TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 03, 2026
The February 03, 2026 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 Council Member Chavira and invocation was given by Pastor Sean Piefer.
PRESENT: Mayor Dave Noerr and May or Pro Tem Josh Bryant Council Members Carlos Chavira, Orchel Krier and Ron Waldrop City Manager Craig Jones and City Attorney Jason Epperson City Clerk Faith Melton
1. PROCLAMATION - SAFE SURRENDER BABY MONTH IN KERN COUNTY
2. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
There was none.
3. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Krier emphasized how important the safe surrender baby program is and then explained how blessed Taft is to have the organizations and service clubs we do.
Council Member Waldrop thanked Les Clark for his 35 years of service and reminded all that code enforcement will be checking for weeds so make sure to take care of your weeds.
Council Member Chavira gave a few quotes about community service.
Mayor Pro Tem Bryant wished Les Clark a Happy Birthday, mentioned how the California Governor visited Shafter and how state policies affect small governments.
Mayor Noerr thanked Congressman Fong for coming to meet with him, Fred Holmes, and Chief McMinn to discuss matters facing the community and public safety.
4. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Taft Police Chief, Damon McMinn, gave the January statistics for the Police Department and thanked Vince Fong for the great meeting.
Chavira asked McMinn how to tell the City limits from the County limits. McMinn stated if anyone is wondering they can call the Police Department. City Manager Jones mentioned the City street signs are white and the County street signs are green.
5. CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
There was none.
6. CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Agenda
February 03, 2026
There was none.
7. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
There was none.
******************************************************************************************** CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 8-12
Motion: Moved by Krier seconded by Bryant to approve consent calendar items 8-12 AYES: Krier, Bryant, Chavira, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 5-0
8. MINUTES
January 20, 2026 Regular
Recommendation - Approve as submitted.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 012326 Check No. 201480-201495 $125,307.13
Warrant # 020226 Check No. 201496 $ 482,896.00
Recommendation - Approve payment of the bills.
10. UPDATED AGREEMENT WITH VINCENT GRIFFITH, DBA NATIVE PRODUCTIONS FOR
VIDEO AND LIVESTREAMING SERVICES
Motion to approve updated agreement with Vincent Griffith, DBA Native Productions and authorize Mayor to execute said agreement.
11. APPROVING A RESOLUTION FOR THE AUTHORIZATION BANK CARD SERVICES Recommendation -
Motion to adopt resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT AUTHORIZING BANK CARD SERVICES (Resolution No. 4331-26).
REPLACEMENT OF LEASE AGREEMENT FOR COMMUNICATIONS GROUND LEASE
AGREEMENT WITH CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY FOR A
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SITE FOR THEIR MIDDLE-MILE BROADBAND NETWORK AND
TERMINATION OF PAST AGREEMENT
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Agenda
February 03, 2026
Recommendation -
1. Motion to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF TAFT AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING A COMMUNICATIONS GROUND LEASE FOR PORTIONS OF APN'S 220-290-10 AND 220-042-05 TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT
OF TECHNOLOGY FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING A FENCED FIBER HUT SHELTER (Resolution No. 4332-26) to replace resolution No. 4321-25.
2. Motion to approve the proposed communications ground lease agreement with the California Department of Technology to replace the previously approved lease agreement passed on October 21st, 2025, and find that the project is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in section 15303 of the CEQA Guidelines (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures).
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13. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES - HDL ECON SOLUTIONS
Motion: Moved by Krier seconded by Bryant to authorize the Mayor to execute the professional services agreement with HDL Econ Solutions for tasks one and two for amount not to exceed $45,000 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
******************************************* ************************* At 6:27 PM the regular meeting was recessed to closed session.
CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(b) - One (1) undisclosed case B. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR, CRAIG JONES- CITY MANAGER Government Code Section 54956.8 - (1) undisclosed parcel C. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR, CRAIG JONES, CITY MANAGER Government Code 54957.6 - All units
> The City Council discussed in closed session the two items agendized for closed session discussion and directions were given to staff negotiators. The City Council took no other reportable action ADJOURNMENT - With no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 7:54 PM. зули
Faith Melton Dave Noerr
City Clerk Mayor