City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
February 18, 2025 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
4:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION:
Mayor Martinez called the study session to order 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.
Study Session Item A:
Judy Scott commented on the advisory board member selection.
Study Session Item C:
Lisa Warnoff Hurdleston commented on the crime in Fresno. She shared her concerns about the increasing crime in Hanford. She stated that the Major Crimes Task Force needs representation from the Hanford Police Department.
Donicia Parks shared her concerns regarding the Major Crimes Task Force.
Larry Faria thanked the Hanford Police Department and stated that he supports the police department's decision to withdraw from the Major Crimes Task Force.
Brent McCreary, President of the Hanford Police Officer's Association, read a statement from the Hanford Police Officer's Association in support of the decision of the Hanford Police Department to withdraw from the Major Crimes Task Force.
District Attorney Sarah Hacker stated that she is not in support of the Hanford Police Department's decision to separate from the Major Crimes Task Force. Council Member Karis responded to her concerns and suggested that she meet with Chief Huddleston regarding the matter.
Jack Amoroso expressed his support for the Hanford Police Department's choice to withdraw from the Major Crimes Task Force.
Bob Ramos thanked the Mayor for allowing more time for Ms. Hacker to speak during public comment.
Jake Hower disagreed with the Hanford Police Department's choice to withdraw from the Major Crimes Task Force.
He also commented on a text message from a city official.
Robert Therist commented on his experience on a task force, and he encouraged the support of the Council for the Hanford Police Department to participate in the Major Crimes task Force.
Chris Jordan shared his law enforcement background. He commented on the importance of the collaboration between the King's County agencies. He also suggested a mediator for a meeting with the agencies to resolve any issues.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Council Review and Approval of the Application Ranking List for Measure H Oversight Board Interviews
Finance Director Chris Tavarez provided an overview of the process and outlined the upcoming phases for the Council's review and direction. Both Council Members Martinez and Regan were in favor of an interview process. After much discussion about whether to conduct interviews or move forward with appointing the top eleven highest-ranked candidates, Vice Mayor Paden made a motion to accept the top eleven candidates without interviews.
Motion to accept the top elevn (11) applicants to be appointed to the Measure H Oversight Board.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
NAYS:
Passed
Council Member Paden
Council Member Kairis
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Nancy Howze
Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan
B. Update on the "A Century of Memories" - Civic Auditorium's Centennial Celebration & Carnegie Car Show
Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert discussed the event and the planning details for the Council's consideration. He highlighted that the budget presented was a high estimate and that staff would return with a finalized budget for Council approval. Staff addressed questions from the Council, and they offered suggestions regarding event advertising and setup. The Council agreed that admission to the event should be free to the public. Jack Schwartz raised concerns about insurance requirements and is working with the city attorney on the matter.
C. Hanford Police Department Annual Report: Enhancing Community Safety Through Strategic Focus and Resource Reallocation
Police Chief Stephanie Huddleston and Captain James Lutz presented the Police Department's annual report for the Council's review and feedback. The report will be on the city website for the public's review. Chief Huddleston also discussed the Street Crimes Unit and the police department's goals. She also discussed the reasoning for the department's decision to withdraw from the Major Crimes Task Force. Council Member Regan expressed some concerns regarding the Chief's decision. Staff answered questions and addressed the concerns from the Council.
Mayor Martinez adjourned the study session at 6:42 p.m.
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 Kimber Regan
Council Member Nancy Howze
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Pastor Rich Johnson.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Larry Faria.
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 - JANUARY 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.
Richard Conway commented on his property and tree trimming and citations. He expressed his concerns regarding the city's process and suggested the violation fees be decreased.
Nancy Nogatani expressed some concerns about the safety of students walking to school and the lack of crosswalks in the area of her children's school.
Michelle Brown, Executive Director for Main Street Hanford, commented on General Business item B, and explained the need for the crow abatement.
Sherri Patterson thanked the Council for allowing the use of the Longfield Center for Special Olympics.
Diane Gilmartin, Special Olympics Coach, thanked the Council for allowing them to use the Longfield Center.
Dee Fricks, Special Olympics Area Director, thanked Mr. Martinez and the city for allowing the organization to use the Longfield Center.
Anna Brookshire questioned the warrant registered. She also commented on the Measure H Oversight Board.
Frank Senteno provided an update on the traffic study.
Kim Harmon shared her concerns regarding the municipal code pertaining to basketball hoops.
Michael James Retnick commented on the lack of jobs in Kings County and the homeless issue.
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 F and G were pulled by the Council.
Motion to approve the consent calendar except for the items pulled for separate discussion.
RESULT:
MOVER:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
SECONDER:
AYES:
Council Member Nancy Howze
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 17, 2024 Meeting C. Utilities and Engineering: Approval of an additional appropriation of $363,099 from the Storm Drain Capital Fund for the construction of the Sand Slough Interconnect project on Houston Avenue east of Alpine Street; and Approval of a reimbursement to Presidio JJR, the developer of Live Oak East Tract 881, Unit 1, in the amount of $461,681 to construct the project.
D. Finance: Acceptance and authorization for staff to File the City of Hanford's Quarterly Investment Portfolio and Transactions Reports as of 12/31/2024.
E. Finance: Adoption of Resolution 25-05-R to amend the appropriations limit (Gann Appropriations Limit) for the 2023/2024 fiscal year in the amount of $87,090,868 for the General Fund as required by Propositions 4 and 111, which creates a restriction on the amount of tax revenue which can be appropriated by a City in any fiscal year.
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Fire: Appropriation of $62,250 from the General Fund to 16110000- 732000 – Communications, to approval for the Fire Department to enter into a contract for Technical Computer services with TABLET COMMAND Inc.
[Item F]
Pulled by Vice Mayor Paden.
Staff answered questions from Vice Mayor Paden.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Nancy Howze
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
B. Police: Approval of the Military equipment inventory and usage report consistent with the requirements of AB 481.
[Item G]
Pulled by Mayor Martinez.
Sgt. Chad Allen provided a brief summary for the Council's review and approval, and answered questions from the Council.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
SECONDER:
AYES:
Council Member Kimber Regan
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Parks and Community Services: Presentation to the City Council of the Draft Active Transportation Plan and direction from Council as warranted.
Parks and Community Director Brad Albert and Alta Planning representative Doug Areseneault presented the Active Transportation Plan for the Council's review and direction. The Council provided their feedback. Staff and Doug answered questions from the Council. The presentation was for informational purposes only. Dir. Albert will bring back the recommendation for adoption on March 4, 2025.
B. Administration: Approval to partner with Main Street Hanford for the annual contract with Hawk on Hand (previously Integrated Avian Solutions) to continue to provide Falconer services in Downtown Hanford and areas outside of the Business Improvement District, for an amount not to exceed $26,800, and appropriate the same amount for the City's portion for Calendar Year 2025 services.
City Manager Cifuentez provided a summary for the Council's review and direction. Vice Mayor Paden supports covering the full cost of the services. Staff and Main Street Hanford's Director, Michelle Brown, answered questions from the Council.
Motion to approve with the amendment that the city will cover 100% of the cost.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
NAYS:
Passed
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Kimber Regan
Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan
Mark Kairis, Nancy Howze
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
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
March 4: Regular City Council Meeting
March 18: 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} 9:01 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
CIty Clerk