McFarland public meetings in 2021
27 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The McFarland City Council will hold a regular meeting on December 22, 2021, to consider adopting two ordinances, including one that adds organic waste disposal reduction rules to the municipal code. They will also discuss city surplus land and the creation of an animal control euthanasia protocol committee. The consent agenda includes approval of expenses totaling $456,398.74 for December 1-14, 2021, and meeting minutes. A closed session is scheduled for the public employment of an Assistant City Manager.
- Second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 0008-2021 adding Chapter 8.11 (Organic Waste Disposal Reduction) to the McFarland Municipal Code
- Second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 0009-2021 amending Municipal Code Chapters 10.08 and 10.10
- Report and discussion on city surplus land
- Report and discussion on creating a committee for Animal Control Euthanasia Protocol
- Approval of expense report totaling $456,398.74 for December 1-14, 2021
Planning Commission
The McFarland Planning Commission will hear a presentation from T.J. Paskach, President of San Joaquin Renewables, about the proposed San Joaquin Renewable Biomass Project. The project, located on an 80-acre site, would convert agricultural waste into renewable natural gas and is currently undergoing environmental review. The commission is only taking notes and asking questions; no action is being taken on the project at this meeting. The agenda also includes approval of the November 16, 2021 meeting minutes.
- Presentation on San Joaquin Renewables biomass project by President T.J. Paskach
- Project would consume 400,000 tons/year of agricultural waste and produce 29 million gasoline-gallon equivalents of renewable natural gas annually
- Project expected to create 125 jobs and reduce air emissions equivalent to eliminating NOx from 2,400 diesel trucks
- Approval of November 16, 2021 Planning Commission meeting minutes
City Council
The McFarland City Council is reviewing a routine expense approval report covering payments from November 16-30, 2021. The report lists payments to vendors for payroll taxes, insurance premiums, retirement contributions, and legal services. The largest single expense is $15,266.00 to Hodges Law Group for legal services. The total amount to be approved is $60,015.74.
- $15,266.00 to Hodges Law Group for legal services
- $22,354.67 to EFTPS for federal tax withholdings
- $12,103.44 to John Hancock for 401(k) contributions
- $4,245.37 to Premier Access for dental insurance premiums
- $4,381.45 to EDD for state tax withholdings
Planning Commission
The McFarland Planning Commission will hold a regular meeting with a presentation on the planning process, covering the General Plan, CEQA, zoning, and staff roles. No public hearings or planning discussion items are scheduled. The consent agenda includes approval of minutes from the October 19 and October 29, 2021 meetings.
- Presentation on the Planning Process by Ron Brummett
- Approval of October 19, 2021 regular meeting minutes
- Approval of October 29, 2021 special meeting minutes
Planning Commission
The McFarland Planning Commission is holding a special meeting to consider approving Resolution No. 2021-0011, which would record the previously approved Parcel Map Waiver No. 21-01. This waiver allows the division of a 3.137-acre parcel on Sherwood Avenue, west of El Buen Pastor Church, for a multi-family residential development. The commission will also approve the minutes from the June 15, 2021 meeting. No public hearings are scheduled.
- Approval of Resolution No. 2021-0011 for Parcel Map Waiver No. 21-01 (Sherwood Ave, 3.137 acres, R-4 zoning)
- Approval of June 15, 2021 Planning Commission minutes
- Project includes four multi-family apartment buildings, laundry building, barbeque area, community garden, and parking
- CEQA exemption under Section 15315 (Minor Land Divisions)
City Council
The McFarland City Council is reviewing a list of expenses for approval, including a $333,898.46 payment to Bowman Asphalt for the Kern Ave 5th to 6th St project. The agenda consists solely of this expense approval report, with no other items for discussion or decision.
- $333,898.46 to Bowman Asphalt for Kern Ave 5th to 6th St project
- $13,062.00 to Hodges Law Group for legal services
- $8,015.04 to Douglas Keith Brown for environmental services
- $1,694.99 to AAA Services for fire hydrant maintenance
- $1,560.00 to BHT Engineering for RSTP call for projects
Planning Commission
The McFarland Planning Commission is holding a regular meeting with no public hearings or planning discussion items on the agenda. The only substantive item is a presentation on Planning Commissioner roles and responsibilities. The rest of the agenda consists of routine procedures such as call to order, roll call, public comment, and adjournment.
- Presentation on Planning Commissioner Roles and Responsibilities
- No public hearings scheduled
- No planning discussion items scheduled
City Council
The McFarland City Council will hold a public hearing and consider adopting Resolution No. 2021-0054, which approves the annual operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2021-2022. The proposed budget includes $6,680,671 in General Fund expenditures, a projected surplus of about $131,241, and over $1,800,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for water safety, public safety, infrastructure, and revenue recovery. The agenda also includes an expense approval report totaling $156,449.75 for payments made between September 1 and September 15, 2021.
- Adoption of FY 2021-2022 budget (Resolution 2021-0054) with $6,680,671 General Fund expenditures
- Expense approval report totaling $156,449.75, including $87,480.56 to R&F Disposal for garbage and recycling fees
- Health insurance premiums to Keenan & Associates totaling $68,301.24 for September 2021
- Approval of Contract Change Order #4 with Superior Construction for EV charging station at 100 E. Industrial Street
- Establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee to review city ordinances and business development opportunities
City Council
The McFarland City Council is reviewing and approving a list of expenses for the period of August 16-31, 2021. The agenda consists solely of an expense approval report, with no other policy items or discussions. The largest single vendor payment is $19,185 to CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLP for accounting services.
- $19,185 to CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLP for accounting services
- $10,600 to De Lapide and Ass. Inc for General Plan work
- $4,529.94 to Cintas for AED equipment and supplies
- $4,157.01 to Dana Safety Supply for protective supplies
- $2,709.87 to Brenntag Pacific for water treatment chemicals
City Council
The McFarland City Council is holding a special meeting to consider several administrative items: approving a resolution to continue operations into FY 2021-22 at the previous year's appropriation levels until a final budget is adopted, approving a facility use agreement for city-owned properties, and changing the dates of September regular meetings and the City Manager job posting deadline. The agenda is largely procedural, with no major policy decisions or public hearings.
- Resolution 2021-0052 to continue FY 2020-21 budget into FY 2021-22 until Sept 30 or budget adoption
- Facility Use Agreement for Veteran's Hall, parks, and other city facilities with rental rates (e.g., Veteran's Hall $75/hr, deposit $350)
- Change September regular meetings from Sept 9 to 16 and Sept 23 to 30
- Move City Manager job posting deadline from Oct 10 to Sept 10
City Council
The McFarland City Council will hold public hearings and consider approving two vesting tentative tract maps for new housing developments totaling 350 residential units, along with a development agreement with LeOra LLC. The council will also consider certifying the Final EIR and adopting the Comprehensive 2040 General Plan. Other items include approving a warrant register of $231,440.90, a contract with Lexipol for a policy manual, and various facility use agreements.
- Vesting Tentative Tract Map 7393: 167 residential houses, neighborhood park, drainage sump
- Vesting Tentative Tract Map 7394: 183 residential houses
- Resolution No. 2021-0047: Adopt Initial Study and Negative Declaration for Tracts 7393/7394
- Ordinance No. 0006-2021: Development Agreement with LeOra LLC for Tracts 7393/7394
- Resolution No. 2021-0050: Certify Final EIR and adopt Comprehensive 2040 General Plan
Planning Commission
The McFarland Planning Commission is holding a special meeting to discuss and recommend two items to the City Council: a development agreement with LeOra LLC for a 350-home residential project on 74.44 acres at Taylor and Garzoli Avenues, and the adoption of the city's 2040 General Plan. Both items are public hearings where the commission will receive testimony and vote on resolutions to forward to the City Council.
- Development agreement with LeOra LLC for Tract 7393 and 7394 (APN 060-090-29), 74.44 acres at Taylor Ave/Garzoli Ave, for up to 350 single-family homes
- Resolution No. 2021-0009PC recommending approval of Ordinance No. 0006-2021 for the development agreement
- Resolution No. 2021-0010PC recommending adoption of the 2040 General Plan
- Environmental review via Negative Declaration under CEQA
- Public comments limited to 2 minutes per person
Planning Commission
The McFarland Planning Commission is holding a special meeting with two public hearings. They will consider recommending approval of a development agreement with LeOra LLC for a 350-home residential project on 74.44 acres, and will also recommend the 2040 General Plan to the City Council. Both items are recommendations; final decisions rest with the City Council.
- Development agreement with LeOra LLC for Tract 7393 and 7394 (APN 060-090-29), southwest of Taylor Ave/Garzoli Ave, for up to 350 single-family homes
- Resolution No. 2021-0009PC recommending approval of Ordinance No. 0006-2021 for the development agreement
- Resolution No. 2021-0010PC recommending adoption of the 2040 General Plan
- Environmental review: Negative Declaration prepared under CEQA
- Project site: 74.44 acres, zoned R-1 Single Family Residential
City Council
The City Council will discuss and potentially approve a letter of intent to pursue an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the US Marshals Service and The GEO Group, Inc. for the Western Region Detention Facility in San Diego, CA. The agreement could generate approximately $500,000 in annual administrative fees for the city. The council will also review a sample services contract and a prior 2015 ICE agreement as references.
- Potential IGA with US Marshals Service for Western Region Detention Facility in San Diego, CA
- Administrative service fee of approximately $500,000 annually
- Partnership with The GEO Group, Inc. to operate the facility
- Review of 2015 ICE Intergovernmental Service Agreement with GEO
- Authorization for City Manager or Mayor to sign initiation letter
Planning Commission
This is a regular meeting of the McFarland Planning Commission. The agenda contains only procedural items such as call to order, roll call, pledge of allegiance, and public comment guidelines. No substantive decisions or discussions are listed.
- Public comment period with 2-minute limit per person
- ADA accommodation contact information provided
City Council
The McFarland City Council is reviewing a list of routine expenses paid between July 16 and July 31, 2021. The agenda consists solely of an expense approval report, with no other policy items or discussions listed. The report details payments to various vendors for services, supplies, and employee benefits.
- Payment of $9,148.88 to Proffitt Construction Inc. for Superior Construction invoice
- Payment of $7,227.09 to THE BANCORP BANK for July 2021 lease payment
- Payment of $5,740.00 to BHT Engineering for Interstate Tract TTM 7393 and TPM 12412 plan check
- Payment of $3,077.16 to Jim Burke for vehicle services
- Payment of $2,078.68 to J's Automotive for fleet repairs
Planning Commission
The McFarland Planning Commission will hold a regular meeting to swear in newly appointed commissioners, approve the June 22, 2021 meeting minutes, and appoint a new chair and vice chair. No public hearings are scheduled. The agenda is largely procedural, with the only substantive action being the officer appointments.
- Swearing in of newly appointed Planning Commissioners Luis Sarabia and Jose Hernandez
- Approval of June 22, 2021 regular meeting minutes
- Appointment of new Planning Commission Chair and Vice Chairman
City Council
The McFarland City Council will hold a special meeting to discuss and possibly adopt a resolution to continue the current fiscal year's budget appropriations into the next fiscal year until a new budget is adopted. They will also hear findings from an ad hoc committee on employee job descriptions and organizational structure, and consider authorizing the city manager to hire an accounting firm to assist with audits for FY 2019-2020 and FY 2020-2021.
- Resolution to continue FY 2020-2021 budget appropriations through August 31, 2021
- Report and discussion on ad hoc committee findings regarding employee job descriptions and city organizational structure
- Possible approval to hire a CPA firm for audits of FY 2019-2020 and FY 2020-2021 (amount not specified)
- Recommendation to adopt the 2021-2022 Annual Budget by August 26, 2021
City Council
The McFarland City Council will hold a regular meeting on June 24, 2021, to consider several administrative items, including adopting the annual operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2021-2022, approving a CDBG-CV grant application, and amending two CARES Act grant agreements with Kern County. The council will also hear a presentation on road funding and reconstruction basics and discuss possibly terminating a landscape maintenance agreement with the McFarland Parks District. Public hearings are not scheduled.
- Resolution 2021-0038 adopting the FY 2021-2022 operating and capital budgets
- Resolution 2021-0037 approving application for 2020 CDBG-CV2 and CV3 grant funding
- Amendment 1 and Amendment 2 to CARES Act grant agreements with Kern County
- Possible termination of landscape maintenance agreement with McFarland Parks District
- Consent agenda includes warrant register of $556,259.04
Planning Commission
The McFarland Planning Commission will hold a special meeting to review and possibly approve a site plan for a convenience store with 10 fuel pumps and a fast food restaurant on a 1.43-acre parcel south of E. Sherwood Ave. The project is categorically exempt from CEQA. Staff recommends approval of the conditions of approval, CEQA exemption, and site plan.
- Site plan review for convenience store (3,500 sq ft) with 10 fuel pumps and fast food restaurant (1,950 sq ft) at APN 201-070-04, 59, & 60
- Project located south of E. Sherwood Ave., east of railroad and Hwy-99
- CEQA categorical exemption under Section 15332 (in-fill development)
- Joint parking reduces parking requirement by 9 spaces; 59 spaces proposed
- Lease of corner area for a monopole and block wall along back end to block noise/view of Hwy-99
Planning Commission
The McFarland Planning Commission will hold a regular meeting on June 15, 2021, to discuss and possibly approve two vesting tentative tract maps (7393 and 7394) for Leora LLC residential developments, a zoning ordinance amendment for home occupations, and a parcel map waiver for the Sherwood Milestone Apartment Project. The agenda also includes a presentation on the annexation process by LAFCo and approval of prior meeting minutes. No public hearings are scheduled.
- Vesting Tentative Tract Map 7393 for Leora LLC development (near Garzoli Ave and Taylor Ave)
- Vesting Tentative Tract Map 7394 for Leora LLC development (37.38 acres, 183 residential lots, SW corner of Taylor Ave & Garzoli Ave)
- Zoning ordinance amendment to Chapters 17.04.340, 17.123.020, 17.04.350 and adopt Chapters 17.153.010-17.153.070 (Home Occupation)
- Parcel Map Waiver for Sherwood Milestone Apartment Project
- Presentation of Annexation Process by LAFCo
City Council
The McFarland City Council will hold a regular meeting with several routine consent items, including approval of warrants and payroll, and a $5,000 donation to the McFarland Recreation and Parks for the Independence Day fireworks show. The main administrative items are an urgency ordinance to increase fines for fireworks violations, a resolution to place a special assessment on a property at 264 Browning Road, and second readings of ordinances regulating garage/yard sales and vending from vehicles. No public hearings are scheduled.
- Urgency Ordinance No. 0005-2021 amending administrative citation fines for fireworks violations
- Resolution No. 2021-0036 authorizing special assessment on 264 Browning Road (APN 201-164-20-00-8) to be placed on tax roll
- Second reading of Ordinance No. 0003-2021 regulating garage/yard sales
- Second reading of Ordinance No. 0004-2021 regulating vending from vehicles and license taxes
- $5,000 donation to McFarland Recreation and Parks for Independence Day fireworks
City Council
The McFarland City Council held a special meeting on June 4, 2021, to listen to a presentation on the draft annual operating and capital budget for fiscal year 2021-2022. The meeting was a listening session only; no action was taken. The Finance Director presented revenue projections, capital improvement projects, and proposed uses of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Public comment was limited to agenda items.
- General Fund revenue projected at $3,132,736 for FY 2021-22, a decrease of $112,446 from FY 2021
- Enterprise Fund (water, sewer, refuse) revenue projected at $5,139,580 for FY 2021-22
- Capital improvement projects totaling $16,321,216, including Police Department expansion, street projects (West Kern, Davis Street, 6th St), and transit improvements
- ARPA funding of $2,916,000; $701,432 committed or recommended, including $25,000 for police protective gear, $85,000 for animal control vehicle, and $112,446 for revenue recovery
- Departmental ARPA requests totaling $595,000, including $300,000 for City Hall generator and $150,000 for police radios and command post trailer
City Council
This is a special meeting of the McFarland City Council and related municipal entities. The only substantive item is a closed-session discussion with legal counsel regarding existing litigation against The Dow Chemical Company. The rest of the agenda is procedural, including approval of prior closed-session minutes and standard public comment rules.
- Closed session: Conference with legal counsel on City of McFarland vs. The Dow Chemical Company, Case No. CGC18568838
- Approval of May 13, 2021, closed session minutes
Planning Commission
The McFarland Planning Commission will hold a special meeting to consider two related subdivision requests from Leora LLC for a 76.95-acre almond orchard site at the southwest corner of Taylor and Garzoli Avenues. The first is a parcel map to split the property into two parcels, and the second is a tentative tract map to create 167 residential lots, a park site, and a drainage sump on one of those parcels. Staff recommends approval of both, subject to conditions. The meeting is otherwise procedural with no public hearings or consent items.
- Tentative Parcel Map 12412: divide 76.95 acres into two parcels (37.38 and 38.58 acres) for Leora LLC
- Tentative Tract Map 7393: create 167 residential lots, park site, and drainage sump on 38.70 acres
- Both projects are at the southwest corner of Taylor Ave and Garzoli Ave, across from Horizon Elementary
- Environmental review: Parcel map is CEQA-exempt (Section 15315); tract map has a Negative Declaration in process
- Staff recommends approval subject to conditions including design guidelines, landscaping, and indemnification
City Council
The McFarland City Council will hold public hearings on two proposed ordinances: one to update garage/yard sale regulations and another to govern vending from vehicles and license tax rates. The council will also discuss and possibly approve several administrative items, including a contract for an Urban Water Management Plan, use of American Rescue Plan Act funds for a new animal control vehicle, and resolutions related to crosswalk upgrades and public comment procedures.
- Ordinance No. 0003-2021: Amends garage/yard sale regulations (Municipal Code 5.48)
- Ordinance No. 0004-2021: Amends vending from vehicles and license tax rates (Municipal Code 5.44, 5.04)
- Possible approval of $83,049.18 for a new animal control vehicle using American Rescue Plan Act funds
- Resolution No. 2021-0033: Approves agreement for crosswalk upgrades at multiple intersections (Perkins Ave, Sherwood Ave, Kern Ave)
- Resolution No. 2021-0034: Amends public comment procedures for council meetings
Planning Commission
The McFarland Planning Commission will discuss and possibly approve a parcel map for the Leora LLC development, a 76.95-acre residential subdivision near Garzoli and Taylor Avenues. The project includes two tentative tract maps with a total of 350 single-family homes. The commission will also review conditions of approval for the project.
- Discussion of Tentative Tract Map for Leora LLC development (Tracts #7393 & #7394)
- Possible approval of Parcel Map 12412 for Leora LLC development near Garzoli Ave and Taylor Ave
- Project includes 350 lots on 76.95 acres, with 159 homes in Tract 7393 and 183 in Tract 7394
- Conditions of approval include park site dedication, street name approval, and agricultural disclosure
- Approval of minutes from April 20, 2021 meeting