TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
OCTOBER 17, 2023
The October 17, 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 Pastor John Getty.
PRESENT: Mayor Dave Noerr and Mayor Pro Tem Orchel Krier Council Members Josh Bryant and Carlos Chavira
City Manager Craig Jones and City Attorney Jason Epperson City Clerk Yvette Mayfield
ABSENT: Council Member Ron Waldrop
1. ANNUAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT REPORT - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MEETING The floor was opened for community engagement, comment and feedback on the Taft Police Department’s 2022-2023 Annual Military Equipment Report presented to Council on September 5, 2023. No engagement was received.
2. ANNUAL REVIEW AND RENEWAL OF ORDINANCE 847-22 ADOPTING THE MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE POLICY IN ACCORDANCE WITH AB 481
Motion: Moved by Krier, seconded by Bryant to adopt a resolution entitled A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT RENEWING ORDINANCE 847-22, ADOPTING THE CITY OF TAFT POLICE
DEPARTMENT (TPD) MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE POLICY, IN
ACCORDANCE WITH ASSEMBLY BILL 481 (Resolution No. 4220-23) 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, Noerr
PASSED: 4-0
3. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
There was none.
4. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Bryant spoke about some ner’do wells that are causing damage in town and encouraged anyone that sees this kind of behavior report to the police department.
Council Member Chavira talked about all the unrest and war going on in the world and spoke of being fortunate to be an American and shared relevant quotes.
Mayor Pro Tem Krier agreed with Bryant’s comments and shared about local upcoming events.
Mayor Noerr spoke about the 24 second video that captured the burglary at Jo’s Restaurant, encouraged people to replace weathered flags and spoke about the upcoming Veterans Day Celebration, thanking those that have provided our freedom.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
October 17, 2023
5. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
Planning Commissioner Livingston reported that at their last meeting, the Commission continued to review the Housing Element for update.
6. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
There was none.
7. CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
City Manager Jones shared about the upcoming Veterans Day Celebration being held on Friday November 10th at Veterans Park.
8. CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
There was none.
9. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
There was none.
********************************************************************************************* CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 10-14
Krier pulled Item #13
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Krier to approve consent calendar items 10- 12 & 14.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Chavira, Noerr
PASSED: 4-0
10. MINUTES
October 3, 2023 Regular
Recommendation – Approve as submitted.
11. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 092923A Check No. 98538-98541 $ 31,611.12
Warrant # 092923 Check No. 98542-98596 $ 611,917.18
Warrant # 092923 Check No. 98597-98598 $ 570.00
Recommendation – Approve payment of the bills.
12. MONTHLY REPORT FOR KERN COUNTY FIRE STATION NO. 21- SEPTEMBER 2023 City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
October 17, 2023
Recommendation – Receive and file the monthly report for September 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.
14. APPROVAL OF EXTENDING AGREEMENT WITH AMERICAN OFFICE SOLUTIONS (AOS)
FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) SERVICES
Recommendation – Motion to approve extending the agreement with American Office Solutions for Information Technology (IT) Services, authorize the Mayor to execute said 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. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH HOUSEAL LAVIGNE ASSOCIATES FOR ONCALL GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) SERVICES THROUGH FY 2025-26 Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Krier to approve the professional services agreement between the City of Taft and Houseal Lavigne Associates, and to authorize the Mayor to execute said 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.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Chavira, Noerr
PASSED: 4-0
Krier stated that he pulled the item because he noticed the date shown was for 2025-2026 and he thought it should be 2024-2025. Jones explained that in the staff report it explained that the agreement is to be through the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
At 6:27 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.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
October 17, 2023
ADJOURNMENT - With no further business to conduct the meeting was adjourned at 6:52 PM. __________ ____________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC Dave Noerr
City Clerk Mayor