TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
OCTOBER 07, 2025
The October 07, 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 Pro Tem, Josh Bryant 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 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
ABSENT: Mayor Dave Noerr
1. PUBLIC HEARING - INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 854-25, AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT UPDATING AND STREAMLINING SELECTED PROVISIONS OF THE TAFT MUNICIPAL CODE ("MC") TO ADD KEY PROHIBITIONS AND
PROVIDE FOR MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT OF CODE VIOLATIONS
TO PROTECT PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SANITATION, AND WELFARE The public hearing was opened at 6:16 PM to receive public input, receiving none, the public hearing was closed.
Motion: Motion by Krier, seconded by Waldrop to approve an ordinance entitled AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT UPDATING AND
STREAMLINING SELECTED PROVISIONS OF THE TAFT MUNICIPAL CODE ("TM") TO ADD KEY PROHIBITIONS AND PROVIDE FOR MORE EFFICIENT AND
EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT OF CODE VIOLATIONS TO PROTECT PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SANITATION, AND WELFARE (Ordinance No. 854-25) for first reading by title only and reading of such be waived; 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
PASSED: 4-0
2. PUBLIC HEARING - TAFT AREA TRANSIT FARE INCREASE
The public hearing was opened at 6:26 PM to receive public input, receiving none, the public hearing was closed.
Motion: Motion by Krier, seconded by Bryant to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING PROPOSED FARE INCREASES FOR THE TAFT AREA TRANSIT (Resolution No. 4318- 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
PASSED: 4-0
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
October 07, 2025
3. CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR GEORGIANNA ARMSTRONG
4. PROCLAMATION - CITY OF TAFT FINANCE WEEK
5. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENT
Ray Ballard spoke about Toys for Tots and said there are 35 donation boxes in various locations around Taft, saying each year Toys for Tots donates over 1,000 toys to children around Taft.
COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Mayor Pro Tem Bryant talked about how great of a celebration Oildorado is, gave some history about the celebration and the City of Taft and told the community to be safe and have fun this upcoming week.
Council Member Waldrop explained that he was excited to see a big crowd at tonight's meeting and said he is excited for Oildorado and that it's great way to bring money back into our town.
Council Member Chavira gave a shoutout to the Campos family for watching the Council meeting and mentioned it is good for youth to learn about local government, then gave a few quotes.
Council Member Krier talked about his recent trip and spoke on other issues happening around the world.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Taft Police Chief, Damon McMinn, gave the Taft Police Department statistics for the month of September.
CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
There was none.
CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
There was none.
10. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
There was none.
********************************************************************************************* CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 11-14
Motion: Moved by Krier, seconded by Waldrop to approve consent calendar items 11-14.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
October 07, 2025
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Chavira, Waldrop
PASSED: 4-0
11. MINUTES
September 16, 2025 Regular
Recommendation - Approve as submitted.
12. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 091225A Check No. 200789-200791 $ 2,466.22
Warrant # 091225 Check No. 200792-200847 $225,727.59
Warrant # 091925 Check No. 200848-200863 $ 50,372.16
Warrant # 092625A Check No. 200864 $ 17,376.50
Warrant # 092625 Check No. 200865-200927 $368,887.72
Warrant # 100325 Check No. 200928-200936 $ 5,069.94
Recommendation - Approve payment of the bills.
13. MONTHLY REPORT FOR KERN COUNTY FIRE STATION NO. 21 - AUGUST 2025 Recommendation - Receive and file the monthly report for August 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. APPROVAL OF STREET CLOSURE FOR THE WEST SIDE RECREATION AND PARK
DISTRICT TRUNK-OR-TREAT EVENT
Recommendation -
Motion to adopt a resolution entitled RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT AUTHORIZING THE STREET CLOSURE FOR THE 2025 TRUNK-OR-TREAT EVENT (Resolution 4319-25) 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.
********************************************************************************************* At 6:58 PM the regular meeting was recessed to closed session and adjourned in honor and memory of Gary Summers.
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.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
October 07, 2025
ADJOURNMENT - With no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 7:59 PM. tith With
Faith Melton Dave Noerr
Deputy City Clerk Mayor