TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
The August 05, 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 City Manager Craig Jones and invocation was given by Pastor Sean Piefer.
PRESENT: Mayor Dave Noerr and Mayor Pro Tem Josh Bryant Council Members Carlos Chavira, Orchel Krier and Ron Waldrop City Manager Craig Jones and City Attorney Jason Epperson Deputy City Clerk Faith Melton
SWEARING IN OF OFFICERS - JUAN TOPETE AND BRYCE VEACH
2. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
There was none.
3. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Krier spoke about school starting back up and mentioned some things the California Governor needs to deal with such as wildfires, crime, high taxes, etc.
Council Member Waldrop had no statement.
Council Member Chavira said he had a nice summer vacation and is glad to be back. He mentioned a new policy "California Phone Free Schools Act" that will go in effect in 2026 and said Taft High is preparing.
Mayor Pro Tem Bryant congratulated our new Taft Police Officers Juan Topete and Bryce Veach and mentioned how amazing it is to watch kids grow up in Taft become leaders in the community. Bryant urged all to stay safe as Taft High School starts back up on August 14th and Taft City Schools start August 18th.
Mayor Dave Noerr spoke about California Governor Gavin Newsom's newly released article being lies and he gave statistical facts about energy prices, global warming, and wildfires proving the Governors article to not be accurate.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Chief of Police, Damon McMinn gave the statistics for the month of July and urged everyone to come to the graduation of Juan Topete and Bryce Veach this Friday at Bakersfield College.
He gave thanks to Kern County Sheriff's Office for their program that helps train new officers.
CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
There was none.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
August 05, 2025
CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
There was none.
10. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
There was none.
******************************************************************************************* CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 11-15
MOTION: Moved by Krier, seconded by Bryant to approve consent calendar items 11-
15. AYES: Krier, Bryant, Waldrop, Chavira, Noerr
PASSED: 5-0
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 (Resolution No. 4311-25) 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.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
August 05, 2025
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 (Resolution No. 4312-25) and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. ******************************************************************************************** At 6:44 PM the regular meeting was recessed to closed session.
CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR, CRAIG JONES- CITY MANAGER Government Code Section 54956.8 - (1) undisclosed parcel > The City Council discussed in closed session those items agendized for closed session discussion and directions were given to negotiators and staff. No other reportable action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT - With no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 7:39 PM.
Faith Melton Dave Noer
Deputy City Clerk Mayor