City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
February 4, 2025 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
4:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION:
Mayor Martinez called the study session at 4:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL BY THE CITY CLERK:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Kimber Regan
Council Member Nancy Howze
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 commented on the selection process, and expressed his concerns regarding Council Member Kairis's comments regarding the applicant selection. Mr. Kairis responded to his comment.
Jack Schwartz provided his suggestions for appropriate disclosure of the applicants and who should be known by the community.
Victor Chavarin Jr. commented on the importance of district representation.
Judy Scott commented on the applicant selection.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Presentation by Greg Burns of Thorn Run Partners, the City of Hanford's contracted federal lobbying firm, with updates on national legislative matters and discussion of possible legislation and actions that Council should be aware of for the coming year.
Greg Burns of Thorn Run Partners provided his background, and discussed the possible legislation and actions that the Council should be aware of for the coming year. The Council thanked Mr. Burns for his continued work.
B. Council discussion of the process to appoint members to the Measure H Oversight Board after the close of the initial application period.
Finance Director Chris Tavarez and Finance Manager Destiny Borba discussed the proposed process to appoint advisory board members to the Measure H Oversite Board for the Council's review and direction. Staff answered questions from the Council. The Council directed staff to move forward with the review and selection process. Staff will bring back the applications on February 18, 2024, study session for the Council's direction.
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Mayor Martinez called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. He also announced that the general business item will be postponed and presented at the next council meeting due to the attendance of the presenting consultant.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Kimber Regan
Council Member Nancy Howze
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Cara Fleming.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Council Member Howze.
RECOGNITION:
A. Recognition of Cara Fleming for her community contributions through "Operation Christmas Blessing".
The Council recognized Cara Fleming for her fundraising efforts through "Operation Christmas Blessing".
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.
Dennis Ham asked that Planning Commissioner training be included in the budget.
SoniaToste, photographer and business owner, commented on the homeless issue around her business, and the incidents that have occurred since she moved to her new location on11th Ave. Staff responded to her concerns.
Alex Dwiggens, Civil Engineer with Zumwalt Hansen and Associates, commented on Item I and addressed the second section of the staff report and thanked staff for the opportunity to continue to provide services to the city. He responded to questions from the Council.
Rusty Brookshier commented on Mark Kairis's comment regarding the selection process for the advisory board members.
Bob Ramos commented on Item E and asked that the item be pulled from consent and he asked that the Council vote on the annexation parts separately. He also commented on the Major Crimes Task Force.
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 E and F were pulled by the Council. Motion to approve the consent calendar except for the items pulled for separate consideration.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Kimber Regan
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze A. 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 December 3, 2024 Meeting C. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the December 5, 2024 Special Meeting D. City Attorney: Approval of the Settlement Agreement in the matter of Tina Threadgill v.
City of Hanford et al.
E. Public Works: Approval of a change order to increase the limit of fiscal year 24/25 purchase order No. 22500168, with E.M. Tharpe Inc., from $26,430 to $99,430 to cover the cost of repairs related to State mandated smoke tests and required repairs, on four (4) Refuse trucks that previously failed annual smoke test and Appropriation of $73,000 from Fleet Maintenance Fund 0447.
F. Utilities and Engineering: Authorization for the Utilities and Engineering Director to send a letter to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), requesting the extension of water service for one commercial business in the County of Kings, without annexation by the City of Hanford. (APN 014-241-002, 8972 E. Lacey Boulevard).
G. Utilities and Engineering: Approval of a contract with Interwest Consulting Group for City Surveyor services, appointing Michael Long, PLS, as the designated Acting City Surveyor up to $200,000 annually; Approval of an extension of the existing Architectural and Engineering Services Agreement with QK through April 6, 2026 to provide as- needed survey and/or engineering services; and Authorization for the City Manager to award on-call survey, engineering, or specialty service contracts on a work order basis within the City Manager’s purchasing authority of $50,000.
H. Finance: Approval of the addition of two (2) full-time positions to the City's position control budget, an Administrative Assistant position for City Hall (Administration) and an Administrative Analyst for the Fire Department and appropriate $46,000 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2024/2025 for the additions.
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Community Development: Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 25-01, approving Prezone No. 0001-24 Parts 9, 12, 13, and 14 for the areas proposed to be annexed under Annexation 163 Parts 9, 12, 13, and 14 (Substantially Surrounded Island Annexations).
[Item E]
Pulled during public comment.
Staff presented the ordinance for the Council's review and approval. Staff responded to questions from the Council.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Mark Kairis
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
B. Community Development: Approval of an Appropriation of $118,530 in the General Fund for Energy Efficiency Equipment Purchases, to be reimbursed by the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, to purchase an Electric Pickup Truck and Air Conditioning Unit, and Authorize the City Manager to Approve Purchases Following Competitive Quote Process. [Item F]
Pulled by Mayor Martinez.
Administrative Analyst Olivia Morales answered questions from Mayor Martinez.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Travis Paden
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Presentation to the City Council of the Draft Active Transportation Plan and direction from Council as warranted.
During Council Reports, the Council approved to move this item to the next meeting.
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) The Council requested future study sessions on the Major Crimes Task Force, the keeping of chickens ordinance, and a policy to end city council meetings by 9:00 p.m.
A. Council Future Agenda Items
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
February 12: City/County Coordinating Meeting - City of Avenal February 17:City offices closed in observance of President's Day February 18: Regular City Council Meeting
March 4: 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 Martinez adjourned the meeting at 8:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk
[MIN_SIGNATURES]