City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
February 17, 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
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.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Review of the Draft Urban Forest Master Plan
Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert provided an overview of the Urban Forest Master Plan and introduced Kevin Cullinen, Dudek Project Manager. Mr. Cullinen presented the draft document, highlighting key findings and the City’s Urban Forestry goals for Council review and feedback. He also responded to questions from the Council.
The next step will be to bring the City of Hanford’s 2026 Urban Forest Master Plan back to the Council for adoption.
B. Groundwater Sustainability Agency Update
Chuck Kinney, Director of the Mid-Kings River GSA and Amer Hussain, Engineering Consultant, provided a Groundwater Sustainability Plan update for the Council's review. The Council thanked Mr. Kinney and Mr. Hussain for the update.
The Council adjourned the study session at 6:20 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Mayor Kairis called the meeting to order at 7:05 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 Tim Dinkins.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Council Member Paden.
RECOGNITION:
A. Recognizing Captain Lutz – POST Command College Graduate Police Chief Huddleston recognized Captain Lutz for his accomplishment.
B. Recognition of the Traffic Kingz Motorcycle Club and Traffic Queenz Social Club for their participation in the Longfield Center Toy Drive
Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert recognized the two Clubs for their participation in the Longfiled Center Toy Drive.
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.
Vincent Valdez and Robert Maes provided details about an upcoming event for which they reserved Civic Park and requested a fee waiver for their reservation. The Council advised that staff would follow up on their request.
Raymond Ibarra III commented on an interaction that he had with the police department.
Bob Ramos commented on the wording of the oath of office.
Larry Faria commented on past town hall meetings and stated that he appreciates the Council's transparency. Mr.
Faria also thanked the Police Department for their service.
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:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Nancy Howze
SECONDER:
AYES:
Council Member Lou Martinez
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 December 16, 2025 Meeting C. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the January 5, 2026, Special Meeting D. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the January 6, 2026, Special Meeting E. Utilities and Engineering: Authorize the City Manager to enter into a professional services agreement with RRM Design Group for the Public Safety Facilities Planning and Location Study in an amount not to exceed $266,231 and approve a project contingency of $40,000.
F. Utilities and Engineering: Amendment to Community Facilities District No. 2025-2 (Public Maintenance Services)
G. Police: Approval of the Military equipment inventory and usage report consistent with the requirements of AB 481.
H. Police: Second Reading and Adoption. Ordinance Establishing Chapter 12.30 (Bicycles, E-Bikes, E-Scooters, and E-Skateboards)
I. Police: Resolution 26-06-R: Police Notice of Consent J. Police: Authorization to apply for the 2026 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) through the Kings County Office of Emergency Services (KCOES) in the amount of $32,806.00 for the purchase of night vision goggles and related accessories K. Finance: Acceptance and authorization for staff to File the City of Hanford's Quarterly Investment Portfolio and Transactions Reports as of 12/31/25.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Finance: Adoption of Resolution 26-07-R to present to voters a measure to amend the municipal code and increase the transient occupancy tax to twelve percent.
Senior Administrative Analyst Sarah Wilborn provided a brief overview and invited questions from the Council.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Nancy Howze
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
B. Community Development: Council Direction Regarding Single-Family Residential Development Standards
Deputy City Manager Jason Waters and Principal Planner Gabrielle Myers presented the Single-Family Residential Development Standards for the Council’s review and input, emphasizing the need for clear design standards and a guide for developers. Staff answered questions from the Council, and the Council provided direction on setbacks, parking, lot size, private open space, exterior design, and permeable space requirements. The final Objective Design Standards will be presented to the Planning Commission and City Council at a later date for formal approval.
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 members discussed the meetings and events they attended.
A. INFORMATION REPORT — JANUARY 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
None.
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
February 18: Hanford Urban Forest community open house 6:00 -8:00 p.m. City Hall Training Room
March 3: Regular City Council Meeting
March 17: 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 Kairis adjourned the meeting at 8:54 p.m.
Respctfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk