City Council - Regular Meeting

conduct in the city council chambers. Rules of decorum for the public. Members of the audience shall not engage in disorderly or boisterous conduct, including the utterance of loud, threatening, or abusive language, clapping, whistling, stamping of feet, or other other acts which disturb, disrupt, impede, or otherwise render the orderly conduct of the city meeting in feasible. A member of the audience engaging in any such conduct shall at the discretion of the presiding officer or a majority of the city council be subject to ejection from the meeting per government code section 54954.3C. Removal from the council chambers. Any person who commits the following acts in respect to a meeting of the cities shall be removed from the council chambers per government code section 54954.3C. A disorderly, contemptuous, or insolent behavior towards the city council or any member thereof tending to interrupt the due and orderly course of said meeting. a breach of peace, boisterous conduct, or violent disturbance tending to interrupt the due and orderly course of said meeting. Disobedience of any lawful order from the mayor, which shall include an order to be seated or to refrain from addressing the city council, and any other unlawful interference with the due and orderly course of said meeting. Good evening everybody. Welcome to the Tap City Council Successor Agency joint regularly scheduled meeting for Tuesday, December the 2nd, 2025. The city of TAP Council meetings are being held in person with full capacity seating and are livereamed at www.youtube.comer

cityof. Public comment can be made in person and also can be received per the following. Written comments may be dropped off in the dropbox in front of city hall. Comments may be emailed to the city clerk at city clerk at cityoftaft.org. They may also be made by phone to the city clerk's office at 6617631222. Public comments will be accepted up until 5:00 p.m. the day of the meeting, and all comments received shall be read into the record. We'll begin this evening's meeting with the pledge of allegiance led by Councilman Shivera, followed by an invocation by Pastor Sha Piper. If you will join us, please.

Right hand over heart. Salute. Pledge. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, first of all, we want to give you thanks, recognizing that every good thing comes from you. And so we thank you for all the good things we have. We uh we also in this season where we celebrate your intervention into human history, we ask your intervention in places where it is beyond our ability. Lord, we ask also for your provision, your continued providing for us what we need. Help us to be content with the things we have and to use them wisely. Uh give us wisdom to know the difference between what we need and what we don't. And Lord, um we ask that uh those that running the city would be able to do it well so that we could live in peace, especially for our police officers and our firemen. Lord, we ask that you'd give them courage and to help them to be safe, that we would do well. And we pray these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

Amen. Amen. Thank you very much, John. Madame clerk, may we have a roll call, please? Mayor Nor here. Mayor Prom Bryant here. Council member Crier here. Council member Waldrop here. Council member Shira here. All right. First item on this evening's agenda is citizen request public comments. Do we have anybody signed up? No. That saved me a little bit. Moving on to council statements. Non-action. Councilman Waldrop, I'll begin with you this evening, sir.

I'd like to wish everybody a very happy uh December and uh holidays and being with family and friends and uh enjoy it while you can. Thank you. All right. Thank you, sir. Councilman Shivera,

um I think uh what I'm going to talk about is daylight hours. Uh please be careful out there. Um we don't have much daylight hours. I I recognized that during our Thanksgiving, uh my wife had a honeydew list for me and I realized that uh I was running out of daylight hours fairly quickly. But the importance of it is is to be careful as we're driving through the community is be careful. There's still uh folks uh walking or or on their bicycles. Uh children still moving around. So, let's plea please be vigilant to that. and and uh the pastor talked about the importance of being content. Uh we are a super privileged um people to live in the country that we live in. Is it perfect? No, it's not. But uh but we have every reason to be content. And I would encourage us all uh to focus on those things, focus on our families, um and uh find find your contentment. And that's all I have this evening.

All right. Thank you very much, sir. Councilman Prior.

Thank you, Mayor Inf uh we always have things going on this season here in December. Just look back what we got going from starting today. We got the Polar Express going be starting. Got Christmas parades coming up. We have the tree lighting ceremony. We have so many activities. I'm just mentioning a few of them. There's so many of them I can't remember them all. But there there makes our town very unique. We're a close-knit city and you know you look at look on Facebook and stuff how everybody askked a lot of questions and is there an accent somewhere and um posting it and letting the news out pretty quick. But we're in a closenit uh city and which is making it great. We know each other. We know when one of our own gets hurt or has a fire, we're there to take care of them. And that goes for all people. And uh that makes you you proud and um that on that part there, but uh like u Councilman Shberus said that you watch out and do use your due diligent. And my advice is some of the people have very expensive presents and stuff to hide them from their trees or hide them from a sight from uh from prying uh people looking through the windows and stuff looking for opportunity to steal you. And uh if you see something unusual, call 911, call the police. any if you're wrong, it's good to be vig vigilant because that helps protect our neighbors and also get rid of the the criminals that's out there causing a lot of issues. But but this this a great town and uh this just shows the pride and everything

and I'm as a all our councilmen we are very proud of our town other wouldn't be doing what we're doing right now. That's all I have. All right. Thank you very much sir. Mayor Pro Tim Bryant.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'm gonna belabor those points of all the gentlemen before me. Uh whether it's coming Sunday, the tree lighting ceremony, and I believe that's either six or seven o'clock. If anybody knows what that is, please let me know. But I know they're they're having the community Christmas tree lighting on Sunday. Obviously, you've got the Christmas parade coming up on Monday, and that's always a fun time. You've got the Polar Express like uh like Councilman Crier mentioned. But one thing I I almost feel guilty for saying this. I hate to have to say this, but in today's California, today's United States, it's something we've got to do. For the first time ever, they're going to have that Christmas tree in that area around Fifth Street Plaza unsecured in terms of not having a fence around it. And that does nothing but make me proud as hell. It makes me excited to not have to look to at something that's so beautiful and adds to that area and think it's going to be out in the open for everybody. But the unfortunate truth is it's out in the open for everybody. and what they've asked uh that group has really asked that everybody do be vigilant, keep an eye out. And so if you happen to be cruising around for whatever reason at any time of the day or night, please go by there. If you see something, say something. But it's an awesome thing to be able to look downtown and see that part, a shared uh space for all of us to celebrate the season and come together. And it's something that I'm very, very thankful for everybody that's put time, effort, and money into. Now, I think this is year four, maybe year five, somewhere in that uh that neighborhood, but I'm very much looking forward to it and very thankful to live in TAP. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

All right. Thank you. You know, that was the original intent when we discussed the uh community Christmas tree and came up with a plan to do that and so many people got involved and some in particular really put extra time into that. But, uh like you say, eyes on, you know, and the more people that keep an eye on it, the better. So hopefully uh we all get to enjoy it and no knuckleheads get in the way of us enjoying our community celebration. Uh I was doing some reading just recently and if you think back when towards the end of the legislative session, the governor signed three pieces of legislation, one of which was a Senate bill, Senate Bill 237, which codifies Kern County's countywide EIR and will allow us to issue drilling permits come January. I mean, we've been trying in court to speed that up, but at this point in time, I don't think we've done it. But one of the other things that he signed, and I was kind of surprised by it, and I had to do a little research, was the funding source for highspeed rail. Highspeed rail has been going on for so long, I I forgot about just how long it's been going on it. It began to be discussed in 1996. I think in 2008, they started hiring a bunch of people and getting office space. I think construction began in 2015 and it was supposed to be completed in 2020 ready for service 2020. Originally the entire project was supposed to cost $33 billion and it was going to be self- sustaining once completed. Originally as proposed private sector money was going to pour in because people would be so excited about being a part of the highspeed rail project. Now then in 2020 I don't think it opened for business. In point of fact, there's not an open section of track in the United or in the state of California to this day. And yet it was supposed to be operating and self- sustaining. Now, one of the

things that Gavin Newsome signed on that same day he signed his Senate Bill 237 was almost going to guarantee additional taxpayers dollars pouring to highspeed rail for perpetuity. Certainly for long after he's going to be here because the last funding source for highspeed rail was capp trade money and capp trade gave highspeed rail a chunk of change. At first, it was supposed to be a onetime investment, you know, just just a pretty good shot in the arm, hundreds of millions of dollars. Well, that wasn't enough. So, then they made it a part of the annual budget. Then they decided, no, then it's subject to budgets discussion and we don't want to do that. So, then it was just automatically 25% of cap and trade went to highspeed rail no matter what else was going on in the world. Well, what Gavin did on that day that he signed Senate Bill 237, he signed additional legislation that extended capp trade, it was supposed to expire in 2030. So, he just extended it another 15 years to 2045. And that 25% per year, which highspeed rail was supposed to get, he bumped that up. They were averaging somewhere around $300 million a year coming out of their share captain trade. Well, he turned that into a guaranteed $1 billion a year. So, they got more than 300% of what they were going to get or had been getting. And they will get that 1 billion a year every year through 2045 as it stands right now. Well, they don't think it's going to be done by then or it's not going to be self- sustaining or just exactly what the deal is. But then the flip side of that is they used to get a percentage of the pie that was capp trade and then there were great many other things that benefited from capp trade that had to do with underserved communities. It had to do

with water. It had to do with different environmental concerns. Well, if their piece of that pie was 25%, but now they're going to get about three times that much, that's about 75%. So, who took a bath? All the other programs that were funded by capp and trade no longer going to have a chance to get funded. They're not going to have that money. A lot of programs took a bath so our governor could give one last one longlasting goodbye gift to the unions. And that's all that was. He's just guaranteeing their support for him when he gets out there on the national stage. In spite of the fact that this is a horribly ridiculous losing proposition had we done the same thing, invested the same amount of money in water infrastructure in the state of California. It would have made a world of difference for so many people. It would created jobs that meant something. would have created food and we'd still be food feeding the world and we'd still be active in agriculture and so many different things. But no, I was surprised to learn now. Maybe everybody else knew that that's what happened on that day. But uh I just learned it. So I just wanted to share with everybody that bit of news, that slight of hand, that pee and the walnut shell game that was played. And it's unfortunate, but it's not a surprise. So other than that, I agree with everything everybody up here said. We're surrounded by poinsettas. Tis the season. We have Thanksgiving just behind us. I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope everybody else did. Lots of good food and time with family and friends. And Christmas is coming, baby. So look forward to see everybody out there enjoying everything that we have to

offer in our wonderful little community. That is all I have. So moving on. Item number three, we have department reports. Do we have any department reports this evening? You, sir.

Chief McMahon, welcome, sir. Councilman Mayor, uh, I want to give you the statistics for the November Police Department. Our total incidents were 995. Our total calls for service were 367. officer initiated was 628 and that was 334 patrol checks as well located into that um 628. So officer initiated where they're actually going out and stopping individuals and was 294 vehicle imped checks of 59 total officer cases written were 124 with six accident cases and I kind of wanted to touch on that fog's around moisture around slow down we're not in a hurry Taft is only so big you don't have to rush to one end to the other be cautious there's still pedestrians out walking and we all know that the fog's coming we've seen it everybody everybody from the commute from Bakersfield and all the surrounding areas into Taft. So, please slow down, pay attention, drive safely, please. Um, we had total misdemeanor and felony arrests of 59 with 49 misdemeanor and obviously 10 felony arrests for the month of November.

All right. Busy set of troops there, huh, Chief?

We're getting it. And, um, we have we have two new officers. Um, Officer Topete, he is a local and along with Officer Beach. Um, they are out on their own. uh you'll see them out driving around. Um relax if they make some stops on you because they're they're they're feeling their way through the through the law enforcement career. And when you do that, you stop everything. It's like casting a large net. You're trying to catch a small fish. So just just understand that they're uh they're out there, they're hustling, they're doing their job, and if anything, give them a thanks and let them know that you appreciate them. Uh I like to keep those uh individuals where their their morale is up and they just love it and and you're talking about some local uh individuals so they're out there doing their job and I'm pretty proud of them. So along with the rest.

All right. Homegrown troops. That's excellent.

Absolutely. I just want to give a little quick shout out to our dispatchers um Daryl um and Tanya and and Stacy and Shannon and Yhira. I mean without them we don't function properly. and all the shop with a cop and all the special events that you see, those are all th those gals put it together and marched forward along with the TPOA and they're a big part of what we do here in Taft. And um if you feel the need to give, uh shop with a cop is coming up and you know it goes to a good cause. We're really working hard with the local kids, the ones that are unfortunate that are misfortunate don't have the the items and and the things that they need for school or clothing or whatnot. So if your heart says give, we know a place.

Excellent. Thank you very much. Thank you. All right. Do we have any other department reports this evening? None. Next up, city manager statements. City Manager Jones. Thank you, Mayor. Nothing additional tonight. All right. City attorney statements. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. No. Thanks, sir. Future agenda requests this evening, gentlemen? Not here.

Hearing none. All right. Then we'll move on to the consent calendar. Consent calendar items 7 through 13. All items listed on the consent calendar shall be considered routine and will be enacted by one roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the city council requests spec specific items to be removed from the consent calendar for separate action. Any item removed from the consent calendar will be considered after the regular business items. Are there any items on the consent calendar that any member of the public would wish to comment on? Seeing none, those items are item number seven, which was the minutes for the November 18th, 2025 regularly scheduled meeting. Item number eight, the payment of bills, some $395,000 worth. Item number nine is the monthly report for Kern County Fire Station number 21, October 2025. Recommendation is receive and file the monthly report for October 2025 from Kern County Fire Station number 21 and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act SQA as set forth in section 15060C3 and section 15378 of the SQA guidelines. Item number 10, application to the Sanwaqin Valley Air Pollution Control District New Alternate Alternative Fuel Vehicle Purchase Grant Program. Recommendation here is a motion to adopt a resolution entitled resolution of the city council of the city of Taft approving and authorizing an application to the Sanwaqin Valley Air Pollution Control District Public Benefit Grants Program under the new alternative fuel vehicle purchase program and authorizing the city manager to execute all documents and find that the activity is

not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act, SQUA. as set forth in section 15060C3 and section 15378 of the SQL guidelines. Item number 11, the cancellation of January 6, 2026 city council meeting. Recommendation is a motion to approve the cancellation of January 6, 2026 city council meeting. Item number 12, funding to the Taft Chamber of Commerce for the quarter of April 2025 to June 2025. Recommendation is a motion to approve the 25% allocation of the transit occupancy tax to the TAP Chamber of Commerce for the quarter of April 2025 through June 2025 and find that it is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act SQA as set forth in section 15060C3 and section 15378 of the SQA guidelines. Item number 13 is an ordinance amending title five of the TAP municipal code to adopt the 2025 California building standards code by reference and incorporation of CalFire fire hazard maps with certain exceptions, edits, and corrections. Recommendation is a motion to introduce an ordinance amending title five of the TAP municipal code entitled an ordinance of the city council of the city of Taft amending sections of title five of the Taft municipal code to adopt the 2025 California building residential plumbing mechanical electrical energy green building and fire codes and incorporating CalFire hazard maps with certain exceptions edits and corrections and wave full reading. Set the date for the required public hearing for December 16, 2025, and find that the project is exempt from the requirements of the

California Environmental Quality Act, SQA, as set forth in section 15061B3 of the SQA guidelines in that the proposed amendment will have no significant effect on the environment. So, does any council member wish to remove any of these items from the consent calendar? None here. Hearing none. At this time, I would entertain a motion to approve consent calendar items 7 through 13. Motion. Second. I have a motion and a second. Madam clerk, may we have a roll call, please? Council member Crier, yes. Mayor Prom Bryant, yes. Council member Waldrop,

yes. Council member Shira, yes. Mayor Nor, yes. That passes on passes a vote. Thank you, gentlemen. That brings the open session portion of this meeting to a close. This council will be going into close session for two items. Item A, conference with labor negotiator Craig Jones, city manager, government code section 54957.6, all units. And item B, conference with real property negotiator Craig Jones, city manager, government code section 54956.81 disclosed parcel. We wish you all a very happy holiday and once again we are saying merry Christmas.