City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
February 3, 2026 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
4:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION AND CLOSED SESSION:
Mayor Kairis 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 - 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.
Judy Scott shared her insights on what the community is looking for in its parks.
Bob Ramos commented on the Planning Commission vacancies.
William Lynch commented on Main Street Hanford's continued involvement in the community.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Presentation from Thorn Run Partners to The City of Hanford City Council on federal legislative updates and outlook for 2026
Greg Burns, Lobbyist, provided an update and outlook for the Council's review and feedback. The Council thanked Mr.
Burns for his presentation and all his work.
B. Planning Commission Appointments – Interview of Finalist Candidates City Manager Chris Tavarez provided a brief review of the process and the Council interviewed the four (4) candidates:
Lisa Mcllwaine, Cecily Esparza, Parveer Gill, and Jonathan Juarez.
C. Receive an annual report presentation from Main Street Hanford Main Street Hanford Director Michelle Brown presented Main Street's annual report with event and business highlights.
Ms. Brown answered questions from the Council.
Mayor Kairis adjourned the study session at 5:49 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (GC 54956.8) APN: 010-270-021 330 N. Harris Street
Agency Negotiators: Chris Tavarez and Ty Mizote
Negotiating Party: Great Valley Holdings, LLC (Stu Clark) CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Mayor Kairis 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 Bobby Guerra.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Council Member Martinez.
CLOSED SESSION ACTION REPORT:
None.
RECOGNITION:
A. Recognition of the Hanford PAL Boxing Club and its boxers, Nicolas Romo, Noel Mejia, David Vale, Adrian Arriloa, Leonardo Mendoza, Aiden Avila, Zayden Hernandez and Isaac Galindo for achieving the highest win percentage and being honored by USA Boxing.
The Council recognized the Hanford PAL Boxing Club and its boxers.
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.
Rose Shapley commented on bike paths and missing signage. She requested a meeting with the City Manager to discuss her concerns.
Myrna Bradish, So CalGas Company Branch Manager, asked that the city support keeping the Hanford Branch open for the community. She provided the dates for the upcoming public hearing. She also answered questions from the Council.
Bob Ramos commented on Hidden Valley Park. He stated that the community wants parkland.
Whitney (last name not provided) shared her background as a teacher and coach. She expressed concerns about being attacked due to information related to online research and asked if the city can assist with the matter.
Leonor Hollis, District Liaison for Woodrow Wilson Junior High School, commented on funds spent on street safety near the school. She also shared concerns about the safety of students walking to school in the fog.
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, C, and F. Motion to approve the consent calendar except for the items pulled for separate discussion.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Nancy Howze
Council Member Travis 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. Utilities and Engineering: Approval of the establishment of a pre-qualified list of Materials Testing and Geotechnical Engineering Consultants to perform on-call professional services as needed, and authorization for the City Manager to execute professional services agreements with the selected firms for On-Call Materials Testing and Geotechnical Consultant Services (RFQ No. 2026-10).
C. Utilities and Engineering: Approval a contract with VANIR Construction Management, Inc. for On Call Construction Inspector Services for the months of February through April 2026 at a Not to Exceed cost of $85,500; and, Authorization for the City Manager to extend services for up to nine additional months at an estimated $29,380 per month if services are still required.
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Administration: Approve Resolution 26-06-R authorizing the Mayor to sign letters of support for advocacy items identified by the League of California Cities [Item B]
Pulled by Council Member Paden.
Council Member Paden expressed concerns about authorizing the Mayor to sign letters of support on behalf of the entire City Council and stated that he was opposed to the authorization. The Mayor explained the reason for requesting Council approval. After much discussion, the Mayor pulled the item from the consent calendar. No action was taken.
B. Community Development: Waive the 2nd Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 25-13, approving Prezone No. 0013-24, request to prezone 78.16 acres as R-M Medium- Density Residential and 5.45 acres as MX-N Neighborhood Mixed Use, consistent with General Plan Amendment No. 0009-24 and prezone 51.92 acres as R-L-5 Low-Density Residential and 6.32 acres as C-N Neighborhood Commercial, consistent with the General Plan Designation. The prezone pertains to property located north of Grangeville Boulevard, east of 9 1/4 Avenue (APNs 014-143-022, 014-143-069, 014-143-078, 014- 830-010, 014-830-011, and 014-830-013 through -018).
[Item C]
Council Member Paden pulled the item to recuse himself from the discussion and vote.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSTAIN:
Passed
Council Member Nancy Howze
Council Member Kimber Regan
Mark Kairis, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
Travis Paden
C. Public Works: Authorize the City Manager to award a construction contract for The Plunge Slide Pool Repairs to Burkett’s Pool Plastering, Inc, of Ripon, CA, in the amount of $58,152.00.
[Item F]
Pulled by Council Member Martinez.
Public Works Director Russ Sterling provided details of the project and answered questions from the Council.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Travis Paden
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Community Development: Authorization to award a contract to Rincon Consultants, Inc., for an amount not to exceed $189,277.00 for preparation of an Agricultural Mitigation Program and Feasibility Study
Deputy City Manager Jason Waters and Assistant Planner Maddison Faria provided the background and overview of the program and study. Staff answered questions from the Council.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Nancy Howze
Council Member Lou Martinez
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze B. Finance: Presentation to the City Council regarding the timing of the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) ballot measure.
Senior Administrative Analyst Sarah Wilborn provided an overview and requested the Council's direction. Staff responded to questions from the Council. By consensus, the Council directed staff to present the ballot measure to the voters at the Primary Election on June 2, 2026.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Lou Martinez
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze C. Community Development: Appointment of Planning Commission Members Deputy City Manager Waters provided the Council with the interview results and requested direction. By motion, the Council appointed Lisa McIlwaine, Cecily Esparza, and Parveer Gill to the Planning Commission vacancies and designated the fourth candidate, Johnathan Juarez, as eligible to fill any future unscheduled vacancies.
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 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).
The Council discussed the events and meetings they attended.
A. INFORMATION REPORT — DECEMBER 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) None.
A. Council Future Agenda Items
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
February 5: City Manager Swearing-in ceremony 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm at the Civic Auditorium Council Chambers
February 11: City/County Coordinating Meeting hosted by the City of Lemoore February 17: Regular City Council Meeting
February 16: City offices will be closed in observance of Presidents' Day 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 Kairis adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk