City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
December 3, 2024 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION AND CLOSED SESSION:
Mayor Paden called the study session and closed session to order at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL BY THE CITY CLERK:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Martin Devine
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.
Judy Scott asked about tracking requests and responses.
Kimber Regan asked if the app can be used for the reporting illegal fireworks.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Presentation regarding the City of Hanford's new online and mobile app citizen reporting tool, "My Hanford".
Community Relations Manager Brain Johnson presented the city's new online and mobile app citizen reporting tool "My Hanford" for the Council's review and feedback. Staff responded to the questions from the Council. Staff will bring back updates at a future meeting. No action was required, the presentation was for informational purposes only.
Mayor Paden adjourned the study session at 5:39 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (54956.9 (d)(2))
1 Workers Compensation Claim
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Mayor Paden called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Martin Devine
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Pastor Johnny Escalera.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Council Member Devine.
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.
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.
Bob Ramos commented on Mr. Martinez's apology letter and expressed his concerns about the incidents referenced in the letter. He also commented on the Longfield Center.
Mike Cosenza commented on the downtown project and he provided his professional opinion.
Nick Wagner commented on the sale of the courthouse. He also commented General Business Item B and expressed his concerns regarding the community meeting that Mr. Martinez was not allowed to attend.
Rusty Brookshier commented on General Business Item B and expressed his concerns regarding the community meeting that Mr. Martinez was not allowed to attend.
Kimber Regan expressed her concerns about the way she was treated at city hall while she was there to attend a community meeting. She also commented on General Business Item B.
Victor Chavarin Jr. thanked the Council for the recognition for his participation on the Yes on Measure H Committee.
Onan Champi corrected his public comment at the last meeting regarding the courthouse. He also commended Council Member Martinez for his dedication to the city.
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.
Items B, G, J, and K were pulled by the Council.
Motion to Approve the consent calendar except for the items pulled for separate discussion.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
NAYS:
PASSED (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Devine
Council Member Martinez
Travis Paden, Mark Kairis, Martin Devine, Lou Martinez
None
A. Procedural Waiver: Waive reading in full of resolutions and ordinances and approval and adoption of same by reading the title only.
B. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the November 5, 2024, Meeting C. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the November 19, 2024, Meeting D. Administration: Approval of the renewal and Authorization for the City Manager to execute the annual Professional Services Agreement with Thorn Run Partners for federal legislative advocacy services, effective January 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025, for a monthly fee of $5,500.
E. Utilities and Engineering: Approval to enter into a professional services agreement with Willdan Financial Services (Willdan) to provide a Comprehensive Update to the City’s Development Impact Fees and approval to appropriate $105,600 in various Impact Fee Funds to cover the cost of the contract.
F. Utilities and Engineering: Authorization for the City Manager to execute the purchase of an Internalift Screw Pump for installation at the Wastewater Treatment Facility from Evoqua Water Technologies LLC, in the amount of $1,499,999.16, and Appropriation of $1,500,000 from the Wastewater Fund (2073) to cover the cost of the purchase.
G. Finance: Review and Approval of the Annual Report for Development Impact Fees pertaining to City of Hanford Impact Fees for Parks, Circulation, Fire Protection, Police Protection, Storm Water System, Water System, Wastewater System, and Refuse/Recycling for fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the October 1, 2024, Meeting [Item B]
Pulled by Mayor Paden.
Mayor Paden abstained from voting because he was not present at the October 1, 2024 city council meeting.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
Passed
Council Member Martinez
Council Member Devine
Mark Kairis, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
None
Travis Paden
B. Utilities and Engineering: Approval of the establishment of a pre-qualified list of Architecture and Engineering (A&E) Services Consultants to perform on-call professional services as needed (This pre-qualified list will have a performance period of three years, with the option for two one-year extensions) and Authorization for the City Manager to award contracts to the firms identified herein for on-call architecture and engineering (A&E) or other specialty services as needed on a work order basis for a fee amount not to exceed the City Manager’s purchasing authority ($50K). [Item G]
Pulled by Mayor Paden.
Mayor Paden expressed his concerns regarding the selected consultants. Dir. Senteno answered his questions.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
NAYS:
Passed
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Devine
Mark Kairis, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
Travis Paden
C. Finance: Adoption of Ordinance No. 2024-09, Adding Municipal Code 3.50 City of Hanford Sales and Use Tax Ordinance of 2024
[Item J]
Pulled by Council Member Martinez for clarification.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
NAYS:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Martin Devine
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
None
D. Finance: Adoption of Ordinance No. 2024-10, Adding Municipal Code 3.60 City of Hanford Sales and Use Tax Accountability Measures
[Item K]
Pulled by Council Member Martinez for clarification.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
NAYS:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Martinez
Council Member Devine
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Martin Devine, Lou Martinez.
None
PUBLIC HEARING:
A. Community Development: Zone Text Amendment No. 0007-24: A Public Hearing to accept public comments related to a request to conduct a comprehensive amendment to the Hanford Municipal Code Title 17, as directed by the City Council of the City of Hanford. Changes include various land use changes, definition changes and updates, regulation changes, spelling and grammar edits, as well as legally advised edits.
Location: Citywide.
Mayor Paden opened the public hearing at 7:46 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. Council Member Kairis commended staff for their hard work. Mayor Paden closed the public hearing at 8:06 p.m.
Public Comments:
None.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
NAYS:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Martin Devine
Council Member Mark Kairis
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
None
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Finance: Due to the passage of Measure H, Adoption of Resolution 24-45-R, Authorizing City Manager to execute agreements with the California Department of Tax and Administration for implementation of a local transactions and use tax, and Adoption of Resolution 24-46-R for examination of sales or transactions and use tax records Finance Director Chris Tavarez presented the resolutions for the council's review and approval and discussed the next steps.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
NAYS:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Martin Devine
Council Member Lou Martinez
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
None
B. City Attorney: Consideration of a letter submitted by Council Member Lou Martinez in response to complaints filed by City employees.
Mayor Paden provided a brief background regarding the investigation. City Attorney Ty Miztote discussed the complaints that were raised by city employees and Mr. Martinez's letter, apologizing to the City Council and the affected city employees.
Motion to to accept the letter submitted by Council Member Martinez.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
NAYS:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Martin Devine
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Martin Devine
None
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 Council asked staff to bring back a study session discuss about the homelessness and the city's capabilities in addressing this issue.
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
December 17: Regular City Council Meeting
December 21: Walk with a Doc at Centennial Park 9:00 am - 10:00 am More Info December 24-Jan 1: City offices closed in observance of the holidays.
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 8:29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk