City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
March 5, 2024 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION:
Mayor Paden called the study session to order at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL BY THE CITY CLERK:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Lou Martinez
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.
Dennis Ham commented on the Downtown Pedestrian Safety & Traffic Circulation Study. He questioned the budget and parking spaces.
Rusty Brookshier commented on the speed limit. He suggested spending the city's money on infrastructure. Mr.
Brookshier spoke in opposition to the roundabout.
Bob Ramos provided his opinion of the project. He also questioned the feedback from the business owners. Mayor Paden responded to his comment regarding the meeting with the downtown business owners.
Rob Bently commented on the proposed roundabout. He also commented on an interview about the KART facility and the Irwin Street drainage problem.
Kimber Regan commented on the recent meeting the city had with the downtown business owners. She spoke in opposition to the roundabout. Vice Mayor Kairis responded to her comments.
Brian Fagundes commented on the downtown parking He stated the city needs to prioritize non vehiclure passengers.
Angel Rodriguez commented on the meeting that city had with the downtown business owners. She stated it was clear that the business owners did not want a roundabout downtown. She also shared her concerns about the condition of the sidewalks and the parking in the downtown area.
Main Street Hanford's Executive Director, Michelle Brown commented on the presented photos and expressed her concerns regarding other issues in the downtown area. She also commented on the need for more parking.
Kirsten Bookout commented on the downtown business owner meeting. She also shared her concerns regarding the parking downtown. She spoke in support of a four was stop on Seveth Street and Douty Street intersection.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Council review of the preliminary design and project report for the Downtown Improvement Project
Deputy City Manager Jason Waters discussed the background of the project. Interwest Consulting Group, Gianno Feoli, Alex Camacho, and Bill Evans discussed the project design and project status, and answered questions from the Council.
They also discussed the feedback they received from the downtown business owners. The Council discussed the intersection performance measures, and the expressed concerns from the downtown business owners. Staff answered questions from the Council. The presentation was for informational purposes only. The project will be presented to the Council for their review direction at the March 19th regular city council meeting. The Council also directed staff to add a second public comment section during the discussion of the project during General Business.
Mayor Paden adjourned the study session at 6:44 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Mayor Paden called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Diane Sharp
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Rev. Bobby Guerra.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Hanford High School Schoool ASB President Isiaih Torres.
RECOGNITION:
A. Badge Pinning Ceremony and Oath of Office for the promotion of Justin Vallin and Jason Gustin to Police Lieutenant.
Police Chief Huddleston introduced and congratulated Lieutenants Justin Vallin and Jason Gustin. City Clerk Natalie Corral administered the oath of office.
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 events and meetings 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.
Ian Eck commented on Bottoms Up Espresso. He requested their business license be revoked.
Tony Guerrero complained about the curb being painted red in front of his upholstery shop. The City Manager responded to his comment.
Santiago Rodriguez commented on Bottoms Up Espresso, and he prayed about the situation.
Garry Rocha commented on Bottoms Up Espresso. He stated the business is violating the municipal code as an adult entertainment business.
Bob Ramos commented on the downtown project meeting held at city hall.
Michael Quinn thanked the city and congratulated the Finance Department for receiving the Government Finance Officers Association "Distinguished Budget Presentation Award". He also commented on the downtown project.
Anna Brookshier questioned the notice sent to the downtown businesses regarding the meeting at city hall.
John Lanspa commented on an abandon house on South Street and the homeless people who are living there.
Stella Ramirez commented on the homeless issue at a home on South Street. She asked for help from the city. The Council responded to her comments.
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.
Item D was requested to be pulled during public comment.
Motion to approve the consent calendar except for the items are 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 February 6, 2024, Meeting C. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the February 20, 2024, Meeting D. Public Works: Confirmation of pre-approval of an emergency purchase of a submersible stand-by pump for use at the Wastewater Treatment Plant from Rockwell Engineering & Equipment Company in the amount of $78,259.13 and appropriation of $79,000 from the Wastewater Fund (2073).
E. Public Works: Authorization to Award a contract to Pacific Polymers, d.b.a. American Foam Experts of Galt, CA for the Hanford Airport Fixed Base Operations (FBO) Building Roof Restoration project in the amount of $55,400.
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Administration: Introduction of Ordinance No. 24-03 amending Section 12.24 to Title 12 of the Municipal Code, thereby amending sections related to City Properties and the acceptable use of these properties by the public.
[Item D]
Pulled during public comment. City Manager Cifuentez provided a brief overview of Ordinance 24-03 for the Council's review and approval.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Lou Martinez
Diane Sharp, Mark Kairis, Kalish Morrow, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS:
At this time, any Council Member may ask a question for clarification or may request a matter, which is not otherwise scheduled on a City Council agenda, to be placed on a future agenda. The Council Member referring the item shall provide sufficient information as to the nature of the item. The City Council, by concurrence of a majority, may direct the City Manager to put the item on a future agenda. (GOV. CODE SEC. 54954.2)
A. Council Future Agenda Items
It was a council consensus to direct staff to bring back the review and discussion of the Council committees and board assignments, the potential censure for Mr. Martinez, and the city commission.
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
March 6: Revenue Measure Committee Meeting in the City Hall Training Room 6:00 p.m.
March 19: Regular City Council Meeting
April 2: Regular City Council Meeting
ADJOURNMENT:
Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the City Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available to public inspection in the City Clerk’s Office located at 319 N. Douty Street, Hanford, California 93230, during normal business hours. Such agendas are also available, at the city’s website, www.cityofhanfordca.com subject to staff’s ability to post the agenda before the meeting. If you need a disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s office, 559-585-2515, 319 N. Douty Street, Hanford, California 93230, at least 2 days prior to the meeting {28 CFR 35.102.35.104 ADA Title II} Mayor Paden adjourned the meeting at 8:06 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk