City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, June 16, 2026
MINUTES
WASCO CITY COUNCIL
and Successor Agency to the
Former Redevelopment Agency
Tuesday, June 16, 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 Pro Tem Reyna 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 Pro Tem Reyna, Council Members: Martinez, Medina, Raya ABSENT: Mayor Saldaña
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager M. Scott Hurlbert, Assistant City Manager Maria Lara, City Attorney Thomas Schroeter, City Clerk Maria O. Martinez, Deputy City Clerk Monica Flores, Public Works Director Luis Villa, Community Development Director Keri Cobb, Police Chief Alecio Mora, Accounting Manager Rocio Mosqueda , Code Enforcement Officer Sergio Gonzalez , Human Resources Manager Nancy Vera, PAL Coordinator Diana Garcia
3) FLAG SALUTE: by Mayor Pro Tem Reyna
4) INVOCATION: observed a moment of silence
5) APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
City Manager Hurlbert informed the council that the closed session item 18.e. will be pulled from discussion, and the closed session items will be adjourned into session before agenda item 14.e. After adjourning out of closed session, the open session will resume.
Motion by Council Member Martinez , Seconded by Council Member Medina, to approve the agenda with the changes mentioned by the following roll call vote:
AYES: REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA, RAYA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: SALDAÑA
6) PRESENTATIONS:
a. Recognition – Wasco Police Activities League PAL Champion Boxer Christian Raya, and Coaches Carlos Prieto and Oscar Enciso.
Mayor Pro Tem Reyna presented the certificates.
Docusign Envelope ID: 2C72D2C8-0D8C-8B27-8383-7FFA84622FEB City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, June 16, 2026 b. Recognition – Orange Heart Foundation
Mayor Pro Tem Reyna presented the certificates.
7) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
• Traci Clendenen
• Orquidea Ocampo
• Isabel Navarro
• Oscar Enciso
Deputy City Clerk Monica Flores mentioned there were 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)
No report – Chief Appleton absent
b. Wasco Police Department (Mora)
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 $ 197,952.76
b. Approval of the City Council Minutes:
1. May 13, 2026, Special Meeting
2. June 2, 2026, Regular Meeting
c. 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 Annual Conference and Expo held on September 23-25, 2026, in Anaheim, California, not to exceed $556.50.
d. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Approval for Travel and Training Expenses Exceeding $500.00 per participant for Mayor Saldaña, Council Member Medina, Council Member Reyna, and Assistant City Manager Maria Lara to attend the League of California Cities 2026 Annual Conference and Expo on September 23 -25, 20 26, in Anaheim, California.
e. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Receive and File the Donation Financial Activity Quarterly Report for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 3rd Quarter (January 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026).
Docusign Envelope ID: 2C72D2C8-0D8C-8B27-8383-7FFA84622FEB City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, June 16, 2026 f. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Ratification of Travel and Training Expenses Exceeding $500.00 for one Wasco Police Department Officer to attend the Field Training Officer (FTO) Course scheduled for June 1-5, 2026, in Fresno, California.
g. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Ratification of Travel and Training Expenses Exceeding $500.00 for one Wasco Police Department Employee to attend the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Traffic Safety Law Enforcement Forum scheduled for June 10 -11, 2026, in Sacramento, California.
h. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving a List of Projects for Fiscal Year 202 6-27 Funded by SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
Reso#2026-4335
i. 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 Relations Association (CALPELRA) 2026 Annual Training Conference on November 17-20, 2026, in Monterey, California.
j. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving the Cost Report for Outstanding Fines and Abatement Costs, Assessing the Cost Thereof and Imposing Liens Pursuant to City of Wasco Municipal Code 1.20, 8.24, and 17.80.
ITEM 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 approve and purchase prepaid information technology consulting services exceeding $10,000 under an existing Professional Services Agreement with Daniel Morgan, sole proprietor.
Reso#2026-4337
l. 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 approve and purchase prepaid information technology consulting services exceeding $10,000 under an existing Professional Services Agreement with David Comelli dba Black Label Technologies.
Reso#2026-4338
There were no conflicts of interest for any council members.
Council Member Medina pulled item 11.j. for further discussion.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Reyna , Seconded by Council Member Medina , to approve the consent calendar with separate consideration on item 11.j. by the following roll call vote:
Docusign Envelope ID: 2C72D2C8-0D8C-8B27-8383-7FFA84622FEB City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, June 16, 2026 AYES: REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA, RAYA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: SALDAÑA
j. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving the Cost Report for Outstanding Fines and Abatement Costs, Assessing the Cost Thereof and Imposing Liens Pursuant to City of Wasco Municipal Code 1.20, 8.24, and 17.80.
Reso#2026-4336
Council Member Medina and Mayor Pro Tem Reyna requested clarification for the large fines for a single address in the code compliance cost report.
Code Enforcement Officer Sergio Gonzalez and Community Development Director Keri Cobb explained to the council that the large fines were due to repeated non- compliance.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Reyna, Seconded by Council Member Medina, to approve item 11.j. by the following roll call vote:
AYES: REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA, RAYA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: SALDAÑA
12) PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
13) DEFERRED BUSINESS: None
14) NEW BUSINESS:
a. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines; Appointment of One (1) Candidate to Fill the unexpired term vacancy on the Planning Commission, with term ending December 31, 2030.
Council members Martinez and Medina recommended appointing Orquidea Ocampo to fill the unexpired vacancy of Planning Commissioner.
There were no public comments.
Motion by Council Member Martinez, Seconded by Council Member Medina, to appoint Orquidea Ocampo to the Planning Commission Board by the following roll call vote:
AYES: REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA, RAYA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: SALDAÑA
Docusign Envelope ID: 2C72D2C8-0D8C-8B27-8383-7FFA84622FEB City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, June 16, 2026 b. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving the Fiscal Year 2026 -2027 Annual Operating Budget and 2027-2031 the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program.
Reso#2026-4339
Oral presentation by City Manager M. Scott Hurlbert.
There were no public comments.
Motion by Council Member Medina, Seconded by Council Member Martinez, to adopt the resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA, RAYA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: SALDAÑA
c. 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 select the CDBG program that best aligns with the City’s current needs and execute the associated agreement or written notification by July 7, 2026.
Reso#2026-4340
Oral presentation by Community Development Director Keri Cobb.
There were no public comments.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Reyna, Seconded by Council Member Martinez, to adopt the resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA, RAYA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: SALDAÑA
d. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution calling and giving notice of holding a General Municipal Election for the Office of City Council Members for Districts 1 and 3 for the full term of four (4) years and requesting that the Kern County Board of Supervisors consolidate the election with the Statewide General Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Reso#2026-4341
Oral presentation by City Clerk Maria Martinez.
There were no public comments.
Motion by Council Member Medina, Seconded by Council Member Raya, to adopt the resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA, RAYA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: SALDAÑA
Docusign Envelope ID: 2C72D2C8-0D8C-8B27-8383-7FFA84622FEB City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, June 16, 2026 There were no public comments on any closed session items.
Mayor Pro Tem Reyna adjourned into Closed Session with the exception of item
18.e. at 7:22 p.m. with a 7-minute recess.
18) CLOSED SESSION:
a. Closed Session Minutes for June 2, 2026.
b. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS 54957.6
Agency Designated Representative: M. Scott Hurlbert & Nancy Vera Employee Organization: SEIU Local 521
c. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS 54957.
Agency Designated Representative: M. Scott Hurlbert & Nancy Ver Employee Organization: WPOA
d. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION -54957
Title: City Manager
e. 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: (2 potential cases
ITEM REMOVED FROM DISCUSSION
i. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS 54957.6
Agency designated representatives: Mayor and Councilmembers Mayor Pro Tem Reyna adjourned out of closed session at 8:40 p.m. and resumed the open session meeting.
19) CLOSED SESSION ACTION:
City attorney Tom Schroeder and Mayor Pro Tem Reyna reported out. a. Closed Session Minutes for June 2, 2026.
Motion by Council Member Martinez , Seconded by Council Member Raya , to approve the closed session minutes by the following roll call vote:
AYES: REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA, RAYA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: SALDAÑA
b. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS 54957.6
Agency Designated Representative: M. Scott Hurlbert & Nancy Vera Employee Organization: SEIU Local 521
No reportable action.
c. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS 54957.6
Agency Designated Representative: M. Scott Hurlbert & Nancy Vera Employee Organization: WPOA
No reportable action.
Docusign Envelope ID: 2C72D2C8-0D8C-8B27-8383-7FFA84622FEB City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, June 16, 2026 d. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION -54957
Title: City Manager
Mayor Pro Tem Reyna reported that there was a consensus of the city council to renew t he City Manager’s employment contract for a two -year term, with an annual salary of $217,510.00, and up to three one -year contract renewal extensions.
e. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANITICPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) and paragraph (3) of subdivision (e) of Section 54956.9: (2 potential cases)
ITEM REMOVED FROM DISCUSSION
i. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS 54957.
Agency designated representatives: Mayor and Councilmembers No reportable action.
14) NEW BUSINESS:
e. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving Proposed Memorandum of Understanding Agreement between Wasco Police Officers Association (WPOA) and the City of Wasco.
Reso#2026-4342
Agmt#2026-014
Oral presentation by City Manager Scott Hurlbert.
There were no public comments.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Reyna, Seconded by Council Member Martinez, to adopt the resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA, RAYA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: SALDAÑA
f. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving the Employment Agreement for the City Manager position.
Reso#2026-4343
Agmt#2026-015
Oral presentation by Human Resources Manager Nancy Vera: The City Manager’s employment contract for a two -year term, with an annual salary of $217,510.00, and up to three one-year contract renewal extensions.
There were no public comments.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Reyna, Seconded by Council Member Raya, to adopt the resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA, RAYA
Docusign Envelope ID: 2C72D2C8-0D8C-8B27-8383-7FFA84622FEB City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, June 16, 2026 NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: SALDAÑA
g. 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 2026-2027 in Compliance with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Requirement for Publicly Available Pay Schedules.
Reso#2026-4344
Oral presentation by City Manager Scott Hurlbert.
There were no public comments.
Motion by Council Member Martinez, Seconded by Council Member Medina, to adopt the resolution by the following roll call vote:
AYES: REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA, RAYA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: SALDAÑA
16) REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER:
City Manager Hurlbert updated the city council on the following:
• SR Hwy 46 and Poplar Avenue HAWK installation is making progress; the concrete will be poured tomorrow, and the poles are expected to be shipped and received tomorrow.
• Coffee with a Cop event will be held at Starbucks on June 29th. • The Community Breakfast event will be going dark in July. • The City Offices will be closed on July 3rd to observe the Fourth of July Holiday. • Independence Day Celebration will be held at Barker Park on July 4 th; there will be one city booth managed by the Homeless Outreach Coordinator. • The Business District Watch meeting will be held at the Old Courthouse on July 1st. • The Junior PD Academy is TBD.
17) REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL:
Council Member Medina:
• Thanked staff for completing the crosswalk striping on Gromer Avenue.
Mayor Pro Tem Reyna:
• Requested that staff submit the training and expense request before the training takes place.
• Inquired if staff has reviewed the current drone ordinance to develop a policy for its use. Wasco PD's staff use of the drone is covered under the current ordinance. • Received complaints of low water pressure and sediment at the tap, and he had experienced low water pressure at his home. Inquired with staff if there were any reasons the water pressure drops . Staff had not received any complaints about water pressure issues; staff perform daily SCADA checks. City Manager suggested public outreach to encourage residents to report when experiencing low water pressure.
Docusign Envelope ID: 2C72D2C8-0D8C-8B27-8383-7FFA84622FEB City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, June 16, 2026
There were no public comments on the remaining closed session items.
Mayor Pro Tem Reyna adjourned back into closed session at 8:42 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Reyna adjourned out of closed session at 9:03 p.m.
18) CLOSED SESSION:
City attorney Tom Schroeter reported out.
f. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATION 54956.8
Property: APN 487-200-06
City Negotiator: City Manager, Mayor
Negotiating Party Marlow Ag Logistics
g. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATION 54956.8
Property: APN 487-140-52, 487-180-01 and 487-200-04
City Negotiator: City Manager, Mayor
Negotiating Party I&M Sheep Company
h. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATION 54956.8
Property: APN 487-010-83
City Negotiator: City Manager, Mayor
Negotiating Party: Vertical Bridge
19) CLOSED SESSION ACTION:
City attorney Tom Schroeter reported out.
f. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATION 54956.8
Property: APN 487-200-06
City Negotiator: City Manager, Mayor
Negotiating Party Marlow Ag Logistics
No reportable action.
g. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATION 54956.8
Property: APN 487-140-52, 487-180-01 and 487-200-04
City Negotiator: City Manager, Mayor
Negotiating Party I&M Sheep Company
No reportable action
h. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATION 54956.8
Property: APN 487-010-83
City Negotiator: City Manager, Mayor
Negotiating Party: Vertical Bridge
No reportable action.
20) ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Pro Tem Reyna adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
____________________________________
Monica Flores, Deputy City Clerk
______________________________________
Gilberto Reyna, Mayor Pro Tem
Docusign Envelope ID: 2C72D2C8-0D8C-8B27-8383-7FFA84622FEB