TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
APRIL 16, 2024
The April 16, 2024 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 Waldrop, and invocation was 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. CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION – FELIX AND SHERRY BRAVO
2. PROCLAMATIONS –
• NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATIONS WEEK
• “GIVING DAY” – GIVE BIG KERN
3. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
Dr. Kathy Orrin, Executive Director of the Taft Chamber of Commerce, spoke about upcoming activities, including the car show, the TIL fundraiser/retirement dinner for Brock McMurray, State of the City Luncheon and the TUHS Hall of Fame inductees.
4. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Waldrop shared about local writer, Ann Haskins, and her book Ten Lost Children.
Council Member Bryant talked about making small shifts to shop and support locally, upcoming sporting events and honors night at the high school.
Council Member Chavira spoke about the importance of local businesses, shopping and supporting local, and shared two related quotes.
Mayor Pro Tem Krier mentioned that there is lots going on locally with new businesses opening up.
Mayor Noerr stated that he hadn’t realized how far along in the school year we are, until he saw that he only had one more mentoring session left this year. He also talked about the recent fire just outside of town.
5. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
Planning Commissioner, Jerry Livingston, reported that the commission is continuing their review of the Housing Element update.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
April 16, 2024
5. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Police Chief, Damon McMinn, reported on the police department statistics for the month of March.
6. CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
There was none.
7. CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
There was none.
8. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
Krier requested a proclamation for Brock McMurray for his upcoming retirement from Taft College. Noerr concurred.
********************************************************************************************* CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 9-16
Bryant abstained from Item 16
Motion: Moved by Krier, seconded by Bryant to approve consent calendar items 9-16.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Chavira, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 5-0
9. MINUTES
April 2, 2024 Regular
Recommendation – Approve as submitted.
10. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 032924 Check No. 99543-99583 $ 121,131.29
Warrant # 040523 Check No. 99584-99603 $ 54,715.42
Warrant # 041224 Check No. 99604-99662 $ 380,338.80
Recommendation – Approve payment of the bills.
11. STREET CLOSURES FOR THE 2024 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CAR SHOW Recommendation – Motion to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT AUTHORIZING THE STREET CLOSURES FOR THE 2024 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CAR SHOW (Resolution No. 4230-24) 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
April 16, 2024
12. APPROVAL OF SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT FOR THE TAFT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO HOST THE 16th ANNUAL RAILS TO TRAILS CAR SHOW ON MAY 18, 2024 Recommendation – Motion to approve a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT NO. 2024-05 AUTHORIZING THE TAFT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO HOST THE 16TH ANNUAL RAILS TO TRAILS CAR SHOW ALONG THE TRAIL BETWEEN 4TH AND 10TH STREETS, ON SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024 (Resolution No. 4231-24) 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.
13. AWARD THREE SAFE AND SANE FIREWORK STANDS FOR 4TH OF JULY, 2024 Recommendation – Motion to award three Safe and Sane Firework stands for July 4, 2023 to the Taft Motorcycle Club, Taft Sportsmen’s Club and West Side Recreation and Park District 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. MONTHLY REPORT FOR KERN COUNTY FIRE STATION NO. 21 - MARCH 2024 Recommendation – Receive and file the monthly report for March 2024 from Kern County Fire Station No. 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. LOW CARBON TRANSIT OPERATION PROGRAM (LCTOP) FY2023-24 CERTIFICATIONS
AND ASSURANCES AND AUTHORIZED AGENT FORMS FOR ZERO-EMISSION TRANSIT
BUS AND RELATED SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
Recommendation – Motion to adopt resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF THE
CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSURANCES AND AUTHORIZED AGENT FORMS FOR THE LOW CARBON TRANSIT OPERATIONS PROGRAM (LCTOP) FY2023-24 FOR THE FOLLOWING PROJECT: PURCHASE OF ZERO-EMISSION TRANSIT BUS AND RELATED SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT USING $25,017 IN LCTOP FUNDS (Resolution No. 4232-24) 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.
16. CONSIDERATION OF ONE SAFE AND SANE FIREWORK STAND FOR 4TH OF JULY, 2024 Recommendation – Motion to accept the late submission and award one Safe and Sane Firework stand for July 4, 2024 to Taft Baseball 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
April 16, 2024
17. MUTUAL RELEASE AND WAIVER WITH NEW HOPE TEMPLE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD AND PAYMENT OF $15,150.00
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Krier to authorize the Mayor to sign the Mutual Release and Waiver, authorize the City Manager to pay the Settlement Amount to New Hope and find that the Mutual Release and Waiver 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. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9 (a) – Taft Union High School vs. City of Taft B. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR, CRAIG JONES- CITY MANAGER Government Code Section 54956.8 – APN’s 031-210-08, 031-080-04, 05 & 06 The City Council discussed in closed session those items agendized for closed session discussion and directions were given to staff. No other reportable action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT - With no further business to conduct the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM. __________ ____________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC Dave Noerr
City Clerk Mayor