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City council begins east side area planning

By Eiji Yamashita
eyamashita@HanfordSentinel.com

Hanford is poised to develop a vision for revitalizing the east side of downtown, a project recently deemed a top priority by city leaders.

On Tuesday, the Hanford City Council, acting as the Community Development Agency, is expected to approve the hiring of M. W. Steele Group of San Diego to help complete the east side area plan for $75,000, taking a key step to figuring out how the area could best be redeveloped to maximize its economic potential.

As part of the work, the consultant will work closely with stakeholders downtown and property owners in and around the project area, officials say. Among the tasks is to establish an 18-member project steering committee made up of city council members as well as representatives from city business promotion agencies and concerned business owners and property owners.

There will be a study session discussion on the matter at 4 p.m., followed by a decision later in the evening.

Members of the council will also discuss hiring a lobbyist as they seek to develop a relationship with the federal government. After interviewing six firms, they are looking to hire Washington, D.C.-based Simon and Company for $26,000 a year.

In other business, the council will:

* consider approving the application for a $1.7 million grant to build new water wells and improve water infrastructure to provide potable water to the Four Seasons Mobile Park, the Lacey Courts Mobile Home and the Hamblin subdivision. Because of water quality problems, the state is asking the city to allow these developments to connect into the city's water system.

* hold a public hearing to approve an application for the second round of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant funding. The city is seeking $1.5 million through the process in order to expand its program to help first-time home buyers, buy, fix up and sell foreclosed homes in the area of Hanford-Armona Road and 12th Avenue.

* approve the permanent revocation of the taxicab business license for Kings Cab.

The Hanford City Council meets for a study session at 4 p.m. and reconvenes for a regular session at 7:30 p.m. every first and third Tuesday in the Council Chambers, Civic Auditorium, 400 N. Douty St.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2429.

(July 6, 2009)

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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Hanford Sentinel

Americantaxpayer wrote on Jul 6, 2009 1:40 PM:

" Once again our City Council Members are using out of city contractors to perform job tasks our local contractors could do. These elected officials just don't get it. They preach for us to spend our money in Hanford but then they go spend money on outside contractors. We need to change our City Council and vote these people out. They demonstrate time and time again they can't perform the job they where elected to! What makes matters worse is that we re-elected these people because we are either too lazy or just don’t care to learn the issues at hand and allow another person to take a seat on the City Council to enact the needed change we all desperately need. The city needs to attract new companies to come here that pay more than minimum wage. How can the people of Hanford grow and prosper when only fast food chains and big box stores come here with $8.00 an hour and no benefits. Change is needed! All our elected officials currently in office should not be re-elected. Keeping them in office will only delay the changes we need! "

Big John wrote on Jul 6, 2009 5:19 PM:

" Americantaxpayer wrote:

“What makes matters worse is that we re-elected these people because we are either too lazy or just don’t care to learn the issues at hand and allow another person to take a seat on the City Council to enact the needed change we all desperately need.”

From my vantage point I think you’ve hit the nail on the head – too lazy and don’t care. The city council recently held budget hearing and only 3 members of the public attended (and I’d wager not one was a blogger here).

If anyone really wanted change they do something other than tilt at windmills…

-Big John "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 6, 2009 5:50 PM:

" Americantaxpayer wrote on Jul 6, 2009 1:40 PM:
Put it to you this way, we need to start shopping around for our home health care providers (outside the area), no more local trophy buying and the farm dairy issue is taking care of itself. Those who participate in losing their money at the Palace. They have a representative in this mess too, so think twice before giving up your money out there. Take it to Table Mountain, better chance of winning anyway.

Why should someone they hire out of the area be directed to work with downtown businesses on an East Side Project? Most of what they are discussing as far as infrastructure is on Lacey Blvd.

Now the city wants to compete with citizens for the cost of affordable property south of the freeway. A place they look to last to develop in any other way. They build one water sanctuary in a park and now they want to purchase the good stuff over here. Carl Spackler, I thought you said the city wouldn’t develop the south side, it wasn’t profitable enough? Seems like times they are a changing! "

Carl.Spackler wrote on Jul 6, 2009 9:31 PM:

" Fred, you said:

"Now the city wants to compete with citizens for the cost of affordable property south of the freeway. A place they look to last to develop in any other way. They build one water sanctuary in a park and now they want to purchase the good stuff over here. Carl Spackler, I thought you said the city wouldn’t develop the south side, it wasn’t profitable enough? Seems like times they are a changing! "

I honestly have no idea what you are talking about. Can you craft that comment another way so I can follow? Thanks "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 7, 2009 7:31 AM:

" To: Carl Spackler, the last grant money the city got they tried to sell the property and turn a profit, how soon you forget.

You think they won't try and turn a profit around this corner, you have another thing coming. Hanford is the only city, I've seen try and turn a profit on grant money.

"hold a public hearing to approve an application for the second round of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant funding. The city is seeking $1.5 million through the process in order to expand its program to help first-time home buyers, buy, fix up and sell foreclosed homes in the area of Hanford-Armona Road and 12th Avenue" "

manuel wrote on Jul 7, 2009 8:03 AM:

" When is the Council going to get a vision to help the community in the SOUTH side of hanford? it seems their vision is always to the north "

ashley wrote on Jul 7, 2009 10:03 AM:

" Isn't there only ONE other taxi cab service in the area, or is this the ONLY taxi cab service in the area? Have they done something so agregious as to have their business license pulled? Oh and I agree; as residents and taxpayers of kings county we are asked continually, especially in these tough economic times, to buy local and support local business. How is the city council practicing that by hiring an out of the area firm? "

transplant wrote on Jul 7, 2009 1:25 PM:

" Since AmericanTaxpayer and Fred are so well informed and believe the Council did the wrong thing, perhaps they can explain how many LOCAL firms actually applied for either the lobbyist position or the east side plan? You can't appoint anyone local if none applied. "

R4Revolt wrote on Jul 7, 2009 4:19 PM:

" Another study?! Serious? How many more studies are we going to waste our money on. The fire dept. spent $28K for a station location study and the City is not building the two stations it recommended. Thanks for keeping us safe! The recreation dept. is going to spend $70K for a 10 year master plan. For what? 10 years of pool hours, basketball and softball games, fun runs, mystery dinners, golf trips... Ridiculous. What are we paying these department heads over $100K a year for? They should be able to since they all have bachelor degrees. Maybe not since the City Council dropped the educational requirements for city manager to appoint Misenhimer. Take care of our safety first. All of this after two firefighters and police officers are being cut. I don't know how you spend your own money but I know that if I can't provide for my family's safety (PD/Fire) I am not going to go out and buy a boat (recreation). Time for new council members. Keep Sorensen and get rid of the rest. RECALL!! REVOLT!! "

Big John wrote on Jul 7, 2009 5:28 PM:

" WDF said: “the last grant money the city got they tried to sell the property and turn a profit, how soon you forget.”

Fred, I thought the last grant Hanford received was for police seatbelt checkpoints. Is the city now trying to sell seatbelts?

What are you talking about?...

-Big John "

R4Revolt wrote on Jul 7, 2009 8:05 PM:

" Ooops. Meant to say that these department heads should be able to write their own plans and do their own studies since they should all have bachelor degrees and they are getting paid over $100K a year.
Maybe the department heads should all give back their 10% raises they all got over a year ago along with Misenhimer's ridiculous retirment padding raise. It's ironic that all of these dept heads got these raises when they are all so close to retirement. This would save the City about $10K a month. Better yet; give the department heads and city manager all golden handshakes. It will save the same amount of money and we can get some new blood in (hopefully from the outside). "

Carl.Spackler wrote on Jul 7, 2009 9:50 PM:

" R4Revolt - The city did buy 2 fire station sites. One by Frontier School and one at 12th/Hanford-Armona. "

Carl.Spackler wrote on Jul 7, 2009 9:56 PM:

" Fred - It sounds like the city will take the grant and dispurse it to qualified buyers to facilitate the purchase and rehabiltation of vacant homes. ALthough I'm not in the habit of endorsing the handing out of free money it does sound like a good plan to help the city burn through the inventory of vacant bank owned houses. I would be there will be some clause that won't allow the grant recipient to sell for a certain time frame. I'm guessing the Sentinel got that part wrong but I don't really know for sure. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 8, 2009 5:44 PM:

" To: -“big john”- oh ye of little faith.

If you would pay attention -big john, almost everyone knows I was referring to the land grab of the plunge, fire house and Serpa’s former used car lot. Those who aren’t paying attention wouldn’t know what I was talking about. We know what category you fit in.

The City received millions in grant money and spent it to rebuild/remodel the plunge and build the skate park. Then in the City Council’s infinite wisdom, chose to offer the property for sale to one individual and only one who had a six-month option to buy those properties.

Then the market took a nose dive, building stood still and the individual backed out on the purchase.

Of course after several people complained about the idea to begin with, not to mention the fact the Grant Money in the millions would have been mandated to be paid back.

What profit would have been derived from the sale, good question once the money was paid back? "

R4Revolt wrote on Jul 9, 2009 2:04 PM:

" To: Carl.Spackler
You wrote: "The city did buy 2 fire station sites. One by Frontier School and one at 12th/Hanford-Armona."

The city also bought land at 7th and Campus about 8 years ago for the third station. Where is the third station? Now we have three lots of land and no fire stations. Nothing has changed. Emply sites do not save lives.

PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST. PD and FD! "

Big John wrote on Jul 9, 2009 4:45 PM:

" The City of Hanford has 2 stations, plus one in the design phase. They also own property at two more locations. The general Plan calls for a total of 5, when city growth justifies the additions.

Given the location of the two we have, the current tested response time numbers and our economic situation, I think we’re fine for now.

-Big John "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 9, 2009 5:36 PM:

" “Abracadabra” this is where the three story parking garages, comes into play. How much of the city kitty do you want to bet on this one?

It will be interesting to see what $75,000.00 can buy, when we have architectural firms abounding, in Visalia and Fresno.

But we have to reach down to the San Diego area to find adequate designers, Why? The firms in Visalia are good enough for the state to assign them contracts to design and oversee building our schools. But not qualified to redevelop the downtown area? Who, pray-tell developed downtown Visalia?

One local Architect designed the Bus Depot next to the Amtrak Train Depot. I wonder if this new designer might also design a depot for the new bullet train between San Francisco and Los Angeles?

Once again money is spent on downtown the pet project of the City Council and the Planning Commission. Why don’t they surprise us sometime, with development of other parts of the city?

Is it impossible for all the street lights to work at the same time? "

ValleyVoter wrote on Jul 9, 2009 9:17 PM:

" To R4Revolt,

Your comments are right on regarding the City and its raises. The biggest bill is when these Department Heads retire when they are 62-65 years old and live for anohter 20 years getting full pay, medical benefits, and regular cost of living increases. And we pay for it.

Police have the biggest gobstopper of a message of any of the City entities. How often has the multi-miliion dollar mechanical SWAT monster been used and how many lives has it saved?

We read a lot in the news about ethics, good use of money, good fiscal planning etc. Why has the City of Hanford, its City Manager, the City Council not been brought up on ethics charges for taking this money for a toy and parking it? Does not matter if it is Federal money and a grant. Anything would have been better use than what it is now being used for- a giant parking place holder. "

R4Revolt wrote on Jul 9, 2009 9:27 PM:

" Dear Big John: You sound like a council member because you "think" we are fine for now. Do you even know where your two stations are at and what is an acceptable response time? Do you even know how many firefighters are on duty each day? If you did then you would know that we are in grave danger of additional stations and personnel. Plans and designs mean nothing when you don't follow through and they sit on a shelf. What other justifications do we need? The fire department is 45% below their response time objective. 45% of the citizens receive services below the standard. What if the police department was 45% below their crime reduction objective? What if refuse only picked up the garbage on time 45% of the time? What if only 45% of the parks were well maintained? What if 45% of the streets were in bad condition? This would be unacceptable to the public. I understand the times are bad but when we have less firefighters on duty today than we did 30 years ago; that's a problem. "

Big John wrote on Jul 10, 2009 2:05 AM:

" Although I am not an elected official I am actively involved in Hanford. I stopped tilting at windmills long ago and simply got involved.

Because I’m engaged in the process I can tell you from firsthand experience that only 3 members of the public attended the recent City of Hanford budget meetings. Three out of over 50,000 residents took the time to show up and provide feedback. By direct evidence, therefore, I can say with certainty people are either happy with the path the City is on or are too lazy to leave their couch (and therefore have abdicated their right to complain).

Blogging here has never been correlated with taking action. If you really care then attend any meeting of our local elected officials and get involved. If you are happy with the status quo, just keep blogging.

-Big John "

ValleyVoter wrote on Jul 10, 2009 10:57 AM:

" To R4Revolt
Your last post makes me laugh. Are you a firefighter on duty writing this stuff? We live in Hanford. The police mostly give out tickets to soccer moms and put together goofy "drunk driver" traps in the safest least likely part of town to find a drunk driver.

The great Chicago fire did not happen here and the fireman mostly cook, watch tv, and lift weights. "

smoke eater wrote on Jul 10, 2009 1:09 PM:

" to valley voter and big john,
I am a fire dept member and am quite alarmed at your responses. you are correct that the great chicago fire didnt happen here. Fire dept.'s are here for more than just fires. The 45% numbers have more significance than you think. The hanford fire dept. only makes about 45% of its calls in under 5 minutes. did you know that brain death occures in this time frame if not provided oxygen in a rapid amount of time. If you believe that all we do is eat, watch tv and lift weights, you are sadly misinformed. please come and do a ride along with your local fire dept. to see what we really do. Trust me with your life as you do every day without even knowing it. The day is coming when the citizens calls will go unanswered because we are commited on another call. You owe it to yourself to become more informed not just more involved. "

smoke eater wrote on Jul 10, 2009 1:20 PM:

" How much money does the city need to spend on studies to tell them what to do? I have attended council meetings in the past and have become disgusted with the spending. I dont disagree with eastside development but do take issue with the decisions that they are making when it is at the cost of safety. multiple posts i have read that say the city bought land for the next two stations, this is correct. do you have any idea when they might build these two stations? My guess is that it is on the five year plan. Haha. I bet if you ask the city fathers they dont know either. They probably dont know and dont care. Thanks City Council for putting the citizens of Hanford myself included, in harms way. "

Alihandero wrote on Jul 10, 2009 4:17 PM:

" Well Big John,

OK, you say you are "engaged in the process" and can show up for meetings; we get it, props to you sir.

But you are wrong when you imply we can change things solely by frequenting meetings as you do.

Some citizens simply cannot attend city and/or county meetings due to being legally disabled with decreased mobility, on continuous oxygen therapy, or have other serious health issues. Some have schedules that conflict with the posted meeting dates/times. Some live/work too far away, have no transportation, or have any number of other conflicts. That's why cable/on the air televised meetings would give us more useful access to the political process.

Voting is most crucial to foster change. Other active participation includes personal and public letter writing, personal phone calls to officials, emails, blogging discussions, forum participation, poll and focus group participation, and so on. And some - if not most - can be indeed done from a couch, Big John.

If you are attempting to motivate this community of bloggers into action using your twin motivators of 'shame' and 'disdain' you need to take community organizing lessons from Obama and ACORN. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 10, 2009 5:13 PM:

" To: -big john- who cares what you think?

O.K. you are attending meetings, can you point to one item on the city council agenda that has been changed or improved by you showing up for the stupid meetings?

No, you can't, because one voice in the crowd and three amateurs are exactly what they expect they have to deal with in The Council Chambers.

That is why they say they are for public broadcasted meetings to the four of you. In their closed door sessions, they are fighting the broadcasts’ tooth and nail.

They can't even keep up with the city minutes posting on their own web-site, -big john-.
Why, it is almost a duplicate report each week. They could copy and paste six months of it at a time?

You can honestly sit in a chair in the Council Chamber and say they are doing a fine job representing those who get four minutes before a microphone to state their case? When the City Councilpersons have all week long to call and discuss and plot and plan their agendas? "

Big John wrote on Jul 10, 2009 5:42 PM:

" Alihandero,

I welcome and support participation in all its many forms. From direct experience speaking with our elected representatives I’m saddened to report that so far it just isn’t happening (even occasionally). The silence truly is deafening.

I understand that some people, for a myriad of reasons, just can’t make it to meetings. But out of the 50,000+ residence of Hanford one would think a few, if they were truly concerned, would figure out a way to communicate with those capable of enacting change. Again, it just isn’t happening.

You suggest voting is the path to change. The last five elections have proven the exact opposite – people (those that even vote) make worse choices each election cycle. Besides, the next election is too long a period to wait for something so important.

So, get up off the couch and at least call your elected representative. You may not realize the change you seek but at least you’ll have made an attempt. Who knows, it just might help.

-Big John "

Joe Friday wrote on Jul 10, 2009 11:03 PM:

" I think some credit is due for the city council finally turning an eye toward redevelopment in downtown. After so much focus on the conversion of farmland to retail in western Hanford; I for one am glad to see moves to improve our eastern downtown area.

While I have often been critical of Hanford City Council actions, I urge my fellow residents to at least take a wait and see approach. I want to be cautiously optimistic and hope this is a new focus by the council and developers on downtown redevelopment. "

Big John wrote on Jul 11, 2009 12:01 AM:

" Watchdog Fred,

I appreciate that keeping your identity private is more important than getting involved. That is your right.

I also understand you have given up on trying to bring about change and would not call your representative if your life depended on it. Again, that is your right.

But please don't chastise those who are still participating in the process and are trying to make a difference. That truly is un-American.

-Big John "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 11, 2009 2:22 PM:

" To: -big john" rides again

"You suggest voting is the path to change. The last five elections have proven the exact opposite – people (those that even vote) make worse choices each election cycle. Besides, the next election is too long a period to wait for something so important.

Why "big john" because the City Council has gone unnoticed due to their lack of communication with there constituents. You make the best platform from which to launch Comcast Broadcasting of the City Council Meetings. The electorate would be better informed which is everyone's goal to get an honest ballot in this county and city of ours. Thanks for demonstrating to us, that the broadcasting is needed, I knew you really agreed with that inactment. Who knows if a few people see other people being listend to by the City Council and given ample time to present their case, more people may come forward attend the meetings and air their grievances. I'd be surprised to find out that is what the City Council wants, but it is what their constituents want, need and desire. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 11, 2009 2:27 PM:

" To -big john" wrote on Jul 11, 2009 12:01 AM:

First of all my identity may not be what I am protecting, I have family still living here, I have a wife who although she agrees with a lot of what I say doesn't need to be involved with her surname posted all over the newspaper. That I do choose to keep under wraps, simply because it is none of yours or anyone else's business who they are. Is that clear enough for ya -big little john-? "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 19, 2009 4:46 PM:

" Like this is some big secret that many of us didn't see coming. When I suggested east sides, I meant somewhere east of 10th Avenue not East of Douty Street, did someone get it confused?

We shouldn't be building empires’ for a few and letting so many do without services and improvements if you ask the Watchdog? Why should the main street in town be paved with gold while the surrounding suburban areas decay to waste and devalued to zero?

Smart and Final was smart enough to take advantage of cheaper real estate and relocate to the east of 10th Avenue. A couple of car dealers, bowling alley, bars and the sales yard seem to think it is worthy of their investment. A former City Council Woman, thought it was prime location for her business.

The area north between Racee Lacey Blvd. and Grangeville Blvd. is prime for the taking and improving as well. Why no progress along these lines? Why no re-paving, infrastructure or city incorporation? Your present city yard is located in the former County grounds, for crying out loud. I see you adding onto it? "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 26, 2009 5:31 PM:

" A suggestion that I think would provide a real service to the city and to the people residing in it, might be to build industrial arts facilities in this designated area. We really don’t have a hands on training course for mechanical repair, body work, welding of various types available here in Hanford.

Something on the basis of Wyotech for automobiles and motorcycles you could even include semi trucks and farm equipment machinery. We already have some existing platforms with more than adequate foundations in place. In several of the car dealerships property that is no longer functioning as a dealership. Those who maintained a shop and repair facility, simply refurbish it and supply the necessary faculty and tools and the students will come. Not only would this be beneficial to Hanford, the entire San Joaquin Valley could gain from it.

This would aid the population in this area in multiple ways. You could send your vehicle in for repairs at a much lower rate and know that professionals are guiding the repairs being made to it. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 26, 2009 5:32 PM:

" But it would also be a resource for local car dealers to obtain trained and professional mechanics, body works, welders, frame specialists, not to mention for the Agriculture Community, farm equipment mechanics and truck mechanics.

The current High School and College courses don’t comply with all their teaching needs. Wouldn’t it be unique to drive a cotton picker or harvester up to a garage and have it worked on by professionals working to develop their skills in that particular field. With as many car collectors as this town and the surrounding community has, a nice hot rod clinic complete with people who speak hot rod would be advantageous.

Not to mention the jobs something of this magnitude would bring to the surrounding community and the jobs it would create in the community. How many times must a dairyman call Iowa or somewhere else in the mid-west to get answers that could be supplied right here. "

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