TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
JULY 1, 2025
The July 1, 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 Noerr at 6:00 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Dave Noerr and the invocation was given by Pastor Sean Piefer.
PRESENT: Mayor Dave Noerr
Council Members Carlos Chavira, Orchel Krier and Ron Waldrop City Manager Craig Jones and City Attorney Jason Epperson Deputy City Clerk Faith Melton
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Josh Bryant
1. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
There was none.
2. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Krier mentioned that he is glad Taft is keeping up with the tradition of having our annual firework show.
Council Member Waldrop informed everyone that Jerry Gibby's celebration of life will be July 13th, Waldrop spoke about how impressed he was with the membership event at League of California Cities in Tulare and that he was the lucky winner of four concert tickets.
Council Member Chavira reminded everyone to remember what the flag represents and to think about the brave men and women who defend this country, he said playing with fireworks is not worth the risk and to stay safe this Fourth of July.
Mayor Noerr gave a brief presentation about energy costs in California versus the rest of the country. He wished everyone a happy Fourth of July and to be safe.
3. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
City Clerk, Yvette Mayfield reported that per Council request we reached out to CalFire about insurance costs and fire hazard zones, CalFire replied with a link to fire maps and said we can contact the Department of Insurance for insurance information.
CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
There was none.
5. CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
There was none.
6. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
There was none.
********************************************************************************************* City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
July 1, 2025
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 7-11
MOTION: Moved by Krier, seconded by Waldrop to approve consent calendar items 7-
11. AYES: Krier, Waldrop, Chavira, Noerr
PASSED: 4-0
7. MINUTES
June 17, 2025
Recommendation - Approve as submitted.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 061625 Check No. 10526 $ 261.31
Warrant # 062025 Check No. 200362-200429 $ 353,761.70
Recommendation - Approve payment of the bills.
9. ACCEPT THE ONLY BID AND AWARD THE PACKAGED MICROGRID EQUIPMENT PRE-
SELECTION FOR THE TRANSIT ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT TO WESTEN SOLUTIONS, INC
Recommendation -
Motion to accept the bid, award the project, and to approve an agreement with WestGen Power Solutions, Inc. for the Packaged Microgrid Equipment Preselection for the Transit Electrification Project, and to authorize the Mayor to execute said agreement 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.
10. AUTHORIZATION TO SUBMIT A REGIONAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION (RSTP) APPLICATION TO KERN COG FOR THE REHABILITATION OF E. KERN ST. FROM 1ST ST.
TO WILLIAMS WAY.
Recommendation -
Motion to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF TAFT AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR REGIONAL SURFACE
TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM (RSTP) PROGRAM FUNDING AND COMMITTING THE
NECESSARY LOCAL MATCH AND STATING THE ASSURANCE TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT (Resolution No. 4305-25) and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15061(b)(3).
11. AGREEMENT WITH CALIFORNIA STATE CONTROLLER OFFICE (SCO) TO PREPARE THE
REQUIRED ANNUAL STREET REPORT
Recommendation -
Motion to authorize the Mayor to execute the professional services agreement with California State Controller 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
July 1, 2025
******************************************************************************************* At 6:25 PM the regular meeting was recessed to closed session and adjourned in honor and memory of Jerry Gibby and his wife Louise Gibby.
CLOSED SESSION
A. ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Government Code Section 54957 - City Attorney
B. ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Government Code Section 54957 - City Manager
C. 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 7:06 PM.
Xneith
Faith Melton Dave Noerr
Deputy City Clerk Mayor