City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
April 15, 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 study session and closed 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.
Jody Nelson expressed her concerns about her property flooding when it rains. She stated that the city could not assist her. The Council reviewed photos of her home.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (GC 54956.9)(d)(1))
Paula Lofgren v. City of Hanford
Kings County Case No. 21C0188
STUDY SESSION:
A. Fiscal Year 2025/26 and 2026/27 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) review (2nd presentation)
Finance Director Chris Tavarez, Utilities and Engineering Director Frank Semteno, and Financial Analyst Alejandro Solorio presented the preliminary Fiscal Year 2025/26 and 2026/27 Capitol Improvement Plan (CIP) for the Council's review and feedback.Staff answered questions from the Council. No action was required.
B. Presentation of the Council-Approved Goals for the Fiscal Years 2025 & 2026 and discussion regarding some of the measurable objectives for each of the five (5) approved goals.
Finance Director Chris Tavarez and Deputy City Manager Jason Waters presented an overview of the Council's goals for the upcoming fiscal years 2025 and 2026. They outlined the five key goals and objectives. The Council expressed the importance of establishing measurable outcomes to effectively evaluate progress for the goal of enhancing the Quality of Life. During the discussion, the Council provided feedback on the presented goals, which included youth programs, park lighting, TOT increase, interns, staff training, sharing city information, and employee appreciation.
Mayor Martinez adjourned the study session at 6:09 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Mayor Martinez called the meeting to order at 7:07 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 Andrea Lott.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by the Sierra Pacific Girls basketball team.
CLOSED SESSION ACTION REPORT:
None.
RECOGNITION:
A. Recognition of the Sierra Pacific Girls Basketball Program for their 2025 California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Central Section Division II Championship The Council recognized the Sierra Pacific High School Golden Bears Girls basketball Team for their exemplary season.
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.
Steven Olivera commented on the feather flag ordinance, and shared his concerns regarding his experience with Code Enforcement. He asked the Council to reconsider the ordinance. He also commented on homeless camps.
Leonard Diaz commented on the feather flags at Hanford Auto Sales and explained the process of how he promotes the business with feather flags. He also commented on the notification by the city.
Denise Brebeck commented on a violation notice she received from Code Enforcement. She also talked about her experience with the staff.
Bob Ramos commented on the amount of negative feedback the city is receiving about the code enforcement officers. He also suggested the city get a new city attorney.
Jorge Casas from Shogun Auto Center commented on the feather flag ordinance.
Judy Scott commented on the city's goals and objectives. She expressed her concerns regarding the negative remarks about code enforcement. She suggested amending the municipal code to keep the public happy.
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.
Utilities and Engineering Director Frank Senteno requested to pull consent Item F for clarification.
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 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 February 18, 2025, Meeting C. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the March 4, 2025, Meeting D. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the April 1, 2025, Meeting E. Administration: Adoption of Resolution 25-13-R, amending the Handbook of Rules and Procedures to include various amendments as recommended by Council.
F. Police: Approval of the 2025-2026 School Resource Officer contract for the Pioneer Union Elementary School District.
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Utilities and Engineering: Authorization to pre-purchase a Tier 4, 500kW Diesel Generator from QUINN Power Systems for Water Well #52 and the Public Works Corporation Yard Facilities, and encumber from the Water Well No's. 51 & 52 Capital Improvement Project (CIP # 823637) 0391 Water Capital Funds in the amount of $283,908 to fund the equipment purchase.
[Item F]
Requested to be pulled by staff.
Dir. Frank Senteno provided the updated cost of $309,845.06, taxes included.
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
PUBLIC HEARING:
A. Community Development: Public Hearing to accept comments regarding proposed Modifications to Planned Unit Development (PUD) No. 2005-04: a request to modify the Live Oak Master Plan/Planned Unit Development to delete requirements for decorative lighting for Live Oak East Tracts 865, 881, and 912. Modifications to Vesting Tentative Tract 865, 881, and 912: a request to remove the requirement for decorative lighting from the tentative tract resolutions, consistent with the changes proposed to be made to the Live Oak Master Plan. Location: The project is applicable to Tract 865, 881, and Tentative Tract 912, generally located between Hume and Houston Avenues, east of 12th Avenue (Various APNs between 011-110-0160 and 011-600-053).
Mayor Martinez opened the public hearing at 7:36 p.m. and called for the staff report. Deputy City Manager Jason Waters presented the proposed modifications to Planned Unit Development (PUD) No. 2005-04 for the Council's review and approval. The Council questioned the funding and Vice Mayor Paden and Council Member Kairis expressed some concerns regarding the proposed modification.
Public Comment:
IN-FAVOR
Nick Peters, San Joaquin Valley Homes Representative, spoke in favor and answered questions from the Council.
Bob Ramos suggested a study session for the proposed modifications.
The Council suggested continuing the public hearing at a future meeting to allow more time for the council to learn more about the proposed modifications.
Motion to continue the public hearing.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Mark Kairis
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Community Development: Discussion of the Historic and Architectural Merit of the Contributing Building Located at 103 N Douty Street in Accordance with Hanford Municipal Code § 17.48.170 – Substandard Buildings
Before the staff's presentation, City Attorney Ty Mizote recused himself. Deputy City Manager Jason Waters provided an overview of the historic and architectural merit of the contributing building located at 103 N Douty Street for the Council's review and direction. After staff answered questions from the Council, there was a consensus to direct staff to proceed with the recommendation of the Building Official to declare the designated historic building within a historic district as substandard.
B. Administration: Council consideration of the Draft Council Expenditure Policy and Direction from Council as warranted.
Finance Director Chris Tavarez discussed the background and presented the expenditure policy for Council review and direction. Dir. Tavarez also noted that staff is prepared to add to the budget. Council Members Kairis and Regan spoke in opposition. After some discussion, by consensus, the Council directed staff to set a limit of $500.00 each for the Council Expenditure Policy, that will allow for the reimbursement of Council expenses for events attended on behalf of the City.
The Council extended the meeting to 9:10 p.m.
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).
A. INFORMATION REPORT - MARCH WARRANT REGISTER
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 proposed presenting Main Street Hanford with a proclamation on May 1, 2025, in honor of the Thursday Night Market celebrating 25 years. The Council approved.
Staff confirmed that future discussions about LAD funds and the feather flag municipal code.
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
May 6: Regular City Council Meeting
May 20: regular City Council Meeting
May 21: City County Coordinating Meeting (Hanford) location and time: TBD 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 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk