City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
March 4, 2025 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION:
Mayor Martinez called the study 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 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.
Judy Scott expressed her concerns about allowing comments on the city's social media. She also provided her suggestions of how the city can share information.
Jim Castleman expressed his opposition to allowing comments on the city's social media platforms.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Council Review and Discussion of the 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) - Annual Action Plan
Housing Analyst Sandra Lerma presented the CDBG Annual Action Plan for the Council's review and input. She provided a timeline for the next steps, and staff addressed questions from the Council. Bobbie Wartson from the Kings County Commission on Aging was present to share program details and answer questions. The Council directed staff to allocate any additional funds, up to the cap, to the Commission on Aging.
B. Presentation to Council regarding the City's CalPers Unfunded Accrued Liability and Pension Obligation Bonds update and challenges
Finance Director Chris Tavarez provided a brief overview and NHA Advisors Vice President, Mike Meyer, presented the CALPERS Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL) and Pension Update. Staff and Mr. Meyer answered questions from the Council. The presentation was for information purposes only; no action was required.
C. Presentation to the City Council about potential changes to the City's social media platforms, including the ability for the public to comment on City posts under a 'Limited Public Forum' structure and discussion of the City's first Social Media Policy.
Community Relations Manager Brian Johnson and City Attorney Ty Mizote addressed potential changes to the City's social media platforms at the request of the Council members. They discussed the legalities of permitting public comments with recommended restrictions. Council Members Kairis and Howze opposed allowing comments on the City's social media platforms. Staff responded to questions from the Council. After some discussion, the consensus was to allow public comments with specified restrictions. The City Attorney will work with staff to draft a social media policy allowing comments on the City's social media platforms. Staff will bring back a policy for the Council's review and approval.
Mayor Martinez adjourned the study session at 6:53 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Mayor Martinez called the meeting to order at 7:02 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 Johnny Escalera.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Jack Howze.
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 events and meetings they attended.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Valley Community Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Gil Cardon, Business Advisor at the Amtrak station office, introduced himself and talked about the assistance the program offers.
Stella Rubalcava Yarbrough commented on Winter Wonderland and the advertisements in the village and in the ice rink.
Rick Cardoza expressed his concerns about the carport at his parents' house, the required permits, and his experience and the Code Enforcement staff.
Judy Scott spoke in support of the Action Transportation Plan.
Bob Ramos talked about his encounter with Council Member Mark Kairis, suggesting that Mr. Kairis should be censured. He also commented on the Sheriff's Department's airplanes, the trial involving the City and Paula Lofgren, and he proposed that the city consider hiring a new city attorney. The City Manager addressed the issue related to the airport risk matter.
Willliam Harmon commented on People's Ditch. He asked that the city find grants to fix the ground and infrastructure. He also expressed his concerns regarding the walking trail.
Jim Castleman commented on the Winter Wonderland final report and the success of the event. He questioned the plan for the recovery of the grass area in Civc Park. He also provided suggestions for a different layout for Winter Wonderland.
Nick Wagner commented on the Action Transportation Plan and the community feedback. He also suggested that the city hire a new city attorney.
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.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Mark Kairis
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. IT: Authorization to purchase Implementation Services with Tyler Technologies for the Water Meter Replacement Project and appropriate $42,600 in the Water Fund to cover the cost of the services.
C. Parks and Community Services: Appropriation of $40,000 from the General Fund for the Century of Memories - Civic Auditorium's Centennial Celebration D. Utilities and Engineering: Adoption of Resolution No.25-06-R regarding the public transit needs within the City of Hanford, and approve the filing of a Notice of Exemption to certify that projects to be constructed with these funds are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, and authorization for the City Manager to sign and submit a claim for TDA funds and any subsequent amended claims.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Parks and Community Services: 2024/2025 Winter Wonderland Final Report and appropriation of $49,999 from the General Fund to allow for the payment of the two drone shows, which will be funded by the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Control District for the Clean Alternatives to Fireworks Grant Program
Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert presented the final report for Winter Wonderland. He also discussed the grant from San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Control District that funded the drone shows. The Council thanked staff and provided their input for improvements for next season. Dir. Albert proposed adding concrete to the park before the market starts in May. Staff answered questions from the Council.
Motion to Approve the appropriation of $49,999 from the General Fund to allow for the payment of the two drone shows, which will be funded by the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Control District for the Clean Alternatives to Fireworks Grant Program.
RESULT:
MOVER:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
SECONDER:
AYES:
Council Member Mark Kairis
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze B. Parks and Community Services: Adoption of the 2025 Active Transportation Plan Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert presented the 2025 Active Transportation Plan for the Council's review and approval. Staff answered questions from the Council.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Nancy Howze
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, 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 18: Regular City Council Meeting
March 27: League of California Cities Policy Committee Meetings, Burbank April 1: 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 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk