City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
July 15, 2025 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION AND CLOSED SESSION:
Mayor Paden 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.
Onan Champi commented on the pictures used in the presentation. He also expressed his concerns regarding the vandalism on the fence on his property.
Jack Schwartz commented on the timeframe of Code Enforcement notices and graffiti abatement cost.
Rusty Brookshier stated that the city has a vendetta against Onan Champi.
Marshall Grice spoke in favor of a non-enforcement policy.
Bob Ramos commented on past practices from the 1980s. He also suggested that the City assist property owners with graffiti abatement efforts.
Police Captain Lutz addressed some of the public comments.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Presentation to the City Council of the City's Graffiti Abatement Policy and Enforcement Approach
Deputy City Manager Jason Waters and Code Enforcement Supervisor Gavino Barrera presented the City’s graffiti abatement policy and enforcement practices. The Council expressed concerns about the noticing timeframe and its impact on property owners, and directed staff to return with potential solutions and alternatives and options for City-led abatement, including costs and budget impacts.
Mayor Paden adjourned the study session at 6:08 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (GC 54957.6)
Agency designated representatives: Che Johnson and Chris Tavarez Employee Organization(s): HPOA, Fire and SEIU
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Mayor Paden 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 Chaplain Ray Allen.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Steven Olivera.
CLOSED SESSION ACTION REPORT:
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.
Cheyne Strawn commented on the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) measure and expressed concerns. He also requested that Item F be pulled from the consent calendar. The City Manager responded to Mr. Strawn’s comments.
Bob Ramos commented on General Business Item A and suggested that it be tabled.
Rosalinda Alexander, Field Representative for Assemblywoman Alexandra Macedo, introduced their new 2025 Maddy Intern, Lillian Weese.
Noor Memon commented on the Bastille.
Jack Schwartz questioned the revenue for the Central Parking and Business Involvement District and requested to pull Item B from the consent calendar. He also commented on the three Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and inquired whether Measure H funding would be used. Mr. Schwartz requested a presentation on live stream usage and suggested allowing public participation through teleconference. City Manager Cifuentez responded to his comments regarding Measure H.
Steve Olivera commented on General Business Item A.
Mauro Lepore of Shogun Auto Sales thanked the Council for addressing the feather flag matter.
Onan Champi questioned the Christmas parade funding.
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 consent Items B and F. Motion to approve the consent calendar except for the items pulled for separate discussion.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Passed
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member 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. Human Resources: Approval of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the General Employees Management Association (GEMA) with changes to wages, benefits, and other working conditions, effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 C. Human Resources: Approval of the Compensation and Benefits Summary with the Executive Management Employees Association (EMEA) with changes to wages, benefits, and other working conditions, effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.
D. Human Resources: Approval of the Compensation and Benefits Summary with the Professional Upper Management Association (PUMA) with wages, benefits, and other working conditions, effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.
E. Public Works: Approval of the purchase of one (1) CASE DV45E steel roller from Sequoia Equipment of Fresno, CA, in the amount $80,808.33 and Appropriation of $1,035.33 from Fleet Reserve Fund 0448 to fully fund the purchase.
F. Public Works: Approval of the purchase and installation of a new fuel card reader in the amount of $57,870.55, from B&T Service Station Contractors.
G. Public Works: Authorization to advertise for bids for the FY26 Annual Concrete Improvement Project and preauthorize the City Manager to award and execute the contract on behalf of the City to the lowest responsible bidder for an amount not to exceed $165,000.00
H. Utilities and Engineering: Authorization for staff to record the final subdivision map for Lunaria Tract No. 938 Unit 1A, a 51-lot subdivision located at the southeast corner of Hanford-Armona Road and 10½ Avenue.
I. Utilities and Engineering: Authorization for staff to record the final subdivision map for Stonehaven Tract No. 940, an 85-lot subdivision located at the northeast corner of West Spring Crest Drive and Stonehaven Avenue.
J. Utilities and Engineering: Approval of the Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance Nos. 25-03 and 25-04, thereby approving the Formation of Community Facilities District No. 2025-1 (Public Safety Services) and the Formation of Community Facilities District No. 2025-2 (Public Maintenance Services)
K. Finance: Adoption of Resolution No. 25-41-R, 25-42-R, and 25-43-R establishing the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 tax levy amount for Community Facilities Districts 2022-01, 2025- 1, and 2025-2
L. Police: Adoption of Resolution No. 25-40-R for the acceptance of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) grant in the amount of $85,125.75, Amend the budget to recognize the grant, appropriate this amount in the General Fund for the Police Department, and authorize the Police Chief to execute the grant agreement.
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Administration: Approval of a new 3-year Service Agreement with Main Street Hanford (MSH) consistent with the terms and conditions of HMC Chapter 3.28, thereby transferring all annual revenue from the Central Parking and Business Improvement District to MSH.
[Item B]
Pulled during public comment.
City Manager Cifuentez answered the questions asked during public comment.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Passed
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Martinez
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez
Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
B. IT: Approval to purchase a replacement server and related costs from Eastern Computer Exchange, for an amount not to exceed $265,000, and an additional appropriation of $15,000 from the Computer Replacement Reserves Fund to cover the purchase. [Item F]
Pulled during public comment.
IT Manager Eric Forcey responded to the questions asked during public comment and answered questions from the Council.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Passed
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Martinez
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez
Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
PUBLIC HEARING:
A. Parks and Community Services: A public hearing to consider the Adoption of Resolution 25-38-R Ordering the Levy and Collection of Assessments as outlined in the 2025/2026 Annual Engineer's Report, which has been prepared pursuant to Chapter 3 of the Landscape and Lighting Act of 1972. The proposed assessments outlined in the Engineer's Report are less than or equal to the authorized maximum assessment for each Landscape Assessment District.
Mayor Paden opened the public hearing at 7:24 p.m. and called for the staff report. Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert provided an overview of the resolution ordering the Levy and Collection of Assessments as outlined in the 2025/2026 Annual Engineer's Report. Dir. Albert answered questions from the Council. After some discussion, the Council directed staff to bring back a strategy to focus on the long-term fiscal health of all Landscape Assessment Districts.
Public Comments:
None.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Passed
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Travis Paden
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez
Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Community Development: Review and Discussion of Proposed Amendments to Feather Flag Provisions in the Sign Ordinance and Direction from Council as appropriate.
City Manager Cifuentez provided a background of the item and the process of amending the ordinance. The Council, by consensus, agreed to table the item for discussion at a future meeting when the full Council is present.
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 - JUNE 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
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
August 5: Regular City Council Meeting
August 19: 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 Paden adjourned the meeting at 7:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk