentation of potential sales tax measures and the elements related to that process for the Council's review and direction.
Mayor Paden adjourned to the study session at 5:50 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (GC 54956.8) Property: 330 N. Harris Street
Agency Negotiators: Mario Cifuentez and Ty Mizote
Negotiating Party: Great Valley Holdings, LLC
B. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (GC 54957)
TITLE: City Manager
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 Lou Martinez
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Diane Sharp
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Shannon Brown.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Sierra Pacific's ASB President, Brayden Lowe.
RECOGNITION:
A. Recognition of Officer Mark Carillo for creating trauma bags for all the local schools and training the school's staff on proper use of the bags.
The Police Department recognized Officer Mark Carillo for creating trauma bags for the local schools.
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, and City Manager Cifuentez provided a staff update.
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.
Bob Ramos commented on the action taken by the Council during a study session for the downtown project. He also commented on a letter sent to the City Attorney from District Attorney Sara Hacker regarding that action.
Kimber Reagan asked for clarification about voting during a study session. The City Attorney responded to her question. She also suggested that the council not take action during the study session.
Rusty Brookshire commented on voting during a study session.
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 F be pulled for clarification and separate discussion.
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
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: Approval of the Minutes of the October 3, 2023 Meeting C. City Clerk: Appointment of Judy Scott to the Parks and Recreation Commission's unscheduled vacancy with a term ending on 12/31/2024.
D. City Clerk: Adoption of Resolution 23-45-R, amending the city's email correspondence retention period from three (3) years to two (2) years.
E. Administration: Adoption of Resolution 23-46-R, amending the Handbook of Rules and Procedures to include various amendments as recommended by Council.
F. Public Works: Approval of the Notice of Completion of the FY 23 Double Fiberized Micro Surface Treatment Project, for a total contract price of $484,753.00, by Pavement Coatings Company, and authorization for the Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest and file said Notice with Kings County Recorder’s Office.
G. Police: Approval of a contract with Janitorial Inc. at the rate of $42,036 for the remainder of 2023 and $43,176 for 2024 to provide janitorial services at the Police Department buildings.
H. Police: Authorization to accept the Homeland Security Grant from the County of Kings in the amount of $55,448, and an amendment to the Police Department's operating budget to recognize the grant, appropriation of $55,448 in the General Fund for the Police Department, and authorization for the City Manager to execute the grant agreement.
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Administration: Approval of Amendment No. 3 of the License Agreement between the Carnegie Museum of Kings County and the City of Hanford to extend the term of the agreement until December 31, 2024.
[Item F]
Requested to be pulled by the City Manager.
City Manager Cifuentez addressed the error in the term date and clarified that the city's maintenance contribution amount was increased to $10,000.
Motion to Approve
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Diane Sharp
Diane Sharp, Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Presentation from Lechowicz & Tseng Municipal Consultants on the Rate Study for water, wastewater and storm drain rates and Council direction to staff and consultants to commence with the Proposition 218 process and set the Hearing Date & Time for January 16, 2024 at 7pm for the proposed rate increases.
Lechowicz & Tseng Municipal Consultant Allsion Lechowicz, discussed the Rate Study for the Council's review and direction. The public hearing is scheduled to be held on January 16, 2023. If approved, the new rates will go into effect on February 1, 2024. Ms. Lechowicz and staff answered questions from the Council.
Motion to Approve
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Diane Sharp
Diane Sharp, Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez COUNCIL REQUESTS/REPORTS:
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
The Council directed staff to bring back a study session discussion regarding the creation of a Community Facility District (CFD) to fund the expansion of Hidden Valley Park and city wide park maintenance.
During this time, the Council agreed to cancel the November 21, 2023, City Council meeting due to the holiday and staff availability. Also, Council Member Martinez expressed some concerns regarding China Alley and pedestrian safety on Philips Street and Third Street. He asked that staff to look into it.
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
November 8: Community Meeting with the Mayor and Vice Mayor, in the City Hall Training Room 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. More info
November 10: Holiday, city offices will be closed
November 21: Regular City Council Meeting
November 23 & 24: Holiday, city offices will be closed
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Paden adjourned the meeting at 8:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk