TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
AUGUST 19, 2025
by Pastor Joey Pittman.
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
PUBLIC HEARING - GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 2023-01 - 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE (2023 - 2031) AND NOTICE OF EXEMPTION
Planning Consultant Jenna Chilingerian presented the 6th Cycle Housing Element update to the Council members
The public hearing was opened at 6:20 PM. The following community members spoke about the housing element:
James Carter emphasized that he is excited for the community to continue to grow but said if our town continues to grow, we need new schools and schools that are better equipped to handle the number of kids we will need to provide education for.
Abby Rodela gave a speech about community and said housing efforts should include all members of the public.
Gerry Casto mentioned that the unhoused community are good people and all they want to do is be a part of the community.
Pastor Cindy Brettschneider said she is a pastor at Taft United Methodist Church, she said the church has food banks, programs and services for the homeless community and immigrants.
She gave a couple bible versus that were about loving each other and working as a community.
Christine Gillham said working as a volunteer she has become aware of homelessness issues and read aloud page 103, 105 and 107 from the housing element document that talked about shelters and transportation.
Lewis Gillham spoke about some of the things he endorsed and some things he does not endorse from the document. He asked the Planning Commission to reach out to clergy staff and volunteers from different organizations to help the community.
Sandra Popejoy said with her volunteering at the Needs Center there are a lot more homeless people than documented. She asked for the City to build a navigation center and requested to collab with the City to help battle homelessness.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
August 19, 2025
Daniel Rodela from Faith in the Valley shared some funding options for resources for homelessness. He mentioned a collaboration with the City to eliminate homelessness and gain more resources.
Seeing no more public comments, the public hearing was closed at 6:53 PM.
Motion: Motion by Bryant, seconded by Krier to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 2023-01 TO ADOPT THE 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE (2023-2031) (Resolution No. 4313-25) and find that the project is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA guidelines.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Chavira, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 5-0
2. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
Kathy Orrin invited the community to the Taft Chamber Oildorado Gala on October 18th, She mentioned there will be cigar rolling, a live auction, a silent auction, and the rest is a surprise.
3. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Krier spoke about Ron Orrin touching a lot of lives by being a Westside Recreation Board member and City of Taft Planning Commissioner. He said some homeless people don't want to be helped and some do and that we need to help the ones that want help.
Council Member Chavira said all items of the agenda are important and encouraged people to stay for the whole meeting. He gave his condolences to the family of Ron Orrin, mentioning he was a wonderful man.
Mayor Pro Tem Bryant reminded everyone that the Housing Element only covers the Taft city limits and urged the community to get ahold of the county for housing in the county areas.
Bryant mentioned we have had a lot of loss and reminded everyone to hug your loved ones.
He spoke great words about Ron Orrin and said he was thankful to have known him.
Council Member Waldrop gave his condolences to the Ron Orrin family.
Mayor Noerr mentioned school is back in session and to watch for kids in the road. He also mentioned the homeless community likes to hang around Taft because it is a safe town to sleep in and the locals provide food. He said when Flood Ministries made a presentation to council he learned from the Flood Ministries Director that when you offer help to 38 homeless people, only two will get sober and accept help.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
August 19, 2025
4. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS
Planning Commissioner Livingston reported in their June meeting that the commission reorganized and approved a CUP for a communications hut. He shared that he learned a lot about Taft from Ron Orrin and that he will be missed.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
There was none.
6. CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
City Manager Jones gave his condolences to the Ron Orrin family.
CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
There was none.
7. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
Bryant requested a proclamation for Dr. Tang and said he would bring staff more information.
Noerr concurred
********************************************************************************************* CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 9-12
• Mayor Noerr pulled item 12.
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Waldrop to approve consent calendar items 9-11.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Waldrop, Chavira, Noerr
PASSED: 5-0
9. MINUTES
August 05, 2025 Regular
Recommendation - Approve as submitted.
10. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 080125A Check No. 200610-200618 $43,453.55
Warrant # 080125 Check No. 200619-200654 $ 92,711.27
Warrant # 080825 Check No. 2200655-200658 $4,410.13
Recommendation - Approve payment of the bills.
11. PURCHASE OF USED VEHICLE FOR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Recommendation - Motion to authorize the City Manager or his designee to purchase a used truck for the Public Works Department for a total cost not to exceed twenty thousand City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
August 19, 2025
dollars ($20,000) and authorize the City Manager or Designee to execute all documents and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15060(c)(3)
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12. APPROVING A RESOLUTION FOR CALIFORNIA STATE OF GOOD REPAIR PROGRAM FOR FY 2025-2026 FOR USE AND APPLICATION OF $16,632 FOR TRANSIT PROJECTS.
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Noerr to adopt a resolution entitled A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING THE PROPOSED TRANSIT PROJECT LIST FOR THE FY 2025 - 2026 CALIFORNIA SENATE BILL 1-STATE OF GOOD REPAIR PROGRAM
(Resolution No. 4314-25) 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, Chavira, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 5-0
Noerr stated that he pulled this item due to a change in the dollar amount for the use of Transit Projects. The amount went from $16,632.00 to $16,702.00, going up by $70.
At 7:33 PM the meeting was recessed in order to hold the Annual Taft Public Financing Authority (TPFA) meeting.
At 7:40 PM the meeting was reconvened and at 7:41 PM the regular meeting was recessed to closed session and adjourned in honor and memory of Ron Orrin.
CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph 2 or 3 of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 (d) - one (1) potential case
• 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 7:59 PM Twith NAt
Faith Melton Dave Noerr
Deputy City Clerk Mayor