Givens reappointed Shafter mayor

The Shafter City Council voted unanimously to reappoint Chad Givens as mayor for another two-year term, beginning Jan. 1. The mayoral position is appointed by a vote of the council members. Givens was nominated by Councilmember Gus Olvera.

At the recent regular meeting of the council, they also voted to certify the Nov. 4 election results, in which Espinoza, Givens and Councilmember Gilbert Alvarado retained their seats on the council for another four-year term. They were then sworn in.

Gus Olvera was voted in to serve as mayor pro-tem.

In other action, the council appointed representatives on county committees.

Three councilmembers expressed interest in an open seat on the Kern Council of Governments. . Councilmember Cathy Prout wanted to remain on the board, but Alvarado also nominated himself for the position. When asked by Mayor Givens, Councilmember Espinoza nominated himself. Ultimately, Givens appointed Espinoza as the board member, with Alvarado being the first alternate and Prout as the second alternate.

Olvera was appointed the city's representative on the San Joaquin Valley Air District Board.

The only other item on the agenda was approved, giving the Richland School District use of the former city yard located on North Shafter Avenue to use to park buses while a construction project is going on that makes it necessary for them to move the vehicles.