City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
April 1, 2025 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
4:00 PM CALL TO ORDER CLOSED SESSION AND STUDY SESSION:
Mayor Martinez called the closed session and 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.
Bob Ramos commented on an interaction that he had with Council Member Kairis. He also provided his suggestions for changes to the Handbook of Rules and Procedures.
Judy Scott commented on the end time for council meetings. She also stated that she appreciates business updates that pertain to local government and the city.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (GC 54956.9)(d)(1))
Jason Stingley v. City of Hanford, City of Hanford Police Department, Parker Sever, Jeff Davis, Stephanie Huddleston
U.S. District Court – Eastern District of California – Case No.: 1:23-cv-00089
Patrick Jurdon v. City of Hanford; City of Hanford Police Department; Parker Sever, Gabriel Jimenez, James Lutz, Karl Anderson, James Edlund U.S. District Court – Eastern District of California – Case No.: 1:23-cv-01695
B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (54956.9 (d)(2))
2 Cases.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Recognition of Employees of the Year and Service Award Recipients City Manager Cifuentez, the directors, and the City Council recognized the years of service employees in attendance and the employees of the year.
B. Presentation of the preliminary Fiscal Year 2025/26 and 2026/27 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and Council direction to staff regarding project priorities and scheduling.
The Finance Director Chris Tavarez and Financial Analyst Alejandro Solorio presented the preliminary Fiscal Year 2025/26 and 2026/27 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the Council's review and input. Staff answered questions from the Council.
C. Review of the Handbook of Rules and Procedures for the Hanford City Council and discussion of potential amendments
City Manager Cifuentez presented the Handbook of Rules and Procedures with suggested changes for the Council review and direction. Staff answered the Council's questions. The Council directed staff to update and add clarifications for several sections. Vice Mayor Paden requested that commissioners receive recognition for their service on city commissions like the Council Members do when leaving their seats. The City Manager will present the Handbook with the amendments at a future meeting for the Council's review and approval.
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Mayor Martinez called the meeting to order at 7:06 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 Mark Curts.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Council Member Mark Kairis.
CLOSED SESSION ACTION REPORT:
None.
RECOGNITION:
A. Badge Pinning Ceremony and Oath of Office for Officer Christopher Kaious and Officer Juan Gonzalez
Chief Huddleston introduced the new officers, Christopher Kaious and Juan Gonzalez, and the City Clerk, Natalie Corral administered the Oath of Office.
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).
None.
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 the settlement agreements on the consent calendar and requested that they be pulled for separate discussion.
Rusty Brooksheir questioned the settlement agreements on the consent calendar.
Jim Castleman questioned the status of the repairs to the grass in Civic Park. He also suggested relocating the village for the next Winter Wonderland and repairing the fountain.
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.
The Council pulled Items B and C. Motion to approve the consent calendar except for the items pulled for separate discussion.
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. Human Resources: Amendment to the Executive Management Employees Association (EMEA) Compensation and Benefit Summary.
C. Human Resources: Amendment to the General Employees Management Association (GEMA) Memorandum of Understanding.
D. Human Resources: Amendment to the Service Employees International Union Local 521 Unit Memorandum of Understanding
E. Human Resources: Amendment to the Hanford Professional Firefighters Local 3898, IAFF Professional Firefighters Unit Memorandum of Understanding F. Community Development: Approval of Historic Resources Permit No. 0018-25, a request to make exterior modifications to the Old Courthouse, 113 Court Street, by removal of an exterior window and portion of wall, in order to accommodate a required ADA-accessible lift and entry. The building is a contributing building within the Historic Overlay Zone District, located at 113 Court Street (APN 010-265-001).
G. Community Development: Approval of the 2nd reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 25-02, approving Prezone No. 0005-23, a request to prezone 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. The Project is located south of Hanford Armona Road, between 12th and 13th Avenues (APN 011-040-008, -010, and - 027).
H. Community Development: Authorization to enter into a contract with Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc., (ESRI) for annual subscription fees for Geographical Information System (GIS) software for a three-year term for $60,300 annually. Approve appropriation of $60,300 in the General Fund for the current fiscal year.
I. Utilities and Engineering: Approval of the City's acceptance of two Grants of Easements for right-of-way purposes and for slope purposes, for the Billingsley Ranch Development, Tract No. 937, located at the southwest corner of Hanford Armona Road and Aquifer Drive.
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. City Attorney: Approval of the Settlement Agreement with Jason Stingley and Authorization for staff to take all necessary actions to carry out the terms of the settlement.
[Item A]
Pulled during public comment.
City Attorney Ty Mizote presented both consent items B and C for the Council's review and approval.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Kimber Regan
Council Member Travis Paden
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze B. City Attorney: Approval of the Settlement Agreement with Patrick Jurdon and Authorization for staff to take all necessary action to carry out the terms of the settlement.
[Item B]
Pulled during public comment.
City Attorney Ty Mizote presented both consent items B and C for the Council's review and approval.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Kimber Regan
SECONDER:
AYES:
Council Member Travis Paden
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Administration: Council direction regarding funding appropriations for the Downtown Crow Abatement and consideration of 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 item for the Council's review and direction. Council Member Regan proposed sharing the cost with Main Street Hanford. Vice Mayor Paden shared his concerns about requiring Main Street to cover half the cost.
Motion to approve funding for half of the cost of the crow abatement services; Main Street Hanford will be responsible for the remaining cost.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
NAYS:
Passed
Council Member Kimber Regan
Council Member Nancy Howze
Mark Kairis, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
Travis Paden
B. Public Works: Presentation regarding the City of Hanford's Refuse Division's current budget challenges and potential need for a prop 218 rate study.
Public Works Director Russ Sterling discussed the current challenges of the Refuse Division for the Council's review and requested direction regarding a potential need for a Prop 218 rate study. Dir. Sterling answered questions from the Council. After some discussion, Council Member Kairis made the motion to approve.
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 C. Utilities and Engineering: Authorize the City Manager to execute the purchase of the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WTTF) Solar Project’s needed Electrical Switchgear from OneSource Distributors of Fresno, CA in the amount of $130,528.85 and provide direction to Staff regarding expanding the WTTF’s operating capacity to 12MGD (Million Gallons per Day).
Utilities and Engineering Director Frank Senteno presented the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WTTF) Solar Project's need for Electrical Switchgear from OneSource Distributors in Fresno for the Council's review and direction. Dir. Senteno clarified an error in the staff report regarding the fiscal impact section. It stated that Engie’s previous all-in fee for a 12MGD facility including tertiary treatment was $68M; he requested that this information be disregarded. Staff answered questions from the Council and addressed their concerns regarding the budget. City Manager Cifuentez clarified that the funding would come from the enterprise fund.
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 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
Vice Mayor Paden discussed the League of California Cities Policy meeting that he attended.
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
April 15: Regular City Council Meeting
April 23-25: League of Cal Cities Leaders Summit, Sacramento May 6: Regular City Council Meeting
May 20: 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 8:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk