City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
July 21, 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 AND ACTION ITEMS:
A. Discussion on AB 1572 Functional and Nonfunctional Turf State of California imposed requirements
Public Works Director Russ Sterling, Deputy Public Works Director Alvin Dias, Utilities and Engineering Director Frank Senteno, and Utilities Manager Bob Williams provided an overview of Assembly Bill 1572 for the Council’s review and direction. Staff answered questions from the Council. The Council and staff discussed how the city would address enforcement. Staff will continue reviewing the matter and return to the Council with an update at a later date.
B. Review of Results from National Business Survey (NBS) and National Community Survey (NCS)
Community Relations Manager Brian Johnson presented the results of the 2026 National Business Survey and National Community Survey. Council discussed the survey results and ways to increase future participation. Mr. Johnson answered questions and received feedback from the Council.
Mayor Kairis adjourned the Study Session at 5:05 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (GC 54956.9)(d)(1)) Viking Ready Mix Sales, LLC v. Rudy Rabino, et al. (Kings County Case No. 25CU0015) B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (GC 54956.8) APNs: 012045001, 012046019, 012046005, 012045009, 012045008, 012045007, and 012045006.
Negotiating Party: Solis Martin Vieyra & Araujo Fanny Castro, PRE 4 LLC, MCMASTER,
WILLIAM T & KATHLEEN S H/W, EBERT JEANNINE, ALANIS, RICHARD & LINDA TRUST, Agency Negotiators: Chris Tavarez, Gabrielle Myers, and Nick Matoian C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (GC 54956.8) APN: 018242067
Negotiating Party: TCM Capital
Agency Negotiators: Chris Tavarez, Gabrielle Myers, and Ty Mizote D. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (GC 54956.9(d)(4)) 2 Potential Cases.
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 Lori Niles.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Council Member Regan.
CLOSED SESSION ACTION REPORT:
None.
RECOGNITION:
A. Presentation of a Proclamation recognizing GRID Alternatives Central Valley for its commitment to providing clean, affordable solar energy to Hanford Residents Council Member Paden presented the proclamation to GRID representative Tom Esqueda.
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.
Mayor Kairs addressed the recent controversy and public interest surrounding the Data Center and shared his comments on the issue.
The following individuals commented on and shared concerns regarding a proposed Data Center in the City of Hanford:
Alexandra (last name not provided)
Cesar Caratachea
Cinna Rodriguez
Ivette Chaidez
Amy Wilkinson
Vanessa Alvarez
Margaret Tebbe
Shasied Gomez
Red Fitiausi
Sandra Van Scotter
Amy Bryer
Suzy LeMay
Lacey (last name not provided)
Cheryl Bergren
Francisco Ramirez also commented on Flock cameras and the election.
Cheyne Strawn
Robert Stevens
Barbara Castles
Andrea Barone also commented on the Measure H quarterly reports.
Lucy Gomez
Micheal Gage
Micaela (last name not provided)
Micheal (last name not provided)
Pat Newton
Audrey Soya
Other public comments:
Dan Leon made a public comment about a past police incident.
Cathleen Jorgensen commented on fireworks citations and the proposed Data Center.
Nathan Odom commented on Flock cameras.
Rob Bently commented on the proposed data center and provided an update for the Carnegie Museum.
City Attorney, Ty Mizote addressed the comments regarding the proposed Data Center.
Council Member Paden requested that the discussion of future agenda items be moved to this point in the meeting due to the number of public comments received regarding the proposed Data Center in Hanford. After Council discussion, there was consensus to schedule a future study session to provide an overview of the Flock Safety Camera program, information regarding the proposed Data Center, and discussion of the Mural Ordinance.
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.
Items E, F and L were requested to be pulled by the Council. Motion to approve the consent calendar except for the items pulled for separate discussion.
RESULT: Passed (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Council Member Travis Paden
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. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the May 5, 2026 Meeting.
C. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the May 19, 2026, Meeting.
D. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the June 2, 2026, Meeting.
E. Human Resources: Approval of the City of Hanford Salary Schedules.
F. Human Resources: Authorize the Mayor to sign a League of California Cities or California Association of Joint Powers Authorities letter in support of tort reform to preserve taxpayer funds on behalf of the City of Hanford.
G. Utilities and Engineering: Authorization to appropriate $130,813 from Wastewater Funds (0362) to fund Change Order #1 for Opterra Energy Services to complete Southern California Edison (SCE) required work associated with the Wastewater Treatment Facility's Solar Project.
H. Utilities and Engineering: Authorize the City Manager to execute a Work Order with 4Creeks Engineering for the PS&E Design of the 10th Avenue from Fargo Avenue to State Route 43 Road Rehabilitation Project in the amount of $295,747.50 and approve a
8.5% design contingency of $25,000 funded by the Measure H.
I. Public Works: Approval of a Notice of Completion for RFQ 2026-18 Exterior Painting of Three City Buildings Project and authorize the Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest and file said Notice with Kings County Recorder’s Office.
J. Public Works: Acceptance of a Zero-Emissions Landscape Equipment Grant (ZELE) from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) in the amount of $15,000 and authorization for the purchase of one (1) 60" electric mower from California Turf Equipment and Supply Company of Tulare, CA for $21,433.48, amend the budget to recognize the grant and appropriate $15,000 in the General Fund Parks Division, with the remaining $6,433.48 to be funded from previously appropriated monies designated for the purchase.
K. Public Works: Approval of a sole source purchase of one (1) 2027 Front Load Refuse truck from Haaker Refuse of Tulare, Ca in the amount of $497,506.79 utilizing Sourcewell contract 110223-MCN and an appropriation in the same amount from the Fleet Replacement Reserve Fund (0448).
L. Police: Adoption of Resolution No. 26-51-R for the acceptance of the FY 26/27 Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program (CTFGP) grant through the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in the amount of $88,640.10, amend the budget to recognize the grant, appropriate the total amount in the General Fund for the Police Department, and authorize the Police Chief or City Manager to execute the grant agreement and any related documents.
M. Police: Approval of the purchase of two (2) 2026 Dodge Durango K9 Patrol Vehicles from National Auto Fleet Group (Watsonville, CA), five (5) 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Unmarked Administration Vehicles from Sager Dodge (Hanford, CA), and required upfitting from Cook's Communications for all vehicles for a total cost of $467,019.85.
N. Finance: Amend the Personnel Master to add one (1) Office Assistant I/II Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) to the Refuse Division following approval of funding during the FY 2026-27 Mid-Cycle Budget Review.
O. Finance: Award of a contract to Valley Expetec Technology Services, of Visalia, California, for on-call IT networking, consulting, and support services in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for an initial term of up to one year, with the option to extend on a month-to-month basis at the City's discretion, and an appropriation of $100,000 in the IT Services Fund (0415), an internal service fund, with contract costs partially offset by salary savings and allocated to all operational departments.
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. City Attorney: Authorize a response to Grand Jury Report Regarding Police Department female Hires and Advancement.
[Item E]
Pulled by Council Member Martinez for clarification.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
(UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Nancy Howze
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze B. City Attorney: Authorize response to Grand Jury Report Regarding Marquee Sign. [Item F]
Pulled by Council Member Martinez for clarification.
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 C. Public Works: Approve the purchase of one (1) Kitchen Food Concession Trailer from Usedvending.com from Carriere, MS, for $71,445 and an additional appropriation of $44,945 from the Accumulated Capital Outlay (ACO) Fund. [Item L]
Pulled by Mayor Kairis.
Public Works Director Russ Sterling and Deputy Public Works Director Alvin Dias answered questions from the Council.
Council Member Paden requested that the item be tabled for future discussion. After further discussion regarding the details of the selected trailer, Mayor Kairis made a motion to approve the item.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
(UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Nancy Howze
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze PUBLIC HEARING:
A. Public Works: Public Hearing to receive ballots and public testimony on proposed funding changes/assessment increases for FY 2026/27 for the Quail Run Estates Landscape and Lighting Maintenance Assessment District in the City of Hanford.
Following the close of the Public Hearing, ballots will be opened and tabulated, with results certified and reported prior to the close of the City Council Regular Session.
Authorization for staff to implement assessment changes based on certified results.
During this time, the Council approved to extend the meeting to 10:00 p.m.
Mayor Kairis opened the public hearing at 8:56 p.m. and called for the staff report. Deputy Public Works Director Alvin Dias presented the staff report for the Council's review and approval. The public hearing was closed at 9:25 p.m.
Break: 9:00 p.m. - 9:11 p.m.
Public Commnet:
None.
The Council paused the public hearing for ballot counting at 9:15 p.m. and moved to the next public hearing. The ballot counting was completed at 9:22 p.m.
The Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District (LAD) ballot results were 86 votes approved and 30 votes disapproved.
The City Clerk certified the results, and the proposed increase has been approved. Therefore, the increase will be placed on the 2026/27 Kings County property tax roll each year.
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. Public Works: Public Hearing to receive ballots and public testimony on proposed funding changes/assessment increases for FY 2026/27 of the Portofino Landscape and Lighting Maintenance Assessment District in the City of Hanford. Following the close of the Public Hearing, ballots will be opened and tabulated, with results certified and reported prior to the close of the City Council Regular Meeting. Authorization for staff to implement assessment changes based on certified results.
Mayor Kairis opened the public hearing at 9:16 p.m. and called for the staff report. Deputy Public Works Director Alvin Dias presented the staff report for the Council's review and approval. The public hearing was closed at 9:20 p.m.
Public Commnet:
Raymond Ibarra III commented on the LADs.
The Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District (LAD) ballot results were 4 votes approved and 14 votes disapproved.
The City Clerk certified the results, and the proposed increase has not been approved. Therefore, the increase will not be placed on the 2026/27 Kings County property tax roll.
C. Public Works: Public hearing to receive public input regarding the proposed reduction, no change, or proposed increase in the assessment and imposition of the annual assessment for the City of Hanford’s Landscape Assessment Districts, per the Annual Engineer’s Report for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027, and adopt Resolution 26-50-R ordering the levy and collection of annual assessments pursuant to Chapter 3 of the Landscape and Lighting Act of 1972.
Mayor Kairis opened the public hearing at 9:27 p.m. and called for the staff report. Deputy Public Works Director Alvin Dias presented the staff report for the Council's review and approval of the resolution that reflects the approval of the proposed increase in the assessment for the City of Hanford's Landscape Assessment Districts, per the Annual Engineer's Report for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027, ordering the levy and collection of annual assessments pursuant to Chapter 3 of the Landscape and Lighting Act of 1972. Staff answered questions from the Council. The public hearing was closed at 9:35 p.m.
Public Comment:
None.
Motion to Approve Resolution 26-50-R.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Nancy Howze
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze D. City Attorney: Approval of Resolution of Necessity for Acquisition of 203 E 7th Street, Kings County Assessor’s Parcel Number 012-045-001 by Eminent Domain and Declaring Certain Real Property Necessary for Public Purposes.
City Attorney Ty Mizote and Council Member Martinez recused themselves.
Mayor Kairis opened the public hearing at 9:37 p.m. and called for the staff report. City Attorney Nick Matoian presented the staff report for the Council's review and approval. The public hearing was closed at 9:42 p.m.
Public Commnet:
None.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSTAIN:
Passed
Council Member Mark Kairis
Council Member Howze
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
Lou Martinez
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Utilities and Engineering: Notice of Changed Public Hearing Date for the proposed Prop 218 Wastewater Rate Increase from August 18, 2026 to September 1, 2026.
Utilities and Engineering Director Frank Senteno presented the recommendation to move the Public Hearing date and discussed the next steps for the council's review and approval. Dir. Senteno answered questions from the Council.
Motion to approve September 1, 2026, as the public hearing date.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Lou Martinez
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 the events they attended.
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
Discussed after public comment.
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
July 13–August 7: Nomination Period for City Council Candidates. Current Election Information on the Kings County Website
August 4: Regular City Council Meeting
August 18: 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 9:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk