City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
June 3, 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 meeting 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 - LATE
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.
Steve Olivera thanked the council for bringing back the discussion on the Municipal Code for Prohibited Signs. He also answered questions from the Council.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Council discussion of possible amendments to the Municipal Code for Prohibited Signs
17.56.050 and a presentation regarding the role and duties of Code Enforcement.
Deputy City Manager Jason Waters and Code Enforcement Supervisor Gavino Barrera presented the possible amendments to the municipal code for prohibited signs and discussed the role and duties of Code Enforcement for the Council's review and direction. After much discussion, the Council directed staff to bring back a future discussion with recommendations for an ordinance amendment.
Mayor Martinez adjourned the study session at 6:17 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(d)(1)
1 Workers’ Compensation Case
B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (GC 54956.8):
Property: SOC COM Soccer Complex
Agency Negotiators: Mario Cifuentez, Bradley Albert and Ty Mizote Negotiating Party: Steve Mendoza for Kings Rehabilitation Center
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 Mayor Martinez.
CLOSED SESSION ACTION REPORT:
None.
RECOGNITION:
A. Recognition of the Westlands Water District 2025 Scholarship Initiative recipients.
B. Proclamation for the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Civic Auditorium Vice Mayor Paden presented the proclamation for the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Civic Auditorium to Dir. Albert and Rob Bently.
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.
Paul Massey with the non-profit organization, Women with Visions Unlimited, thanked the Council for their support and announced their upcoming event. They also invited the Mayor to speak at the event.
Mackenzie thanked the Fire Department for responding to the call for service for her dogs.
Anna Brookshier asked about the Longfield gym membership card and the walk-in fees.
Donicia Parks thanked the staff for taking her call about the request for a memorial for Krash. She questioned the approval process for a celebration. City Manager Cifuentez responded to her questions.
Rusty Brookshier commended Public Works Dir. Sterling for assisting with speed limit signs and repairs in the area he lives in.
Chris Burns expressed concerns about the setbacks of his property.
Noor Memoon shared his background, and he asked for a meeting with the Mayor and City Manager.
Amy Minor requested an exclusion regarding the field permit fees for the HYBL organization. She expressed her concerns about a meeting that her board had with city staff. City Manager Cifuentez addressed her comments regarding the fees.
Whitney Britton commented on the field permit fees.
Charlie Gausepohl commented on the meeting with HYBL and city staff.
Bob Ramos commented on the requested memorial for Krash and he suggested it be put on a future agenda for discussion. He also commented on the softball field permit fees.
Utilities and Engineering Director Frank Senteno requested to table consent Item F.
Council Member Kairis suggested a subcommittee with Council representation to assist in reviewing permit fees and working toward an agreement with the Hanford Youth Baseball League (HYBL). City Manager Cifuentez agreed with the suggestion, and stated that the item will be brought back for future discussion.
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 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. Administration: Approval of Resolution No. 25-30-R, authorizing staff to submit an application for the California Department of Transportation Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Matching Grant to fund the Design of Phase 1 of the reconstruction of the South Transient Ramp and the Preliminary Design Phase 2 to Design the Removal of Taxiway B and Segment of Taxiway D.
C. Administration: Authorization for the City to accept and appropriate funding for an FAA Airport Improvement Program grant (AIP), once the grant offer is received, for the Hanford Municipal Airport, in the amount of $150,575 for the Design of Phase 1 of the reconstruction of the South Transient Ramp and the Preliminary Design Phase 2 to Design the Removal of Taxiway B and Segment of Taxiway D and Authorization for the City Manager or the Airport Manager to execute the Grant Agreement. A total appropriation in the Airport Fund of $158,500 ($396 of local match) is required contingent on grant award.
D. Human Resources: Approval of the City Hanford Full-time and Part-time Salary Schedules and Authorization for the City administration to amend all other documents as may be necessary to implement the updates pursuant to the California Code of Regulations (CCR) 570.5, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS)
E. Utilities and Engineering: Approval of the Notice of Completion for Tract No. 929 Unit No. 2, near the Northeast corner of 13 Ave and Cedar Grove St., in the City of Hanford F. Utilities and Engineering: Award the construction contract to Steve Dovali Construction for the Water Well 51 and Well 52 Site Facilities Improvements Project in the amount of $3,352,647, and appropriate an additional $973,253 in the Water Capital Fund (Fund 0391) to fully fund the project, including contingency and all additive alternates.
G. Utilities and Engineering: Authorization to Rescind Prior Award and Approve New Contract with Wesco for Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Switchgear in the Amount of $133,368.
H. Utilities and Engineering: Approval of an Amendment to the agreement with Akel Engineering Group, Inc. (Akel), to prepare the City’s 2025 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) and Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) as mandated by the California State Water Resources Control Board for a not to exceed fee of $64,856; and Approval of an appropriation of $74,584 to fund these costs.
I. Utilities and Engineering: Adoption of Resolution No. 25-33-R supporting the City’s grant application for the Centennial Drive Safety Improvements Project through the U.S.
Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program.
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Utilities and Engineering: Approval of the Reimbursement for Tract 928, Unit 1 to Presidio JJR Bella Vista II 150, LLC and Presidio FFO Bonterra II 160, LLC for park land acquisition and improvements in the amount of $529,929.28 and an Appropriation of $763,015.60 from the Park Impact Fees, and a credit of $231,820.00 to the Transportation Impact Fees, and $1,266.32 to the map review fees to fulfill the reimbursements.
[Item F]
Pulled by staff to be tabled for a future meeting.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Nancy Howze
AYES: Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze PUBLIC HEARING:
A. Human Resources: Public Hearing and reporting on City of Hanford vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts in compliance with Assembly Bill (AB) 2561: Local Public Employees: Vacant Positions.
Mayor Martinez opened the public hearing at 7:40 p.m. and called for the staff report. Human Resources Manager Sarah Cardoza and Human Resources Analyst Brenda Garcia presented the city's vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts for the Council's review and Input. The presentation was for informational purposes only, and no action was required.
Mayor Martinez closed the public hearing at 7:45 p.m.
Public Comments:
None
B. Finance: Public Hearing and Adoption of Resolution 25-31-R to approve the comprehensive Master Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2025-26 which includes proposed new fees, deletions of fees and increases/adjustments to existing fees.
Mayor Martinez opened the public hearing at 7:46 p.m. and called for the staff report. Accountant David Chang and Financial Analyst Aubrey Borba presented the Master Fee Schedule for the Council's review and approval. The Council questioned the firework booth fees and senior fees for the Longfield Center. The Council also expressed concerns about the field permit fees, and Council Member Paden requested that the tournament fees be amended. Staff confirmed that tournament fees can be brought back to a future meeting to be reviewed and amended by the council. City Manager Cifuentez also clarified that Hanford Youth Baseball League (HYBL) will not be assessed fees moving forward while the City works on establishing a formal agreement with the organization. Mayor Maritnez closed the public hearing at 8:11 p.m.
Public Comments:
IN FAVOR:
None
OPPOSSED:
Chris Parreira commented on the softball fees and asked it there is city staff working out there.
Whitney Britton commented on the tournament fees and asked that they be reassessed.
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. Finance: Public Hearing to adopt Resolution 25-29-R for the City of Hanford Fiscal Years 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 two-year budget and Budget Book presentation Mayor Martinez opened the public hearing at 8:12 p.m. and called for the staff report. Finance Manager Destiny Borba presented the budget for the Council's review and approval. Staff answered questions from the Council.
Public Comments:
Anna Brookshier thanked the staff for responding to her questions.
Donicia Parks questioned the additional employees from the Measure H budget.
Bob Ramos questioned the number of police officers.
Chris Perreira questioned other additional employees.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT: Passed (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Travis Paden
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Finance: Adoption of Resolution 25-32-R establishing the 2025/2026 appropriations limit of $98,702,022 for the City of Hanford's General Fund
Finance Manager Destiny Borba presented the resolution for the Council's review and approval.
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 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).
Council Member Paden announced that he would be attending a policy meeting.
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
The Council directed staff to bring back future discussion about field permitting fees for the softball complex, setbacks, and a memorial for Krash.
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
June 7: A Century of Memories Civic Auditorium Centennial Celebration More Information
June 17: Regular City Council Meeting
June 18: City County Coordinating Meeting 6:00 p.m. Location: TBD July 1: Regular City Council Meeting
July 15: 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 8:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk