City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
December 5, 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 Lou Martinez
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Diane Sharp
Council Member Travis Paden
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 proposed revenue measure.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Presentation to Council regarding a variety of Zoning Ordinance Clean-Up Items and direction on future amendments.
Senior Planner Gabrielle Myers and Deputy City Manager Waters discussed the zoning ordinances and the recommended amendments for the Council's review and direction. Staff answered questions from the Council throughout the presentation. Council provided their feedback and direction regarding the ordinances discussed. Staff did not get through all the zoning ordinances during this study session. The remaining zoning ordinance will be presented at a future study session.
B. Presentation, discussion and direction from Council regarding a 2024 Proposed Revenue Measure development process and schedule
Finance Director Chris Tavarez discussed a potential revenue measure development process for the Council's review and direction. Each of the Department Heads discussed their department's needs. After some discussion, the Council directed staff to begin developing an advisory committee to receive staff presentations regarding potential details of a proposed revenue measure. Staff will begin recruiting for the advisory committee. Applications will be presented at the January 16th city council meeting for the Council's review and direction.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (GC 54957)
Title: City Manager
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Mayor Paden called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Diane Sharp
Council Member Travis Paden
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Pastor Tim Brown.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Cassidy Hutton, the Woodrow Wilson Jr. High School Secretary of Law and Order.
CLOSED SESSION ACTION REPORT :
City Attorney Ty Mizote provided the closed session action report for the November 7th closed session discussion for the property at 330 N. Harris Street. The escrow on the property was terminated per the Council's direction.
RECOGNITION:
A. Recognition of Ashelynne Mora and Ildegar Julian Mora for their service as City of Hanford Fitness Court Ambassadors from March-December 2023 Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert and Community Relations Manager Brain Johnson presented certificates of recognition to Ashelynne and Ilgar Mora for their participation.
B. Badge Pinning Ceremony and Oath of Office for Officer Michael Angel and Officer Wesley Corral
Interim Police Chief Amoroso introduced the new officers, and City Clerk Natalie Corral administered the oath of office to Officer Wesley Corral and Officer Michael Angel.
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.
Pastor Steve Luna thanked the city for all thier hard work. He also expressed his concerns regarding the letter he received from the Fire Department about the fireworks booths.
Tyler Pepe commented on the fireworks booth letter.
Robert Stoffer expressed his concerns about the Fire Department's fireworks booth letter. He requested a follow-up from the Chief.
City Manager Cifuentez addressed the public comments about the letter sent out by the Fire Department. He apologized and explained that he was unaware of the letter. The City Manager announced the city would retract the letter.
Jeni Lefler shared her concerns about resources available to military veterans.
Charlie Gossple commented on the youth sports organizations and expressed his concerns regarding the proposed field permitting fees.
Mallory Moran expressed her concerns regarding the proposed field permitting fees.
Victor Chavarin commented on the fireworks booth letter. He also commented on the proposed field permitting fees.
Nick Wagner commented on the Christmas parade.
John Langshaw commented on the homeless people in his neighborhood and explained that it is effecting his rental property. He asked for help from the Council. City Manager Cifuentez respond to his comment.
REORGANIZATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL-SELECTION OF THE MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR:
City Attorney Mizote explained the reorganization process and called for the nominations for Mayor and Vice Mayor.
Council Member Martinez nominated Travis Paden for Mayor. Council Member Morrow nominated Mark Kairis for Mayor. The Council approved Travis Paden for Mayor (3-2).
Council Member Martinez nominated Mark Kairis for Vice Mayor. The Council approved Mark Kairis for Vice Mayor (5-0).
RECESS:
Recess 7:55 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Diane Sharp
Council Member Lou Martinez
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 November 6, 2023 Special Meeting C. City Clerk: Appointment of Gary Curtis to the Planning Commission's unscheduled vacancy with a term ending on 12/31/2025.
D. Human Resources: Approval of the City of Hanford Salary Schedules, pursuant to the California Code of Regulations (CCR) 570.5, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), and Authorization for City administration to amend all other documents as may be necessary to implement the updates.
E. Parks and Community Services: Award of a contract to CleanCut Landscape (Clovis, CA), in an amount not to exceed $1,862,725 annually, for Landscape Assessment District (LAD) Landscaping Services and Authorization for the City Manager to execute the professional services agreement.
F. Community Development: Approval of Historic Resources Permit HRA0011-23, which includes staff’s recommendation to retroactively approve the placement of stucco on the façade, to place a stone veneer, awnings, and signage on the exterior of the existing noncontributing building at 124 E. Seventh St. (APN 012-041-006).
G. Public Works: Approval of an increase in the Appropriation of $35,767.73, from the Water Capital Reserves Fund, to fund the purchase of a utility service truck.
H. Public Works: Approve the sole source purchase of three (3) front load refuse trucks from Rucksteel in Fresno, CA, and appropriation of $1,373.008.01 from the Refuse Capital Reserves Fund (0307) to fund the purchase.
I. Finance: Acceptance and authorization for staff to File the City of Hanford's Quarterly Investment Portfolio and Transactions Reports as of 09/30/2023.
J. Administration: Approval of the annual contract renewal with Integrated Avian Solutions to continue to provide Falconer services in Downtown Hanford, for an amount not to exceed $53,600 for Calendar Year 2024.
PUBLIC HEARING:
A. Community Development: Introduction of Ordinance No. 23-05, Amending Chapters
5.56-Commercial Cannabis Activity and 8.32-Cannabis of the Hanford Municipal Code to simply the process related to commercial cannabis operations; Not Retail.
Council Member Sharp and the City Attorney Mizote recused themselves from the discussion. City Attorney Christina Filippo replaced Mr. Mizote at the dais for the rest of the meeting. Mayor Paden opened the public hearing at 8:04 p.m.
Deputy City Manager Waters presented the staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Public Comment:
IN FAVOR
None
OPPOSSED:
None
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSTAIN:
Passed
Council Member Kairis
Council Member Morrow
Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez
Diane Sharp
Mayor Paden closed the public hearing at 8:11 p.m.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Public Works: Award of a contract to Sage Construction and Development of Tulare, CA in the amount of $601,630.04 for the Civic Auditorium Acoustic Ceiling Texture Replacement, Hardwood Floor Installation, and Interior Painting Project, including the additive alternate bid item for the Hardwood Floor replacement in the Lobby of the Auditorium and Appropriation of an additional $113,254 from the General Fund to fully fund the project including the 10% contingency.
Public Works Director Russ Sterling discussed the project, and answered questions from the Council. Council Member Sharp questioned the paint colors. She also encouraged staff to hire a professional to assist with selecting the paint color for the Civic Auditorium. She also offered to assist with the cost of hiring a professional to select the appropriate paint colors. City Manager Cifuentez discussed the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Civic Auditorium and discussed the importance of choosing the paint colors. Staff answered questions from the Council.
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 B. Parks and Community Services: Approval of the establishment of a sport field permit fee to be set at $2.50 per field hour effective on July 1, 2024 with an allowance of a fee reduction (offset) of up to 25% based on repairs and maintenance provided by the sports leagues.
Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert discussed the establishment of a sport field permit fee effective July 1, 2024. Dir. Albert also discussed the formation of the Field Sports Advisory Committee (FSAC), and the utility expenses for all three sports complexes. Dir. Albert addressed the public comments and answered questions from the Council.
Council Members Sharp and Morrow spoke in support of the proposed fees. Mayor Paden expressed his concerns and suggested more time before approving the fees. After much discussion, Council Member Morrow made the motion to approve the item as presented.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
NAYS:
Passed
Council Member Morrow
Council Member Sharp
Diane Sharp, Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow
Travis Paden, Lou Martinez
C. City Clerk: Review and Approval of the 2024 Calendar of City Council Meetings City Manager Cifuentez presented the calendar for the Council's review and approval.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Lou Martinez
AYES: Diane Sharp, Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez D. City Attorney: Approval of the Amended and Restated City Manager Employment Agreement
City Manager Cifuetez recused himself during the presentation and discussion. Human Resources Manager Sarah Cardoza presented the agreement and discussed the changes to the agreement for the Council's review and approval.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Diane Sharp, Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez 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 Martinez expressed his concerns regarding the use of the Longfield Center. The Council directed staff to prepare a study session regarding the Longfield Center for the Council's review and discussion. Council Member Martinez also requested an update regarding the homeless camp on Hume Ave. and Shepard Dr.
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
December 9: Stuff the Swat Truck Toy Drive at Hanford Target 140 N. 12th Ave 10:00 a.m - 2:00 p.m.
December 16: Walk with a Doc at Centennial Park 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
December 25 & 26: City offices will be closed for Christmas Every Saturday in December: Free Fitness Court Classes at Hidden Valley Park 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Paden adjourned the meeting at 9:19 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk