>> I APPRECIATE THAT. GOOD EVENING.
[00:00:05]
THIS MEETING IS BEING HELD PURSUANT TO AB[1) CALL TO ORDER]
361 ISSUED BY GOVERNOR NEWSOM ON SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2021 IN GOVERNMENT CODE 54953E.ALL MEMBERS ARE JOINING THIS MEETING REMOTELY VIA ZOOM WEBINAR.
WE WILL NOW CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU CALL IT THE ROLL.
IF YOU'RE ABLE PLEASE STAND FOR A FLAG SALUTE AND REMAIN STANDING FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE AFTER THE FLAG SALUTE.
THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THANK YOU ALL. YOU MAY BE SEATED AT THIS TIME.
[5) PRESENTATIONS:]
PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATION FOR SAFELY SURRENDER BABY AWARENESS MONTH.RECEIVING THE PROCLAMATION IS MIGUEL SALAZAR.
WHEREAS THE SAFELY SURRENDER BABY LAW RESPONSES TO THE INCREASE IN MEMBER OF NEWBORN INFANT DEATHS DUE TO ABANDONMENT IN UNSAFE LOCATIONS, AND WHEREAS FIRST CREATED IN JANUARY 2001, THE LAW INTENDS TO SAVE THE LIVES OF NEWBORN INFANTS AT RISK, ABANDONED BY ENCOURAGING PARENTS OR PERSONS WITH LAWFUL CUSTODY TO SAFELY SURRENDER THE INFANT WITHIN 72 HOURS FROM BIRTH WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
WHEREAS IN KERN COUNTY, THERE HAD BEEN 90 BABIES SAFELY SURRENDERED SINCE 2006, WHEREAS IN WASCO, AND THROUGHOUT KERN COUNTY, A NEWBORN BABY CAN BE SAFELY SURRENDER IN THE HANDS OF ANY HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM, OR FIRE STATION STAFF.
WHEREAS THE SAFELY SURRENDER BABY COALITION UNDER THE COORDINATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, WORKS TO EDUCATE WASCO CITIZENS AND ALL KERN COUNTY RESIDENTS ABOUT THE IMPORTANT LAW.
THE COALITION IS MADE UP OF A SMALL GROUP OF DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS REPRESENTING A LONG LIST OF AGENCIES, NON-PROFITS, HOSPITALS, AND STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING FIRST 5 KERN, BAKERSFIELD CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE KERN COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT, KERN MEDICAL DIGNITY HEALTH, MERCY AND MEMORIAL HOSPITALS, ADVENTIST HEALTH AND CLINICAL SIERRA VISTA, TO NAME A FEW.
NOW THEREFORE, I, GILBERTO REYNA, MAYOR OF THE CITY WASCO, CALIFORNIA, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, A SAFELY SURRENDER BABY AWARENESS MONTH, AND ENCOURAGE ALL WASCO CITIZENS TO REACH OUT AND ASSIST THE SAFELY SURRENDER BABY COLLISION WITH ENDEAVOR.
IS DATED IN WASCO, CALIFORNIA, THIS FIRST DAY OF FEBRUARY 2022.
IS MR. MIGUEL SALAZAR PRESENT? YES, I SEE HIM THERE. MR. SALAZAR, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS?
>> YES. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THOSE PRESENT, ON BEHALF OF THE KERN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS IMPORTANT PROCLAMATION. THANK YOU.
>> NOW WE MOVE ON TO RECOGNITIONS.
WE HAVE THIS FIRST RECOGNITION.
THIS IS THE CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION.
THE CITY OF WASCO PROUDLY PRESENTS THE CERTIFICATE TO FERNANDO LOPEZ JUNIOR, AND TO JULIAN CORTES IN RECOGNITION FOR HIS SELFLESS AND EXCEPTIONAL HEROISM DEMONSTRATED ON JANUARY 10TH, 2022, WHILE SAVING THE LIFE OF AN ELDERLY RESIDENT FROM A SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED HOUSE FIRE WITHOUT HESITATION, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF A FELLOW CITIZEN, AND UNSELFISHLY RISKED HIS LIFE TO SAVE ANOTHER PERSON.
HONORED ON FEBRUARY 1ST, 2022, YOURS TRULY MAYOR GILBERTO REYNA.
I KNOW FERNANDO IS HERE AND I UNDERSTAND THAT JULIAN COULD NOT ATTEND.
[00:05:03]
FERNANDO, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS?>> MAYOR REYNA, IT APPEARS HE WAS HERE, BUT I THINK HE LOGGED OFF.
>> VERY WELL. WE WILL SEND TO THEM THIS CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION.
THEN WE HAVE ONE MORE, AND THAT'S CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION.
THE CITY OF WASCO PROUDLY PRESENTS THIS CERTIFICATE TO TONI DEROSA ANTOINETTE, I LOVE THAT NAME, IN RECOGNITION FOR HER OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN JOURNALISM AND AS EDITOR OF THE WASCO TRIBUNE, AND DEDICATED YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE WASCO COMMUNITY.
HONORED ON FEBRUARY 1ST, 2022, GILBERTO REYNA, MAYOR.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS?
>> YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU. I BELIEVE.
>> I ABSOLUTELY LOVED MY TIME IN WASCO, AND I'M GLAD I WENT FULL CIRCLE.
YOU WERE MY FIRST CITY THAT I STARTED JOURNALISM IN 2005 AND I'M RETIRING NOW AT 72.
I'M READY TO START A NEW JOURNEY.
>> EXCELLENT. I KNOW THAT YOU WILL REMAIN IN WASCO FOR A PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE YOU MOVE ON TO LONG BEACH.
I'M GLAD THAT YOU ARE NOT LEAVING JUST SUDDENLY AND THAT I WILL SEE YOU IN THE STREETS OF WASCO, AND IN THE EVENTS OF WASCO IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE, TONI.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU. GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU. MAYOR PRO TEM PALLARES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS?
>> WELL, IT'S WITH PROFOUND SADNESS, I HEARD ABOUT THE RETIREMENT, BUT I'M ALSO JOYOUS FOR YOU.
WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK AND I APPRECIATE NOT ONLY YOUR EDITORIALS OR YOUR STORIES BUT JUST YOUR FRIENDSHIP AND KINDNESS THROUGHOUT ALL THE EVENTS THAT WE'VE BEEN ATTENDING TOGETHER.
IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A PLEASURE BEING IN YOUR PRESENCE. THANK YOU, TONI.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER GARCIA, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS?
>> I JUST WANTED TO ECHO MY APPRECIATION FOR TONI.
I REALLY APPRECIATE HER CONTRIBUTIONS, ESPECIALLY TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE DEVELOPMENT.
I KNOW SHE HELPED PARTICIPATE IN THE IDEA OF DOING HOME DELIVERIES LOCALLY FROM GROCERY STORES FOR FOLKS, WHO WERE IMPACTED BY COVID.
THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT SHE DEFINITELY BEGAN WITH HER AS A NEED, AND SHE HELPED THEM SEE THAT THROUGH.
I APPRECIATE HER BEYOND THAT, I HAVE COME TO KNOW HER FAMILY AS WELL AND APPRECIATE THEM AS WELL.
BUT THANK YOU AGAIN TO TONI FOR ALL OF YOUR SERVICE IN WASCO.
WISH YOU ALL THE BEST OF LUCK IN LONG BEACH.
>> THANK YOU. THANKS, MEMBER GARCIA.
MEMBER MARTINEZ, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS?
>> OF COURSE. TONI, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP.
IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR WORKING ALONGSIDE OF YOU, NOT ONLY THROUGH THE COUNCIL, BUT THROUGH MY WORK WITH NORTHSTAR NEWS, TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS FOR YOU, ALL OF THAT STUFF.
IT'S NICE TO MEET A JOURNALIST WHO ACTUALLY CARES ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND IS HONEST AND TRUSTWORTHY, YOU'RE GOING TO BE MISSED IN TERMS OF YOUR JOB, BUT I HOPE THAT WE STAY IN TOUCH AND THAT WE CONTINUE TO BE FRIENDS GOING FORWARD.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE FOR THE CITY.
>>THANK YOU, MEMBER MARTINEZ, AND I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU A ROUND OF APPLAUSE, TONI.
>> I THINK CAN YOU DO IT THIS WAY VIA ZOOM.
[LAUGHTER] I'M TAKING MY CUE FROM MEMBER GARCIA, HE'S GOING LIKE THIS.
[6) PUBLIC COMMENTS:]
THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING IS RESERVED FOR PERSONS DESIRING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL AND INCLUDING THE COUNCIL ACTING AS A GOVERNING BOARD FOR THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY, ON ANY MATTES NOT ON THIS AGENDA AND OVER WHICH THE COUNCIL AND THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY HAS JURISDICTION.AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION IS LIMITED TO TWO MINUTES PER SPEAKER.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A VERBAL COMMENT USING ZOOM, WE USE THE RAISE HAND BUTTON TO REQUEST TO SPEAK.
[00:10:01]
IF YOU'RE USING A TELEPHONE, PLEASE DIAL NINE ON YOUR TELEPHONE KEYPAD.YOU WILL BE CALLED UPON BY THE NUMBER YOU'RE CALLING FROM WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN TO SPEAK.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD BEFORE YOU BEGIN YOUR COMMENT.
ONCE YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED, YOU WILL BE MUTED.
ANYONE WHO HAS NOT PROVIDED THEIR COMMENTS BY THE CLOSE OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF THE MEETING CAN EMAIL THEIR COMMENTS TO THE CITY CLERK AT CLERK@CITYWASCO.ORG, AND THEIR COMMENTS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE FINAL RECORD.
THE CITY COUNCIL IS VERY INTERESTED IN YOUR COMMENTS.
HOWEVER, DUE TO THE BROWN ACT REQUIREMENTS, NO ACTION MAY BE TAKEN AT THIS MEETING.
SHOULD YOUR COMMENTS REQUIRE FURTHER CONSIDERATION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OR THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY, THE ITEM WILL BE AGENDIZED FOR A REPORT AND DISCUSSED AT A FUTURE CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
AT THIS TIME, DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC, MADAM CLERK?
>> MAYOR REYNA, WE DO. WE HAVE ONE COMMENT FROM YOLANDA HARRISON.
>> VERY GOOD. MRS. HARRISON, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> ACTUALLY IT'S NOT MRS. HARRISON, IS CARLOS HARRISON, HER HUSBAND.
>> FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO ASK THE COUNCIL, THE THING WITH THE 15TH STREET PARK WITH THE PLAYGROUND.
HOW DID IT ACTUALLY GET THAT FAR WITH THE COUNCIL? I DON'T KNOW WHAT JURISDICTION YOU GUYS HAVE OVER THAT OR WHAT? I KNOW IT'S THE CITY OF WASCO AND IT WAS A PARK.
AS A CITIZEN, I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN ANY OTHER PARK IN THE CITY, IT WOULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN THAT FAR.
I KNOW THAT THE PARK AND RECS, THEY'RE OVER THE PARKS AND EVERYTHING, BUT AS MY QUESTION IS TO THE COUNCIL, HOW DID THAT GET THAT FAR WITHOUT THE CITY COUNCIL STEPPING IN AND DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THAT? ALSO, I THINK THIS IS A PRESIDENT FOR THE COUNCIL.
THIS COUNCIL HAS NEVER HAD A AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO SIT ON THIS COUNCIL.
I KNOW IT'S NOT ABOUT COLOR OR ANYTHING, BUT IT WOULD BE A HONOR FOR MYRON WILLIAMS JUNIOR TO SIT ON THIS COUNCIL.
YOU GOT THE COUNCIL THE POINT.
I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST ANYBODY ELSE.
>> THAT IS A POINT. EXCUSE ME.
>> IF YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND RESERVE YOUR COMMENTS FOR THAT ITEM WHICH IS ITEM 12A.
THE ONLY THING TO ADDRESS RIGHT NOW IS ITEMS THAT ARE NOT AGENDAS.
>> THANK YOU. I DIDN'T KNOW IF THAT WAS ON THE AGENDA OR NOT.
BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THE 15TH STREET PARK ISSUE IS ON THE AGENDA OR NOT, BUT I JUST WANTED TO ASK THE CITY COUNCIL, HOW DID YOU GUYS ALLOW THAT TO GET THAT FAR WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T HAVE NEVER HAPPENED IN BARKER PARK, IT WOULD'VE NEVER HAPPENED IN KARMA PARK, IT WOULD'VE NEVER HAPPENED IN WESTSIDE PARK.
THAT PARK IS STILL A PARK IN WASCO.
I'M PRETTY SURE BECAUSE WE'VE HAD A MEETING OVER IT WITH VINCE NOT TOO LONG AGO.
THAT IS WAY OUT OF HAND AND I'M JUST WONDERING HOW DID THE CITY OF WASCO ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN WITHOUT STEPPING IN?
>> MR. HARRISON AS YOU KNOW WE CANNOT ADDRESS THIS BECAUSE IT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA.
WHY DON'T I GET BACK TO YOU OR HAVE MR. MARTINEZ GET BACK TO YOU ON THIS QUESTION.
>> YOU'RE QUITE WELCOME. MADAM CLERK, ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS?
>> YES. THE NEXT PUBLIC COMMENT IS FROM T MILLS, CLENDENIN.
>> GOOD EVENING COUNCIL, IT'S TRACY MILLS CLENDENIN.
>> HI GUYS. CARLOS IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
WE HAD OUR TASK FORCE MEETING REGARDING THE 15TH STREET PARK, AND IT IS BEYOND JUST A TASK FORCE OR PARKS AND REC TO HANDLE IT.
[00:15:03]
IT REALLY IS GOING TO TAKE ALL OF US AND I WOULD SUGGEST THAT ALL OF YOU STAY IN THE LOOP WITH WHAT THE TASK FORCE IS DOING.OUR HANDS ARE NOT TIED AS A COUNCIL, BUT WE NEED TO INVOLVE POT HERNANDEZ TOO.
I KNOW HE'S BEEN ON MEETINGS BEFORE TALKING ABOUT HOMELESSNESS AND I THINK HE WOULD BE A GOOD PERSON FOR US TO REACH OUT TO ALSO FOR THE TASK FORCE AND WITH THE CITY AND PARKS AND LAKE.
THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN GIVEN MORE TICKET.
I KNOW SO BECAUSE I GOT ONE, BUT I WASN'T MAD BECAUSE I'M GLAD THAT THEY WERE OUT DOING SOMETHING AND THAT'S THE ONLY WAY WE'RE GOING TO HIT PEOPLE TO OBEY THE LAWS IS TO ENFORCE THEM.
EVEN THOUGH I GOT ONE, HIGH-FIVE FOR THEM FOR GIVING THEM OUT, I DESERVED MINE.
HIGH-SPEED RAIL, I KNOW THAT WE SHOULD BE GETTING AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND IT WOULD BE NICE IF WE COULD HAVE A TIMELINE OF EVENTS JUST SO THE REST OF US THAT HAVE WORKED REALLY HARD ON IT CAN MAKE SURE THAT WHAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE DONE IS HAPPENING.
I STILL ATTEND THE HIGH-SPEED RAIL MEETINGS JUST SO WE HAVE TO SPEAK UP AGAIN, WE CAN.
>> ARE THERE ANY UPDATES REGARDING THE MCFARLAND ANNEX PROJECTS THAT THEY WANTED TO DO AND THE CITY LIGHTING PROJECTS? I'M SOUTH OPPOSED TO WHEN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS.
THAT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING WITH THAT. THANK YOU.
I'LL GET BACK TO YOU ON THIS ISSUES THAT YOU BROUGHT UP.
MADAM CLERK, ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS?
>> MAYOR REYNA, THERE APPEARS TO BE NO OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME.
>> DO WE HAVE ANY EMAIL COMMENTS, MADAM CLERK?
MAYOR REYNA THERE ARE NO EMAIL COMMENTS AT THIS TIME.
>> THANK YOU MADAM CLERK AND WE MOVE ON NOW TO ITEM NUMBER 9.
[9) CONSENT CALENDAR:]
THERE'S NOTHING UNDER NUMBER 7 OR 8, CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS CONSENT CALENDAR.THE CONSENT CALENDAR CONSISTS OF ITEMS THAT IN STAFF'S OPINION, A ROUTINE AND NON CONTROVERSIAL.
THESE ITEMS ARE APPROVED IN ONE MOTION UNLESS A COUNCIL MEMBER OR A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WOULD QUESTION, WE WILL HAVE A PARTICULAR ITEM.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE A PARTICULAR ITEM USING ZOOM, PLEASE USE THE RAISE HAND BUTTON.
IF YOU'RE USING A TELEPHONE, PLEASE DIAL NINE ON YOUR TELEPHONE KEYPAD.
IT WILL BE CALLED UPON BY THE NUMBER YOU'RE CALLING FROM, WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN TO SPEAK.
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE MEMBERS IF THEY HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTERESTS ON A PARTICULAR ITEM ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
>> THANK YOU. I DON'T HAVE ANY CONFLICTS EITHER.
[NOISE] IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT OR WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE A PARTICULAR ITEM FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR? MADAM CLERK, DO WE HAVE ANY EMAIL COMMENTS?
>> THERE ARE NO EMAIL COMMENTS MAYOR REYNA.
>> OR ANYONE ACTUALLY PRESSING THAT WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM OR COMMENT ON IT?
>> THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
>> SO MOVE, MR. MURPHY. THIS IS MEMBER MARTINEZ.
>> MADAM CLERK HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
COULD YOU CALL THE VOTE BY A PROTOCOL.
>> MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MARTINEZ, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
[12) a. Nomination and Adoption of a Resolution appointing a person to fill the District 4 unexpired term vacancy with the term expiring on November 8, 2022, General Municipal Elections Results are Certified and the City Clerk will administer the Oath of Office to the Newly Appointed Councilmember. (Hurlbert)]
THERE'S NOTHING UNDER NUMBER 10 OR 11. NEW BUSINESS.NOMINATION AND ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPOINTING A PERSON TO FILL THE DISTRICT 4 UNEXPIRED TERM VACANCY WITH THE TERM EXPIRING ON NOVEMBER 8TH, 2022.
[00:20:04]
GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS RESULTS ARE CERTIFIED AND THE CITY CLERK WILL ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE TO THE NEWLY APPOINTED COUNCIL. MR. HURLBERT.>> THANK YOU HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THIS ITEM IS THE NEXT STEP IN OUR PROCESS TO FILL THE VACANT SEAT IN DISTRICT 4.
WE HAVE A SHORT PRESENTATION THAT THE CITY CLERK WILL BRING UP ON THE SCREEN TO GO OVER THE STEPS THAT WE'LL TAKE TONIGHT, HOPEFULLY, TO MAKE THAT APPOINTMENT AND SEAT THE NEW COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> GIVE ME A MINUTE CITY MANAGER, I'M TRYING TO GET THIS TO WORK.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I GUESS BEFORE WE START THIS, I'D LIKE TO THANK OUR THREE CANDIDATES FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.
I HAVE SEEN ALL PRESENT HERE, AND I APPRECIATE THAT BEING AVAILABLE FOR TONIGHT'S PROCESS. NEXT SLIDE.
IF YOU RECALL, AT OUR PREVIOUS REGULAR MEETING ON THE 18TH, WE ADOPTED THE APPOINTMENT GUIDELINES WHICH SPELL OUT THE PROCESS WE WILL TAKE FOR DOING THE FINAL APPOINTMENT VOTE.
THIS IS THE TEXT OF THAT GUIDELINES THAT WAS ADOPTED.
IT'S IN PRETTY SMALL WRITING, SO I DON'T EXPECT EVERYONE TO BE ABLE TO READ THAT.
BUT ESSENTIALLY, WE WILL GO IN THE SAME ORDER THAT THE APPLICANTS WERE INTERVIEWED AND DO A ROLL CALL VOTE.
IF WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF CLARIFICATIONS.
THIS IS INTENDED THAT EACH EXISTING OF THE FOUR COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL PLACE ONE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE DURING THE ROLL CALL UNTIL WE REACH ANY PARTICULAR CANDIDATE THAT GETS A MAJORITY OF VOTES.
IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, WE HAVE FOUR COUNCIL MEMBERS VOTING.
IF WE HAVE THE ROLL CALL AND ANY PARTICULAR CANDIDATE REACHES THREE VOTES, THAT WILL CONSTITUTE A MAJORITY AND THAT'S ALL THAT'S NECESSARY TO SELECT THE APPLICANT TO BE SEATED.
THERE WOULD NOT BE A REASON TO CARRY FORWARD.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO REMIND THE COUNCIL THAT IT'S A SINGLE VOTE.
WE'RE NOT LOOKING FOR THE BEST OF THREE VOTES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
EACH COUNCIL MEMBER WILL BE ONE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE FOR THEIR SELECTED CANDIDATE.
ONCE WE REACH THAT, THEN WE WILL STOP.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES.
IF THE CLERK COULD MOVE TO THE NEXT SCREEN.
THE FIRST INTERVIEWEE, WE'LL TAKE THE ROLL CALL.
IF THERE IS A 3-1, AS I PREVIOUSLY STATED THEN THAT APPLICANT WILL BE APPOINTED, FILL THE VACANCY, AND THAT WILL END THE PROCESS.
ANOTHER SCENARIO MIGHT BE THAT THAT PARTICULAR CANDIDATE JUST RECEIVES TWO AFFIRMATIVE VOTES, THEN WE WOULD MOVE ON TO THE NEXT INTERVIEWEE AND SEE WHERE WE GO FROM THERE.
THE LIKELY SCENARIO THERE WOULD BE EITHER A TIE OR A 2-1-1 VOTE.
THIRD SCENARIO IS THAT THERE IS A 2-2 VOTE.
TWO CANDIDATES EACH RECEIVE TWO AFFIRMATIVE VOTES.
AS ESTABLISHED IN THE GUIDELINES PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED, THE MAYOR'S VOTE, WHICHEVER CANDIDATE WAS VOTED FOR BY THE MAYOR WILL BREAK THAT TIE AND THAT PARTICULAR CANDIDATE WILL BE APPOINTED.
IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS ON THAT PROCESS, I'M HAPPY TO FIELD THOSE.
IF NOT, THEN WE CAN PROCEED FORWARD.
>> WELL, THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.
THANK YOU, MR. HURLBERT, FOR THE PRESENTATION.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION IS LIMITED TO TWO MINUTES PER SPEAKER.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A VERBAL COMMENT USING ZOOM, PLEASE USE THE RAISE HAND BUTTON TO REQUEST TO SPEAK.
IF YOU'RE USING A TELEPHONE, PLEASE DIAL 9 ON YOUR TELEPHONE KEYPAD.
YOU WILL BE CALLED UPON BY THE NUMBER YOU'RE CALLING FROM WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN TO SPEAK.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD BEFORE YOU BEGIN YOUR COMMENTS.
ONCE YOUR TIME IS EXPIRED, YOU WILL BE MUTED.
AT THIS TIME, DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC, MADAM CLERK?
[00:25:01]
[NOISE]>> MAYOR REYNA, WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM MR. HARRISON.
>> YES, MR. HARRISON, PLEASE YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> THERE WE GO. I'M UNMUTED NOW. I'M SORRY.
>> YES, AGAIN, AS I WAS STATING JUST A MOMENT AGO, THE CITY OF WASCO IS WELL OVER 100 YEARS OLD AND I'VE BEEN HERE FOR OVER 60 SOMEWHAT YEARS.
FOR WHATEVER REASON, WHEN THERE HAS BEEN AN AFRICAN AMERICAN OR BLACK MAN TO RUN FOR A POSITION ON THE CITY COUNCIL FOR WHATEVER REASON, FOR SOME REASON, THEY DON'T GET IN THERE.
ALL I WANTED TO SAY TO THE COUNCIL, THIS IS A TIME TO WHERE YOU GUYS CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN BY PUTTING MYRON WILLIAMS JUNIOR ON THIS COUNCIL.
[NOISE] THE WORD I WANT TO USE, IT WOULD MAKE A GREAT STATEMENT, NUMBER 1, TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY HERE BECAUSE WE HAVE NEVER HAD A REPRESENTATIVE THERE.
I KNOW THAT YOU ARE APPOINTING HIM AND IT'S NOT ABOUT RACE, IT'S ABOUT THE MAN THAT IS ACTUALLY GOING ON THERE.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE BEEN HERE IN WASCO.
THERE'S PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE TO REALLY SEE AN AFRICAN AMERICAN ON THIS BOARD AND I AM HOPING AND WISHING THAT THAT WOULD HAPPEN THIS EVENING.
THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO STATE.
MYRON WILLIAMS IS A GREAT YOUNG MAN TO PUT IN THAT POSITION.
I'VE WATCHED HIM GROW UP IN THIS COMMUNITY. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I'M NOT TAKING ANYTHING ELSE FROM THE OTHER TWO GENTLEMEN.
IT WOULD JUST REALLY BE GREAT TO SEE AN AFRICAN AMERICAN SITTING IN THAT POSITION.
MADAM CLERK, DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC?
>> MAYOR REYNA, WE HAVE NO OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANY EMAIL COMMENTS, MADAM CLERK?
>> MAYOR REYNA, I DO NOT SEE ANY EMAIL COMMENTS AT THIS TIME.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM POLARIS.
>> THE ONLY COMMENT I WOULD HAVE IS A GREAT THANK YOU AND GRATITUDE TO THE THREE CANDIDATES THAT ARE WILLING TO SERVE FOR WASCO.
JUST A NOTE TO THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL THAT THIS TOWN WOULD GREATLY BENEFIT FROM EVERYONE WHO CAN STEP UP FROM TIME TO TIME TO HELP THIS CITY. THANK YOU.
>> [NOISE] THANK YOU, MEMBER POLARIS, MAYOR PRO TEM. MEMBER GARCIA.
>> I WANTED TO ECHO THE PRO TEM'S COMMENTS AND APPRECIATION TO EVERY CANDIDATE WHO PUT THEIR NAME FORWARD.
I CONTACTED EVERYONE TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR THEM PUTTING THEIR NAME OUT THERE.
IT DOES TAKE A LOT TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS.
[NOISE] WITH THAT BEING SAID, I JUST SEND MY GREAT APPRECIATION TO EVERYONE FOR GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS.
I HOPE TO SEE YOU ON ONE OF OUR COMMISSIONS ON BOARDS.
IF YOU'RE NOT SELECTED TONIGHT, AS WE HAVE UPCOMING VACANCIES ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION, MEASURE X AS WELL AND OTHERS. THANK YOU TO THAT.
TONIGHT, MY DECISION WILL BE BASED ON THE BREADTH OF THE CANDIDATES [INAUDIBLE].
WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR IS WHO CAN SERVE AND LOOKING WHO WILL DO THAT WELL.
ALL THE CANDIDATES THIS EVENING, ARE EMINENTLY QUALIFIED.
BUT I'M LOOKING FOR A CANDIDATE WHO CAN BRING A NEW PERSPECTIVE AND A DIFFERENT POST ON OUR COMMUNITY THAT ALL OF US MEMBERS ALREADY BRING TO THE COUNCIL.
BRINGING NEW VOICE AND A NEW PERSPECTIVE TO ALL OF OUR ISSUES THAT WE FACE AS A COUNCIL IS PARAMOUNT TO MEET.
[00:30:02]
THANK YOU. THAT WILL BE THE EXTENT OF MY COMMENTS FOR NOW, MAYOR.>> THANK YOU, MEMBER GARCIA. MEMBER MARTINEZ?
>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I'LL BE HONEST, THIS IS THE MOST DIFFICULT DECISION I'VE HAD TO MAKE SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE COUNCIL.
I WAS LITERALLY DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, STILL WRESTLING WITH THE DECISION BECAUSE EACH ONE OF THE CANDIDATES DO HAVE UNIQUE QUALITIES THAT I THINK CAN BENEFIT THE CITY.
IT'S DIFFICULT TO MAKE A DECISION BASED ON COMMUNITY SERVICE, KNOWLEDGE OF GOVERNMENT, HOW ARTICULATE, HOW WELL YOU REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY, PLUS HOW WELL THE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED.
IT'S A VERY, VERY DIFFICULT DECISION.
IN YOUR OWN WAY, EACH ONE OF THESE CANDIDATES ARE UNIQUELY QUALIFIED.
I JUST HOPE WHOEVER DOES NOT GET SELECTED DOESN'T GET DISCOURAGED.
I CERTAINLY HOPE YOU GUYS PUT IN FOR OUR VARIOUS BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AND CONTINUE TO LEARN ABOUT THE CITY AND WHOEVER IS NOT SELECTED, IT'S NOT A KNOCK ON YOUR ABILITY.
IT'S JUST DIFFICULT WHEN WE CAN ONLY SELECT ONE AND WE HAVE TO PICK THE PERSON WHO WE THINK HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY THE BEST.
BUT THANK YOU GUYS EACH FOR APPLYING FOR THIS.
HOPEFULLY WE MAKE A GOOD DECISION TONIGHT.
>> THANK YOU, MEMBER MARTINEZ.
I WANT TO ECHO ALL OF THE MEMBERS' COMMENTS.
I THINK THAT FIRST OF ALL, AND I DID MENTION THIS BEFORE, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING FORWARD AND PUTTING YOUR NAME TO BE ABLE TO SERVE IN THIS BODY.
IT'S NOT EASY. PEOPLE HAVE LIVES TO LIVE AND IT IS A THANKLESS JOB AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW.
[LAUGHTER] SO YOU BEING WILLING TO SERVE SPEAKS HIGHLY OF YOU.
YOU HAVE DIFFERENT QUALIFICATIONS AND I KNOW FOR ME AS WELL IT'S A DIFFICULT DECISION.
WITH NO FURTHER COMMENTS, MADAM CLERK, AT THIS TIME, MAY WE NOW STARTED THE VOTING PROCESS [NOISE].
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. WE WILL START WITH THE FIRST INTERVIEWEE, MICHAEL D LYNCH. MAYOR REYNA?
>> MAYOR, WE HAVE NOT REACHED A MAJORITY VOTE FOR MICHAEL D LYNCH AT THIS TIME.
>> WE WILL NOW CONTINUE WITH THE SECOND INTERVIEWEE EDUARDO R SALDANA.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER GARCIA? > RESPECTFULLY NAY.
>> MAYOR, WE HAVE NOT REACHED A MAJORITY BOTH FOR EDUARDO R SALDANA.
WE WILL NOW CONTINUE WITH THE THIRD INTERVIEWEE.
>> MADAM CLERK, BEFORE YOU CONTINUE, I DO HAVE A QUESTION FOR OUR CITY MANAGER.
>> WE ONLY GET ONE VOTE OF ALL THESE THREE CANDIDATES.
>> CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, I BELIEVE THAT MAYOR PRO TEM HAS VOTED AYE TWICE.
IS THAT CORRECT, MAYOR PRO TEM?
>> THE GUIDELINES THAT WE ESTABLISHED PRIOR TO TAKING THE VOTE, WERE THAT EACH OF THE FOUR COUNCIL MEMBERS WOULD HAVE ONE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE TOTAL THAT THEY WOULD VOTE FOR THEIR TOP SELECTION FOR THE CANDIDATE THAT THEY PREFER.
BY VIRTUE OF THAT, THEIR VOTES FOR THE OTHER CANDIDATES WOULD BE CONSIDERED NAY.
PENDING CONCURRENCE FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY, I WOULD PROPOSE THAT WE RESTART THE VOTING WITH MR. SALDANA.
WE ESTABLISH THAT THERE WERE TWO AYE VOTES FOR MR. LYNCH.
THE DUPLICATE VOTE WAS CAST FOR MR. SALDANA BY MAYOR PRO TEM POLARIS.
[00:35:01]
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT, MAYOR PRO TEM, OR DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW THAT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK?>> NO, I THOUGHT IT WAS PER CANDIDATE AND THEN IF THERE WAS AN EVENT OF A TIE, BUT IF I HAVE TO, I CAN UNDO MY VOTE FOR SALDANA AS A NEGATIVE.
>> OKAY. I ABSOLUTELY IN NO WAY WANT TO INFLUENCE YOUR VOTE.
YOU NEED TO VOTE AFFIRMATIVE FOR YOUR TOP CANDIDATE AND A NEGATIVE FOR THE REMAINING CANDIDATES.
[NOISE] IF YOU'RE HAPPY WITH THAT CHANGE THEN WE CAN PROCEED WITH COMPLETING THE ROLL-CALL FOR MR. SALDANA.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. I'LL BE A AYE VOTE FOR LYNCH AND THEN NEGATIVE FOR SALDANA.
>> IS THAT SUFFICIENT, CITY ATTORNEY?
>> YOU DON'T NEED TO GO BACK AND RE-VOTE IT.
HE COULD JUST WITHDRAW HIS AYE VOTE AND CHANGE IT TO NO.
>> OKAY. THEN WE CAN MOVE FORWARD, MADAM CLERK, WITH CONTINUING THE ROLL-CALL FOR MR. SALDANA.
>>I BELIEVE THAT MEMBER GARCIA VOTED A NAY ON MR. SALDANA.
>> WE ONLY NEEDED TO HEAR FROM COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ.
>> NOW WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE THIRD INTERVIEWEE MYRON E WILLIAMS II.
>> CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, CITY MANAGER, AS WE SEE, WE HAVE TWO AYES FOR MR. LYNCH AND TWO AYES FOR MR. WILLIAMS. AT THIS POINT, THERE IS A TIE VOTE BETWEEN THESE TWO CANDIDATES.
THE TIE VOTE IS BROKEN BY THE MAYOR.
AT THIS POINT, WE SHOULD BE APPOINTING MR. LYNCH TO THE VACANCY FOR DISTRICT 4?
>> YES. MADAM CLERK, YOUR TALLY MATCHES MINE.
ACCORDING TO THE GUIDELINES PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL THAT THE TIE IS BROKEN BY THE MAYOR'S VOTE.
YOU ARE CORRECT, MR. LYNCH IS TO BE APPOINTED?
>> MAYOR, IF WE CAN PROCEED WITH THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION APPOINTING MR. LYNCH AS THE COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT 4.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. BASED ON THE MAJORITY VOTE, I WOULD NOW LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION APPOINTING MR. LYNCH, TO FILL THE DISTRICT 4 AN EXPIRED TERM VACANCY, BUT THE TERM EXPIRING ON NOVEMBER 8TH, 28, 2022.
GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION RESULTS WERE CERTIFIED.
>> THANK YOU. MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU CALL THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL?
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ.
I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T GET THE FIRST AND THE SECOND.
>> I BELIEVE THE FIRST WAS MR. GARCIA, SECOND BY MR. MARTINEZ.
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER GARCIA, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ TO APPOINT MICHAEL D LYNCH TO THE VACANCY OF DISTRICT 4 EXPIRING ON NOVEMBER 8TH,
[00:40:07]
2022 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS RESULTS ARE CERTIFIED.MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
NOW THE CITY CLERK WILL ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE.
>> I WILL. GIVE ME ONE MINUTE, MAYOR.
[NOISE] HEY, MR. LYNCH, YOU CAN PLEASE AFFIRM ONCE I AM DONE, SAYING THE OATH BY SAYING I DO OR EXAM.
IF YOU CAN RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND, PLEASE.
DO YOU MICHAEL D LYNCH, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, THAT YOU WILL BEAR TRUTH, FAITH, AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
THAT YOU WILL TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION OR PURPOSE OF EVASION, AND THAT YOU WILL WELL AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES YOU'RE ABOUT TO ENTER.
>> MR. LYNCH, YOU NEED TO TURN YOUR MICROPHONE ON.
>> I'LL SAY IT AGAIN. I SOLEMNLY SWEAR, I WILL.
>> PERFECT. CONGRATULATIONS, COUNCIL MEMBER LYNCH.
>> I DO WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I WILL CONTACT YOU TOMORROW TO START SCHEDULING THE ORIENTATION AND TRAININGS.
>> CONGRATULATIONS, MR. LYNCH.
>> THANK YOU. TO THE OTHER MEMBERS THAT WERE VYING FOR THIS SEAT, I WANT TO TELL YOU, PLEASE GET INVOLVED IN THE MANY DIFFERENT AREAS THAT WE HAVE FOR YOU TO GET INVOLVED.
EXCUSE ME. MEMBER GARCIA ALREADY POINTED OUT SOME OF THE AGENCIES THAT ARE IN NEED OF PEOPLE TO FILL THOSE SEATS, SO PLEASE GET INVOLVED.
I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.
[13) REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND COMMITTEES:]
[NOISE] REPORT FROM COMMISSIONERS AND COMMITTEES CURRENTLY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, MR. GARCIA.>> YES. [NOISE] I ATTENDED VIA ZOOM, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION MEETING, IT WAS ON THE 27TH.
MAIN DISCUSSION WAS THE STATE OF THE COUNTY, WHICH WAS OCCURRING TWO DAYS LATER ON THE 29TH.
WE WENT THROUGH THE PRESENTATION ON VARIOUS TOPICS THAT WERE TO LATER BE HIGHLIGHTED AT THE DINNER, PRIMARILY DISCUSSING THE DOZENS OF NEW ACTIVE AND COMPLETED PROJECTS IN THE COUNTY.
BUT BEYOND THAT, THEY DISCUSSED THE MARKET OVERVIEW AND THE NEW MEMBER DIRECTORY.
THAT IS ALL THAT I HAVE FOR UPDATE ON THE COMMITTEE, MR. MAYOR. THANK YOU.
NOW ONTO CURRENT COUNCILS FROM THE GOVERNMENTS, EXCUSE ME.
I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETING AND SO DID MR. SCOTT.
WELL, ONE THING CAME OUT OF THAT MEETING AND THAT IS, THERE'S A PROJECT THIS IS AN ATP CYCLE 5 PROJECT IS CALLED SAFE ROUTES FOR CYCLISTS AND KERN COUNTY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.
IT IS NOT CLEAR WHETHER THIS IS A GRANT OR WHETHER THE STATE IS GOING TO ADMINISTER THIS DIRECTLY.
BUT IT IS AN EDUCATION AND OUTREACH NON INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM TO TRAIN A CYCLIST THROUGH WORKSHOPS ON SAFETY WHEN BEING ON THE ROAD.
IT TARGETS TWO CENTRALS STRIKES HERE IN WASCO, 602-940-4301 AND 602-940-4402.
AGAIN, I'M NOT CLEAR AS TO WHETHER MONEY IS BEING ALLOCATED TO THE CITY FOR THIS OR WHETHER THE COUNTY WILL BE ADMINISTERING THIS, SO AS I GET FURTHER INFORMATION, I WILL REPORT ON IT.
THAT'S THE EXTENT OF THAT REPORT.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? HEARING NONE. WE MOVE ON TO ITEM C, WASCO TASK FORCE.
[00:45:01]
MR. MARTINEZ.>> THE REALLY PRETTY MUCH THE ONLY THING THAT WE DISCUSSED THIS TIME WAS THE SITUATION AT 15TH STREET PARK, WHICH I AGREE WITH MR. HARRISON'S ASSESSMENT, THAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN AS FAR AS IT DID.
THE REC DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN TRYING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW.
SERGEANT SHED WAS AT OUR MEETING, HE EXPLAINS SOME OF THE LEGAL OBSTACLES THAT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS DEALING WITH IN TRYING TO ERADICATE THE HOMELESSNESS.
IT'S NOT AS SIMPLE AS JUST GOING OUT AND ARRESTING PEOPLE.
THERE ARE SOME LAWS AND THINGS THAT DOES NOT ALLOW THEM TO ENFORCE SOME OF THE LAWS REGARDING TRESPASSING OR HOMELESS PEOPLE STAYING IN THE PARK.
BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE A HOMELESS SHELTER HERE IN WASCO WHICH PREVENTS THEM FROM CERTAIN ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.
BUT I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PLANNING DIRECTOR, MS. COBB, ALSO, OUR CITY MANAGER.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN ADDRESSED ON MULTIPLE FRONTS, BOTH FROM THE CITY, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, THE REC DEPARTMENT AND NOW, WE SEEM TO HAVE SOME COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO TRY TO FIND A SOLUTION, BECAUSE MY CONCERN WITH THIS IS I DON'T WANT TO JUST MOVE THOSE PEOPLE TO ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD.
I WANT TO TRY TO FIND SOME LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE HELP AND FIGURE OUT A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SOLUTION IS.
BUT RIGHT NOW WE DO HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE LOOKING AT IT FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT LEGAL ASPECTS AND ALSO FROM PRIVATE CITIZENS TRYING TO DO SOME RESEARCH FOR, IS REACHING OUT TO SOME OF THE GROUPS THAT WORK WITH HOMELESS PEOPLE AND KERN COUNTY AND HOPEFULLY SHOW UP SOME MORE INFORMATION.
WE ARE GOING TO MEET AGAIN NEXT WEEK, AND HOPEFULLY, WE'LL HAVE SOME MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS.
BUT I ENCOURAGE ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO HELP, ANYBODY WHO HAS IDEAS, LET'S FIND A SOLUTION TO OUR CITY'S HOMELESS PROBLEM.
RIGHT NOW, I THINK WE HAVE A SMALL ENOUGH HOMELESS POPULATION OF WASCO THAN IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN WORK TO SOLVE BEFORE IT BECOMES A BIG PROBLEM LIKE YOU SEE IN LARGER CITIES.
LIKE I SAID, I'LL SEND OUT THE INVITE TOMORROW FOR NEXT WEEK'S MEETING, AND PLEASE EVERYBODY JOINED US, IT'S INTERESTING.
[NOISE] REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
REPORTS FROM PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS,
[14) REPORTS FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS:]
KERN COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT, MR. APPLETON, ARE YOU HERE?>> YES. GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
GOOD EVENING. I JUST WANTED TO ADD JUST A QUICK REPORT.
IT'S BEEN A SLOW MONTH FOR US IN JANUARY, ONLY 33 CALLS IN WASCO FOR THE WASCO FIRE STATION, SO THAT'S BEEN GOOD.
I DO WANT TO REITERATE AND THANK YOU FOR THE PROCLAMATION FOR THE SAFE SURRENDER MONTH OF FEBRUARY.
AS YOU KNOW, THERE'S TWO PLACES THAT A BABY CAN BE SAFELY SURRENDERED.
THAT'S AT ANY LOCAL HOSPITAL OR ANY HOSPITAL OR ANY FIRE STATION.
THE WASCO FIRE STATION IS ONE OF THOSE FIRE STATIONS IN KERN COUNTY THAT IF SOMEBODY WHO WAS LOOKING TO SURRENDER THEIR BABY, THE FIRE STATION OR THE FIREFIGHTERS ON DUTY WOULD HANDLE THAT.
JUST IN THE LAST YEAR BETWEEN 2020 AND 2021, SIX ADDITIONAL BABIES WERE SURRENDERED IN KERN COUNTY, AND SO ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO SAVE AT LEAST EVEN JUST ONE BABY OR TO HELP A FAMILY OUT AND GIVE THAT BABY A HOME AND HELP IN THAT SITUATION ANYWAY, WE'RE HAPPY TO DO SO.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP WITH THAT.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE MEMBERS TO MR. APPLETON? MAYOR, PRO TEM? [NOISE]
>> NOT AT THIS TIME MAYOR. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. MEMBER MARTINEZ?
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE NO QUESTIONS EITHER. THANK YOU.
MR. APPLETON THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT.
NOW, CURRENT COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, MR. CHIN, SERGEANT CHIN.
>> HONORABLE MAYOR, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM SERGEANT CHIN JUST BEFORE THE MEETING.
HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ARREST HERE LOCALLY ON A DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE AND NEEDED TO TRANSPORT THE PERSON WHO WAS ARRESTED INTO BAKERSFIELD SO HE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TONIGHT.
HE HAD DELIVERED A POWERPOINT AS HE USUALLY DOES AND HE ASKED THAT WE GO AHEAD AND RETAIN THAT FOR THE NEXT MEETING AND HE WILL GO OVER IT.
IF I COULD, IF YOU INDULGE ME FOR JUST A SECOND,
[00:50:02]
I WANTED TO PASS ALONG SOME ADDITIONAL THANKS TO CHIEF APPLETON.WE HAD A RATHER UNUSUAL CALL IN THE LAST WEEK AND A HALF.
IT BEGAN AS AN RV DUMPING INCIDENT ON PALM AND WHEN PUBLIC WORKS SHOWED UP AND THEN THE SHERIFF THAT RV OWNER WAS CITED, BUT WELL, THE CREW WAS THERE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE GROUND A COUPLE OF 100 YARDS INTO A VACANT FIELD AND WENT TO INVESTIGATE AND THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SMOKE.
FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND WHEN THEY INVESTIGATED IT, IT WAS AN UNDERGROUND BUNKER.
FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM, HAD BEEN CONSTRUCTED, PERHAPS BY ONE OF OUR LOCAL HOMELESS POPULATION, CONSTRUCTED OUT OF RAILROAD TIES AND WAS ON FIRE.
IT TOOK TWO TRUCKS FULL OF WATER TO EXTINGUISH OUR PUBLIC WORKS, FOLKS JUMPED IN BROUGHT IT BACK OUT, OPENED THE STRUCTURE UP.
THIS IS ABOUT EIGHT FOOT DEEP EIGHT BY EIGHT MAYBE 10 FEET SQUARE UNDERGROUND STRUCTURE.
VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT OUT BURNING CREOSOTE RAILROAD TIES AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE.
I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE NOT JUST OUR PUBLIC WORKS GUYS, BUT ALSO THE FIRE PERSONNEL THAT WERE ONSITE AND THEY WORKED VERY WELL TOGETHER TO TAKE CARE OF THE SITUATION.
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WANT TO ASK SINCE YOU'RE
[15) REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER:]
NOW GOING FOR REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGEMENT?>> YES. I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF ITEMS. FIRST OF ALL, WE DID HAVE A WATER MAIN BREAK TODAY AT NINTH AND BROADWAY THIS MORNING.
IT WAS ADDRESSED PRETTY QUICKLY.
THERE WAS TRAFFIC CONTROL NECESSARY THERE AT THAT INTERSECTION.
BEFORE THE AFTERNOON WAS OVER, THE PUBLIC WORKS TEAM WAS ABLE TO SECURE THE SITE, PATCH THE LEAK, AND PUT PLATES OVER IT SO THE STREET WAS AGAIN USABLE OVERNIGHT AND THE FILLING AND REPAIR OF THE STREET WILL OCCUR WAS SCHEDULED ON THURSDAY.
I WILL JUST BRIEFLY ADD TO THE INFORMATION ON THE FIFTH [NOISE] THREE PARKS SITUATION.
WE RECEIVED THE SAME INFORMATION THAT THE TASK FORCE DID FROM SERGEANT CHIN AND SOME OF THE OBSTACLES TO ENFORCING OUR EXISTING LAWS OR EVEN NEW LAWS THAT WE MIGHT PUT INTO PLACE TO HELP THE SITUATION BUT AS WAS CORRECTLY CHARACTERIZED THE CITY STAFF IS WORKING DIRECTLY WITH RECREATION DISTRICT STAFF, THE TASK FORCE AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.
AS WAS STATED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ, IT'S A DIFFICULT PROBLEM.
WE DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER AND I DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS ONE SINGLE ANSWER.
I THINK IT'LL BE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WILL TAKE TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION.
NEXT ITEM IS THAT I'LL BE AT THE CITY MANAGERS CONFERENCE BEGINNING TOMORROW MORNING, AND I HOPE TO SPEND THAT TIME FOCUSED ON WHAT IS OUR STATE OF THE ART IN ADDRESSING HOMELESS ISSUES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
THERE COULD BE AS MANY AS ANOTHER 100 CITIES REPRESENTED THERE, SO HOPEFULLY, AMONGST THOSE IN THE PRESENTATIONS THAT WE'LL SEE, WE GET SOME IDEAS THAT WE CAN IMPLEMENT HERE IN WASCO.
WHILE I'M AWAY, OUR CITY CLERK WILL BE THE ACTING CITY MANAGER.
OF COURSE, I'LL BE AVAILABLE IF THERE'S SOMETHING URGENT THAT OCCURS WHILE I'M GONE.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR TONIGHT.
REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL. MAYOR PRO TEM?
[16) REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL:]
>> NOTHING FURTHER. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM PALLARIS. MEMBER GARCIA?
>> I'M WONDERING IF FOLKS THAT WE'LL BE HAVING THE SECOND SERIES OF THE VACCINES AND TESTINGS EVENT THAT'S GOING TO BE HAPPENING THIS SUNDAY FROM 12 TO FIVE AT THE OLD COURTHOUSE.
[00:55:01]
THE FIRST DOSE WAS A FEW WEEKS AGO, AND THIS IS THE SECOND PART OF THAT SERIES.WE HAD SCORES OF PEOPLE COME OUT LAST TIME, I THINK, WELL OVER A FEW 100 PEOPLE GOT EITHER TESTED OR VACCINATED AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.
I JUST WANTED TO LET FOLKS KNOW.
I'LL GET FOLKS, THE CLERK, THE UPDATED FLYER AND ASK HER TO GIVE THAT UP TO YOU ALL ON THE COUNCIL.
THANK YOU TO THE MAYOR FOR ALWAYS DROPPING BY IF YOU'RE AVAILABLE, YOU'RE CERTAINLY WELCOME.
SUNDAY AGAIN FROM 12-5 FROM THE SIXTH. THANKS AGAIN, MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU MEMBER GARCIA THAT IS A GREAT EVENT, PEOPLE ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF IT AND OUR COMMUNITY IS BEING SERVED.
ONLY 43 PERCENT OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE VACCINATED.
THESE CLINICS PROVIDE QUITE A SERVICE TO VACCINATE MORE PEOPLE.
IT'S INCREDIBLE. THE COUNTY OVERALL IT'S HIGHER, HAS A HIGHER NUMBER THAN WASCO DOES.
I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO SOME OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE AND THEY WENT FROM NOT BELIEVING IN THE VACCINE TO SAYING I NEED TO BE VACCINATED AND WE NEED FOR THAT TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY SO THAT WE CAN GET A HOLD OF THIS PANDEMIC.
THEY BECAME BELIEVERS AND THEY WERE THERE FOR THEIR SECOND AND SOME OF THEM FOR THEIR THIRD VACCINE. SO THANK YOU.
I WANT, AS USUAL, THANK EVERYBODY FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO TO PREPARE FOR THESE MEETINGS.
YOU WILL DO SUCH A GREAT JOB ALWAYS.
I WANT TO MAKE NOTE OF A REPORT FROM MR. PEREZ HERNANDEZ, THAT IS PART OF OUR PACKAGE, PART OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR THAT WAS REALLY DETAILED AND WENT REALLY WELL PUT TOGETHER IN REGARDS TO WHERE WE ARE, IN REGARDS TO THE BUDGET AND THE MONEY IS COMING INTO THE COFFERS OF THE CITY.
I HAVEN'T SEEN HIM, BUT THANK YOU, MR. PEREZ HERNANDEZ, FOR YOUR WONDERFUL REPORT AND THANK YOU TO ALL OUR STAFF FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO, WORKING UNDER VERY DIFFICULT CONDITIONS AND ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD.
THANK YOU ALL. AGAIN, THANK YOU TO ALL THE CANDIDATES VYING FOR THIS OPEN SEAT.
I DO HOPE TO SEE YOU OUT THERE BEING INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY AND SOME OF THOSE ENTITIES THAT ARE IN NEED OF PEOPLE TO SERVE. THANK YOU.
>> MR. MAYOR MAY SAY SOMETHING REAL QUICK?
>> FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU TO THE CITY STAFF FOR ALL THE HELP THAT YOU GUYS HAVE GIVEN ME THE LAST MONTH, ESPECIALLY NANCY FOR HELPING ME GET MY WIFE ON MY INSURANCE AND ALL OF THAT.
THAT WAS A LITTLE CONFUSING PROCESS.
BUT THANK YOU. I WANT TO WELCOME MEMBER LYNCH TO THE COUNCIL.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.
I'M SURE YOU'RE GOING TO DO GREAT.
MARIA, WHEN YOU TALK TO HIM IF YOU COULD GIVE HIM MY NUMBER, WE'RE ALL APPROACHABLE.
I DON'T KNOW YOU VERY WELL, BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING TO KNOW YOU AND AT ANY TIME YOU CAN REACH OUT TO ANY OF US IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, AND OUR CITY STAFF IS ALSO AMAZING AT BEING APPROACHABLE.
I WAS BEING REMISS AND NOT MENTIONING THAT, WELCOMING HIM.
MR. LYNCH, WELCOME TO THE COUNCIL.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.
LIKEWISE, YOU CAN HAVE MY NUMBER AND I'M AVAILABLE ALSO.
MADAM CLERK, IF YOU COULD PROVIDE THAT FOR HIM AS WELL.
MR. LYNCH, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS AT THIS TIME? I DID NOT CALL ON YOU.
>> THAT'S OKAY. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE CHANCE TO FILL THIS SLOT.
JUST WANT TO STATE THAT I WILL DO MY VERY BEST TO MAKE THE POSITION HONORABLE, AND DO THE BEST THAT I CAN TO SERVE THE CITY.
>> THANK YOU, MR. LYNCH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I THINK WE AT THIS TIME, WILL MOVE ON TO CLOSED SESSION.
MADAM CLERK DOES MR. LYNCH HAVE THE INFORMATION TO BE ABLE TO JOIN US IN CLOSED SESSION? EXCUSE ME. WE DON'T HAVE A CLOSED SESSION.
>> YEAH, WE HAVE NO CLOSED SESSION RIGHT NOW.
>> WELL, WITH NO FURTHER BUSINESS, I'M ADJOURNING THIS MEETING.
THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU ALL FOR ATTENDING.
>> YOU GUYS ALL HAVE A GOOD DAY.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.