TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 7, 2023
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The February 7, 2023, regular joint meeting of the Taft City Council/Taft Successor Agency, held in the Council Chamber at Taft City Hall, 209 East Kern Street, Taft, CA 93268, was opened by Mayor Dave Noerr at 6:00 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Noerr invocation given by Greg Mudge.
PRESENT: Mayor Dave Noerr and Mayor Pro Tem Orchel Krier Council Members Josh Bryant Carlos Chavira and Ronald Waldrop City Manager Craig Jones and City Attorney Jason Epperson City Clerk Yvette Mayfield
1. PROCLAMATIONS –
• SAFE SURRENDER BABY AWARENESS MONTH
• KERN COUNTY GRAND JURY AWARENESS MONTH
2. REORGANIZATION OF CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Krier to 1) reorganize the committees as stated below, and 2) Find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15060(c)(3) and Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Chavira, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 5-0
Finance Committee: Noerr and Bryant w/Krier as alternate Personnel/Admin Committee: Krier and Bryant w/Chavira as alternate Public Works Committee: Chavira and Noerr w/Waldrop as alternate.
Public Safety Committee: Bryant and Waldrop w/Noerr as alternate Economic Development Committee: Bryant and Noerr w/Waldrop as alternate Traffic Committee: Chavira w/Waldrop as alternate
League of California Cities: Waldrop
Kern COG: Krier w/Bryant as alternate
City Selection Committee: Noerr w/Krier as alternate
Valley-Wide Special City Selection Committee: Bryant w/Chavira as alternate Kern Economic Development Corporation: Bryant
3. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
There was none.
4. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Waldrop shared that he was impressed with the State of the County and Taft’s representation at the event.
Council Member Bryant said he thought the State of the County was well done and apologized for missing the last meeting and the next meeting that he’ll have to miss due to how the holiday closures affect his work schedule.
Council Member Chavira talked about the importance of having a Safe Surrender Program and shared about an upcoming fund raiser to name a section of highway after a local soldier who lost his life while serving our country.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
February 7, 2023
Mayor Pro Tem Krier also stated that he believes that the Safe Surrender program is important and has adopted two children himself.
Mayor Noerr agreed with the other Council Members on the importance of the Safe Surrender Program and honoring our local soldier.
5. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
Panning Commissioner, Jerry Livingston, shared that the Commission had a light agenda, postponing the scheduled public hearing and also began their review of the housing element.
6. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
There was none.
7. CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
There was none.
8. CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
There was none.
9. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
There was none.
********************************************************************************************* CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 10-14
Motion: Moved by Krier, seconded by Bryant to approve consent calendar items 10-14.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Chavira, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 5-0
10. MINUTES
January 17, 2023
Recommendation – Approve as submitted.
11. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 1/20/23 Check No. 97386-97458 $ 744,906.79
Warrant # 1/23/23 Check No. 97459-97463 $ 855.06
Warrant # 2/03/23 Check No. 97464-97517 $ 273,242.61
Recommendation – Approve payment of the bills.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
February 7, 2023
12. TREASURER’S REPORT
Recommendation - Motion to receive and file Treasurer’s Report for the Month of December 2022.
13. PLANNING DIRECTOR TO ATTEND THE AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION’S NATIONAL PLANNING CONFERENCE IN PHILADELPHIA, PA, FROM MARCH 31 TO APRIL 4, 2023 Recommendation –
1. Motion to approve travel expenses for the Planning Director to attend the American Planning Association’s National Planning Conference in Philadelphia, PA, from March 31 to April 4, 2023, with approved expenses up to $1,200.00.
2. Find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15060(c)(3) and Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.
14. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH HOUSEAL LAVIGNE ASSOCIATES FOR ONCALL GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) SERVICES Recommendation –
1. Motion to approve the agreement between the City of Taft and Houseal Lavigne Associates, and to authorize the Mayor to execute said agreement.
2. Find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15060(c)(3) and Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines. ********************************************************************************************* At 6:37 PM the meeting was recessed to closed session.
CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR, CRAIG JONES- CITY MANAGER Government Code Section 54956.8 – undisclosed parcel
B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(b) – one (1) potential case The City Council discussed in closed session those items agendized for closed session discussion and direction was given to staff and negotiators. No other reportable action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT - With no further business to conduct the meeting was adjourned at 7:11 PM. __________ ____________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC Dave Noerr
City Clerk Mayor