City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, March 19, 2024
MINUTES
WASCO CITY COUNCIL
and Successor Agency to the
Former Redevelopment Agency
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Regular Meeting – 6:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
746 8th Street, Wasco, CA 93280
REGULAR MEETING – 6:00 pm
1) CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Garcia called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
2) ROLL CALL: Mayor Garcia, Mayor Pro Tem Medina, Council Members: Martinez, Reyna, Saldaña
PRESENT: Mayor Garcia, Mayor Pro Tem Medina, Council Members: Reyna, Saldaña ABSENT: Council Member Martinez
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Hurlbert, City Attorney Schroeter, Deputy City Clerk Flores, Deputy City Clerk Tinajero, Assistant City Manager Lara, Community Development Director Cobb, Public Works Director Villa, Chief of Police Fivecoat, Finance Director Perez-Hernandez, Code Enforcement Officer Gonzalez, Kern County Fire Chief Appleton, Kern County Sheriff Sergeant Stout
3) FLAG SALUTE: by Mayor Garcia
4) INVOCATION: Observed a moment of silence
5) PRESENTATIONS: None
6) PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There were no public comments.
Deputy City Clerk Tinajero mentioned there were no email comments for this item or any other item on this agenda.
7) SUCCESSOR AGENCY BUSINESS: None
8) WASCO PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY BUSINESS: None
9) NEW EMPLOYEE POLICE DEPARTMENT BADGE PINNING CEREMONY FOR:
a. Jessica Anguiano, Dispatcher
b. Marylynn Ortega, Dispatcher
c. Priscila Ruiz, Dispatcher
d. Ivanna Russell, Dispatcher
Police Chief Fivecoat presented the new Police Department Dispatchers for the badge-pinning ceremony.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 7696D3CE-FF9F-48F8-ABA0-1A6F31F6046D City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, March 19, 2024 Deputy City Clerk Flores administered the oath of office to the ne w P olice Department Dispatchers staff.
Steven Kemp from Congressman Valadao’s office and Claribel Gutierrez from Senator Hurtado’s office presented the new Police Department staff with certificates of recognition.
Mayor Garcia called a 5-minute recess at 6:17 p.m.
Mayor Garcia reconvened the meeting at 6:28 p.m.
Public comments by Angelica Aguilar regarding disruptions of loud parties in her neighborhood.
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS:
10) CONSENT CALENDAR:
The Consent Calendar consists of items that, in the staff's opinion, are routine and non - controversial. These items are approved in one mot ion unless a Council Member or member of the public requests the removal of a particular item. a. Receive and File department payments totaling $ 1,366,666.45
b. Approval of City Council Minutes for March 6, 2024, Regular Meeting
c. Approval of Travel and Training Expenses Exceeding $500.00 per trip for two Administrative Assistants to attend the Laserfiche Empower Conference on April 22- 25, 2024, in Las Vegas, NV., and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15738, no environmental review is required under CEQA.
d. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Execute the FY 2023/2024 Certifications and Assurances and Authorized Agent Forms for the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) for the following Project: New Transit Operating and Maintenance Facility, $71,171.00, and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the Ca lifornia Environmental Quality Act State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15738, no environmental review is required under CEQA.
Reso#2024-4037
e. Approval of Acceptance of Old Farm Labor Camp Abatement Project and Authorization of the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion, and Find that this Project is classified as categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Section 21080 (b)(4); 15269(b)(c), no environmental review is required.
Rec#2024-004
f. Adopt a Resolution Approving Parcel Map 12481 and Authorizing the City Clerk to Endorse the Map, and Find that this Project is not a project within the meaning of CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 and is, therefore , not subject to review under CEQA.
Reso#2024-4038
DocuSign Envelope ID: 7696D3CE-FF9F-48F8-ABA0-1A6F31F6046D City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, March 19, 2024
g. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Approve the Purchase of a Rebuild Kit for Raw Sewage Pumps from Xylem Water Solutions USA, Inc. for up to $20,000.00, and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quali ty Act State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15738, no environmental review is required under CEQA.
Reso#2024-4039
h. Approval for Travel Expenses Exceeding $500.00 per trip for the Water Supervisor and Water Operator to attend the 2024 California Rural Water Association Expo on April 22 – 25, 2024, in South Lake Tahoe, CA., and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State G uidelines Section 15738, no environmental review is required under CEQA.
i. Adopt a Resolution approving the Annual Transportation Development Act Streets and Roads report and claim for Fiscal Year 2019 -2020 and Authorize the City Manager or Designee to Submit the claim to the Kern Council of Governments and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15738, no environmental review is required under CEQA.
Reso#2024-4040
j. Adopt a Resolution approving the Annual Transportation Development Act Streets and Roads report and claim for Fiscal Year 2020 -2021 and Authorize the City Manager or Designee to Submit the claim to the Kern Council of Governments and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15738, no environmental review is required under CEQA.
Reso#2024-4041
k. Adopt a Resolution approving the Annual Transportation Development Act Streets and Roads report and claim for Fiscal Year 2021 -2022 and Authorize the City Manager or Designee to Submit the claim to the Kern Council of Governments, and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15738, no environmental review is required under CEQA.
Reso#2024-4042
l. Authorize the Mayor to Sign a Letter in Support of the Efforts Made by Shaf ter- Wasco Irrigation District toward Groundwater Sustainability and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15738, no environmental review is required under CEQA.
No Conflict of Interest on the consent calendar for any of the Council members.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 7696D3CE-FF9F-48F8-ABA0-1A6F31F6046D City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, March 19, 2024
Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Medina, seconded by Council Member Reyna, to approve the Consent Calendar. by the following roll call vote:
AYES: GARCIA, MEDINA, REYNA, SALDAÑA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MARTINEZ
11) PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
12) DEFERRED BUSINESS: None
13) NEW BUSINESS:
a. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Accept Donations totaling $3,350 from local vendors, donors, and Wonderful Company Grants for the Wasco Police Department and Animal Control , and future donations, and appropriating the funds, and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Sec tion 15738, no environmental review is required under CEQA.
Reso#2024-4043
Oral presentation by the Finance Director Perez-Hernandez.
Motion was made by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Council Member Saldaña, to adopt the resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: GARCIA, MEDINA, REYNA, SALDAÑA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MARTINEZ
14) REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES:
a. Kern Economic Development Corporation (Garcia)
No reports. The next meeting will be in April.
b. Kern Council of Government (Reyna)
No reports. The next meeting will be on Thursday, March 21, 2024.
c. Wasco Task Force (Saldaña and Medina)
No reports. The next meeting will be on Thursday, March 28, 2024.
15) REPORTS FROM KC FIRE AND SHERIFF:
a. Kern County Fire Department (Appleton)
Chief Appleton gave a recent fire report.
b. Kern County Sheriff’s Department (Stout)
Sergeant Stout reported on recent crimes.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 7696D3CE-FF9F-48F8-ABA0-1A6F31F6046D City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, March 19, 2024
16) REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER:
City Manager Hurlbert updated the city council on the following:
The Banner Program Veteran Recognition for Downtown – working to make sure the new light poles along 7th Street are up and ready for the banners before July 4th, Independence Day. The banner ordering window is now open; the price increased from $80 to $105.
The Community Breakfast event will be on April 3, 2024, in the council chambers at 7:00 a.m.
The Community Cleanup was held on March 9, 2024, and collaborated with the County of Kern Public Works . Almost 15 tons of trash were collected, 7.5 tons of which came from white goods, scrap metal, appliances, etc.; 2 tons of mattresses; 2 tons of e-waste and tires. Volunteers - 20 Wasco FFA students, Wasco Public Works, Sanitation, and Wastewater crews, a total of 60-70 total participated.
SNIP event was held on March 13, 2024; a total of 31 dogs, and 21 cats were spayed/neutered.
The next SNIP event will be held on April 12, 2024, in front of the Public Works Department.
The Spring Carnival will be held at Teresa Burke Elementary School on April 11, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wasco Recreation and Parks District will have a Spring It On Easter Egg Hunt at the Little League Field on March 23, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Council Members are invited to the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Bakersfield National Cemetery on Saturday, May 25th; RSVP by April 15, 2024. The Utility Assistance Program received additional grant funding for customers with past-due bills. It covers Water and sewer balances only. Customers will receive instructions in a separate letter.
Central Avenue Park: Over the weekend, there was vandalism. The fence was breached, some playground equipment was tagged, and a tree was broken off the ground. The project is proceeding; most of the hard structure is done, and landscaping remains.
Downtown Renovation Project: There have been a number of water leaks from the old pipes, and parking lot paving is taking place today and tomorrow. Old Farm Labor Camp: the demolition phase has gone faster than anticipated; currently, the last quarter of the buildings are still standing, and foundations need to be dug up and hauled away.
17) REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL:
Member Reyna:
Attended the Kern Council of Governments Regional Awards of Merit Ceremony on March 7, 2024.
Requested if staff had followed up on the conversation regarding closing the alley next to Palm Avenue.
Council Member Saldaña:
Requested if staff had addressed the request of Esperanza Melendez regarding the church building.
There were no public comments for the closed session items.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 7696D3CE-FF9F-48F8-ABA0-1A6F31F6046D City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, March 19, 2024 Mayor Garcia adjourned into closed session at 7:36 pm.
Mayor Garcia adjourned out of closed session at 7:37 pm.
18) CLOSED SESSION:
a. Approval of Closed Session Minutes for March 6, 2024.
b. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) and paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 54956.9: (One potential case.)
c. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION 54956.9 (d)(1) Name of Case: Amerivet Contracting, a California Corporation
d. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- EXISTING LITIGATION 54956.9 (d)(1) Name of Case: Tyna Powell
19) CLOSED SESSION ACTION:
City Attorney Thomas F. Schroeter reported out.
a. Approval of Closed Session Minutes for March 6, 2024.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Medina , seconded by Council Member Saldaña to approve the closed session minutes by the following roll call vote:
AYES: GARCIA, MEDINA, REYNA, SALDAÑA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MARTINEZ
b. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) and paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 54956.9: (One potential case.) No reportable action.
c. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION 54956.9 (d)(1) Name of Case: Amerivet Contracting, a California Corporation No reportable action.
d. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- EXISTING LITIGATION 54956.9 (d)(1) Name of Case: Tyna Powell
No reportable action.
20) ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Garcia adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m.
____________________________________
Monica Flores, Deputy City Clerk
______________________________________
Alexandro Garcia, Mayor
DocuSign Envelope ID: 7696D3CE-FF9F-48F8-ABA0-1A6F31F6046D