TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 7, 2023
The November 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 Chavira invocation given by Pastor Sean Piefer.
PRESENT: Mayor Dave Noerr and Mayor Pro Tem Orchel Krier Council Members Josh Bryant, Ron Waldrop and Carlos Chavira City Manager Craig Jones and City Attorney Jason Epperson City Clerk Yvette Mayfield
1. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
Gary Summers addressed the Council regarding agenda item #9.
2. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Waldrop gave an update on author Ann Haskins book and anticipated book signing.
Council Member Bryant spoke about the Veterans Day activities coming up and thanked Michelle Kincaid for all the work she puts into the City’s Veterans Day Celebration event.
Council Member Chavira talked about AB101 which mandates ethnic studies in schools by 2025 and the upcoming unveiling of the Cpl. Ruan dedication on Hwy 119.
Mayor Pro Tem Krier challenged veterans and community members to join the local Post, spoke about Taft being a patriotic city and the upcoming activities in Taft.
Mayor Noerr talked about the City’s upcoming Veterans Day Celebration, thanked Michelle for all the hard work for the event. He also talked about the Ruan unveiling and the upcoming dinner for Senator Shannon Grove.
3. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Planning Commission Chairman, Jerry Livingston, shared that the Commission continued the review of the Housing Element at their last meeting.
Chief of Police, Damon McMinn, reported on the department statistics for October.
4. CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
City Manager Jones said he looked forward to seeing everyone at the Veterans Day events.
5. CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
There was none.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
November 7, 2023
6. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
There was none.
********************************************************************************************* CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 7-12
Motion: Moved by Krier, seconded by Bryant to approve consent calendar items 7-12.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Waldrop, Chavira, Noerr
PASSED: 5-0
7. MINUTES
October 17, 2023 Regular
Recommendation – Approve as submitted.
8. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 101323 Check No. 98599-98694 $ 355,045.24
Warrant # 101323A Check No. 98595-98696 $ 164,630.99
Warrant # 102023 Check No. 98697-98698 $ 3,643.82
Warrant # 102723 Check No. 98699-98786 $ 631,583.87
Recommendation – Approve payment of the bills.
9. APPROVAL OF SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT AND ENCROACHMENT PERMIT FOR THE FELLOWS POST 63 AMERICAN LEGION TO HOST A VETERANS DAY PARADE ON CENTER STREET AND CAR SHOW AT 7TH AND CENTER STREETS ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023
Recommendation – Motion to approve a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT NO. 2023-17 AND ENCROACHMENT PERMIT FOR THE FELLOWS POST 63 AMERICAN LEGION TO HOST A VETERANS DAY PARADE ON CENTER STREET AND CAR SHOW AT 7TH AND KERN STREETS ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023 (Resolution No. 4221-23), and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines.
10. APPROVAL OF STREET CLOSURES FOR THE CHRISTMAS PARADE ON DECEMBER 4, 2023
Recommendation – Motion to adopt a resolution entitled RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT AUTHORIZING THE STREET CLOSURES FOR THE 2023 CHRISTMAS PARADE (Resolution No. 4222-23) 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.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
November 7, 2023
11. ACCEPT THE COMPLETED WORK BY BURTCH CONSTRUCTION FOR THE 10TH ST.
REHABILITATION FROM A ST. TO XWALK AT BIKE/PED PATH PROJECT Recommendation – Motion to accept the completed work by Burtch Construction for the road rehabilitation of 10th St. from A St. to Xwalk at Bike/Ped Path – STPL – 5193 (043) authorize the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the Kern County Recorder. Staff further recommends the release of the 5% retention to the Contractor after 30 days pending claims or liens filed during this period and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines.
12. KEEFE COMMISSARY NETWORK AGREEMENT
Recommendation – Motion to authorize the Mayor to execute the Keefe Commissary Network 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.
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13. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH PRICE PAIGE & COMPANY FOR
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Krier to authorize the Mayor to execute the Price Paige & Company 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, Waldrop, Chavira, Noerr
PASSED: 5-0
Bryant said he believed the staff report explained the need really well and had no questions.
Noerr shared that the Finance Committee had already been briefed on the item and mentioned that the issue came about due to being unable to fill positions in the finance department.
At 6:25 PM the meeting was recessed into 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 City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
November 7, 2023
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 6:45 PM. __________ ____________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC Dave Noerr
City Clerk Mayor