City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
May 20, 2025 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
4:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION AND CLOSED 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.
Judy Scott commented on the light incident at the youth baseball field.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Study Session for City Council and Planning Commission with Mintier Harnish to provide an overview of the Environmental Justice, Objective Design Standards, and Subdivision Ordinance Update projects, review the schedule, and gather input on expectations and priorities for the project.
Deputy City Manager Jason Waters introduced the Mintier Harnish Group representatives and provided the background.
Brent Gibbons, Project Director, and Michael Gibbons, Project Manager, provided an overview of the Environmental Justice Element and the Objective Design Standards. The project team provided dates for upcoming events and meetings and answered questions from the Council and Planning Commission. No action was required. The presentation was for informational purposes only.
B. Final presentation and review of City of Hanford draft Overall Budget and Personnel Master for fiscal year 2026 and 2027 for Council consideration and direction from City Council as appropriate.
Finance Manager Destiny Borba, Financial Analyst Aubrey Balbina, and Finance Director Chris Tavarez provided an overall budget review and the timeline for the budget adoption. Staff answered questions from the Council. During the discussion, Council Member Kairis raised concerns about an incident involving the lights at the youth baseball field and the need to replace them. Mr. Kairis suggested that this be included in the budget. The City Manager responded to Mr.
Kairis’s concerns and provided some options for moving forward with a project to replace the lights. He also suggested adding the discussion to a future agenda. The Council agreed to direct staff to bring back a future agenda item regarding this matter.
Mayor Martinez adjourned the study session at 5:15 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (GC 54956.9)(d)(1)):
City of Hanford v. Arthur E. Delgado
Case No. 24CU0048
B. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (GC 54957.6)
Agency designated representatives: Mario Cifuentez and Chris Tavarez Employee Organization(s): EMEA, GEMA, PUMA, and HPOA
C. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT (Gov. Code section 54957(b)(1))
Title: City Manager
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 Sylvia Gaston.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Vice Mayor Paden.
CLOSED SESSION ACTION REPORT:
None.
RECOGNITION:
A. Proclamation for "National Public Works Week", May 18-24, 2025 The City Council presented the Public Works Director, Russ Sterling, with a proclamation for "National Public Works Week".
B. Presentation of the Life-Saving Award to Officer Armando Prieto Police Chief Huddleston presented Officer Prieto with the Life-Saving Award.
C. Proclamation Honoring the Life of Emily Carpenter
The City Council presented a proclamation to The Carpenter Family.
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.
Before the public comment period started, Mayor Martinez asked Vice Mayor Paden to lead the meeting, because he was not feeling well.
Anna Brookshier questioned consent Item H. She also commented on the Measure H personnel budget.
Amy Minor commented on the field permit fees and asked that the Council reconsider the fees.
Whitney Britton commented on the field permit fees and the increase in their league registration fees. She also commented on the field maintenance.
Emily Brewster expressed her concerns regarding smoking in Hanford. She requested the city's assistance with cleaning up the area that she lives in.
Angelica Garcia talked about the prevention program in Kings County and shared meeting information and invited the Council Members to attend. She also provided information packets to each of the Council Members.
Victor Chavarin Jr. commented on the firework booth fees. He also commented on the maintenance of the softball fields. He asked for a separate discussion regarding permit fees.
Charlie Gausepohl, a HYBL Board Member, commented on the permit fees and the effort that the league puts into maintaining the fields.
Amy Gomez, HYBL Board Member, spoke in opposition of increasing field permit fees.
Lisa Chavarin, HYSL President, commented on the assistance from the Parks and Rec Division and recognized their efforts.
Jamie Barella commented on the light on 10th and Lacey Blvd and asked when it would be fixed. She also commented on an incident involving a Hanford police officer.
Bob Ramos requested to pull Item H for clarification. He also commented on other Park and Community Services events and facility fees.
Noor Memon talked his experience with renting a kiosk from the city.
Donicia Parks requested that a future discussion about a memorial for the Krash be added to a future agenda.
Dir. Sterling provided an update for the stop lights at 10th and Lacey Ave.
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.
Item H was requested to be pulled during public comment. Motion to approve the consent calendar except for the items pulled for separate discussion.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
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 March 18, 2025 Meeting C. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the April 15, 2025, Meeting D. Community Development: Approval of an Advance Appropriation in FY 2024/2025 of $610,000 for the Community Development Remodel Capital Improvement Project (CIP) from FY 2025/2026 Multi-Funded Initiative Included in the City of Hanford’s Capital Improvement Plan.
E. Utilities and Engineering: Approval of the Reimbursement for Tract 922, Unit 2 to Lennar Homes, for street improvements and water main oversizing in the amount of $474,894.40 and Appropriation of $178,184.00 from the Transportation Impact Fees Fund (0181) and $296,710.40 from the Water Impact Fees Fund (0185) to fulfill the reimbursement.
F. Utilities and Engineering: Approval of the three (3) Resolutions for the Creation of Community Facilities Districts (CFDs) for the Billingsley Subdivision Tract 937, and the Lunaria Subdivision Tract 938
G. Utilities and Engineering: Authorization for the City Manager to enter into a contract amendment with Lechowicz & Tseng (L&T) in the amount of $82,020 to perform Utility Rate Studies for the purpose of updating the City’s Wastewater and Storm Drain Fees and approve an appropriation of $39,698 and $54,625 from the Wastewater and Storm Drain Funds, respectively.
H. Finance: Acceptance and authorization for staff to File the City of Hanford's Quarterly Investment Portfolio and Transactions Reports as of 03/31/25 PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Finance: Authorization to execute an Agreement for Professional Services with InfoSend, Inc. for approximately $183,600 annually for utility billing print and mail services for a term of three years with option to renew for two additional one-year terms. [Item H]
Pulled during the public comment.
Senior Administrative Analyst Sarah Willborn responded to the questions from the Council and addressed the public comments.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Nancy Howze
Council Member Mark Kairis
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).
Vice Mayor Paden called for the staff report for the continued public hearing. Deputy City Manager Jason Waters presented two updated proposals for the Council's review and direction. The Council provided their feedback and spoke in favor of the proposed cornhole boards. The public hearing was closed at 8:17 p.m.
IN-FAVOR:
Nick Peters, of San Joaquin Valley Homes, spoke in favor.
OPPOSED:
None.
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 GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Finance: Presentation and Council review and discussion of the Draft City of Hanford Master Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
Accountant David Chang and Financial Analyst Aubrey Balbina presented the Master Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2025- 2026 to the Council for their review and input. Staff provided details of the proposed changes only. The Council provided feedback on the field permit fees, the Longfield Center gym membership fees, facility host fee details, and the fine for illegal fireworks. There was no action required. Staff will bring back the Master Fee Schedule for a final presentation during a public hearing at the next regular meeting.
The Council extended the meeting 9:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
B. Community Development: Approval of a Request for Waiver of 180-Day Demolition Notice, Pursuant to Hanford Municipal Code § 17.48.160, for the property located at 103 N Douty Street.
The Council extended the meeting 9:30 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.
City Attorney Ty Mizote recused himself. Deputy City Manager Jason Waters and Building Official Tom Webb presented the request for a waiver of the 180-Day Demolition Notice for the Council's review and direction.
Motion to grant a waiver of the 180-day demolition notice period pursuant to Hanford Municipal Code §17.48.160(B)(1)(a), based on the determination that the building at 103 N Douty Street poses an unsafe condition.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Nancy Howze
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy 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).
A. INFORMATION REPORT - APRIL 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
City Manager Cifuentez updated the Council about his resignation. In response, the Council scheduled a special meeting for May 29 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the recruitment of an Interim City Manager and a new City Manager.
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
May 26: City offices closed in observance of Memorial Day June 3: Regular City Council Meeting
June 17: Regular City Council Meeting
June 18: Rescheduled City-County Coordinating 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} Vice Mayor Paden adjourned the meeting at 9:35 p.m.
resepcfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk