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 infeasible. 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 [snorts] 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 16th, 2025. The City of Tap Council meetings are being held in person with full capacity seating and are livereamed at www.youtube.com/user

cityofft. 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. [clears throat] We'll begin this evening's meeting with a pledge of allegiance led by myself, followed by an invocation from Pastor Joey Pitman. So, if you would join us, please [clears throat] hand over your heart, salute, and 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. [laughter] [clears throat] Let's go ahead and just bow our heads. We're going to pray. Lord God, we are so thankful for these guys that serve and spend their time. We pray for wisdom for them, Lord, as they make decisions, God. We pray for this Advent season, Lord, as we rejoice in all that you've done for us, Lord. And we we take time out of our busy schedules and just worship you. We pray for a community that also, Lord, that all of us can slow down just a little bit, get our minds kind of fixed on you and what you've done for us. So, we're so thankful that, Lord, so bless this meeting in the name of Jesus. Everybody said, "Amen."

Amen. Thank you very much, Joe. [clears throat] Madame clerk, may we have a roll call, please? [clears throat] Mayor Nord here. Council member Waldrip here. Council member Chava here. And we have Mayor Pro Tim Bryant and Council Member Crier, both absent with notice.

All right. Thank you very much. First item on this evening's agenda is a public hearing ordinance amending title five of the TAP municipal code to adopt the 2025 California building standards code by reference and incorporation of Calire hazard maps with certain exceptions, edits, and corrections. Recommendation is to conduct a public hearing. Uh see manager Jones, should I have you read this?

Sure. Um so every three years the California Building Standards Commission a state agency adopts an updated codes for design and construction of buildings and structures within the state known as the California building standards code al also referred to as building code or simply title 24. State mandates that the local governments enforce these regulations or enforce local ordinances containing qualified, reasonable, [snorts] necessary, and generally more restrictive building standards than those provided in the California Building Code Standard. California Building Standard Commission has published the 2025 editions of the California Building Standards Code Title 24, including the building, residential, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, energy, green building, fire, and related codes on July 1st, 2025. These codes become effective statewide on January 1st 1st, 2026. in the local jurisdictions are required to adopt them to remain in compliance with state law. If no action is taken by this state, the state's code and its entirely entirety will be automatically applied within the agency's jurisdiction when processing permit applications. All right. Thank you, city manager Jones. [clears throat] Recommendation here is to conduct a public hearing. Therefore, I will open said hearing at this time. Anyone wishing to speak in support of this issue or against this issue, please step forward. Seeing none, I'll close the public hearing. [clears throat and cough] At this time, I would entertain a motion to approve an ordinance entitled an ordinance of the city council of the city of Taft amending sections of title five of the TAP municipal code to adopt the 2025 California building, residential, plumbing, mechanical,

electrical, energy, green building, and fire codes and incorporating Calire fire hazard maps with certain exceptions, edits, and corrections. wave full reading and find that the project is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, SQUA, as set forth in section 15061B3 of the SQA guidelines in that the proposed amendment will have no significant effect on the environment. Motion second. I have a motion to second. Any discussion, Councilman Chevra? None here. All right. Councilman Waldra, no. Thank you. [clears throat]

All right, Madame Clerk, I have a motion and a second. May I roll call, please? Council member Waldrip, yes. Council member Cha, yes. And Mayor No, yes. That's approved on a 30 vote. Thank you all very much. Next up, item number two. Item number two is a presentation zoning ordinance amendment 2025-16 and specific plan amendments 2025-17 to implement housing element programs of the six cycle housing element update 2023 through 2031 and SQA exemption section 15051 B3 manager Jones.

Thank you mayor. This action before the city council consists of zoting ordinance amendment 202516 amending the title six of the TAF municipal code and specific plan amendment 20 202517 amending downtown specific plan to implement 23 housing element programs within program five removal of constraints program six accessory dwelling units and program nine housing production streamlining and incentives of the adopted six cycle housing element 2023 to 2031 and find that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to section 15061 [clears throat] B3 of the SQL guidelines. All right, thank you very much C manager Jones. We are going [snorts] to have a presentation from Gina. Oh my goodness, Gina, I'm sorry I can't pronounce

Jenna. Jenna. Jenna chiller. Yeah, chillerian. Okay. Chilling jerion and I'm sorry planning consultant from precision engineering. With precision engineering. Yes.

Yes. Thank you all. Um good evening mayor and council. My name is Jenna Chillengarian and yes I am a contract planner for the city of Taft and I am going to give a brief presentation on this item tonight. So, um, you guys can all hear me and you can see the screen, I am assuming. So, I'm going to continue on. So, as stated, the item for consideration tonight um is a resolution to approve the specific plan amendment that would amend the downtown TAF specific plan to implement six cycle housing element programs and the related SQL exemption and to introduce the zoning ordinance amendment, wave full reading and set the date for the public hearing for the zoning ordinance amendment to January 20th, 2026. Some background is listed here. So the six cycle housing element update was adopted by the city council on August 19th, 2025. And the California Department of Housing and Community Development, HCD, issued a finding of substantial compliance on August 22nd, 2025, confirming conformance with state housing element law. So now with an an adopted and certified housing element, the city must implement, monitor, and report on the progress toward implementing the housing element through the next 8-year cycle. Terms of the project before you tonight. So the housing element analyzes future housing needs, provides adequate sites for accommodating the city's forecasted growth, analyzes housing constraints, assesses fair housing, and identifies housing programs to achieve housing goals and objectives. The housing element identifies 52 housing programs organized across 10 areas to achieve housing goals and objectives. And those 10 areas are summarized here. Um, and I've highlighted or bolded the three program areas that you'll be acting on um tonight and at a future hearing. So

those include the removal of constraints, accessory dwelling units, and housing production streamlining and incentives. The action before city council consists of the amendments to the city's zoning ordinance and downtown specific plan to implement 23 programs. The amendments are required for three reasons. First is compliance with state law. Second is removal of constraints and the third is to incentivize and encourage housing production in the city. Within those three bolded program areas, there are some subprograms. So those subprograms are what makes up the 20 the number 23. So, under program five, removal of constraints, these are all the subprograms that these two actions, the Taft um downtown Taft specific plan amendment and the zoning ordinance amendment um would amend and or implement. And then program six is accessory dwelling units. And the third area is program 9, housing production and streamlining and incentives as it previously stated. And so there are various programs within that program area as well. And all these are detailed in your staff report. In terms of SQA, the project proposes policy updates, programmatic changes and actions to meet the regional housing needs allocation and state housing requirements. The amendments serve to implement the identified housing programs and actions. Any future development will remain subject to sight specific environmental review and compliance with the general plan specific plan and zoning ordinance. Therefore, the project is exempt under SQA. specifically 15061 B3 as it would not have the potential to cause a significant physical effect on the environment. Terms of the findings, the findings are outlined and described in the staff report, but there are four findings for council to make um for the zoning ordinance amendment. And then there are four findings for the specific plan

amendment. Lastly, staff recommends that the council conduct a public hearing and motion to adopt a resolution of the city council approving the specific plan amendment to implement the housing element update and find that the project is exempt from SQA. And secondly, to introduce by title only an ordinance of the city council approving zoning ordinance amendment amending title six of the municipal code to also implement housing element programs and wave the full reading and set the date for the required public hearing for January 20th, 2026. And that concludes my presentation and I'm happy to answer questions.

All right, Jenna, thank you very much. Great deal of information in a short period of time. We appreciate that. Gentlemen, you heard the presentation. I know you've read through this and obviously this is uh a compliance issue. Housing is critical component and housing shortages in the state of California have been a matter of discussion for as long as I've lived in the state of California. Affordability is another. So, if you have any specific questions for Jenna, now is the time. I personally don't. I appreciate you. Uh, I appreciate the presentation and I appreciate you making sure that we remain compliant. Thank you.

I also have none and I thought it was well presented. So, very good.

All right. Obviously, the city of Taft, like any other community, wants quality housing to be built and to be occupied. We also want the people of the city of Taft to take pride in where they live and any property they do own. and it benefits the entire community. The state of California has a a lot of different ideas about how to solve this problem. They call it a housing affordability problem. But when one thinks of the cost of just staying in California, there are people that have the pink slip to their houses that will be forced out of their houses because of the cost of insurance, utilities, and a great many other issues. Uh but that's a discussion for another day. So Jenna, thank you very much. We appreciate your time and your presentation and wish you a very merry Christmas. Okay, gentlemen. The recommendation here is a motion to adopt a resolution entitled a resolution of the city council of the city of Taft approving specific plan amendment 2025-17 amending the downtown TAP specific plan to implement housing element programs of the six cycle housing element update for 2023 2031 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 and introduced by title only an ordinance of the city council of the city of Taft approving zoning ordinance amendment 2025-16 amending title six of the TAP municipal code to implement housing element programs of the six cycle housing element update 2023 through 2031 wave full reading and set the date for the required public hearing for January 20th 2026 Six

motion. Second. I have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion, gentlemen? None for me. Thank you. For me. All right. Nor mine. Thank you all very much. Madame clerk, we have a motion and a second. May we have a roll call, please? Council member Waldrip. Yes. Council member Cha. Yes. And Mayor Nor. Yes. And that's approved on a 30 vote. So hopefully we start building houses right away. Thank you very much. Next up, item number three, citizens request public comments. We have none. That saved a great deal of discussion. Item number four, city council statements. Councilman Shabir, begin with you, sir.

Yes. Uh, I'd like to start off uh by thanking my students uh and Avette um for having us prepared this evening's dinner. We create uh we produced a Basque dinner and I know that uh our students enjoyed preparing them. But more importantly, it's important for me uh for our students to come here uh learn about their local government, see who's here that's uh making decisions for our community because they are the future and uh they they need to know what's going on. So I thank you event for for um making that happen. Um in addition, that's no surprise lots of fog out there. It's imperative that that we pay attention to our surroundings and stay as safe as possible. Um, so we pre prevent any further hazards. Uh, in addition, holidays are coming up and, uh, from my family to yours, uh, we wish you all a merry Christmas.

All right. Thank you very much, sir. Councilman Waldrop, I too would like to thank the students. That was very good. Very good. Uh, I'd like to welcome them back more often. [laughter] I too would like to wish everybody a happy new year, merry Christmas, the whole works. And uh be safe. Uh don't go nowhere at night when the fog's out there. Bless you. Absolutely have to. Other than that, you guys be careful. Thank you.

All right. Thank you, sir. I have to brag about the quality of the food as well. Those young people did an outstanding job. I really enjoyed speaking with them. But man, that food was incredible. I will tell you in no uncertain terms that I plan on going back after this meeting, and I will gorge myself until I have to wallow out of this building. So, thank you very much, Councilman. You and your crew did an outstanding job. So, table fair is unsurpassed. I appreciate that. [clears throat] Christmas is coming. It is upon us. I was at a meeting last night that was uh it was very interesting. It was about community health and it it actually brought up the fact that all of us uh at some point in time have or will uh experience the loss of a loved one, loved one that was a part of our celebration last year that is not going to be a part of that celebration this year. And it can be very difficult when one thinks about the joy of Christmas and the holidays. But thinking about somebody who's passed before us can can make that harder to handle. So I had the opportunity to address the crowd and I told them you know I think about it from a standpoint of when I leave this earth and I will at some point in time how do I want my family to think about me when I'm gone. Uh I can tell you that come the holidays I want them to laugh. I want to uh be sure that they think about the good times that we had the mistakes made. What funny things did dad do when he was around here? But I do not want them to cry tears of sadness. I want them to cry tears of joy as they think about the memories. So for all of you out there that are faced with that issue, uh think about the good times and the opportunities you had. And New Year's is going to be here before we have a chance to chat with you as well. So safe and sober is a good thing. If you choose to

partake, make sure you have a plan, you have a sober driver. Uh, our police department is going to do their very best to keep everybody safe, but unsafe drivers uh create hazards all unto their own. So, be safe, think about your neighbors, and enjoy the holidays. So, merry Christmas and happy new year to you all. Next up, planning commission report. We have a planning commissioner here. Welcome, Jerry. [clears throat]

Good evening, Mayor Nor, members of the council. Um, the planning commission had three items on the agenda that required action. One was the continued public hearing on the mini golf course, which was approved. Um, the second was the item that you guys just heard on the zoning ordinance amendment. We sent an request for your approval. Thank you. And the final one was um approving a conditional use permit for uh cigarette sales at um 431 Kern Street. There's a mini market going in there and they've added that as part of their program. All right, that's it.

Thank you very much. And you know what? To the entire uh planning commission, thank you all for your service and and the time you put in for the community. If uh we don't thank you enough, then shame on us. But thank you. I know you study a lot and put a lot of time in. And merry Christmas to you all and to you folks as well. Thank you. Thank you, sir. All right. Next up, department reports. Do we have any department reports? None. And we'll move forward with city manager statements. City Manager Joan. Thank you, Mayor. Nothing additional tonight. All right. City attorney statements. Jason.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just a merry Christmas and happy new year to everyone. Thank you very much, sir. Item number nine, future agenda requests this evening, gentlemen. Any future agenda requests? Hearing none, then we'll move on to consent calendar items 10 through 17. 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 specific items 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 like to comment on? I don't see any hands going up there. So, those items are item number 10, which is the minutes for the December 2nd, 2025 regular meeting. Item number 11, the payment of bills, some $474,000 worth. Item number 12 is the execution and filing of the transit development act article 8 claims for fiscal year 2024 2025. recommendation. There is a motion to adopt a resolution entitled a resolution of the city council of the city of Taft approving the execution and filing of transit development act article 8 claim for fiscal year 2024 2025 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 13, the execution and filing of street and roads development act article 8 claims for fiscal year 2024 2025. Recommendation here is a motion to adopt a resolution entitled a resolution of the city council of city of Taft approving the execution and filing of a street and roads development act article

8 claim for fiscal year 2024 2025 and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act SQA as set forth in section 150603 and section 15378 of the SQA guidelines. [clears throat] Item 14, the recognized obligation payment schedules 2627 for July 2026 through June 2027. Recommendation here is a motion to adopt a resolution entitled a resolution of the successor agency to the Taft Community Development Agency of the City of Taft approving and adopting a recognized obligation payment schedule for the period July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027 pursuant to the provision set forth in Health and Safety Code section 341177 JAB1X26. Six. Second portion of that is to direct staff to present the ROPS 2627 to the countywide oversight board meeting on January 22nd of 2026 for approval. And lastly, find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act, SQA, as set forth in section 150603 and section 15378 of the SQA guidelines. Item 15, increase to state minimum wage and citywide extra help hourly pay rate adjustment. Recommendation here is a motion to adopt a resolution entitled a resolution of the city council of the city of Taft approving automatic increases to the hourly wage of city positions impacted by the increase in the state minimum wage. 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 16 is the approval of amendment number three with Securus Technologies LLC adding additional required services and a 60-month contract extension. Recommendation is a motion to authorize the city manager to sign amendment number three with Securus Technologies LLC and appropriate $64,547.94 as a refund for voided transactions and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act SQA as set forth in section 150603 and section 15378 of the SQA guidelines. Lastly, item 17, adopt a resolution approving workers compensation coverage for correctional peace officers when transporting inmates out of the state of California. recommendation. Here's a motion to adopt a resolution entitled resolution of the city of Taft authorizing workers compensation coverage for peace officers injured out of state and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act, SQUA as set forth in section 150603 and section 15378 of the SQA guidelines. Does any member of the council wish to remove any of these items from the consent calendar? No hearing. None. At this time, I'd entertain a motion to approve consent calendar items 10 through 17. Motion

and a second. I have a motion and a second. Madame clerk, can we have a roll call, please? Council member Waldrip, yes. Council member Chava, yes. And Mayor Nor,

yes. That passes on a three vote. Thank you very much, gentlemen. At this time, this ends the open session portion of this evening's meeting. This council will go into close session to consider two items. Item A, conference with legal counsel, anticipated litigation, significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph 2 or 3 of subdivision D of section 54956.9D, one potential case. And item B, conference with real property negotiator Craig Jones, city manager, government code section 54956.8, APN number 031-160-3-9. Before we leave for close session, we're going to adjourn this evening's meeting in honor of our retiring city clerk, Evette Mayfield. This makes me cry, but we're going to do it anyway. I bet has been a critical part of the team that keeps this place running and is a pleasure to work with, a consmate professional and just a lovely person. Just that's just the way it is. So, I bet we wish you the very best of luck. Dress warm when you go to Alaska. I've been there and it can get very, very cold. You'll enjoy the seafood immensely. I guarantee it. I hope you have a wonderful retirement. You have earned it, gentlemen.

Yeah, I too. Thank you. What a sweetheart. Thank you for everything. Thank you for guiding us. We appreciate you. So, we have a little something for you. Carlos cooked the food, but he did not do the flower arrangement. I [laughter]

Come on down here, gentlemen. Join me. [clears throat]

One more.

Lower the flowers. I don't want to drop. There we go. There you are. [applause] Thank you so much. Now I am gonna say something.

Move that a little bit so you can I'm very privileged to have gotten to serve the city in this role. [snorts] When I got here in 2014, I really didn't expect to serve in this role, but I've been blessed to be able to do it. I've worked with great people. I serve a great community and I've really enjoyed being here and um I'm truly blessed and I just want to say thank you. Thank you. Been our pleasure. [applause]

Merry Christmas everybody. Have a happy new year. We will see you next year.