City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, July 21, 2026
MINUTES
WASCO CITY COUNCIL
and Successor Agency to the
Former Redevelopment Agency
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Regular Meeting – 6:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
746 8th Street, Wasco, CA 93280
THIS MEETING WAS CONDUCTED IN A HYBRID MODEL WITH BOTH IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE AND VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION.
REGULAR MEETING – 6:00 pm
1) CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Saldaña called 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, Raya
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager M. Scott Hurlbert, Assistant City Manager Maria Lara, City Attorney Tom Schroeter, City Clerk Maria O. Martinez, Executive Assistant I Monica Flores, Executive Assistant I Cinthia Ugalde , Public Works Director Luis Villa, Community Development Director Keri Cobb, Finance Director Tracy Blakemore, Police Chief Alecio Mora
3) FLAG SALUTE: by Mayor Saldaña
4) INVOCATION: observed a moment of silence.
5) APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Reyna, seconded by Mayor Saldaña, to approve the agenda as to form with the following roll call vote:
AYES: SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA, RAYA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
6) PRESENTATIONS:
a. Caltrans SR46 Improvement Project Update
• Shelley Maggard, Caltrans Project Manager Update
Docusign Envelope ID: 5BD11C4B-9960-8DEB-8020-EC381371FDE7 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, July 21, 2026 7) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
In-person public comments by Lucia Lara.
Deputy City Clerk Monica Flores announced that no remote public comments were received for this item.
Executive Assistant I, Cinthia Ugalde, mentioned that there are no email comments on this item or any other items on this agenda.
8) SUCCESSOR AGENCY BUSINESS: None
9) WASCO PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY BUSINESS: None
10) PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS
a. Kern County Fire Department (Appleton):
No reports – Chief Appleton absent.
b. Wasco Police Department (Mora):
Police Chief Alecio Mora reported on the current public safety report and the Junior Summer Camp update.
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 for separate consideration.
a. Receive and File department payments totaling $ 293,133.76
b. Approval of City Council Minutes for July 7, 2026.
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 for a Police Dispatcher to attend the POST Basic Dispatcher Academy from August 3-28, 2026, in Fresno, California.
d. 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 one Wasco Police Department Officer to attend the Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) Course scheduled for August 4-5, 2026, in San Bernardino, California.
e. 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 one Wasco Police Department Police Officer to attend the POST Gang Investigations (ICI) Foundation Specialty Course scheduled for August 3 -7, 2026, in El Cajon, California.
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 for one Wasco Police Department Senior Police Officer to attend the Critical Incident Docusign Envelope ID: 5BD11C4B-9960-8DEB-8020-EC381371FDE7 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, July 21, 2026 Management 360° Course scheduled for August 24 -26, 2026, in Grover Beach, California.
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 Finalize and Execute a One -Year Service Agreement Renewal with Surge Technology Group, LLC dba P1 Technologies for Nutanix Software Licensing and Production Support for the Police Department, i n an Amount Not to Exceed $17,925.54, Subject to City Manager and City Attorney Review.
Reso#2026-4359
Agmt#2026-019
h. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving an Application and Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Enter Into and Execute a Grant Agreement, Budget Appropriations, and or Amendments thereto for the State of California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) FY 2026 -2027 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (Step) In the Amount of $48,000.00.
Reso#2026-4360
i. 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 a Contract with Bowman Asphalt, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $709,218.00 for the REAP 2.0 Alley Improvement Project and to execute Contract Change Orders in an amount not to exceed an aggregate of $40,782.00.
Reso#2026-4361
Agmt#2026-020
j. Council finds that this Project is classified as categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Section 15332; Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Execute a Contract with Westrock LLC in an amount not to exceed $349,999.00 for the Beckes Street R oad Rehabilitation Project and to Execute Contract Change Orders in an amount not to exceed an aggregate of $50,000.00. and authorizing the City Manager or Designee to negotiate a reimbursement agreement with the Wasco Recreation and Parks District for the Rehabilitation of two Westside Park parking lots.
Reso#2026-4362
Agmt#2026-021
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 Execute an Agreement with VSS International, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $218,211.00 for the NE Zone Fiber Seal Project and to Execute Contract Change Orders in an amount not to exceed an aggregate of $200,000.00.
Reso#2026-4363
Agmt#2026-022
Docusign Envelope ID: 5BD11C4B-9960-8DEB-8020-EC381371FDE7 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, July 21, 2026 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 Execute a Letter of Working Agreement(s) with the Kern County Fire Department.
Reso#2026-4364
No Conflict of Interest on the consent calendar for any Council member.
There were no in-person public comments.
Deputy City Clerk Monica Flores announced that no remote public comments were received for this item.
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, RAYA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
12) PUBLIC HEARINGS: NONE
Staff shall introduce the public hearing item and present their report to Council. Councilmembers may ask questions of staff if they desire. Any member of the public may speak or present evidence after being recognized by the Mayor. All rules of decorum apply during Public Hearings.
Each member of the Council shall verbally disclose all ex parte communications concerning the subject of the hearing.
13) DEFERRED BUSINESS: None
14) NEW BUSINESS: The public may comment on each item listed on the agenda for New Business items as the items are taken up. New Business items may be reordered at the Chair's discretion.
The public may speak up to 2 minutes on each agenda item.
a. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving the Amended Salary Schedule for the Fiscal Year 202 6-2027 in Compliance with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Requirement for Publicly Available Pay Schedules.
Reso#2026-4365
Human Resources Manager Nancy Vera gave an oral presentation.
There were no in-person public comments.
Deputy City Clerk M onica Flores announced that no remote public comments were received for this item.
Motion by Council Member Medina , seconded by Mayor Saldaña, to adopt the resolution with the following roll call vote:
AYES: SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA, RAYA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Docusign Envelope ID: 5BD11C4B-9960-8DEB-8020-EC381371FDE7 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, July 21, 2026
b. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2026-4341 to add Section 8 to add a clause pursuant to Elections Code § 10002 the governing body hereby Requests the Board of Supervisors of the County of Kern to permit the Kern County Elections Division to Provide any and all Services Necessary for conducting the General Election on November 3, 2026, and agrees to Pay for Said Services in full.
Reso#2026-4341 (1)
City Clerk Maria Martinez gave an oral presentation.
There were no in-person public comments.
Deputy City Clerk M onica Flores announced that no remote public comments were received for this item.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Reyna , seconded by Mayor Saldaña, to adopt the resolution with the following roll call vote:
AYES: SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA, RAYA
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 Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Finalize and Execute Amendment No. 1 to the Existing Service Agreement with GoTo Connect Technologies USA, LLC for an amount not to exceed $21,600.00, subject to City Manager and City Attorney Review.
Reso#2026-4366
City Manager Scott Hulbert gave an oral presentation.
There were no in-person public comments.
Deputy City Clerk M onica Flores announced that no remote public comments were received for this item.
Motion by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Council Member Medina , to adopt the resolution with the following roll call vote:
AYES: SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA, RAYA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
15) REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES:
a. Kern Economic Development Corporation (Medina)
• No report.
b. Kern Council of Governments (Reyna)
• No report.
c. Wasco Task Force (Saldaña and Raya)
• No report.
Docusign Envelope ID: 5BD11C4B-9960-8DEB-8020-EC381371FDE7 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, July 21, 2026
16) REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER: (Hurlbert)
City Manager Hurlbert updated the City Council on the following:
• HAWK Installation Update – Pending pole delivery and installation. • Community Breakfast scheduled Wednesday , August 5, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. at Independence High School.
• Bike Rodeo scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Wasco High School Cafeteria parking lot.
• SNIP Event, sponsored by the Love Dogs group, is scheduled for August 10, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pre-registration required; $20.00 fee. • Kern Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) Dinner is scheduled for September 10, 2026.
• Citizen concern on the Sidewalk Installation Project. Update provided by the Public Works Director, Luis Villa.
• Wasco Rose Festival and Parade scheduled for September 12, 2026. • Evening in Bloom recognizing the Grand Marshal(s) scheduled for September 12, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
17) REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL:
Mayor Pro Tem Reyna:
• Attended the St. John’s Catholic Church Food Distribution – Lideres Campesinas Food Forward on July 11, 2026.
• Informed Staff of the pothole and repairs required on the west side of the alley at 1209 Hwy 46, Fastrip gas station.
• Requested that staff provide plans to Council for refurbishing the alleys in the City. • Requested an update on Unwired: Timeline for replacing asphalt with concrete. • Informed that Kern County is working on local roads . Corner of Kimberlina and Central. Corner of Kimberlina and Palm.
• Requested to revisit the proposal to Kern County to work on the City’s local roads when the County is working on their right-of-way.
Council Member Medina:
• Requested from staff whether there is a Master Map regarding Weed Abatement.
Council Member Medina:
• Thanked the Assistant City Manager Maria Lara for working on obtaining grant funding for the City to provide internship opportunities. • Thanked Staff for maintaining the Filburn Avenue walking path.
18) CLOSED SESSION: Public comments on Closed Session Items only
There were no in-person public comments on the closed session items.
Deputy City Clerk M onica Flores announced that no remote public comments were received for this item.
Mayor Saldaña adjourned into closed session at 7:06 p.m. with a five-minute recess.
Mayor Saldaña adjourned out of closed session at 7:30 p.m.
19) CLOSED SESSION: Teleconference/Video Conference Meeting. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956, the Public may not participate in the Closed Session, other than for Public Comments.
Docusign Envelope ID: 5BD11C4B-9960-8DEB-8020-EC381371FDE7 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, July 21, 2026
a. Closed Session Minutes for July 7, 2026.
b. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9:(1 potential case)
c. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS 54957.6
Agency Designated Representative: M. Scott Hurlbert & Nancy Vera Employee Organization: SEIU Local 521
d. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATION 54956.8
Property: APN 487-200-06
City Negotiator: City Manager, Mayor
Negotiating Party: TBE Services
20) CLOSED SESSION ACTION:
City Attorney Tom Schroeter reported out.
a. Closed Session Minutes for July 7, 2026.
Motion by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Mayor Saldaña, to approve the closed session minutes, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: SALDAÑA, REYNA, MARTINEZ, MEDINA, RAYA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
b. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9:(1 potential case)
No reportable action
c. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS 54957.6
Agency Designated Representative: M. Scott Hurlbert & Nancy Vera Employee Organization: SEIU Local 521
No reportable action
d. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATION 54956.8
Property: APN 487-200-06
City Negotiator: City Manager, Mayor
Negotiating Party: TBE Services
No reportable action
Docusign Envelope ID: 5BD11C4B-9960-8DEB-8020-EC381371FDE7 City of Wasco City Council Meeting Minutes, July 21, 2026
21) ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Saldaña adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
____________________________________
Maria O, Martinez, City Clerk
______________________________________
Eduardo Saldaña, Mayor
Docusign Envelope ID: 5BD11C4B-9960-8DEB-8020-EC381371FDE7