TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 18, 2023
The July 18, 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 Chavira invocation given by Pastor John Getty.
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. CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION – BOB LEIKAM
2. PUBLIC HEARING - LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1 The public hearing was opened at 6:08 PM to hear from interested parties, seeing none the public hearing was closed.
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Waldrop to approve resolution entitled A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT SETTING THE ASSESSMENT FOR LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1
(Resolution No. 4200-23) and 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
3. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
John Ryan spoke about being the first family to participate in the Habitat for Humanity program in Taft and how grateful he was to have just paid off his home loan.
4. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Bryant reminded everyone about the cooling centers available during the current heatwave and thanked the Police Department and Sheriff’s Office for their handling of some recent local issues.
Council Member Chavira spoke about American pride and what could be learned from empires and shared three relevant quotes.
Mayor Pro Tem Krier talked about the youth being the treasure of our country and how teachings in schools can change our youth and reminded everyone that there are a lot of great activities going on locally.
Mayor Noerr reminded everyone to hydrate in this heat and shared an article from a trade publication about diesel powered generator backup being provided on a large project.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
July 18, 2023
5. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Police Chief, Damon McMinn, reported on the June figures for the police department and spoke about safety for kids riding scooters this summer.
6. CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
There was none.
7. CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
There was none.
8. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
Krier requested recognition for Edith Lauren’s retirement from the Historic Fort. Bryant concurred.
********************************************************************************************* CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 9-18
Terra O’Neill, Recreation Supervisor, from the West Side Recreation and Park District, addressed the Council regarding Item 18.
Motion: Moved by Krier, seconded by Bryant to approve consent calendar items 9-18.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Chavira, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 5-0
9. MINUTES
June 20, 2023
Recommendation – Approve as submitted.
10. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 062323 Check No. 98101-97168 $ 319,511.75
Warrant # 070723A Check No. 98169-98209 $ 187,790.91
Warrant # 070723 Check No. 98210-98230 $ 168,851.21
Recommendation – Approve payment of the bills.
11. 2ND READING - INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE UPDATING AND STREAMLINING SELECTED PROVISIONS OF THE TAFT MUNICIPAL CODE (“TMC”) TO COMPLY WITH
RECENT STATE AND FEDERAL LAW ENACTMENTS
Recommendation – Motion to approve an ordinance entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT UPDATING AND STREAMLINING SELECTED PROVISIONS OF THE TAFT MUNICIPAL CODE (“TMC”) TO COMPLY WITH RECENT
STATE AND FEDERAL LAW ENACTMENTS AND PROVIDE FOR MORE EFFICIENT AND
EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT OF CODE VIOLATIONS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC HEALTH, City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
July 18, 2023
SAFETY AND WELFARE (Ordinance No. 852-23) and 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. FUNDING TO THE TAFT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR THE QUARTER OF JANUARY 2023 TO MARCH 2023
Recommendation – Motion to approve the 25% allocation of the Transient Occupancy Tax to the Taft Chamber of Commerce for the quarter of January 2023 through March 2023, and 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 WORK PERFORMED BY KEN W. SMITH CONSTRUCTION, INC. AND
APPROVE THE FILING OF THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE NEEDS CENTER
PROJECT
Recommendation – Motion to accept the completed work by Ken W. Smith Construction, Inc. for the NEED’s Center Project and authorize the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the Kern County Recorder.
14. MONTHLY REPORT FOR KERN COUNTY STATION 21 – APRIL 2023 Recommendation – Receive and file the monthly report for April 2023 from Kern County Fire Station Number 21 and 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.
15. MONTHLY REPORT FOR KERN COUNTY STATION 21 – MAY 2023 Recommendation – Receive and file the monthly report for May 2023 from Kern County Fire Station Number 21 and 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.
16. MONTHLY REPORT FOR KERN COUNTY STATION 21- JUNE 2023 Recommendation – Receive and file the monthly report for June 2023 from Kern County Fire Station Number 21 and 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.
17. APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF AXON BODY WORN CAMERAS FOR THE CITY OF TAFT POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Recommendation – Motion to accept the purchase agreement quote from Axon Enterprises, Inc. to be paid a yearly amount of $25,060.77 for a period of five years totaling $125,303.84 and authorize the Mayor to sign attached agreement, and 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.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
July 18, 2023
18. ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY WITH THE TAFT FOX THEATRE
Recommendation – Motion to approve participating in the Fox VIP Advertising package for $5,000 annually, add to the budget as reoccurring item and 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.
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19. RATIFICATION OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES
MARSHALS SERVICE FOR THE RE-OPENING OF THE TAFT COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL
FACILITY
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Chavira to ratify approval and signature of the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Taft and the United States Marshals Service and 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
20. STAFFING FOR THE RE-OPENING OF THE TAFT COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Chavira to:
1. Approve the Job Descriptions and Salary Ranges for the classifications of Correctional Officer, Senior Correctional Officer/Transportation Officer, Correctional Sergeant/Watch Commander, Administrative Lieutenant, and Facility Manager
2. Adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF TAFT UPDATING THE POSITION CLASSIFICATION PLAN
FOR RE-OPENING THE TAFT COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY (Resolution No. 4201-23); and
3. 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
At 6:56 PM the meeting was recessed to closed session.
CLOSED SESSION
A. ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Government Code Section 54957 – City Manager
B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(b) – one (1) potential case City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
July 18, 2023
C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9 (a) – Taft Union High School vs. City of Taft D. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR, CRAIG JONES, CITY MANAGER Government Code 54957.6 – All units
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 8:26 PM. __________ ____________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC Dave Noerr
City Clerk Mayor