City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
November 18, 2025 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
4:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION AND CLOSED SESSION:
Mayor Paden called the study session and closed session to order at 4:02 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.
None.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
The Council adjourned to closed session at 4:03 p.m.
A. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT (GC 54957(b)(1)):
Title: City Manager
B. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (GC 54957)
Title: City Attorney
STUDY SESSION:
The Council reconvened the study session at 5:59 p.m.
A. Update and Presentation to the City Council for the East Lacey Corridor Project Utilities and Engineering Director Frank Senteno, Associate Engineer Jaklin Hart, and City Engineer Lisa Dock provided updates and outlined next steps for the Council’s review and input. Angie Dow, Executive Director of KCAPTA, discussed the grant, spoke in support of the project, and answered questions from the Council. Council Member Regan spoke in opposition to the project design and expressed concerns about how the project would affect local businesses. The Council provided feedback.
Mayor Paden adjourned the study session 6:52 p.m.
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 Pastor Mark Curts.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Mayor Paden.
CLOSED SESSION ACTION REPORT:
None.
RECOGNITION:
A. Recognition of the Hanford Police Department Explorers for Earning Top Placements at the CHP Bakersfield Competition:
• Lt. Explorer Armando Ornelas
• Sgt. Explorer Parker Halsey
• Sgt. Explorer Delila Izquierdo
• Cpl. Explorer Jasiah Zamaripa
• Explorer Inocente Luviano
• Explorer Issac Rosa
• Explorer Anthony Hernandez
Police Chief Huddleston introduced the Explorers and congratulated them for their performance.
B. Recognition of the founders of the Cinderella Project: Rachel Pepe, Gina Young, and Amy Leslie
Vice Mayor Howze presented Ms. Pepe, Ms. Young, and Ms. Leslie with certificates of recognition.
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.
Paula Massey announced an upcoming event in January for the Martin Luther King Day celebration.
Carolyn Hudgins asked for a fee waiver for the Civic Auditorium.
Carla Bodey commented on the flooding in her front yard. She asked for city assistance.
Nick Wagner commented on the Veterans Day event and stated that he was disappointed by the city’s absence.
Bob Ramos commented on the general business item about the city attorney agreement. He asked the Council to approve an RFP.
Rusty Brookshier commented on the city attorney's fees and spoke in favor of an RFP.
Chris Jordan commented on the city attorney services. He spoke in favor of an RFP.
Anna Brookshier asked for a city manager recruitment update.
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.
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. Administration: Approval of the City of Hanford Full-time and Part-time Salary Schedule C. Utilities and Engineering: Approval of the Notice of Completion for Tract No. 902, near the Northwest corner of 12 Ave and Hume Ave., in the City of Hanford D. Utilities and Engineering: Adoption of Resolution No. 25-64-R Supporting a Joint Transit Grant for the Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) Grant Application for the East Lacey Corridor Improvement Project
E. Utilities and Engineering: Adopt Resolution No. 25-65-R authorizing the City Manager or his designee to issue Limited Notice to Proceed #2 (LNTP2) to Opterra Energy Services in the amount of $390,000 to continue the procurement of solar equipment and start of Solar Generation construction activities at the City of Hanford Wastewater Treatment Facility and appropriation in the amount of $590,000 from Wastewater Fund Balance (Funds 0361 & 362) to fund LNTP's 1 and 2.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Utilities and Engineering: Youth Athletic Complex (Bob Hill Complex) Project Update and Approval of Additional Appropriations in the Amount of $35,000 for Concession Stand Interior Furnishings and Equipment and $75,000 for Additional Project Contingency Associate Engineer Jaklin Hart provided an update for the Council's review and approval. Ms. Hart answered questions from the Council. The Council thanked staff for their work on the project.
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 B. Administration: Consider approval of an updated City Attorney Legal Services Contract with Griswold, LaSalle, Cobb, Dowd & Gin, L.L.P. and the City of Hanford and authorize the Mayor to execute an updated agreement for a flat monthly fee of $52,000 or consider alternatives, including issuance of a Request for Proposals.
Before stepping out of the Council Chambers during deliberations, City Attorney Ty Miozote responded to several public comments and provided clarification regarding the rates for legal services. He also highlighted the law firm’s skill set, commitment, and long-standing dedication of Griswold LaSalle, Cobb, Dowd & Gin, LLP to serving the City and the community. The Council discussed the option of placing the RFP on hold due to the ongoing City Manager recruitment and waiting until the process is complete before moving forward with an RFP. The Council also discussed a potential five- year agreement cycle and the possibility of separating litigation services, HR legal services, and basic legal services.
Deputy City Manager Jason Waters responded to questions and provided clarification regarding the RFP process.
Motion to continue services with Griswold LaSalle, Cobb, Dowd, & Gin, LLP at the new rate until July 2027.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
NAYS:
Passed
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Mark Kairis
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
Lou Martinez
Mayor Paden made the motion to issue an RFP for legal services every 5 years beginning in 2027. (No Second)
Substitute Motion to move forward with an RFP for legal services, one each for basic services and litigation services, every 5 years at the conclusion of the expiration of each agreement.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Nancy Howze
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze, Lou Martinez 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).
• Mayor Paden provided an update on the city manager recruitment and announced the upcoming Meet-and- Greet event.
• The Council discussed events and meetings they attended.
A. INFORMATION REPORT - OCTOBER 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
The Council asked staff to add the RFP for legal services to the list of items for future agendas.
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
November 22: Winter Wonderland opens through January 11, 2026 Tickets and Information Tickets and Information
November 28: Hanford Christmas Parade 6:00 pm
November 27 & 28: City Offices will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving.
December 2: Regular City Council Meeting
December 16: Regular City Council Meeting
December 19: Hanford Police Department and Central California Blood Center's 2025 South Valley Battle of the Badges — 425 N. Irwin Street, 10 am to 2:00 pm 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 8:51 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk