City of Wasco City Council Minutes Agenda, July 1, 2025
MINUTES
WASCO CITY COUNCIL
and Successor Agency to the
Former Redevelopment Agency
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Regular Meeting – 6:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
746 8 th Street, Wasco, CA 93280
REGULAR MEETING – 6:00 pm
1) CALL TO ORDER: Mayor
Mayor Medina called the meeting to order at 6:01 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 Mark Bateman, 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, Human Resource Manager Nancy Vera, Chief of Police Charlie Fivecoat, Assistant Chief of Police Alecio Mora, Lead Code Compliance Officer Sergio Gonzalez, Homeless Outreach Coordinator Mandy Bega
3) FLAG SALUTE: by Mayor Medina
4) INVOCATION: Observed a moment of silence
5) APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion by Council Member Martinez seconded by Mayor Medina, 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. Recognition Connie Bernal
Mayor Medina presented Connie Bernal with a certificate of recognition.
b. Homeless Outreach Coordinator Status Report
The Community Development Director presented a status report.
7) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
x Maria Munoz
City of Wasco City Council Minutes Agenda, July 1, 2025 City Clerk Maria O. Martinez mentioned no email comments for this item or other agenda items.
8) SUCCESSOR AGENCY BUSINESS: None
9) WASCO PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY BUSINESS: None
10) PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS
a. Kern County Fire Department (Appleton)
No report – Fire Chief Appleton absent
b. Wasco Police Department (Fivecoat)
Assistant Chief of Police Mora gave a PowerPoint presentation on crime statistics.
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 $ 771,141.46
b. Approval of City Council Minutes for:
1. June 3, 2025, Regular Meeting
2. June 17, 2025, Regular Meeting
c. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Approval of Travel Expenses Exceeding $500.00 per trip for the Administrative Manager/City Clerk and the Executive Assistant I/Deputy City Clerk to attend the California Municipal Clerks Association CMCA Annual Conference on April 29– May 1, 2026, in Anaheim, California.
d. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Authori zing the City Manager or Designee t o
Accept the Grant Award of $148,142.00 and Execute a Grant Agreement, Budget Appropriations, and any Amendments thereto for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 for the Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program (CTFGP) from the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Reso#2025-4226
Agmt#2025-024
e. 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 Accept the Grant Award of $48,085.00 and Execute the Grant Agreement, Budget Appropriations, Certifications and Assurances for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 California State of Good Repair (SGR) Program.
Reso#2025-4227
f. 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 the Human Resources Manager to attend the California Public Employers Labor
City of Wasco City Council Minutes Agenda, July 1, 2025 Relations Association (CALPELRA) 2024 Annual Training Conference on November 18 - 21, 2025, in Monterey, CA.
g. 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 Sign and Execute a Purchase Order with TrailersPlus Bakersfield for a Purchase of Two Dump Trailers for a total amount not to exceed $22,000.00.
Reso#2025-4228
h. 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 for a Police Officer to attend the California Commission of Police Officer Standards POST Homicide Investigation Course scheduled for July 7 - 18, 2025, in McClellan, CA.
i. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Approval of the acceptance of the Central Avenue Rehabilitation Project and authorizes the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion.
Rec#2025-009
j. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Authorizi ng the City Manager or designee to Endorse and enter into an Agreement with BHT Engineering, Inc. for the design phase of the Filburn Avenue WEST CMAQ Project in an amount not to exceed $86,697.50 and allowing the City Manager to execute Contract Change Orders in an amount not to exceed an aggregate of $15,000.00.
Pulled for Separate Consideration
k. 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 Endorse and Enter into an Agreement with BHT Engineering, Inc. for the Design Phase of the Filburn Avenue EAST CMAQ Project in an Amount not to Exceed $85,922.50 and allowing the City Manager to Execute Contract Change Orders in an Amount not to Exceed an Aggregate of $15,000.00.
Reso#2025-4230
Agmt#2025-023
l. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Accept and file the City of Wasco Triennial Performance Audit for Fiscal Years 2021/2022 through 2023/2024.
There was no conflict of interest on th e consent calendar for any of the Council Members.
City Manager Scott Hurlbert pulled item 11j for separate consideration.
Motion by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Mayor Medina, to approve the consent calendar with separate consideration on item 11j by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
City of Wasco City Council Minutes Agenda, July 1, 2025 ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
j. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Authorizi ng the City Manager or designee to Endorse and enter into an Agreement with BHT Engineering, Inc. for the design phase of the Filburn Avenue WEST CMAQ Project in an amount not to exceed $86,697.50 and allowing the City Manager to execute Contract Change Orders in an amount not to exceed an aggregate of $15,000.00.
Reso#2025-4229
Agmt#2025-022
City Manager Hurlbert explained that the amounts of the project are less than what was posted on the agenda; the correct amount is $85,922.50. Changes will be reflected in the staff report, resolution, and agreement with the exhibit.
Motion by Mayor Medina, seconded by Council Member Reyna, to adopt the resolution with changes mentioned by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
12) PUBLIC HEARINGS:
a. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Public Hearing and Reporting on City of Wasco Vacancies, Recruitment, and Retention Efforts to Comply with Assembly Bill 2561. (Hurlbert)
City Manager Hurlbert gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Medina opened the public hearing at 7:04 p.m.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Medina closed the public hearing at 7:04 p.m.
Motion by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Mayor Medina, to receive and file the report by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
13) DEFERRED BUSINESS: None
14) NEW BUSINESS:
a. Council finds this is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving Amending the Employment Agreements between Kameron Arnold, Charles V. Fivecoat, Maria Lara, and the City of Wasco.
Reso#2025-4231
City of Wasco City Council Minutes Agenda, July 1, 2025 Agmt#2021-048 (1)
Agmt#2022-045 (1)
Agmt#2024-023 (1)
Oral presentation by City Manager Hurlbert.
There were no public comments.
Motion by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Council Member Reyna, to adopt a resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
b. Council finds this is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving the Amended Salary Schedule for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 in Compliance wi th the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Requirement for Publicly Available Pay Schedules.
Reso#2025-4232
Oral presentation by City Manager Hurlbert.
There were no public comments.
Motion by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Mayor Medina, to adopt a resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
c. Council finds this is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution reaffirming Resolution No. 2025-4225, Approving the City’s Fiscal Year 2025–2026 Annual Operating Budget and the Five-Year 2025–2030 Capital Improvement Program in Compliance with AB 2561 Vacancy Reporting Requirements (Hurlbert)
Reso#2025-4233
Oral presentation by City Manager Hurlbert.
There were no public comments.
Motion by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Mayor Medina, to adopt a resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
City of Wasco City Council Minutes Agenda, July 1, 2025
15) REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES:
a. Kern Economic Development Corporation (Medina)
Mayor Medina:
x Some comments from the Kern EDC meetin g included: the casino in Arvin will open in four months and will provide abo ut 2,000 jobs, there is a proposal for an industrial park on Rosedale Ranch, there hasn’t been a new oil well drilled in Kern County in the last two years, and at one point 450,000 barrels of oil were being produced and that was down to 230,000. The 2025 - 2028 Strategic Plan is in the works and expected to be printed soon.
b. Kern Council of Governments (Reyna)
Council Member Reyna:
x Highway 43 Pedestrian Beacons; the permit was issued on May 14, 2025. x Highway 46 Pedestrian Beacons is awaiting the City Manager’s signature. Shane Gunn will be asked to connect directly to the City Manager. x Followed up on the county roads with Supervisor David Couch. x The RSTP and the CMAQ applications were due July 17, 2025. x Followed up with the Highway 46 bike lane between Central Avenue and Beckes Street with Shane Gunn, and he requested that the information be sent to him from city staff so he can provide an official response.
c. Wasco Task Force (Saldaña and Medina)
Mayor Medina:
x Last Saturday, June 28, 2025, the latest cleanup event was held, and had a great turnout. Thanked the city staf f for organizing the event. The next cleanup event will be posted as soon as the location is determined.
16) REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER:
City Manager Hurlbert updated the city council on the following:
x The Community Breakfast has gone dark for July 2025.
x The SNIP event will take place on July 3, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. by appointment in front of the Public Works Department.
x Pet adoption event on July 3, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at the Grocery Outlet. x PAL open house on July 10, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the PAL building.
x Save the Date: Kern EDC Annual Dinner, September 10, 2025. x The Water Department was doing preventative or proactive valve replacement. Staff will inform the council if that starts up again. x West Kern Economic Alliance's next meeting is scheduled for July 9, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Wonderful Amenities Logistic Center.
x Staff has been moving forward on a number of fronts with the anti-illegal fireworks campaign, including the distribution of door hangers by Mr. Reyna and developed an English/Spanish flier to be distributed to regular fireworks booths for them to not only post, bu t have a few copies to hand out to customers, and transit passengers.
17)
REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL:
City of Wasco City Council Minutes Agenda, July 1, 2025 Council Member Reyna:
x Participated in the Wasco Task Force Beautification Project on June 21, 2025. x Attended the third and fourth Hearts and Minds Workshops on June 22nd and June 29th, with 50 participants overall.
x Attended the Fourth of July celebration at Barker Park on June 28, 2025. x Attended Coffee with a Cop at the Woman’s Club today, July 1, 2025.
Mayor Medina:
x Requested a certificate of recognition for Police Officers.
There were no public comments on the closed session items.
Mayor Medina adjourned into closed session at 7:32 pm.
Mayor Medina adjourned out of closed session at 8:35 pm
18) CLOSED SESSION:
a. Closed Session Minutes for June 17, 2025.
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
d. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION – City Manager per Government Code Section 54957
19) CLOSED SESSION ACTION:
City Attorney Mark Bateman reported out.
a. Closed Session Minutes for June 17, 2025.
Motion by Mayor/Mayor Pro Tem/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 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.
City of Wasco City Council Minutes Agenda, July 1, 2025 d. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION – City Manager per Government Code Section 54957
No reportable action.
20) ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Medina adjourned the meeting at 8:36 p.m.
____________________________________
Maria O. Martinez, City Clerk
______________________________________
Valentin Medina, Mayor