City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, June 17, 2025
MINUTES
WASCO CITY COUNCIL
and Successor Agency to the
Former Redevelopment Agency
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
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 6:00 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
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager M. Scott Hurlbert, City Attorney Tom Schroeter, Assistant City Manager Maria Lara, City Clerk Maria O. Martinez, Public Works Director Luis Villa, Finance Director Isarel Perez-Hernandez, Community Development Director Keri Cobb, Assistant Police Chief Alecio Mora, Kern Fire Chief Joe Appleton
3) FLAG SALUTE: by Mayor Medina
4) INVOCATION: by Carlos Harrison, Wasco PD Chaplain
5) APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Saldaña, to approve the agenda as to form by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
6) PRESENTATIONS:
a. Proclamation Juneteenth
Mayor Medina presented the proclamation to Carlos Harrison, Wasco Police Department chaplain.
7) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
• John Myers
City Clerk Maria O. Martinez mentioned no email comments for this item or other agenda items.
Docusign Envelope ID: BDD8F980-0322-4CA0-BF34-177C2C431440 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, June 17, 2025 8) SUCCESSOR AGENCY BUSINESS: None
9) WASCO PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY BUSINESS: None
10) PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS
a. Kern County Fire Department (Appleton)
Chief Appleton gave a recent fire report.
b. Wasco Police Department (Fivecoat)
Assistant Chief of Police Mora gave a PowerPoint presentation on recent crime statistics and Officer Award Recognition.
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS:
11) 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 $1,813,936.48
b. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Approval of Travel and Training Expenses Exceeding $500.00 per trip for one-half of City Attorney Thomas F. Schroeter's registration fees and one night's hotel stay to attend the League of California Cities 2025 Annual Conference and Expo held on October 8-10, 2025, in Long Beach, California, not to exceed $596.50.
c. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Approval for Travel Expenses Exceeding $500.00 per participant for Mayor Pro Tem Eduardo Saldaña, Council Member Vincent Martinez, Council Member Gilberto Reyna, and City Manager M. Scott Hurlbert to attend the League of California Cities 2025 Annual Conference and Expo on October 8 -10, 2025, in Long Beach, California.
d. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Execute the First Amendment to Agreement No. 2021-053 with Jason Addison Smith Consulting Services, Inc. JAS Pacific for On -Call Building Inspection, Plan Review, Code Enforcement, and Building Official Services.
Reso#2025-4214
Agmmt#2021-053(1)
e. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15060(c) (3) of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving the Annual Statement of Investment Policy.
Reso#2025-4215
f. Council finds this action not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving an Application for Funding and Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Execute a Grant Agreement and any Amendments Thereto for Fiscal Year 2025 Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) Funding, Committing the Necessary Local Match, and Stating the Assurance to Complete the Griffith Avenue Project.
Reso#2025-4216
Docusign Envelope ID: BDD8F980-0322-4CA0-BF34-177C2C431440 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, June 17, 2025
g. Council finds this action not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving an Application for Funding and Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Execute a Grant Agreement and any Amendments thereto for Fiscal Year 2025 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ) Funding, Committing the Necessary Local Match, and Stating the Assurance to Complete the Griffith Avenue East Shoulder Improvement Project.
Reso#2025-4217
h. Council finds this not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving an Application for Funding and Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Execute a Grant Agreement and any Amendments thereto for Fiscal Year 2025 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program and/or Carbon Reduction Program (CMAQ) Funding, Committing the Necessary Local Match, and Stating the Assurance to Complete the Construction of a New Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Slow-Fill Station.
Reso#2025-4218
i. Council finds this not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving an Application for Funding and Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Execute a Grant Agreement and any Amendments thereto for Fiscal Year 2025 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program and/or Carbon Reduction Program (CMAQ) F unding, Committing the Necessary Local Match, and Stating the Assurance to Complete the Wasco Avenue East Shoulder Improvement Project.
Reso#2025-4219
j. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15060(c) (3) of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving a List of Projects for Fiscal Year 2025-26 Funded by SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
Reso#2025-4220
k. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15060(c) (3) of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution approving the City’s Appropriations Limit for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Reso#2025-4221
l. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15060(c) (3) of the CEQA Guidelines; Receive and File the Investment Report for the month ending April 2025.
m. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution to Authorize the City Manager or Designee to Finalize and Enter into a Software Services Agreement with Placer.ai.
Reso#2025-4222
Agmt#2025-021
There was no conflict of interest on the consent calendar for any of the Council Members.
Docusign Envelope ID: BDD8F980-0322-4CA0-BF34-177C2C431440 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, June 17, 2025 Motion by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Salda ña, to approve the consent calendar by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
12) PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
13) DEFERRED BUSINESS: None
There were no public comments on the closed session items.
Mayor Medina adjourned into closed session at 6:31 p.m.
Mayor Medina adjourned out of closed session at 6:37 p.m.
14) CLOSED SESSION:
a. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS 54957.6
Agency designated representatives: City Manager, HR Manager, Employee Organization: SEIU Local 521
b. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS 54957.6
Agency designated representatives: City Manager, HR Manager, Employee Organization: Wasco Police Officers Association (WPOA)
c. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION – City Manager per Government Code Section 54957
d. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS 54957.6
Agency designated representatives: Mayor Medina and Councilmembers Unrepresented employee: City Manager
CLOSED SESSION ACTION:
City Attorney Tom Schroeter reported out.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS 54957.6
Agency designated representatives: City Manager, HR Manager, Employee Organization: SEIU Local 521
Motion by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Saldaña, to approve the 4% cola by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Docusign Envelope ID: BDD8F980-0322-4CA0-BF34-177C2C431440 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, June 17, 2025 CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS 54957.6
Agency designated representatives: City Manager, HR Manager, Employee Organization: Wasco Police Officers Association (WPOA)
Motion by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Saldaña, to approve the 4% cola by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION – City Manager per Government Code Section 54957
No reportable action.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS 54957.6
Agency designated representatives: Mayor Medina and Councilmembers Unrepresented employee: City Manager
Motion by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Saldaña, to approve the 4% cola for all unrepresented employees including the City Manager by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
15) NEW BUSINESS:
a. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving an Application for Funding and Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Execute a Grant Agreement, Budget Appropriations, and any Amendments Thereto for the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District’s Bikeway Incentive Program.
Reso#2025-4223
Oral presentation by Assistant City Manager Maria Lara.
There were no public comments.
Motion by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Saldaña, to adopt the Resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Docusign Envelope ID: BDD8F980-0322-4CA0-BF34-177C2C431440 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, June 17, 2025 b. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving the Salary Schedule for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 in Compliance with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Requirement for Publicly Available Pay Schedules to include the 4% COLA increase per the Memorandum of Understanding for SEIU Local 521, Wasco Police Department Officers Association (WPOA), and Non -Represented Staff Members.
Reso#2025-4224
Oral presentation by City Manager M. Scott Hurlbert.
There were no public comments.
Motion 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. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution approving the City’s Fiscal Year 202 5-2026 Annual Operating Budget and 202 5-2030 Capital Improvement Program . (Perez- Hernandez)
Reso#2025-4225
Oral presentation by Finance Director Isarel Perez-Hernandez.
There were no public comments.
Motion 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
16) REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES:
a. Kern Economic Development Corporation (Medina)
No reports.
b. Kern Council of Governments (Reyna)
No reports.
c. Wasco Task Force (Saldaña and Medina)
Mayor Pro Tem Saldaña invited the community to attend the cleanup scheduled for Saturday, June 21, 2025.
Docusign Envelope ID: BDD8F980-0322-4CA0-BF34-177C2C431440 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, June 17, 2025 17) REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER:
City Manager Hurlbert updated the city council on the following:
• The Community Breakfast will be dark in July 2025.
• The Gromer Landscape Project will begin on June 21, 2025. • The next SNIP event will be on July 30, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. • Wasco Recreation and Parks District WRPD is having the Fourth of July event on June 28, 2025, at the Ballpark.
• Attended the ribbon cutting of the Wonderful Amenities Center on June 12, 2025. • Save the date: Kern EDC Annual Dinner on September 10, 2025. • The Water Department is doing a systematic valve replacement. Downtime is minimal, typically 2 -4 hours, and affected residents and businesses will receive advance notice. The public works staff will map out the areas affected. • The fiber project is underway, and staff are looking forward to reports from Unwired and their primary contractor, who are doing underground work. • Staff is available to print if the council is interested in distributing door hangers in their District with information on how to report illegal fireworks , with additional information.
18) REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL:
Council Member Raya:
• Requested an update on the Police Activities League from staff.
Council Member Reyna:
• Requested from staff regarding where the city will obtain funding for sidewalk improvements, and whether there is a plan.
• Requested from staff regarding if there has been any progress on an agreement with the County of Kern to complete road improvements on connecting city roads.
• Requested staff to follow up with Caltrans regarding painting a bike lane on the south side of Highway 46 from Central Avenue to Beckes. • Requested a certificate of recognition for Consuelo Connie Bernal for her work bringing the Memorial Day Celebration back to Wasco.
• Requested staff to work on having the graffiti removed from the standpipes located on Central Avenue between 7th Street and Highway 46.
Mayor Medina
• Requested staff to continue to monitor the weeds for the apartment complex on the corner of Central Avenue and 7th Street.
• Inquired with the staff about the status of the street lighting on Highway 43. • Requested an update on a monthly basis regarding progress, challenges, and successes from the work of the Homeless Outreach Coordinator.
There were no public comments on the closed session items.
Mayor Medina called a 5-minute recess and then adjourned into closed session at 7:23 p.m. Mayor Medina adjourned out of closed session at 7:49 p.m.
Docusign Envelope ID: BDD8F980-0322-4CA0-BF34-177C2C431440 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, June 17, 2025 19) CLOSED SESSION:
a. 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.
b. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION 54956.9 (d)(1) Name of Case: Amerivet Contracting, a California Corporation
c. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION 54956.9 (d)(1) Name of Case: LEO Towing
20) CLOSED SESSION ACTION:
City Attorney Tom Schroeter reported out.
a. 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.
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 LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION 54956.9 (d)(1) Name of Case: LEO Towing
No reportable action.
21) ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Medina adjourned the meeting at 7:49 p.m.
____________________________________
Maria O. Martinez, City Clerk
______________________________________
Valentin Medina, Mayor
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