TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
JOINT REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
MARCH 7, 2023
The March 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 Council Member Josh Bryant 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. PRESENTATION – HALL AMBULANCE
2. PUBLIC HEARING – CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (HCD) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORTING (APR) FOR 2022 The public hearing was opened at 6:46 PM to receive public input, receiving none, the public hearing was closed.
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Krier to:
1. Receive and file the Housing Element Annual Progress Report for calendar year 2022; and
2. Direct the Planning Director to submit the Housing Element Annual Progress Report to HCD and OPR; and
3. Find that the project is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines as the APR filing is not considered a project.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Chavira, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 5-0
3. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
There was none.
4. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Chavira referenced concerns from county residents about public parks and encouraged those with concerns to look into getting involved, having a voice and working toward making the community better.
Council Member Waldrop bragged about the Kern COG awards and award recipients Gary Summers and Ed Gaither for their Legion renovation project.
Council Member Bryant gave kudos to Gary and Ed for their Kern COG award and wished the West Kern Oil Work Museum a Happy 50th birthday.
Mayor Pro Tem Krier spoke about the recent fires and encouraged anyone who sees anything suspicious to report it.
Mayor Noerr spoke about the people of Taft being the common thread to it’s success, and thanked everyone for participating and being a part of the solution.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
March 7, 2023
5. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Police Chief, Damon McMinn, gave the patrol statistics for February 2023 and introduced his new Administrative Assistant , Jeri Coulter-Laird.
6. CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
There was none.
7. CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
There was none.
8. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
There was none.
********************************************************************************************* CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 9-14
Krier pulled item 14
Motion: Moved by Krier, seconded by Bryant to approve consent calendar items 9-13.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Chavira, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 5-0
9. MINUTES
February 21, 2023
Recommendation – Approve as submitted.
10. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 030323 Check No. 97586-97651 $ 298,579.11
Recommendation – Approve payment of the bills.
11. UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS IN THE CITY OF TAFT
Recommendation –
1. Motion to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF TAFT MAKING FINDINGS REGARDING UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS IN THE CITY OF TAFT; (Resolution No. 4176-23) 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.
12. RATIFY AGREEMENT BETWEEN CIVICA LAW GROUP, APC FOR SPECIAL COUSEL LEGAL
SERVICES
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
March 7, 2023
Recommendation –
1. Ratify the already executed agreement with Civica Law Group, APC; 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.
13. ACCEPT THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BID, AWARD THE CITY OF TAFT – 2023 TAFT
POLICE DEPARTMENT INTERIOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND ALLOCATE
ADDITIONAL BUDGET
Recommendation –
1. Motion to accept the lowest responsible bid, award the project and approve agreement with Black/Hall Construction Inc. for the 2023 Taft Police Department Interior Improvement Project and authorize additional budget transfer of $142,605 from capital reserves; and
2. Find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15061(b)(3) and Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines. *********************************************************************************************
14. APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR VISITORS AND USE OF
CITY HALL, CONFERENCE ROOMS, AND COUNCIL CHAMBER
Motion: Moved by Krier, seconded by Bryant to Motion to 1) approve and adopt the Policies and Procedures for Visitors and Use of City Hall, Conference Rooms, and Council Chamber; 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
Krier stated that he pulled the item because although he was in favor of most of the policy, he wanted to be able to have better access to bring visitors impromptu as he has in the past because he is proud and believes it to be the people’s house.
Noerr stated that he believed the policy to be simple etiquette and in the best interest of the safety and security of the employees, sharing that he has always contacted the City Clerk or the City Manager before utilizing City Hall or the Council Chamber for any reason.
CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(b) – one (1) potential case Closed session was cancelled
ADJOURNMENT - With no further business to conduct the meeting was adjourned at 7:18 PM. __________ ____________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC Dave Noerr
City Clerk Mayor