TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
JUNE 02, 2026
The June 2, 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 Carlos Chavira and invocation was given by Pastor Sean Piefer.
PRESENT: Mayor Dave Noerr and Mayor 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
PUBLIC HEARING - UPDATING AND ESTABLISHING USER AND REGULATORY FEES The public hearing was opened at 6:05 PM to receive comment, having none the hearing was closed.
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Krier to adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A SCHEDULE OF USER AND REGULATORY FEES FOR VARIOUS CITY SERVICES and direct staff to apply the 3.16% inflation factor.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Chavira, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 5-0
2. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
Kenny Shugart spoke in regard to septic and sewer businesses not having the correct permits.
Chamber of Commerce Board President, Glenn Black introduced the new Chamber Director, Stephanie Layton.
The newly hired Chamber of Commerce Director, Stephanie Layton, explained she is excited to help local businesses and reminded everyone of the events happening on Center Street on Tuly 3rd and 4th.
COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Waldrop had no comment.
Council Member Chavira reminded everyone that tomorrow is graduation so stay hydrated, and don't forget to vote.
Council Member Krier mentioned that the events on the 3rd and 4th of July will be great events for the 250 celebration of America and said he was thankful to have the right to vote.
Mayor Pro Tem Bryant congratulated both classes that are graduating, thanked Stephanie for the information and reminded everyone that the city is not a for-profit organization.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
June 02, 2026
Mayor Noerr welcomed Stephanie and mentioned that the Chamber is pivotal in our community. He also reminded the community to be careful with kids being out and about for summer and said he loves summer and the City of Taft.
4. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Taft Police Chief, Damon McMinn, gave the May Police Department Statistics.
CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
There was none.
6. CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
There was none.
7. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
Noerr requested we have a future agenda item regarding the wastewater treatment plant, Bryant concurred.
********************************************************************************************* CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 8-12, 14
L
• Noerr removed item 13.
Motion: Moved by Krier seconded by Bryant to approve consent calendar items 8-12, AYES: Krier, Bryant, Chavira, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 5-0
MINUTES
May 19, 2026, Regular
Recommendation - Approve as submitted.
9. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 051526 Check No. 202072-202074 $424.4
Warrant # 052226 Check No. 202075-202155 $ 461,473.15
Recommendation - Approve payment of the bills.
RESOLUTIONS CALLING FOR A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND REQUEST THE
KERN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO APPROVE CONSOLIDATION WITH THE
STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION
Recommendation -
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
June 02, 2026
1. Motion to adopt a resolution entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF TAFT, CALIFORNIA, CALLING AND GIVING NOTICE OF THE HOLDING OF A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026, FOR
THE ELECTION OF CERTAIN OFFICERS AS REQUIRED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA RELATING TO GENERAL LAW CITIES 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.
2. Motion to adopt a resolution entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF TAFT, CALIFORNIA, REQUESTING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE
COUNTY OF KERN TO CONSOLIDATE A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026, WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE DATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 10403 OF THE ELECTION CODE 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.
11. STREET CLOSURES AND SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT FOR THE 2026 SELF BREWED COFFEE
HOUSE RE-BRANDING EVENT
Recommendation -
Motion to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF TAFT AUTHORIZING THE SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT AND STREET CLOSURES FOR THE 2026 SELF BREWED COFFEE HOUSE RE-BRANDING EVENT ON SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2026 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.
12. APPROVAL OF SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT 2026-06 FOR THE TAFT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO HOST A 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION ON AND AROUND CENTER STREET FROM FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2026, TO SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2026
Recommendation -
1. Motion to approve a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF TAFT APPROVING A SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT FOR THE TAFT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO HOST A CELEBRATION FOR THE 250TH ANNIVERARY OF AMERICA ALONG CENTER STREET ON JULY 3RD AND JULY 4TH, 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. FARMING CONTRACT EXTENSION - TAFT MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT
FACILITY
Recommendation -
Motion to approve the five-year contract extension option with Westside Hay LLC and authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement extension 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 ofthe CERA Guidelinss...
13. ADOPTION OF THE CITY OF TAFT'S STATE REQUIRED ZERO-EMISSION BUS ROLL-OUT PLAN
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
June 02, 2026
• Noerr reminded everyone that is mandated by the State to have zero-emission vehicles by 2030. Jones stated the City had received a grant for zero-emission buses and it would be good to use grant money for this while it is available.
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Krier, to approve a resolution entitled resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT ADOPTING THE CITY OF TAFT'S 2026 ZERO-EMISSION BUS ROLL- OUT PLAN. AND DIRECT THE CITY'S ASSISTANT FINANCE DIRECTOR TO
FILE THE ATTACHED PLAN AND RESOLUTION WITH THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD NO LATER THAN JUNE 12, 2026 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
NOES: Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 3-0
15. ADOPTION OF SENATE BILL 707 TELECONFERENCING AND DISRUPTION POLICIES AND
RESOLUTIONS
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Krier, to approve a resolution entitled
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT ADOPTING A
COUNCIL POLICY TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR REQUIRED HYBRID CITY COUNCIL MEETING and a resolution entitled RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT ADOPTING COUNCIL POLICY
FOR DISRUPTION OF REMOTE PARTICIPATION DURING A
COUNCIL MEETING.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Chavira, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED:
16. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES -HDL ECON SOLUTIONS DELIVERABLES TASK ONE
Noerr claimed he hopes this is successful. Bryant reminded everyone that we do not pick businesses; they pick our location based on statistics. The report was received and filed. ********************************************************************************************* At 7:09 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
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
June 02, 2026
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 7:38 PM. sailf
Faith Melton Dave Noerr
City Clerk Mayor