City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
August 6, 2024 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION AND CLOSED SESSION:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Martin Devine
ROLL CALL BY THE CITY CLERK:
Mayor Paden called the study session and closed session to order at 5:00 p.m.
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.
Bob Ramos talked about the history of Hidden Valley Park. Mr. Ramos also provided his feedback on the development of the park.
Brian Fagundes provided his feedback about the design, and questioned the sidewalk on Cortner St. He also questioned the plan for park lighting and shade structures.
Deena Mathers, a neighbor to Hidden Valley Park, expressed her concerns regarding the park concept. She also raised concerns about the noise that might occur during future construction.
Anna Brookshier questioned the number of restrooms included in the the park design.
Victor Chavarin Jr. spoke in support of concepts number 4 and 5. He also expressed his concerns about the availability of baseball courts and softball fields in the community.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Presentation to the City Council regarding potential expansion and improvements of Hidden Valley Park and direction as appropriate.
Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert presented the conceptual designs of Hidden Valley Park for the Council's Review and direction. Dir. Albert addressed the probable cost and the rezoning process. Staff is expecting to arrange a public hearing in November. Dir. Albert also discussed the possibility of funding sources. City Manager Cifuentez pointed out that the costs for the required studies to be included in the project are not accounted for in the presented budget and are inaccurate. The Council questioned the presented designs and funding sources. After some discussion, the Council directed staff to move forward with concept number 5 and bring back the cost to move forward on the project.
Mayor Paden adjourned the study session at 6:19 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 Travis Paden
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Martin Devine
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Rev. Bobby Guerra.
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 members discussed the meetings and events they attended. The City Manager discussed the replacement of the trees at the Sports Complex. City Attorney Mizote announced that the anticipated discussion about the K9 policy has been canceled due to potential litigation.
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.
Jim Carpenter commented on the Krash matter. He requested a memorial bench and a community event to celebrate Krash. He also spoke in support of a tax measure.
Jack Amoroso provided his background and discussed his involvement in developing the K9 contract. He stated the Hanford Police Officers Association (HPOA) requested it and the K9 handlers supported the contract. He also addressed the allegations seen on social media.
Onan Champi addressed an email that he sent to the Council. City Manager Cifuentez responded to his comments.
Jamie Barela expressed her concerns about the Goodwill's trash and people living in the bushes. She also requested more law enforcement in the school site areas.
Noor Memon requested that the city open an investigation on the City Council. City Attorney Mizote and City Manager Cifuentez addressed his comments.
Bobby Guerra asked how the community can help make a difference in the city. Vice Mayor Kairis responded to his question.
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.
Staff requested that item H be pulled from the consent calendar for separate discussion.
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
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 May 23, 2024, Special Meeting C. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the June 4, 2024, Meeting D. Parks and Community Services: Authorization to accept and appropriate the funding in the General Fund for the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grant in the amount of $1,000,000 and Authorization for the City Manager to execute the grant agreement.
E. Public Works: Approval of the sole source purchase of one (1) Vac-Con TAQD312HE/1300 truck from Vac-Con Incorporated of Green Cove Springs Florida for $776,614.39 and authorization for the sale of the City's 2009 Vac truck #174 as surplus equipment.
F. Public Works: Appropriate $66,251.55 from 20500000-825003 (Fleet Reserves Fund) and affirm emergency approval of the sole source quote and authorize repairs for engine replacement in Fire Engine #164 for $66,251.55 with Golden State Peterbilt of Porterville, CA.
G. Utilities and Engineering: Authorization for the City Manager to sign a Grant of Easement from the City of Hanford to Southern California Edison for electrical service to a landscape irrigation meter located on Lot “A” of Tract 915, Unit #2 at the northeast corner of the intersection of Aquifer Drive and Carnegie Street.
H. Finance: Acceptance and authorization for staff to File the City of Hanford's Quarterly Investment Portfolio and Transactions Reports as of 06/30/2024.
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Fire: Approve Contract for Essential Data services for the Fire Department for $40,102 year one, and $31,070 in subsequent years for up to five years. [Item H]
Pulled by the City Manager for clarification.
City Manager Cifuentez clarified that the staff report did not include the request to appropriate an additional $34,231 from the General Fund for FY25, approved by the Finance Director Chirs Tavarez.
Motion to approve the Contract for Essential Data Services for the Fire Department and appropriate an additional $34, 231 from the General Fund for FY25.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Martin Devine
Council Member Travis Paden
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
PUBLIC HEARING:
A. Community Development: A Public Hearing to consider 1) General Plan Amendment No. 0001-23: a request to change the general plan designation from Neighborhood Commercial to Neighborhood Mixed Use on 5-acres located at the northwest of the intersection of Grangeville Boulevard and Centennial Drive (APN) 009-030-142. 2) Rezone No. 0001-23: a request to change the zoning from C-N Neighborhood Commercial to MX-N Neighborhood Mixed Use on a 5-acre site with a Planned Unit Development overlay. 3) Planned Unit Development No. 0036-24: a request to allow cross-access, shared driveways, and application of mixed-use standards to permit a vertical mixed-use development. 4) Variance No. 0009-23: a request to deviate from the standards of Section 17.24.130 of the Hanford Municipal Code, to eliminate the block wall requirement between an existing apartment complex and a proposed apartment complex and provide a slated chain link fencing between the proposed apartment complex and a City basin. 5) Mitigated Negative Declaration No. 2024-57: Certifying that the project will have a less than significant impact on the environment with the incorporation of mitigation measures.
Mayor Paden opened the public hearing at 7:44 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 the Council and provided clarification for the public. Mayor Paden closed the public hearing at 8:08 p.m.
IN-FAVOR:
Scott Vincent, Project Architech, commented on the project and shared his experience working with the city staff. He also addressed the size of the site.
OPPOSSED:
Irene Torres, an investor, commented on the site and the impact the project will have on the residents in the area. She spoke in opposition to the commercial portion of the project.
1. Motion to certify Mitigated Negative Declaration No. 2024-57 (SCH# 2024050798) for the project.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Martin Devine
Council Member Lou Martinez
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
2. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 24-29-R, approving General Plan Amendment No. 0001-23.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Martin Devine
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
3. Motion to introduce and waive the first reading of Ordinance 24-07, approving Rezone No. 0001-23.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOU
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Travis Paden
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
4. Motion to approve to adopt Resolution No. 24-30-R, approving Planned Unit Development No. 0036-24.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Martin Devine
Council Member Travis Paden
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
5. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 24-31-R, approving Variance No. 0009-23.
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: Public Hearing to consider and receive public comment related to Roadway Abandonment No. 0001-23: Adoption of Resolution No. 24-32-R approving the vacation and abandonment of approximately 2,551 square feet of right-of- way, an alley, located north of Florinda Street, between Douty and Harris Streets.
Mayor Paden opened the public hearing at 8:09 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 also addressed an error in the resolution and presented the amended resolution. Ms. Myers answered questions from the Council. Mayor Paden closed the public hearing at 8:14 p.m.
IN-FAVOR:
Onan Champi spoke in favor.
OPPOSSED:
None.
Motion to Approve as amended.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Lou Martinez
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Parks and Community Services: Approval of the purchase agreement with Everything Ice to purchase a 60' x 100' ice rink, ten skate aids, and a used propane Zamboni Model 500 for $186,737.86; Authorization for the City Manager to execute the necessary documents; and additional Appropriation of $80,057.52 from the General Fund to fund the purchase.
Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert presented the agreement for the Council's review and approval. Dir.
Albert answered questions from the Council.
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
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
The Mayor and Vice Mayor requested updates on the Camping Ordinance and the Business Improvement District (BID) Ordinance. Mayor Paden suggested postponing the discussion of the BID Ordinance and emphasized that the BID funds should be allocated to Main Street Hanford. Staff will provide updates on both items at a future meeting.
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
August 10: Grand Opening of Earl F. Johnson Park Playground, 9:00 a.m. More Info August 20: Regular City Council Meeting
September 2: City offices will be closed in observance of Labor Day September 3: Canceled City Council Meeting
September 17: 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 8:37p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk