City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes
August 18, 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 meeting to order at 4:00 p.m., and the Council convened into Closed Session prior to the Study Session.
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 - LATE
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.
Bob Ramos asked questions regarding the Fire Department’s presentation. Fire Chief Daniel Perkins responded to his questions.
Victor Chavarin Jr., Measure H Vice Chair, commented on the accomplishments made possible through Measure H funding.
STUDY SESSION AND ACTION ITEMS:
A. Review of Measure H Revenues and Expenditures and Departmental Presentations highlighting accomplishments, projects, and services delivered during the first full fiscal year 2025-26
The Council reconvened to the Study Session at 4:15 p.m.
All department heads provided an overview of their respective Measure H revenues and expenditures for the Council’s review and feedback. Staff responded to questions from the Council. The presentation was for informational purposes only, and no action was required.
Mayor Kairis adjourned the Study Session at 5:30 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (GC 54956.9(d)(2):
Significant exposure to litigation: One potential case.
B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (GC 54956.9(d)(4)) One potential case.
C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (GC 54956.9)(d)(1)) City of Hanford v. Puga, et al.
Kings County Superior Court Case No. 26CU0342
D. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (GC 54956.8) APNs: 012-045-006 and 012-045-007
Negotiating Party: ALANIS, RICHARD & LINDA TRUST
Agency Negotiators: Chris Tavarez, Jason Waters, and Nick Matoian E. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (GC 54956.8) APN: 012-041-007
Negotiating Party: Craig Johnson
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 Mark Kairis
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Lou Martinez
Council Member Kimber Regan
Council Member Nancy Howze
INVOCATION:
The invocation was lead by Pastor Lori Niles.
FLAG SALUTE:
The flag salute was led by Bob Ramos.
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.
Dan Leon commented on illegal activity in the City and discussed an accusation related to picking up trash in the community. He also expressed the need for more Hispanic police officers.
Anna Brookshire questioned two consent calendar items.
Victor Chavarin Jr. commented on the Mid-Kings River GSA Assessment Ballot and clarified the purpose of the ballot. He also commented on the proposed Data Center.
Bob Ramos commented on the Mid-Kings River GSA Assessment Ballot and stated that he would be voting in favor.
April Kasey commented on the annexation and the potential need to change her residential address. She requested that her existing address be grandfathered in.
Joe Soto commented on the annexation of his residence.
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 Items D, E, F and H. Motion to approve the consent calendar except for the items pulled for separate discussion.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Passed (UNANIMOUS)
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 January 20, 2026, Meeting C. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the July 21, 2026 Meeting D. Community Development: Adopt a Resolution Approving a Historic Resources Application HRA0025-26 for 213 W. Seventh Street (APN 012-055-006) – Office Building E. Utilities and Engineering: Authorization for staff to record the final subdivision map for Tract No. 881-3 Live Oak East (Hidden Oaks Unit No. 3), a 128-lot subdivision located at the southeast corner of Hume Avenue and 12th Avenue.
F. Finance: Acceptance and authorization for staff to File the City of Hanford's Quarterly Investment Portfolio and Transactions Reports as of 06/30/26.
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS:
A. City Attorney: Approval of the First Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement and Escrow Instructions with the Richard and Linda Alanis Trust dated December 13, 2005 for Kings County Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 012-045-006 and 012-045-007 and Authorization for the City Manager or his Designee to Execute the First Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement and Escrow Instructions.
[Item D]
Pulled by Council Member Martinez.
Council Member Martinez and City Attorney Ty Mizote recused themselves from the discussion and consideration of the item.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSTAIN:
Passed
Council Member Nancy Howze
Council Member Travis Paden
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
Lou Martinez
B. City Attorney: Approval of Addendum to Limited Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Proposal by BSK Associates for Kings County Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 012-046-006, 012-046-007, 012-045-010, 012-045-004, and 012-045-005 for Hazardous Waste Soluble Analyses in the Amount of Nine Hundred Twenty-Four Dollars ($924.00) and Authorization for City Manager or his Designee to Execute an Addendum or Proposal Amendment in the Amount of Nine Hundred Twenty-Four Dollars ($924.00). [Item E]
Pulled by Council Member Martinez.
Council Member Martinez and City Attorney Ty Mizote recused themselves from the discussion and consideration of the item.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSTAIN:
Passed
Council Member Nancy Howze
Council Member Travis Paden
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
Lou Martinez
C. City Attorney: Approval of the Limited Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Proposal by BSK Associates and Addendum for Additional Soluble Analyses for Kings County Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 012-045-006 and 012-045-007 owned by the Richard and Linda Alanis Trust and Authorization for City Manager or his Designee to Execute the Limited Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Proposal and Addendum in a Total Amount of Sixty-Two Thousand Five Hundred Ninety-Five Dollars ($62,595.00).
[Item F]
Pulled by Council Member Martinez.
Council Member Martinez and City Attorney Ty Mizote recused themselves from the discussion and consideration of the item.
Motion to Approve.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSTAIN:
Passed
Council Member Nancy Howze
Council Member Paden
Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze
Lou Martinez
D. Community Development: Waive the 2nd reading and adopt Ordinance 26-04, approving Amended Prezone 0013-24, a request to amend the previous prezoning scope, in order to coincide with the amended Annexation 165 boundary. The prezone will apply to the properties proposed to be annexed as 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 project is located north of Grangeville Boulevard, east of 9 1/4 Avenue (APN 014-143-069, 014-143-078, and 014-143-022). [Item H]
Pulled by Council Member Paden to recuse himself from the discussion and consideration of the item.
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
GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Community Development: Land Use Regulations and City Authority for Data Center Facilities
Deputy City Manager Jason Waters and Principal Planner Gabrielle Myers presented the land-use regulations and the City Authority for Data Center Facilities for the Council's review and feedback. Staff answered questions from the Council.
No action required; the report was for informational purposes.
During this time, the Council opened public comment.
Nick Champi commented on Data Centers.
Chris Ying commented on Data Centers.
B. Public Works: Review of the City of Hanford Landscape and Lighting District maintenance practices.
Public Works Director Russ Sterling and Deputy Public Works Director Alvin Dias presented an overview of the current landscape maintenance practices for the Council's review and direction of how to move forward. Staff answered questions from the Council.
Motion to accept the report and continue with contractual services for the Citywide landscape maintenance of all Landscape Assessment Districts and Community Facilities Districts.
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
NAYS:
Passed
Council Member Travis Paden
Council Member Nancy Howze
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) A. Council Future Agenda Items
None.
B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates:
August 29: Winter Wonderland Job Fair, City Hall, Recreation and Community Services Dept. 321 N. Douty Street, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Apply here: City of Hanford jobs September 1: Regular City Council Meeting
September 5: Free e-waste recycling event at the City Corporation Yard, 900 S. 10th Avenue, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. More Information
September 7: City offices closed in observance of Labor Day 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 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Corral
City Clerk