City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
March 18, 2025 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION AND CLOSED SESSION:
Mayor Martinez 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 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.
Jack Schwartz provided his suggestions for sharing information with the public. He also questioned the budget and the fees for new developers.
Larry Faria commented on the allowed number of chickens.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report presentation for the year ending June 30, 2024 (Fiscal Year 2024)
Finance Director Chris Tavarez presented the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the year ended June 30, 2024 (Fiscal Year 2024) for the Council's review and feedback. RAMS Certified Public Accountants presented the Audit Report. Dir. Tavarez also discussed the city's budget process and answered questions from the Council. This presentation was for information purposes only; no action was required.
B. Council overview of the Fiscal Year 2026/27 (FY27) and 2027/28 (FY28) Budget Outlook Finance Director Chris Tavarez presented an overview of the overall budget outlook for Fiscal Years 2025/2026 and 2026/2027. Staff answered questions from the Council. The presentation was for information purposes only; no action was required.
C. Review of Hanford Municipal Code Chapter 6.10 - Keeping of Chickens and discussion of possible changes to the Municipal Code related to the number of Chickens allowed in Residential zones.
Deputy City Manager Jason Waters and Senior Planner Gabrielle Myers provided an overview of the ordinance, including its background and general considerations for the Council's review. After much discussion, the Council reached a consensus to make no amendments to the ordinance at this time.
Mayor Martinez adjourned the study session at 6:22 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (54956.9 (d)(2))
1 Potential Case.
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Mayor Martinez 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 Lori Niles.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Vice 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 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.
Chad Fagundes spoke about Koinonia Church's Serve Day event and asked for the city's assistance, and he commented on the email he sent to the council members. The City Manager responded to his comments.
Fred Johnson, Rusty Brookshier and Bob Ramos suggested the city use another law firm other than Griswold LaSalle.
Susan Davis announced that Star Restaurant is open for business.
Cynthia Martin Armstead asked about a senior center.
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 Mark Kairis
Council Member Travis Paden
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 January 21, 2025, Meeting.
C. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the February 4, 2025, Meeting.
D. Administration: Authorization for the City to accept and appropriate an FAA Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG), once the grant offer is received, for the Hanford Municipal Airport, in the amount of $228,551 for the design of a new fuel island and fuel tank storage area and Authorization for the Airport Manager to execute the Grant Agreement.
A total appropriation in the Airport Fund of $245,580 ($17,029 of local match) is required contingent on grant award.
E. Community Development: Community Development: Acceptance of the mandated General Plan Annual Progress Report for Calendar Year 2024 and Authorization for the submittal to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research F. Community Development: Approval of Historic Resources Permit HRA0017-25, a request by BMO Bank to install a new gate and fence at a secondary entrance facing the alley and perform very minor civil improvements. The property is designated as a noncontributing building within the Historic Overlay Zone. The project is located at 230 W. Seventh Street (APN 012-052-014).
G. Utilities and Engineering: Adoption of Resolution Nos. 25-10-R, 25-11-R, and 25-12-R pertaining to the establishment of Community Facilities Districts (CFDs) for the Billingsley Subdivision (Tract 937) and the Lunaria Subdivision (Tract 938).
H. Public Works: Approval of a change order to increase Purchase Order 22500223, with Parts Authority, to a total of $70,000 to provide for the procurement of various parts and supplies necessary for servicing city-owned equipment. Additionally, Approval of the reallocation of $20,005 from Purchase Order 22500222 with Hanford Auto and Truck Parts, Inc. to fund these purchases.
PUBLIC HEARING:
A. Community Development: A Public Hearing to receive public input on Annexation 161: A request to annex 88.89 acres into the City of Hanford from the Kings County jurisdiction.
Prezone No. 0005-23: A request to prezone the land proposed to be annexed as R-L-5 Low-Density Residential, in accordance with the General Plan designation for the territory, Low-Density Residential. Vesting Tentative Tract 943 (Silicon Valley Ranch): A request, by Marc Frelier, to subdivide 75.02 acres proposed to be prezoned R-L-5 Low- Density Residential into 326 single-family residential lots, a 3.58-acre park, and three- acre storm basin. Focused Environmental Impact Report (EIR) State Clearinghouse Number (SCH) 2024060956: A request to certify the Final Focused Environmental Impact Report for the project and adopt a Statement of Overriding Considerations for the project’s significant impact to Transportation/Traffic. The Project is located south of Hanford Armona Road, between 12th and 13th Avenues (APN 011-040-008, -010, and - 027).
Mayor Martinez opened the public hearing at 7:24 p.m. and called for the staff report. Senior Planner Gabrielle Myers presented the staff report for the Council's review and approval.
Public Comment:
IN-FAVOR:
Alex Dwiggens spoke in favor.
OPPOSSED:
None
The Mayor closed the public hearing at 7:44 p.m.
1. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-07-R, certifying Focused EIR SCH #2024060956.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Kimber Regan
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
2. Motion to Adopt Ordinance No. 25-02, approving Prezone No. 0005-23.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Mark Kairis
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
3. Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 25-08-R, initiating proceedings for Annexation No. 161 and directing staff to file the appropriate application forms with the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) of Kings County.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Nancy Howze
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
4. Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 25-09-R, approving Vesting Tentative Tract 943.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Nancy Howze
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Community Development: Approval of pre-qualified consultants for Environmental Consulting Services, Peer Review for Environmental Consulting Services, and, Planning and Environmental Services (directly for the City of Hanford) for up to five years with a cost up to $300,000 annually. Approval of appropriation in the General Fund for the current fiscal year (FY25) for up to $100,000 combined for all three services.
Deputy City Manager Jason Waters discussed the background, the categories, and firms for the Council's review and approval.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Travis Paden
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
B. Community Development: Authorization to Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Kings County Association of Governments (KCAG) to Receive REAP 2.0 Funds for the Updates to the Hanford Planning Documents Project ($250,000) and Modernizing Hanford’s GIS and Permitting Processes Project ($455,000), and to Award Contracts to Mintier Harnish ($250,000) and Langan ($455,000) for Consulting Services.
Approve appropriation of $705,000, to be reimbursed by REAP 2.0 grant funds.
Deputy City Manager Jason Waters discussed the MOU for the Council's review and approval. Staff answered 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, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze C. Administration: Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Hawk on Hand, in the amount of $53,600 to continue to provide Falconer services in Downtown Hanford and areas outside the Business Improvement District for Calendar Year 2025 services.
City Manager Cifuentez discussed the agreement regarding the falconer services and the previous decision made by the Council to fund these services fully through the city's general fund. Council Member Regan expressed that she had misunderstood the motion to amend the agreement to cover the total cost instead of sharing it with Main Street Hanford.
She requested that the matter be brought back for future discussion and a re-vote on the original agreement that included sharing costs. After much discussion, Vice Mayor Paden motioned to approve the contract as presented. There was no second, the motion failed. It was a consensus of the Council to bring back the agreement for a future discussion on how to fund the falconer services.
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
Council Member Regan expressed concerns regarding the current process for handling code enforcement complaints.
She suggested the Council consider creating a "Good Neighbor Policy". Council Member Regan also proposed the possibility of hiring a new city attorney to represent the city. After much discussion about obtaining new legal services or the city, by consensus, the Council directed the City Manager to bring back this topic for a future agenda closed session discussion.
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
April 1: Regual City Council Meeting
April 15: Regular City Council Meeting
Wednesdays: Food Truck Take over in Civic Park 11:00am - 2:00pm.
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 8:33 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Ckerk