TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
MAY 19, 2026
The May 19, 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 Mayor Dave Noerr and invocation was given by Police Chief Damon McMinn.
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. PROCLAMATIONS -
• PUBLIC WORKS WEEK
• BUILDING SAFETY MONTH
• CAPK - COMMUNITY ACTION MONTH
2. PRESENTATION BY KERN COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
3. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
There was none.
4. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Krier thanked Randy Miller and Paul Linder for all their hard work on the Fort and reminded everyone that the Fort Membership Dinner will be May 21st.
Council Member Waldrop had no comment.
Council Member Chavira told the community to reach out to KernCOG if you have ideas or comments on the presentation as this is your government.
Mayor Pro Tem Bryant mentioned there will be a celebration at the Cemetery for Memorial Day, thanked the Police Officers for their work and stated he is in a very thankful season and grateful to be able to give.
Mayor Noerr reminded the community that it is Memorial Day and Americas 250th Birthday and to be sure to fly your American flag.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Police Chief, Damon McMinn gave the statistics for the month of April.
CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
City Manager Craig Jones thanked the Building/ Planning Department, Code Enforcement and Public Works for all their hard work.
CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
577972826
There was none.
8. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
There was none.
******************************************************************************************** CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 9, 11-17
• Waldrop removed item 10
Motion: Moved by Bryant seconded by Krier to approve consent calendar items 9, 11-17 AYES: Krier, Bryant, Chavira, , Noerr
PASSED: 4-0
9. MINUTES
May 05, 2026, Regular
Recommendation - Approve as submitted.
11. TREASURERS REPORT
Recommendation -
Motion to receive and file the Treasurers Report for the Month ending March 31, 2026.
12. ADOPTION OF THE CITY OF TAFT TITLE VI PROGRAM UPDATE FOR TAFT AREA
TRANSIT
Recommendation -
Motion to adopt resolution entitled RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TAFT OF KERN COUNTY AUTHORIZING THE TITLE VI PROGRAM UPDATE FOR THE TAFT AREA TRANSIT SYSTEM 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.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH NBS TO CONDUCT A COST ALLOCATION
PLAN (CAP)
Recommendation -
Motion to authorize the Mayor to execute the professional services agreement with NBS 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.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH HINDERLITER DE LLAMAS & ASSOCIATES
TO CONDUCT A TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX AUDIT
Recommendation -
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
5/19/2026
Motion to authorize the Mayor to execute the professional services agreement with Hinderliter De Llamas & Associates.
15. AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH HDL COREN & CONE FOR PROPERTY TAX
CONSULTING/AUDITING SERVICES
Recommendation -
Motion to authorize the mayor to execute the Hdl Coren & Cone Amendment to the Agreement for Property Tax Consulting/Audit Services.
16. AUTHORIZATION OF SALE OF VACANT LOT, APN 031-160-03-00-2 TO ERNESTO
HERNANDEZ
Recommendation -
Motion to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF TAFT AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY IDENTIFIED AS APN 031-160-03-00-2, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR, CITY MANAGER, AND/OR
ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL ESCROW AND OTHER DOCUMENTS
NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY, AND MAKING CERTAIN FINDINGS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH 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. ADOPTING A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH THE 2026-2027 APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT Recommendation -
Motion to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT ESTABLISHING APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT FOR 2026-2027. ********************************************************************************************
10. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 050626 Check No. 202024-202024 $269,468.00
Warrant # 050826 Check No. 202025-202072 $ 295,046.91
• Waldrop recused himself and stepped out as there was a purchase from his business "Waldrop's Auto Parts" in the payment of bills.
Motion: Moved by Bryant seconded by Krier to approve consent calendar item 10.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Chavira, Noerr
PASSED: 4-0
******************************************************************************************** At 7:02 PM the regular meeting was recessed to closed session.
CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
5/19/2026
Government Code Section 54956.9(b) - One (1) undisclosed case B. 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 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 7:22 PM.
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Mayor
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