City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, August 6, 2024
MINUTES
WASCO CITY COUNCIL
and Successor Agency to the
Former Redevelopment Agency
Tuesday, August 6, 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 Pro Tem Medina called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2) ROLL CALL: Mayor Pro Tem Medina, Council Members: Martinez, Reyna, Saldaña PRESENT: Mayor Pro Tem Medina, Council Members: Martinez, Reyna, Saldaña
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Hurlbert, City Attorney Schroeter, Deputy City Clerk Flores, Deputy City Clerk Tinajero, Community Development Director Cobb, Assistant City Manager Lara, Public Works Director Villa, Finance Director P erez-Hernandez, Chief of Police Fivecoat, Lieutenant Mora
3) FLAG SALUTE: by Mayor Pro Tem Medina
4) INVOCATION: by Pastor Paul Hernandez
5) PRESENTATIONS: None
City Manager Hurlbert made a brief statement to the audience members regarding the public comment item and explained the process of removing a council member.
6) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
Sandra Castellon
Mike Lynch
Octavio Valenzuela
Veronica Perez
Deputy City Clerk Tinajero mentioned there were no email comments for this item or for any other agenda items.
7) NEW BUSINESS:
a. Appointment of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore due to Council vacancy, and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
Oral presentation by City Manager Hurlbert.
There were no public comments.
Docusign Envelope ID: 3EE8BAE5-6B36-4253-9EE7-6782149673A1 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, August 6, 2024 Mayor Pro Tem Medina opened the floor for nominations for the Mayor's appointment.
Council Member Reyna nominated, and Council Member Martinez seconded.
Mayor Medina accepted the nomination.
Motion was made by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Council Member Martinez, to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Medina as Mayor by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, MARTINEZ, REYNA, SALDAÑA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Mayor Medina opened the floor for the nomination for Mayor Pro Tem.
Council Member Reyna nominated himself for Mayor Pro Tem.
Council Member Saldaña nominated himself for Mayor Pro Tem.
Council Member Martinez nominated Council Member Reyna as Mayor Pro Tem.
Mayor Medina broke the tie vote and appointed Council Member Saldaña as Mayor Pro Tem.
Motion was made by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Council Member Saldaña, to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Medina as Mayor by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, MARTINEZ, REYNA, SALDAÑA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Mayor Medina announced a brief 30 -second recess at 6:22 p.m. to allow the Deputy City Clerks time to change the nameplate titles for the newly appointed Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem.
Mayor Medina proceeded with the meeting at 6:22 p.m.
b. Review Councilmember Vacancy Options and provide guidance to staff, and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
Oral presentation by City Manager Hurlbert.
Public comment by Lucila Lara.
The consensus of the city council is to fill the vacancy for District 5 by the appointment process.
Docusign Envelope ID: 3EE8BAE5-6B36-4253-9EE7-6782149673A1 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, August 6, 2024 Motion was made by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Saldaña, to fill the vacancy for District 5 by appointment by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
c. Adopt a Resolution approving the City Council Vacancy Appointment Guidelines, and Find that this action is not a project as defined under t he California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
Reso#2024-4103
City Manager Hurlbert mentioned there would be changes to Exhibit A City Council Vacancy Guidelines to the resolution on item 3.a.i. to be modified to call for a single pass of the council members to name their selected candidate.
There were no public comments.
Motion was made by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Mayor Me dina, to adopt the Resolution with the changes to Exhibit A as mentioned by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
d. Reorganization of City Council Committee Assignments due to Vacancy, and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
Oral presentation by City Manager Hurlbert.
There were no public comments.
The organization of the City Council Committees due to vacancy is as follows:
Interviewers for the recruitment of the Boards and Commissions o Council Member Martinez
Committee to review and advise in relation to Real Estate transactions o Mayor Medina
Kern Council of Governments (KERN COG) Alternate
o Mayor Pro Tem Saldaña
City Selection Committee Alternate
o Mayor Medina
San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Special City Selection Committee Member
o Council Member Martinez
Docusign Envelope ID: 3EE8BAE5-6B36-4253-9EE7-6782149673A1 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, August 6, 2024 Kern Economic Development Corporation Member (Kern EDC) o Mayor Medina
Motion was made by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Council Member Martinez, to approve the roster of assignments as read by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Mayor Medina called for a 5-minute recess at 6:52 p.m.
Mayor Medina called the meeting back to order at 7:07 p.m.
8) SUCCESSOR AGENCY BUSINESS: None
9) WASCO PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY BUSINESS: None
10) NEW EMPLOYEE POLICE DEPARTMENT BADGE PINNING CEREMONY FOR: None
11) PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS
a. Kern County Fire Department (Appleton)
No reports – Chief Appleton absent
b. Wasco Police Department (Fivecoat)
Powerpoint presentation by Chief Fivecoat
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS:
12) 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 motion unless a Council Member or member of the public requests the removal of a particular item. a. Receive and File department payments totaling $865,058.63
b. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Accept the Grant Award of $25,000.00 and Execute the Grant Agreement, Budget Appropriations, and or Amendments thereto for the State of California Office of Traffic Safety for FY2024-2025 Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program, and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
Reso#2024-4104
c. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Accept the Grant Award of $157,000.00 and Execute the Grant Agreement, Budget Appropriations, And or Amendments thereto for the State of California Office of Traffic Safety FY 2024-2025 Traffic Records -Traffic Records Improvement Project, and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act Docusign Envelope ID: 3EE8BAE5-6B36-4253-9EE7-6782149673A1 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, August 6, 2024 State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
Reso#2024-4105
d. Adopt a Resolution to Authorize the City Manager or Designee to Execute a Proposal with QK, INC., for Professional Consulting Services for Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in support of a possible 50 -unit Income Restricted Seniors Housing Project that will use HUD Vouchers , and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
Reso#2024-4106
e. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to finalize and Enter into an Agreement with Underground Republic Waterworks, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $40,000.00 for the Procurement of Water Meters, and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
Reso#2024-4107
Agmt#2024-018
f. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Finalize and Approve a Purchase Order with Ferguson Waterworks, in an amount not exceeding $46,000.00, for Miscellaneous Pipes, Valves, and Fittings, and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
Reso#2024-4108
g. Approval of the Training Expenses Exceeding $500.00 for the Police Records Clerk to attend the POST Records Webinar Training from August 19-23, 2024, and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
h. Approval of the Travel and Training Expenses Exceeding $500.00 for the Police Dispatcher to attend the POST Certified Public Safety Dispatcher Course from September 16, 2024 - October 4, 2024, in Whittier, CA., and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
i. Approval of the Travel and Training Expenses Exceeding $500.00 for the Police Records Administrator and Police Records Clerk to attend the 2024 Law Enforcement Association of Records Supervisors (CLEARS) Training and Technology Seminar held on November 4 -8, 2024, at Universal City, CA. , and Find that this action is not a proj ect as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act Docusign Envelope ID: 3EE8BAE5-6B36-4253-9EE7-6782149673A1 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, August 6, 2024 State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
j. Approval of the Travel and Training Expenses Exceeding $500.00 for the Kern County Chief Law Enforcement Officers Association Training Conference scheduled for September 3-5, 2024, in Pismo Beach, CA., and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
k. Approval of Travel and Training Expenses Exceeding $500 per participant for Lieutenant, Police Records Administrator, Senior Police Dispatcher, and Information Technology Manager to attend the RIMSCON Training Conference on Oct 7 – Oct 11, 2024, in Stateline, NV., and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
l. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to finalize and Execute a Purchase Order with Core and Main for Gate Valves and Fittings in an amount not to exceed $70,000.00 , and Find that this acti on is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
Reso#2024-4109
m. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or D esignee to Create and Appropriate Funding for Capital Improvement Project No. 24043 for the Utility Relocation Project required by the Caltrans project on the Route 46 High -Speed Rail Crossing and Route 43 Roundabout in the City of Wasco, and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15 378, no environmental review is required.
Reso#2024-4110
n. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Finalize and Approve a purchase order from Model 1 Commercial Vehicles, a CALACT partner, to purchase One (1) CNG Cutaway Bus and One (1) Gasoline Cutaway Bus for the amount of $300.000.00 for the Transit Department and Authorize the City Manager or Designee to approve quantity adjustment in the amount not exceeding $10,000.00; and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
Reso#2024-4111
o. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to execute a Professional Services Engagement Letter and Advance Conflict Waiver Letter with Best, Best & Krieger, LLP for telec ommunications legal services ; and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act Docusign Envelope ID: 3EE8BAE5-6B36-4253-9EE7-6782149673A1 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, August 6, 2024 State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15 378, no environmental review is required.
Reso#2024-4112
Agmt#2024-019
No Conflict of Interest on the consent calendar for any of the Council members.
Council Member Reyna pulled item 12.n. for further discussion.
Motion was made by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Mayor ProTem Saldaña, to approve the Consent Calendar with separate consideration on item
12.n. by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
n. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Finalize and Approve a purchase order from Model 1 Commercial Vehicles, a CALACT partner, to purchase One (1) CNG Cutaway Bus and One (1) Gasoline Cutaway Bus for the amount of $300.000.00 for the Transit Department and Authorize the City Manager or Designee to approve quantity adjustment in the amount not exceeding $10,000.00; and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
Reso#2024-4113
Council Member Reyna requested an explanation of why the CNG and gas transit vehicles were being purchased if the electric transit vehicles were also being purchased.
City Manager Hurlbert responded that the electric vehicles are still being purchased.
Due to their reliability problems and problems with vandalism of the charging stations, the purchase of a variety of transit vehicles is seen as a strategic advantage. Once the order is completed, we will have a gasoline vehicle, CNG , and two electric vehicles in our fleet.
A motion was made by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Mayor Medina, to approve item 12.n. by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Docusign Envelope ID: 3EE8BAE5-6B36-4253-9EE7-6782149673A1 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, August 6, 2024 13) PUBLIC HEARINGS:
b. Conduct a Public Hearing and Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Wasco adopting General Plan Amendment Repeal the 20215 -2022 Wasco Housing Element and Adopt The 2023 -2031 Housing Element of the Wasco General Plan as Shown in Exhibit A, In Compliance with State Housing Element Law, and Find that this project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3), no environmental review is required.
Reso#2024-4113
Community Development Director Cobb requested that item 13.b. be introduced first, then item 13.a., and then proceeded with an oral presentation.
Mayor Medina opened the public hearing at 7:24 p.m.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Medina closed the public hearing at 7:25 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Saldaña, to adopt the resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
a. Conduct a Public Hearing and Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Wasco adopting General Plan Amendment 24 -01, and Find that this project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3), no environmental review is required.
Reso#2024-4113
Oral presentation by the Community Development Director.
Mayor Medina opened the public hearing at 7:29 p.m.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Medina closed the public hearing at 7:29 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Saldaña, to adopt the resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
c. Conduct a Public Hearing and Waive the First Reading of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Wasco Adopting Zone Change 24-01, and Find that this project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3), no environmental review is required.
Docusign Envelope ID: 3EE8BAE5-6B36-4253-9EE7-6782149673A1 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, August 6, 2024 Oral presentation by Community Development Director Cobb.
Mayor Medina opened the public hearing at 7:31 p.m.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Medina closed the public hearing at 7:31 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Mayor Medina, to waive the first reading of an ordinance by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
d. Conduct a Public Hearing and Waive the First Reading of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Wasco adopting Pre -zoning for Annexation 41, and Find that this project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3), no environmental review is required.
Oral presentation by Community Development Director Cobb.
Mayor Medina opened the public hearing at 7:33 p.m.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Medina closed the public hearing at 7:33 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Saldaña, to waive the first reading of an ordinance by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
14) DEFERRED BUSINESS: None
15) REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES:
a. Kern Economic Development Corporation
Mayor Pro Tem Medina:
The next meeting will be on September 26, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.
b. Kern Council of Government (Reyna)
Council Member Reyna:
At the last meeting , it was reported that CALTRANS notice of funding opportunity, capital construction, and community planning has $607 million dollars available. Michael Navarro offered to meet with staff; the period opens September 30, 2024, and offered to email Mr. Navarro if staff is interested in meeting with him or for staff to reach out to him.
The CALTRANS State of Good Repair SGR, 2024 -2025 Call for Projects; Wasco was apportioned for the rehabilitation repair and maintenance for the existing CNG station for $22,501.00.
Docusign Envelope ID: 3EE8BAE5-6B36-4253-9EE7-6782149673A1 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, August 6, 2024 Completed State of Good Repair projects are due in CALSMART no later than September 2, 2024.
c. Wasco Task Force (Saldaña and Medina)
Mayor Pro Tem Saldaña:
The clean -up event will be on Saturday , and we will meet at the empty parking lot at 13th Street and F Street. On the last Thursday of the month, there will be a meeting and a cleanup event. The cleanup event will be on Saturday, the first week of the following month.
Mayor Medina:
This will be the fifth cleanup event. The Rotary Club will don ate donuts and water. Everyone is invited to the event. If an area of town needs work, please let them know so they can put it on the calendar.
16) REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER:
City Manager Hurlbert updated the city council on the following:
The SNIP event was canceled in August; two scheduled SNIP events will be held on September 9th and September 16th.
Attended the Apple Market Grand Opening on Saturday.
There was an animal adoption event on July 19 th at the Grocery Outlet; five animals were adopted.
The Chill with a Cop event on August 1st was a great success, with over 100 people in attendance.
7th Street Project update: the bulk of the work is completed; with the extended heat wave, we have lost 20 trees that have been removed; working with a supplier to have the trees replaced;
The cooling center will be open all week t hrough Friday with free Dial -A-Ride services.
The extension for the PAL building will be approved from the October deadline to March; we are waiting for the paperwork.
Save the date for the Kern EDC Annual Dinner on September 12, 2024. Community Breakfast will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, at 7:00 a.m. at the old courthouse.
The Loving Our City event drew over 300 people in attendance. The Wasco Police Department had a school safety presentation at Palm Avenue School for Administrative Day.
17) REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL:
Council Member Reyna:
At the last Kern Council of Governments (Kern Cog) meeting, the board authorized the Executive Director Ahron Hakimi to fund , initiate, and manage a road construction project for California City. He had started a conversation with Supervisor Couch and Executive Director Ahron Hakimi several months back to find a way to improve the roads that connect to the county and the portion that the city owns that connects to those roads. It was proposed that the county do the work and the city pay for it. It was reported the last time that it did not work out because the county staff had too many things to do. Director Hakimi proposed that Kern Cog can take on some of the projects and was authorized to do so. Director Hakimi and Supervisor Couch think it can be done. Requests staff to follow up to ensure the city is second for the funding opportunity.
Docusign Envelope ID: 3EE8BAE5-6B36-4253-9EE7-6782149673A1 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, August 6, 2024 Thanked staff for removing overgrown and dead vegetation at the old Kmart parking lot, and the graffiti was removed and cleaned.
Attended the Wasco Apple Market grand opening.
Attended Ice Cream with a Cop event.
Mayor Medina:
Requested to give a certificate of recognition at the next council meeting to the House of Fades business that volunteered their time and gave 85 to 100 free haircuts to children from Kindergarten to twelfth grade.
There were no public comments for the closed session items.
Mayor Medina adjourned into closed session at 7:53 p.m.
Mayor Medina adjourned out of closed session at 8:57 p.m.
18) CLOSED SESSION:
a. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS 54957.6
Agency designated representatives: City Manager, HR Manager, Employee Organization: SEIU Local 521
b. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION 54956.9 (d)(1) Name of Case: Amerivet Contracting, a California Corporation
c. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Property: APNs 071-060-01, 071-060-02
City Negotiator: City Manager, Mayor
Negotiating Party: Wasco Union High School District
19) CLOSED SESSION ACTION:
City Attorney Schroeter reported out.
a. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS 54957.6
Agency designated representatives: City Manager, HR Manager, Employee Organization: SEIU Local 521
No reportable action.
b. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION 54956.9 (d)(1) Name of Case: Amerivet Contracting, a California Corporation No reportable action.
c. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Property: APNs 071-060-01, 071-060-02
City Negotiator: City Manager, Mayor
Negotiating Party: Wasco Union High School District
No reportable action.
Docusign Envelope ID: 3EE8BAE5-6B36-4253-9EE7-6782149673A1 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, August 6, 2024 20) ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Medina adjourned the meeting at 8:58 p.m.
____________________________________
Monica Flores, Deputy City Clerk
______________________________________
Valentin Medina, Mayor
Docusign Envelope ID: 3EE8BAE5-6B36-4253-9EE7-6782149673A1