City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, October 7, 2025
MINUTES
WASCO CITY COUNCIL
and Successor Agency to the
Former Redevelopment Agency
Tuesday, October 7, 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 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 Tom Schroeter, Assistant City Manager Maria Lara, City Clerk Maria O. Martinez, Deputy City Clerk Monica Flores, Public Works Director Luis Villa, Community Development Director Keri Cobb , Account Manager Rocio Mosqueda, Fire Chief Appleton, Chief of Police Alecio Mora
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. Proclamation - Domestic Violence awareness month – Lideres de Campesinas Mayor Medina presented the proclamation to the North Kern Chapter of Lideres Campesinas.
b. Recognition – 2024 Wasco Rose Queen
Mayor Medina presented the certificate of recognition to the former Wasco Rose Queen Rhianna Sanchez.
Docusign Envelope ID: 7949E682-1715-444A-8C9E-469519CB885B City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, October 7, 2025 7) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
There were no public comments.
Deputy City Clerk Monica Flores mentioned there are no email comments for this item or any 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)
Fire Chief Appleton gave a recent fire report.
b. Wasco Police Department (Mora)
Police Chief Mora gave a recent crime report.
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 $916,403.74
b. Approval of City Council Minutes for:
1. August 5, 2025, Regular Meeting
2. September 2, 2025, Regular Meeting
3. September 16, 2025, Regular Meeting
c. Council finds this action is not a “project” as defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Approval of Travel and Training Expenses Exceeding $500.00 for Police Department Sworn Personnel to Attend the RIMSCON 28 Conference by Sun Ridge Systems from October 13-17, 2025, in Lake Tahoe. CA.
d. Council finds this action is not a “project” as 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. 2021-001 with Adams Ashby Group Inc., to Perform all Compliance Monitoring as Required by the HOME Program Loan made by the City in 2006 in an amount not to exceed $17,500 over a 5-year period.
Reso#2025-4271
Agmt#2021-001(1)
e. Council finds this action , based on the evidence in the Mitigated Negative Declaration, and the approval of the Water System Improvement and Treatment Project, will not have a significant environmental impact; Accept all Bids and Authorize the City Manager or Designee to Sign and Execute an Agreement with Arsenal Well Drilling Inc. for Drilling of Four Casing Hammer Test Water Wells Project as part of the City’s State Revolving Fund Water System Improvement and Treatment Project in an amount not to exceed $1.6 million.
Reso#2025-4272
Agmt#2025-031
Docusign Envelope ID: 7949E682-1715-444A-8C9E-469519CB885B City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, October 7, 2025
f. Council finds this action is not a “project” as defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving the City's Annual Calendar for the 2026 Calendar Year.
Reso#2025-4273
g. Council finds this action is not a “project” as defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Approval of Travel and Training Expenses Exceeding $500 per participant for City Manager and Assistant City Manager to attend the Kern County City Managers Training Conference, November 5th - 7th, 2025, in Pismo Beach, CA.
h. Council finds this action is not a “project” as defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Execute the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Grant Agreement PT26155 – Selective Traffic Enforc ement Program (STEP), Approve Budget Appropriations, and Any Amendments.
Reso#2025-4274
There was no Conflict of Interest on the consent calendar for any of the Council members.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Saldaña , seconded by Council Member Martinez , 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:
a. Council finds this action is not a “project” as defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Conduct a Public Hearing to Discuss the City’s Community Development Block Grant Closeout of 20-CDBG-CV2-3-00010 Grant.
Reso#2025-4275
Oral report by Public Works Director Luis Villa.
Mayor Medina opened the public hearing at 6:23 p.m.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Medina closed the public hearing at 6:23 p.m.
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
13) DEFERRED BUSINESS: None
Docusign Envelope ID: 7949E682-1715-444A-8C9E-469519CB885B City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, October 7, 2025 14) NEW BUSINESS:
a. Wasco Recreation Parks District Project Update- Information only
Oral presentation by Wasco Recreation and Parks District WRPD Manager Chris Serna and the WRPD consultant Monya Jameson to update the council on the expenditures of the Measure X funds that were allocated for park improvements, the Cormack Park Project, and the Annin Park Project.
Public comments by Oscar Enciso.
No action; informational item only.
b. Council finds this action is not a “project” as defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving the Amended Salary Schedule for the Fiscal Year 202 5-2026 in Compliance with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Requirement for Publicly Available Pay Schedules.
Reso#2025-4276
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” as defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution to ratify the Memorandum of Agreement Between Kern Council of Governments and City of Wasco for the 2026 Community- Based Outreach Mini -Grant Program, part of the 2026 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, and ha s been signed by the City Manager.
Reso#2025-4277
Oral presentation by Assistant City Manager Maria Lara.
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
Docusign Envelope ID: 7949E682-1715-444A-8C9E-469519CB885B City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, October 7, 2025 d. Council finds this action is not a “project” as defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Consideration of a Letter Requesting Governor Newsom to Veto Senate Bill 707 (SB 707).
Oral presentation by City Manager M. Scott Hurlbert.
There were no public comments.
Motion by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Saldaña, to approve the veto letter to Governor Newsom by the following roll call vote:
AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
e. Update to the council on the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) from the public hearing held on September 17, 2025.
Oral presentation by Public Works Director Luis Villa.
There were no public comments.
No action; informational item only.
15) REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES:
a. Kern Economic Development Corporation (Medina)
• Attended the Kern EDC Annual Dinner in September. Next meeting in January 2026.
b. Kern Council of Governments (Reyna)
No reports.
c. Wasco Task Force (Saldaña and Medina)
• City-Wide Clean-up will be on October 18, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Barker Park.
16) REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER:
City Manager Hurlbert updated the city council on the following:
• Dial-A-Ride provided transportation to the local seniors to the Kern County Fair Senior Day on September 19, 2025.
• Unwired Ribbon cutting was held on September 24, 2025 - will be completed early Spring 2026.
• Karl Clemens Elementary School opened a community closet for the local school children on September 26, 2025.
• The Community Breakfast was held at the PAL Building on October 5, 2025, at 7:00 a.m.
• The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the EL Toro Loco grand opening was held on October 4, 2025.
• The refuse pick-up schedule change is in progress beginning October 8, 2025. • Walmart remodel reopening event will be held on October 10, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. • National Night Out event will be on October 10, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in Downtown 7th Street.
• The Fall Community Clean-up event will be held on October 18, 2025, at Barker Park from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Trunk or Treat event will be held on October 30, 2025, at Barker Park, 6:00 p.m.
Docusign Envelope ID: 7949E682-1715-444A-8C9E-469519CB885B City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, October 7, 2025 • The Wasco High School vs Shafter High School football game will be on October 31, 2025.
• Wasco Christmas Parade will be on December 6, 2025.
• Wasco Tour of Lights will be in December; exact dates will be announced soon.
17) REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL:
Mayor Pro Tem Saldaña:
• Attended the Wasco High School Homecoming football game on October 3, 2025.
Council Member Reyna:
• Attended the El Toro Loco ribbon-cutting on October 4, 2025. • Met with the Wasco Union Elementary Superintendent and the Assistant Superintendent to discuss the Karl Clemens Community Closet and what the children need, providing clothing, meals, and , for Christmas, to provide free haircuts to serve those who are in great need in the community.
Mayor Medina:
• Attended the Karl Clemens Community Closet grand opening. • Attended the El Toro Loco ribbon-cutting grand opening. • Took part as a judge for the Wasco High School homecoming floats.
Mayor Medina announced the closed session item titles.
There were no public comments on the closed session items.
Mayor Medina adjourned into closed session at 7:19 p.m.
Mayor Medina adjourned out of closed session at 7:39 p.m.
18) CLOSED SESSION:
a. Closed Session Minutes for September 16, 2025.
b. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS 54956.8
Property: A portion of APN 4987-010-83
City negotiator: City Manager
Negotiating parties: The Towers LLC
Under negotiation: Price and terms of payment
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: LEO Towing
19) CLOSED SESSION ACTION:
City attorney Tom Schroeter reported out.
a. Closed Session Minutes for September 16, 2025.
Motion by Council Member Reyna, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Saldaña, to approve the closed session minutes, by the following roll call vote:
Docusign Envelope ID: 7949E682-1715-444A-8C9E-469519CB885B City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, October 7, 2025 AYES: MEDINA, SALDAÑA, MARTINEZ, RAYA, REYNA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
b. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS 54956.8
Property: A portion of APN 4987-010-83
City negotiator: City Manager
Negotiating parties: The Towers LLC
Under negotiation: Price and terms of payment
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: LEO Towing
No reportable action.
20) ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Medina adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
____________________________________
Monica Flores, Deputy City Clerk
______________________________________
Valentin Medina, Mayor
Docusign Envelope ID: 7949E682-1715-444A-8C9E-469519CB885B