[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6550133,"mediaKeyId","5415158-985ef094634f25d973b33960ecc99869","parentId",5415158,"title","Taft police report 1,020 incidents and 48 arrests in June","audioSeconds",195,"startMs",2566000,"endMs",2761000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415158-985ef094634f25d973b33960ecc99869&start=2566&end=2761","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415158-985ef094634f25d973b33960ecc99869/thumbnail_2566000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6550133/Taft/Kern-County/California/Taft-police-report-1020-incidents-and-48-arrests-in-June","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550133-c4c3c7d4d46e52c6181905eba146c813/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431051&Signature=QnFbfVI3OZH1dN0pf78ktlSIp0En4N8ohjYUCI01zuGdHQyoHlBII3M9CiQDxo07ecLf98aXYVDy9nHwouHM1Q8P20-sLvR17qGVzZUcvezjNqjnQS86vjhqURXSeRIls7fXHjoa0WVTOjeeLqhk-UIeqdrqasoH1p0GNLauQB10p7x4IpbuUySBjTrzU4IzahTEABKKbsV30EpGpp0gc7MUKMamnF33cP-G6QOFccc3JiWpI9s00fJuXtS4mZjyvvxnsG7M-aLuw4REuz~vOi-0OTFGH3LibFQiAEMBL0w0k9B0oqWUUDOjyv92LBKY1gUTdgStGgK03mtl~7Dt9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-18T03:04:57.417Z","article","Taft Police Chief McMinn reported June department statistics to the City Council on July 15: the department recorded 1,020 total incidents, 432 calls for service, 488 officer‑initiated incidents and 144 officer written cases. The department reported 48 arrests for the month — 41 misdemeanors and 7 felonies.

Chief McMinn said it was a busy month and added a public‑service reminder about heat safety, urging residents to check on elderly neighbors and not to leave children or animals in vehicles during high temperatures.

Why it matters
The monthly statistics give the council and public an overview of workload and enforcement activity. The count of arrests and the split between misdemeanor and felony arrests are metrics the department and city use to track public‑safety trends.

Ending
The chief’s report drew brief council acknowledgment and a reminder from council members to the public about summer heat safety.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Taft City Council Meeting | July 15th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Taft Police Chief McMinn presented June statistics showing 1,020 total incidents, 432 calls for service, 488 officer‑initiated incidents, 144 written cases and 48 arrests (41 misdemeanors, 7 felonies).","taxTitle","Taft, Kern County, California","taxId",58534,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6550138,"Taft Chamber honors volunteer who secured water truck, credited with saving July fireworks show",361,873000,1234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415158-985ef094634f25d973b33960ecc99869&start=873&end=1234","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415158-985ef094634f25d973b33960ecc99869/thumbnail_873000.jpg","/articles/6550138/Taft/Kern-County/California/Taft-Chamber-honors-volunteer-who-secured-water-truck-credited-with-saving-July-fireworks-show","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550138-ff4b510d7a7208058453a9cdbf28b1c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431051&Signature=jkV1mtfLO7aHX00uXviLjlJKapshDiaPGviWIEts0V3Z0b4lsaWDRA7Z7xjcVNYqdns7Tdck~huYq7GKhxjRWAXZsSGpz9coPewtWq3kt3LaP3cmxt1LMtnWfsFkQavTSIWJFxMEO6UeOOzJto7rF9pviccQ-~wtiu9gx6s0mR7UaCQMwCaZ4xEduJNq~RG2jDk5TgjJatUBnBpIq8XI-D9nwnPSLQk~ldAYM8hp6M78EDuSddc5RXvKi2FwntloIOKm-zsShBLYXdU0Q0hcEsmTTP-aDdrJbPVOOvYjTeMmhh6hPxIIVkjIb-LY0bvz9PWDMoxEAnnb1L8bZmbTJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Cathy Orrin of the Taft Chamber of Commerce presented a proclamation at the July 15 Taft City Council meeting honoring Rex Cooper for “heroic efforts in saving the Independence Day fireworks show” by securing a water truck from the West Kern Water District.

Dr. Orrin said she appreciated the city’s support for the Chamber and described a series of operational problems at the fireworks event, including late arrival of porta‑potties, concerns about wind and air quality, and the absence of an immediately available water truck. She told the council that Rex Cooper “stepped up and secured a water truck at the last minute from the West Kern Water District,” and that Cooper, together with former city employee Bobby Withy and West Kern Water District representative Greg Hammitt, enabled the show to proceed.

The chamber’s proclamation, dated July 15, 2025 and read into the record, states that Cooper’s actions preserved the Fourth of July festivities and commends his resourcefulness and community service. Dr. Orrin said the proclamation will be displayed in the chamber.

Who was mentioned in the record
- Dr. Cathy Orrin, speaking for the Taft Chamber of Commerce, presented the proclamation.
- Rex Cooper was recognized as the volunteer who arranged the water truck.
- Greg Hammitt (West Kern Water District) and Bobby Withy (former city employee) were named as assisting in securing and delivering the truck.
- Kevin (identified as the fireworks contractor from Zambelli in Dr. Orrin’s remarks) was thanked for his work on the display.

Why it matters
The proclamation and public thanks document how local volunteer and agency coordination addressed last‑minute safety and logistics issues at a widely attended community event. The record shows gratitude from the Chamber and council but does not record a formal city award vote; the proclamation was read and accepted for display.

Ending
Council members and the mayor offered public thanks to the volunteers and chamber staff; the meeting record shows applause and several council members expressing appreciation for the Independence Day event volunteers.","At the July 15 meeting the Taft Chamber presented a proclamation recognizing Rex Cooper for arranging a water truck that allowed the Independence Day fireworks to proceed; Chamber leader also thanked the city and volunteers for the event response.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6550143,"Taft council approves county collection of refuse and sewer charges; assessment and chamber funding also approved",105,2812000,2917000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415158-985ef094634f25d973b33960ecc99869&start=2812&end=2917","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415158-985ef094634f25d973b33960ecc99869/thumbnail_2812000.jpg","/articles/6550143/Taft/Kern-County/California/Taft-council-approves-county-collection-of-refuse-and-sewer-charges-assessment-and-chamber-funding-also-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550143-9139caef37413c45b23599319d8a4fd3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431051&Signature=VlK8-nB6AknpKAfhwIR9o1MwoygGiV~yeUU-6eUSMBT8XbpU~k0CDA3cyoRtGUAABLE1FBc1p~-PDpS4VUvjj~vm-VFYapuRE-Eq0uDNaKG59YSK~x5p~NKbyYqEx~gnlya~8fJYY9nmFMCEnLTihiLn8eh1zbLv2yEC1ZSISBUKXwar15VnTs1Uuj1YODB5oYWfbtHYASQzF-hD1alGaSPb2C4NdJOrKesDbpOZDRRGgX63EcrNXb0Hy2mnGoONJdC1szb6A5ZTj6~PXTx7Fr41wFJGUAGPmiqCb7vyiDT4a522Dcay9OHh8rRwNW3SsTwoT7xDhm22n27IOSqMGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Taft City Council on July 15 adopted resolutions authorizing the Kern County tax collector to collect refuse and street‑sweeping charges and standby charges for vacant commercial buildings, and separately to collect sewer charges and standby sewer charges, and approved assessment rates for Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District No. 1. The council also approved consent calendar items including payment of bills and a transient occupancy tax allocation to the Taft Chamber of Commerce.

The actions place refuse, street‑sweeping and sewer assessments on the county tax roll pursuant to the Health and Safety Code provision cited in the staff presentation (transcript reference: “section 54 73 et seq of the health and safety code”). Council staff also identified CEQA exemptions for the measures, citing the CEQA guidelines passages mentioned in staff remarks during the hearings (transcript reference: “section 15060(c)(3) and section 15378” as read aloud in the meeting).

Council opened each of the hearings for public comment and, seeing no speakers, closed them before taking votes. For the Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District No. 1 the city presented the engineer’s report received June 18, 2024, and said the partial assessment will remain at the same level as last year: $86.

Votes and outcomes
- Resolution authorizing county collection of refuse and street‑sweeping charges and standby refuse/street‑sweeping charges: passed by roll call, 4–0. No public speakers.
- Resolution authorizing county collection of sewer charges and standby sewer charges: passed by roll call, 4–0. No public speakers.
- Resolution setting assessments for Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District No. 1 for fiscal year 2025–26 (engineer’s report, partial assessment $86): passed by roll call, 4–0. No public speakers.
- Consent calendar (items 11–13): minutes of July 1, 2025 meeting; payment of bills (approximately $185,000); and allocation of 25% of transient occupancy tax to the Taft Chamber of Commerce for January–March 2025: approved on a single roll call, 4–0.

Council members who spoke during the votes characterized the measures as routine steps to ensure collection and to support downtown occupancy and maintenance. No formal motions listed a named mover or seconder in the public record; the clerk recorded the roll calls and the council recorded each item as passing on a 4–0 vote.

Why it matters
Placing fees and special assessments on the county tax roll shifts collection responsibility to the Kern County tax collector and typically increases the municipality’s ability to collect unpaid balances. For property owners in the Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District, the partial assessment amount ($86) determines the annual charge that will appear on the property’s assessment roll. The transient occupancy tax allocation provides an operating subsidy to the local Chamber of Commerce for a specified quarter.

What the record shows (procedural notes)
The staff presentations referenced specific code and CEQA guideline sections by number during the hearings; those citations were read into the record as part of staff introductions to each public hearing. Each hearing was opened for public comment; no members of the public addressed items 1–3 prior to council action. The consent calendar passed with no items removed for separate discussion.

Ending
Clerk roll calls show the measures passed unanimously by the four council members present; Councilmember Chaviere was absent with notice. The city did not enter closed session that evening.","At its July 15 meeting the Taft City Council adopted resolutions sending refuse, street‑sweeping and sewer charges to the Kern County tax roll, approved a landscape and lighting assessment at the same rate as last year, and passed consent items including payment of bills and a Chamber funding allocation.","actionData","errors"]

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Taft police report 1,020 incidents and 48 arrests in June

Taft Chamber honors volunteer who secured water truck, credited with saving July fireworks show

Taft council approves county collection of refuse and sewer charges; assessment and chamber funding also approved