City Council Special Meeting
Minutes
May 16, 2024 5:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER SPECIAL SESSION:
Mayor Paden called the special meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL BY THE CITY CLERK:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Kalish Morrow
PUBLIC COMMENT:
This meeting is a Special Meeting 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.
Victor Chavarin Jr. commented on the increase in the fee for a Fireworks Booth Inspections.
Bob Ramos commented on the Fireworks Booth Inspection fee. He also commented on the public safety building, the vacancy in District C, and the future vacancy in District B.
Donicia Parks read an email from the City Manager and commented on Krash. Ms. Parks asked that the Council appoint someone who will read their emails.
Nick Wagner expressed his concerns regarding the upcoming vacancy in Ditsric B and the proposed timeline to make the appointment.
Kimber Regan commented on the design of the proposed public safety building and the potential ballot measure.
Morgan Kanae thanked the Council and the Police Department for their service. She also commented on Council Member Morrow's resignation.
Dave Ayers commented on General Business Items B, C, and D and he shared his experience of attending the Revenue Measure Committee meetings.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Finance: Presentation and Council review and discussion of the Draft City of Hanford Master Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
Finane Analyst Aubrey Carri and Accounting Clerk David Chang presented the Master Fee Schedule and the proposed changes for the Council's review and direction. Staff answered questions from the Council. After much discussion, the Council provided feedback and direction to add the non-residential fee for the Parks and Community Services indoor Facility Civic Grounds Rental and a fee reduction for the Fire Department's Fireworks Booth Admin inspection. Staff will present the final Master Fee Schedule during a public hearing at the June 4th City Council Meeting for the Council's review and approval.
B. Finance: Approval of professional services agreement with Darden Architects for Phase 1 Planning and Preliminary Project Assessment for a new Public Safety Building for up to $1,111,645 and appropriation of the same amount of funding in the General Fund.
City Manager Cifuentez presented the services agreement for Phase 1 of the planning and preliminary project assessment for a new public safety building for the Council's review and approval. He also provided clarification of the recommendations and motions. Staff addressed the Council's questions and concerns. After some discussion, the Council reached a consensus to postpone the project until all funding is identified.
Motion to put the project on hold.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Lou Martinez
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kalish Morrow
C. Finance: Award and authorization for the City Manager to enter into a professional services agreement with Randle Communications (Sacramento, CA) for $72,500 for potential ballot measure information outreach services and appropriate the amount in the General Fund.
Deputy City Manager Jason Waters presented the professional services agreement for potential ballot measure information outreach services. City Manager Cifuentez reminded the Council about the upcoming presentation by the consultant at the June 4th City Council Meeting. Staff emphasized the importance of community outreach and explained the thought process behind the Request for Proposal (RFP). Staff answered questions from the Council. The Council expressed some concerns regarding approving the agreement before the discussion and consideration of the ballot measure.
Motion to Table until June 4, 2024.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Kalish Morrow
Council Member Mark Kairis
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez
D. Administration: Discussion of Council Options and direction from the City Council related to the upcoming vacant Council seat in District B and the existing vacant seat in District C.
City Manager Cifuentez presented the options related to the upcoming vacant Council seat in District B and the existing vacant seat in District C for the Council's review and direction. Council Member Morrow shared her decision to move out of state before her term was over and expressed her interest in participating in the appointment process to fill her seat in District B. Both Council Member Martinez and Mayor Paden spoke in support of leaving the seat vacant until the November election. The Council discussed all options and staff addressed their questions. City Attorney Ty Mizote expressed concerns about the Council having only three members.
Vice Mayor Kairis made the motion to move forward with the appointment process for District B and C, seconded by Council Member Morrow:
Motion Failed 2/2
Vice Mayor Kairis made the motion to move forward with the appointment process for District B, seconded by Council Member Morrow:
Motion Failed 2/2
Mayor Paden made the motion to leave the two seats vacant until the November 5, 2024, Election, seconded by Council Member Martinez:
Motion Failed 2/2
Break 7:10 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
Following further discussion, Council Member Morrow rescinded her resignation as the Council was unable to reach a majority decision.
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 7:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk