TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
JULY 21, 2026
The July 21, 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 Waldrop and invocation was given by Greg Mudge.
PRESENT: Mayor Dave Noerr and Mayor Pro Tem Josh Bryant Council Members Orchel Krier and Ron Waldrop
City Manager Craig Jones and City Attorney Jason Epperson City Clerk Faith Melton
ABSENT: Council Member Carlos Chavira
1. PUBLIC HEARING - ADOPT RESOLUTIONS AUTHORIZING KERN COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR TO
COLLECT REFUSE AND STREET SWEEPING CHARGES AND STANDBY CHARGES FOR VACANT
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
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 PROVIDING FOR COLLECTION OF REFUSE AND STREET
SWEEPING CHARGES BY THE COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR PURSUANT TO SECTION 5473 ET. SEQ., OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE (Resolution No. 4364-26) and A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT PROVIDING FOR
COLLECTION OF STANDBY REFUSE AND STREET SWEEPING CHARGES BY THE COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR PURSUANT TO SECTION 5473 ET. SEQ., OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE. (Resolution No. 4365-26)
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 4-0
2. PUBLIC HEARING - ADOPT RESOLUTIONS AUTHORIZING KERN COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR TO
COLLECT SEWER CHARGES AND STANDBY SEWER CHARGES FOR VACANT COMMERCIAL
BUILDINGS
The public hearing was opened at 6:07 PM to receive comment, having none the hearing was closed.
Motion: Moved by Krier seconded by Bryant to adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF TAFT PROVIDING FOR COLLECTION OF SEWER CHARGES BY THE COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR PURSUANT TO SECTION 5473 ET. SEQ., OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE (Resolution No. 4366-26) and A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT PROVIDING FOR COLLECTION OF STANDBY SEWER CHARGES BY THE COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR PURSUANT TO SECTION 5473 ET. SEQ., OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE. (Resolution No. 4367-26) AYES: Krier, Bryant, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED:
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
July 21, 2026
PUBLIC HEARING - LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1 The public hearing was opened at 6:11 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 SETTING THE ASSESSMENT FOR LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1. (Resolution No. 4368-26) AYES: Krier, Bryant, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 4-0
4. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Stephanie Layton went over the 4th of July events and said everything went great, she hopes to continue the events next year along with fireworks or a drone show. She reported that Chamber membership has risen from 14 new members to 42 members and she gave information on upcoming events.
5. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Krier hoped everyone had a great 4th of July, reminded the community that City Council elections are coming up and don't forget to vote.
Council Member Waldrop wishes to have another 250 years in America and informed everyone of his political status.
Mayor Pro Tem Bryant said the 4th of July celebration went great and reminded everyone to teach kids about history.
Mayor Noerr said he loves this country, loves who we are and supports the people who fight for this country. He also spoke about how the California Governor passed the California budget.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
There was none.
7. CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
There was none.
8. CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
There was none.
FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
July 21, 2026
There was none.
*************************************************************************************************** CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 10-16
Motion: Moved by Bryant seconded by Krier to approve consent calendar items 10-16.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 4-0
10. MINUTES
June 16, 2026, Regular
Recommendation - Approve as submitted
11. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 061226 Check No. 202170-202195 $ 171,152.61
Warrant # 061926 Check No. 202196-202281 $ 1,239,412.08 Warrant # 062626 Check No. 202282-202327 $ 582,932.72
Warrant # 063026 Check No. 202328 $ 100,000.00
Warrant # 070326 Check No. 202329-202334 $ 99,344.70
Warrant # 070326A Check No. 2023235-202375 $ 296,833.26 Warrant # 071026A Check No. 202376-202377 $ 4,457.69
Warrant # 071726A Check No. 202378-202438 $ 324,026.64
Warrant # 071726 Check No. 202439-202475 $ 33,341.40
Recommendation - Approve payment of the bills.
12. ACCEPT THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BID AND AWARD THE 4TH ST.
REHABILITATION - KERN ST. TO ASH ST. - STPL - 5193 (049) PROJECT TO J.L. PLANK, INC. dba
CEN-CAL CONSTRUCTION
Recommendation -
Motion to accept the lowest responsible bid, award the project and to execute a construction agreement with J.L. Plank, Inc. dba Cen-Cal Construction in the amount of $604,999.00 for the 4th St. Rehabilitation - from Kern St. to Ash St - STPL - 5193 (049) project and authorize the City Mayor to execute the construction agreement.
13. ACCEPT THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BID AND AWARD THE 10TH ST. & SAN EMIDIO ST. - INTERSECTION SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS - ATPL 5193-046 PROJECT TO J.L. PLANK, INC. dba CEN-CAL CONSTRUCTION
Recommendation -
Motion to accept the lowest responsible bid, award the project and to execute a construction agreement with J.L. Plank, Inc. dba Cen-Cal Construction in the amount of $261,261.00 for the 10th St. & San Emidio St. - Intersection Safety Improvements - ATPL 5193-046 project and authorize the City Mayor to execute the construction agreement.
14. AUTHORIZING FEDERAL FUNDING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR FTA SECTION 5311 APPLICATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Tuly 21, 2026
Recommendation -
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT AUTHORIZING THE FEDERAL FUNDING UNDER FTA SECTION 5311 (49 U.S.C. SECTION 5311) WITH CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. (Resolution No. 4369-26)
15. FUNDING TO THE TAFT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR THE QUARTER OF JANUARY 2026 TO MARCH 2026
Recommendation -
Motion to approve the 25% allocation of the Transient Occupancy Tax to the Taft Chamber of Commerce for the quarter of January 2026 through March 2026.
16. STREET CLOSURES AND SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT FOR SELF BREWED COFFEE HOUSE VENDOR MARKET
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 SELF BREWED COFFEE HOUSE VENDOR MARKET ON AUGUST 1, 2026 (Resolution No. 4370-26) 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.
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17. APPROVE TRAVEL EXPENSE FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS TO ATTEND THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA
CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND SELECT A VOTING DELEGATE
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Krier, to approve and appropriate funds from General Funds for registration, meals, transportation and other incidental expenses for the chosen voting delegate to attend the 2026 League of California Cities Annual Conference and League of California Cities Annual Business Meeting in Anaheim.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED:
Motion: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Waldrop, to select Council Member Waldrop as the Voting Delegate and Council Member Krier as the Alternate Voting Delegate for the 2026 League of California Cities Annual Business Meeting in Anaheim.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 4-0
****************************************************************************************************** At 6:31 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 LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
July 21, 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
C. ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Government Code Section 54957 - City Attorney
D. ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Government Code Section 54957 - City Manager
• 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: 01 M hell man
Faith
City Clerk Mayor