Documenter: Ramiro Merino

Here’s what you need to know

• The City Council approved to adopt the resolution where the Family Healing Center will work collaboratively with the Kerman Police Department to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. 

• City Attorney Hilda Montoy provided an overview of the required redistricting for the city. Every 10 years, districts must be redrawn so that each district is substantially equal in population. This process, called redistricting, is important in ensuring that each city council member represents about the same number of constituents. In Kerman, the City Council is responsible for drawing four council districts and where the Mayor is elected at large. Redistricting is done using U.S. Census data, which is expected to be released in September 2021. For the City of Kerman, the redistricting process must be completed by April 17, 2022. 

• The Council approved the resolution between the City and Kerman Unified School District, where the District agrees to pay the City a total of $234,149 for the two School Resource Officers to provide specialized police services to the District. The fees paid will be used by the City to cover the cost of the salary, benefits, and equipment needed to perform duties of the SRO’s

Purpose of Agency

The City Council serves as the policy-making board of the City. The Kerman City Council has five members, which includes the Mayor and four Council members. The Mayor is elected for a two-term, and Council members are elected for four-year terms. The City Council meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Kerman City Hall, 850 S. Madera Ave. 

Kerman City Council Member Duties

Council members are the leaders and policy makers elected to represent various segments of the community and to concentrate on policy issues that are responsive to citizens’ needs and wishes. The City Manager is appointed by the City Council to carry out policy and ensure that the entire community is being served. Kerman City Administrator, Sonia Hall, handles the City’s day-to-day business with an “open-door policy” to community residents and businesses, where comments, concerns and suggestions are always welcome.

Kerman City Council Board Members

• Gary Yep, Mayor

• Kevin Nehring, Council Member for District 1

• Jennifer Coleman, Council Member for District 2 

• Ismael Herrera, Mayor Pro Tem and Council Member for District 3

• Bill Nijjer, Council Member for District 4

The Scene

The Kerman City Council meeting was held virtually on Zoom on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. The meeting probably began at 6 p.m., but I was in the Zoom waiting room for about 20 minutes before Marci Reyes, the City Clerk, allowed me in. She directly messaged me and apologized for the wait. The in-person meeting consisted of the five council members, including Mayor Gary Yep, Council members Kevin Nehring, Jennifer Coleman, Ismael Herrera, and Bill Nijjer. There were about eight other people in the meeting, including City Attorney Hilda Montoy, the City Clerk Marci Reyes, and Police Chief John Golden.There were multiple cameras directed at the Council members that were signed in for the meeting. Everyone in the City Hall meeting room wore masks the duration of the meeting.

You can find the agenda for the City Council meeting here

Presentations

There were no presentations or ceremonial matters. 

Consent Calendar

The City Council unanimously approved the items on the agenda, 5 to 0. 

• Subject: Minutes

  • Recommendations: Council approved minutes as presented. 

• Subject: Payroll

  • Report: 04/18/21 – 05/01/21: $165,349.05; Retro Pay & Other: $2,675.52; Overtime: $9,355.98; Standby: $955.48; Settlement: $19,500.00; Comp Time Earned: 28.13

  • Recommendation: Council approve payroll as presented. 

• Subject: Warrants

  • Nos. 20244-20388 $608,803.84 ACH $88,520.91

  • Recommendation: Council approve warrants and electronic bank transfers as presented. (Pursuant to Government Code 37208)

• Subject: Monthly Investment Report Ending April 30, 2021

  • Recommendation: Council accept the monthly investment report as presented. 

• Subject: Sober Graduation Month May 31 – June 30, 2021 

  • Recommendation: Council proclaims May 31 – June 30, 2021 as Sober Graduation Month.

• Subject: Resolution Approving Agreement with Family Healing Center (JFG)

  • Recommendation: Council by motion adopt a resolution approving agreement with Family Healing Center. 

• Subject: Resolution Approving Annual Agreement with Kerman Unified School District for School Resource Officers 

  • Recommendation: Council by motion adopt resolution approving annual agreement with the Kerman Unified School District for School Resource Officers. 

Public Hearings

There were no public hearings. 

Department Reports

Hilda Cantu Montoy, the City Attorney, presented on the Redistricting of City Council Districts in California. She stated that “AB 849: Fair Maps Act applies to cities and other entities that elect governing board members by districts. There are specific criteria and deadlines for adjusting new district boundaries. It is mandatory that there be a specific hearing procedure that would allow the public to provide input on the placement of boundaries and on proposed boundary maps. The Council is required to take specified steps to encourage City residents to participate in the redistricting process with extensive outreach requirements. With this legislation, we have to implement this by April 2022, so we have 8 months to make this work.” Before adopting a final map, the Council shall hold at least four public hearings at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the composition of the council districts. At least one public hearing is required before the Council draws a draft map. Afterwards, at least two public hearings are expected after the Council has drawn the draft map(s). At least one public hearing or public workshop shall be held on a Saturday, on a Sunday, or after 6 p.m. on a weekday Monday through Friday. The City must take steps to encourage residents, including those in underrepresented communities and non-English speaking communities, to participate in the redistricting public review process. A good faith effort satisfies the requirements. Live translations are required if requested by the public. Draft maps must be published on the internet for at least seven days before being adopted as a final map by the City Council. Current City Council members will be able to complete their terms and will not be affected by this change. The Council expressed their gratitude to Montoy for the overview. 

John Jansons, the City Manager, reported briefly on the Resolution to approve the contract with National Demographic Corporation to assist with the 2020 Census Redistricting Process. According to the website, NDC is “Nationally recognized as a pioneer in good government districting and redistricting. NDC is especially experienced in working with local jurisdictions in California, Arizona and Nevada. With over 250 successful county, city, school district, community college district, water district, and special district districting and redistricting projects completed, NDC is, by far, responsible for successfully districting and redistricting more local governments than any other firm.” As there was no discussion regarding this agenda item, the Council unanimously voted to approve this item. 

City Manager/Staff Communications

John Jansons introduced Jesus Orozco, the new Community Development Director. Mr. Orozco stated “It is a true pleasure of mine to work in the City of Kerman. I want to thank the staff for opening their arms and welcoming me to the community.”

Mayor/Council Reports

There were no Mayor or Council reports.

Closed Session

Councilmember Jennifer Coleman recused herself from the closed session because of financial interests. The Council went to closed session at 6:54 p.m. 

Adjournment

The Council resumed from closed session at 8:08 p.m. Since there was no further discussion, Mayor Yep adjourned the City Council meeting at 8:11 p.m.