TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
DECEMBER 16, 2025
The December 16, 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 giver by Pastor Joey Pittman.
PRESENT: Mayor Dave Noerr
Council Members Carlos Chavira and Ron Waldrop
City Manager Craig Jones and City Attorney Jason Epperson City Clerk Yvette Mayfield
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Josh Bryant
Council Member Orchel Krier
1. PUBLIC HEARING - ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 5 THE TAFT MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE BY REFERENCE, AND
INCORPORATION OF CALFIRE FIRE HAZARD MAPS, WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, EDITS
AND CORRECTIONS
The Public hearing was opened at 6:06 PM. Seeing there were no comments, the hearing was closed.
Motion: Moved by Chavira, seconded by Waldrop to approve and adopt an Ordinance entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT AMENDING SECTIONS OF TITLE 5 OF THE TAFT MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING, RESIDENTIAL, PLUMBING,
MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, ENERGY, GREEN BUILDING, AND FIRE
CODES, AND INCORPORATING CAL FIRE FIRE HAZARD MAPS, WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, EDITS, AND CORRECTIONS (Ordinance No. 855-25), waive full reading 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 in that the proposed Amendment will have no significant effect on the environment.
AYES: Waldrop, Chavira, Noerr
PASSED: 3-0
PRESENTATION - ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 2025-16 AND SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 2025-17 TO IMPLEMENT HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS OF THE 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE (2023 - 2031) AND CEQA EXEMPTION (SECTION 15051(B)(3))
Motion: Moved by Waldrop, seconded by Chavira to adopt a resolution entitled A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 2025-17 (AMENDING THE DOWNTOWN
TAFT SPECIFIC PLAN) TO IMPLEMENT HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS OF THE 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE (2023-2031) 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 (Resolution No. 4325- City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
December 16, 202:
25); and introduce by title only AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
2025-16 AMENDING TITLE 6 OF THE TAFT MUNICIPAL CODE TO
IMPLEMENT HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS OF THE 6TH CYCLE
HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE (2023-2031), waive full reading, and set the date for the required public hearing for January 20, 2026.
AYES: Waldrop, Chavira, Noerr
PASSED: 3-0
3. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
There was none.
COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Waldrop thanked Council Member Chavira and his students for the wonderful dinner and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Council Member Chavira thanked his students for their participation in making the dinner, reminded everyone to stay safe in the fog and wished all a Merry Christmas.
Mayor Noerr bragged about the delicious food provided by Council Member Chavira and students, mentioned that he enjoyed speaking with the students about their government and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe and sober New Year.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
Planning Commissioner, Jerry Livingston, reported that the Commission approved three action items at their last meeting 1) a Conditional Use Permit for the mini golf course, 2) Specific Plan and Zoning Amendment for the Housing Element Programs, and 3) Conditional Use Permit for Kern Street tobacco sales.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
There was none.
CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
There was none.
CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
City Attorney Epperson wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. **...
9. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
There was none.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
December 16, 2025
********************************************************************************************* CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 10-17
Motion: Moved by Waldrop, seconded by Chavira to approve consent calendar items 10-17
AYES: Chavira, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 3-0
10. MINUTES
December 02, 2025 Regular
Recommendation - Approve as submitted.
11. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 120525 Check No. 201202-201269 $472,789.81
Warrant # 121225 Check No. 201270-201273 $ 1,585.76
Recommendation - Approve payment of the bills.
12. THE EXECUTION AND FILING OF TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 8 CLAIMS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25
Recommendation -
Motion to adopt resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF TAFT APPROVING THE EXECUTION AND FILING OF TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 8 CLAIM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 (Resolution No. 4326-25) 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
13. THE EXECUTION AND FILING OF STREET AND ROADS DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 8 CLAIMS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
Recommendation -
Motion to adopt resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF TAFT APPROVING THE EXECUTION AND FILING OF A STREET & ROADS DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 8 CLAIM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 (Resolution No. 4327- 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.
14. RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE (ROPS 26-27) FOR JULY 2026 THROUGHT JUNE 2027
Recomendation -
1) Motion to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE SUCESSOR AGENCY TO
THE TAFT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
December 16, 2025
AND ADOPTING A RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 341177(j)(AB 1X 26) (Resolution No. 4328-25).
2) Direct Staff to present the ROPS 26-27 to the Countywide Oversight Board meeting on January 22nd, 2026, for approval.
3) 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. INCREASE TO STATE MINIMUM WAGE AND CITY-WIDE EXTRA HELP HOURLY PAY RATE
ADJUSTMENT
Recommendation -
Motion to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF TAFT APPROVING AUTOMATIC INCREASES TO THE HOURLY WAGE OF CITY POSITIONS IMPACTED BY THE INCREASE IN THE STATE MINIMUM WAGE (Resolution No. 4329-25) 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.
16. APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT #3 WITH SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC ADDING ADDITIONAL REQUIRED SERVICES AND A 60-MONTH CONTRACT EXTENSION Recommendation -
Motion to authorize the City Manager to sign amendment # 3 with Securus Technologies, LLC and appropriate $64,547.94 as a refund for voided transactions 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.
17. ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING WORKERS COMPENSATION COVERAGE FOR
CORRECTIONAL (PEACE) OFFICERS WHEN TRANSPORTING INMATES OUT OF THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Recommendation -
Motion to adopt resolution entitled a RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF TAFT AUTHORIZING
WORKERS' COMPENSATION COVERAGE FOR PEACE OFFICERS INJURED OUT OF STATE (Resolution No. 4330-25) 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 6:31 PM the regular meeting was recessed to closed session in honor of retiring City Clerk Yvette Mayfield
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
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
December 16, 2025
B. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR, CRAIG JONES- CITY MANAGER Government Code Section 54956.8 - APN No. 031-160-03-9
> 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
ADJOURNMENT - With no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 7:04 PM.
Mett Maged
Yyette Mayfield, MMC Dave Noerr
City Clerk Mayor