Dec 20, 2022 City Council

ARE WE READY, MADAM CLERK?

[00:00:02]

[1) CALL TO ORDER]

MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLL? YES, MAYOR REYNA.

I'M HERE. MAYOR PRO TEM PALLARES.

HERE. COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA.

HERE. COUNCILMEMBER LYNCH.

HERE. COUNCILMEMBER MARTINEZ.

HERE. ALL MEMBERS OF PRESENT.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE PRESENTATION OF THE FLAG IF YOU WILL STAND AND REMAIN STANDING FOR AN INVOCATION.

THE PRESENTATION OF THE FLAG WILL BE BY THE WASCO STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY HONOR GUARD .

AND THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

OKAY. AND LET'S SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

NO. THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WILL BE SANG BY LILIANA LOPEZ.

PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE INVOCATION BY PASTOR PAUL HERNANDEZ.

LET'S PRAY. HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME TO YOU RIGHT NOW.

LORD, JUST HUMBLY ASKING YOUR BLESSING.

LORD, THANK YOU FOR THE YEAR THAT WE'VE HAD.

LORD, THANK YOU FOR THE SUCCESS THAT WE'VE SEEN.

THANK YOU, LORD, FOR PROTECTING US AND KEEPING US SAFE.

LORD, PRAY THAT YOU WOULD CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER US.

PRAY THAT YOU WOULD BE HONORED, LORD, IN ALL THE BUSINESS THAT WE HAVE TO DO TONIGHT.

[00:05:01]

WE THANK YOU FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND THEIR GUIDANCE.

LORD, WE PRAY THAT YOU WOULD HAVE YOUR HAND OVER THEM.

LORD, CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER OUR NATION AS A WHOLE.

LORD, OUR COUNTRY, OUR STATE, LORD, ESPECIALLY HERE, OUR HOME, LORD, OUR TOWN, LORD, PLEASE WATCH OVER US.

LET EVERYTHING BE DONE DECENTLY IN ORDER AS YOUR WORD SAYS.

PRAY THAT YOU WOULD GET ALL THE HONOR AND ALL THE GLORY OUT OF EVERYTHING THAT'S DONE FOR YOU TONIGHT.

LORD, WE ASK THESE THINGS IN YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST, PRECIOUS AND HOLY NAME.

AMEN. AMEN.

PLEASE BE SEATED. AT THIS TIME.

I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME AND RECOGNIZE OUR SPECIAL GUESTS.

WE HAVE HEATHER SHIRLEY, WARDEN OF THE WASCO STATE PRISON.

HI, HEATHER. AND I WANT TO ESPECIALLY THANK YOU, HEATHER, FOR HAVING THE HONOR GUARD PRESENT AT THIS MEETING.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

GREAT JOB. THANK YOU.

I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE STEPHEN KEMP, FIELD REPRESENTATIVE FOR CONGRESSMAN DAVID VALADAO.

STEPHEN, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

AND ALSO JANNETT TAPIA, WHO IS THE FIELD REPRESENTATIVE FOR SENATOR MELISSA HURTADO.

HI JANNETT. AND ALSO WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE FOLLOWING GUESTS, LARRY PENNELL, OUR PREVIOUS CITY MANAGER.

[APPLAUSE] TILO CORTEZ, PREVIOUS MAYOR OF WASCO AS WELL.

ALSO CHRIS SERNA, DISTRICT MANAGER FOR THE RECREATION AND PARKS DISTRICT.

KAYLA CASTILLO FROM THE RECREATION AND PARKS DISTRICT BOARD.

[APPLAUSE]. [INAUDIBLE] RUBY OCAMPO AND SHARON SHARP FROM THE ORANGE HEART FOUNDATION, AS WELL AS WASCO.

[APPLAUSE] AND ALSO VISITING WITH US IS CHIEF KENNY WILLIAMS AND ALSO THE CITY MANAGER FROM MCFARLAND.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

ALL RIGHT. ON TO ITEM 5 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 AND THE WASCO PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY ON ANY MATTER ON THIS AGENDA, AND OVER WHICH THE COUNCIL'S SUCCESSOR AGENCY AND THE WASCO PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY HAVE JURISDICTION. SPEAKERS ARE LIMITED TO 2 MINUTES.

A MAXIMUM OF 30 MINUTES WILL BE ALLOWED FOR ANY ONE SUBJECT.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD BEFORE MAKING YOUR PRESENTATION.

BROWN ACT REQUIREMENTS.

THE BROWN ACT DOES NOT ALLOW ACTIONS OR DISCUSSION ON ITEMS NOT ON THIS AGENDA, SUBJECT TO NARROW EXCEPTIONS.

THIS WILL LIMIT A COUNCIL MEMBERS RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS MADE DURING THIS COMMENT PERIOD.

ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE, MADAM CLERK DO WE HAVE ANY EMAIL COMMENTS? MAYOR WE HAVE NO EMAIL COMMENTS FOR THIS ITEM OR FOR ANY OTHER ITEM ON THE AGENDA.

THIS WOULD BE EMAIL COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THIS AGENDA.

THAT'S CORRECT, YES.

AND SHE SAID, WE HAVE ONE. SHE SAID WE HAVE ONE.

NO, WE HAVE NO EMAIL COMMENTS FOR THIS ITEM OR ANY OF THE ITEMS ON THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.

OKAY. WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING UNDER SUCCESSOR AGENCY BUSINESS OR THE WASCO FINANCE AUTHORITY BUSINESS.

[8) OATH OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED TO THE WASCO CHIEF OF POLICE.]

[00:13:23]

I PROMISE TO ALL OF YOU THAT MY HEART'S IN THE RIGHT PLACE, THAT I TRULY WANT TO BRING A PROFESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ORGANIZATION TO THE CITY.

AND I FIRMLY BELIEVE IN MY HEART.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT IT EARLIER TODAY.

IF YOU GO CLEAR BACK TO THE 1800S WHEN SIR ROBERT PEEL INVENTED, IF YOU WILL, HE WAS A VISIONARY THAT CAME UP WITH THE IDEA OF HAVING BOBBIES IN LONDON, ENGLAND.

HE HAD NINE TENANTS OF POLICING.

THOSE NINE TENANTS ARE STILL AS REAL TODAY AS THEY WERE THE DAY HE MADE THEM.

AND THE VERY FIRST TENANT IS THAT THE PUBLIC IS THE POLICE AND THE POLICE IS THE PUBLIC.

I BELIEVE IN MY HEART THAT I WILL ONLY BE EFFECTIVE IF I ESTABLISH GOOD COMMUNICATION WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AND THAT WE WORK TOGETHER TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS. POLICE DEPARTMENTS BY THEMSELVES CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEMS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES IN THE CITY.

IT TAKES ALL OF US, AND I JUST PLEDGED TO YOU ALL THAT I WILL GIVE EVERYTHING I HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO THAT.

SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE AS YOUR CHIEF.

[APPLAUSE] MIC]

[00:15:24]

I'LL START THE CONVERSATION NOW.

CHIEF, FROM THE DAY I MET YOU, I TOLD YOU I LIKE YOU A LOT.

AND THAT HASN'T CHANGED.

I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB.

I THINK YOU WILL BE ABLE TO BUILD THIS DEPARTMENT AND THEN MOVE IT ON TO DO GREAT THINGS.

SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING ON THE CHALLENGE.

AND I'M RIGHT BEHIND YOU.

RIGHT BEHIND YOU. YOU HAVE MY FULL SUPPORT.

THANK YOU. MAYOR PRO TEM.

CHIEF, NOTHING MUCH.

JUST I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT YOU'RE HERE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ACCEPTING THE POSITION.

MEMBER GARCIA.

JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE.

WANTED TO ECHO THOSE COMMENTS AND WELCOME TO THE FAMILY.

I, YOU KNOW, I HAVE THE UNIQUE POSITION OF HAVING JUST MET MR. FIVECOAT, YOU KNOW, THIS YEAR THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS, AND WITHOUT A DOUBT, EVERYONE THAT I'VE SPOKE TO, SPOKEN TO, YOU KNOW, JUST MENTIONED YOUR NAME, ALL GOOD COMMENTS, ALL GOOD FEEDBACK FROM YOUR PEERS AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE WORKED WITH YOU THROUGHOUT THE DECADES IN THE PAST.

SO LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING YOU ON BOARD.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU MEMBER GARCIA.

MEMBER LYNCH. CHIEF FIVECOAT, WE'VE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR ABOUT 25 YEARS, AND I ACTUALLY MET CHIEF FIVECOAT MY SECOND WEEK LIVING HERE IN WASCO.

AND WE'VE BEEN IN CLASSES TOGETHER AND DONE WORK TOGETHER AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

AND I APPRECIATE YOU STEPPING FORWARD AND ACCEPTING THE POSITION HERE, AND I'M STILL LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

THANK YOU, MEMBER LYNCH AND MEMBER MARTINEZ.

FIRST OF ALL, MS. FIVECOAT THANK YOU FOR LENDING US YOUR HUSBANDS YEARS OF WISDOM AND EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIG TASK AND WE'RE EXCITED BECAUSE WE I THINK WE ALL AS A COMMUNITY FEEL WE HAVE THE RIGHT PERSON IN PLACE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN AND HAPPEN RIGHT.

AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE REACHED OUT TO ME IN THE LAST WEEK SAYING HOW EXCITED THEY WERE, I WAS AMAZED AT HOW MANY PEOPLE KNOW WHO THIS GENTLEMAN IS.

PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE REACHED OUT AND THEY WERE EXCITED FOR HIM TO BE HERE.

AND TODAY STARTS A LONG JOURNEY, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE GOOD FOR THE CITY.

SO THANK YOU BOTH.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

RIGHT. LET'S HEAVE ONE BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

[APPLAUSE] WE MOVE ON TONIGHT AND NUMBER 9, CERTIFICATION OF NOVEMBER 2022 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION RESULTS.

[9) CERTIFICATION OF NOVEMBER 2022 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION RESULTS.]

MS. MARTINEZ.

GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

TONIGHT, I PRESENT THE CERTIFIED ELECTION RESULTS FROM THE KERN COUNTY ELECTION DEPARTMENT.

THE RESULTS ARE AS FOLLOWS.

INCUMBENT MARIA MARTINEZ RAN UNOPPOSED AND RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 2,184 VOTES.

INCUMBENT LAMAR RODRIGUEZ RAN UNOPPOSED AND RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 2,170 VOTES.

INCUMBENT GILBERTO REYNA RAN UNOPPOSED AND RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 395 VOTES.

CANDIDATES FOR DISTRICT 3, VALENTIN MEDINA RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 191 VOTES.

INCUMBENT JOHN PALLARES RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 156 VOTES.

CANDIDATES FOR DISTRICT FOUR.

EDDIE SALDANA RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 260 VOTES.

MYRON WILLIAMS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 104 VOTES.

MIKE LYNCH RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 104 VOTES.

THE CITY ALSO HAD TWO MEASURES PLACED ON THIS BALLOT.

MEASURE T ASKING THE VOTERS IF THE CITY CLERK SHOULD BE AN APPOINTED POSITION.

IT WAS SUCCESSFULLY APPROVED BY 1,294 VOTES IN FAVOR AND 1,159 VOTES AGAINST.

MEASURE U ASKED THE VOTERS IF THE CITY TREASURER SHOULD BE AN APPOINTED POSITION AND IT WAS ALSO SUCCESSFULLY APPROVED BY 1,248 VOTES IN FAVOR AND 1,175 VOTES AGAINST.

THIS CERTIFIED ELECTION RESULTS IS RECOGNIZING GILBERTO REYNA AS REELECTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT 1; VALENTIN MEDINA, NEWLY ELECTED CITY COUNCIL

[00:20:09]

STAFF IS RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.

YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO ADDRESS YOU.

MADAM CLERK. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE.

ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM PALLARES.

NO COMMENTS. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. MEMBER GARCIA.

CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYBODY.

IT'S NOT AN EASY JOB TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

THANK YOU. MEMBER LYNCH.

NO COMMENT, SIR. MEMBER MARTINEZ.

CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYBODY WHO RAN AND WAS ELECTED.

THANK YOU. AND I WANT TO CONGRATULATE EVERYONE AS WELL.

IF YOU NOTICE A DIFFERENCE IN THE VOTE COUNT, YOU NOTICE SOME RECEIVE OVER 1000 VOTES.

1200.

2000. [LAUGHTER] THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT THE TWO POSITIONS, THE CITY CLERK POSITION AND THE TREASURER ARE AT LARGE POSITIONS AND FOR THE COUNCIL MEMBERS THEY'RE IN DISTRICTS.

SO YOU GET A MUCH SMALLER VOTE COUNT WHEN YOU'RE IN THE DISTRICT.

BUT ANYWAY, SO CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL.

AND I'LL MOVE THIS FORWARD.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU CALL THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL? YES.

SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GARCIA TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO CERTIFY THE ELECTION RESULTS.

MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.

AT THIS TIME, WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE OUTGOING COUNCIL MEMBERS.

COUNCILMEMBER PALLARES.

COUNCIL MEMBER LYNCH.

CAN YOU PLEASE COME OUT TO THE PODIUM? YES.

MIC] MR. LYNCH. I'LL START.

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL REPLICA OF OUR WATER TOWER.

IF YOU CAN SEE. MICHAEL LYNCH CAME TO US BECAUSE MR. CORTEZ DECIDED THAT HE NEEDED TO ATTEND TO HIS PERSONAL LIFE.

AND SO THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AN OPEN SEAT, AND MR. LYNCH APPLIED FOR IT, AND HE WAS SELECTED FROM AMONG, I BELIEVE THERE WAS THREE MEMBERS THAT APPLIED FOR IT OR THREE CANDIDATES APPLIED FOR IT.

YOU KNOW, AT THE TIME WE WERE LOOKING AND WE KNEW IT WAS A SHORT TERM AT LEAST I WAS VERY AWARE OF THAT.

AND SO I NEEDED SOMEBODY IN MY MIND THAT COULD HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

AND MIKE LYNCH'S PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH SOME GOVERNMENT.

AND SO THAT MADE HIM THE PERFECT CANDIDATE FOR THIS SEAT.

I'M HAPPY THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO SERVE IN THE CITY COUNCIL AND I WISH YOU THE BEST IN YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

I ALSO CONSIDER YOU A FRIEND.

KEEP IN TOUCH. THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL HELLO. WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS HOW PROUD I AM OF YOU.

PLEASE ACCEPT MY CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST OF LUCK TO YOU IN YOUR FUTURE.

I LOVE IT.

[00:25:12]

JOHN AND I HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

HE SAYS TOO MANY.

WE ATTEND THE SAME CHURCH. BUT WHEN WE WERE MUCH YOUNGER, WE USED TO ATTEND THE GYM TOGETHER.

I REMEMBER THOSE YEARS. I REMEMBER THOSE YEARS.

BUT ONE QUALITY ABOUT JOHN, HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN THE WELL-BEING OF OUR CITY.

HE HAS SERVED IN THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

HE SERVED ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION, BUT PRIOR TO THAT HE USED TO ATTEND EVERY COUNCIL MEETING.

HE WAS JUST SITTING THERE ALL THE TIME, AND ANY TIME THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENT, JOHN WOULD GET UP AND COME TO THE MICROPHONE AND WOULD CONTRIBUTE.

SO IT IS VERY FITTING THAT WHEN HE RAN, HE GOT ELECTED.

HE RAN UNOPPOSED, I BELIEVE, THE FIRST TIME.

AND SO NOW WE HAVE SOMEONE ELSE THAT HAS WON THE ELECTION BY JOHN.

YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME TO BE HERE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS [INAUDIBLE].

AND I HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

CONGRATULATIONS. WE APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] SO IN SPITE OF THE STORIES OF JOHN BEING A CONSTANT PUBLIC COMMENTER, HE'S A MAN OF FEW WORDS.

AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

[LAUGHTER] I REALLY DO, BECAUSE YOU PAY ATTENTION WHEN YOU SPEAK AND I APPRECIATE THE TIMES THAT YOU'VE COME TO ME AND WORKED THROUGH QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON.

I REALLY DO APPRECIATE THAT.

ALL RIGHT. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MEMBERS GARCIA.

I JUST WANT TO THANK THE TWO OF YOU.

YOU GUYS WERE SIDE BY SIDE.

THEY WERE ALWAYS THERE FOR AN ALLEY CLEANUP OR ANOTHER AND DEFINITELY APPRECIATED ALL YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS OVER THE YEARS.

LOOK FORWARD TO, IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW JOHN USED TO CHAIR THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR MANY YEARS BEFORE JOINING US ON THE COUNCIL, SO LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING HIM MAYBE OR ANOTHER OR ANY OF YOU ON OUR PLANNING COMMISSION, WHICH WE HAVE CURRENT VACANCIES WITH.

SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU MEMBER GARCIA.

MEMBER MARTINEZ, AGAIN, THANK BOTH OF YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH YOU BECAUSE I'M SURE THIS IS NOT THE LAST WE'RE GOING TO SEE OF EITHER ONE OF YOU GUYS.

SO THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

NOW, COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBER PALLARES.

THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO SAY A FEW WORDS, IF I MAY.

I ALREADY GOT MY APPLICATION READY FOR THE NEXT VENTURE, PLANNING COMMISSION, BUT IT USUALLY TAKES ME MORE THAN THREE WEEKS TO PREPARE A GOOD IMPROMPTU SPEECH.

BUT AN OLD RIVER BOAT PILOT ONCE SAID POLITICIANS AND DIAPERS MUST BE CHANGED OFTEN.

AND FOR THE SAME REASONS.

[LAUGHTER] I KIND OF LIKE THAT.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE STAFF, NOT JUST THE DEPARTMENT HEADS, BUT TO ALL WASCO EMPLOYEES.

I WORRY THAT THEY DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE THEM.

THANK YOU TO CITY MANAGER PENELL, ORTIZ, HURLBERT.

OUR CITY ATTORNEY SCHROETER, TO MY MENTORS, FORMER COUNCIL MEMBERS MARTIN HIVELY, WEGMAN, ESPITIA, CORTEZ.

TO MR. SALDANA AND MR. MEDINA, I OFFER YOU A LIFETIME OF FRIENDSHIP AND SUPPORT.

THIS COUNCIL HAS GROWN FROM THE DAYS WHEN I'VE WITNESSED COUNCILMEN STORMING OUT OF A MEETING IN ANGER TO A CULTURE WHERE IDEAS CAN BE EXPRESSED AND

[00:30:03]

MR. LYNCH, YOU'VE BROUGHT DIVERSITY AND WISDOM TO THIS COUNCIL.

THIS CITY WILL HAVE A SCAR WITHOUT YOU.

YOUR EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE SERVED US WELL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

AS FOR MYSELF, NO REPORT.

I'M JOKING, OF COURSE.

A FEW YEARS BACK, OUR TRAINING WARNED US ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE BROWN ACT.

SO THAT'S WHY I DON'T SAY MUCH ON FACEBOOK ANYMORE.

BUT WHAT I HAVE DONE TO HONOR AND SUPPORT OUR VETERANS, CHURCHES AND COMMUNITY BECAME MORE IMPORTANT THAN TO REPORT OUT.

AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS AM I DOING THIS ACTIVITIES FROM MY HEART OR POLITICS? AS FAR AS MY COUNCIL ACTIVITIES, IT WILL BE FUN TO SEE THE SEEDS OF OUR WORK BLOSSOM.

YES, OUR WORK.

I WOULD LIKE MY CONSTITUENTS TO KNOW THAT OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS I HAVE WAIVED MEDICAL, DENTAL INSURANCES, AND I HAVE WAIVED THE CITY RETIREMENT PROGRAM SO I WOULDN'T BE A BURDEN ON THE COMMUNITY AND THE CITY'S FINANCES.

LASTLY, TO ALL OF WASCO, SINCERELY, IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR TO SERVE YOU.

I THANK YOU AND I WILL SEE YOU AT THE NEXT MEETING.

THANK YOU.

COUNCILMEMBER LYNCH.

I DID NOT PREPARE A SPEECH, BUT I DO IMPROMPTU QUITE A BIT.

MR. MAYOR.

COUNCILMAN GARCIA.

COUNCILMAN MARTINEZ.

MAYOR PRO TEM PALLARES.

IT'S BEEN AN HONOR SERVING WITH YOU FOR ALMOST A YEAR SINCE FEBRUARY 1ST WHEN I WAS APPOINTED TO COUNCIL.

AND I APPRECIATE THE CHANCE TO TO WORK WITH YOU.

BUT, FOLKS, WE DON'T WORK FOR EACH OTHER.

WE WORK FOR YOU.

AND EVERY PERSON THAT TAKES THIS SEAT NEEDS TO REMEMBER THAT YOU DON'T WORK FOR YOURSELF.

YOU DON'T WORK FOR THE CITY, YOU WORK FOR THE PEOPLE.

AND I DID THAT WORKING AS A WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY COMMISSION.

I'VE BEEN PART OF CITY OR COUNTY GOVERNMENT FOR THE PAST 45 YEARS, AND I'VE ENJOYED DOING WHAT I DO AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

AND IF I HAD THE APPLICATION RIGHT NOW, I'D BE JOINING MR. PALLARES WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION.

[LAUGHTER] HE'S GOT ONE.

SO, AND A PEN DOWN THERE.

BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE SUPPORT, ESPECIALLY FROM MY NEIGHBOR AND GOOD FRIEND TILO CORTEZ, WHOSE PLACE I TOOK OVER WHEN HE RETIRED LAST YEAR.

AND THE REALLY BIG THING THAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO.

AS I'M SURE MOST EVERYBODY ELSE IS, IS WORKING WITH CHIEF FIVECOAT.

AND STARTING AN ORGANIZATION THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

AND I THINK WE'VE CHOSEN GENTLEMEN THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THAT PLACE, THAT POSITION.I'M DONE.

[APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.

ITEM 10. OATH OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED BY TWO NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS.

[10) OATH OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED TO NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS.]

IF I CAN ASK FOR MR. MARTINEZ TO COME UP TO THE PODIUM, PLEASE.

LOVE IT.

[00:37:19]

GETS THE FLOWERS.

AND YOUR CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION PLAQUE.

YOU WANT TO COME FORWARD. RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.

I, MARIA MARTINEZ.

I, MARIA MARTINEZ.

DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

DO SOLEMLY SWEAR. THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND.

THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND. THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

AGAINST ALL ENEMIES.

AGAINST ALL ENEMIES. FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.

FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC. THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH.

THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH. AND ALLEGIANCE.

AND ALLEGIANCE. TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

THAT I TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY.

THAT I TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY. WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION.

WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION. OR PURPOSE OF EVASION.

OR PURPOSE OF EVASION. AND THAT I WILL WELL.

AND THAT I WILL WELL. AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE.

AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE. THE DUTIES UPON.

THE DUTIES UPON. WHICH I AM ABOUT TO ENTER.

WHICH I AM ABOUT TO ENTER.

A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE] I WANT TO SAY THAT MOST OF YOU PROBABLY DON'T KNOW THE CITY CLERK POSITION, HAS BEEN IN THE POSITION FOR A LONG TIME AND THIS ELECTION WAS CHANGED SO THAT IT IS AN APPOINTED POSITION.

YOU MIGHT WONDER WHY WE TOOK THOSE STEPS.

AND THE REASON IS BECAUSE BEING A CITY CLERK REQUIRES A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE THAT SOMEBODY COMING FROM THE STREET WOULD NOT HAVE.

SO IF YOU WERE TO ELECT SOMEONE JUST BECAUSE THEY WERE POPULAR, LET'S SAY THAT, AND THEN YOU BROUGHT THEM INTO CITY HALL AND THEN YOU PUT THEM TO THE JOB THAT A CITY CLERK HAS TO DO, THEY WOULD DEFINITELY FAIL.

IT JUST TAKES A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE TO ABOUT MANY DIFFERENT SUBJECTS.

SHE'S THE ONE THAT HOLDS THE ELECTION, AND IT TAKES WEEKS OF PREPARATION, A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

AND IT'S JUST ALL AROUND IT REQUIRES A LOT OF WORK AND A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE.

AND THAT'S WHY WE PROPOSE THAT IT BE AN APPOINTED POSITION RATHER THAN AN ELECTED POSITION.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE AN EMPLOYEE, EXCUSE ME, A CITY CLERK, LIKE MARIA, YOU KNOW, REALLY IT'S VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO REPLACE HER.

SHE DOES A LOT FOR THE CITY.

AND I APPRECIATE YOU, MARIA, TREMENDOUSLY.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR YOUR SUPPORT, ESPECIALLY MY FAMILY.

THEY PUT UP WITH ME A LOT.

ALL MY FAMILY HERE.

PRESENT AND NOT PRESENT].

I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] SCOTT, WHY NOT? DITTO TO EVERYTHING THAT THE MAYOR JUST SAID.

BUT I REALLY DO [INAUDIBLE] WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

IT GOES BEYOND THE SKILLS OF CITY CLERK AND ALL THE LADIES HERE AT CITY HALL DEPEND A LOT UPON YOU.

I DEPEND ON YOU. AND IT'S MORE THAN AN 8 TO 5 JOB.

AND YOU'RE AVAILABLE.

YOU COME THROUGH.

EXTRA THANKS TO A VERY UNDERSTANDING HUSBAND WHO PUTS UP WITH MORE THAN I PROBABLY.

SO THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS FOR MOVING BACK INTO THE SAME JOB.

[LAUGHTER] LOOKING FORWARD TO MOVING FORWARD.

[00:40:04]

NOW, CITY CLERK MARTINEZ WILL ADMINISTER THE OATH FOR THE CITY TREASURER, LAMAR RODRIGUEZ.

HERE YOU GO. THIS IS YOUR CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION.

AND WE'LL GIVE YOU THE FLOWER.

IF YOU CAN REPEAT, REPEAT AFTER ME.

OKAY. RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. I WILL [LAUGHTER].

I, LAMAR RODRIGUEZ.

I, LAMAR RODRIGUEZ.

DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM.

DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

OR AFFIRM. OR AFFIRM.

THAT I WILL SUPPORT.

THAT I WILL SUPPORT.

AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION.

AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION.

OF THE UNITED STATES.

OF THE CONSTITUTION.

AND THE CONSTITUTION.

AND THE CONSTITUTION. OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. AGAINST ALL ENEMIES.

AGAINST ALL ENEMIES.

FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.

FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.

AND THAT I WILL BEAR.

AND I WILL BEAR.

TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE.

TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE. TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

THAT I WILL TAKE THIS OBLIGATION.

AND THAT I WILL TAKE THIS OBLIGATION.

FREELY WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION.

FREELY WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION.

OR PURPOSE OF EVASION. OR PURPOSE OF EVASION.

AND THAT I WILL.

AND THAT I WILL.

WELL AND FAITHFULLY.

WELL AND FAITHFULLY.

DISCHARGE. DISCHARGE.

THE DUTIES. THE DUTIES.

UPON WHICH I.

UPON WHICH I. AM ABOUT TO ENTER.

AM ABOUT TO ENTER.

ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR CITY TREASURER.

[APPLAUSE] MANY OF YOU MUST KNOW LAMAR.

SHE'S BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME.

HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU SERVED? WELL, THIS IS MY THIRD TERM, SO IT'S GOING TO BE, 12 YEARS.

AND ONCE AGAIN THIS WAS AN ELECTED POSITION.

AND I WAS WONDERING IF LAMAR HAS DECIDED THAT SHE HAS HAD ENOUGH AND SHE HAS RETIRED.

YES. IT IS TIME FOR HER TO RETIRE.

SO, BUT WE APPRECIATE YOU, LAMAR.

WE APPRECIATE ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR THE CITY, ALL THE HARD WORK.

AND I WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST.

THANK YOU, MR. HURLBERT.

AND AS MAYOR POINTED OUT, YOU HAVE RETIRED FROM YOUR POSITION AT THE CITY, AN EMPLOYEE 31 YEARS, WHICH IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

BUT THE ELECTED POSITION GOES ON.

SO EVEN THOUGH YOU'VE SEEN JOYOUS WORKS YOU WILL BE WORKING THE NEXT FOUR YEARS IN YOUR TERM.

AND WE WILL WORK WITH YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT'S NOT A BURDEN FOR YOU.

BUT WE REALLY DO APPRECIATE BOTH CAPACITIES AS AN EMPLOYEESO BEST OF WISHES.

[APPLAUSE] MS. MARTINEZ IS GOING TO ADMINISTER THE OATH FOR VALENTIN MEDINA AND EDDY SALDANA, AS WELL AS MYSELF.

SO YOU TAKE IT IN THE ORDER.

YES, WE WILL HAVE VALENTIN MEDINA, IF YOU CAN COME TO THE FRONT.

AND CARMEN MEDINA.

LIMON. LIMON? CARMEN LIMON. [LAUGHTER] IF YOU CAN RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.

I, VALENTIN MEDINA.

I, VALENTIN MEDINA.

DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM.

DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM.

THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND.

THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND.

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

[00:45:02]

AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

AGAINST ALL ENEMIES.

AGAINST ALL ENEMIES. FOREIGN.

FOREIGN. AND DOMESTIC.

AND DOMESTIC. THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH.

THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH.

AND ALLEGIANCE.

AND ALLEGIANCE. TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

THAT I'LL TAKE THIS OBLIGATION.

THAT I'LL TAKE THIS OBLIGATION.

FREELY, WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION.

FREELY, WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION.

OR PURPOSE OF EVASION.

OR PURPOSE OF EVASION. AND THAT I WILL WELL.

AND THAT I WILL WELL.

AND FAITHFULLY.

AND FAITHFULLY. DISCHARGE.

DISCHARGE. THE DUTIES.

THE DUTIES.

UPON. UPON.

WHICH I AM ABOUT TO ENTER.

WHICH I AM ABOUT TO ENTER.

ROUND OF APPLAUSE [APPLAUSE].

COME UP. AND YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND SIGN RIGHT HERE.

VALENTIN I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU.

FIRST OF ALL, ON PUTTING YOURSELF, MAKING YOURSELF AVAILABLE AND RUNNING.

THIS IS FREQUENTLY A THANKLESS JOB.

AND SO JUST THE FACT THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELVES THAT ARE WILLING TO TAKE ON THE JOB SPEAKS HIGHLY OF YOU.

SO CONGRATULATIONS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[APPLAUSE] HAPPY TO HAVE YOU ABOARD AND LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU, HELPING YOU GET UP TO SPEED ON ALL THE MOVING PARTS HERE IN THE CITY.

IT IS, THERE'S A LOT GOING ON, BUT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR CONTRIBUTION.

YEAH. NO, I DEFINITELY THINK ALL THE HELP I CAN GET.

I KNOW THERE'S A LOT GOING ON RIGHT NOW, SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

YEAH. JUST TO GET STARTED.

YES, SIR. ALL RIGHT.

YES. [APPLAUSE] LIKE THEY SAID, MY NAME IS VALENTIN MEDINA.

FIRST OF ALL, IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE.

I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYBODY THAT VOTED FOR ME.

I'M HONORED TO BE HERE.

AND LIKE SOME OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS SAID, REALLY, I'M HERE TO BE A PUBLIC SERVANT.

I'M HERE TO BE, TO LISTEN TO YOU GUYS, TO LISTEN TO THE RESIDENTS OF WASCO.

I'VE BEEN A WASCONIAN ALL MY LIFE, EXCEPT WHEN I WENT TO COLLEGE.

I RETURNED BACK.

BUT I'M HERE TO SERVE. I'M HERE TO SERVE YOU THE COMMUNITY.

SO QUESTIONS THAT COME UP, I MIGHT NOT HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS, BUT WE HAVE A GOOD LEADERSHIP TEAM.

THERE'S A LOT OF CHANGES THAT ARE HAPPENING.

THERE'S A LOT OF CHALLENGES THAT WASCO IS FACING AND HAS BEEN FACING FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND THAT'S NOT GOING TO GO AWAY AND, YOU KNOW, OVERNIGHT.

BUT I KNOW THERE'S THE RIGHT MOVES THAT ARE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

AND I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO BEING PART OF THAT AND BEING PART OF A LEADERSHIP TEAM THAT'S REALLY GOING TO MOVE WASCO FORWARD.

SO THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] OKAY. YOU'RE READY.

ALL RIGHT. RIGHT HAND.

AND REPEAT AFTER ME.

OKAY. YOU WANT ME TO GO AHEAD AND SAY EDDIE? OKAY. I, EDDIE SALDANA.

I, EDDIE SALDANA. DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

SWEAR AND AFFIRM.

THAT I WILL SUPPORT.

THAT I WILL SUPPORT.

AND DEFEND.

AND DEFEND.

THE CONSTITUTION.

THE CONSTITUTION. OF THE UNITED STATES.

OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND THE CONSTITUTION.

AND THE CONSTITUTION.

OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

AGAINST ALL. AGAINST ALL.

ENEMIES. ENEMIES.

FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.

FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.

THAT I WILL.

THAT I WILL. BEAR TRUE FAITH.

BEAR TRUE FAITH.

AND ALLEGIANCE.

AND ALLEGIANCE. TO THE CONSTITUTION.

TO THE CONSTITUTION.

OF THE UNITED STATES.

OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND THE CONSTITUTION.

AND THE CONSTITUTION. OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. THAT I WILL TAKE THIS.

THAT I WILL TAKE THIS.

OBLIGATION. OBLIGATION.

FREELY. FREELY.

WITHOUT ANY MENTAL.

WITHOUT ANY MENTAL. RESERVATION.

RESERVATION. RESERVATION. OR PURPOSE.

OR PURPOSE. OF EVASION.

OF EVASION. AND THAT I WILL.

AND THAT I WILL.

WELL. WELL.

AND FAITHFULLY.

AND FAITHFULLY.

DISCHARGE. DISCHARGE.

THE DUTIES. THE DUTIES.

[00:50:01]

WHICH I AM ABOUT.

WHICH I'M ABOUT. TO ENTER.

TO ENTER. ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO OUR [APPLAUSE].

CONGRATULATIONS, EDDIE.

YOU KNOW EDDIE.

TWO YEARS AGO, RIGHT? YEAH.

THAT'S HOW CLOSE HE WAS.

SO HE RAN AGAIN, AND THIS TIME HE CLINCHED.

SO CONGRATULATIONS EDDIE.

LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PERSISTENCE AND LOOK FORWARD TO YOU BEING ON THE COUNCIL.

I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR WILLINGNESS TO JUMP IN AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND REST OF THE COUNCIL AS WE DO THE CITY'S BUSINESS.

AND ALWAYS HERE TO HELP YOU AND STAFF IS ALWAYS HERE TO SUPPORT IN ANY WAY WE CAN.

WELCOME FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT SUPPORTED ME THROUGH ALL THIS JOURNEY TO BECOME A COUNCILMAN.

I KNOW WHERE MY HEART'S AT, AND I DO FEEL THAT I AM READY TO SERVE MY ALL MY CONSTITUENTS OF WASCO AND EVERYBODY THAT HAS, YOU KNOW, WE ALL KNOW ABOUT A LOT OF STUFF THAT WE THAT THE CITY NEEDS.

AND I AM, I'M WILLING TO PUT MY HEART AND MY PASSION TOWARDS ALL MY CONSTITUENTS AND SERVE YOU GUYS IN THE RIGHT WAY.

THANK YOU GUYS. [APPLAUSE] SO NOW WE'LL DO THE OATH FOR GILBERTO REYNA.

MARY, WOULD YOU COME AND STAND WITH ME? YES. THERE YOU GO.

STANDING UP. IF YOU CAN RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.

I, GILBERTO REYNA.

I, GILBERTO REYNA.

DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR AND AFFIRM.

DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR AND AFFIRM.

THAT I WILL SUPPORT.

THAT I WILL SUPPORT.

AND DEFEND.

AND DEFEND. THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

AGAINST ALL ENEMIES. AGAINST ALL ENEMIES.

FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.

FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.

THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH.

THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH.

AND ALLEGIANCE.

AND ALLEGIANCE. TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

THAT I WILL TAKE THIS OBLIGATION.

THAT I WILL TAKE THIS OBLIGATION.

FREELY. FREELY. WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION.

WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION.

OR PURPOSE OF EVASION.

OR PURPOSE OF EVASION. AND THAT I WILL.

AND THAT I WILL.

AND THAT I WILL.

WELL.

WELL. AND FAITHFULLY.

AND FAITHFULLY.

DISCHARGE.

DISCHARGE. THE DUTIES. THE DUTIES.

UPON WHICH I AM.

UPON WHICH I AM.

ABOUT TO ENTER. ABOUT TO ENTER.

ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO OUR [APPLAUSE] SOMEBODY TAKES A PICTURE OF MAYOR AND I.

YES.

IT'S

[00:55:21]

YOU WERE TIRELESS IN SUPPORTING THE CITY AND WORKING TO THE BETTERMENT OF THE CITY.

AND REALLY DO APPRECIATE YOUR ENERGY AND LOOK FORWARD TO ANOTHER FOUR YEARS OF MOVING THE CITY FORWARD.

THANK YOU. LIKEWISE.

I DO WANT TO SAY THAT I'M VERY THANKFUL THAT I WAS SELECTED AGAIN.

I DID RUN UNOPPOSED.

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I RAN UNOPPOSED.

AND I APPRECIATE EVERYONE THAT VOTED FOR ME.

EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T VOTE FOR ME, I APPRECIATE YOU.

I AM REALLY DEDICATED TO THE WELL-BEING OF THIS CITY.

YOU SEE ME INVOLVED IN MANY DIFFERENT THINGS.

AND I DON'T PLAN TO STOP.

I PLAN TO CONTINUE THE HEALTH OF MY CITY.

THE HEALTH OF MY CITIZENS CONCERNS ME.

THE SAFETY OF MY CITIZENS.

OUR CITIZENS CONCERNS ME.

AND I'M OUT THERE DOING THINGS TO MAKE THINGS BETTER.

AND I DO APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ONE MORE THING. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

WE HAVE SO MANY THINGS TO ACCOMPLISH.

OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, A NEW POLICE STATION, NEW PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING ANIMAL, A NEW ANIMAL SHELTER.

SO MANY THINGS TO DO AND NOT ENOUGH TIME TO DO IT.

THANK YOU ALL. [APPLAUSE] AND NOW IF WE CAN HAVE THE NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNCILMEMBER MEDINA AND COUNCILMEMBER SALDANA, GO AHEAD AND TAKE YOUR SEATS, PLEASE.

MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU BRING ON MY SCREEN? WHAT IS OUR NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA? ALL RIGHT. BRING UP THAT REPORT ON THE OUTLINES AND NEW PROCEDURE.

ONTO MY SCREEN. THE PROCEDURE THAT IS BEING PROPOSED. THE CITY MANAGER WILL PRESENT.

RIGHT, BUT I'D LIKE TO SEE IT ON MY SCREEN.

OH. IT'S NOT ON THERE.

YOU READ THE ITEM? YEAH. WE'LL PUT IT ON THERE.

ALL RIGHT, SO. LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU'RE READY, AND THEN I'LL GO AHEAD AND.

I SEE. JUST A MOMENT, MR. HURLBERT. YOU GO AHEAD AND READ IT. ALL RIGHT.

BUT DO YOU HAVE THE REPORT THAT IS ATTACHED TO THIS, THE RECOMMENDATION? THE STAFF REPORT. YES.

YES. DO YOU WANT IT ON THE SCREEN? YOU GOT TO READ THE ITEM FIRST AND WE'LL GO TO THE STAFF REPORT.

ALL RIGHT. SO THE NEXT ITEM IS THE OATH OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED TO NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS, ONE OF WHICH IS THE APPOINTMENT OF MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM.

[11)APPOINTMENT OF MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM. ]

HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

BEFORE YOU THIS STAFF REPORT OUTLINES A PROPOSED CHANGE TO OUR PROCEDURE THAT'S CONTAINED IN THE CITY COUNCIL ORIENTATION MANUAL. THIS, THE PROCEDURE THAT EXISTS, WORKS UNDER CERTAIN IDEAL CONDITIONS.

IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, SINCE WE HAVE A PRO TEM THAT WAS NOT REELECTED, THE NORMAL TRADITION OF MOVING PRO TEM UP TO THE MAYOR POSITION DOESN'T APPLY.

SO WE HAVE PROPOSED HERE A SEQUENCE OF EVENTS TO MOVE THROUGH THIS FAIRLY UNIQUE PROCESS AND THAT WILL INVOLVE FIRST, MAKING A DECISION ABOUT THIS NEW PROPOSAL.

[01:00:05]

AND THAT WILL INVOLVE SELECTING A NEW MAYOR.

INITIALLY, THE CITY CLERK WILL OPERATE THAT PORTION OF THE MEETING, INCLUDING HANDLING THE GAVEL.

AND THEN ONCE WE HAVE SELECTED A YOU HAVE SELECTED A NEW MAYOR, THEN THAT NEWLY ELECTED OR NEWLY APPOINTED MAYOR WILL TAKE OVER THE REMAINDER OF THE MEETING.

AS I'VE SAID, AND THE TRADITION HAS BEEN THAT THE MAYOR PRO TEM MOVES UP TO THE MAYOR POSITION UNLESS THERE'S SOME OTHER FACTORS.

BARRING THAT, THE MOST SENIOR EXISTING COUNCIL MEMBER WOULD NORMALLY MOVE INTO THAT POSITION AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE MAYOR POSITION.

IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, I BELIEVE THAT WOULD BE MR. MARTINEZ AS FAR AS ROTATION THROUGH THE MAYOR POSITION.

SO HE WOULD CERTAINLY BE ELIGIBLE SHOULD THE REST OF THE COUNCIL DECIDE THAT HE WOULD BE A GOOD NOMINEE FOR THAT AND THEN WE CAN PROCEED WITH THE PRO TEM SELECTION FOLLOWING SO THAT WE HAVE BOTH POSITIONS FILLED.

HOPEFULLY THAT MAKES SENSE.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT CONVOLUTED, BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, HAPPY TO WORK THROUGH THOSE.

I DO HAVE A QUESTION AND YES. IF WE CAN ASK FOR ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL? I'LL START THE CONVERSATION.

I. MR. HURLBERT, I DO APPRECIATE THE PROPOSAL.

I THINK THAT WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE IS AN EFFICIENT AND TRANSPARENT ELECTION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL TO THE POSITION OF MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM. HOWEVER, I DO HAVE SOME RESERVATION ABOUT THE PROPOSAL, AND THAT IS THAT I FIND IT KIND OF STRANGE, AND I'LL USE THAT WORD, THAT WE ARE REMOVING THE AUTHORITY OF THE MAYOR TO PROCEED WITH THE, WHAT IS THE WORD I WANT TO USE? ELECTION OF THE MAYOR AND THE NEW MAYOR.

BUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER WE'RE GIVEN THE MAYOR THE AUTHORITY AGAIN TO ELECT THE MAYOR PRO TEM.

TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS.

NOT ELECTED HIMSELF.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I MADE THAT CLEAR.

SO I DON'T SEE A BENEFIT TO DOING THAT.

I THINK THAT OUR COUNCIL BOOKLET WORKS WELL FOR THIS THIS PROCEDURE AND THAT WE CAN STILL ACHIEVE THAT EFFICIENT AND TRANSPARENT WAY OF DOING IT.

IF WE DO FOLLOW ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT YOU ARE SUGGESTING, AND THAT IS THAT IF WE HAVE MORE THAN ONE NOMINATION, THAT THE VOTE BE TAKEN AS A ROLL CALL BY THE COUNCIL MEMBERS ANNOUNCING THEIR SELECTION FOR MAYOR OR MAYOR PRO TEM WHENEVER THAT IS BEING VOTED ON.

SO I DON'T THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, MAKING THE CHANGES TO THE BOOKLET AT THIS TIME WOULD BE PROBABLY THE APPROPRIATE VENUE.

WE CAN REVISIT THAT IF THE COUNCIL WISHES TO DO THAT.

BUT IF YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE THAT EFFICIENT AND TRANSPARENT ELECTION, I THINK WE CAN DO IT UNDER THE CURRENT RULES THAT THE COUNCIL OPERATES.

SO THAT IS MY PROPOSAL THAT WE LEAVE IT AS AND THAT WE DO TAKE THE NOMINATIONS.

I WILL TAKE THE NOMINATIONS FOR MAYOR.

AND THEN AND THEN IF THERE IS MORE THAN ONE NOMINATION, AND I'M ASSUMING THERE WILL BE, THEN THAT WE WILL ASK FOR A VOTE BY NAMING EACH MEMBER WILL NEED TO NAME THEIR CANDIDATE OF CHOICE.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? IT DOES MAKE SENSE.

THE PROPOSED CHANGE WAS DESIGNED TO HANDLE A SITUATION WHERE THE SITTING MAYOR WAS NOT REELECTED AS WELL.

SO THE FACT THAT THE, AND THAT WAS THE REASONING BEHIND HAVING THE CLERK OPERATE THAT SHORT PERIOD OF THE MEETING, CERTAINLY IN THIS CASE THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. SO IF WE WANTED TO DEFER THIS AND BRING IT BACK AT SOME OTHER TIME, WE CAN DO THAT.

BUT THAT WAS THE PRIMARY PURPOSE.

IT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE AS I'M STILL HERE.

AND AGAIN, I DID NOT SEE THAT PORTION THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED.

BUT I THINK UNDER THE RULES THAT WE HAVE IN THE HANDBOOK, IT WOULD JUST WORK THE SAME WAY THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE.

SURE. WHY DON'T YOU BRING IT BACK ANOTHER TIME? AND THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING FOR THE COUNCIL TO TO WORK ON.

NO, THAT THAT WOULD BE FINE.

BUT WE JUST NEED TO KNOW IF THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE OKAY WITH MOVING THIS FORWARD TO ANOTHER MEETING.

SO WHAT WE'RE DISCUSSING IS THE CHANGES TO THE RULES THAT EXIST WITHIN OUR COUNCIL BOOKLET AS TO HOW TO CONDUCT THE ELECTION.

[01:05:05]

SO THERE'S REALLY NO NEED TO MAKE THE CHANGE AT THIS TIME, AND WE CAN ALWAYS REVISIT THAT WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR OR THE NEXT TWO YEARS BEFORE THE NEXT ELECTION IF WE SO DESIRE.

SO AND SO.

DO I NEED TO TAKE A VOTE? NO, I THINK THERE ARE REALLY THREE WAYS THIS CAN MOVE FORWARD.

ONE IS IT WILL DIE WITHOUT A MOTION.

THE SECOND IS IT WOULD DIE WITHOUT A SECOND.

AND THE THIRD WAS IF IT WAS MOVED AND SECONDED, THAT IT WOULD GO TO A VOTE ON WHETHER TO ADOPT IT OR NOT.

THAT IS MY TAKE ON IT.

IF THERE ARE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE REST OF THE MEMBERS.

I APOLOGIZE. THAT'S JUST NOT COMPLETELY CLEAR TO ME WHAT THE CHANGES BEING PROPOSED ARE BEING.

I MEAN, I JUST, THE CITY CLERK IS THE ONE THAT'S GOING TO BE OPERATING THE ELECTION.

IS THAT. JUST FOR THE SHORT PERIOD OF TIME FOR APPOINTING THE NEW MAYOR.

AND IT WAS DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE SITUATION WHERE WE FIND OURSELVES THIS ELECTION CYCLE WITHOUT A MAYOR PRO TEM, IT'S POTENTIALLY POSSIBLE IN THE FUTURE WE WOULD FIND OURSELVES WITHOUT A SITTING MAYOR.

AND SO THE PROPOSED CHANGE WOULD ALLOW THAT TO MOVE FORWARD BY OPERATING WITH THE CLERK.

IT'S NOT CRITICAL TONIGHT.

I THINK IT IS. I THINK WE CAN REVIEW IT AT A DIFFERENT TIME.

I'M NOT. IT'LL BE FINE.

SO DOES EVERYBODY FEEL THE SAME? OKAY. SO I THINK HAS BEEN SETTLED.

MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL AGREES THAT IT SHOULD BE POSTPONED TO ANOTHER TIME.

THANK YOU, MR. HURLBERT SURE.

SO THAT CITY CLERK THAT WOULD BE ARRIVED IN THE MINUTES AS A FAILED WITHOUT A MOTION.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT, SO MOVING ON.

THE COMMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE.

SO AT THIS TIME, LET ME SEE.

WE'RE MOVING ON WITH THE NOMINATIONS.

CORRECT. SO AT THIS POINT, I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE A MEMBER, MARTINEZ, TO BE OUR NEW MAYOR.

I'LL SECOND.

HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECOND.

AND SINCE, ARE THERE ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS FOR MAYOR? OKAY. SEEING NONE, WE JUST NEED TO TAKE.

CLOSE NOMINATIONS.

CLOSE THE NOMINATIONS.

AND THEN, MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU CALL THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL? YES. DO YOU ACCEPT? I'M ASSUMING THAT HE WILL DO IT BECAUSE YOU ALREADY MENTIONED HE WOULD BE THE ONE NEXT IN LINE.

THIS IS LIVE TV. ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.

[LAUGHTER] YOU ARE RUNNING, RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.

SO, MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU CALL THE VOTE? YES.

I'M SORRY. MOTION BY MAYOR REYNA, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA TO APPOINT COUNCILMEMBER MARTINEZ FOR MAYOR AS MAYOR OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WASCO.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.

AND HERE YOU GO. MAYOR MARTINEZ.

[APPLAUSE] WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANY WORDS MAYOR MARTINEZ.

SURE. YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS A KID, I SAID I WANTED TO BE THE MAYOR OF WASCO ONE DAY.

I MEAN, THIS IS MY HOME.

IT'S THE ONLY PLACE I KNOW.

ONLY PLACE I EVER PLAN ON LIVING.

I LOVE THIS TOWN. LOVE THE PEOPLE IN IT.

GOOD OR BAD, THE CITY IS WHAT MADE ME.

SO, I CAN BLAME YOU GUYS FOR WHO I AM.

[LAUGHTER] BUT I LOVE THIS TOWN WITH ALL MY HEART.

AND I'M GLAD TO SEE WE'RE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

MAYOR REYNA ALREADY SPOKE ABOUT A LOT OF THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO MOVE THAT FORWARD.

AND I HAVE TO THANK MY FAMILY.

YEAH, SORRY.

I GET A LITTLE EMOTIONAL. MY KIDS, I'VE MISSED A LOT OF THINGS WITH THEM JUST IN THE SHORT TWO YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN ON THIS COUNCIL.

[01:10:03]

YOU MISS A LOT OF STUFF. MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE.

THANK YOU, SAMANTHA.

MY MOTHER AND FATHER IN LAW, PHIL AND DONNA.

THANK YOU, GUYS.

MY MOM AND MY AUNT COULDN'T BE HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE THEY'RE SICK.

BUT I'VE GOT A SMALL FAMILY, BUT I'VE GOT A BIG FAMILY IN THIS COMMUNITY.

AND THE FEW PEOPLE HERE THAT I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE, SOME PEOPLE THAT HAVE SUPPORTED ME, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I LOVE TO DO IS SURROUND MYSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO DON'T THINK LIKE ME, PEOPLE THAT I CAN BE BLUNT AND HONEST WITH, AND THEY'LL BE BLUNT AND HONEST WITH ME AND TELL ME WHAT I'M WRONG.

AND I LOOK AROUND THIS ROOM, [INAUDIBLE], SHARON RUBY, CHRIS.

THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM.

OF COURSE. TILO AND JENNY, KAYLA CASTILLO LEFT EARLIER.

TRACY COULDN'T BE HERE.

BUT THESE ARE BIG MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE SUPPORTED ME AND REALLY KEEP ME HONEST AND KEEP ME IN LINE AND TELL ME WHAT I'M WRONG.

AND I HOPE THE REST OF THE CITY WILL.

AND I'M SURE YOU GUYS WILL TELL ME.

I KNOW THIS POSITION IS LARGELY CEREMONIAL, BUT HONESTLY, THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST HONORS OF MY LIFE IS TO BE ABLE TO SERVE THE CITY.

SO THANK YOU, GUYS.

[APPLAUSE] NOW WHAT? [LAUGHTER] IF WE CAN NOW RECOGNIZE OUR OUTGOING MAYOR , GILBERTO REYNA, IF WE CAN, PLEASE GO TO THE PODIUM.

IT'S MOSTLY A CEREMONIAL POSITION.

IT REALLY IS. YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU SERVE AS MAYOR.

YOU ARE THE FACE OF THE CITY AND REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY.

AND SO I THINK THAT IT'S A JOB THAT REQUIRES SOME SERIOUSNESS ABOUT IT.

AND DEFINITELY BEING OUT THERE, BEING THE BEST THAT YOU CAN BE TO REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY.

SO I HOPE THAT I HAVE MADE YOU ALL PROUD SERVING AS MAYOR.

I KNOW I'VE TRIED HARD.

I PROBABLY FELL SHORT OF IT, BUT I TRIED HARD.

SO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

[APPLAUSE] I'VE BEEN PRIVILEGED.

I GOT TO SIT BETWEEN TWO FORMER MAYORS AND I'VE GOT TO WATCH MAYOR REYNA FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS.

AND THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE TO HAVE HIS WISDOM.

HE'S BEEN A GREAT SPOKESMAN AND A LEADER FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

HE IS ALWAYS METICULOUS AND ALWAYS PREPARED FOR THESE MEETINGS.

AND I ADMIRE HIS WORK ETHIC AND THE AMOUNT OF CONTRIBUTION HE'S MADE TO THIS CITY.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] COUNCILMEMBER REYNA, IF Y OU CAN STILL STAND.

COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER.

SO THE CRITICAL PART OF THIS BODY AND I'M SURE YOU'LL BE THERE.

YEAH, YOU CAN COME THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] NOW WE GO TO ITEM 12.

EXCUSE ME.

[12)APPOINTMENT OF MAYOR PRO TEMPORE.]

BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DO A PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR THIS PORTION AS WELL MARIA? WILL YOU DO A LITTLE QUICK PRESENTATION? YEAH, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH THE PROCEDURE THAT WE JUST DESCRIBED.

YOU WILL OPEN NOMINATIONS FROM THE REST OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE POSITION OF PRO TEM, AND IF THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL NOMINATIONS, THEN YOU'LL CLOSE THOSE AND THEN TAKE A VOTE. IF THERE ARE MULTIPLE NOMINEES, THERE WILL BE A NAME VOTE ROLL CALL.

OTHERWISE, IT'LL BE AN AYE OR NAY FOR THE SINGLE NOMINATED APPOINTEE.

[01:15:04]

DO I BANG THE GAVEL? [LAUGHTER] HE'S READY TO USE IT.

ALL RIGHT. SO I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN THE NOMINATIONS FOR MAYOR PRO TEM.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THIS FORWARD BY NOMINATING MEMBER GARCIA TO SERVE AS MAYOR PRO TEM.

LET'S SEE.

SO I NEED A SECOND.

CORRECT. IS THERE ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS? IS THERE ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS? I'M SORRY. THEN YOU'RE MOVING IT FORWARD.

SO I WILL MOVE THIS FORWARD TO A VOTE BY ROLL CALL, CORRECT? YES. I CAN SECOND THE NOMINATION IF THAT'S NEEDED.

YES. YOU NEED A SECOND.

OKAY. SO SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM AND THEN, MR. CLERK, CAN YOU CALL A VOTE BY ROLL CALL? YES, WE CAN. YES.

OKAY.

MOTION BY MAYOR MARTINEZ.

SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MAYOR REYNA TO APPOINT COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA AS MAYOR PRO TEM OF THE CITY OF WASCO.

MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

SO NOW WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO REARRANGE THE ORGANIZATION HERE.

[13)CONSENT CALENDAR]

THE CONSENT CALENDAR CONSISTS OF ITEMS THAT, IN STAFF'S OPINION, ARE ROUTINE AND NONCONTROVERSIAL.

THESE ITEMS ARE APPROVED IN ONE MOTION UNLESS A COUNCIL MEMBER OR A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REQUESTS THE REMOVAL OF A PARTICULAR ITEM.

THIS EVENING WE HAVE ITEMS 9A THROUGH 9C.

AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO ASK IF ANY OF THE MEMBERS, IF THEY HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON A PARTICULAR ITEM ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.

MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA.

NONE. MEMBER MEDINA? NONE. MEMBER REYNA? NO. MEMBER SALDANA? NO. IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM? PLEASE STATE YOUR FULL NAME FOR THE RECORD BEFORE MAKING YOUR COMMENT.

SEEING NONE, ARE THERE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM? MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA? I HAVE NONE. MEMBER MEDINA? NO. MEMBER REYNA? I HAVE NONE. MEMBER SALDANA? NO. I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL AT THIS TIME.

SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU CALL THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL? YES.

MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER REENA, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.

MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

[14)a. Water and Sewer rate Proposition 218 hearing- This item will be continued to January 17, 2023 meeting. ]

WATER AND SEWAGE RATE PROPOSITION 218 HEARING.

THIS ITEM WILL BE CONTINUED TO JANUARY 17TH, 2023.

MR. HURLBERT.

YES, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

THIS ITEM WAS ORIGINALLY SLATED FOR A SECOND HEARING TONIGHT AND ADOPTION.

HOWEVER, THERE WAS AN IRREGULARITY IN THE MAILING OF THE NOTICES THAT WENT OUT 45 PLUS DAYS AGO.

AND SO RATHER THAN RATHER THAN RISK HAVING ANY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY NOT HAVE THE FULL INFORMATION AND A FULL OPPORTUNITY, WE REDID THE MAILING AND WE WILL BE CONTINUING THIS HEARING UNTIL THE JANUARY 17TH MEETING, WHICH WILL BE OUR FIRST REGULAR MEETING IN THIS IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.

WE HAVE OUR CONSULTANTS ON THE LINE, IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, BUT MY RECOMMENDATION TONIGHT IS IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS EITHER FROM THE COUNCIL OR THE PUBLIC, UNLESS THEY'RE PURELY OF A OPERATIONAL LEVEL OR PROCEDURAL NATURE, THAT THOSE BE HELD OR SUBMITTED IN

[01:20:09]

AND THEN EVERYONE WOULD HAVE A FULL CHANCE FOR FOR BEING HEARD AT THAT HEARING.

SO IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, I CERTAINLY CAN HANDLE THOSE FROM A PROCEDURAL STANDPOINT.

DO I ASK FOR PUBLIC QUESTIONS FIRST OR JUST.

NO, WE'RE NOT OPENING FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

THIS IS BEING CONTINUED.

AND I WOULD ASK IF THERE IS A COMMENT FROM OUR CONSULTANT, CERTAINLY SHE WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

SHE'S BEEN VERY PATIENT THROUGH OUR MEETING TO HAVE HER PART HERE.

PLEASE. SO, PLEASE, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU'D LIKE TO COMMENT ON, MA'AM? NO, I'LL BE THERE IN PERSON IN JANUARY FOR THE PROP 218 HEARING.

I'LL BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC OR CITY COUNCIL REGARDING EITHER THE RATE CALCULATIONS OR THE PROCEDURES THROUGH WHICH RATES ARE ADOPTED VIA PROPOSITION 218.

THANK YOU. WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND WAITING FOR US TONIGHT.

OKAY. SO DO WE DO WE NEED A MOTION OR ANYTHING FOR THAT? NO. TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

RECOMMENDATION. OKAY.

SO LET'S HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FOR THE MOTION AND CONTINUING OR A MOTION TO RECOMMEND CONTINUING THE HEARING TO THE JANUARY 17TH MEETING.

SO MOVED. SECOND.

IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

MADAM CLERK, CAN WE CALL A VOTE BY ROLL CALL? MOTION BY MAYOR GARCIA.

I'M SORRY, MAYOR MARTINEZ.

SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA TO CONTINUE THE ITEM INTO THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 17, 2023.

MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

ALL RIGHT. THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS NUMBER 15, DEFERRED BUSINESS.

WE HAVE NONE. MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 16, NEW BUSINESS, ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO FINALIZE AND EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL

[16)a. Adopt A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Finalize and Execute a Professional Services Agreement with Martin, Paris, Mullins Investigations LLC (MPMI) to Provide Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Background Investigations for Peace Officers and Public Safety Dispatchers.]

YES, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

AS WE GO THROUGH THE EARLY STAGES OF STARTING UP OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, ONE OF THE NEEDS WE HAVE IS FOR SPECIALTY BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS FOR POTENTIAL OFFICERS AND OTHERS.

EVEN SOME NON SWORN POSITIONS OUR CONSULTANTS THAT WE USE FOR TYPICAL NORMAL EMPLOYEE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS DON'T DO THIS SPECIALIZED WORK, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE A CONSULTING RELATIONSHIP WITH ANYONE THAT DID OR DOES.

SO WE'VE REACHED OUT TO A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT FIRMS. TONIGHT WE ARE BRINGING MARTIN, PARIS AND MULLINS INVESTIGATIONS, OR MPMI, AS WE HAVE REFERRED TO IT IN THIS REPORT, TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE.

AND THIS IS DONE ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.

ATTACHED TO THE STAFF REPORT YOU WILL SEE A STATEMENT OF SCOPE OF THEIR WORK AND THEIR SERVICES ALONG WITH THE RATES AND TERMS. THERE'S ALSO AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND MPMI OUTLINING THE WAY THAT THIS RELATIONSHIP WOULD WORK AND THE TERMS OF OF THE CONSULTING RELATIONSHIP.

THE PRINCIPALS IN PMI HAVE OVER 85 YEARS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IN EXPERIENCE, INCLUDING INVESTIGATION AND OTHER ASPECTS OF OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROBATION DEPARTMENT AND SO FORTH.

AND SO AT LEAST TWO OF THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE KNOWN TO ME PERSONALLY AND COME WITH A GOOD REPUTATION, ALSO KNOWN TO THE CHIEF.

AND SO WE BELIEVE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT WE NEED IN A TIMELY MANNER AT A AT A COMPETITIVE PRICE WITH THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT.

EACH ENGAGEMENT WILL HAVE ITS OWN WORK ORDER OR TASK ORDER, IF YOU WILL.

AND SO THE EXACT TERMS OF EACH ONE WON'T BE KNOWN UNTIL THEIR ASSIGNED.

BUT WE DO HAVE HOURLY RATES IN THE SCOPE OF SERVICES.

ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT I'D LIKE TO INCLUDE TONIGHT IS THAT WE ARE LIKELY GOING TO OVERWHELM THE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION FIRM THAT WE USE FOR NON SWORN POSITIONS, NON POST INVESTIGATIONS.

AND SO I'D LIKE TO EXPAND THE MOTION TONIGHT TO BE ABLE TO USE MPMI NOT ONLY FOR THE POST INVESTIGATIONS BUT ALSO NON SWORN POSITIONS SHOULD WE HAVE THAT NEED AND WE'RE EXCEEDING THE CAPABILITIES OF OUR EXISTING CONSULTING COMPANY.

[01:25:06]

WE'RE ALREADY REQUESTING, I AM ALREADY REQUESTING THE AUTHORITY TO FINALIZE AND EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT SO IT CAN BE ALTERED TO TO STATE THAT ADDITIONAL SERVICE THAT THEY WOULD PROVIDE.

ANY QUESTIONS? HAPPY TO CLARIFY.

I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LEAVING.

AND SO FOR SEVERAL PEOPLE, NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE, SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE LEAVING.

AND I WANTED TO LET THEM KNOW THAT WE DO HAVE SOME REFRESHMENTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE MEETING.

SO I JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO STAY FOR THAT, YOU'RE CERTAINLY WELCOME.

AND WE ARE GETTING NEAR THE END.

YES, WE ARE. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS.

MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA.

I DID, BUT THEY ELUDE ME NOW, SO I'LL JUST RESERVE THEM FOR THE NEXT TIME.

BUT GOOD IDEA.

GOOD WORK. OKAY.

MEMBER MEDINA? I HEARD YOU MENTIONED THAT THIS WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO WHAT WE'RE CURRENTLY USING NOW IN TERMS OF CONSULTANTS.

CORRECT. WE USE A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATING COMPANY THAT DOES STRICTLY STANDARD EMPLOYEE CHECKS FOR FOLKS LIKE ME OR SOMEONE THAT WORKS HERE AT CITY HALL OR IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

THE POLICE OFFICERS REQUIRE A STATE MANDATED ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND.

IT'S DIFFERENT PARAMETERS.

MUCH MORE IN DEPTH, TAKES SOME SKILLS, INVESTIGATORY SKILLS AND REPORTING SKILLS THAT THE OTHER FIRMS JUST DON'T HAVE.

AND SO HAVING THAT THAT POST DESIGNATION IS IMPORTANT.

AND SO THIS WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER FIRM.

THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT FOR ME.

SURE. MEMBER REYNA.

I DON'T HAVE ANY COMMENTS.

I SUPPORT WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA. MEMBER SALDANA.

I SUPPORT ALSO, AND I HAVE NO COMMENTS.

OKAY. THANK YOU. AND I HAVE NO COMMENTS OTHER THAN THIS IS A STEP FORWARD THAT WE NEED TO TAKE.

I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.

SO MOVED.

SECOND. IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. WE'D LIKE TO HAVE THAT MOTION INCLUDE THE PHRASE ADDED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE RECOMMENDATION, IF WE CAN HAVE THAT BACK ON THE SCREEN. FROM THE STAFF REPORT.

ADD THAT IN. YES.

SO MY MOTION IS TO INCLUDE THAT PARTICULAR ADDITION.

OKAY. AS WRITTEN ADDITIONALLY NON SWORN POSITION BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS.

IT'S BEEN MOVED AND IT WAS SECONDED, I BELIEVE.

MEMBER SALDANA.

WHO MOVED IT AND WHO SECONDED? I'M SORRY. GILBERT MOVED IT AND EDDIE SECONDED.

SO IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

MADAM CLERK, CAN WE DO A VOTE BY ROLL CALL? YES.

MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER REYNA, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER SALDANA, TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTIONS WITH THE CHANGES AS MENTIONED,.

MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

ALL RIGHT, MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 17, REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES.

[17)a. Kern Economic Development]

MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA. YES.

THE HOLIDAY MIXER THAT WAS HELD ON THE EIGHTH DID GO AS PLANNED, CORRECT? RIGHT. I THOUGHT IT WENT PROBABLY BETTER THAN PLANNED.

IT WAS GREAT. WELL, THE REASON I STATE THAT, ODDLY, IS BECAUSE I DID NOT MAKE IT.

HOWEVER, I SEEN SOMEWHERE THAT IT WAS CANCELED, SO.

IT WAS WELL ATTENDED.

EITHER WAY. WONDERFUL.

I'M GLAD THAT IT WAS WELL ATTENDED AND WELL REPRESENTED BY THE CITY.

IN ANY CASE, THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE IN JANUARY, WHICH I LOOKED FORWARD TO EITHER MYSELF FOR THE NEXT APPOINTEE ATTENDING.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO ITEM B, KERN COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT.

MEMBER REYNA. WE WERE AT THIS MEETING, SO THERE'S REALLY NOTHING TO REPORT.

I REPORTED ON FROM THAT MEETING THAT WE HAD ON.

MOVING ON TO ITEM 17C, WASCO TASK FORCE.

WE HAVE NOT MET. THERE'S NOTHING TO REPORT.

[18)a. Kern County Fire Department]

GOOD EVENING, SIR. YES, PLEASE.

MIC] GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS MARCUS RODRIGUEZ WITH THE KERN COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT.

I'M A BATTALION CHIEF FOR THIS AREA.

[01:30:05]

I'M FILLING IN FOR CHIEF APPLETON, WHO'S MY BOSS AND THE FORMER BATTALION CHIEF IN THIS AREA.

HE DID ASK THAT I TALK ABOUT A AN UNFORTUNATE FATALITY FIRE THAT WE HAD.

THIS ISN'T THE, THIS IS THE POWERPOINT, CORRECT.

OKAY. SO WE HAD A STRUCTURE FIRE ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11TH, AT APPROXIMATELY 12:45 A.M.

OUR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER BEGAN RECEIVING CALLS FOR A STRUCTURE FIRE IN THE 800 BLOCK OF FILBURN AVENUE.

AND THE INITIAL REPORTS. I WAS ON DUTY IN MCFARLAND, AND THE INITIAL REPORTS WERE THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBLE VICTIM IN THE HOUSE.

THE, OUR STRUCTURE FIRE RESPONSE IS DISPATCHED.

YOU GET FIVE ENGINES.

THAT IS INCORRECT. IT'S TWO BATTALION CHIEFS, ONE SAFETY OFFICER, AND OUR ECC AUTOMATICALLY STARTED AN AMBULANCE BASED ON THESE REPORTS.

THOSE FIVE ENGINES WERE ENGINE 31 FROM HERE IN WASCO, ENGINE 32 FROM SHAFTER, ENGINE 33 FROM MCFARLAND, ENGINE 34 FROM DELANO, AND ENGINE 67 FROM WEST BAKERSFIELD.

MYSELF ON BATTALION THREE, I RESPOND OUT OF MCFARLAND.

AND THEN THE SECOND BATTALION CHIEF WAS BATTALION FOUR, WHO CAME FROM EAST BAKERSFIELD AND OUR SAFETY OFFICER WHO COMES FROM BAKERSFIELD ALSO.

ENGINE 31 ARRIVED ON SCENE AND THEY WERE MET WITH A LOT OF FIRE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE.

AND BASED ON THE REPORTS, THEIR GOAL WAS TO GET OUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND TRY TO MAKE ENTRY TO RESCUE ANY VICTIMS THAT THEY COULD FIND.

AS THEY WERE ARRIVING, WE GOT CONFIRMATION THAT THERE WAS A VICTIM INSIDE.

AND BASED ON THE, IT WAS VERY CHAOTIC AND THEY WERE MET BY SOMEBODY, A BYSTANDER, LETTING THEM KNOW THAT THERE WAS SOMEBODY INSIDE AND THAT THERE WAS ACTUALLY ONE VICTIM OUTSIDE AS WELL. THEY MADE AN IMMEDIATE DECISION TO ATTACK THE FIRE FROM THE FRONT AND GO STRAIGHT INTO THE HOME.

SO THE CAPTAIN AND THE FIREFIGHTER OFF OF ENGINE 31 ENTERED THE HOME.

THEY HAD TO FIGHT THROUGH A LOT OF FIRE TO GET INTO THE HOME.

AND THEY BEGAN A SEARCH AND THEY BEGAN EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE.

VERY QUICKLY ENGINE 32 FROM SHAFTER ARRIVED.

THE CAPTAIN FROM SHAFTER TOOK COMMAND OF THE FIRE.

SO HE WAS IN CHARGE AT THAT POINT WHILE HIS CREW, HIS ENGINEER AND THE ENGINEER FROM ENGINE 31 BEGAN TRYING TO GET A WATER SUPPLY, AND HIS OTHER TWO, HIS FIREMEN, AND HE HAS A TRAINEE FIREFIGHTER ALSO.

THEY MADE ENTRY INTO THE STRUCTURE ALSO TO HELP SEARCH FOR THE VICTIM.

THEY MADE IT A VERY AGGRESSIVE FIRE ATTACK.

THERE WAS A LOT OF FIRE. AND IF YOU HAD DRIVEN BY THAT HOME, YOU WILL SEE THAT IT WAS A BIG FIRE.

I ARRIVED ON SCENE.

I TOOK COMMAND OF THE INCIDENT, OTHER ENGINE 67 AND ENGINE 34 FROM WEST BAKERSFIELD AND DELANO ARRIVED SOON AFTER THAT, AND THE MCFARLAND ENGINE ARRIVED SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH ME.

AND OUR PRIORITY WAS STILL TO GET INSIDE AND TRY TO FIND WHOEVER WAS IN THAT HOME.

AND WE QUICKLY FOUND A DECEASED VICTIM.

AND THEN IT WAS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION THAT THERE WAS ONE BURN VICTIM OUTSIDE.

THE HALL AMBULANCE TRANSPORTED THE BURN VICTIM FROM OUTSIDE AND WE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE.

OUR ARSON INVESTIGATORS RESPONDED TO INVESTIGATE THE FIRE ORIGIN AND PG&E GAS, THEY ALL RESPONDED.

AND LIKE I SAID, UNFORTUNATELY, THERE WAS ONE DECEASED VICTIM IN THE HOME.

AND WE WERE ON SCENE FOR APPROXIMATELY I THINK WE LEFT AT ABOUT 4 A.M.

AND THIS WAS THE PICTURE OF THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE AFTER THE FIRE.

THERE WAS A LOT OF FIRE COMING FROM THE GARAGE, THE FRONT DOOR, THE FRONT WINDOW.

IT HAD ALREADY BURNED INTO THE ATTIC AND THROUGH THE ROOF.

AND THIS IS JUST A SECOND PICTURE AND I CAN TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.

I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD APOLOGIZE FOR.

IT'S HARD FOR ME.

THIS IS NOT EASY. BUT IN A CELEBRATORY LIGHT NIGHT LIKE TONIGHT.

THIS IS HARD, AND I DO APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.

BUT YOUR CURRENT COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT, WE DID EVERYTHING THAT ANY OTHER FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD HAVE DONE, AND THIS WEIGHS ON US.

CHIEF RODRIGUEZ, THANK YOU FOR YOUR BRAVERY AND YOUR HEROISM AND YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

IT DOES MEAN A LOT TO THE CITY, WHICH YOU GUYS DO.

THANK YOU. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.

LIKE I SAID, I DON'T HAVE ANY REPORT ON THE OTHER THAN THIS FIRE.

[01:35:04]

WE'LL BE HERE IN WASCO. WE'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

WE'RE GETTING NEW HELP.

THERE'S A NEW STATION BEING BUILT IN SHAFTER, SO THAT SHOULD FREE UP SOME STUFF BECAUSE WE DO RESPOND SOUTH INTO SHAFTER QUITE A BIT.

AND WE'RE GROWING. WE'RE READY TO HELP.

WE'RE ALWAYS HERE. I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE.

I'VE BEEN HERE ABOUT A YEAR NOW.

CHIEF APPLETON, WHO I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE FAMILIAR WITH.

HE'S MY BOSS. HE'S ON VACATION TONIGHT.

SO HE ASKED ME TO RESPOND. AND I APOLOGIZE FOR BEING EMOTIONAL, BUT.

NO, YOU'RE QUITE ALL RIGHT.

IT'S NICE TO KNOW THAT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY MEMBERS ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY.

AND WE SEE THAT WITH OUR CURRENT COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT.

AND IT MEANS A LOT TO US.

WE CERTAINLY DO. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? NONE. JUST THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR BEING HERE THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR BRAVERY AND YOUR EMPATHY.

IT REALLY SHOWS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

I MEAN, SOMETHING LIKE THIS, OBVIOUSLY A DIFFICULT TIME FOR THE COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING.

THANK YOU. APPRECIATE YOU.

THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. MOVING ON TO ITEM 18 B, KERN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

I DON'T SEE SERGEANT SHINN.

HE IS ABSENT TONIGHT.

SO WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 19 REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER.

[19)REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER]

AND I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE AND SHOW APPRECIATION TO THE STAFF HERE, PUT IN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK FOR THE PLANNING AND THE EXECUTION OF THIS EVENING AND FOR THE EVENTS ABOUT TO COME OUTSIDE AND REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING THROUGH THIS. AND A LOT OF FOLKS OBVIOUSLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE HOLIDAYS AND THE BREAK AND WELL DESERVED.

I CAN'T COMPLIMENT MY STAFF ENOUGH FOR THE HARD WORK THEY PUT IN.

IT REALLY IS TIRELESS AND THEY REALLY DO A GOOD JOB.

SO WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE AND I JUST WANT TO PASS THAT ALONG.

AND OTHER THAN THAT, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING.

CITY MANAGER, IF YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND ANNOUNCE THE LIGHT OF LIGHT UP WASCO TOUR.

OH, IT'S ON THE SCREEN.

I DO HAVE SOMETHING TO ANNOUNCE TONIGHT.

AND MY WONDERFUL STAFF MAKES SURE I REMEMBER.

SO THERE IS AN EVENT GOING ON.

IT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT AND FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, ALL BUT SOLD OUT TWO VANS WORTH AND SOME TRAIL VEHICLES AS WELL.

BUT THIS IS CALLED LIGHT UP WASCO TOUR.

THE FOLKS HAVE IDENTIFIED SOME OF THE MORE OUTSTANDING YARD AND HOUSE LIGHT AND DECORATION COMBINATIONS AROUND TOWN AND DESIGN THIS TOUR THAT'S ON THE SCREEN AND OUR [INAUDIBLE] FOLKS ARE AVAILABLE TOMORROW EVENING.

THERE'S A 5:30 START AND A 6:30 START.

AND THE START UP MEETUP POINT IS OVER AT BARKER PARK NEAR THE DISTRICT OFFICE THERE ON POPLAR, I BELIEVE.

AND SO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, I BELIEVE THIS IS ON THE CITY WEBSITE.

YES, IT IS ON THE CITY WEBSITE.

AND PROBABLY ALSO ON THE PARKS AND RECREATION FACEBOOK PAGE.

AND SO IF YOU NEED DETAILS, PLEASE FOLLOW THROUGH.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE A FUN TIME.

KIDS ESPECIALLY, I THINK WOULD ENJOY THIS.

SO THAT'S HAPPENING TOMORROW NIGHT.

THANK YOU, SIR. IT IS AT PARKS, RECREATION AND PARKS DISTRICT, NOT AT CITY HALL.

YES, IT IS. THAT'S CORRECT.

[20)REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL]

MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

KEEP MY COMMENTS BRIEF.

I APPRECIATE IT. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH OUR NEW COUNCIL.

YOU ALL, I REALLY HOPE YOU FEEL THE EXCITEMENT OF TONIGHT, BECAUSE IT REALLY IS THERE.

THE BEST DAYS ARE AHEAD FOR WASCO BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MUCH ON THE SHELF.

AND I'M JUST I JUST WANT THE HOLIDAYS TO GET OVER WITH SO WE CAN GET BACK TO BACK TO WORK HERE IN JANUARY AND GET THE BALL ROLLING ON A LOT.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MEMBER MEDINA.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN.

YOU KNOW, IT'S GOOD TO SEE THE PUBLIC THAT'S OUT HERE.

HOPEFULLY, WE CAN KEEP THIS GOING.

AND EVERY MEETING LOOKS LIKE THIS AND REALLY JUST KEEP IT GOING AND REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE REST OF THE COUNCILMEN.

THANK YOU. MEMBER REYNA.

THANK YOU. I DO WANT TO CONGRATULATE AGAIN NEW MEMBERS.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM AS WELL AND LOOKING FORWARD ON ALL OF THOSE THINGS I ALREADY MENTIONED.

I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF ITEMS MORE, BUT I'M VERY MINDFUL OF THE TIME.

I'LL BE BRIEF. LAST WEEK I SPOKE TO A RECENTLY ELECTED ASSEMBLY MEMBER, DR.

JASMEET BAINS, AND PUT IN A REQUEST TO FUND OUR NEW POLICE STATION.

[01:40:04]

THIS IS A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR REQUEST.

AND SO THERE IS ALSO THE POTENTIAL FOR A DEFICIT WITHIN THE STATE.

AND SO WE DON'T WANT TO FIND OURSELVES THAT WE LOST THOSE FUNDS BECAUSE WE DIDN'T MOVE VERY SWIFTLY.

ANYWAY. THE DECEMBER 11TH COVID 19 VACCINATION CLINIC, THE NURSES VACCINATED 114 INDIVIDUALS.

36 OF THOSE RECEIVED THE INFLUENZA VACCINE.

AND SO WE RAN OUT OF CARDS.

WE WERE GIVING $50 CARDS AS INCENTIVES.

AND SO RECENTLY WE HAD A REPORT ON THE WALL STREET JOURNAL THAT SAYS THAT 58% OF PEOPLE DYING FROM COVID OR PEOPLE THAT DIED FROM COVID IN AUGUST WERE VACCINATED AND SOME OF THEM WERE BOOSTED.

THE REASON WHY THESE PEOPLE ARE DYING NOW IS BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT UP TO DATE WITH THEIR VACCINE, WHICH MEANS THE LATEST COVID 19 OMICRON BOOSTER.

AND SO OUR CLINIC, OUR CLINICS HAVE MADE SUBSTANTIAL DIFFERENCE IN WASCO.

WE KNOW BY THE COURSE THAT WE HAVE GIVEN THAT WE HAVE VACCINATED AT LEAST 500 ADDITIONAL PEOPLE.

HOWEVER, WE KNOW IT'S MORE BECAUSE NOT EVERYBODY THAT ATTENDS THOSE CLINICS IS FROM WASCO AND THOSE THAT ARE NOT FROM WASCO DO NOT GET A CARD.

SO I'M ASKING THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER USING ARPA FUNDS TO FUND THIS ONE MORE TIME TO KEEP OUR VACCINATION CLINICS GOING. WE DO PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR, BUT THERE ARE A LOT MORE SUCCESSFUL WHEN WE PROVIDE AN INCENTIVE.

SO IF WE COULD DO THAT [INAUDIBLE].

MAYOR, IF THAT COULD BE AGENDA, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

AND LASTLY, I ATTENDED THIS WAS A CAREER DAY.

THAT WAS THE THIS WAS DONE BY THE ELEMENTARY COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR FIVE YEARS.

IT WAS DONE AT THE TRUE LIFE BAPTIST CHURCH, AND I WAS VERY IMPRESSED BY IT BECAUSE WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS THEY'RE BRINGING DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN, WHICH ARE NORMALLY THE ONES THAT GET THE SUSPENSIONS AND EXPULSIONS FROM THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, AND THEY DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

AND SO WHAT THEY DID IS AND THEY'VE BEEN DOING FOR FIVE YEARS, IS THEY'RE BRINGING ROLE MODELS FOR THEM.

AND THE ROLE MODELS GET TO ANSWER QUESTIONS TO THE CHILDREN THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE.

TELL THEM HOW THIS ROLE MODELS GOT INTO THE BUSINESS THAT THEY'RE IN.

AND SO IT GIVES SOMETHING FOR THE KIDS TO ASPIRE TO.

SO I THINK THAT'S A WONDERFUL THING.

I DIDN'T KNOW IT EXISTED AND I WAS VERY HAPPY TO PARTICIPATE IN IT.

I WAS INVITED. AND SO IF YOU ARE OUT THERE AND CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE NOT SUCCEED, BY ALL MEANS, DO IT.

THANK YOU. THOSE ARE ALL MY COMMENTS.

THANK YOU. MEMBER SALDANA.

I JUST THANK EVERYBODY AND IT'S AN HONOR AND, YOU KNOW, TO BE WITH EVERYONE UP HERE AND LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING MENTORS, YOU KNOW, TO BE, DO MY JOB BETTER.

WHY NOT LEARN MORE? BUT THANK YOU GUYS, THANKS MY FAMILY ALSO FOR BEING HERE.

THAT'S IT. THANK YOU.

I'LL BE BRIEF. HAS ALREADY SPOKEN ENOUGH TONIGHT.

BUT I JUST WANT TO, ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT I FORGOT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EARLIER AS OUR CITY STAFF, THEY ARE AMAZING.

THE CITY HAS MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

AND AS MUCH AS POLITICIANS WANT TO SIT HERE AND CLAIM CREDIT FOR ALL OF THIS, NONE OF IT WOULD HAPPEN WITHOUT THESE MEN AND WOMEN SITTING OUT HERE.

SO THANK YOU GUYS FOR MAKING US LOOK GOOD THE LAST FEW YEARS.

SO AND AGAIN, WELCOME TO OUR NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS.

LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM.

AND I THINK THE FUTURE FOR THE CITY OF WASCO IS LOOKING VERY BRIGHT.

THANK YOU GUYS ALL FOR BEING HERE.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE REFRESHMENTS OUTSIDE, CORRECT.

SOME FOOD. AND YOU GUYS ARE ALL WELCOME.

PLEASE JOIN US.

THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.

WELCOME, SIR.

THANK YOU. CONGRATS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.