TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
JOINT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 03, 2025
The June 03, 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 Council Member Krier and the invocation was given by Pastor Sean Piefer.
PRESENT: Mayor Dave Noerr and Mayor Pro Tem Josh Bryant Council Members Orchel Krier and Ron Waldrop
City Manager Craig Jones and City Attorney Jason Epperson Deputy City Clerk Faith Melton
ABSENT: Council Member Carlos Chavira
1. PRESENTATION - KERN COUNTY FIRE - CAL FIRE SEVERITY ZONE MAPPING
INFORMATION
2. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
There was none.
3. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Krier spoke about fire insurance and possibly having an insurance agent speak to Council on why costs are so expensive. He talked about how wonderful the past weekend's Chamber Golf Tournament was and said we have a lot of great clubs in town and urged everyone to join and contribute.
Council Member Waldrop mentioned that he represented Taft at the Memorial Day Event held at the Bakersfield Cemetery and said he is proud of Taft.
Mayor Pro Tem Bryant stated that he attended the Memorial Day event at the Westside Cemetery and thanked everyone who was involved. He gave congratulations to all graduates and reminded the public to remain patient with all the graduation ceremonies happening this week.
Mayor Noerr emphasized that Council has nothing to do with the Rite aid closure and that 474 Rite aid stores are closing nationwide due to a second bankruptcy. He said with the closure it could be an opportunity to bring in a new store. He also mentioned that Planning Director Mark Staples will be relocating and wished him well.
4. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Planning Director Mark Staples informed the Council that Thursday will be his last day due to accepting a position in Banning. He gave thanks to everyone he has worked with the past 12 years. He reported that on May 1st a draft was sent in for review for Housing Element and that a consultant will be taking over his current work and there will hopefully be a Housing Element draft coming to the Council soon.
Police Chief Damon McMinn reported the month of May statistics and warned with summer approaching there will be young kids out and about and to be cautious and patient, especially while driving.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
June 03, 2025
5. CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
City Manager Jones thanked Staples for his twelve years of hard work and emphasized that when someone new comes in, all things will be organized, procedural and easy to step into.
CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
City Attorney Epperson gave thanks to Staples and said it has been a pleasure working with him over the years.
FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
Council Member Krier asked about having an insurance agent or a CalFire representative speak at a future meeting to discuss fire insurance costs. Waldrop concurred. City Manager Jones said he would try to reach out.
******************************************************************************************* CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 8-12
MOTION: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Waldrop to approve consent calendar items 8-12.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Waldrop, Noerr
ABSENT: Chavira
PASSED: 4-0
MINUTES
May 20, 2025 Regular
Recommendation - Approve as submitted.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 051625 Check No.200223-200224 $ 12,337.82
Warrant # 052325 Check No.200225-200300 $ 326,252.54
Recommendation - Approve payment of the bills.
10. TRIENNIAL PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF CITY OF TAFT TRANSIT SERVICES Recommendation -
Motion to receive and file the Triennial Performance Audit of City of Taft Transit Services for FY 2021/22 - 2023/24 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.
11. FY 2024-2025 FTA SECTION 5311 APPLICATION
Recommendation -
Motion to adopt resolution entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT AUTHORIZING THE FEDERAL FUNDING UNDER FTA SECTION 5311 (49 U.S.C.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
June 03, 2025
SECTION 5311) WITH CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Resolution No. 4299-25) 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.
12. STREET CLOSURES FOR THE 2025 OILDORADO GRAND PARADE Recommendation -
Motion to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING STREET CLOSURES FOR THE 2025 OILDORADO GRAND PARADE AND INCLUDING USE OF CITY PERSONNEL FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL (Resolution No. 4300- 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. *********************************************************************************************
13. PURCHASE OF INTRADO VIPER NEXGEN 9-1-1 SYSTEM FROM AT&T, WITH NEW CALL VOICE RECORDER FOR THE TAFT POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Recommendation =
Motion to approve the purchase of Viper NexGen 9-1-1 call solution and Eventide Voice and Call Recorder with California Office of Emergency Services funds 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.
• Mayor Noerr removed item 13 from the agenda as requested by Police Lieutenant Pete Aranda.
14. CITY OF TAFT CONTRIBUTION TO THE 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS SHOW MOTION: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Krier to authorize financial contribution to be made to the Taft Chamber of Commerce to assist in funding the "Taft Fireworks Show" in an amount decided by the Council and to authorize the waiver of all fees, the use of city employees and equipment associated with the event 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.
Bryant recommended a $5,000 donation in keeping with last year's donation.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Waldrop, Noerr
ABSENT: Chavira
PASSED: 4-0
15. REIMBURSE MAYOR NOERR FOR AIRFARE AND LODGING FOR TRIP TO WASHINGTON
DC TO REPRESENT CITY OF TAFT AND THE OIL INDUSTRY AT AMERICA'S RURAL
ENERGY COALITION MEETING AT THE WHITE HOUSE
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
June 03, 2025
MOTION: Moved by Krier, seconded by Bryant to approve reimbursement of $1,694.73 for his airfare and lodging to represent the City of Taft and the oil industry in Washington DC at an America's Rural Energy Coalition Meeting at the White House 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.
Noerr discussed how he was contacted to serve on the board of directors of American Rural Energy Coalition. He said he will be joining four other representatives from around the country to speak with a special assistant to the White House about oil, and other energy issues. He said the goal is to highlight issues for rural America.
Krier said Taft is very honored to have a Mayor that is knowledgeable in the oil industry to advocate for us. Bryant thanked the Mayor for all he does and all the preparation that went into this. Waldrop made a joke about joining him as a tour guide.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Waldrop, Noerr
ABSENT: Chavira
PASSED: 4-0
*************************************************************************************************** At 7:22 PM the regular 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 • 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 7:44 PM. hitth Mah
Faith Melton
Deputy City Clerk Mayor
Josh Bryant
Mayor Pro Tem