City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
June 2, 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:
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 AND ACTION ITEMS:
A. New Employee introduction: Eekhong Franco, Finance Manager Finance Director, Destiny Borba introduced Finance Manager, Eekhong Franco.
B. Receive an update on the It's Not Worth It Campaign for the usage and possession of illegal fireworks within the City's limits.
Fire Chief Perkins introduced Deputy Fire Chief Matt Rowe and presented a progress report regarding the use of drones during the week of 4th of July. Council Members Regan and Howze requested that additional drone batteries be purchased. Chief Perkins suggested that funding could be better utilized for additional public signage regarding the drone program. City Manager Tavarez recommended allowing staff to implement the drone program during the 4th of July period and report back to the Council on its effectiveness, along with any future equipment or program needs.
C. Presentation and Council review and discussion of the Draft City of Hanford Master Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
Finance Director Destiny Borba, Finance Analyst Aubrey Balbina, and Finance Manager Eelhong Franco presented the draft Master Fee Schedule for Council review and feedback. The Council discussed the proposed senior discount age, with Council Member Paden supporting age 65 and Council Members Regan and Howze supporting age 55. Following discussion, the Council reached a consensus to establish the senior discount age at 55. Staff was directed to prepare the Master Fee Schedule for formal adoption and return the item to the Council on the 16th. No action was taken.
Mayor Kairis adjourned the Study Session at 5:10 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (GC 54956.8) Address: 109 E. Eighth Street
Negotiating Party: Carnegie Museum of Kings County
Agency Negotiators: Chris Tavarez, Jason Waters, and Ty Mizote B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (GC 54956.8) APNs: 012045001, 012045010, 012045004, 012045005, 012046019, 012046005, 012046006, 012046007, 012045001, 012045009, 012045008, 012045007, 012045006, 012045007
Negotiating Party: Solis Martin Vieyra & Araujo Fanny Castro, Miya Farms, PRE 4 LLC,
MCMASTER, WILLIAM T & KATHLEEN S H/W, EBERT JEANNINE, ALANIS, RICHARD &
LINDA TRUST,
Agency Negotiators: Chris Tavarez, Jason Waters, and Nick Matoian C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (54956.9 (d)(4))
1 Potential Case
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 Adam Medeiros.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Mayor Kairis.
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.
Daniel Leon commented on a police incident.
Nathan Birch talked about the Cameron Roberts Initiative and requested that the City Council consider waiving the City application fee for the historical designation of 1229 N. Douty Street. He also provided the Council with copies of historical information related to the property.
Angela Rigardi commented on Quail Run Park.
Jesus Rico questioned the permitting process for his restaurant. City Manager Tavarez responded to his questions and referred Mr. Rico to Deputy City Manager Jason Waters for further assistance.
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 Travis Paden
Council Member Kimber Regan
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: Authorize the Mayor to Sign a regional Letter of Support for the Lemoore Naval Air Station for home basing of new strike fighter squadrons C. Community Development: Authorize the Mayor to Sign a Letter Opposing Senate Bill 866 (Blakespear) Relating to Housing Element Homelessness Reporting Requirements D. Community Development: Appropriate $55,588.86 from the Housing Unencumbered Fund (Fund 0101) to cover Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Service Activity expenditures under the 2024 Action Plan for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024–2025 that were not reimbursable, due to exceeding the 15% annual grant allocation regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
E. Utilities and Engineering: Adopt Resolution No. 26-30-R supporting the City's grant application to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant for the Grangeville Boulevard at BNSF grade separation Project Final Design Phase, and approve an appropriation of $24,937 from the Gas Tax Fund (0044) for grant writing support from TRC Engineers, Inc. for the FRA-RCE Final Design Phase and the SH190 Grade Separation Fund applications.
F. Utilities and Engineering: Approval of a Change Order in the amount of $25,500 with Interwest Consulting Group for City Surveyor Services, increasing the total Purchase Order to $75,000, and approval of an additional appropriation of $25,500 from the General Fund to be offset by developer or CIP reimbursements.
G. Utilities and Engineering: Authorization to execute a Work Order (WO) with Westwood Professional Services for the City Standards and Specifications Update Project in the amount of $244,290, authorize a 15% contingency of $36,643.50, and appropriate $80,933.50 split evenly from the Refuse, Storm Drain, WWTP, TIF, Gas Tax, and Water Funds.
H. Police: Authorization to apply for the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) FY25 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program in the amount of $19,478 to purchase crowd control equipment for the Hanford Police Department's Special Response Team (SRT); and if awarded, amend the budget to recognize the grant, appropriate $19,478 in the General Fund for the Police Department, and authorize the City Manager or Police Chief to execute all grant related documents.
I. Finance: Adoption of Resolution 26-35-R approving the City of Hanford's annually updated Investment Policy for FY 2026-2027
J. Finance: Adoption of Resolution 26-32-R establishing the 2026/2027 appropriations limit of $103,123,873 for the City of Hanford's General Fund
PUBLIC HEARING:
A. Human Resources: Public Hearing and reporting on City of Hanford vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts in compliance with Assembly Bill 2561 Mayor Kairis opened the public hearing at 7:17 p.m. and called for the staff report. Human Resources Manager Sarah Cardoza and Senior Human Resources Analyst Brenda Garcia presented the staff report for the Council's review and input. Bargaining units were provided the opportunity to present; however, no representatives were in attendance. The presentation was informational and provided to comply with applicable requirements. No action was required. The public hearing was closed at 7:26 p.m.
Public Comment:
None.
B. Utilities and Engineering: Public Hearing and Adoption of Resolution 26-25-R the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) and Resolution 26-26-R the 2025 Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) and authorizing its submittal to DWR.
Mayor Kairis opened the public hearing at 7:27 p.m. and called for the staff report. Utilities and Engineering Director Frank Senteno, Tony Akel of Akel Engineering Group, and Utilities Manager Bob Williams presented the staff report for the Council's review and approval. Staff responded to questions from the Council. Mayor Kairis closed the public hearing at 8:06 p.m.
Public Comment:
None.
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 GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Human Resources: Approval of the City of Hanford Salary Schedules Human Resources Manager Sarah Cardoza and Senior Human Resources Analyst Brenda Garcia presented the Salary Schedule for the Council's review and approval.
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. Finance: Adoption of Resolution 26-33-R, Amendments to the City of Hanford Water Service Discontinuation Policy
Finance Director Destiny Borba and Senior Administrative Analyst Sarah Willborn presented the policy for the Council's review and approval. Staff answered 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 C. Public Works: Presentation on receipt of a petition by property owners of Quail Run Estates (94-03) Landscape Assessment District to re-ballot the district on the district's assessment and provide direction
Public Works Director Russ Sterling and Deputy Public Works Director Alvin Dias presented a report regarding a petition from property owners within the Quail Run Estates Landscape Assessment District requesting a re-ballot of the district's assessment for the Council's review and direction. Staff and the City Attorney answered questions from the Council.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Kimber Regan
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 meetings and events they attended and provided updates.
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
None.
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
June 9: Council Connect with Council Member Regan at Help-U-Sell Real Estate More Information
June 16: Regular City Council Meeting
July 4:Freedom Fest & Fireworks Show, Hanford Softball Complex 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm More Information
July 21: Regular City Council Meeting
Mayor Kairis announced the upcoming Summer Safety Council Connect, which will take place before the Fourth of July weekend.
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 8:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk