City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
August 4, 2026 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
400 N. Douty St.
4:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION AND CLOSED SESSION:
Vice Mayor Howze called the Study Session and Closed Session to order at 4:00 p.m. Due to technical difficulties with the audio system in the Council Chambers, the Council proceeded into Closed Session while staff worked to resolve the issues. Once the technical issues were resolved and the audio system was functioning properly, the Council reconvened the Study Session at 4:29 p.m.
ROLL CALL BY THE CITY CLERK:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Kimber Regan
Council Member Nancy Howze
Council Member Mark Kairis
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. Presentation from KCAG and Consultant (DKS Associates) of the Draft 2026 Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy Jim Damkowitch of DKS Consulting, KCAG Director Terri King, and KCAG Regional Planner Kayley Clay presented the Draft 2026 Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy for the Council’s review and comments.
The Council discussed the proposed Scenario Testing and expressed support for moving forward with Scenarios A and D. Staff and the consultants answered questions from the Council.
The Council reconvened in Closed Session at 4:50 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION:
A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (GC 54957)
Title: City Manager
B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (GC 54956.9)(d)(1)) Anderson v. City of Hanford
Kings County Case No. 24CU0255
C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (GC 54956.9(d)(4)) 3 Cases.
D. 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 CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION:
Mayor Kairis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Absent:
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Kimber Regan
Council Member Nancy Howze
Council Member Mark Kairis
INVOCATION:
The invocation was led by Adam Medieros.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Council Member Paden.
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.
Andrea Barone thanked the Council for their work and expressed appreciation for how Measure H funds are being used. He also shared concerns regarding his neighborhood. He also questioned the cameras in the city parks.
Bob Ramos commented on General Business Item B and expressed support for making the Fourth of July event an annual event. He also questioned a past issue involving the school district and the City Council.
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:
ABSENT:
Passed
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Kimber Regan
Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
Mark Kairis
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 June 16, 2026, Meeting C. City Attorney: Action to Declare Abandoned Right-of-Way as Exempt Surplus Property D. Fire: Authorize a response to County of Kings Grand Jury Report, Keeping Our Firefighters/EMS Safe in Kings County - Personnel Protective Equipment E. Fire: Authorize a response to the County of Kings Grand Jury Report, Consolidated Fire Communications in Kings County.
F. Police: Approval of the purchase of sixty-five (65) rifles and required accessories from Proforce Law Enforcement for $147,715.91 from the General Fund as approved in the Capital Improvement Program for fiscal year 2026/2027.
PUBLIC HEARING:
A. Community Development: Amended Annexation165: a request to reduce the previous proposed annexation boundary, in order to annex approximately 86.4 acres into the City of Hanford City Limits from the Kings County Jurisdiction. Amended Prezone No. 0013- 24: a request to amend the previous prezoning scope, in order to coincide with the amended annexation boundary. The prezone will apply to the properties proposed to be annexed as a R-M Medium-Density Residential (80.95 acres) and MX-N Neighborhood Mixed Use (5.45 acres), consistent with previously approved General Plan Amendment No. 0009-24. The amended project area is located north of Grangeville Boulevard and east of 9 ¼ Avenue. The development site includes two parcels, comprising 83.61 acres (APNs 014-143-069 and 014-143-078). An additional parcel (APN 014-143-022) is also proposed to be annexed and prezoned as part of the project scope.
Vice Mayor Howze opened the public hearing at 7:13 p.m. and called for the staff report. Principal Planner Gabrielle Myers presented the staff report for the Council’s review and consideration and responded to questions from the Council.
Ms. Myers clarified the recommendation for approval, and staff and the City Attorney emphasized that the action was limited to approval of the amended annexation. Following a discussion regarding whether to table the item until the full Council was present, the Council proceeded with a motion to approve the item as recommended. The public hearing was closed at 8:07 p.m.
Public Comment:
IN-FAVOR
Greg Nunely discussed the past approval by the Council and provided a background of the project and addressed the Council's concerns and questions.
OPPOSSED:
Andrea Barone commented on the proposed development and expressed concerns regarding the wall being built as part of the project.
Larry Faria commented on the proposed development and the surrounding area.
Chris Ying commented on the proposed development area and expressed concerns about a former dump site that may be affect the water quality in the area.
Bob Ramos expressed concerns regarding water quality in the area of the proposed development.
Jim Loogman expressed concerns regarding the proposed roadway through the development area.
Motion to Approve and waive the first reading of Ordinance 26-04,approving Amended Prezone No. 0013-24.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Passed
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Lou Martinez
Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
Mark Kairis
Motion to Approve Resolution 26-54-R, initiating proceedings for Amended Annexation No. 165 and direct staff to file the appropriate application with the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) of Kings County.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Passed
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Lou Martinez
Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
Mark Kairis
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Fire: Receive a presentation on the "It's Not Worth It" Illegal Fireworks Campaign and appropriate $11,000 for continuation of the campaign for media and outreach costs from the General Fund for fiscal year 2026/2027; and establish an ongoing policy to continue the campaign for a total estimated cost of $49,000 to be budgeted next fiscal year to be offset by citation revenues.
Fire Chief Daniel Perkins, Battalion Chief Matt Rowe, Fire Captain Matt Martinez, and Analyst Valeria Virgen presented statistics from the Fourth of July weekend and discussed the results of the campaign. Staff recommended appropriating $11,000 from the General Fund for Fiscal Year 2026/27 to continue media and outreach efforts and establishing an ongoing policy to continue the campaign in future years, at an estimated cost of $49,000 to be offset by citation revenues.
Staff answered questions from the Council. The Council thanked staff for their efforts and expressed support for continuing the “It’s Not Worth It” campaign.
Motion to approve the appropriation of $11,000 from the General Fund for Fiscal Year 2026/27 to continue the campaign efforts.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Passed
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Kimber Regan
Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
Mark Kairis
B. Recreation and Community Services: Receive a presentation and provide direction on future July 4th events. If a future July 4th event is desired, appropriate $77,000 from the General Fund, to be offset by event revenue, including but not limited to ticket sales, sponsorships, illegal firework citations, and vendor sales.
During this time, the Council approved extending the meeting until 9:15 p.m.
Recreation and Community Services Director Brad Albert presented a post-event report on the July 4th Freedom Fest for the Council’s review and direction. Staff recommended proceeding with planning for the 2027 Freedom Fest and appropriating $77,000 from the General Fund. Staff answered questions from the Council, and the Council provided feedback and direction to move forward with planning the 2027 July 4th Freedom Fest event.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Passed
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Kimber Regan
Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
Mark Kairis
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.
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:
July 13–August 7: Nomination Period for City Council Candidates. Current Election Information is available on the Kings County Elections Department Website August 13: The City's Birthday Celebration at the Thursday Night Market Place August 18: Regular City Council Meeting
September 1:Regular City Council Meeting
September 15: 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 9:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk