TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
JANUARY 7, 2025
The January 7, 2025, 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 Pro Tem Bryant, and invocation was given by Pastor Sean Peifer.
PRESENT: Mayor Dave Noerr and Mayor Pro Tem Josh Bryant Council Members Carlos Chavira, Orchel Krier and Ron Waldrop City Manager Craig Jones and City Attorney Jason Epperson City Clerk Yvette Mayfield
PRESENTATION - PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING KIWANIS CLUB OF TAFT’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY PUBLIC HEARING – LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1 RATE INCREASE AND RESULTS OF ASSESSMENT BALLOT PROCEEDING The Public Hearing was opened at 6:15 PM to hear from interested parties.
Terry Randall and Paul Linder spoke in reference to the rate increase.
The public hearing was closed at 6:21 PM.
The ballots received were opened and tallied. City Clerk Mayfield announced there were 18 votes in favor and 27 opposed, therefore there was a majority protest and the assessment increase failed.
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Krier to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING THE RESULTS OF AN ASSESSMENT BALLOT PROCEEDING RELATED TO LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1 (Resolution No. 4268-25) 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
CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chris Parlier, newly elected 2nd District Supervisor, introduced himself and his new field rep sharing that he looks forward to working with and serving the City of Taft and outlying area.
Dr. Kathy Orrin, Executive Director of the Taft Chamber of Commerce, thanked the City for all the assistance provided during their Christmas Parade and Polar Express.
COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Waldrop thanked the Kiwanis Club for all that they do.
Council Member Chavira mentioned the great job that was done on the Polar Express, congratulated the Kiwanis Club on 100 years and read the Kiwanis mission statement as his relevant quote.
Council Member Krier offered kudos to the Kiwanis Club speaking about the variety of local clubs, encouraged supporting local businesses and talked about DMV options.
Mayor Pro Tem Bryant talked about the Kiwanis Club being the sponsor of his little league team, shared that he looks forward to the City having an intense partnership with Supervisor Parlier, and mentioned that he sees upcoming change in the world that will lead to a more prosperous 2025.
Mayor Noerr Congratulated the Kiwanis on their 100th anniversary.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Chief of Police, Damon McMinn announced that Safe 1 Credit Union blessed our local animal shelter with funds that assisted in buying a plethora of supplies for the shelter for the benefit of local animals and also gave the Police Department statistics for the month of December.
CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
There was none.
CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
There was none.
FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
Bryant requested an agenda item for an ad hoc committee to address the issues of the Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District. Noerr concurred. City Manager Jones stated that the City already has a Public Works standing committee in existence and that would be the best place to address this issue. ********************************************************************************************* CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 9-13
Motion: Moved by Krier, seconded by Bryant to approve consent calendar items 9-13.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Waldrop, Chavira, Noerr
PASSED: 5-0
MINUTES
December 17, 2024, Regular
Recommendation – Approve as submitted.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant #121324 Check No. 100919-100945 $ 243,904.18
Warrant #122024 Check No. 100946-101011 $ 386,985.84
Warrant #122724 Check No. 101012-101020 $ 49,276.96 Warrant #010325 Check No. 101021-101052 $ 43,989.69 Recommendation – Approve payment of the bills.
UPDATE TO THE ALCOHOL AND DRUG TESTING POLICY
Recommendation - Motion to adopt a resolution entitled A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Taft Approving The DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY ADDENDUM CITY OF TAFT, TAFT AREA TRANSIT (Resolution No. 4269-25) 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.
RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE (ROPS 25-26) FOR JULY 2025 THROUGH JUNE 2026 Recommendation -
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, 2025 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2026, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 341177(j)(AB 1X 26) (Resolution No. 4270-25) 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.
Direct Staff to present the ROPS 25-26 to the Countywide Oversight Board meeting on January 23rd, 2025, for approval.
ACCEPT THE COMPLETED WORK BY J.L. PLANK, INC. dba CEN-CAL CONSTRUCTION FOR THE TDA ARTICLE 3 - PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS - 10TH STREET & 4TH STREET PROJECT Recommendation - Motion to accept the completed work by Cen-Cal Construction for the TDA Article 3 - Pedestrian Improvements - 10th Street & 4th Street project and authorize the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the Kern County Recorder and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15061(b)(3). Staff further recommends the release of the 5% retention to the Contractor after 30 days pending claims or liens filed during this period. ********************************************************************************************* At 7:23 PM the regular meeting was recessed to closed session. closed session
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (2 undisclosed cases) Government Code Section 54956.9(b)
B. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR, CRAIG JONES, CITY MANAGER Government Code 54957.6 – All units
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 7:55 PM. __________ ____________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC Dave Noerr
City Clerk Mayor
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
January 7, 2025