The Civic Courier

City Council Meeting Recap

www.cityofhanfordca.com
February 7, 2023 | City Council Meeting
Council Receives Important Updates from Federal Lobbyist During Study Session

Through Zoom, council received a presentation from Greg Burns, partner at Thorn Run Partners, the City's lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. Greg gave council a summary of his recent advocacy achievements for the City, including assistance in securing more than half a million dollars in funding for improvements to the Veterans Building. He also previewed what he'll be working on for Hanford in 2023, including ongoing efforts to receive funding for the Grangeville Boulevard Grade Separation Project and engagement with Hanford's representatives in Congress, Congressman David Valadao and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy.
Council Approves Alternate Seats for Two City Commissions

At its January 17 meeting, council directed staff to amend the Hanford Municipal Code to add alternates for both the Parks and Recreation and Parking and Traffic Commissions.

Last night, City staff introduced an ordinance amending the municipal code to create the alternate seats. The ordinance will be on the agenda for the next council meeting and then go into effect 30 days after that.

City staff notes that alternates will reduce the number of meetings where having a quorum may be an issue and will also provide for
continuity in the commission when the need arises to fill a seat. Learn more about City commissions here.
Parks and Community Services Director Shares Efforts to Create Field Sports Advisory Committee

Council received a presentation from Hanford Parks & Community Services Director Brad Albert, who shared his efforts to work more closely with the youth sports organizations that regularly use the three City-managed sports facilities: the Youth Athletic Complex (YAC), the Hanford Softball Complex and the Hanford Soccer Complex (Soc Com).
Through the formation of a Field Sports Advisory Committee (FSAC), Hanford's youth sports organizations will partner with the City to ensure fair and equitable management of the City's sports facilities, advocate together for youth sports, and develop a field permit fee process.

The FSAC will meet quarterly and serve an advisory body to the Parks and Recreation Commission. It will include representatives from the following youth sports organizations.

  • Hanford United Youth Football & Cheer
  • Hanford Youth Softball League
  • Hanford Youth Baseball League
  • Hanford Rebels Football & Cheer
  • Hanford American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO)
Public Works Completes Emma Lee Lane Project

Council approved a notice of completion for the Emma Lee Lane Reconstruction Project. This project involved the reconstruction of Emma Lee Lane, from Grangeville Boulevard to
Conquistador Street. Improvements included installation of curbs, gutters, sidewalks, ADA ramps, a storm drainage collection system and reconstruction of streets.

Emma Lee Lane is a residential street that lacked a proper drainage system and needed total
reconstruction. This project will extend the useful life of the street by approximately 20-25 years.
Public Works Completes Mussel Slough Pump Installation Project

Council also approved a notice of completion for the Mussel Slough Pump Installation Project. This project consisted of equipping the YMCA Basin with an electrical service, control panel, pump, diversion gates, and connection to existing piping for dewatering the basin to accommodate additional development and routine maintenance.
  
This basin serves as a terminus basin for other basins in the storm drain system. The storm drains, wet well, and piping exist for the pumping of this basin to People's Ditch. This project provided for dewatering of the basin and the installation of new diversion gates to provide routine maintenance, assist in mosquito abatement activities and increase storage capacity.
Other Actions, Announcements

  • Council authorizes City to apply for, and if awarded, accept $1.5 million of CalHome grant funds for the City's First-Time Homebuyer Program and Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program. It is projected that these funds would provide financial assistance for 11 first-time homeowners (First-Time Homebuyer Program) and five homeowners (Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program) in the City. The state will announce the awards in June.

  • At its study session, council received a presentation from Deputy City Manager Jason Waters and representatives from the California High Speed Rail Authority and the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) about their application for a Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant through Caltrans. Read more details here.
Next Regular City Council Meeting
February 21, 2023, 7 p.m.
City of Hanford | www.cityofhanfordca.com