City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
January 16, 2024 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.
Dave Ayers thanked the Council and Main Street Hanford for their hard work, and he commented on preserving the downtown area.
Jim Castleman commented on the process of new businesses coming into the city.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Presentation of the Annual Operations Report by Main Street Hanford and Overview of the Management Plan and proposed Activities and Proposed Improvements as required by the Annual Services Agreement between the City and Main Street Hanford.
Main Street Hanford's Executive Director, Michelle Brown provided an overview of the Management Plan and proposed improvements and activities for the Council's review. She also discussed upcoming facade grant projects. Council Member Sharp questioned the projected budget. Ms.Brown answered questions from the Council. The Council thanked Ms. Brown for her presentation. The presentation was informational only, no action was taken. The Main Street Service Agreement will be presented to the Council at the next regular meeting for their review and approval.
B. Council review of the elements of the Historic Overlay Zone and Direction on Possible Changes to Hanford Municipal Code Chapter 17.48.
City Council Member Sharp recused herself from the discussion due to a conflict of interest. Deputy City Manager Jason Waters discussed the background, the historic overlay zone, and the public's concerns about the requirements. Dep.
Waters expressed his concerns regarding required staff time to process a Historic Resource Permit. Staff discussed the presented options and answered questions from the Council. The Council provided their feedback. Staff will bring back historic resource permit processing recommendations for the Council's review and direction.
C. Presentation of the City's new logo, tagline, and associated branded materials.
Community Relations Manager Brian Johnson provided a background of the creation of the new city logo and presented the logo and tagline. He also discussed the brand guidelines. Staff answered questions from the Council. After a brief discussion, the Council thanked Mr. Johnson for the presentation.
Mayor Paden adjourned the study session at 5:50 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (GC 54956.9)(d)(1)) Darlene Mata v. City of Hanford
Kings County Case No. 22C0077
B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (54956.9 (d)(2))
1 Potential Case.
C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (54956.9 (d)(4))
1 Potential Case.
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 Adrea Lott.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Interim Police Chief Jack Amoroso.
RECOGNITION:
A. Badge Pinning Ceremony and Oath of Office for the promotion of Stephanie Huddleston to Chief of Police, and the promotion of James Lutz to Police Captain
Interim Police Chief Amoroso introduced and congratulated Chief Stephanie Huddleston and Captain James Lutz. City Clerk Natalie Corral administered the oath of office.
Recess 7:20 p.m. - 7:25 p.m.
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 discussed the meetings and events they attended. The City Manager also provided the Council with 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.
Larry Faria invited the Council to an upcoming event hosted by the 1776 Sons of Liberty.
Mark Pratter commented on the rezoning of 18 acres at Hidden Valley Park.
Jack Schwartz commented on the money raised for the Carnegie Museum. He also shared the plans for future projects.
Nick Wagner commented on the topics discussed at the Kings County Homeless Collaborative meeting. He questioned the locations zoned for low-income housing. Vice Mayor Kairis responded to his comments.
Bob Ramos commented on the Helena lawsuit. He also commented on the Settlement Agreement on General Business. City Attorney Mizote responded to his comments.
Anna Brookshier questioned the status of the traffic circle project. Mayor Paden responded to her comments.
Rusty Brookshier commented on the settlement agreeemnt on General Business. City Attorney Mizote responded to Mr. Brooksier's comments and clarified the city attorney's role in the settlement.
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 Attorney Mizote requested to pull item D.
Motion to approve except for the items pulled for separate discussion.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
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 December 5, 2023, Meeting C. City Clerk: Approval of the Reappointment of Richard Douglas to the Planning Commission, Carolyn Hudgins and Gregory Kelley to the Parks and Rec Commission, for their second terms, and Jim Nelson to the Parking and Traffic Commission for a full term.
D. Community Development: Adoption of a separate Commercial Cannabis Business Permit Application for all Non-Retail operations, consistent with previous Council direction.
E. Public Works: Approval of a Notice of Completion for Tract 922, Unit 2, located at the southeast corner of 13th Avenue and Devon Street.
F. Police: Acceptance of the 2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $23,456, amend the Police Department's operating budget by appropriation of the same amount in the General Fund, and authorize the City Manager to execute an MOU between the City of Hanford and the City of Lemoore (Police Department).
G. Fire: Authorization for the City Manager to execute a sole source purchase of a Pierce Fire Engine from Golden State Fire Apparatus (Sacramento, CA) for $960,525 and appropriate $1,000,000 in the General Fund contingent on confirmation of $1,000,000 in State grant funding
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Community Development: Approval of the second reading and Adoption of Ordinance 23-05 and approving amendments to Hanford Municipal Code - 5.56 Commercial Cannabis Activity and amendments to Hanford Municipal Code - 8.32 Cannabis [Item D]
Pulled by City Attorney Mizote. Both Mr. Mizote and Council Member Sharp recused themselves.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSTAIN:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Mark Kairis
Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez
Diane Sharp
PUBLIC HEARING:
A. Public Works: Public Hearing and consideration of approval of Resolution 24-02-R for City of Hanford water rate adjustments effective February 1, 2024 and continue the public hearing for wastewater and stormwater rates until February 6, 2024.
Mayor Paden open the public hearing at 8:04 p.m. and called the staff report. The consultant provided a brief summary of the report for the Council's review and consideration. The consultant and staff answered questions from the Council. City Manager Cifuentez discussed the Council's direction to pursue an impact fee study. After much discussion, Council Member Sharp motion to approve Resolution 24-02-R for the water rate adjustment effective February 1, 2024.
Mayor Paden closed the public hearing at 9:02 p.m.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
NAYS:
Passed
Council Member Diane Sharp
Council Member Kairis
Diane Sharp, Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Travis Paden
Lou Martinez
IN-FAVOR:
Micheal Quinn commented on the rate increase.
OPPOSED:
Dave Ayers disagrees with the increase.
Liz Toppan stated that she is confused by the report and questioned how it will affect businesses. She disagrees with the increase.
Rusty Brookshier spoke in oppsotion.
Alena Alvarez spoke in opposition.
Karen Roberts spoke in opposition.
Bob Ramos commented on the water needs of the Heroes' park.
Rose Shapley spoke in opposition. She asked to be included in the protest.
Liz Wagner spoke in opposition.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. City Clerk: Discussion regarding the list of committees and boards that have City Council representation directly appointed by the Council and Appointment of those members as appropriate.
The Council assigned City Manager Cifuentez to the Kings County Area Disaster Council as the city's representative. No other changes were made to the Council representation on boards, commissions, and committees.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Diane Sharp, Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez B. Administration: Council discussion and selection of Council members to be part of the interview panels that are necessary to fill the upcoming City Commission vacancies.
City Manager Cifuentez discussed the past appointment processes for the Council's review and direction. The Council discussed the commissioner interview and selection process. Council Member Sharp suggested two council members and one staff member participate in the process. Vice Mayor Kairis suggested that the participating staff members should not have a vote on selecting a commissioner to be appointed. Mayor Paden shared his experience as a commissioner and with the interview process. After much discussion, Council Member Sharp motioned to designate the Mayor, one (1) council member, and one (1) staff member liaison for each commission to participate in the interview process. The staff member will participate in the interviews for advisory purposes only. The motion was seconded by Council Member Morrow. Each of the commission subcommittees will determine the interview process.
Council Member representation:
Planning Commission: Kalish Morrow
Parks and Rec Commission: Lou Martinez
Parking and Traffic Commission: Mark Kairis
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Diane Sharp, Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez C. City Attorney: Settlement Agreement Darlene Mata v. City of Hanford, Art Brieno City Attorney Miztoe discussed the settlement agreement and lawsuit filed by Ms. Mata for the Council's review and direction. Mr. Mizote also clarified the error in the amount on the settlement. Council Member Morrow addressed the public comments regarding the settlement and motioned to approve the settlement.
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 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
The City Manager announced upcoming important dates, including the special meeting for the selection of the Revenue Measure Committee members.
Mayor Paden shared his concerns regarding the shopping cart ordinance. City Attorney Mizote addressed his concerns and discussed the state law requirements. City Manager Cifuentez assured the Council that staff would bring back a study session for the shopping cart ordinance along with the camping ordinance.
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
January 15 through January 31: Dump your Christmas tree at a City Drop-Off Site - Public Works 900 S. 10th Ave. or City Well Site 2288 W. Grangeville Blvd.
February 6: Regular City Council Meeting
February 19: City offices closed in observance of Presidents' Day February 20: Regular City Council Meeting
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Paden adjourned the meeting at 9:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk