336 Pacific Avenue, Shafter, CA 93263
Meeting Held In-Person and Via Zoom and Livestream on YouTube.
AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING
SHAFTER CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2025
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC:
Any documents produced by the City and distributed to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda will be made available in the City Clerk’s Office during normal business hours at City Hall located at 336 Pacific Avenue, Shafter CA. In addition, such documents will be posted on the City’s website at www.shafter.com.
CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 PM
ROLL CALL: Mayor Givens
Mayor Pro Tem Olvera
Council Member Alvarado
Council Member Espinoza
Council Member Prout
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council Member Prout
INVOCATION: Mayor Givens
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
PRESENTATION:
1. Resolution of Service Recognition: Philip Yoshikawa
2. Introduction of City Employee: Economic Development Alicia Ramirez PUBLIC COMMENT:
Those persons wishing to speak on any item included on the agenda, or on any matter within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council, are invited to speak from the podium and address the City Council. Speakers are limited to five minutes unless additional time is needed for translation. Please state your name and address for the record before making your presentation.
COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS:
Shafter City Council Agenda
July 15, 2025
On their own initiative, Council Members may make a brief announcement or a brief report on their own activities. Council Members may ask a question for clarification, make a referral to staff, or take action to have staff place a matter of business on a future agenda. No formal action by the Council will be taken unless an item is identified on the Agenda.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
All items on the consent calendar are considered routine and non-controversial by staff and will be approved by one motion if no member of the Council or public wishes to comment or ask questions. If comment or discussion is desired by anyone, the item will be removed from the consent calendar and will be considered in the listed sequence with an opportunity for any member of the public to address the Council concerning the item before action is taken.
1. Approval of Minutes: May 20, 2025, June 3, 2025.
2. Approve Payroll: June 27, 2025, July 1, 2025, July 3, 2025.
3. Approve General Checks: June 18, 2025, June 26, 2025, June 26, 2025, June 30, 2025, July 8, 2025, July 10, 2025.
4. Approve Overtime Report: May 2025.
5. Accept Treasurer's Reports: May 2025.
6. Approve Special Event Permit: The Gossamer Grove Night Market, July-October 2025.
7. Council find action is not defined as a “project” per Section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines; and adopt the City of Shafter Employee Bi-Weekly Pay Schedule, effective June 21, 2025.
8. Council find action is not defined as a “project” per Section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines; and adopt the City of Shafter Employee Bi-Weekly Pay Schedule, effective July 1, 2025.
9. City Council introduce for second reading, by title only, and waive reading, and adopt Ordinance No. 766, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Shafter approving Zone Code Amendment No. 25-21, an amendment to Title 17 (Zoning Ordinance) of the Shafter Municipal Code to prohibit the establishment of smoke shops, smoking lounges, and tobacco stores in all zoning districts within the City of Shafter.
10. City Council introduce for second reading, by title only, and waive reading, and adopt Ordinance No. 767, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Shafter approving Zone Change No. 25-78 to change the zoning designation of APNs 027- 170-02 and 027-170-03 from Downtown Commercial (DC) zoning to General Commercial (GC) zoning.
11. Council find the action is not defined as a “project” per Section 15378(b)(4) of the CEQA Guidelines; approve the renewal of the annual support contract for the Cohesity data backup appliance in the amount of $16,808.34.
12. Council find the action is not defined as a "project" per Section 15378(b)(4) of the CEQA Guidelines; approve the purchase of a new Ford F-150 Lightning Pro lightduty truck from Jim Burke Ford in the amount of $57,000, for use by the Shafter City Council Agenda
July 15, 2025
Telecommunications Division within Information Technology, and authorize the Deputy Information Technology Director to sign the purchase agreement of said vehicle on behalf of the City.
13. Council find action is not defined as a “project” per Section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines; authorize the City Manager to execute the grant of easement, APN 026-090-74, to Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) for the relocation of a gas service line at the Shafter Aquatics Center, upon final approval of the easement documents by the City Attorney.
14. Council find the action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); approve project plans and bid documents; and authorize formal bidding for said project per the City’s bidding and procurement policies.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Should anyone challenge any proposed action which is the subject of a public hearing listed on this agenda, that person challenging any action taken after the public hearing may be limited to raising only those issues addressed at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at or prior to this public hearing.
1. TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 7007 EXTENSION OF TIME: Council find the action does not require additional CEQA review; conduct public hearing and adopt Resolution No. 3028, a Resolution of the City of Council of the City of Shafter, approving a two (2) year extension of time for Tentative Tract Map No. 7007 located east of North Beech Avenue, between East Fresno Avenue and East Tulare Avenue, subject to the conditions approved by the City Council on November 21, 2006, to now expire on May 21, 2027.
ROLL CALL
2. ZONE CODE AMENDMENT NO. 25-22: City Council conduct public hearing and introduce for first reading, by title only, and waive reading of Ordinance No. 769, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Shafter, approving Zone Code Amendment No. 25-22, an amendment to Title 17 (Zoning Ordinance) of the Shafter Municipal Code to allow hydrogen production in the Industrial (I) zone district subject to the approval of a Conditional Use Permit.
ROLL CALL
3. ORDER ANNUAL LEVY OF ASSESSMENTS WITHIN EXISTING LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING DISTRICTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 RESOLUTION ADOPTION: Council find the action is not defined as a "project" per Section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines; conduct a public hearing on the Proposed Annual Levy of Assessments for Existing Landscape and Lighting Districts; and adopt Resolution 3029, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Shafter Confirming Engineer’s Report, Diagram and Assessment for Existing Landscaping and Lighting Districts and Ordering the Levy and Collection of Assessments for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
ROLL CALL
4. SEWER AND REFUSE SERVICE CHARGES FOR GOSSAMER GROVE
DEVELOPMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 RESOLUTION ADOPTION:
Council find the action is not defined as a “project” per Section 15378(b)(4) of the Shafter City Council Agenda
July 15, 2025
CEQA Guidelines; conduct a public hearing on the subject matter; and adopt Resolution 3030, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Shafter, overruling protests and adopting Written Report on Sewer and Refuse Service Charges for the Gossamer Grove Development for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, directing the Public Works Director to file a copy of the Levy Report with the Kern County TreasurerTax Collector, and authorizing the Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector to place the charges on the Property Tax Roll. The attached resolution requires approval by a two-thirds vote of the City Council, otherwise the Sewer and Refuse Service Charges may not be enrolled on the county Property Tax Roll.
ROLL CALL
MANAGEMENT REPORT:
1. PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT FOR FIBER OPTIC NETWORK EXPANSION AND SUBSCRIBER SERVICES APPROVAL: Council find the action is not defined as a "project" per Section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines; approve the terms of a 5-year Public-Private Partnership agreement, dated July 16, 2025, with Smart Fiber Networks for fiber optic network expansion and broadband subscriber services, authorize the City Manager to sign said Agreement, and authorize the Deputy Information Technology Director to make the initial annual payment for Operating Services of $99,000 after the Agreement is enacted by both parties.
ROLL CALL
2. DOWNTOWN FAÇADE GRANT PROGRAM: Council find the action is not defined as a “project” per Section 15378(b)(2) of the CEQA Guidelines; approve the creation and implementation of the Downtown Façade Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2025-26; and a budget amendment in the amount of $200,000, consisting of $124,000 transferred from the Shafter Charitable Purpose Foundation to the General Fund, and $76,000 from the General Fund.
ROLL CALL
3. UTILITY BILLING SENIOR DISCOUNT PROGRAM DISCUSSION: Council find the action is for informational purposes only and does not trigger CEQA; discuss the concept of a senior discount program for utility billing and provide direction to Staff on whether to pursue further evaluation and development.
ROLL CALL
4. BEECH AVENUE CONNECTION TO PROPOSED ROUNDABOUT AT SANTA FE WAY AND HIGHWAY 43 UPDATE : Council find that the requested action does not constitute a "project" under Section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines; receive an updated presentation on the Beech Avenue connection options related to the planned roundabout at Highway 43 and Santa Fe Way; and authorize the Public Works Director to submit a “Request for Authority to Alter Highway-Rail Crossings” to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) supporting temporary closure of the Beech Avenue connection, with future restoration flexibility contingent on a grade-separated solution.
ROLL CALL
5. SHAFTER AVENUE PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AWARD
(ST00044): Council find the action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act; accept six (6) bids received for the Shafter Avenue Pedestrian Shafter City Council Agenda
July 15, 2025
Improvement Project; and authorize the Deputy Public Works Director to issue a notice of award and notice to proceed to Cen-Cal Construction in an amount up to $200,000 for said project.
ROLL CALL
6. CITY COUNCIL GOVERNANCE POLICIES & PROTOCOLS RESOLUTION
ADOPTION AND ESTABLISHING ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS FOR
GOVERNANCE POLICIES AND PROTOCOLS, LAWS AND CHARTER
PROVISIONS ORDINANCE ADOPTION: Council find the action is not defined as a "project" per Section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines; and adopt Resolution 3031, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Shafter, establishing Governance Norms and protocols for the conduct of Public Business; and waive further reading, read by title only and introduce Ordinance 770, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Shafter, California, adopting Enforcement Procedures for Violations of Council Governance Norms and Protocols, City Ordinances and Charter Provisions and State and Local Laws in accordance with the Charter of the City of Shafter.
ROLL CALL
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS AND REPORTS:
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND REPORTS:
RECESS:
CLOSED SESSION:
1. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS: Pursuant to California Government Code, Section 54956.8
Property: APN 028-180-40 and 028-180-79. Agency Negotiator: Lance Lippincott, City Manager Negotiating Parties: Omni Family Health Property Under Negotiation:
Price and Terms.
ADJOURNMENT:
Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in a City Council Meeting, please contact the City Clerk at (661) 746-5000 at least three (3) days prior to the meeting or time the special services are needed to allow City staff in making reasonable arrangements to provide you with access to the meeting. Any public record, relating to an open session agenda item, that is distributed within 72 hours prior to the meeting is available for public inspection in the City Clerk’s Office at Shafter City Hall, 336 Pacific Ave., Shafter, CA 93263. This is to certify that this Agenda notice was posted at City Hall and Police Dept. by 5:00 p.m., July 10, 2025. Yazmina Pallares, S/S, City Clerk
REMOTE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS ALLOWED IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS, SEE BELOW FOR INSTRUCTIONS.
Shafter City Council Agenda
July 15, 2025
1. You are strongly encouraged to observe the City Council meetings live via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofShafter/
2. If you wish to make a comment on a specific agenda item or public comment, please submit your comment via email by 6:00 PM on July 15, 2025 to the City Clerk at [email protected]
3. If you wish to make a written comment to the City Clerk, 336 Pacific Avenue, Shafter, CA 93263.
4. If you wish to make a comment during the live meeting, callers must first register with the City Clerk at 661-746-5012 before the meeting begins to receive instructions and the call- in number and code. Please call by 5:00pm on the Monday prior to the City Council meeting to allow ample time for sign up. You will need to provide your name, phone number and the item number you wish to address.
5. All public comments are provided to the City Council and applicable Staff, for review and consideration by the Board prior to taking action on any matters listed on the agenda and are incorporated into the official record of the City Council meeting.