TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
OCTOBER 3, 2023
The October 3, 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 Sean Peifor.
PRESENT: Mayor Dave Noerr and Mayor Pro Tem Orchel Krier Council Members Josh Bryant, Carlos Chavira and Ron Waldrop City Manager Craig Jones and City Attorney Jason Epperson City Clerk Yvette Mayfield
1. PROCLAMATION – TAFT FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH – 100TH ANNIVERSARY
2. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
Dr. Kathy Orrin, Executive Director of the Taft Chamber of Commerce, shared information on upcoming events.
Jackie Peavyhouse addressed the Council on item #10.
A written comment received from Daniel Rodela was read into the record.
3. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Waldrop reported on the courses he attended at the recent League of California Cities Annual Conference.
Council Member Bryant shared information from the Kern EDC quarterly meeting that he attended and congratulated the Clarks on receiving this year’s Community Spirit Award.
Council Member Chavira also congratulated the Clarks on their recognition, shared about how the Cougar Cookout is about honoring veterans, how the local Legion works behind the scenes in the community and shared relevant quotes.
Mayor Pro Tem Krier spoke about how new legislation is hurting our state, encouraged anyone who sees a crime to report it and shared about all the things to do in Taft.
Mayor Noerr shared about a phone call that he received from a local Taft High student who had concerns about local vagrants making the young ladies uncomfortable leaving the school and walking through the community at times. He asked the Police chief to come up and address and give guidance.
4. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Chief of Police, Damon McMinn, gave a report on the statistics for the police department for the month of September.
5. CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
There was none.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
October 3, 2023
6. CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
There was none.
7. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
There was none.
********************************************************************************************* CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 8-15
Bryant pulled Item #10 and Krier pulled Item #15
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Krier to approve consent calendar items 8 & 9 & 11-14.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Chavira, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 5-0
8. MINUTES
September 19, 2023 Regular
Recommendation – Approve as submitted.
9. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 091523A Check No. 98490 $ 280.00
Warrant # 091523 Check No. 98491-98537 $ 142,734.16
Recommendation – Approve payment of the bills.
11. TRIENNIAL PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF CITY OF TAFT TRANSIT SERVICES Recommendation – Motion to receive and file the Triennial Performance Audit of City of Taft Transit Services for FY 2018/19 – 2020/21 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.
12. RATIFY THE EXECUTION OF LEXISNEXIS LAW LIBRARY AGREEMENT Recommendation – Motion to ratify the signed 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.
13. FUNDING TO THE TAFT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR THE QUARTER OF APRIL 2023 TO JUNE 2023
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
October 3, 2023
Recommendation – Motion to approve the 25% allocation of the Transient Occupancy Tax to the Taft Chamber of Commerce for the quarter of April 2023 through June 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.
14. ACCEPT THE COMPLETED WORK BY BLACK HALL CONSTRUCTION INC. FOR THE 2023
TAFT POLICE DEPARTMENT INTERIOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Recommendation – Motion to accept the completed work by Black Hall Construction, Inc. for the 2023 Taft Police Department Interior Improvement Project, authorize the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the Kern County Recorder and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15061(b)(3).
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10. ACCEPT DONATION OF MEMORIAL BOULDER TO BE PLACED ON RAILS TO TRAILS IN
MEMORY OF CAROLYN HOSKING
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Krier to adopt a resolution entitled A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT ACCEPTING A
DONATION OF A MEMORIAL BOULDER, MEMORIALIZING CAROLYN
HOSKING, FROM THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH WOMEN IN PROGRESS CIRCLE (ESTIMATED VALUE $750) (Resolution No. 4218-23) 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
Bryant asked if the City has a policy for receiving donations and City Clerk Mayfield confirmed that it does, and the policy was followed for this donation. He then shared that he thought this was a great way to honor Ms. Hosking.
Krier asked who decides where the memorial is placed, and City Manager Jones informed him that staff will.
Noerr shared that he actually worked with Ms. Hosking on the Oilworker Monument project and understood the request for placement near there.
15. ADOPT “DENIAL OF SERVICE” POLICY FOR THE CITY’S PUBLIC TRANSIT PROGRAM Motion: Moved by Krier, seconded by Chavira to adopt a resolution entitled A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT ADOPTING “DENIAL OF SERVICE” POLICY FOR THE CITY’S PUBLIC TRANSIT PROGRAM (Resolution No. 4219-23) 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
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
October 3, 2023
Krier said he pulled the item as he noticed there were three opportunities in the policy before being banned from riding and asked if it could be fewer opportunities if warranted. Jones informed him that yes, if the offense was egregious enough, someone could be banned from riding earlier than the third offense as the policy is about the safety of the drivers and the other riders.
At 7:11 PM the meeting was recessed in to closed session.
CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph 2 or 3 of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 (d) – one (1) potential case
B. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR, CRAIG JONES, CITY MANAGER Government Code 54957.6 – All units
C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9 (a) – Taft Union High School vs. City of Taft 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 7:46 PM. __________ ____________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC Dave Noerr
City Clerk Mayor