City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, December 17, 2024
MINUTES
WASCO CITY COUNCIL
and Successor Agency to the
Former Redevelopment Agency
Tuesday, December 17, 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
Mayor Medina called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
2) ROLL CALL: Mayor Medina, Mayor Pro Tem Saldaña, Council Members: Martinez, Raya, Reyna
PRESENT: Mayor Medina, Mayor Pro Tem Saldaña, Council Members: Martinez, Raya, Reyna
LATE: Council Member Martinez arrived at 6:07 p.m.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Hurlbert, City Attorney Schroeter, Assistant City Manager Lara, City Clerk Martinez, Deputy City Clerk Flores, Public Works Director Villa, Finance Director Perez-Hernandez, Community Development Director Cobb, Human Resource Manager Vera, Chief of Police Fivecoat
3) FLAG SALUTE: by Mayor Medina
4) INVOCATION: observed a moment of silence
5) PRESENTATIONS:
a. Certificate of Recognition for Grocery Outlet Bargain Market Mayor Medina presented the certificate of recognition to Amor Regis.
Council Member Martinez joined the meeting at 6:07 p.m.
6) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
x Luis Casablanca
Deputy City Clerk Flores mentioned there were no email comments for this item or any other agenda items.
7) SUCCESSOR AGENCY BUSINESS: None
8) WASCO PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY BUSINESS: None
City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, December 17, 2024
9) PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS
a. Kern County Fire Department (Appleton)
No reports – Fire Chief Appleton absent
b. Wasco Police Department (Fivecoat)
PowerPoint presentation by Chief of Police Fivecoat.
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS:
10) CONSENT CALENDAR:
The Consent Calendar consists of items that are routine and noncontroversial, in the staff's opinion. 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 $574,609.29
b. Adopt a Resolution to Authorize the City Manager or Designee to finalize, enter into and endorse an agreement with BSK Associates for water quality analytical services and Find that this action is not a pr oject as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
Reso#2024-4155
Agmt#2024-032
c. Approval of a Letter of support for the revised Kern County Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) 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.
d. Adopt a Resolution for an Acceptance of Irrevocable Offers of Dedication along Filburn Avenue 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#2024-4156
e. Adopt a Resolution Approving an Irrevocable Offer of Dedication for right-of-way purposes along Filburn Avenue for APN(s) 490-020-23 & 490-020-22 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#2024-4157
f. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Deferral of Certain Impact Fees for a 1,243 square foot Oil Changers as Approved in Site Plan Review (SPR) 24-159, located at 1640 Highway 46, Assessor’s Parcel Number 487-040-65 as Provided for Under Title 13 of the Wasco Municipal Code and Government Code Section 66007 and find that the subject activity is not a projec t within the meaning of CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 and is therefore not subject to review under CEQA.
Reso#2024-4158
City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, December 17, 2024 g. Approval of Travel and Training Expenses Exceeding $500.00 per trip for the Accounting Supervisor and Finance Direct or to attend the California Society of Municipal Officers 2025 Annual Training Conference in San Jose, CA, on February 18-21, 2025, 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.
There was no conflict of interest on th e consent calendar for any of the council members.
Motion was made by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Saldaña, to approve the consent calendar by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
There were no public comments on any closed session item.
Mayor Medina adjourned into closed session at 6:25 p.m.
Mayor Medina adjourned out of closed session at 7:00 pm.
11) CLOSED SESSION:
a. Approval of Closed Session Minutes for December 3, 2024.
b. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS 54957.6
Agency designated representatives: City Manager, HR Manager, Employee Organization: SEIU Local 521, WPOA, Unrepresented Members
c. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) and paragraph (3) of subdivision (e) of Section 54956.9: (one potential case)
d. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS 54956.8
Property: APNs 030-080-01 and 02
City Negotiator: City Manager, Mayor
Negotiating Party: Denmar LLC
e. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS 54956.8
Property: APN 030-020-13
City Negotiator: City Manager, Mayor
Negotiating Party: TBD
f. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS 54956.8
Property: APN 487-010-79
City Negotiator: City Manager, Mayor
Negotiating Party: TBD
City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, December 17, 2024 12) CLOSED SESSION ACTION:
City attorney Schroeter reported out.
a. Approval of Closed Session Minutes for December 3, 2024.
Motion by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Mayor Medina to approve the closed session minutes by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
b. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS 54957.6
Agency designated representatives: City Manager, HR Manager, Employee Organization: SEIU Local 521, WPOA, Unrepresented Members No reportable action.
c. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) and paragraph (3) of subdivision (e) of Section 54956.9: (one potential case) No reportable action.
d. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS 54956.8
Property: APNs 030-080-01 and 02
City Negotiator: City Manager, Mayor
Negotiating Party: Denmar LLC
No reportable action.
e. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS 54956.8
Property: APN 030-020-13
City Negotiator: City Manager, Mayor
Negotiating Party: TBD
No reportable action.
f. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS 54956.8
Property: APN 487-010-79
City Negotiator: City Manager, Mayor
Negotiating Party: TBD
No reportable action.
13) PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
14) DEFERRED BUSINESS: None
City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, December 17, 2024 15) NEW BUSINESS:
a. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Appropriate the use of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) For the Purchase of Tyler Cashiering, a Utility Billing Module and find that this action is not a proj ect as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
Reso#2024-4159
Oral presentation by Finance Director Perez-Hernandez.
There were no public comments.
Motion was made by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Mayor Medina, to adopt the resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
b. Adopt a Resolution declaring certain prop erty surplus land APN 030-020-13,14,15, 030-030-01 (portion), 490-020-22 and Finding that such declaration is exempt from Environmental Review under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Reso#2024-4160
Oral presentation by Community Development Director Cobb.
There were no public comments.
Motion was made by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Mayor Medina, to adopt the resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
c. Adopt A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager or Designee to Appropriate The Use Of Coronavirus State And Local Fisc al Recovery Funds Under The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) for a on e-time, non-recurring, gross payment of $2,000.00 for full-time, and $1,000.00 for part-time current City of Wasco employees; and find that this action is not a pr oject as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
Reso#2024-4161
Oral presentation by City Manager Hurlbert.
There were no public comments.
City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, December 17, 2024 Motion was made by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Mayor Medina, to adopt the resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
d. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to finalize and execute the proposed Memorandum of Understanding Agreement covering July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026, between SEIU Local 521 and the City of Wasco and extend matching wage and benefit provisions to employees outside of the bargaining unit; and Find that this action is not a pr oject as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.
Reso#2024-4162
Oral presentation by City Manager Hurlbert.
There were no public comments.
Motion was made by Mayor Medina, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Medina, to adopt the resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
e. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or designee to finalize and execute a Side Letter to Memorandum of Understanding Dated July 1 st, 2024
Between Wasco Police Officers Association (WPOA) and The City of Wasco , Effective December 17, 2024, adding the Additional Payment Factor (“APF”) to Section 11 of the current MOU; and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Qua lity Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required. (Hurlbert)
Reso#2024-4163
Oral presentation by City Manager Hurlbert.
There were no public comments.
Motion was made by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Mayor Medina, to adopt the resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, December 17, 2024 f. Adopt a Resolution Approving the Amended Salary Schedule for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 in Compliance with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Requirement for Publicly Available Pay Schedules; 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#2024-4164
Oral presentation by City Manager Hurlbert.
There were no public comments.
Motion was made by Council Reyna, seconded by Mayor Medina, to adopt the resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
g. Information Only: Use of ARPA Gift Cards towards Transit Card Giveaway, Utility Assistance, and Amtrack Travel Assistance.
City Manager Hurlbert updated the council on the proposal for the use of the ARPA gift cards.
There were no public comments.
No action: informational item only.
16) REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES:
a. Kern Economic Development Corporation (Medina)
No reports – Next meeting will be in January 2025
b. Kern Council of Government (Reyna)
No reports
c. Wasco Task Force (Saldaña and Medina)
No reports
17) REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER:
City Manager Hurlbert updated the city council on the following:
x Community Breakfast will be dark until the first Wednesday in February 2025. x The joint meeting with the Wasco Recreation and Parks District is still pending. x The next SNIP event will be on January 13, 2025. A total of 381 animals were serviced in the past twelve months: 210 dogs and 171 cats. x Tour of Lights Tour will be on December 18 and 19, 2025, 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. tours beginning and ending at the Wasco Recreation and Parks District office. x The closed holiday schedules for the city offices will be published on the city website. The sanitation department and the utilities will be on call 24 hours a day for emergencies.
x The Finance Department received a Government Finance Officers Association GFOA award.
x Staff is working on developing a local art contest for the schools from elementary to high school, with the school's intere st in producing artwork for the Downtown Revitalization project. After the first of the year, they will begin to launch
City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, December 17, 2024 classroom by classroom to submit their artwork to the city, and a committee will be formed to decide on the submittals.
x Walmart Gas Grand opening will be on January 9, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. x The League of California Cities City Managers Conference will be held on February 5-7, 2025.
18) REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL:
Council Member Reyna:
x Attended the Christmas Parade and Lighting Ceremony on December 7, 2024.
Mayor Medina:
x Lideres de Campesinas will have an event on Friday, December 20, 2024, at the Wasco Women’s Club from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
x Reminded staff of his request regarding the empty lot located on Palm Avenue and Margalo Street.
x Attended the Christmas Parade and Lighting Ceremony on December 7, 2024.
19) ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Medina adjourned the meeting at 8:03 p.m.
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Monica Flores, Deputy City Clerk
______________________________________
Valentin Medina, Mayor