City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
July 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 Mark Kairis
Council Member Martin Devine
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.
Jennifer Snow, TNT Fireworks representative, provided her background and commented on the ongoing challenges of illegal fireworks, and she stated she supports improving enforcement efforts by the city. She answered questions from Vice Mayor Kairis.
Victor Chavarin Jr. commended the Fire Department on their efforts on the fourth of July. He also shared his concerns regarding the direction the Council gave staff for the Revenue Measure Oversight Board.
Bob Ramos shared his concerns about illegal fireworks in the community. He suggested a community firework show as a solution. He also shared his concerns regarding the discussion of the Revenue Measure Oversight Board.
Jack Schwartz provided his recommendations for the Revenue Measure Oversight Board Meetings guidelines.
Judy Scott suggested the discussion about the Revenue Measure Oversight Board be put on hold until the seat in District C is filled.
Jim Nelson suggested the discussion about the Revenue Measure Oversight Board be put on hold until the seat in District C is filled.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Presentation to Council by the Kings/Tulare Homeless Alliance regarding the 2024 Point-in- Time Count
Kings Tulare Homeless Alliance Executive Director of Operations, Laura Fisher, provided an overview of the Kings Tulare Homeless Alliance (KTHA) and presented the 2024 Point in Time Results for the Council's review. Ms. Fisher answered questions from the Council.
B. Presentation Regarding this Year's Firework Enforcement efforts by the Hanford Fire Department and the Hanford Police Department and a Discussion Regarding Future Efforts
Fire Chief Perkins discussed the Hanford Fire Department and the Hanford Police Department's fireworks enforcement efforts. He also discussed the current legal options, best practices, and staff recommendations. The City Attorney and staff answered questions from the Council. Council directed staff to proceed with the recommendations. Staff will address potential municipal code amendments in future discussions.
C. Discussion of a potential Revenue Measure Oversight Board
Vice Mayor Kairis proposed postponing the item until after the ballot measure results and the election of new council members in November. Finance Director Chris Tavarez gave a brief presentation for the Council's feedback. After a lengthy discussion, the Council came to a consensus to table the discussion until the new council members take office in November.
Mayor Paden adjourned the study session at 6:20 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (54956.9 (d)(2)) 1 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 Mark Kairis
Council Member Martin Devine
Council Member Travis Paden
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Andrea Lott.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Mayor Paden.
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.
A. INFORMATION REPORT - WARRANT REGISTER
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.
Jamie Varela commented on an incident that took place over the weekend in her neighborhood involving fireworks.
She stated that a city employee was lighting off fireworks at his home, and she witnessed a Kings County Deputy watching from down the street.
Anna Brookshier commented on the study session presentation. She also requested to pull consent item H for clarification.
Victor Chavarin Jr. expressed his concerns about the grass fires during the Fourth of July and stressed the importance of passing a tax measure for city operations.
Kimber Regan commented on the illegal fireworks problem and requested that the city increase the fine. She suggested holding a fireworks show in the community again. She also shared concerns about a convicted murderer possibly being released on parole who would live in her neighborhood.
Bob Ramos commented on the convicted murderer mentioned by Ms. Regan. He also spoke in support of the approval of consent item F.
Noor Memon asked about the kiosk in Civic Park and asked why they were taken down. He asked that the city provide him with a space to work. City Attorney Mizote responded to his comments regarding the kiosk.
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 pulled by the City Attorney and moved to the General Business for further discussion. Council Member Devine pulled items B and C, and item H was pulled during public comment.
Motion to approve the consent calendar except for the items pulled for separate discussion.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Martin Devine
Council Member Mark Kairis
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
A. Procedural Waiver: Waive reading in full of resolutions and ordinances and approval and adoption of same by reading title the only.
B. City Attorney: Adoption of Resolution 24-25-R declaring 1074 S. Jordan Way as surplus property and adoption of Notice of Exemption 2024-56.
C. Community Development: Approval of Historic Resources Permit HRA0013-24 to construct two retail and office buildings and associated improvements on a property designated as noncontributing to the Historic Overlay Zone. The project is located at 304 N. Harris St. (APN 010-276-006, -008).
D. Utilities and Engineering: Authorization to
offer a Grant of Easement to Southern California Edison to provide electrical service to Water Well #52 located at the Public Works Corporation Yard (900 S. 10th Avenue, APN 012-233-007).
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the May 7, 2024, Meeting. [Item B]
Pulled by Council Member Devine for clarification.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Martin Devine
Council Member Lou Martinez
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
B. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the May 16, 2024, Special Meeting. [Item C]
Pulled by Council Member Devine for clarification.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
(UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Martin Devine
Council Member Lou Martinez
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
C. Police: Acceptance of the Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program (CTFGP) from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in the amount of $95,298.64. [Item H]
Pulled during public comment.
Police Chief Huddleston provided clarification.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Martin Devine
Council Member Lou Martinez
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
PUBLIC HEARING:
A. Community Development: An amendment to Resolution 18-40-R, amending Right-of- Way Abandonment No. 2018-01 to include a 1,289 square-foot portion of the previous East Lacey Boulevard Abandonment. The project is located on East Lacey Boulevard, west of SR-43.
Mayor Paden opened the public hearing at 7:49 p.m. and called for the staff report. Senior Planner Gabrielle Myers presented the staff report for the Council's review and approval. Staff answered questions from the Council. Mayor Paden closed the public hearing at 7:53.
Public Comment:
Bob Ramos asked for clarification regarding the ownership of the property.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Travis Paden
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
B. Community Development: A request to set the public hearing for August 6, 2024 pertaining to Roadway Abandonment No. 0001-23, a request by QK on behalf of St.
Brigid’s Church (Roman Catholic Bishop of Fresno) to abandon approximately 2,551 square feet of alleyway located north of Florinda Street, between parcels located on Douty Street and Harris Street.
Mayor Paden opened the public hearing at 7:54 p.m. and called for the staff report. Senior Planner Gabrielle Myers presented the staff report for the Council's review and approval. Ms. Myers answered questions from Mayor Paden.
Mayor Paden closed the public hearing at 8:08 p.m.
Public Comment:
Bob Ramos asked for clarification regarding the response from PG&E.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Mark Kairis
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
C. Parks and Community Services: A public hearing to consider the Adoption of Resolution 24-22-R Ordering the Levy and Collection of Assessments as outlined in the 2023/2024 Annual Engineer's Report, which has been prepared pursuant to Chapter 3 of the Landscape and Lighting Act of 1972. The proposed assessments outlined in the Engineer's Report are less than or equal to the authorized maximum assessment for each Landscape Assessment District.
Mayor Paden opened the continued public hearing at 8:09 p.m. and called for the staff report. Dir. Albert presented the staff report for the Council's review and approval and answered questions from the Council. Mayor Paden closed the public hearing at 8:22 p.m.
Public Comment:
None.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Martin Devine
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Finance: Adoption of Resolution No. 24-18-R, establishing the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 tax levy amount for Community Facilities District 2022-01 (Live Oak).
Financial Analyst Aubrey Carri presented the staff report for the Council's review and approval.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Martin Devine
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
B. City Attorney: Adoption of Resolution No. 24-23-R, Action to Declare Abandoned Right- of-Way as Exempt Surplus Property.
City Attorney Ty Mizote discussed resolution 24-23-R for the Council's review and approval and answered questions from the Council.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
City Council Member Martin Devine
Council Member Lou Martinez
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
C. City Attorney: Adoption of Resolution No. 24-24-R, declaring unused right-of-way to be exempt surplus property.
[Consent Item D]
City Attorney Ty Mizote discussed resolution 24-24-R for the Council's review and approval.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Lou Martinez
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
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
None.
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
July 15–August 9: Filing period for City Council Seats in Districts B and C - Kings County Current Election Information
August 6: Regular City Council Meeting
August 20: 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 8:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk