City Council Meeting (2026-03-03)

City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 3, 2026 7:00 PM Council Chambers 400 N. Douty St. 4:00 PM CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION AND CLOSED SESSION: Mayor Kairis called the study session and closed session to order at 4:00 p.m. ROLL CALL BY THE CITY CLERK: Present: Absent: Council Member Mark Kairis Council Member Travis Paden Council Member Lou Martinez Council Member Kimber Regan Council Member Nancy Howze PUBLIC COMMENT: Study Sessions are considered Special Meetings under the Brown Act. Accordingly, comments from the public are limited to items listed on the agenda (GC 54954.3a). Public Comment will be accepted during each agenda item. A maximum of three minutes is allowed for each speaker. Please begin your comments by stating your name and providing your city of residence. Before the first presentation, the Mayor thanked the city's staff for their efforts at the YAC field for a successful grand opening of the concession stand. Judy Scott commented on the CDBG Action Plan and questioned the estimated allocation distribution and funding breakdown. STUDY SESSION: A. Review of the Draft Environmental Justice Element and Project Presentation with Mintier Harnish Deputy City Manager Jason Waters introduced the Mintier Harnish team, Michael Gibbons (Project Manager) and Nikki Zanchetta (Planner). Mr. Gibbons presented the draft Environmental Justice Element and shared community input. Council Member Paden asked about the scoring method and how disadvantaged areas in undeveloped locations were identified, as well as how affordable housing is addressed. The Council also raised concerns regarding water quality. The Mintier Harnish team responded to the Council’s questions and concerns. The City Attorney clarified that the presentation does not identify where affordable housing will be located. The presentation was informational only, and no action was taken. B. Review and Comment on the 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan

Housing Analyst Sandra Lerma presented the 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan for the Council’s review and input. Following public comment, the Council reached a consensus to reallocate the funds originally designated for King Community Action Organization (KCAO) to the Commission on Aging and directed staff to make the adjustment. Next steps include opening the public comment period and bringing the item back to the Council for formal adoption at a future meeting. Mayor Karis adjourned the Council meeting at 5:40 p.m. CLOSED SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING: A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (GC 54956.9(d)(4)) Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: 6 Cases B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (GC 54956.8) APNs: 012045001, 012045010, 012045004, 012045005, 012046019, 012046005, 012046006, 012046007, 012045001, 012045009, 012045008, 012045007, 012045006, 012045007 Negotiating Party: Solis Martin Vieyra & Araujo Fanny Castro, Miya Farms, PRE 4 LLC, MCMASTER, WILLIAM T & KATHLEEN S H/W, EBERT JEANNINE, ALANIS, RICHARD & LINDA TRUST, Agency Negotiators: Chris Tavarez, Jason Waters, and Nick Matoian CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION: Mayor Kairis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Absent: Council Member Mark Kairis Council Member Travis Paden Council Member Lou Martinez Council Member Kimber Regan Council Member Nancy Howze INVOCATION: The invocation was led by Pastor Bobby Guerra. FLAG SALUTE: The flag salute was led by Mayor Kairis. CLOSED SESSION ACTION REPORT: None. RECOGNITION: A. Badge Pinning Ceremony and Oath of Office for Officers Brandon Barrera, Efrain Nieto, Sean Snodgrass, Nancy Gallegos, and Francisco Segoviano Chief Huddleston introduced the new officers and City Clerk, Natalie Corral, administered the oath of office. Officer

Gallegos was not present for the badge pinning ceremony. PUBLIC COMMENT: This is the time for citizens to comment on subject matters within the jurisdiction of the Hanford City Council. This is also the public’s opportunity to request an item from the Consent Calendar be pulled for discussion purposes or to comment on any item on the agenda. State law does not allow the Council to discuss or take action on issues not on the agenda, except that members of the Council or staff may briefly respond to statements made or questions posed by persons exercising their public testimony rights (Gov. Code sec. 54954.2). A maximum of three minutes is allowed for each speaker. Please begin your comments by stating your name and providing your city of residence. Pastor Vincent thanked the Council and city staff for their assistance with their upcoming event in Civic Park. Nathan Butch talked about the Cameron family, his involvement with the Carnegie Museum and the Kings Art Festival, and provided suggestions for art displays in the City of Hanford. Jack Schwartz talked about the new exhibition at the Carnegie Museum and shared the details. He also gave the Council a history quiz. Bob Ramos commented on the oath of office wording. He also asked about the car show event process. CONSENT CALENDAR: Consent Calendar items are considered routine and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these matters unless a request is made and then the item will be removed from the Consent Calendar to be discussed and voted upon by a separate motion. Motion to Approve. RESULT: MOVER: SECONDER: AYES: Passed (UNANIMOUS) Council Member Travis Paden Council Member Nancy Howze Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze A. Waive reading in full of resolutions and ordinances and approval and adoption of same by reading the title only. B. City Clerk: Approval of the Minutes of the February 3, 2026 Meeting C. Community Development: Authorization to Submit HOME Investment Partnership Program Income Application D. Community Development: Adopt a Resolution Approving a Historic Resources Application for 325 N. Douty Street (APN 010-276-001) – Superior Dairy E. Police: Authorization to apply for the FY 26/27 Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program (CTFGP) through the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in the amount of $164,380.73 to be used for DUI enforcement overtime costs, purchase of a DUI checkpoint command trailer, a Ford F150 vehicle, and DUI checkpoint equipment. F. Public Works: Authorization for the City Manager to execute a service contract for Annual Chemical Supply Services to Nutrien Ag Solutions, Inc., of Sacramento, CA, in the amount of $124,629.00 with an option to renew for two additional one-year terms G. Public Works: Approval of the purchase of two (2) 2026 Chevrolet EV trucks from Keller Chevrolet of Hanford, CA and required upfitting from Cooks Communication for a total cost of $166,765 and an appropriation of $36,765 from Measure H Capital Projects fund to fully cover the cost.

H. Utilities and Engineering: Award of a contract in the amount of $248,808.80 for the replacement of the Bayoxide Media Filter at Well 50 located at the corner of Hanford- Armona and 9th Avenue I. Public Works: Authorization for the City Manager to award a construction contract for The Plunge Mechanical Repairs to Oasis Pool and Spa, of Visalia, CA, in the amount of $161,815.00. PUBLIC HEARING: A. Utilities and Engineering: Formation of Community Facilities District No. 2026-3 (Public Maintenance Services) Mayor Kairis opened the public hearing at 7:38 p.m. and called for the staff report. Susanna Hernandez of Willdan Financial Services, and Steve Coodey, Assistant Engineer, discussed the Formation of Community Facilities District No. 2026-3 for the Council's review and approval. The public hearing was closed at 7:44 p.m. Public Comment: None. Motion to Approve. RESULT: MOVER: SECONDER: AYES: Passed (UNANIMOUS) Council Member Nancy Howze Council Member Travis Paden Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Lou Martinez, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze GENERAL BUSINESS: A. Administration: Presentation by Nielsen Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni LLP on past year in review and 2026 outlook for state legislative efforts Geoff Neill and Michelle Rubalcava of Nielsen Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni LLP presented the past year in review and 2026 outlook for state legislative efforts. This presentation was for informational purposes only; no action was required. Ms. Rubalcava and Mr. Neill addressed concerns and answered questions from the Council. B. Administration: Approval of the Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement with Escrow Instructions and Authorization for the Mayor and City Manager to Execute Necessary Documents for the Purchase of Kings County Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 012-046-006, 012-046-007, 012-045-004, 012-045-005, and 012-045-010 from Miya Farms, Inc. It was the Council's consensus to review this item before the consent calendar. City Attorney Nick Matoian provided the details of the agreement for the Council review and approval. Motion to Approve. RESULT: MOVER: SECONDER: AYES: Passed (UNANIMOUS) Council Member Travis Paden Council Member Nancy Howze Mark Kairis, Travis Paden, Kimber Regan, Nancy Howze COUNCIL REPORTS/GENERAL REPORTS: Brief information-only reports from City Council and/or Staff, including committee reports and reports by City Council related to meetings attended at City expenses (AB1234). Council Member Martinez thanked staff for the hard work at the YAC field. City Manager Tavarez announced the

appointment of the new Finance Director, Destiny Borba. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS: At this time, any Council Member may ask a question for clarification or may request a matter, which is not otherwise scheduled on a City Council agenda, to be placed on a future agenda. The Council Member referring the item shall provide sufficient information as to the nature of the item. The City Council, by concurrence of a majority, may direct the City Manager to put the item on a future agenda. (GOV. CODE SEC. 54954.2) A. Council Future Agenda Items B. Upcoming Events and Important Dates: March 17: Regular City Council Meeting March 24: Special Meeting for Council Strategic Planning Workshop March 30–April 3: Kids Spring Camp Register Here April 3: Easter Egg Hunt in Civic Park More Information April 7: Regular City Council Meeting April 21: Regular City Council Meeting ADJOURNMENT: Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the City Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available to public inspection in the City Clerk’s Office located at 319 N. Douty Street, Hanford, California 93230, during normal business hours. Such agendas are also available at the city’s website, www.cityofhanfordca.com subject to staff’s ability to post the agenda before the meeting. If you need a disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s office, 559-585-2515, 319 N. Douty Street, Hanford, California 93230, at least 2 days prior to the meeting {28 CFR 35.102.35.104 ADA Title II} Mayor Kairis adjourned the meeting at 8:17 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Natalie Corral City Clerk

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION DRAFT CITY OF HANFORD Prepared for: 315 North Douty Street Hanford, California 93230 Consultant: 1415 20th Street Sacramento, California 95815 Contact: Michael Gibbons, Project Manager Phone: (916) 446-0522

Table of Contents General Plan Update ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Description Page No. CHAPTER 9 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE .................................................. 1 9.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................. 1 9.2 Background and Context ...................................................................................................... 10 9.3 Public Participation................................................................................................................ 18 9.4 Community Profile and Demographics ............................................................................ 21 9.5 Environmental Justice Concerns ........................................................................................ 28 9.6 Goals and Policies ................................................................................................................... 79

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Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice General Plan Update 1 CHAPTER 9 Environmental Justice 9.1 Introduction 9.1.1 What is Environmental Justice The State of California defines Environmental Justice as “the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies” (California Government Code Section 65040.12). “Fair treatment” means no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental, and commercial operations, and policies. While it is the hope that all people have convenient access to safe housing, clean environments, adequate community services, and healthy foods, the reality doesn’t always align. Today, and throughout California history, low-income residents, communities of color, tribal nations, and immigrant communities, and other historically marginalized communities often bear a disproportionately large burden of exposure to environmental hazards and health risks. Conditions in these communities can be traced to a variety of factors such as underinvestment, inequitable land use and zoning policies, and lack of meaningful public engagement with community residents. Environmental justice seeks to remedy this imbalance based on the democratic values of fairness and equity. This Environmental Justice Element addresses public health risks and environmental justice concerns both citywide and for those residents living in Hanford’s Community of Focus. 9.1.2 Relationship to Other General Plan Elements The Planning for Healthy Communities Act of 2016 (Senate Bill 1000) was enacted to address environmental justice at both local and regional levels. This legislation requires cities and counties to incorporate policies that promote environmental justice in their general plans. The purpose of Hanford’s Environmental Justice Element is to promote equitable access to resources and reduce environmental risks for disadvantaged communities. As provided by State Government Code 65302(h), the Environmental Justice Element has the same weight as the other mandatory elements of the General Plan and shall be internally consistent with all other elements. The goals and policies in this Environmental Justice Element align with and expand upon those found in other elements of the General Plan. Environmental justice is a crosscutting topic, and in most cases, jurisdictions already address many of its core concerns—such as housing, public health, transportation, and access to services—within other General Plan elements. To clearly demonstrate this relationship and document the

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice 2 City of Hanford policies that support environmental justice outcomes, a list of relevant policies from other General Plan elements is included. Other Elements in the General Plan that include policies that closely relate to environmental justice include the following: • Land Use & Community Design Element. Designates the type, intensity, and general distribution of land uses, including housing, business, industry, open space, education, public buildings and grounds, waste disposal facilities, and other categories of public and private uses. This Element is found in Chapter 3 of both the General Plan Background Report and Policy Document. The City’s most recent Land Use & Community Design Element was adopted in 2017. • Transportation & Circulation Element. Correlates with the Land Use & Community Design Element and identifies the general location and extent of existing and proposed major thoroughfares, transportation routes, and terminals for all modes of transportation. This Element is found in Chapter 4 of both the General Plan Background Report and Policy Document. The City’s most recent Transportation & Circulation Element was adopted in 2017. • Open Space, Conservation & Recreation Element. Addresses the conservation, development, and use of natural resources, including water and soils, as well as encourages the development and maintenance of parks and recreational spaces to enhance the physical health and well-being of residents. This Element is found in Chapter 5 of both the General Plan Background Report and Policy Document. The City’s most recent Open Space, Conservation & Recreation Element was adopted in 2017. • Public Facilities & Services. Identifies publicly owned facilities and service infrastructure. This Element sets policies to facilitate continued service to the community as it grows and develops, citywide school site planning, law enforcement and fire protection services, sewer and water infrastructure, and other local public facilities and buildings. This Element is found in Chapter 6 of both the General Plan Background Report and the Policy Document. The City’s most recent Public Facilities & Services Element was adopted in 2017. • Health, Safety & Noise Element. Establishes policies and programs to protect the community from risks associated with seismic, geologic, flood, extreme heat, and fire hazards. Additionally, this Element identifies and appraises noise problems within the community and forms the basis for land use distribution. This Element is found in Chapter 7 of both the General Plan Background Report and Policy Document. The City’s most recent Health, Safety & Noise Element was adopted in 2017. • 2016 – 2024 Joint Kings County Housing Element. Ensures that there is sufficient residential capacity available to meet the minimum resident needs established by the State for various income levels. This joint countywide Housing Element is a separate document that aims to address regional housing needs through a collaborative approach between all of the jurisdictions in Kings County. The Housing Element assesses current and future housing needs as well as opportunities and constraints on housing production. The goals, policies, and programs outlined in the Housing Element focus on conserving existing housing and neighborhoods, encouraging housing production, removing or mitigating governmental constraints to housing production,

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice General Plan Update 3 providing housing assistance, and furthering equal housing opportunities. This joint Housing Element was adopted in 2016. Many environmental justice-oriented policies are already present in other General Plan elements. Table 9-1:, below, provides a list of these policies. The goals and policies in the Environmental Justice Element aim to fill the gaps in other General Plan elements and ensure the General Plan fully addresses the environmental justice needs of the community. Table 9-1: Policies in Other Elements Supporting Environmental Justice Policy Number Policy Page Number Land Use & Community Design Element Policy L41 Location and Size of the High Density Residential Land Use Designation. Locate High Density Residential land use designations in close proximity to Arterial streets, commercial centers, recreational facilities, and employment centers. 31 Policy L85 Location of Light Industrial Land Use Designation. Locate Light Industrial land use designations south of Houston Avenue to serve as a land use buffer between Residential and Heavy Industrial land use designations. Locations north of Houston Avenue that are near rail lines or that have access to Arterial streets, are also allowed when they do not result in land use compatibility conflicts. 39 Policy L91 Incompatible Adjacent Land Uses. Prohibit the establishment of Residential and other sensitive land uses near Heavy Industrial land use designations. 40 Policy L108 Transit-Oriented Development. Support high-density transit oriented development within the city’s Downtown, Mixed Use Corridors, and at the intersections of major thoroughfares to improve transit ridership and to reduce automobile use, traffic congestion, and greenhouse gas emissions 45 Policy L109 Mixed-Use Neighborhoods. Encourage the integration of a variety of compatible land uses into new and established neighborhoods to provide residents with convenient access to goods, services, parks and recreation, and other community amenities. 45 Policy L111 Complete Neighborhoods. Promote efforts to make new and existing neighborhoods more complete by encouraging the development of a mix of complementary uses and amenities that meet the daily needs of residents. Such uses and amenities may include parks, community centers, religious institutions, daycare centers, libraries, schools, community gardens, and neighborhood commercial and mixed-use developments. 45 Policy L114 Services and Facilities. Include easily accessible services and facilities within each neighborhood to meet the daily needs of neighborhood 46

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice 4 City of Hanford Table 9-1: Policies in Other Elements Supporting Environmental Justice Policy Number Policy Page Number residents. Most residents should live within a ½ mile walking distance of schools, parks and retail services. Policy L115 Housing Diversity. Encourage residential developments to have households with a diverse range of income levels. 46 Policy L120 Encroachment of Incompatible Land Uses. Protect residential neighborhoods from the encroachment of land uses that may have a negative impact on the residential living environment. 46 Policy L159 Eastside Neighborhood Park. Plan for a new neighborhood park site with a flexible location south of Grangeville Boulevard and within a five- to ten- minute walk of most residents in the East Side Planning Area. 55 Policy L164 Northwest Neighborhood Park. Plan for two new neighborhood park sites with flexible locations within a five- to ten- minute walk of most residents in the Northwest Side Planning Area 55 Policy L169 Learning Center Neighborhood Parks. Develop two neighborhood parks within the Learning Center Planning Area with flexible locations within a five to ten minute walk of most residents in the Learning Center Planning Area, one south of Lacey Boulevard and the other north of Grangeville Boulevard. 56 Policy L173 Southwest Neighborhood Parks. Support development of two new neighborhood park sites identified in existing approved tentative subdivision maps within the Southwest Planning Area. 57 Transportation & Circulation Element Policy T26 Cul-de-sac Non-motorized Connectivity. Encourage sidewalks and breaks in perimeter walls to allow pedestrian, bicycle, and visual access from cul-de-sac streets to other nearby streets 65 Policy T37 Shade Trees in Planter Strips. Where adequate space permits, include street trees planted in planter strips between the curb and sidewalk to shade paved street surfaces. 66 Policy T39 Accommodating All Modes of Traffic. Plan, design, and construct new transportation improvement projects to safely accommodate the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, motorists and persons of all abilities. 66 Policy T40 Pedestrian and Bicycle Placemaking. Promote pedestrian and bicycle improvements that improve connectivity between neighborhoods, provide opportunities for distinctive neighborhood features, and foster a greater sense of community. 66 Policy T43 Safe Routes to Schools Programs. Promote Safe Routes to Schools programs for all schools serving the city. 67

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice General Plan Update 5 Table 9-1: Policies in Other Elements Supporting Environmental Justice Policy Number Policy Page Number Policy T54 KART Expansion. Pursue improvements and funding to increase transit ridership, increase transit frequencies on key corridors, and expand regular transit service in portions of Hanford that currently have no public transit. 69 Policy T56 Improve Access to Transit Stops. Remove physical barriers to improve access to transit facilities for the elderly, disabled, and other transit- dependent groups. 69 Policy T58 Vanpool Programs. Support the KART Vanpool program for the area’s farmworkers and other commuters. 69 Policy T64 Bicycle Network Master Planning. Maintain a Bicycle Master Plan to coordinate existing and planned infrastructure to support, encourage and promote bicycle transportation, with effective connections to downtown, major shopping areas, mixed use neighborhoods, community facilities, schools, parks, and employment areas 70 Policy T65 Bicycle Network. Prioritize the elimination of gaps in the bicycle network to connect destinations across Hanford. 70 Policy T70 Pedestrian Connections. Increase connectivity through direct and safe pedestrian connections to public amenities, neighborhoods, village centers and other destinations throughout the city. 71 Policy T71 Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossings. Identify and enhance key pedestrian and bicycle crossings that cross physical barriers, such as highways or railroad tracks. 71 Policy T79 Multi-modal Connection to Amtrak. Support multi-modal access to and from the existing Amtrak station. 72 Policy T92 Amenities that Support Alternative Modes of Transportation. Encourage new developments to include on-site amenities into that support alternative modes of transportation. Emphasize pedestrian and bicycle-friendly design, accessibility to transit, preferred rideshare parking, showers and lockers, on-site food service, and child care, where appropriate. 74 Open Space, Conservation & Recreation Element Policy O37 Mature Trees. Promote the preservation of existing mature trees and encourage the planting of appropriate shade trees in new developments. 84 Policy O51 Provision of Parkland. Acquire and develop new parks consistent with the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan. 88 Policy O55 Mini-Parks. Allow mini-parks between 0.25 acres to 1.0 acre in size to be built at locations that are easily accessed by the residents of the neighborhood. Mini-parks do not contribute to the citywide park ratio 88

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice 6 City of Hanford Table 9-1: Policies in Other Elements Supporting Environmental Justice Policy Number Policy Page Number goal and are considered an optional addition, and not an alternative to neighborhood and community parks. Policy O57 Neighborhood Parks. Establish neighborhood parks generally between 2 and 5 acres in size at locations easily accessed by residents of the neighborhood. 90 Policy O59 Neighborhood Parks and Schools. Whenever possible, new neighborhood parks shall be developed in conjunction with elementary schools. 90 Policy O60 Community Parks. Establish community parks generally between 10 and 20 acres in size. 90 Policy O63 Special Use Parks. Provide special use parks based on community needs. 90 Policy O67 Private Recreational Space. Adopt minimum standards for the development of private recreational space for new multi-family residential projects. 91 Policy O68 Variety of Recreational Programs. Provide a variety of recreational programs that accommodate all age groups and abilities. 91 Public Facilities & Services Element Policy P34 Police Station. Provide for additional structures and acquire additional land as needed for an expanded police station with adequate police vehicle parking to maintain acceptable response times to meet new population growth. 99 Policy P53 Fire Protection Personnel. Provide adequate fire suppression personnel and staff at each fire station to meet increased demands from population growth. 102 Policy P75 Public Access to Technology. Encourage all residents have access to library services including access to computers and other technology. 105 Policy P81 Health Care Services. Support hospitals, clinics, shelters, and other medical services that meet the health care needs of Hanford’s residents. 106 Policy P82 Child and Adult Care Services. Support and encourage the provision of child and adult care services. 106 Health, Safety & Noise Element Policy H7 Disaster Preparedness for Special Needs Populations. Identify and develop communication systems, evacuation methods, shelter locations and other services for special needs populations. 108 Policy H18 Extreme Heat Emergency Plan. Support the maintenance and implementation of the Kings County Extreme Heat Emergency Plan to support vulnerable populations during times of extreme heat. 110

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice General Plan Update 7 Table 9-1: Policies in Other Elements Supporting Environmental Justice Policy Number Policy Page Number Policy H19 Cooling Centers. Periodically evaluate the effectiveness of existing cooling centers and determine the need for additional cooling centers as population increases. 110 Policy H24 Warming Centers. Periodically evaluate the effectiveness of warming center and determine the need for additional warming center as population increases. 111 Policy H31 Adequate Separation from Sensitive Uses. Require adequate separation between industrial areas where hazardous materials are present and sensitive uses such as schools, residential areas, parks, and public facilities. 113 Policy H38 Brownfield Site Inventory and Remediation Policies. Coordinate with property owners and the California Department of Toxic Substance Control to inventory brownfields and develop plans and policies to remediate contamination. 114 Policy H52 Access to Fresh Produce. Promote the availability of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods. 124 Policy H53 Land Use Zones that Encourage Healthy Food Sales. Designate land use zones that allow convenience stores, supermarkets, and neighborhood markets that stock nutritional food choices in every existing and planned neighborhood. 124 Policy H54 Farmers Markets. Encourage year-round operation of farmers’ markets with the Downtown as the locational preference. 124 Policy H55 Healthy Food Choices. Support schools and other organizations’ efforts to encourage students and their families to make healthy food choices. 124 Policy H56 Heath Programs, Grants, and Incentives. Consider programs and incentives to encourage small grocery or convenience stores to sell fresh foods in underserved areas. These programs could include grants or loans to purchase updated equipment (e.g. refrigeration), publicity or directories of healthy food outlets, or connecting stores to wholesale sources of healthy, local, or organic food. 124 Policy H57 Community Gardens. Where practical, dedicate and/or encourage space for community gardens in parks or other appropriate sites. 124 Policy H58 Local Foods for City Functions. Encourage the purchase of local foods for City functions, and encourage school districts to do the same. 125 Policy H59 Health Initiatives. Facilitate the involvement of community residents, businesses, and organizations in the development, adoption, and implementation of community health initiatives. 125 Policy H60 Health and Land Use Decisions. Consider environmental justice issues as they are related to potential health impacts associated with land use decisions, including enforcement actions, to reduce the adverse health 125

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice 8 City of Hanford Table 9-1: Policies in Other Elements Supporting Environmental Justice Policy Number Policy Page Number effects of hazardous materials, industrial activities, and other undesirable land uses on residents regardless of age, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, socioeconomic status, or geographic location. Policy H61 Public Amenities. Consider environmental justice issues as they are related to the equitable provision of desirable public amenities such as parks, recreational facilities, and other beneficial uses that improve the quality of life. 125 Policy H62 Public Participation. Assure that all community residents have opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their environment and health, and make accommodations for them to be involved in the decision-making processes. 125 Policy H63 Use of Communication Tools, New Media, and Technology. Use traditional communication tools as well as new media and technology to provide clear and current information on City processes and decisions and to encourage public participation in City government. 125 Policy H64 Opportunities for Physical Activities. Improve health and mental well- being by offering convenient and safe opportunities for physical activity. 126 Policy H65 Comfortable Walking and Biking Environments. Provide comfortable environments and destinations for walking and bicycling to integrate physical activity into daily routines. 126 2016 – 2024 Joint Kings County Housing Element Policy 1.4 Preserve assisted rental housing for long-term occupancy by low- and moderate-income households. 5-1 Policy 2.2 Work collaboratively with nonprofit and for-profit developers to seek state and federal grants to support the production of affordable housing. 5-2 Policy 4.1 Support the provision of rental assistance to provide affordable housing options for extremely-low-, very-low- and low-income households. 5-2 Policy 4.2 Participate in efforts to expand homeownership opportunities to lower- and moderate-income households through downpayment assistance and other homeownership programs. 5-2 Policy 4.3 Support the provision of housing suitable for special needs groups, including seniors, people with disabilities, homeless people, military personnel, large households, single-parent families, and farmworkers. 5-3 Policy 4.4 Develop and maintain collaborative efforts among nonprofits, for-profit developers, and public agencies to encourage the development, maintenance, and improvement of housing. 5-3 Policy 5.1 Support enforcement of fair housing laws prohibiting arbitrary discrimination in the development, financing, rental, or sale of housing. 5-3

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice General Plan Update 9 Table 9-1: Policies in Other Elements Supporting Environmental Justice Policy Number Policy Page Number Policy 5.2 Periodically review City ordinances and development regulations and modify, as necessary, to accommodate housing for disabled persons. 5-3 9.1.3 Scope This Element contains goals and policies designed to enhance the participation and empowerment of historically marginalized populations, referred to in this Element as the “Community of Focus." This Environmental Justice Element addresses public health risks and environmental justice concerns citywide and for those residents living in Hanford’s Community of Focus. The goals and policies of this Element focus on the following areas: • Reducing pollution exposure and improving air and water quality. • Promoting healthy food access. • Promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles. • Promoting “civic engagement” in the public decision-making process. • Promoting public and recreational facilities. • Promoting safe and sanitary homes. • Prioritizing improvements and programs that address the needs of Community of Focus. 9.1.4 Content of the Environmental Justice Element To aid in the understanding of environmental justice and how the city will address environmental justice concepts, this Element is organized as follows: • Introduction. This section provides a brief overview of environmental justice concepts and the statutory obligation for communities. A discussion on the content and scope of this Environmental Justice Element is also provided. • Background. This section discusses environmental justice principles and the methodology for identifying a Community of Focus within the Hanford city limits. This section also identifies the location of the Hanford Community of Focus. • Public Participation. A key principle of environmental justice is engaging communities most impacted by pollution burden and other environmental justice factors. This section summarizes the community outreach and publicity strategy employed for this effort. A full summary of comments received throughout the public participation process can be found in Appendix A.

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice 10 City of Hanford • Community of Focus: Context and Demographics. This section identifies the Hanford Community of Focus and provides an evaluation of baseline (2023) demographic data for each census tract in the Community of Focus. Data analyzed in this section includes race and ethnicity, household income and poverty status, educational attainment, spoken language, English proficiency, and age. • Environmental Justice Concerns. This section provides an evaluation of baseline (2023) environmental issues within the Hanford Community of Focus including pollution exposure, healthy food access, physical activity, public facilities, safe and sanitary housing, and civic engagement. • Goals and Policies. The goals and policies described in this section establish how the City will incorporate environmental justice into decision making and support positive outcomes for affected residents. 9.2 Background and Context 9.2.1 Statutory Requirements Senate Bill (SB) 1000 (California Government Code Section 65302(h)) requires local jurisdictions to incorporate environmental justice in their general plans by developing policies to reduce the disproportionate exposure to pollution in neighborhoods that also experience increased social and economic challenges. These requirements are organized into two subsections: Section 65302 (h)(1) through Section 65302 (h)(2), which are summarized below: • 65302 (h)(1) adds to the required elements of the general plan an environmental justice element, or related goals, policies, and objectives integrated in other elements, that identifies “disadvantaged communities.” • 65302 (h)(1)(A) identifies objectives and policies to promote: • Public facilities in disadvantaged communities; • Food access in disadvantaged communities; • Safe and sanitary homes in disadvantaged communities; • Physical activity in disadvantaged communities; • Exposure to pollution, including improving air quality in disadvantaged communities; and • Any unique or compounded health risks in disadvantaged communities. • 65302 (h)(1)(B) identifies objectives and policies to promote civic engagement in the public decision-making process in disadvantaged communities. • 65302 (h)(1)(C) identifies objectives and policies that prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of disadvantaged communities.

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice General Plan Update 11 • 65302 (h)(2) requires the adoption or revision of environmental justice element, or related goals, policies, and objectives, upon the revision of two or more elements concurrently on or after January 1, 2018 California law refers to communities with high levels of environmental and socioeconomic vulnerability as “disadvantaged communities.” Identifying communities faced with social, economic, and environmental challenges as “disadvantaged” does not accurately capture the many strengths these communities also possess, such as a strong sense of community and local community-based organizations and residents working to improve their neighborhood. With this in mind, for the purposes of this Element, any area which qualifies as a “disadvantaged community” under State law will be referred to as a “Community of Focus.” “Disadvantaged Communities” are defined by California State Law as (1) “an area identified by the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety code;” or (2) “a low-income area that is disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and other hazards that can lead to negative health effects, exposure, or environmental degradation” pursuant to California Government Code Section 650302(h)(4)(A). 9.2.2 Identifying Environmental Justice Communities This section explains the methodology used by the City to identify the Community of Focus for analysis. Methodology and Analysis The City used two geospatial screening tools that analyze socioeconomic, environmental, and health factors to identify if a Community of Focus exists within the city limits. CalEnviroScreen 4.0 CalEnviroScreen 4.0 is a screening tool developed by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) and is the primary screening tool used by the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) to identify disadvantaged communities in California. CalEnviroScreen uses 21 indicators to assess pollution burdens and population vulnerabilities for each census tract in California and assigns a score for each indicator. The higher the score, the more that census tract is impacted by that indicator. Individual indicator scores are then summarized into two primary metrics: pollution burden and population characteristics, which are together calculated to determine an overall CalEnviroScreen score. Census tracts in the top 25 percent of overall CalEnviroScreen scores (percentile scores between 75 and 100) are identified as disadvantaged communities by the CalEPA. Figure 9-1: shows overall CalEnviroScreen 4.0 scores in Hanford.

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice 12 City of Hanford CalEnviroScreen 4.0 Cumulative Scores The Pollution Burden score identifies census tracts that are disproportionately affected by pollution exposure and other adverse environmental conditions that pose negative health effects and environmental degradation. The Population Characteristics score identifies census tracts with higher concentrations of people with physiological traits, health status, or community characteristics that can result in increased vulnerability to pollution. The overall CalEnviroScreen score is a cumulative score that combines the Pollution Burden and Population Characteristics scores and represents the cumulative impact of environmental and socioeconomic effects on a community. CalEnviroScreen 4.0 Data Dashboard CalEnviroScreen 4.0 Results Map EJScreen EJScreen was a screening tool developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) that combined environmental and socioeconomic factors to calculate environmental justice index scores for each census block group in the United States. EJScreen provided an environmental justice index score for 12 environmental indicators that then received a percentile score compared to both countrywide and statewide scores. For the purposes of this Environmental Justice Element, Hanford block groups were compared to statewide percentile scores and a 75th percentile filter was used as the threshold for identifying the Community of Focus. On February 5th, 2025, the EPA removed EJScreen from its website, including the mapping tool and all associated data products. The EJScreen data used in this Environmental Justice Element were downloaded prior to the removal of EJScreen from the EPA’s website.

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice General Plan Update 13 SB 535 Communities In 2012, Senate Bill (SB) 535 tasked the CalEPA with identifying disadvantaged communities. Disadvantaged communities in California are targeted for investments from State funding to improve public health, quality of life, and economic opportunity. In 2022, the CalEPA updated its designation of disadvantaged communities based on the following four criteria: 1. Census tracts receiving the highest 25 percent of overall scores in CalEnviroScreen 4.0 2. Census tracts lacking overall scores in CalEnviroScreen 4.0 due to data gaps, but receiving the highest five percent of CalEnviroScreen 4.0 cumulative pollution burden scores 3. Census tracts identified in the 2017 Disadvantaged Community designation as “disadvantaged,” regardless of their scores in CalEnviroScreen 4.0 4. Lands under the control of federally recognized Tribes Figure 9-2: shows census tracts in Hanford identified as disadvantaged communities under the 2022 SB 535 designation criteria by the CalEPA.

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice 14 City of Hanford Figure 9-1: CalEnviroScreen 4.0 Cumulative Scores, Hanford

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice General Plan Update 15 Figure 9-2: SB 535 Disadvantaged Communities, Hanford

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice 16 City of Hanford Hanford’s Community of Focus Based on the established methodology, the Hanford Community of Focus encompasses approximately eight square miles on the southern portion of Hanford, along and south of State Route 198. As shown in Figure 9-3, the Community of Focus includes the following census tracts: • Tract 8 (603 100 0800) • Tract 9.01 (603 100 0901) • Tract 9.02 (603 100 0902) • Tract 10.02 (603 100 1002) • Tract 10.03 (603 100 1003) • Tract 11 (603 100 1100) • Tract 12 (603 100 1200) Census tracts 1 (603 100 0100) and 12 (603 100 1200), both SB 535 designated disadvantage communities, are located in the northern and southern portions of the City of Hanford, respectively. A very small portion of census tract 1 (about 149 acres) is located in the incorporated Hanford city limits and contains a couple residences and orchards. Most of the remainder of this census tract is in unincorporated Kings County. Given that so little of this census tract is located within city limits, this census tract has been excluded from this analysis. Additionally, a portion of census tract 12 (about 1,413 acres) is located in the incorporated Hanford city limits and contains important services for the city, including the Hanford Fire Station 2 and Hanford wastewater treatment plant, as well as a variety of light and heavy industrial uses. The remainder of the census tract is in unincorporated Kings County. Based on a study of aerial imagery maps of this census tract, there are four to five residences located within the portion of census tract 12 that is within the Hanford city limits, and around 30 residences in a small subdivision just outside of the Hanford city limits along Iona Avenue and Houston Avenue. Although a majority of census tract 12 is outside of the city limits (96,913 acres), the City has opted to still include the census tract in its Community of Focus recognizing that the activities occurring in heavy industrial areas within the city impact the environmental health of surrounding residential properties and contribute significantly to the overall pollution and population burden scores of the census tract. It should be noted that certain metrics analyzed in this Element indicate citywide environmental justice issues that are not exclusive to the Community of Focus. For these metrics, data points for all census tracts in the city have been included in the analysis to demonstrate disproportionate exposure or impacts that impact all residents.

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice General Plan Update 17 Figure 9-3: Hanford’s Community of Focus

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice 18 City of Hanford 9.3 Public Participation Starting in June 2025, the City facilitated a series of community engagement events to gather community input on environmental justice issues. This section provides an overview of the engagement strategy for this effort and a summary of feedback received. The feedback received throughout the public participation process was used to develop the goals, policies, and programs included in this Element. 9.3.1 Publicity and Outreach Strategy The City used a variety of methods to publicize engagement events and activities to reach a broad range of Hanford residents. Below is a summary of the City’s publicity strategy. See Appendix B for copies of publicity materials used throughout the public participation process. Project Webpage A dedicated project webpage on the City’s website was created and updated with information about the project and engagement opportunities. Community outreach events were posted one to two weeks before each event with the information, time, and location of the event. The environmental justice community survey was also posted on the project website from June 5, 2025, through November 3, 2025. Community Based Organization (CBO) Outreach The City coordinated with two local CBOs, Kings Community Action Organization (KCAO) and Kings Partnership (KPFP), that work with environmental justice communities in Hanford. CBOs are valuable partners in the engagement process since they have established relationships and trust among community members and have insight into existing health and equity issues within the local community. The City coordinated with these CBOs to host meetings and distribute information about the Environmental Justice Element and ways for community members to provide feedback and get involved. Social Media The City posted notifications of the environmental justice survey and outreach events on the City’s social media pages that included event information, the survey link, and a link to the project webpage. Between June and November 2025, the Project Team made 15 social media posts across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Nextdoor, and Twitter (X). 9.3.2 Community Outreach Events Between June 2025 and October 2025, the City facilitated a variety of in-person community outreach events. All events featured similar content and activities to ensure consistency across responses received. See Appendix B for all materials used at these events.

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice General Plan Update 19 Night Market Pop-Up Booths | June 5 and June 26, 2025 The city facilitated two “pop-up” booths at the Hanford Thursday Night Market on June 5 and June 26, 2025. The purpose of these events was to provide community members with an understanding of environmental justice topics, identify issues within the community, and suggest preliminary ideas for potential improvements. In attendance were two City staff members and two members of the consultant team. The booth consisted of informational posters with an overview of environmental justice. All booth materials and activities were available in both English and Spanish. Monday Swap Meet/Flea Market | September 15, 2025 The Project Team attended the Hanford Swap Meet and Flea Market on September 15, 2025. The event draws a large and diverse crowd, providing an opportunity to meet residents where they are and engage the community in an informal setting. Throughout the event, Project Team members walked the market and initiated conversations with attendees. A Spanish-speaking member of City staff was present to engage attendees who preferred to communicate in Spanish. All outreach materials distributed at the event were available in both English and Spanish. During conversations with attendees, the team distributed hard copies of the Environmental Justice Survey and assisted interested participants in completing it on-site. They also handed out cards containing a link and QR code to the online version of the survey, along with additional project information. Kings Community Action Organization Workshop | September 24, 2025 The City facilitated a community workshop at the KCAO on September 24, 2025. The workshop was structured to include a presentation providing an overview of environmental justice followed by small break-out group discussions with a Project Team facilitator guiding participants through an interactive exercise designed to spark conversation. Despite advertisement of the workshop through social media, the City website, press releases, and publicity with local CBOs, no community members attended the meeting. Following the meeting, the Project Team debriefed on how to best approach to community outreach, resulting in the decision to hold

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice 20 City of Hanford additional pop-up booths at local events and facilitate presentations at existing community group meetings described below. Hanford Night Out Booth | October 7, 2025 The City facilitated a “pop-up” booth at the Hanford Night Out event on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, hosted by the Hanford Police Department. The booth consisted of informational posters with an overview of environmental justice and an interactive dot exercise. In the exercise, participants were asked to prioritize the “Traits of a Healthy Community” by placing sticky dots on a large poster. Each participant received three dots and was instructed to place them on the traits they feel are most important for creating a healthy and thriving community. The three dots can be placed on one trait or spread across multiple traits, depending on personal priorities, allowing participants to express both strong individual preferences and a range of values. All booth materials and activities were available in both English and Spanish. KPFP Community Meeting Presentation | October 16, 2025 On October 16, 2025, the city attended the Kings Partnership for Prevention regular monthly meeting to provide a presentation about environmental justice and the Environmental Justice Element project and asked attendees to provide feedback and input.

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice General Plan Update 21 9.3.3 Community Survey The environmental justice community survey was available online from June 5, 2025, through November 3, 2025, in both English and Spanish. The survey was created using the Maptionnaire survey platform, which allowed for interactive mapping questions within a traditional online survey. The survey was divided into six sections covering the six environmental justice topic areas (pollution exposure, public facilities, food access, safe and sanitary housing, physical activity, and civic engagement) with the goal of understanding lived experiences of community members related to each topic area. Each section had two to five questions that were either multiple choice or interactive mapping questions with a total of 18 questions and was available in both English and Spanish. A total of 42 survey responses with meaningful data were gathered throughout the outreach process, including physical survey responses received at outreach events. Although the survey was optimized for online participation, printed versions of the survey were available at in-person community outreach events and included the same questions in the online survey. Survey responses are used in this Element to supplement the analysis of environmental justice issues in the Hanford Community of Focus. Participants were asked to identify where they lived in Hanford by selecting one of 13 census tracts within the city and indicate if they live and/or work in Hanford. This information allowed the Project Team to better understand where in Hanford respondents live while also maintaining anonymity of individual respondents. The survey results were grouped and analyzed based on location within or outside of the Community of Focus identified in Section 9.1.6. About 36 percent of respondents live in the Community of Focus. 9.4 Community Profile and Demographics Residents in the Community of Focus represent diverse cultures, incomes, and ages. This section summarizes the population and socioeconomic factors for each of the census tracts in the Community of Focus. Table 9-2: Total Population Census Tracts in the Community of Focus Hanford, CA Kings County8 9.01 9.02 10.02 10.03 11 12* Total Population 5,038 3,904 3,253 4,024 7,144 6,818 2,371 59,389 152,83 0 *Note: This data reflects that of the full census tract 12, which extends significantly beyond the Hanford city limits. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (S1701), 2023.

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice 22 City of Hanford 9.4.1 Race and Ethnicity Analyzing the racial and ethnic makeup of communities helps to identify potential disparities related to pollution burdens, health impacts, and quality of community services. Race and ethnicity factors are often tied to a community’s overall health equity and the social determinants of health, along with income, educational attainment, employment status, and access to healthcare. As shown in Table 9-3, the largest racial or ethnic group in the Community of Focus is Hispanic or Latino. This is generally much higher than the city of Hanford and Kings County, although census tract 9.02 has a similar proportion of residents which identify as Hispanic or Latino compared to the city and county. Just over 77 percent of the population living in census tract 11 identify as Hispanic or Latino. Census tract 10.02 has the second highest Hispanic or Latino population (72 percent), followed by census tract 8 (71 percent). In most census tracts in the Community of Focus, the second largest racial or ethnic group was “white alone,” ranging from 44 to 54 percent of residents; however, in census tract 11, the second largest groups were “some other race alone” and “white alone” at 32 and 31 percent of the population, respectively. Comparatively, the largest racial or ethnic group in city of Hanford was “white alone” followed by “Hispanic or Latino,” while the largest groups in Kings County were “Hispanic or Latino” followed by “white alone.”

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice General Plan Update 23 Table 9-3: Race and Ethnicity Race/ Ethnicity Census Tracts in the Community of Focus Census Tracts Outside of the Community of Focus Hanford, CA Kings County8 9.01 9.02 10.02 10.03 11 12* 6.02 6.03 6.04 7.01 7.02 10.01 White alone 42.1% 54.3% 54.1% 46.5% 43.9% 30.8% 62.9% 69.0% 53.9% 59.4% 65.9% 62.0% 54.3% 54.1% 46.0% Black or African American alone 1.3% 1.8% 12.3% 3.2% 5.9% 11.6% 1.9% 14.1% 7.7% 3.8% 3.6% 0.0% 4.5% 5.9% 6.4% American Indian and Alaska Native alone 1.3% 4.0% 3.1% 5.9% 0.9% 1.8% 1.9% 0.4% 1.9% 0.4% 0.9% 1.7% 1.1% 1.7% 1.9% Asian alone 1.4% 0.6% 0.3% 0.9% 2.7% 0.6% 0.0% 0.7% 10.4% 5.1% 3.5% 2.5% 11.9% 3.5% 3.5% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone 0.0% 0.0% 0.9% 0.0% 0.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.1% 0.3% Some other race alone 19.8% 25.0% 19.9% 19.2% 23.0% 32.0% 12.7% 5.4% 12.0% 8.3% 12.4% 22.7% 10.7% 17.0% 21.6% Two or more races 34.2% 14.2% 9.4% 24.4% 23.2% 23.2% 20.6% 10.4% 14.1% 23.1% 13.7% 11.1% 17.5% 17.6% 20.3% Hispanic or Latino 70.1% 67.3% 55.6% 71.5% 68.7% 77.3% 45.8% 28.6% 37.1% 39.8% 34.8% 45.1% 37.2% 51.3% 57.5% Total Population 5,038 3,904 3,253 4,024 7,144 6,818 2,371 6,216 3,513 7,671 5,876 4,648 5,484 59,389 152,83 0 *Note: This data reflects that of the full census tract 12, which extends significantly beyond the Hanford city limits. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (B03002), 2023.

Chapter 9 – Environmental Justice 24 City of Hanford 9.4.2 Household Income and Poverty Status Low-income areas are often disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards (i.e., air and water pollution) as household income determines one’s living conditions, including housing, nutrition, occupation, and access to healthcare. Additionally, low-income communities are often located in areas with high levels of pollution from adjacent land uses, which can result in environmental injustices and disproportionate impacts on residents. As shown in Table 9-4, the median annual income in the Community of Focus ranges from $33,750 to $83,167. Although most tracts in the Community of Focus have lower median annual incomes that are lower than citywide ($73,744) and countywide (68,750), census tract 10.03 is an outlier with a median annual income of $83,167. Similarly, all census tracts in the Community of Focus have much higher poverty rates compared to the city and county, apart from census tract 10.03, which has a lower poverty rate than the city and county. Table 9-4: Household Income and Poverty Status in the Community of Focus Census Tracts in the Community of Focus Hanford, CA Kings County8 9.01 9.02 10.02 10.03 11