City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, January 20, 2026
MINUTES
WASCO CITY COUNCIL
and Successor Agency to the
Former Redevelopment Agency
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
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 Saldaña led the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2) ROLL CALL: Mayor Saldaña, Mayor Pro Tem Reyna, Council Members: Martinez, Medina, Raya
PRESENT: Mayor Saldaña, Mayor Pro Tem Reyna, Council Members: Martinez, Medina LATE: None
ABSENT: Council Member Raya
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, Community Development Director Keri Cobb, Accounting Manager Rocio Mosqueda, Police Chief Alecio Mora
3) FLAG SALUTE: by Mayor Saldaña
4) INVOCATION: observed a moment of silence
5) APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion by Council Member Martinez, Seconded by Council Member Medina, to approve the agenda as to form by the following roll call vote:
AYES: SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: RAYA
6) PRESENTATIONS:
a. Proclamation – Lideres de Campesinas Pesticide Awareness Mayor Saldaña presented the proclamation to the North Kern Chapter of Lidere Campesinas.
7) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
There were no public comments
City Clerk Maria O. Martinez mentioned there are no email comments on this item or any other items on this agenda.
Docusign Envelope ID: 884A21C1-C7BA-4543-A6C7-BCFD97438232 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, January 20, 2026 8) SUCCESSOR AGENCY BUSINESS:
a. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Nomination and Appointment of Chairman and Vice-Chairman (Hurlbert)
Oral presentation by City Manager Scott Hurlbert.
There were no public comments.
Motion by Director Reyna, Seconded by Director Martinez , to appoint Vice -Chairman Saldaña as Chairman of the Successor Agency by the following roll call vote:
AYES: SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: RAYA
Motion by Director Martinez, Seconded by Chairman Medina, to appoint Director Reyna as Vice-Chairman of the Successor Agency by the following roll call vote:
AYES: SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: RAYA
b. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution of the Successor Agency to the Former Wasco Redevelopment Agency adding Eduardo Saldaña and Gilberto Reyna as Authorizing Signers for all Successor Agency Bank Accounts and remove Valentin Medina and Mark C. DeMay (Mosqueda)
Reso#2026-033
Oral presentation by Accounting Manager Rocio Mosqueda
There were no public comments
Motion by Director Martinez, Seconded by Vice-Chairman Reyna to adopt the resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: RAYA
9) WASCO PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY BUSINESS:
a. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Nomination and Appointment of Chairman and Vice-Chairman (Hurlbert)
Oral presentation by City Manager Hurlbert
There were no public comments.
Docusign Envelope ID: 884A21C1-C7BA-4543-A6C7-BCFD97438232 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, January 20, 2026 Motion by Director Martinez, Seconded by Chairman Medina to appoint Vice-chairman Saldaña as Chairman and appoint Director Reyna as Vice-chairman of the Wasco Public Finance Authority by the following roll call vote:
AYES: SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: RAYA
b. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Wasco Public Financing Authority adding Eduardo Saldaña and Gilberto Reyna as Authorizing Signers for all Wasco Public Financing Authority Bank Accounts and removing Valentin Medina and Mark C. DeMay. (Mosqueda)
Reso#2026-070
Oral presentation by Accounting Manager Rocio Mosqueda
There were no public comments.
Motion by Director Martinez, Seconded by Chairman Saldaña, to adopt the resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: RAYA
10) POLICE DEPARTMENT BADGE PINNING CEREMONY FOR:
a. Roman Nunez, Police Sergeant (Promotion)
b. Ethan Alegria, Senior Police Officer (Promotion)
c. Kristell Cristerna, Police Officer
Police Chief Mora presented the Police Department staff for the badge -pinning ceremony.
City Clerk Maria O. Martinez administered the oath of office to the Police Department staff.
Mayor Saldaña recessed the meeting at 6:41 p.m.
Mayor Saldaña reconvened the meeting at 6:49 p.m.
11) 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 reported on Crime Statistics 2024 vs 2025
Docusign Envelope ID: 884A21C1-C7BA-4543-A6C7-BCFD97438232 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, January 20, 2026 CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS:
12) 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 $ 763,509.19
b. Approval of City Council Minutes for:
1. December 2, 2025, Regular Meeting
2. December 16, 2025, Regular Meeting
3. December 23, 2025, Special Meeting
c. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution to Authorize the City Manager or Designee to execute the Second Amendment to the On Call Consultant Services Agreement No. 2021-054 with QUAD KNOPF, INC (QK).
Reso#2026-4294
Agmt#2021-054 (2)
d. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution adding Eduardo Saldaña and Gilberto Reyna as Authorizing Signers for all City Bank Accounts and Remove Valentin Medina and Mark C. DeMay.
Reso#2026-4295
e. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Approval of Training Exceeding $500.00 for PD Sworn Personnel Member to attend a Training regarding Intro to Science -Based Interviewing scheduled for January 27-29, 2026, in the City of Commerce, CA.
f. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Approval of Training Expenses Exceeding $500.00 for a Police Dispatcher to Attend the POST Public Safety Dispatcher Academy Scheduled for March 2 - 27, 2026, in Bakersfield, California.
g. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution to Authorize the City Manager to enter into an Amendment to agreement No. 2020 -60 (3) between the City of Wasco and SMS Landscape Architecture to pr ovide on-call landscape architecture services for the City.
Reso#2026-4296
Agmt#2020-060(3)
h. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or designee to approve a budget transfer and change order to United Pipe and Steel Fabrication related to the Well 14 Carport Project in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00.
Reso#2026-4297
Docusign Envelope ID: 884A21C1-C7BA-4543-A6C7-BCFD97438232 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, January 20, 2026 There was no Conflict of Interest on the consent calendar for any Council member.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Reyna, Seconded by Council Member Martinez, to approve the consent calendar by the following roll call vote:
AYES: SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NON
ABSENT: RAYA
13) PUBLIC HEARINGS:
a. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Conduct a Public Hearing to discuss the City’s Community Development block grant closeout of 21 -CDBG-PI-00032 Grant and Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or designee to closeout submission to the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Reso#2026-4298
Oral Presentation by Public Works Director Villa
Mayor Saldaña opened the public hearing at 7:03 p.m.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Saldaña closed the public hearing at 7:03 p.m.
Motion by Council Member Martinez, Seconded by Mayor Saldaña, to adopt the resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: RAYA
14) DEFERRED BUSINESS: None
15) NEW BUSINESS:
a. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Approval of Travel Expenses Exceeding $500.00 for the City Manager, Community Development Director, and Selection of two Council Members to attend the ICSC Conference scheduled for May 18-20,2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Hurlbert)
There was a consensus of the Council to have Council Member Martinez and Mayor Saldana attend the ICSC conference.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Reyna Seconded, by Mayor Saldana, to approve the travel expense by the following roll vote:
AYES: SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: RAYA
Docusign Envelope ID: 884A21C1-C7BA-4543-A6C7-BCFD97438232 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, January 20, 2026 b. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines, Reorganization of City Council Committee Assignments. (Hurlbert)
Oral presentation by City Manager Hurlbert.
There were no public comments
The following list of Committees created by the City Council:
• Interviewers for the recruitment of the Boards and Commissions (Martinez, Raya) Remains the same.
• Legislative Bill Introductions from League of California Cities (Martinez, Reyna) Remains the same.
• Wasco Community Task Force (Medina, Saldaña)
New Members: Raya, Saldana
• Committee to review and advise in relation to Real Estate transactions (Medina, Reyna)
Remains the same.
• City Position and Support Committee (Medina, Raya)
Remains the same.
The following list is from other agencies requesting city representatives:
• Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG)- (Reyna Member, Saldaña Alternate) Remains the same.
• City Selection Committee – (Reyna Member, Medina Alternate) Remains the same.
• San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Special City Selection Committee - (Reyna Member, Martinez, Alternate) (Martinez Member, Saldana Alternate) New Member: Saldana
New Alternate: Martinez
• Kern Economic Development Corporation (Kern EDC)- (Medina Member) Remains the same.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Reyna, Seconded by Council Member Medina, to approve the reorganization of the city council committee assignment list by the following roll call vote:
AYES: SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: RAYA
Docusign Envelope ID: 884A21C1-C7BA-4543-A6C7-BCFD97438232 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, January 20, 2026 c. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or designee to sign and execute a Consent to Common Use and Joint Use Agreement with California High Speed Rail Authority for utility crossing maintenance and emergency repair. (Hurlbert) Reso#2026-4299
Agmt#2026-001
Agmt#2026-002
Oral presentation by City Manager Scott Hurlbert
There were no public comments.
Motion by Council Member Martinez, Seconded by Mayor Saldana to adopt the resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: RAYA
d. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving the Employment Agreement with Keri Cobb as the Community Development Director with a salary amount of $156,400.00. (Hurlbert) Reso#2026-4300
Agmt#2019-032(2)
Oral presentation by City Manager Scott Hurlbert
There were no public comments.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Reyna, Seconded by Mayor Saldana, to adopt the resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: RAYA
16) REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES:
a. Kern Economic Development Corporation (Medina)
No reports.
b. Kern Council of Governments (Reyna)
Mayor Pro Tem Reyna reported on the following updates:
• Item 3C – EV Charging Program
o Wasco’s EV charging stations are fully installed.
o Budget amendment pending approval by the end of the week. o Final invoice and packet will be submitted once approved. o Agreement deadline: April 26.
• Item 4 – Regional Award of Merit
Docusign Envelope ID: 884A21C1-C7BA-4543-A6C7-BCFD97438232 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, January 20, 2026 o Wasco Police Department PAL Program receiving the Regional Award of Merit.
o Awards dinner on March 5; reservations underway.
• TTPC Update
o CMAQ project recommended for non-local grid classification. • Caltrans Construction Updates
o Pedestrian beacon projects on SR-46 and SR-43 are entering construction. o City approved ribbon-cutting for 46/J Street roundabout. • Item VD – ADU Alley Rehabilitation
o Funding revised to $705,882.
o Reporting deadline: February 4 (TTAC).
• REAP 2.0 Deadline Extensions
o Expenditures due Dec 31, 2026; final invoice/report due June 30, 2027. • Item VH – RSTP Draft Projects
o $925,000 proposed for pavement rehab (Griffith Ave. to Filburn St.) in 2027– 28 cycle.
• Item 6 – LCTOP Apportionments
• Regional total: $1,608,073; Wasco allocation: $43,443. • Two calls for projects expected: February and July
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:
• Two CDBG Workshops on January 14 th and 15th – One held at the PAL Building , where parents, community members, and youth attended; conducting online surveys – one for the youth and one for the community . The Community CDBG survey is posted on the City’s website and social media platforms. Over 100 people have completed it, and it will remain open until the next council meeting. Both workshops were a success • A STEM Robotics Program for 6 th-8th graders that begins this Thursday from California Resource CRC- will be held at the PAL Building; free of cost, with a limit of 20 youth, and still has openings.
• The HAWK and Beacon Crosswalk projects, one located on Highway 46 and Poplar Avenue, and the other on Highway 343 and 8th Street, will kick off on January 28th. • PAL will host a mobile health clinic on January 26th between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. • SNIP event scheduled for January 28th and February 23rd, both at 8:00 a.m. in front of the Public Works Department.
• Community Breakfast is scheduled at the Courthouse on Wednesday , February 4 th at 7:00 a.m.
• Kern Cog Regional Awards
• Municipal Campus location across the street from City Hall, demolition will begin soon. • Kern Economic Development kicked off the West Kern Consortium and had a huge turnout for the first meeting held at Taft College . Attendance remains strong with most recent meeting hosted in Delano.
Docusign Envelope ID: 884A21C1-C7BA-4543-A6C7-BCFD97438232 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, January 20, 2026
18) REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL:
Mayor Pro Tem Reyna:
• Attended Assemblymember Dr. Jasmeet Bains open house in December. • Participated in the food distribution on January 10 th in collaboration with Lideres de Campesinas and Food Forward – there were over 80 volunteers, distribut ed 39,000 pounds of food to over 500 families.
• Attended the Citizens Advisory Committee.
• Attended the Knights of Columbus as a member and had a chicken dinner sale to help the last seminarians within the Diocese of Fresno.
• Received complaints from community members about the work from the Unwired project.
Council Member Martinez:
• On January 10 th, Wasco High School opened its Wellness Center for students to have access to free clothing, shoes, hygiene products, and nutritious food. They are asking for donations of suits, suit jackets, slacks, ties, and similar items.
Council Member Medina:
• Requested staff to provide information for an update for Unwired. • Requested an update on the joint meeting with the Wasco Recreation and Parks District.
19) CLOSED SESSION: None
20) CLOSED SESSION ACTION: None
21) ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Saldaña adjourned the meeting at 8:03 p.m.
____________________________________
Maria O Martinez, City Clerk
______________________________________
Eduardo Saldaña, Mayor
Docusign Envelope ID: 884A21C1-C7BA-4543-A6C7-BCFD97438232