TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
OCTOBER 1, 2024
The October 1, 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 Pro Tem Orchel Krier at 6:00 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Chavira, and invocation was given by Pastor Sean Peifer.
PRESENT: 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
ABSENT: Mayor Dave Noerr
1. SWEARING IN OF OFFICER – BLAINE LOVAN
2. STUDY SESSION – FLOCK SAFETY
3. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ray Ballard shared with the Council about his non-profit and their activities and events they are planning for Taft area.
Barbara Johnson addressed the Council regarding issues with the homeless and loitering.
David Johnson also addressed the Council with issues with homeless and loitering.
Brandon Evans, from Employers Training Resource, shared about a new grant funded program that will offer services in the Taft area.
Four comments were received via email from Donna Ayers, Rosemary Gonzalez, Dan and Katherine Lee, and Raven Gonzalez regarding Unity Thrift and were read into the record by the City Clerk.
4. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Waldrop mentioned that Taft has a local Toys for Taft program available.
Council Member Chavira commended those that came to address the Council and encouraged more community involvement, talked about vagrancy concerns and shared relevant quotes related to community involvement.
Council Member Bryant shared his appreciation for those that came to speak, stating that he shares their frustrations and talked about the Police Department statistics as they relate to officer-initiated stops.
Mayor Pro Tem Krier stated that he wished more people would come forward and attend Council meetings and talked about things to do in Taft.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
October 1, 2024
5. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Chief of Police, Damon McMinn, gave a report on the Police Department statistics for the month of September during Item #1.
6. CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
There were none.
7. CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
There was none.
8. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
There were none.
********************************************************************************************* CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 9-12
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Chavira to approve consent calendar items 9-
12. AYES: Bryant, Chavira, Waldrop, Krier
PASSED: 4-0
9. MINUTES
September 17, 2024, Regular
Recommendation – Approve as submitted.
10. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant #091324 Check No. 100414-100483 $ 225,888.02
Warrant #092024 Check No. 100484-100502 $ 52,844.22
Recommendation – Approve payment of the bills.
11. ACCEPT THE COMPLETED WORK BY BOWMAN ASPHALT, INC. FOR THE 10TH ST.
REHABILITATION FROM XWALK AT BIKE/PED PATH TO KERN STREET PROJECT Recommendation - Motion to accept the completed work by Bowman Asphalt, Inc. for the road rehabilitation of 10th St. from Xwalk at Bike/Ped Path to Kern St. – STPL – 5193 (044) 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).
12. APPROVAL OF STREET CLOSURE FOR THE WEST SIDE RECREATION AND PARK
DISTRICT TRUNK-OR-TREAT EVENT
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
October 1, 2024
Recommendation - Motion to adopt a resolution entitled RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT AUTHORIZING THE STREET CLOSURE FOR THE 2024 TRUNK-OR-TREAT EVENT (Resolution No. 4259-24) 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.
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13. LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1 ENGINEERS REPORT FOR CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSITION 218 RATE INCREASE
Bryant spoke about the delinquency of the fund that covers the district and the need for the rate increase. The other Council Members concurred.
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Chavira to receive September 2024 Engineer’s Report for Landscape Maintenance District No. 1 and direct staff to move forward with the Proposition 218 process to increase the annual rate to the needed $231.00 to cover the cost of the 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.
AYES: Bryant, Chavira, Waldrop, Krier
PASSED: 4-0
CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR, CRAIG JONES- CITY MANAGER Government Code Section 54956.8 – two (2) undisclosed parcels
ADJOURNMENT
The City Council discussed in closed session those items agendized for closed session discussion and directions were given to negotiators and staff. No other reportable action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT - With no further business to conduct the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM. __________ ____________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC Dave Noerr
City Clerk Mayor