City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
May 23, 2024 5:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER SPECIAL SESSION :
Mayor Paden called the special session to order at 5:00 p.m. Vice-Mayor Kairis led the flag salute, at Mayor Paden's request.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Lou Martinez
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.
Bob Ramos stated that people in District C are disappointed that they have no representation, and the vacant seat in District C should have been considered at this meeting.
Nick Wagner encouraged the Council to take up to 60 days to fill the vacancy in District B.
Donicia Parks stated that the vacancy in District C should have been considered in this meeting, along with District B, and she would appreciate representation in District C.
Jim Nelson stated that the vacancies in District C and District B should be filled at the same time.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Discussion of the revised resignation from Council Member Morrow and direction from the City Council related to the upcoming vacant Council seat in District B.
City Manager Cifuentez provided an update on the pending resignation of Council Member Morrow and the proposed next steps for addressing the vacancy in District B. Mayor Paden also discussed the resubmission of Ms.
Morrow's resignation and the timeline of her departure. City Attorney Mizote addressed the potential issues of having two vacancies. Ms. Morrow stressed the importance of her involvement in selecting her replacement, emphasizing the need to appoint someone with experience. Council Member Martinez, expressed support for making an appointment and suggested that the appointment for District C should also be included. After extensive discussion, it was agreed to accept resumes through email with a deadline of May 31, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. Applicants will then be considered for interviews at the June 4th City Council Meeting Study session, and each of the Council Members will select up to two applicants to be interviewed.
During the discussion, Vice Mayor Kairis made the motion to consider Martin Devine to fill the vacant seat in District B.
There being no second, the motion died.
Motion to accept the appointment process to fill the seat in District B.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Lou Martinez
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kalish Morrow
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 6:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk