TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
MAY 05, 2026
The May 5th, 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 Ron Waldrop and invocation was given by Pastor Sean Piefer.
PRESENT: Mayor Dave Noerr
Council Members Carlos Chavira, Orchel Krier and Ron Waldrop City Manager Craig Jones and City Attorney Jason Epperson City Clerk Faith Melton
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Josh Bryant
1. PROCLAMATIONS -
• FINANCE DIRECTOR TERESA BINKLEY
• GIVE BIG KERN "GIVING DAY"
• PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY AND POLICE WEEK
• CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND CORRECTIONAL EMPLOYEES' WEEK • NATIONAL NURSES WEEK
• 56TH ANNIVERSARY OF MUNICIPAL CLERKS WEEK
2. PRESENTATION BY HF&H CONSULTANTS - SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING UPDATE
3. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
There was none.
4. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Krier spoke about CHP's on the road doing a great job and reminded all to be active in the community.
Council Member Chavira reminded everyone to vote and stay informed with true information. He also recited a few quotes about elections.
Council Member Waldrop mentioned that the American people aren't being represented well and reminded everyone to vote. He also thanked nurses for all they do.
Mayor Noerr spoke about affordability and what is currently going on in the world with oil.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
There was none.
CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
There was none.
7. CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
May 05, 2026
There was none.
8. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
There was none.
******************************************************************************************** CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 9-16
Motion: Moved by Krier, seconded by Chavira to approve consent calendar items 9-16.
AYES: Krier, Chavira, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 4-0
9. MINUTES
April 16, 2026, Special
April 21, 2026, Regular
Recommendation - Approve as submitted.
10. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 042426 Check No. 201940-20201 $ 509,639.13 -
Warrant # 050126 Check No. 202019-202023 $ 74,899.93
Recommendation - Approve payment of the bills.
11. TREASURERS REPORT
Recommendation -
Motion to receive and file the Treasurers Report for the Month ending February 28, 2026
12. INFORMATION ON UPCOMING BROWN ACT PROVISIONS REQUIRED BY SENATE BIL.
Recommendation -
Authorize staff to complete all policies, procedures, platform integrations, and public communication measures necessary to achieve full compliance with Senate Bill 707 by July 1, 2026.
13. APPROVAL OF SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT FOR THE TAFT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO HOST THE 18TH ANNUAL RAILS TO TRAILS CAR SHOW ON MAY 16, 2026, AND
APPROVAL OF STREET CLOSURES FOR THE EVENT
Recommendation -
1. Motion to approve a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT NO. 2026-08 AUTHORIZING THE - TAFT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO HOST THE 18TH ANNUAL RAILS TO TRAILS CAR SHOW ALONG THE TRAIL BETWEEN 4TH AND 10TH STREETS, INCLUDING THE CLOSURE OF SIXTH STREET BETWEEN MAIN STREET AND SUPPLY ROW ON SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2026 (Resolution No. 4342-26).
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
May 05, 2026
2. 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.
14. SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT - CARNIVAL BY SCHOEPPNER SHOWS AT SUPPLY ROW AND 6TH STREET, MAY 9TH - 16TH, 2026
Recommendation -
Motion to approve a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF TAFT APPROVING A SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT, AUTHORIZING SCHOEPPNER SHOWS TO OPERATE A CARNIVAL ON CITY PROPERTY AT 6TH STREET AND SUPPLY ROW FROM MAY 5th TO May 19th, 2026 (Resolution No. 4343-26) 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.
15. PURCHASE OF UPGRADED PORTALOGIC HAULER ACCESS STATION LOCATED AT THE
WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY
Recommendation -
Motion to authorize the City Manager to sign the quote to authorize the purchase of the upgraded equipment 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. AFFIRMATION OF APPROVAL TO INCLUDE AN EFFECTIVE DATES FOR MEMORADUM OF
AGREEMENTS, RESOLUTIONS AND EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION PLANS FOR CALPERS
REPORTING
Recommendation -
Motion to adopt the following resolutions:
1. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT AFFIRMING THE APPROVAL
TO THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS AND MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENTS TO INCLUDE AN ALL OVER EFFECTIVE DATE OF OCTOBER 6, 2015 (Resolution No. 4344-26)
2. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT AFFIRMING THE APPROVAL 2 RO THE OLID
TO THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS AND MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENTS TO INCLUDE AN ALL OVER EFFECTIVE DATE OF JULY 1, 2017 (Resolution No. 4345-26)
3. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT AFFIRMING THE APPROVAL
TO THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS AND MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENTS TO INCLUDE AN ALL OVER EFFECTIVE DATE OF AUGUST 1, 2017 (Resolution No. 4346-26)
4. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT AFFIRMING THE APPROVAL
TO THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS AND MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENTS TO INCLUDE AN ALL OVER EFFECTIVE DATE OF JULY 1, 2019 (Resolution No. 4347-26)
5. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT AFFIRMING THE APPROVAL
TO THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS AND MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENTS TO INCLUDE AN ALL OVER EFFECTIVE DATE OF AUGUST 1, 2023 (Resolution No. 4348-26)
6. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT AFFIRMING THE APPROVAL
TO THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS AND MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENTS TO INCLUDE AN ALL OVER EFFECTIVE DATE OF JULY 1, 2024 (Resolution No. 4349-26) ********************************************************************************************* City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
May 05, 2026
17. REPORT FROM THE PAST FIVE (5) CALENDAR YEARS OF THE AMOUNT OF MONEY
GIVEN TO THE TAFT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FROM THE TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY
TAX ALONG WTIH THE AGREEMENT AND RESOLUTION
> The Council Members discussed this item, Noerr reminded everyone that Covid affected people and it has been hard for businesses to catch up. Krier tated the Chamber is vital to our community
18. CITY OF TAFT REQUEST INCOME STATEMENTS FOR YEAR 2024 AND 2025 FROM TAFT
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Motion: Moved by Krier seconded by Chavira to receive and file the income statement for year 2024 and year 2025 from Taft Chamber of Commerce.
AYES: Krier, Chavira, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 4-0
********************************************************************************************* At 7:40 PM the regular meeting was recessed to closed session.
CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR, CRAIG JONES, CITY MANAGER Government Code 54957.6 - All units
B. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR, CRAIG JONES- CITY MANAGER Government Code Section 54956.8 - (1) undisclosed parcel C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9 (a) - Taft Union High School vs. City of Taft Kern County Superior Court Case No. S-1500-CV-283804
> The City Council discussed in closed session the two items agendized for closed session discussion and directions were given to staff and negotiators. The City Council took no other reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT - With no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 PM. aith Melto Dave Noerr
City Clerk Mayor