TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
JOINT REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, AUGUST 05, 2025
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER
209 E. KERN ST., TAFT, CA 93268
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City of Taft Council Meetings are being held in-person with full capacity seating and are livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofTaft. Public comment can be made in person and also can be received per the following:
• Written comments may be dropped off in the drop box in front of City Hall. • Comments may be emailed to the City Clerk at [email protected]. • Made by phone to the City Clerk’s office at (661) 763-1222. • Public comments will be accepted up until 5:00 PM the day of the meeting. • Any comments received will be read into the record.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ REGULAR MEETING 6:00 P.M.
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
Roll Call: Mayor Noerr
Mayor Pro Tem Bryant
Councilmember Krier
Councilmember Waldrop
Councilmember Chavira
1. SWEARING IN OF OFFICERS – JUAN TOPETE AND BRYCE VEACH
2. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
COMMENTS ARE TO BE RECEIVED AS STATED IN ABOVE POLICY
THIS IS THE TIME AND PLACE FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON MATTERS WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION. STATE LAW PROHIBITS THE COUNCIL FROM ADDRESSING ANY ISSUE NOT PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED ON THE AGENDA. COUNCIL MAY RECEIVE COMMENT AND SET THE MATTER FOR A SUBSEQUENT MEETING. PLEASE LIMIT COMMENTS TO FIVE MINUTES.
3. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
4. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
5. CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
9. CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
10. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
****************************************************************************************************** CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 11-15
All items listed on the Consent Calendar shall be considered routine and will be enacted by one roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the City Council requests specific items to be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate action. Any item removed from the Consent Calendar will be considered after the regular business items. Are there any items on the consent calendar that any member of the public would like to comment on? City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Agenda
August 05, 2025
11. MINUTES
July 15, 2025 Regular
Recommendation – Approve as submitted.
12. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 071125A Check No. 200467-200480 $ 51,106.19
Warrant # 071525A Check No. 200560-200580 $ 93,742.03
Warrant # 071825A Check No. 200483-200521 $ 160,244.20
Warrant # 071825 Check No. 200522-200559 $ 124,689.03
Warrant # 072425A Check No. 200609 $ 500.00
Warrant # 072525A Check No. 200581-200596 $ 53,966.83
Warrant # 072525 Check No. 200597-200608 $ 182,172.07
Recommendation – Approve payment of the bills.
13. MONTHLY REPORT FOR KERN COUNTY FIRE STATION NO. 21 – JUNE 2025 Recommendation – Receive and file the monthly report for June 2025 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.
14. AMENDMENT TO JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT OF THE CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY RISK
MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
Recommendation – Motion to adopt a resolution entitled AMENDMENT TO JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT OF THE CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY RISK MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY 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. ADOPTION OF THE CITY OF TAFT TITLE VI PROGRAM UPDATE FOR CITY OF TAFT AND TAFT
AREA TRANSIT
Recommendation – Motion to adopt resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF TAFT AUTHORIZING THE TITLE VI PROGRAM UPDATE FOR THE CITY OF TAFT AND THE TAFT AREA TRANSIT SYSTEM 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. ******************************************************************************************************
CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR, CRAIG JONES- CITY MANAGER Government Code Section 54956.8 – (1) undisclosed parcel
ADJOURNMENT
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, a disability-related modification or accommodation, agenda materials in an alternative format, or auxiliary aids to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at (661) 763-1222 or [email protected] as soon as possible. Providing at least 72 hours’ City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Agenda
August 05, 2025
notice will help ensure that reasonable arrangements can be made.
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
I, Faith Melton, declare as follows:
That I am the Deputy City Clerk for the City of Taft; that an agenda was posted on a public information bulletin board located near the door of the Civic Center Council Chamber on July 31, 2025 at ________ a.m./p.m., pursuant to 1987 Brown Act Requirements.
I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Executed July 31, 2025, at Taft, California.
Signature ___________ _________
TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
JULY 15, 2025
The July 15, 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 Noerr and invocation was given by Pastor Lloyd Francis.
PRESENT: Mayor Dave Noerr and Mayor Pro Tem Josh Bryant Council Members Orchel Krier and Ron Waldrop
Assistant City Manager Lonn Boyer
Deputy City Clerk Faith Melton
ABSENT: Council Member Carlos Chavira
1. PUBLIC HEARING - ADOPT RESOLUTIONS AUTHORIZING KERN COUNTY TAX
COLLECTOR TO COLLECT REFUSE AND STREET SWEEPING CHARGES AND STANDBY
CHARGES FOR VACANT COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
The public hearing was opened at 6:06 PM to receive comment, having none the hearing was closed.
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Krier to adopt resolutions entitled A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT PROVIDING FOR
COLLECTION OF REFUSE AND STREET SWEEPING CHARGES BY THE COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR PURSUANT TO SECTION 5473 ET. SEQ., OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE (Resolution 4306-25) and A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT PROVIDING COLLECTION OF STANDBY
REFUSE AND STREET SWEEPING CHARGES BY THE COUNTY TAX
COLLECTOR PURSUANT TO SECTION 5473 ET. SEQ., OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE (Resolution 4307-25) 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, Noerr
PASSED: 4-0
2. PUBLIC HEARING - ADOPT RESOLUTIONS AUTHORIZING KERN COUNTY TAX
COLLECTOR TO COLLECT SEWER CHARGES AND STANDBY SEWER CHARGES FOR
VACANT COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
The public hearing was opened at 6:09 PM to receive comment, having none the hearing was closed.
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Krier to adopt resolutions entitled A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT PROVIDING FOR
COLLECTION OF SEWER CHARGES BY THE COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR PURSUANT TO SECTION 5473 ET. SEQ., OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE (Resolution 4308-25) and A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF TAFT PROVIDING FOR COLLECTION OF STANDBY SEWER CHARGES BY THE COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR PURSUANT TO SECTION 5473 ET. SEQ., OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE (Resolution 4309-25) 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, Noerr
PASSED: 4-0
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
July 15, 2025
3. PUBLIC HEARING – LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1 The public hearing was opened at 6:12 PM to receive comment, having none the hearing was closed.
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Krier to approve resolution entitled A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT SETTING THE
ASSESSMENT FOR LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1 (Resolution 4310-25) 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, Noerr
PASSED: 4-0
4. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
Dr. Kathy Orrin (Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce) thanked the City Council for the quarterly 25% allocation of Transient Occupancy Tax, saying that funding makes a huge difference for the Chamber. Dr. Orrin spoke about the firework display, mentioning it was chaos with the smoke, wind and air quality from a nearby fire, but she thanked the City for all the help and said even with the unforeseen events, the fireworks were wonderful.
Dr. Orrin read into the record a proclamation for Rex Cooper thanking him for all the help with each firework show and securing a last-minute mandatory water truck for this year’s firework show.
5. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Krier spoke about the passing of Floyd Adams, a long-standing Lions Club member, and said he would be deeply missed.
Council Member Waldrop talked about Jerry Gibby’s celebration of life and said Floyd Adams will be deeply missed. Waldrop shared the news of finding yearbooks from 1930-2014.
Mayor Pro Tem Bryant expressed that Floyd Adams was a pillar in the community and that he will be missed. Bryant thanked Dr. Orrin all the hard work for this year’s firework show.
He urged the community to visit the WKEA (West Kern Economic Association) logistics center in Shafter and mentioned all the wonderful things the association has going on with their mission to support economic growth.
Mayor Noerr spoke about the energy disaster and that California Governor Gavin Newsom is closing more refineries leading to more oil companies leaving California. Noerr said Kern County Supervisors just passed an ordinance to continue gas permitting and that Kern County is fighting for oil.
6. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Police Chief, Damon McMinn, gave the statistics for the month of June and reminded the community to keep animals and kids safe in the heat.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
July 15, 2025
7. ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
There was none.
8. CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
The City Attorney was not in attendance.
10. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
There was none.
********************************************************************************************* CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 11-13
Motion: Moved by Krier, seconded by Bryant to approve consent calendar items 11-
13. AYES: Krier, Bryant, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 4-0
11. MINUTES
July 1, 2025 Regular
Recommendation – Approve as submitted.
12. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 070325A Check No. 200430-200460 $ 91,974.52
Warrant # 070325 Check No. 200461-200466 $ 88,152.63
Recommendation – Approve payment of the bills.
13. FUNDING TO THE TAFT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR THE QUARTER OF JANUARY 2025 TO MARCH 2025
Recommendation – Motion to approve the 25% allocation of the Transient Occupancy Tax to the Taft Chamber of Commerce for the quarter of January 2025 through March 2025. ********************************************************************************************* There was no closed session.
ADJOURNMENT - With no further business to conduct the meeting was adjourned at 6:49 PM. __________ ____________
Faith Melton Dave Noerr
Deputy City Clerk Mayor
REVIEWED BY:
CITY CLERK FINANCE DIRECTOR CITY MANAGER
City of Taft Agenda Report
DATE: AUGUST 05, 2025
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
AGENDA MATTER:
MONTHLY REPORT FOR KERN COUNTY FIRE STATION NO. 21 – JUNE 2025 SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Kern County Fire provides a monthly report for Station No. 21 in the Taft area. This report is being provided to Council for informational purposes only and to be received and filed.
This chart below was provided to show the total number of emergency calls and number of fires for June 2025. You will notice that this report is for not only the calls responded to within the city limits but reports everything within the greater Taft area that Station 21 covers.
RECOMMENDED ACTION – Receive and file the monthly report for June 2025 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.
IMPACT ON BUDGET (Y/N): No
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): Report
PREPARED BY: City Manager
Station 21
2025
Month # of calls # of fires
January 189 23
February 265 25
March 254 30
April 189 15
May 235 29
June 208 47
Kern County Fire Engine_Truck 21 Taft Monthly Report
Incident
Date
Incident
Time
Apparatus
ID
Incident Code Address
Incident Category: (None)
06/16/2025 18:44:52 TK21 322 1/2 LUCARD Street and 4TH ST / 3RD ST Count: 1
Incident Category: 1 - Fire
06/09/2025 02:25:15 E21 111 - Building fire 307 Montview MONTVIEW AVE / CRYSTAL Street TK21 111 - Building fire 307 Montview MONTVIEW AVE / CRYSTAL Street 06/10/2025 03:52:57 E21 111 - Building fire 127 OAK Street and S 7TH ST / LIERLY AVE, S 6TH ST TK21 111 - Building fire 127 OAK Street and S 7TH ST / LIERLY AVE, S 6TH ST 03:58:30 E21 111 - Building fire 125 OAK Street and S 7TH ST / LIERLY AVE, S 6TH ST TK21 111 - Building fire 125 OAK Street and S 7TH ST / LIERLY AVE, S 6TH ST 06/29/2025 11:03:10 E21 111 - Building fire 130 LOMA VISTA Avenue and A ST, 4TH AVE / STOKES AVE TK21 111 - Building fire 130 LOMA VISTA Avenue and A ST, 4TH AVE / STOKES AVE 11:08:44 E21 111 - Building fire 132 LOMA VISTA Avenue and A ST, 4TH AVE / STOKES AVE TK21 111 - Building fire 132 LOMA VISTA Avenue and A ST, 4TH AVE / STOKES AVE 06/15/2025 18:24:03 E21 112 - Fires in structure other than in a building (incl.
Fences, Rail Beds, Power Poles)
227 PHILIPPINE Street and 3RD AVE / 2ND AVE
TK21 112 - Fires in structure other than in a building (incl.
Fences, Rail Beds, Power Poles)
227 PHILIPPINE Street and 3RD AVE / 2ND AVE
06/17/2025 05:01:25 E21 112 - Fires in structure other than in a building (incl.
Fences, Rail Beds, Power Poles)
213 OLIVE Avenue and CRYSTAL ST / OAK ST, S 2ND ST
20:38:32 E21 122 - Fire in motor home, camper, recreational vehicle
215 EASTERN Avenue and CRYSTAL ST / OAK ST
TK21 122 - Fire in motor home, camper, recreational
vehicle
215 EASTERN Avenue and CRYSTAL ST / OAK ST
06/19/2025 22:43:43 E21 123 - Fire in portable building, fixed location 609 CEDAR Street and POLK ST / TYLER ST 06/09/2025 20:40:47 E21 131 - Passenger vehicle fire Petroleum Club and CADET RD, PETROLEUM CLUB RD / WOOD ST, 33 HWY, PET
06/01/2025 14:24:59 E21 142 - Brush or brush-and-grass mixture fire GARDNER FIELD RD / HONOLULU Road and DUVAL RD,
GARDNER FIELD RD / AIRPORT RD, HONOLULU
TK21 142 - Brush or brush-and-grass mixture fire GARDNER FIELD RD / HONOLULU Road and DUVAL RD,
GARDNER FIELD RD / AIRPORT RD, HONOLULU
14:56:26 TK21 142 - Brush or brush-and-grass mixture fire PETROLEUM CLUB RD / 33 Highway and GENERAL
PETROLEUM AVE, PICO ST / DEAD END
06/04/2025 23:09:43 E21 142 - Brush or brush-and-grass mixture fire East MAIN ST / GARDNER FIELD Road and GENERAL
PETROLEUM AVE, QUALITY ST / SUPPLY ROW, S
06/05/2025 00:58:28 E21 142 - Brush or brush-and-grass mixture fire HILLARD ST / KERN Street 06/09/2025 04:55:28 E21 142 - Brush or brush-and-grass mixture fire ELK HILLS - GATE 2 (21) and SKYLINE RD, N ACCESS RD /
SKYLINE RD, ELK HILLS RD
20:58:02 E21 142 - Brush or brush-and-grass mixture fire Petroleum Club and CADET RD, PETROLEUM CLUB RD / WOOD ST, 33 HWY, PET
06/11/2025 01:13:30 E21 142 - Brush or brush-and-grass mixture fire Twenty Five Hill and TWENTY FIVE HILL RD, S 10TH ST, BUENA
VISTA PL / S
06/12/2025 10:50:57 E21 142 - Brush or brush-and-grass mixture fire HWY 119 and MIDWAY RD, 119 HWY / HARRISON ST, 119 HWY 06/19/2025 01:43:51 E21 142 - Brush or brush-and-grass mixture fire S/E of HWY 33 and Wood St and SOUTH ST, TWENTY FIVE HILL
RD, OLIVE AVE / TWENTY
TK21 142 - Brush or brush-and-grass mixture fire S/E of HWY 33 and Wood St and SOUTH ST, TWENTY FIVE HILL
RD, OLIVE AVE / TWENTY
06/28/2025 19:31:00 E21 142 - Brush or brush-and-grass mixture fire 2ND ST / 119 Highway TK21 142 - Brush or brush-and-grass mixture fire 2ND ST / 119 Highway 06/01/2025 14:16:12 E21 143 - Grass fire SHALE RD / 33 Highway and SHALE RD, 33 HWY / RANDALL RD, 33 HWY
06/05/2025 05:23:41 E21 143 - Grass fire 119 HWY / TUPMAN Road and TUPMAN RD, SKYLINE RD / N
ACCESS RD, TUPMAN RD
06/10/2025 14:57:57 E21 143 - Grass fire South Lake Road and SANTIAGO RD, S LAKE RD / GARDNER
FIELD RD, LAKE ST
06/12/2025 02:07:54 E21 143 - Grass fire MIDWAY RD / HENRY Road and MIDWAY RD, HENRY RD / N 1 of 6 Printed On: 07/07/2025 10:11:56 AM
Incident
Date
Incident
Time
Apparatus
ID
Incident Code Address
LINCOLN ST, MIDWAY RD
06/14/2025 21:32:22 E21 143 - Grass fire TAYLOR ST / ELM Street 06/15/2025 00:52:22 E21 143 - Grass fire 318 MONROE Street and DATE ST / CEDAR ST 06/17/2025 10:01:20 E21 143 - Grass fire 22058 South Lake Rd and SANTIAGO RD, S LAKE RD /
GARDNER FIELD RD, LAKE ST
06/27/2025 08:21:50 E21 143 - Grass fire HULL RD / GERALD Street and ISAAC RD, GERALD ST / MIDWAY
RD, FERREL ST
06/07/2025 10:18:19 TK21 150 - Outside rubbish fire, other 135 PICO Street and AVE A / LIERLY AVE 06/15/2025 10:22:37 E21 150 - Outside rubbish fire, other 701 WILDCAT Way and WOODROW ST / WARREN ST 06/16/2025 02:10:21 E21 150 - Outside rubbish fire, other 306 GENERAL PETROLEUM Avenue and CRYSTAL ST / WOOD ST
09:30:26 E21 150 - Outside rubbish fire, other North 10TH ST / SAN EMIDIO Street TK21 150 - Outside rubbish fire, other North 10TH ST / SAN EMIDIO Street 06/29/2025 18:56:07 E21 150 - Outside rubbish fire, other OLIVE AVE / WOOD Street and 33 HWY, E MAIN ST, GARDNER FIELD RD / 119 HWY, E K
06/16/2025 01:59:29 E21 151 - Outside rubbish, trash or waste fire North 10TH ST / W SAN EMIDIO Street 02:37:14 E21 151 - Outside rubbish, trash or waste fire HILLARD ST / KERN Street 22:02:22 TK21 163 - Outside gas or vapor combustion explosion 13437 GUN CLUB Road and HANAWALT AVE / SHERWOOD AVE Count: 47
Incident Category: 2 - Overpressure Rupture, Explosion, Overheat (No Fire) 06/29/2025 02:02:04 E21 243 - Fireworks explosion (no fire) 604 TYLER Street and FIR ST / GREVILLEA ST TK21 243 - Fireworks explosion (no fire) 604 TYLER Street and FIR ST / GREVILLEA ST Count: 2
Incident Category: 3 - Rescue & Emergency Medical Service Incident 06/02/2025 21:39:10 E21 311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 625 KERN Street and 7TH ST, WILDCAT WAY / 6TH ST 06/05/2025 23:57:54 E21 311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 404 ADAMS Street and JEFFERSON ST / CEDAR ST 06/06/2025 18:44:24 E21 311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 911 WILLIAMS Way and 2ND ST / E CALVIN ST 06/14/2025 02:22:47 E21 311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 355 ADAMS Street and JEFFERSON ST / CEDAR ST TK21 311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 355 ADAMS Street and JEFFERSON ST / CEDAR ST 06/18/2025 07:41:11 E21 311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 100 KERN Street and 1ST ST, ADKISSON WAY, E KERN ST / 2ND ST
06/19/2025 08:12:57 E21 311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 213 South 10TH Street and SUPPLY ROW / N 10TH ST 17:10:09 E21 311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 205 PIERCE Street and BIRCH ST / CEDAR ST 06/21/2025 01:03:58 E21 311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 301 TAYLOR Street and CEDAR ST / DATE ST TK21 311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 301 TAYLOR Street and CEDAR ST / DATE ST 06/22/2025 03:19:27 E21 311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 1019 WOOD Street and GENERAL PETROLEUM AVE / WARD ST 06/24/2025 11:23:30 E21 311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 28156 CHAPARRAL Avenue and DEAD END / OLIVAREZ ST 17:35:21 E21 311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 606 NORTH Street and 6TH ST / 7TH ST 06/25/2025 14:59:59 E21 311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 397 E Street and E ST / D ST TK21 311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 397 E Street and E ST / D ST 06/28/2025 15:44:20 E21 311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 518 TAYLOR Street and FIR ST / ELM ST TK21 311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 518 TAYLOR Street and FIR ST / ELM ST 06/01/2025 20:08:17 E21 320 - Emergency medical service, other 320 COMMERCE Way and DEAD END / GARDNER FIELD RD 06/04/2025 17:36:06 E21 320 - Emergency medical service, other 4 ST / MAPLE Avenue 06/06/2025 18:21:28 E21 320 - Emergency medical service, other 380 ADAMS Street and CEDAR ST / JEFFERSON ST 06/09/2025 13:35:06 E21 320 - Emergency medical service, other 27514 MAPLE Street and CHERRY AVE / ORANGE ST 06/10/2025 06:36:22 E21 320 - Emergency medical service, other 410 VAN BUREN Street and ELM ST / DATE ST 06/16/2025 09:27:50 E21 320 - Emergency medical service, other 1050 WOOD Street and WARD ST / GENERAL PETROLEUM AVE TK21 320 - Emergency medical service, other 1050 WOOD Street and WARD ST / GENERAL PETROLEUM AVE 16:06:29 E21 320 - Emergency medical service, other 1050 North LINCOLN Street and PIERCE ST / MIDWAY RD 06/17/2025 23:07:19 E21 320 - Emergency medical service, other 600 GARRATT Street and E SAN EMIDIO ST / E WOODROW ST 06/23/2025 09:12:48 E21 320 - Emergency medical service, other 126 BUENA VISTA Place and WOOD ST, MARICOPA PL / TWENTY FIVE HILL RD, S 10TH
06/24/2025 10:43:28 E21 320 - Emergency medical service, other 27513 MAPLE Street and CHERRY AVE / ORANGE ST 13:05:10 E21 320 - Emergency medical service, other 713 FILLMORE Street and HAWTHORNE ST / GREVILLEA ST 06/01/2025 16:05:40 TK21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
328 MONTVIEW Avenue and WOOD ST / CRYSTAL ST
2 of 6 Printed On: 07/07/2025 10:11:56 AM
Incident
Date
Incident
Time
Apparatus
ID
Incident Code Address
06/02/2025 12:26:19 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
507 JACKSON Street and DEAD END / ELM ST
06/03/2025 10:49:31 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
119 JEFFERSON Street and BIRCH ST / ASH ST
11:36:38 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
119 North 10TH Street and MAIN ST / CENTER ST
06/06/2025 15:38:03 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
119 HWY / DUSTIN ACRES Road
06/07/2025 08:58:31 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
303 North 10TH Street and NORTH ST / KERN ST
09:59:54 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
320 SUNSET Lane and WOODLAWN AVE / CHURCH ST
06/08/2025 05:06:48 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
201 8TH Street and NORTH ST / CENTER ST
06/09/2025 09:54:33 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
505 E Street and 5TH AVE / 6TH AVE
10:04:18 TK21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
201 8TH Street and NORTH ST / CENTER ST
13:45:17 TK21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
709 D Street and HARDING AVE / DEAD END
21:20:12 TK21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
311 South 10TH Street and FRONT ST / HOPE ST
06/10/2025 14:09:03 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
327 B Street and 4TH AVE / 3RD AVE
06/11/2025 00:42:53 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
229 B Street and 3RD AVE / 2ND AVE
18:58:11 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
515 LIERLY Avenue and Q ST / SOUTH ST
20:32:24 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
515 FILLMORE Street and FIR ST / ELM ST
TK21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with
injury
515 FILLMORE Street and FIR ST / ELM ST
06/13/2025 20:19:50 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
305 PHILIPPINE Street and 3RD AVE / 4TH AVE
06/14/2025 09:20:21 TK21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
24838 33 Highway and ELM ST / DERBY AVE
11:31:28 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
500 CASCADE Place and LASSEN AVE / KERN ST
17:42:00 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
1035 WOOD Street and WARD ST / GENERAL PETROLEUM AVE
06/15/2025 10:44:12 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
26217 HONOLULU Road and GARDNER FIELD RD / AIRPORT
RD
06/16/2025 12:13:42 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
123 North 10TH Street and MAIN ST / CENTER ST
17:32:31 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
199 ASHER Way
TK21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with
injury
199 ASHER Way
18:36:20 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
403 SIERRA Street and ALPINE AVE / LASSEN AVE
19:02:18 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
1210 4TH Street and ASH ST, MONROE ST / FINLEY DR
06/17/2025 09:16:51 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
807 A Street and MIDOIL RD / ARROYO DR
06/18/2025 14:17:26 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
701 WILDCAT Way and WOODROW ST / WARREN ST
06/19/2025 04:39:13 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
629 PHILIPPINE Street and HARDING AVE / 6TH AVE
08:19:03 TK21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
600 FILLMORE Street and FIR ST / GREVILLEA ST
06/22/2025 00:44:15 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
North ST / 6TH Street
01:16:23 TK21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
123 North 10TH Street and MAIN ST / CENTER ST
3 of 6 Printed On: 07/07/2025 10:11:56 AM
Incident
Date
Incident
Time
Apparatus
ID
Incident Code Address
02:36:41 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
325 OLIVE Avenue and CRYSTAL ST / WOOD ST
19:53:05 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
404 SIERRA Street and ALPINE AVE / LASSEN AVE
06/23/2025 15:14:13 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
201 8TH Street and NORTH ST / CENTER ST
06/24/2025 12:03:41 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
105 EASTERN Avenue and OAK ST / CRYSTAL ST
06/25/2025 10:22:33 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
201 8TH Street and NORTH ST / CENTER ST
12:48:16 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
704 KERN Street and 7TH ST, WILDCAT WAY / 8TH ST
15:28:12 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
712 South 10TH Street and D ST / CRYSTAL ST
15:32:54 TK21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
201 8TH Street and NORTH ST / CENTER ST
06/26/2025 17:22:29 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
1002 3RD Street and ROBIN WAY / BELL AVE
22:55:31 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
623 PHILIPPINE Street and HARDING AVE / 6TH AVE
06/27/2025 16:03:18 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
126 BUENA VISTA Place and WOOD ST, MARICOPA PL / TWENTY FIVE HILL RD, S 10TH
18:11:43 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
2 AVE / A Street
19:02:22 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
124 ROOSEVELT Place and DEAD END / S 10TH ST
06/29/2025 09:06:00 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
310 East WOODROW Street and GARRATT ST / LORNA WAY
06/30/2025 07:51:48 E21 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
609 B Street and 6TH AVE / HARDING AVE
06/10/2025 10:50:44 E21 322 - Motor vehicle accident with injuries hwy 166 and 166 HWY, BASIC SCHOOL RD / 166 HWY, OLD
RIVER RD
TK21 322 - Motor vehicle accident with injuries hwy 166 and 166 HWY, BASIC SCHOOL RD / 166 HWY, OLD
RIVER RD
06/29/2025 22:33:01 E21 322 - Motor vehicle accident with injuries 215 OAK Street and AMBER ST / LIERLY AVE, S 6TH ST TK21 322 - Motor vehicle accident with injuries 215 OAK Street and AMBER ST / LIERLY AVE, S 6TH ST 06/09/2025 15:49:01 E21 324 - Motor vehicle accident, non-injury East SAN EMIDIO ST / BELL Avenue TK21 324 - Motor vehicle accident, non-injury East SAN EMIDIO ST / BELL Avenue 06/20/2025 11:37:49 E21 324 - Motor vehicle accident, non-injury 27902 119 Highway and DUSTIN ACRES RD, TANK FARM RD /
SUNRIDGE AVE
TK21 324 - Motor vehicle accident, non-injury 27902 119 Highway and DUSTIN ACRES RD, TANK FARM RD /
SUNRIDGE AVE
06/29/2025 21:54:12 E21 324 - Motor vehicle accident, non-injury South 10TH ST / OAK Street 06/10/2025 09:53:07 E21 352 - Extrication of victim(s) from vehicle 119 Highway and 119 HWY, TAMARISK AVE / DUSTIN ACRES RD,
TANK FARM
TK21 352 - Extrication of victim(s) from vehicle 119 Highway and 119 HWY, TAMARISK AVE / DUSTIN ACRES RD,
TANK FARM
Count: 88
Incident Category: 4 - Hazardous Condition (No Fire)
06/04/2025 15:57:13 E21 400 - Hazardous condition, other 212 VAN BUREN Street and CEDAR ST / BIRCH ST TK21 400 - Hazardous condition, other 212 VAN BUREN Street and CEDAR ST / BIRCH ST 06/10/2025 03:20:35 E21 400 - Hazardous condition, other HWY 119 and 119 HWY, CEDAR ST, E CEDAR ST / HARRISON ST, 119 H
06/08/2025 16:18:55 E21 412 - Gas leak (natural gas or LPG) 205 JACKSON Street and BIRCH ST / CEDAR ST TK21 412 - Gas leak (natural gas or LPG) 205 JACKSON Street and BIRCH ST / CEDAR ST 06/23/2025 21:05:47 E21 422 - Chemical spill or leak (incl. Pesticides) 1001 STEVENS ST / GENERAL PETROLEUM Avenue and
GENERAL PETROLEUM AVE / WARD ST
TK21 422 - Chemical spill or leak (incl. Pesticides) 1001 STEVENS ST / GENERAL PETROLEUM Avenue and
GENERAL PETROLEUM AVE / WARD ST
06/10/2025 08:16:55 E21 480 - Attempted burning, illegal action, other 28323 119 Highway and GOLF COURSE RD / TANK FARM RD 06/27/2025 20:29:27 E21 480 - Attempted burning, illegal action, other 100 MARICOPA Place and E ST, S 10TH ST / BUENA VISTA PL,
WOOD ST
4 of 6 Printed On: 07/07/2025 10:11:56 AM
Incident
Date
Incident
Time
Apparatus
ID
Incident Code Address
Count: 9
Incident Category: 5 - Service Call
06/17/2025 10:57:12 TK21 522 - Water or steam leak 504 VAN BUREN Street and ELM ST / DEAD END 06/19/2025 05:38:42 E21 522 - Water or steam leak 400 D Street and 4TH AVE / 5TH AVE TK21 522 - Water or steam leak 400 D Street and 4TH AVE / 5TH AVE 06/30/2025 14:44:51 E21 542 - Animal rescue 517 TAYLOR Street and FIR ST / ELM ST 06/04/2025 19:10:19 E21 551 - Assist police or other governmental agency 320 COMMERCE Way and DEAD END / GARDNER FIELD RD TK21 551 - Assist police or other governmental agency 320 COMMERCE Way and DEAD END / GARDNER FIELD RD 06/11/2025 13:01:05 E21 554 - Assist invalid 701 WILDCAT Way and WOODROW ST / WARREN ST 18:10:51 E21 554 - Assist invalid 221 CALVIN Street and 3RD ST / 2ND ST, E CALVIN ST TK21 554 - Assist invalid 221 CALVIN Street and 3RD ST / 2ND ST, E CALVIN ST 06/12/2025 02:37:30 TK21 554 - Assist invalid 313 SHATTUCK Avenue and CRYSTAL ST / WOOD ST 07:03:39 E21 554 - Assist invalid 313 SHATTUCK Avenue and CRYSTAL ST / WOOD ST TK21 554 - Assist invalid 313 SHATTUCK Avenue and CRYSTAL ST / WOOD ST 06/14/2025 21:27:28 E21 554 - Assist invalid 921 2ND Street and BELL AVE / CALVIN ST, E CALVIN ST TK21 554 - Assist invalid 921 2ND Street and BELL AVE / CALVIN ST, E CALVIN ST 06/15/2025 22:44:19 E21 554 - Assist invalid 526 D Street and 6TH AVE / 5TH AVE TK21 554 - Assist invalid 526 D Street and 6TH AVE / 5TH AVE 06/16/2025 02:17:02 TK21 554 - Assist invalid 207 E Street and 2ND AVE / 3RD AVE 06/22/2025 14:11:29 E21 554 - Assist invalid 605 TAYLOR Street and FIR ST / GREVILLEA ST TK21 554 - Assist invalid 605 TAYLOR Street and FIR ST / GREVILLEA ST 06/30/2025 09:09:27 E21 554 - Assist invalid 314 IRENE Street and DEAD END / STANDARD ST TK21 554 - Assist invalid 314 IRENE Street and DEAD END / STANDARD ST 06/03/2025 20:41:38 E21 561 - Unauthorized/illegal burning (SRA/APCD or illegal campfire)
151 CRYSTAL Street and LIERLY AVE / S 10TH ST
06/07/2025 17:04:06 E21 571 - Cover assignment, standby, moveup 14670 LOST HILLS Road and 46 HWY, WOODWARD AVE / G P RD
Count: 23
Incident Category: 6 - Good Intent Call
06/03/2025 20:50:51 E21 600 - Good intent call, other 501 1/2 VAN BUREN Street and ELM ST / DEAD END 06/02/2025 11:00:50 E21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 119 HWY / ELK HILLS Road 11:54:10 E21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 900 North 10TH Street and IRENE ST / W ASH ST, MAIN ST, N
LINCOLN ST, ASH ST
06/03/2025 17:08:28 E21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 232 OLIVE Avenue and CRYSTAL ST / OAK ST, S 2ND ST 06/04/2025 15:44:06 E21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 205 JACKSON Street and BIRCH ST / CEDAR ST 06/05/2025 03:04:39 E21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route INDUSTRIAL WAY / GARDNER FIELD Road 09:17:06 E21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 4342 SHORT RD / WESTERN MINERALS Road and 119 HWY / N
LINCOLN ST
06/06/2025 19:26:04 E21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 380 ADAMS Street and CEDAR ST / JEFFERSON ST 06/07/2025 08:36:24 E21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 27514 MAPLE Street and CHERRY AVE / ORANGE ST 17:28:22 E21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route Twissleman and 5 S ON FR TWISSELMAN RAMP, 5 SOUTH HWY / 5 SOUTH H
06/08/2025 23:45:59 E21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 208 SUNSET Lane and FRANKLIN AVE / WOODLAWN AVE 06/09/2025 15:22:12 E21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 600 CENTER Street and 6TH ST / 7TH ST 06/12/2025 18:21:13 E21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 521 WILSON Avenue and DEAD END / E ST 06/14/2025 15:03:06 E21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 715 PIERCE Street and HAWTHORNE ST / GREVILLEA ST 06/16/2025 15:32:34 E21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 119 HWY / GOLF COURSE Road 06/18/2025 08:35:26 E21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 215 EASTERN Avenue and CRYSTAL ST / OAK ST 06/19/2025 17:39:50 E21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 27507 PINE Street and DEAD END / ORANGE ST TK21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 27507 PINE Street and DEAD END / ORANGE ST 06/20/2025 16:48:10 E21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route CYPRESS LN / FRANKLIN Avenue 06/27/2025 09:14:37 E21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 3 ST / CALVIN Street 06/28/2025 11:26:40 E21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 208 BUCHANAN Street and BIRCH ST / CEDAR ST 19:49:16 TK21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 105 EASTERN Avenue and OAK ST / CRYSTAL ST 06/29/2025 04:07:46 E21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 123 ROSE Avenue and PICO ST / OAK ST 06/30/2025 07:56:59 TK21 611 - Dispatched and cancelled en route 619 PIERCE Street and GREVILLEA ST / FIR ST 5 of 6 Printed On: 07/07/2025 10:11:56 AM
Incident
Date
Incident
Time
Apparatus
ID
Incident Code Address
Apparatus:
Apparatus:
Incident Date:
06/03/2025 20:27:32 E21 622 - No incident found on arrival at dispatch address
101 POLK Street and ASH ST / BIRCH ST
06/04/2025 07:16:46 E21 622 - No incident found on arrival at dispatch address
506 GARFIELD Avenue and E ST / DEAD END
06/07/2025 14:00:59 E21 622 - No incident found on arrival at dispatch address
MIDWAY RD / 119 Highway
TK21 622 - No incident found on arrival at dispatch
address
MIDWAY RD / 119 Highway
06/09/2025 19:56:04 E21 622 - No incident found on arrival at dispatch address
216 MONTVIEW Avenue and CRYSTAL ST / PICO ST
06/17/2025 15:43:10 E21 622 - No incident found on arrival at dispatch address
811 6TH Street and WARREN ST / COUGAR CT
06/20/2025 20:41:16 E21 622 - No incident found on arrival at dispatch address
434 D Street and 5TH AVE / 4TH AVE
TK21 622 - No incident found on arrival at dispatch
address
434 D Street and 5TH AVE / 4TH AVE
06/24/2025 19:47:19 E21 622 - No incident found on arrival at dispatch address
PICO ST / LIERLY Avenue
TK21 622 - No incident found on arrival at dispatch
address
PICO ST / LIERLY Avenue
06/26/2025 13:51:57 E21 622 - No incident found on arrival at dispatch address
4 ST / KERN Street
06/09/2025 10:52:30 E21 651 - Smoke scare, odor of smoke 300 MONTVIEW Avenue and CRYSTAL ST / WOOD ST TK21 651 - Smoke scare, odor of smoke 300 MONTVIEW Avenue and CRYSTAL ST / WOOD ST 06/12/2025 23:38:32 TK21 651 - Smoke scare, odor of smoke 402 BUCHANAN Street and DATE ST / ELM ST Count: 38
Count:
208
Report Criteria
Is Equal To E21
Is Equal To TK21
Is Equal To Last Month
Description
For Official Use Only: Last Month's Run Stats
6 of 6 Printed On: 07/07/2025 10:11:56 AM
REVIEWED BY:
CITY CLERK FINANCE DIRECTOR CITY MANAGER
City of Taft Agenda Report
DATE: AUGUST 5, 2025
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
AGENDA MATTER:
AMENDMENT TO JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT OF THE CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY RISK
MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
The Joint Powers Agreement with the Central San Joaquin Valley Risk Management Authority (CSCVRMA) was last amended in 1994. Although the documents still meet the legal requirements as set forth in the government code for Joint Powers Authorities, the document has been updated as follows:
• Definitional terms have been defined more clearly.
• Language has been broadened to give leeway in the event the CSJVRMA wants to consider creating or participating in a captive agency.
• An addition was made pursuant to Government Code Section 6509 that was not part of the law in 1994 when CSJVRMA last amended the Agreement.
RECOMMENDATION:
Motion to adopt a resolution entitled AMENDMENT TO JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT OF THE CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY RISK MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY 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.
IMPACT ON BUDGET (Y/N): NO
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES (Resolution and Agreement)
PREPARED BY: Lonn Boyer, Director of Human Resources/Assistant City Manager RESOLUTION NO. 4311-25
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING
AMENDMENT TO JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT OF THE CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN
VALLEY RISK MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
WHEREAS, the CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY RISK MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY (CSJVRMA) is a California Joint Powers Authority created and operated pursuant to California Government Code 6500 et. seq. for the purpose of pooling funds to provide coverage for indemnification and defense and to purchase excess insurance for certain civil claims involving general liability, workers’ compensation, and property damage; and WHEREAS, the City of Taft is authorized pursuant to California Government Code 990.8 to enter into a Joint Powers Agreement for the purposes described above; and
WHERAS, the City of Taft is a member of the CSJVRMA; and WHEREAS, the Joint Powers Agreement which was created establishing the CSJVRMA allows for amendment of the agreement upon approval by the City Council of two thirds of the members of the CSJVRMA; and WHEREAS, the CSJVRMA desires to amend the Joint Powers Agreement as set forth in the Agreement dated July 1, 1994, and as amended July 1, 2025, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND ORDERED that the City Council of the City of Taft approves the Central San Joaquin Valley Risk Management Authority Joint Powers Agreement, dated July 1, 1994, as amended and restated on July 1, 2025, and in the form as attached hereto, and it is FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager/Administrator is authorized and directed to execute such agreement.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED on this 5th day of August, 2025. ________________________________
Dave Noerr, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
Faith Melton
Deputy City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF KERN } SS
CITY OF TAFT }
I, Faith Melton, Deputy City Clerk of the City of Taft, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of the City of Taft at a regular meeting thereof held on the 5th day of August 2025, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers:
NOES: Councilmembers:
ABSENT: Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers:
__________________________________
Faith Melton
Deputy City Clerk
REVIEWED BY:
CITY CLERK FINANCE DIRECTOR CITY MANAGER
City of Taft Agenda Report
DATE: AUGUST 5, 2025
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
AGENDA MATTER:
ADOPTION OF THE CITY OF TAFT TITLE VI PROGRAM UPDATE FOR CITY OF TAFT AND
TAFT AREA TRANSIT
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued revised guidance to federal aid recipients in the form of a circular dated October 1, 2012. The circular guides transit agencies and other aid recipients on how to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which ensures that public services, including transportation, are provided in a nondiscriminatory manner.
In order to ensure compliance with FTA Title VI requirements and guidelines, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) required all recipients and subrecipients of federal transportation funding (of which the City of Taft is a subrecipient) to develop and submit an updated Title VI program every three years.
This update is being brought for adoption in between the three year required update period for the purpose of adding requirements to make the policy compliant with both the FTA and the Federal Highway Administration FHWA, as the City receives funds from both.
RECOMMENDATION:
Motion to adopt resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TAFT AUTHORIZING THE TITLE VI PROGRAM UPDATE FOR THE CITY OF TAFT AND THE TAFT AREA TRANSIT SYSTEM 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.
IMPACT ON BUDGET (Y/N): NO
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES (Resolution and City of Taft Title VI Program Update) PREPARED BY: Public Works
RESOLUTION NO. 4312-25
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT
AUTHORIZING THE TITLE VI PROGRAM UPDATE FOR THE CITY OF
TAFT AND THE TAFT AREA TRANSIT SYSTEM
WHEREAS, the City of Taft desires to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including provisions detailed in U.S. Department of Transportation’s FTA Circular 4702.1B, “Title VI Requirements and Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration Recipients”; and WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to authorize approval of the Title VI Program Update developed by Moore & Associates, Inc. for the City of Taft and the Taft Area Transit System to comply with necessary provisions of the Civil Rights Act; and
WHEREAS, this update is being brought forth between required updatesto add the requirements of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Taft, as follows:
1. The City of Taft Transit Coordinator is authorized to implement components of the Title VI Program in order to meet federal requirements.
2. The City of Taft Transit Coordinator is authorized to implement policies that may be necessary to comply with subsequent revisions or interpretations to the Civil Rights Act.
3. The Title VI Program Update may be amended with revisions as applicable from Caltrans, and future revisions to Title VI requirements and guidelines by the FTA and the FHWA .
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 5th day of August, 2025 Dave Noerr, Mayor
ATTEST:
Faith Melton
Deputy City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF KERN ) SS
CITY OF TAFT )
I, Faith Melton, Deputy City Clerk of the City of Taft, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of the City of Taft at a regular meeting thereof held on the 5th day of August, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Faith Melton
Deputy City Clerk
Contact Information:
Michelle Kincaid
Title VI Coordinator
209 E. Kern Street
Taft, CA 93268
Office: (661) 763-1222
Online: www.cityoftaft.org
The preparation of this report may have been financed in part through grants from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA), U.S. Department of Transportation, under State Planning and Research Program Section 104(f) of Title 23, U.S. Code. The contents of this report do not necessarily reflect the official view or policy of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
This Title VI Program was originally prepared in 2023. It was revised in July 2025 to incorporate FHWA Title VI Requirements. Future updates will fully reflect the requirements of both the FTA and FHWA. moore-associates.net
CITY OF TAFT
2023 TITLE VI PROGRAM UPDATE
May 2023 (July 2025 revision)
i
Table of Contents
Section 1 | Title VI Policy Statement.......................................................1 Section 2 | Title VI Information Dissemination .......................................3 Section 3 | Subcontracts and Vendors....................................................3 Section 4 | Record Keeping.....................................................................3 Section 5 | Title VI Complaint Procedures ..............................................3 Section 6 | Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and Language Access Plan 6 Section 7 | Public Participation Plan .......................................................7 Section 8 | Active Investigation, Lawsuit, or Complaint........................11 Section 9 | Subrecipient Monitoring.....................................................11 Section 10 | Non-Elected Committee Demographics............................12 Section 11 | Title VI Annual Work Plan .................................................12 Section 12 | Equity Analysis for Building Site........................................12 Section 13 | Resolution Approving Title VI Plan....................................13 Section 14 | Fixed-Route Transit Provider Requirements.....................13 Appendix A | Title VI Complaint Form ..................................................17 Apéndice B | Formulario de Queja del Título VI....................................20 Appendix C | Samples of Narrative .......................................................23 Appendix D | Resolution Approving Title VI Plan..................................28 Appendix E | Demographic Analysis .....................................................29 Appendix F | Language Assistance Plan ................................................34 moore-associates.net
CITY OF TAFT
2023 TITLE VI PROGRAM UPDATE
May 2023 (July 2025 revision)
ii
Appendix G | Title VI Survey Instruments.............................................42 Appendix H | City of Taft Organizational Chart.....................................46 moore-associates.net
CITY OF TAFT
2023 TITLE VI PROGRAM UPDATE
May 2023 (July 2025 revision)
iii
Table of Exhibits
Exhibit 1 City of Taft Title VI Policy Statement.............................................................................................2 Exhibit 2 Title VI Investigations, Lawsuits and Complaints Summary Table ..............................................11 Exhibit 3 Sample Non-Elected Committee Membership Table..................................................................12 Exhibit 4 Taft Area Transit Service Area.....................................................................................................15 Exhibit 5 List of Locations Where Title VI Notice Is Posted........................................................................27 Exhibit 6 Taft Area Transit Fleet List ..........................................................................................................29 Exhibit 7 Racial Breakdown of Total Population of Service Area...............................................................30 Exhibit 8 Languages Spoken at Home ........................................................................................................31 Exhibit 9 School English Learner (EL) Population.......................................................................................32 Exhibit 10 Languages Spoken at Home by Community..............................................................................33 Exhibit 11 Racial Breakdown of Population by Community.......................................................................33 Exhibit 12 Implementation Plan.................................................................................................................41
CITY OF TAFT
2023 TITLE VI PROGRAM UPDATE
May 2023 (July 2025 revision)
Moore & Associates, Inc. | 2023
1 Section 1 | Title VI Policy Statement
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Specifically, Title VI provides that "no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance" (42 U.S.C. Section 2000d).
As a recipient of Federal aid through two of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (US DOT’s) operating administrations, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the City of Taft is accountable for compliance with both Title VI and the following implementing regulations: US DOT’s “Nondiscrimination in Federally-Assisted Programs of the Department of Transportation” (49 CFR Part 21), FTA’s “Title VI Requirements and Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration Recipients (FTA Circular 4702.1B), and FHWA’s “Title VI Program and Related Statutes” (23 CFR Part 200). These regulations have expanded the original Title VI protections to incorporate subsequent related statutes, including protections against discrimination based on gender, age, and disability; and federal policies regarding environmental justice and limited-English proficiency.
The City of Taft is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of its services on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability, as protected by Title VI and the implementing regulations listed above. This program was developed to guide the City in its administration and management of Title VI-related activities.
Title VI Coordinator Contact information:
Michelle Kincaid
Public Works Coordinator
City of Taft
209 E. Kern Street
Taft, CA 93268
Phone: (661) 763-1222
Email: [email protected]
CITY OF TAFT
2023 TITLE VI PROGRAM UPDATE
May 2023 (July 2025 revision)
Moore & Associates, Inc. | 2023
2 Exhibit 1 City of Taft Title VI Policy Statement
CITY OF TAFT
2023 TITLE VI PROGRAM UPDATE
May 2023 (July 2025 revision)
Moore & Associates, Inc. | 2023
3 Section 2 | Title VI Information Dissemination
Title VI information, including but not limited to the Notice to the Public,shall be prominently and publicly displayed in public areas of the City of Taft offices and facilities, onboard Taft Area Transit vehicles, and on the City’s website. Complaint forms and the complaint procedures are also to be available in English and Spanish on the City’s website, at City Hall, and at the Taft Area Transit office.
City employees shall be provided with a copy of the City’s Title VI Program at the time of hire and as part of biennial Title VI training.
Section 3 | Subcontracts and Vendors
All subcontractors and vendors who receive payments from the City where funding originates from any federal assistance are subject to the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended.
Written contracts shall contain non-discrimination language, either directly or through the bid specification package which becomes an associated component of the contract.
Section 4 | Record Keeping
The City will maintain permanent records, which include, but are not limited to, documentation of employee Title VI training, copies of Title VI complaints or lawsuits and related documentation, records of correspondence to and from complainants, and records of Title VI investigations. A letter acknowledging receipt of a complaint will be mailed within thirty (30) days of receipt.
Section 5 | Title VI Complaint Procedures
Any person who believes that they, individually, or as a member of any specific class of persons, has been subject to discrimination on the grounds of race, age, disability, religion, color, sex, or national origin with regard to any City of Taft service, program, or facility, may file a written complaint with the City.
A complaint must be filed with 180 days after the date of the alleged discrimination, unless the time for filing is extended by the City.
All complaints alleging discrimination should be submitted in writing directly to the City of Taft’s Title VI Coordinator at the address listed below. The Title VI Coordinator or his/her designee shall be responsible for overseeing investigations and responses to complaints of discrimination.
CITY OF TAFT
2023 TITLE VI PROGRAM UPDATE
May 2023 (July 2025 revision)
Moore & Associates, Inc. | 2023
4 City of Taft
Attn: Title VI Coordinator
209 E. Kern Street
Taft, CA 93268
All complaints should be completed and submitted on the City of Taft’s Title VI complaint form available in Appendices B and C of this program as well as online at www.cityoftaft.org, by phone request at (661) 763-1222, or in person at Taft City Hall (located at 209 E. Kern Street, Taft, CA 93268) or the Taft Area Transit office (located at 550 Supply Row, Taft, CA, 93268). Additional accessible formats of the form are also available.
At a minimum, all complaints filed must provide the following information:
1. Complainant's name,
2. Complainant's address,
3. Complainant's phone number,
4. Complainant's email,
5. Detailed description of complaint/incident,
6. Date of complaint/incident,
7. Time of complaint/incident,
8. Location of complaint/incident,
9. Name(s) and contact information of witnesses (if applicable),
10. Any other information relevant to the complaint, and
11. Signature (with date) of person submitting complaint.
Complaints received with incomplete information may result in delayed investigations and responses. All complaints MUST be signed.
Within 10 business days of receiving the complaint, the City’s Title VI Coordinator will review to determine if the City of Taft has jurisdiction. The complainant will receive an acknowledgement letter informing her/him whether the complaint will be investigated by the City.
If the complaint submitted is within the City’s jurisdiction and is complete, a case will be opened and a case number and investigator will be assigned. The Title VI Coordinator will copy the City of Taft’s Risk Assessment personnel on all complaints.
If necessary, an investigation will be conducted and completed within 30 days of the receipt of the formal complaint (30-Day Rule).
• If a time extension to the 30-Day Rule is required, the complainant will be notified in writing of the reason for the extension.
If additional information is required to resolve the case, the City may contact the complainant. The complainant has 10 business days from the date of the letter to send requested information to the Title
CITY OF TAFT
2023 TITLE VI PROGRAM UPDATE
May 2023 (July 2025 revision)
Moore & Associates, Inc. | 2023
5 VI investigator. If the investigator is not contacted by the complainant or does not receive the additional information within 10 business days, the City may administratively close the case.
A case may also be closed administratively if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case.
Following the investigation, the Title VI Coordinator will issue one of two letters to the complainant:
1. Closure Letter, or
2. Letter of Finding (LOF).
• A Closure Letter summarizes the complaint allegations and will state that there was no Title VI violation and that the case will be closed.
• A LOF will summarize the complaint allegations and the investigation regarding the alleged incident. The LOF will also explain whether any disciplinary action, additional training of the staff member, or other action, will occur.
If the complainant is unsatisfied with the decision, they have 30 days from the date of the City’s Closure Letter or the LOF to appeal to the Taft City Council or its designee. The complainant is entitled to review the denial, to present additional information and arguments, and to a separation of functions (i.e., a decision by a person not involved with the initial decision to deny eligibility). The complainant is entitled to receive written notification of the decision of the appeal and the reasons for it.
The complainant may also file a complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration or Federal Highway Administration, as follows:
Federal Transit Administration Federal Highway Administration Civil Rights Division U.S. Department of Transportation Attention: Complaint Team Office of Civil Rights
East Building, 5th Floor – TCR 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 8th Floor E81-105
Washington, DC 20590 Washington, DC 20590
Title VI Complaints Processed Under the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Per the FHWA Guidance Memorandum, Processing of Title VI Complaints, dated June 13, 2018, all Title VI complaints received by a sub-recipient (e.g., the City of Taft) are to be forwarded to Caltrans to be submitted to the FHWA California Division Office. If FHWA’s Headquarters Office of Civil Rights (HCR) determines a Title VI complaint against a sub-recipient can be investigated by Caltrans, HCR may delegate the task of investigating the complaint to Caltrans.
Title VI Complaints Processed Under the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Title VI complaints filed with Caltrans against a sub-recipient will be investigated by Caltrans. If the complaint is filed with the sub-recipient (e.g., the City of Taft), the sub-recipient is responsible for investigating the complaint in accordance with FTA Circular 4702.1B. FTA recommends, but does not
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6 require, that individuals first file a complaint directly with their transit provider to give the provider an opportunity to resolve the situation. FTA grantees are required to have local complaint procedures.
Caltrans Office of Civil Rights (OCR) Investigation Process If OCR is delegated the responsibility of performing an investigation, OCR has 90 days to investigate the complaint. If additional time is needed, OCR will call the complainant and inform them.
If more information is needed to resolve the case, the OCR investigator may contact the complainant. The complainant has ten business days from the date of the letter to send the requested information to the investigator assigned to the case.
If the investigator is not contacted by the complainant or does not receive the additional information within ten business days, OCR can administratively close the case. A case can also be administratively closed if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case.
OCR will consult with HCR regarding the disposition of the complaint. HCR will undertake disposition of the complaint through either:
(1) informal resolution, or
(2) issuance of a Letter of Finding of compliance or noncompliance with Title VI. A copy of the Letter of Finding will be sent to all parties via the FHWA California Division Office.
Section 6 | Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and Language Access Plan
The City of Taft has developed a Language Assistance Plan (LAP) (see Appendix F) to help identify reasonable steps to provide language assistance for persons with limited English proficiency (LEP) seeking meaningful access to City services as required by Executive Order 13166. A person with limited English proficiency is one who does not speak English as their primary language and who has a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English. This plan has detailed procedures on how to identify a person who may need language assistance, the ways in which assistance may be provided, training staff, how to notify LEP persons that assistance is available, and information for future plan updates. In developing the plan to determine the extent of obligation to provide language assistance services, the City applied the U.S. Department of Transportation’s four factor analysis, which considers the following: 1) The number or proportion of LEP persons to be served or likely to be encountered in the City’s programs, activities, or services; 2) the frequency with which LEP individuals come in contact with those City programs; 3) the nature and importance of programs, activities or service provided by the City to the LEP population; and 4) the resources available to the City and overall costs to provide LEP assistance.
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7 Section 7 | Public Participation Plan
The City of Taft has developed this Public Participation plan as part of its Title VI Program. The City is committed to ensuring it provides equal and equitable access to its services throughout the city of Taft and nearby communities in the safest and most cost-effective manner possible. Through a combination of input and insight from community residents, current and prospective transit riders, community stakeholders, and City staff, the City of Taft has enhanced its methodologies of reaching the public within its service area and will be able to further refine its strategies in the future.
Approach to Public Participation
The public participation process should be considered at the earliest stages of any federally funded project or service enhancement which may impact the surrounding communities, existing transit riders, and potential transit riders. As transit services, transit planning project, and FHWA projects vary in scope and goals, the public participation process should be tailored to most effectively assist each. The following process outlines tools and strategies to ensure that public input is invited and all foreseeable impacts to the service area communities are considered.
The City has developed three prioritized categories of projects which guided the development of minimum public participation requirements. During the initial planning phase of each project or transit service revisions, City of Taft staff will identify into which level the project falls and develop a tailored participation plan accordingly. At any time during a project’s development and/or implementation process, the project may be reclassified to a higher level, as City staff deems appropriate. The levels of public participation are presented below.
Baseline – Routine transit service, schedule, and system enhancements and revisions. Also includes short (less than one year) term projects where potential impacts to residents and transit customers should be considered during planning phases.
Examples include minor revisions to service hours, minor changes to service areas, and impacts to service due to routine maintenance or construction. Also includes updates to service branding and fare media and collateral.
Moderate – Projects involving a year or longer of development and/or implementation where impacts to existing and future residents and transit riders must be considered.
Examples include development and implementation of new/expanded services and development of Short-Range Transit Plans, Marketing Plans, and facility/storage construction projects, etc. Any project within this level to be conducted by a third party (i.e., consultant or contractor) will include public participation requirements and criteria as part of the RFP process.
High – Projects involving multiple years of development and/or implementation where impacts to existing and future residents and transit riders must be considered.
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8 Examples include Comprehensive Operational Analyses, development and construction of transit center/facilities, extensive roadway projects, transit system redesign (complete overhaul of existing system and operations), transition of administration of services, etc. Any project within this category to be conducted by a third party (i.e., consultant or contractor) will include public participation requirements and criteria as part of the RFP process.
Outreach Requirements and Activities
The following activities are intended to serve as guidelines for each level of outreach to ensure members of the community are provided with equal access and opportunity to participate in transit and transportation planning.
Baseline Level – Minimum Outreach
• Notices for public events may include car cards, posters, email blasts, notices on the City website, media releases to local papers, and/or radio announcements as funding allows. o Any notice will be posted at least one week prior to the public event. • Notices may be posted at City Hall, transit office, onboard transit vehicles, at bus stops/shelters as deemed appropriate, and at key community centers. • Whenever possible, information regarding public participation opportunities will also be posted on the City of Taft website at least two weeks prior to the event. • Comments will be accepted via public outreach events, via email, by mail, and by phone to ensure that all populations have the opportunity to participate.
Moderate Level – Minimum Outreach
• All applicable Baseline Level elements are included within Moderate Level projects. • Unique notices/fliers will be developed and posted a minimum of two weeks in advance for the following outreach activities (as deemed appropriate for each project):
o Focus group participation,
o Stakeholder discussions,
o Community surveying efforts, and
o Customer survey efforts.
• Where more than one workshop or meeting open to the public is planned, the workshops shall be scheduled throughout multiple day-parts (i.e., mornings, afternoons, and evenings) as funding and resources allow, maximizing opportunity for participation. • Public participation events shall be held in central locations within walking distance of fixedroutes stops whenever feasible. • Materials may be developed specifically for public participation including FAQ sheets, presentation slides, newsletters, and media releases.
High Level – Minimum Outreach
• All applicable Baseline and Moderate Level elements are included within High Level projects. • The City shall conduct expanded outreach to community stakeholders and its partners. • The City shall investigate the establishment of a transit- or transportation-oriented committee to guide the development and implementation of the project and public participation.
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9 • The City shall expand regional entity participation, including but not limited to the Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG), County of Kern, neighboring municipal jurisdictions, and nearby transit operators, by seeking comments and participation in project meetings and planning activities.
Currently, Spanish is the only quantifiable population within the City and its transit service area identified as limited in English proficiency. The City will continue assessing the language needs of citizens in its service area through its Language Assistance Plan. Should another population with limited English proficiency reach or surpass population levels as defined by the FTA Title VI Circular (currently five percent of the total service area population or 1,000 persons, whichever is less), the City will reassess this element of its Title VI program and the strategies presented below.
Outreach Methods for Engaging Minority and Limited English Proficient Populations
Baseline Level – Minimum Minority Outreach
• Notices will be made bilingual or Spanish-language notices will be developed and posted alongside English notices.
• Spanish-language notices will be posted on all transit vehicles and at locations that have been identified as key destinations of Limited English Proficient (LEP) populations, if such information exists.
• Event information on the City website will be posted in English and Spanish. • The City will make event information available to community groups and agencies that work with LEP populations, if such contacts exist.
• Spanish interpretation or translation at any public meetings or workshop will be provided by City staff as is possible.
• When it is deemed appropriate or necessary, the City will ensure non-English language interpretation in additional languages is made available.
Moderate Level – Minimum Minority Outreach
• All applicable Baseline Level elements are included within Moderate Level projects. • The City will continue cultivating relationships with community agencies that serve LEP populations.
• Public outreach events may include attending already existing community meetings and gatherings, such as school meetings, farmers markets, faith-based events, and other community activities in order to invite participation from LEP populations who may not attend City-sponsored public events.
High Level – Minimum Minority Outreach
• All applicable Baseline and Moderate Level elements are included within High Level projects. • As they are identified, translated notices will be sent to Spanish-language print media, newspapers, and/or radio stations.
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10 • The City will ensure that non-English language interpretation will be available at any public meeting or workshop associated with a High Level project as deemed appropriate and necessary.
Summary of Outreach Efforts
There are two primary modes of outreach conducted with respect to the City of Taft’s public transit program, recurring and as-needed. Recurring outreach efforts focus on the sustaining and developing long-term relationships built with local organizations and communities, while as-needed outreach focuses on supporting and achieving near-term goals such as improving ridership, and promoting enhancements to service provision.
Recurring Outreach Efforts
• Customer Service Interactions – customer service staff and transit drivers field questions and customer service requests from customers and the general public in both English and Spanish on a daily basis. This outreach is considered the primary method of reaching residents who are unable to obtain information from written/posted materials and sources. • Unmet Transit Needs Hearings – Annual hearings are facilitated by the Kern Council of Governments to identify “unmet transit needs” within the city of Taft. Any identified unmet transit needs deemed reasonable to meet within their service area are prioritized for implementation by the City.
• Public Noticing – Submitted as required to local paper of record. Notices are provided for significant transportation-related developments, including planning studies, road projects, and revisions to existing services and/or policies.
• Educational institutions – Periodic visits and delivery of transit service brochures, promotional campaign notices, and promotional materials to Taft College. • Bus stop maintenance/updates – The City completes an inspection and assessment of all bus stop information on a regular basis (visual drive-by inspections conducted daily). Any infopost material is displayed in Spanish as well as English.
Completed As-Needed Outreach Efforts
• Notice regarding transit system changes occurs as necessary after obtaining insight from City staff, local stakeholders, and professional consultation, typically via a noticed public hearing. • FHWA projects are primarily noticed through staff reports to City Council, with resolutions and public hearings as required.
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11 Section 8 | Active Investigation, Lawsuit, or Complaint Per FTA Circular 4702.1B, “all recipients are required to prepare and maintain a list of any of the following that allege discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin”:
• Active investigations conducted by FTA, FHWA, and entities other than these; • Lawsuits; and
• Complaints naming the recipient (i.e., City of Taft and/or Taft Area Transit).
To date, neither the Taft Area Transit program nor the City of Taft has been subject to any Title VI investigations, Title VI complaints, or Title VI lawsuits. Below is a matrix which will be utilized by City staff to internally track and report any and all future incidents:
Exhibit 2 Title VI Investigations, Lawsuits and Complaints Summary Table Section 9 | Subrecipient Monitoring
The City of Taft does not have any sub-recipients of Federal funding at this time and does not anticipate expanding to include subrecipients. If in the future the City of Taft elects to expand its public transit service and begins contracting with sub-recipients, the City will ensure compliance with Title VI regulations by updating this element of its Title VI program to include the monitoring methodology and reporting schedules for all sub-recipients.
Case / Reference
Number
Date
MM/DD/YYYY
(Month/Day/Year)
Summary (Include basis of complaint:
race, color, or national origin) Current Status Action(s) Taken XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
Lawsuits
Complaints
Active Investigations
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12 Section 10 | Non-Elected Committee Demographics
The City of Taft has not established a non-elected committee or advisory group in connection with its transit or transportation programs. If in the future a non-elected committee or advisory group is established, a summary of its composition broken down by race, and a description of efforts made to encourage the participation of minorities on the said committee will be provided in this section utilizing the table below.
Exhibit 3 Sample Non-Elected Committee Membership Table Race/Ethnicity City Population
(Percentage)
Committee/Council
(Percentage)
White/Caucasian
Hispanic/Latino
Black/African American
Asian
Native American/Alaska Native
Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Member participation and selection will be monitored by the City’s Title VI Coordinator.
Section 11 | Title VI Annual Work Plan
Recipients of federal funding under the Federal Highway Administration are required to develop an annual Title VI Work Plan detailing planned activities as well as recent accomplishments. The City of Taft will annually establish and monitor Title VI program goals and accomplishments. The Title VI Coordinator will ensure that employee training is conducted, language translation services continue to be available, public participation is optimal, and appropriate Title VI signage is posted. This also includes updating demographic information and corresponding with state and federal agencies as necessary.
Section 12 | Equity Analysis for Building Site
Title VI regulations require the completion of an Equity Analysis whenever a recipient or sub-recipient begins planning the locating and construction of a new transit facility (not including bus shelters, transit stations, power substations, or other facilities already evaluated through NEPA).
If in the future the City of Taft begins planning for the development and construction of a new transit facility, the City will conduct an equity analysis where required prior to the selection of a construction site inclusive of the Title VI requirements below:
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13 a. The City of Taft shall complete a Title VI Equity Analysis during the planning stage with regard to where a project is located or sited to ensure the location is selected without regard to race, color, or national origin. The City shall engage in outreach to persons potentially impacted by the siting of facilities. The Title VI equity analysis shall compare the equity impacts of various siting alternatives, and the analysis shall occur before the selection of the preferred site. b. When evaluating locations of facilities, the City shall give attention to other facilities with similar impacts in the area to determine if any cumulative adverse impacts might result.
Analysis shall be done at the Census tract or block group where appropriate to ensure that proper perspective is given to localized impacts.
c. If the City of Taft determines that the location of the project will result in a disparate impact on the basis of race, color, or national origin, the City may only locate the project in that location if there is a substantial legitimate justification for locating the project there, and where there are no alternative locations that would have a less disparate impact on the basis of race, color, or national origin. The City shall indicate how both tests are met; it is important to understand that in order to make this showing, the City shall consider and analyze alternatives to determine whether those alternatives would have less of a disparate impact on the basis of race, color, or national origin, and then implement the least discriminatory alternative.
The equity analysis shall be completed and submitted as part of the City’s subsequent Title VI program update.
Section 13 | Resolution Approving Title VI Program
A copy of this resolution can be found in Appendix D of this Program.
Section 14 | Fixed-Route Transit Provider Requirements
Recipients of Federal transit funding which operate less than 50 fixed-route vehicles during peak revenue service and are not located in an Urbanized Area (UZA) with a population of 200,000 or more are required to provide additional information with respect to service standards and service policy to ensure Title VI compliance.
Effective Practices to Fulfill Service Standard Requirement Service Standards are divided into four primary categories, Vehicle Load Standards, Vehicle Headway Standards, On-time Performance Standards, and Service Availability Standards. The City of Taft ensures Title VI compliance by adhering to the following:
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14 Vehicle Load Standards
TAT calculates vehicle load as the total number of ambulatory passenger seats available on a revenue vehicle divided by number of passengers.
The average passenger load for TAT services during all operating periods (peak and off-peak) should not exceed the following load factors (by service mode):
• Intercity fixed-route (Maricopa-Taft): Vehicle Load not to exceed 1.0 passengers per available seat.
Vehicle Headway Standards
Vehicle headways are defined as the total amount of time between revenue vehicles on a fixed-route traveling in the same direction. This standard is further refined by type of service, by day-part, and by peak/off-peak service.
The City’s public transit program includes one intercity fixed-route alignment. • Taft-Maricopa
o Makes three trips per weekday from Maricopa.
On-time Performance Standards
In accordance with achieving the adopted transit program objective of “[providing] reliable service” TAT fixed-route on-time performance is defined as follows:
• On-time: Departing a published time-point between zero and five minutes afterthe published departure time.
• Early: Departing a published time-point at any time before the published time. • Late: Departing a published time-point six or more minutes later than the scheduled time. • Missed: Departing a published time-point eleven or more minutes later than the scheduled time.
Fixed-Route Standards:
1. The fixed route shall operate with no early departures from published time-points.
2. The fixed route shall strive to achieve no less than 90 percent on-time departures from published time points.
Service Availability Standards
The map in Exhibit A.1.1 identifies the current Taft Area Transit service area. Given the City’s primary transit mode is a general public Dial-A-Ride, which operates within Taft city limits, service availability is virtually 100 percent. The majority of the residential portions of Taft lie within three-quarters of a mile of the Taft-Maricopa route, which is the only fixed route operated by TAT. As such, it is the City’s goal to provide intercity fixed-route service within three-quarters of a mile of at least 80 percent of residents residing within the city boundaries of Taft and Maricopa.
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15 Fixed-Route Service
The City of Taft’s intercity fixed-route shall strive to achieve an average of 0.50 mile between stops within city boundaries, and a maximum distance of 1.5 miles between stops beyond city boundaries.
Location of future bus stops shall take into account the location of LEP populations.
Exhibit 4 Taft Area Transit Service Area
Effective Practices to Fulfill Service Policy Requirement Service Policy requirements are divided into two primary areas, Vehicle Assignment Policy and Transit Amenities Policy. The City of Taft ensures Title VI compliance by adhering to the following policies:
Vehicle Assignment Policy
Vehicles are eligible to be assigned to both demand-response and fixed-route services. Vehicle assignments will be done so as to ensure an equal rotation of fleet vehicle assignments on the fixedroute service.
Map Legend
Taft City Limits (DAR Boundary)
Taft-Maricopa Route
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16 Transit Amenities Policy
The following policies will be applied as funding allows:
• Installation of a shelter should be considered at bus stops with an average per trip boarding of eight or more passengers per day (high level of usage). • Seating/benches/trash receptacles should be considered at bus stops with an average per trip boarding of four or more passengers per day (moderate level of usage). • All fixed-route bus stop locations should have an information display (info-post) with applicable fixed-route schedule and permanent signage identifying the location as a bus stop. • Whenever feasible, priority for benches and shelters should be given to bus stops serving senior housing or activity centers, or facilities which serve clients with mobility impairments.
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17 Appendix A | Title VI Complaint Form
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18 CITY OF TAFT
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19 CITY OF TAFT
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20 Apéndice B | Formulario de Queja del Título VI
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23 Appendix C | Samples of Narrative
Samples of narrative to be displayed on the City’s website and in public areas of the City’s administrative offices, including the reception desk and meeting rooms. This notice will also be posted in City facilities and on City-operated transit vehicles.
Notice to the Public: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 City of Taft
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Specifically, Title VI provides that "no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance" (42 U.S.C. Section 2000d).
The City of Taft is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of its services on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability, as protected by Title VI and related implementing regulations.
Any person who believes she or he has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI while with respect to City services or programs may file a complaint with the City. All complaints will be fairly and objectively investigated.
To file a complaint, you may contact the City of Taft’s Title VI Coordinator at (661) 763-1222, submit a Title VI complaint form available on the City’s website at www.cityoftaft.org, or visit the City of Taft city hall at 209, E. Kern Street, Taft, CA 93268.
For more information about the City’s Title VI Program and complaint procedures, visit the City’s website at https://www.cityoftaft.org/pview.aspx?id=26094&catid=563.
A complainant may file a complaint directly with the Federal Highway Administration or Federal Transit Administration.
Federal Highway Administration Federal Transit Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Civil Rights Office of Civil Rights Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator 1200 New Jersey Avenue, Se East Building, 5th Floor - TCR 8th Floore E81-105 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590 Washington, DC 20590
• If information is needed in another language, contact (661) 763-3822. • Si se necesita información en Español, llame al (661) 763-3822.
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24 Aviso público: Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 Ciudad de Taft
El Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 prohíbe la discriminación por motivos de raza, color u origen nacional en los programas y actividades que reciben asistencia financiera federal. Específicamente, el Título VI establece que "ninguna persona en los Estados Unidos será excluida, por motivos de raza, color u origen nacional, de la participación en, se le negarán los beneficios de, o será objeto de discriminación en cualquier programa o actividad que reciba asistencia financiera federal" (42 U.S.C. Sección 2000d).
La Ciudad de Taft se ha comprometido a garantizar que ninguna persona quede excluida de la participación en sus servicios o se le nieguen los beneficios de estos por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, edad o discapacidad, según lo dispuesto en el Título VI y los reglamentos de aplicación conexos.
Cualquier persona que considere haber sido perjudicada por alguna práctica discriminatoria ilegal, según el Título VI, en relación con los servicios o programas de la Ciudad, puede presentar una queja ante la Ciudad. Todas las quejas se investigarán de forma justa y objetiva.
Para presentar una queja, puede comunicarse con el Coordinador del Título VI de la Ciudad de Taft al (661) 763-1222, presentar un formulario de queja del Título VI, disponible en el sitio web de la Ciudad:
www.cityoftaft.org, o visitar el ayuntamiento de la Ciudad de Taft, ubicado en 209, E. Kern Street, Taft, CA 93268.
Para obtener más información sobre el Programa del Título VI de la Ciudad y los procedimientos de queja, visite el sitio web de la Ciudad: www.cityoftaft.org/pview.aspx?id=26094&catid=563.
El denunciante puede presentar una queja directamente ante la Administración Federal de Carreteras o la Administración Federal de Tránsito.
Federal Highway Administration Federal Transit Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Civil Rights Office of Civil Rights Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator 1200 New Jersey Avenue, Se East Building, 5th Floor - TCR 8th Floore E81-105 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590 Washington, DC 20590
• Si necesita información en otro idioma, comuníquese al (661) 763-3822.
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27 List of Locations Where Title VI Notice is Posted
The City of Taft’s Title VI Notice to the Public is posted at the following locations:
Exhibit 5 List of Locations Where Title VI Notice Is Posted Location Name Address City
City of Taft City Hall 209 E. Kern Street Taft
City of Maricopa City Hall 271 California Street Maricopa Taft Area Transit Office 550 Supply Row Taft
Taft Community/Senior
Center
500 Cascade Avenue Taft
Revenue Vehicles --- ---
City of Taft Website http://www.cityoftaft.org/pView.aspx?id26094&catid=563--- The Title VI Notice to the Public, Complaint Procedure/Form, and program information are also provided on the City’s website at: https://www.cityoftaft.org/pview.aspx?id=26094&catid=563 moore-associates.net
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28 Appendix D | Resolution Approving Title VI Program
[Pending]
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29 Appendix E | Demographic Analysis
The City of Taft is located in California’s Kern County. It is an area primarily rural in character, and home to an economy largely tied to petroleum and natural gas production. Taft is also home to a federal correctional facility which is a significant employer in the region. The City is accessible via two primary roadways: State Highways 33 and 119. The City’s transit service area includes the Census Designated Place (CDP) communities of Taft Heights and South Taft to the south and Ford City to the north. Intercity service between the cities of Taft and Maricopa is also offered by Taft Area Transit (TAT).
In March 2017, the City replaced two of its three fixed routes with a general public demand-response service. The Dial-A-Ride service currently operates Monday through Friday from 7:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 10:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday. There is no Sunday service. The Maricopa-Taft route operates Monday-Friday from 7:12 a.m. to 6:05 p.m., offering three round trips per day.
Exhibit 6 Taft Area Transit Fleet List
Year Make Model Number
2010 Dodge Dodge Caravan 2
2011 Chevy G33503 3
2016 Glaval/Chevy G4500 2
2019 Glaval/Chevy G4500 2
2019 Greenpower EV Star 1
Taft Area Transit is headquartered at 550 Supply Row in Taft.
Language Assistance Goals
One of the overarching goals of the City’s Title VI Program is to provide meaningful access to transit and transportation programs and services for LEP residents by developing a Language Assistance Plan and by regular evaluation of the developed methods and strategies.
Area Demographics
The service area demographic analysis describes Title VI-protected populations residing within the City and its transit service area, including their approximate size and geographic distribution. Title VI-protected populations within this area include racial minorities and LEP persons. Specific groups considered include:
1. Latino Residents
2. LEP Populations: Spanish
The American Community Survey provides information at various levels on multiple topics. For the purposes of this Title VI program, our assessment utilized the population estimates provided in the following available datasets:
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30 • City of Taft,
• City of Maricopa,
• Derby Acres (CDP),
• Fellows (CDP),
• Ford City (CDP),
• McKittrick (CDP),
• South Taft (CDP), and
• Taft Heights (CDP).
While not all outlying areas are directly served by the transit program, the above CDP locations represent populations within the city’s sphere of influence.
As shown in Exhibit 5.2, the only individual minority race or ethnicity exceeding five percent of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
Exhibit 7 Racial Breakdown of Total Population of Service Area Total
Percent of
Population
Black or African American 128 0.7%
American Indian and Alaska Native 57 0.3%
Asian 308 1.6%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 25 0.1%
Some other race 2,167 11.5%
Two or more races 1,642 8.7%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino 14,442 76.9%
Total: 18,769 100.0%
Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) 6,926 36.9%
Source: American Community Survey 2021 (5-Year Estimate) As the American Community Survey data in the tables below show, 71.5 percent of residents spoke only English at home, while 28.5 percent spoke a language other than English. Of those indicating a language other than English, 2,542 (14.7 percent of the total population) indicated they spoke English “very well.”1
There were 2,393 respondents (13.8 percent of the area population) reporting speaking English less than “very well,” of which 95.2 percent spoke Spanish (13.2 percent of the total population). No other language represented more than 0.41 percent of persons speaking English less than “very well.” Detailed charts by community (i.e., individual city and CDP) are presented in Exhibits 10 and 11. 1 While the data for Exhibits 5.2 and 5.3 both utilized the American Community Survey 2021 (5-Year Estimates), different source tables were used. Language tables do not include persons under the age of five, who are included within the population tables. moore-associates.net
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31 Exhibit 8 Languages Spoken at Home
Total
Percentage of
Total
Total population 17,325 100.0%
Speak only English 12,390 71.5%
Speak other language 4,935 28.5%
Speak English very well 2,542 14.7%
Speak English less than very well 2,393 13.8%
Speak English less than very well-detail
Spanish 2,279 13.2%
Other Indo-European 71 0.41%
Vietnamese 26 0.15%
Other and unspecified languages 17 0.10%
Source: American Community Survey 2021 (5-Year Estimate) Other Languages
There were seven different languages (not including Spanish) represented within the area where residents indicated an ability to speak English less than “very well.” The languages cited by LEP individuals are shown in Exhibit 5.3 above. During our associated community outreach, we interviewed city staff as well as stakeholders representing the various communities to determine whether members of any of these demographic groups faced language-related barriers specific to using the City’s transit services. Neither city staff nor representatives of these populations reported any such barriers.
English Learner (EL) Data
In order to better identify the LEP populations within the area, and to begin monitoring/tracking changes in those groups, the City also reviewed EL statistics for students within the service area. Public schools within the California Department of Education (CDE) must report on their students who are English Learners – students whose native tongue is a language other than English – as well as which language is their mother tongue. This data is available online via CDE’s DataQuest website, dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/.
The City accessed the available EL data for the 2022/2023 school year to complete its comprehensive assessment of the communities it provides service to, including what LEP populations exists and where these groups may be concentrated. Periodically reviewing this data will enable the City to monitor which non-English languages (other than Spanish) are growing in order to provide appropriate language assistance services.
Consistent with data from the 2021 American Community Survey, the vast majority of EL students in the area (97.6 percent) speak Spanish. The next largest non-English speaking group cited is Mixteco (1.7 percent). It is unlikely that an additional language will trigger the Safe Harbor Provision prior to the required updating of its Title VI Program, though the City will continue to periodically monitor EL populations so as to ensure compliance with Title VI regulations. It should be noted that the total number moore-associates.net
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32 of EL students increased by 316 since 2018. Detailed counts and relative percentages are presented in the table below.
Exhibit 9 School English Learner (EL) Population
Arabic Catalan; Valencian Chaozhou Filipino Mandarin Hungarian Mixteco Samoan Spanish Samoan Vietnamese Other Buena Vista High 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0 0 0
Conley Elementary 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 170 0 0 0
Jefferson Elementary 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 182 0 0 0
Lincoln Junior High 1 1 0 0 0 0 6 0 262 0 0 0
Maricopa Elementary 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 42 0 0 0
Maricopa Middle 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 20 0 0 0
Maricopa High 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 12 0 0 0
Parkview Elementary 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 79 0 1 0
Roosevelt Elementary 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 207 0 1 0
Taft Primary 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 118 0 0 1
Taft Union High 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 0 180 0 0 0
Total 3 1 1 0 1 0 23 0 1,285 0 2 1
Percent of EL Population
(Total 1,317 EL Students) 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 1.7% 0.0% 97.6% 0.0% 0.2% 0.1% Name of School Language
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33 Detailed Demographic Tables
Exhibit 10 Languages Spoken at Home by Community
Source: American Community Survey 2021 (5-Year Estimate) Exhibit 11 Racial Breakdown of Population by Community
Source: American Community Survey 2021 (5-Year Estimate) Population Percentage
of Total Population Percentage of Total Population Percentage of Total Population Percentage of Total Population Percentage of Total Population Percentage of Total Population Percentage of Total Population Percentage of Total Population Percentage of Total Total population 18,769 100.0% 8,730 100.0% 1,315 100.0% 362 100.0% 86 100.0% 4,327 100.0% 113 100.0% 2,377 100.0% 1,459 100.0% White alone 14,442 76.9% 7,208 82.6% 1,105 84.0% 271 74.9% 86 100.0% 2,970 68.6% 85 75.2% 1,363 57.3% 1,354 92.8% Black or African American 128 0.7% 128 1.5% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% American Indian/Alaska Native 57 0.3% 0 0.0% 18 1.4% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 25 0.6% 3 2.7% 0 0.0% 11 0.8% Asian 308 1.6% 212 2.4% 11 0.8% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 85 2.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 25 0.1% 15 0.2% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 10 0.2% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Some other race alone 2,167 11.5% 726 8.3% 78 5.9% 46 12.7% 0 0.0% 666 15.4% 11 9.7% 619 26.0% 21 1.4% Two or more races 1,642 8.7% 441 5.1% 103 7.8% 45 12.4% 0 0.0% 571 13.2% 14 12.4% 395 16.6% 73 5.0% Hispanic and/or Latino (of any race) 6,926 36.9% 2,270 31.7% 507 38.6% 100 27.6% 0 0.0% 2,293 53.0% 23 20.4% 1,418 59.7% 315 21.6% Total City of Taft City of Maricopa Derby Acres CDP Fellows CDP Ford City CDP McKittrick CDP South Taft CDP Taft Heights CDP Population Percentage
of Total Population Percentage of Total Population Percentage of Total Population Percentage of Total Population Percentage of Total Population Percentage of Total Population Percentage of Total Population Percentage of Total Population Percentage of Total Total population 17,325 100.0% 8,149 100.0% 1,232 100.0% 336 100.0% 86 100.0% 4,005 100.0% 106 100.0% 2,071 100.0% 1,340 100.0% Speak only English 12,390 71.5% 6,509 79.9% 958 77.8% 256 76.2% 86 100.0% 2,327 58.1% 106 100.0% 1,019 49.2% 1,129 84.3% Speak other language 4,935 28.5% 1,640 20.1% 274 22.2% 80 23.8% 0 0.0% 1,678 41.9% 0 0.0% 1,052 50.8% 211 15.7% Speak English "very well" 2,542 14.7% 1,055 12.9% 174 14.1% 31 9.2% 0 0.0% 777 19.4% 0 0.0% 423 20.4% 82 6.1% Speak English less than "very well" 2,393 13.8% 585 7.2% 100 8.1% 49 14.6% 0 0.0% 901 22.5% 0 0.0% 629 30.4% 129 9.6% Speak English less than "very well" - detail
Spanish 2,279 13.2% 507 6.2% 100 8.1% 49 14.6% 0 0.0% 865 21.6% 0 0.0% 629 30.4% 129 9.6% French, Haitian, or Canjun 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% German or other West Germanic 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Russian, Polish, or other Slavic 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Other Indo-European 71 0.41% 52 0.64% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 19 0.5% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Korean 0 0.00% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.00% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Chinese 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Vietnamese 26 0.15% 26 0.32% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Tagalog (incl. Filipino) 0 0.00% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Other Asian and Pacific Island 0 0.00% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Arabic 0 0.00% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Other and unspecified lanuages 17 0.10% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 17 0.4% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Total City of Taft City of Maricopa Derby Acres CDP Fellows CDP Ford City CDP McKittrick CDP South Taft CDP Taft Heights CDP moore-associates.net
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34 Appendix F | Language Assistance Plan
This Language Assistance Plan (LAP) was developed concurrently with the development of the City of Taft Title VI Program to ensure the City’s programs and services are accessible to Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals. Title VI of the 1964 Civil Right Act is one of two federal mandates that guarantee the provision of meaningful access to federally-funded services for LEP individuals:
• Title VI of the 1964 Civil Right Act prohibits federally funded agencies from discriminating against individuals based on race, color, and national origin and includes meaningful access to LEP customers.
• President’s Executive Order 13166, “Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency” (August 11, 2000): Instructs federal agencies to improve access to services by mandating that any federally conducted or assisted programs of activities (e.g., recipients of federal funding) must provide meaningful access to LEP customers.
The City’s Title VI Program was originally prepared in the spring of 2014 and updated in 2023 in accordance with FTA Circular 4702.1B, Title VI Requirements and Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration Recipients, October 1, 2012. It was subsequently updated to reflect Federal Highway Administration guidance in July 2025.
The City of Taft Title VI Program Administrators are:
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Mr. Tom Azbill, Transit Coordinator Mr. Craig Jones, Public Works Director City of Taft City of Taft
209 E. Kern Street 209 E. Kern Street
Taft, CA 93268 Taft, CA 93268
(661) 763-3822 (661) 763-1222
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Additional information regarding the City’s Title VI Program is available on the City’s website (www.cityoftaft.org).
Language Service Provision
Interpretation Services
1. Taft Area Transit has a bilingual dispatcher who can provide simultaneous Spanish interpretation for callers and for customers in-person. Other translation or interpretation requests are made to the Taft City Clerk.
2. Simultaneous interpretation at public events will be determined on a case-by-case basis by examining several factors, such as:
• The type and size of event,
• The availability of a staff member to interpret, or
• The availability of a staff member of a host organization to interpret. moore-associates.net
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35 For small outreach events, such as Baseline Level activities, proactive outreach, or smaller transit awareness events, bilingual staff members will assist with translation where appropriate and feasible. For Moderate and High Level public outreach events, where it is appropriate and necessary to do so, the City will arrange for an interpreter through a local or regional service.
Translation of Vital Documents
Based on the results of the Four Factor Analysis, the following vital documents will be translated into Spanish, the sole identified LEP language within the City’sservice area. It should be noted this listing does not include vital documents which are already available in Spanish (such as the transit service brochure, Title VI Notice to the Public and Complaint Form).
Vital Documents – Short-term
1. Translating links to Spanish-language Title VI information on the City’s website into Spanish (for example, the link to the Notice to the Public in Spanish would read “Aviso al Público de Título VI – Español” instead of “Title VI Notice to the Public – Spanish”).
Vital Documents – Mid-term
1. Signage advertising the City’s language assistance program
2. Information available on the City’s website.
City Website
1. All translated vital documents will continue to be posted on the City’s website.
2. The City will pursue the most appropriate and feasible option for translating its website.
Elements included in the Four Factor Analysis will be used in recommending a best course of action. Options include:
• Installing a website translator widget (such as one available/powered by Google Translate) or similar widgets on the website [no to low cost]. • Translating only vital documents and appropriate instructions to access said materials.
• Professional translation of entire website and associated pages.
In the future, the City shall translate written documents on a case-by-case basis, after assessing all elements presented in the Four Factor Analysis. If deemed a vital document under the Safe Harbor Provision it will be translated into all applicable languages.
Monitoring, Evaluating, and Updating the LAP
A thorough review of this Language Assistance Plan will be undertaken every three years concurrent with updating and submitting the City of Taft Title VI Program. At that time, the LEP population will be reassessed, to ensure all significant LEP languages are included in the City’s language assistance efforts.
The following recurring reporting and evaluation measures will be used to update the Language Assistance Plan.
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36 The City will regularly assess the effectiveness of how it communicates with LEP individuals by:
• Including questions about language assistance and information needs on any community surveys;
• Documenting requests for translation or interpretation, including languages requested; • Conversations with stakeholders, organizations, and entities which work with LEPs; and • As-needed outreach with LEP groups.
The City will monitor its language assistance efforts, including:
• Recording and reporting on customer service interactions with LEP individuals, • Incorporating discussion of Title VI into regular staff meetings, and • Updating the Language Assistance Plan based on feedback received.
Staff Training
All City employees will undergo training specific to Title VI every two years, as well as at the time of hire.
This training will include information about Title VI, the City’s Title VI Policy, how the City implements its Title VI program to meet federal requirements, how to handle Title VI complaints, and how to handle requests for verbal interpretation or written translation in language other than English.
Four-Factor Analysis
The U. S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) requires transit funding recipients to take reasonable steps to ensure meaningful access to programs by limited English proficient (LEP) persons. As a recipient, the City of Taft must perform a Four-Factor Analysis to assess language needs and determine what steps it will take to ensure LEP persons can effectively access and utilize its services and programs. The four factors analyzed are described below.
Factor 1: The number or proportion of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) persons eligible to be served or likely to be encountered by City services.
Estimating the number or proportion of LEP individuals that may be encountered by the City will help identify the populations covered by the USDOT’s Safe Harbor Provision. This provision stipulates that if an LEP group speaking a given non-English language constitutes five percent or 1,000 persons, whichever is less, of the total population of persons likely to be encountered by transit services, then the service provider must make the following materials and services available to speakers of that language:
• Documents critical for accessing recipient’s services or benefits, • Letters requiring response from customer,
• Informing customers of free language assistance,
• Complaint forms, and
• Notification of rights.
As discussed in Appendix E, the largest LEP population speaks Spanish. As of the 2021 American Community Survey (5-year estimate 2017-2021), there were 4,935 speakers of languages other than English, comprising 28.5 percent of the service area population. Of the 2,393 individuals reporting moore-associates.net
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37 speaking English “less than very well,” 2,279 (95.2 percent) spoke Spanish. This significant population means the Safe Harbor Provision would apply to the city’s Spanish-speaking population, requiring the City to provide the materials listed above.
Of the remaining residents reporting speaking English less than “very well,” “Other Indo-European” and “Vietnamese” were the next most frequently cited (71 and 26 respondents, respectively). This small number of residents means they do not presently fall under the Safe Harbor Provision and thus the City is not obligated to provide them with translated written materials or translation services at this time. While these relatively small populations currently exempt the City from translating written materials into the languages or from providing translation services, it is important the City monitor increases in the population. Should any specific population of LEP persons rise above 1,000, the City will need to provide the translation services and written documents translated into the languages as listed above.
Factor 2: The frequency with which LEP persons come into contact with the City’s programs and services.
In order to estimate how often LEP populations come into contact with City services, we relied on input from existing riders via an onboard survey as well as transit staff. As drivers and dispatchers are typically on the “front lines” and most frequently come into contact with transit patrons, their observations and insights provide an informative picture of how many LEP persons use the City’s transit program.
Findings from the completed staff survey generally corroborate the findings described in Appendix E, indicating Spanish speakers to be the largest LEP population. Specific highlights from the transit driver and transit rider surveys include:
• One staffer (dispatcher) speaks Spanish fluently. The other four staff know some basic Spanish, which permits them to communicate with LEP customers.
• 100 percent of staff indicated Spanish as the most common language (other than English) they encounter during their work.
• Staff who do not speak Spanish fluently cited relying on bilingual transit staff or bilingual customers for some assistance in communicating with LEP customers. Staff has access to translated common questions received by customer to assist with responding. • Staff estimates they interact with up to five LEP customers in a day. • While not all staff speak Spanish fluently, there have been minimal instances when staff were not able to help a Spanish-speaking customer effectively.
Of the 35 transit rider surveys received:
• Eighty-nine percent indicated speaking English at home;, while 11 percent indicated speaking Spanish at home.
• Nearly 92 percent indicated speaking English very well. • None indicated ever experiencing difficulty using Taft Area Transit due to a language barrier.
This is interesting given one participant indicated they do not speak English at all and two indicated they speak English less than “very well.”
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38 Given FHWA projects are generally utilized by the general public, it is assumed that the populations that utilize them are consistent with the overall demographics of the City, as discussed in Appendix E and Factor 1.
Factor 3: The nature and importance of the City’s programs and services to affected LEP populations.
To better understand Taft Area Transit’s role among LEP populations, we reached out to 36 local stakeholders including social service agencies, senior centers, educational institutions, and faith-based organizations. These stakeholders act as representatives for, or come into frequent contact with, LEP populations. Of the organizations contacted, 12 completed the stakeholder survey (survey instrument included in Appendix G). Collectively, these stakeholders provided important insight into the City’s key LEP groups, particularly Spanish speakers. As representatives who serve as leaders for these communities, they are attuned to the needs and potential language barriers members of these communities may face when using public transit.
• Spanish (including Dialect Spanish) was the most frequently spoken language spoken by program participants/members/clients cited by stakeholders.
o 83 percent reported their Spanish-speaking population speaks English either very well or somewhat well.
o 17 percent reported their Spanish-speaking population speaks English less than very well (and would be considered LEP).
o 50 percent reported their Spanish-speaking population reads English “not well”. • Two separate stakeholders reported Chinese and Mandarin as additional languages spoken by program participants, but that all speakers are proficient in English. • Half of stakeholders indicated program participants use transit to access their services. Most are unaware of any language-related barriers to using transit in Taft.
Combined, the staff, rider, and stakeholder surveys confirm use of the City’s transit service by Spanishspeaking LEP individuals. While this results in few barriers to use of transit, there is still a need for the City to continue its efforts to address barriers faced by the Spanish-speaking population by improving distribution of information and increasing awareness of the transit service by the Spanish-speaking community.
Given FHWA projects are generally utilized by the general public, it is assumed that the populations to which they are important are consistent with the overall demographics of the City, as discussed in Appendix E and Factor 1.
Factor 4: The resources available to the recipient for LEP outreach, as well as the costs associated with that outreach.
As the section covering demographics demonstrates, the Spanish-speaking LEP population is sufficiently large that the City must take measures to minimize language barriers faced by these groups. To address these barriers and fulfill the LEP requirements required under the Safe Harbor Provision, the City has a bilingual transit dispatcher and provides vital documents and customer service in Spanish. moore-associates.net
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39 Spanish-Speaking Staff
According to the staff survey, one transit employee (dispatcher) speaks Spanish fluently, while the four others know some basic Spanish allowing them to communicate with LEP customers. As part of their customer service responsibilities, employees utilize their language skills to assist Spanish-speaking LEP persons whenever possible.
Cost: No additional cost anticipated.
Written Materials Translated into Spanish
Supplementing the City’s bilingual personnel are translations of all essential rider information and service notice documents. Such documents include the Taft Area Transit service brochure, all notices related to service changes or updates, as well onboard notices in Spanish informing riders of their rights under Title VI. In addition, all Safe Harbor Provision materials have been or will be translated into Spanish. Noticing regarding public hearings and other public information about FHWA projects should be translated into Spanish as well.
Cost: No additional cost anticipated. Future translation costs for written documents estimated at $0.05 per word.
Phone Services
The City currently employs a bilingual transit dispatcher, who is able to provide real-time assistance to Spanish-speaking customers. The City Clerk also handles requests for translation or interpretation. The City will also investigate establishment of a “over-the-phone-interpreting” contract with Telelanguage (purchased by Propio Language Services in August 2022) to provide simultaneous interpretation for callers and for customers in service centers with whom staff cannot communicate. When a customer calls the City directly and a staff member cannot communicate with them, staff will connect with Telelanguage to translate. If there is no staff member available who can translate, Telelanguage services will be used.
Cost: Estimated cost of 99 cents per minute for Spanish translation and $1.09 per minute for all other languages.
Web Services in Spanish
The City of Taft currently provides all Safe Harbor documents and files in English and Spanish on its transit website. The City is investigating the preparation of a Spanish-language version of that website.
Cost: $2,500.
Translation/Interpretation Aids
Two transit staff members expressed an interest in either Spanish language lessons or access to a good mobile application to facilitate communication with Spanish-speaking LEP customers. While Google Translate is one resource cited by a staff member, other mobile applications that staff may find useful include SayHi, which is designed specifically for translating speech and text and includes a large number of Spanish dialects, and Microsoft Translator. Both apps are free and available for Android and iPhone.
The City may wish to provide information about these apps to its non-bilingual staff.
The Colorado Association of Transit Agencies offers as part of its training materials a resource titled “Basic Spanish for Transit Employees.” Basic Spanish may also be learned online via a number of websites, including Duolingo, Babbel, Rosetta Stone, and Pimsleur. Duolingo is free, with a premium subscription moore-associates.net
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40 available for a modest monthly fee, while the other options have a higher cost. The City is in the process of updating its transit driver language card, which is expected to be available for driver use by August 2023.
Cost: $300 for language card.
Event Translation in Spanish
The City of Taft will schedule and arrange for live Spanish translation at all vital events/workshops/meetings. The primary source for this translation will be current City staff (as available) and professional translation services as necessary.
Cost: Variable, will be based primarily on employee salary hourly rate and the number of events where Spanish translation is required/requested. All California labor laws will be adhered to.
Summary of Four-Factor Analysis
As the demographics section describes, there are small populations (aside from Spanish-speaking) which speak languages other than English within the City. At this time, the number of people who speak these languages who also speak English less than “very well” is well below the Safe Harbor threshold of 1,000 speakers. In addition, the stakeholder and transit driver surveys did not reveal any significant languagerelated barriers to using transit for these speakers. Therefore, the City is not required to provide translations of written documents nor is it required to advertise free translation services for these languages. If an outreach event is being held that specifically targets one of these other populations, the City should partner with a local ethnic or cultural organization that can provide interpretation services.
Implementation Plan
The matrix below presents an implementation Plan for ensuring the Language Assistance Plan is quickly and efficiently implemented.
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41 Exhibit 12 Implementation Plan
Goal Task Completion Target
Assess LEP Population in
the DAR service Area
Title VI Four-Factor Analysis May 2023
Community Stakeholder Survey May 2023
TAT Staff Survey May 2023
Demographics Analysis May 2023
Develop Language
Assistance Procedures
Develop Title VI Customer Service Procedures
for Title VI complaints and concerns FY 2024
Develop City Policy regarding competency of
Title VI translations and interpreters FY 2024
Staff Training
Identify staff with likely contact with LEP
individuals Ongoing
Train staff in Title VI Customer Service
Procedures Ongoing
Develop refresher training schedule for
tenured employees FY 2024
Update Driver "Language Phrase Card" July 2023
Notification to LEP Persons
of Title VI Rights and
Materials
Inventory existing notification methodologies
and/or locations May 2023
Post Title VI Notice in public locations. May 2023
Translate vital documents into Spanish Ongoing
Translate TAT website into Spanish July 2023
Develop, translate, and post notice of
Language Assistance options July 2023
Undertake targeted outreach to LEP
populations Ongoing
Monitor and Update
Language Assistance Plan
Assign administration of Title VI Program May 2023
Develop process for obtaining feedback on
language assistance measures FY 2024
Regularly review ACS and Census
demographic data May 2026
City employees receive Title VI training Biennially
(also at time of hire)
Develop a Title VI Work Plan with
accomplishments from the prior year and
goals for the next year
Annually
Update Language Assistance Plan based on
feedback received May 2026
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42 Appendix G | Title VI Survey Instruments
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43 City of Taft Staff Survey Instrument
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44 Stakeholder Survey Instrument
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45 Transit Rider Survey
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46 Appendix H | City of Taft Organizational Chart
City Manager
Craig Jones
Finance
Director
Teresa Binkley
HR Director/
Asst. City
Manager
Lonn Boyer
Planning
Director
Mark Staples
Police Chief
Damon McMinn
Fire Chief
Contracted to
County
Public Works
Director
Craig Jones
(FHWA Title VI
Administrator)
Transit
Coordinator
Tom Azbill
(FTA Title VI
Administrator)
Public Works
Coordinator
Michelle
Kincaid
(Title VI
Coordinator)