Hanford City Council selects Bob Murray Associates for city manager search

The City of Hanford City Council convened on July 1, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including public comments, a consent calendar, and a public hearing regarding community development.

The meeting began with a public comment from resident Justin Adams, who expressed concerns about perceived unfairness in the enforcement of city codes. Adams argued that it was unreasonable to hold one party financially responsible for actions taken against them, suggesting that this approach was akin to selective prosecution. He highlighted the presence of graffiti and other code violations in the area, questioning why enforcement seemed to target specific individuals rather than addressing broader issues.

Following the public comment, the council moved to the consent calendar, which included routine items to be approved in one motion. Councilor Travis requested to pull item D for further discussion. The council then voted on items A, B, C, and E through K, passing them unanimously with a 5-0 vote.

Item D involved the approval of a recommendation to hire Bob Murray and Associates for the search for a new city manager. Councilor Travis provided an overview of the selection process, noting that he and Vice Mayor House had conducted interviews with the top two firms out of eleven proposals received. They unanimously recommended Bob Murray and Associates, emphasizing the firm's commitment to community involvement in the recruitment process. The council discussed the proposal's cost of $37,000, clarifying that this expense would be covered by cost savings from the premature departure of the previous city manager.

The council also highlighted the importance of transparency in the recruitment process, mentioning that community members would have opportunities to meet candidates and provide feedback during the selection process.

The meeting concluded with the council moving to a public hearing regarding the annual action plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for 2025. Miss Lerma was invited to present the proposed activities and programs related to this grant.

Overall, the meeting addressed significant community concerns and outlined steps for the city's leadership transition, emphasizing transparency and public involvement in the decision-making process.