TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
DECEMBER 19, 2023
The December 19, 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 Pastor Joey Pittman.
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. APPOINT REPRESENTATIVES TO THE WEST SIDE RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT BOARD
Mr. Swearengin and Mr. Hunt both addressed the Council regarding appointment to the board.
Motion: Moved by Krier, seconded by Bryant to appoint John Swearengin and Douglas Hunt to serve a term on the Board of the West Side Recreation and Park District with a term ending on December 31, 2027 and Find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15061(b)(3).
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Chavira, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 5-0
2. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
There was none.
3. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Waldrop wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Council Member Chavira shared about a fund raiser for the Cash family and life’s uncertainty and wished everyone Happy Holidays.
Council Member Bryant recognized Mr. Heimiller for his service on the West Side Recreation and Park District Board and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Mayor Pro Tem Krier encouraged everyone to be careful and vigilant during the holidays and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Mayor Noerr spoke about a tragedy in AZ where 5 children were killed in a house fire and encouraged everyone to be safe and vigilant during this time of year. He also wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
4. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
Planning Commissioner, Jerry Livingston, reported that at their last meeting they had a final discussion on the Housing Element and adopted their schedule of meetings for 2024.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
December 19, 2023
5. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Cary Wright, Operations Divisions Chief for Kern County Fire Department talked about fire safety during this time of year.
6. CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
City Manager Jones wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
7. CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
City Attorney Epperson wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
8. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
There was none.
********************************************************************************************* CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 9-14
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Chavira to approve consent calendar items 9-
14. AYES: Krier, Bryant, Chavira, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 5-0
9. MINUTES
December 5, 2023 Regular
Recommendation – Approve as submitted.
10. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 113023 Check No. 98941-98944 $ 1,523.09
Warrant # 120423 Check No. 98945 $ 1,500.00
Warrant # 120823 Check No. 98946-99011 $ 331,890.83
Recommendation – Approve payment of the bills.
11. MONTHLY REPORT FOR KERN COUNTY FIRE STATION NO. 21- NOVEMBER 2023 Recommendation – Receive and file the monthly report for November 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.
12. CANCELLATION OF JANUARY 2, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
December 19, 2023
Recommendation – Motion to approve the cancellation of the January 2, 2024 City Council Meeting if there is a lack of business 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. RATIFICATION OF AGREEMENTS AND PURCHASES FOR THE TAFT COMMUNITY
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
Recommendation – Motion to ratify the following agreements: Memorandum of Agreement for Health Care Services for Taft Community Correctional Facility, Master Services Agreement and Amendment with Securus Technologies, US Dept of Justice United States Marshals Service – Modification of Intergovernmental Agreement and the purchase of two (2) Ford Transit 12 passenger vans, 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. RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE (ROPS 24-25) FOR JULY 2024 THROUGH JUNE 2025
Recommendation –
1) Motion to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO
THE TAFT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING
AND ADOPTING A RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1, 2024 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2025, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 341177(j)(AB 1X 26). (Resolution No. 4224-23)
2) Direct Staff to present the ROPS 24-25 to the Countywide Oversight Board meeting set for January 25, 2025 for approval. 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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15. MEASURE A CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Krier to appoint Greg Mudge to a position on the Measure A Citizens Oversight Committee effective January 1, 2024, instruct the City Clerk to open another application period to fill the other four open positions, 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
At 6:34 the meeting recessed to closed session.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
December 19, 2023
CLOSED SESSION
A. 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 that item agendized for closed session discussion and direction was given to staff. No other reportable action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT - With no further business to conduct the meeting was adjourned at 6:43 PM. __________ ____________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC Dave Noerr
City Clerk Mayor