[1) CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:03]
>> GOOD EVENING. I WILL NOW CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
MADAM CLERK, CAN I PLEASE HAVE THE ROLL CALL.
>> MAYOR PROTEM GARCIA IS ABSENT.
>> MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 3, FLEX LOOP.
MR. LYNCH, WOULD YOU MIND GIVING US A PRAYER PLEASE?
>> SURE. LET'S BOW FOR PRAYER.
THANK YOU LORD, FOR THE WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL DAY YOU'VE GIVEN US TODAY AND FOR THE CHANCE TO BE HERE TONIGHT TO TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS.
I PRAY THAT YOU WITH EACH COUNCIL MEMBER, EACH PERSON THAT'S REPRESENTED BY THE CITY, AS WE DO THE BUSINESS THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, LET IT BE DONE DILIGENTLY AND PEACEFULLY, AND DONE ACCORDANCE TO WHAT IT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
WE PRAY LORD, THAT YOU WILL WATCH OVER EACH AND EVERY PERSON HERE TONIGHT IN JESUS NAME. AMEN.
>> PLEASE BE SEATED. ITEM NUMBER 5 PRESENTATIONS, WE HAVE NONE.
[6) PUBLIC COMMENTS]
ITEM NUMBER 6, PUBLIC COMMENT.THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING IS RESERVED FOR PERSONS DESIRING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL AND INCLUDING THE COUNCIL ACTING AS THE GOVERNING BOARD FOR THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY ON ANY MATTER NOT ON THIS AGENDA AND OVER WHICH THE COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY HAVE JURISDICTION.
SPEAKERS ARE LIMITED TO TWO MINUTES.
A MAXIMUM OF 30 MINUTES WILL BE ALLOWED FOR ANY ONE SUBJECT.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD BEFORE MAKING YOUR PRESENTATION.
THE BROWN ACT DOES NOT ALLOW ACTION OR DISCUSSION OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA SUBJECT TO NARROW EXCEPTIONS.
THIS WILL LIMIT THE COUNCIL MEMBERS RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS MADE DURING THIS COMMENT PERIOD.
ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? I'M SORRY.
>> IS THIS ON? GOOD AFTERNOON COUNCIL.
I'M WITH THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH COLLABORATIVE UNIDOS POR SALUD PROJECT.
SOME OF YOU MAY ALREADY BE FAMILIAR WITH THEIR PROGRAMS SERVICES, SO I'M HERE TO QUICKLY SHARE SOME PROGRAM UPDATES.
FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS UNIDOS POR SALUD A REGIONAL TOBACCO PREVENTION PROGRAM, HAS BEEN PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF ALL AGES ACROSS THE CENTRAL VALLEY TO ADVOCATE FOR SAFER TOBACCO-FREE COMMUNITIES.
IN KERN COUNTY, UNIDOS POR SALUD HAS PARTNERED WITH WASCO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO EDUCATE THEIR PEERS, FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS STATE AND LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING YOUTH FROM FLAVORED TOBACCO USE.
SOME OF YOU GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR THE YOUTH COALITION PROVIDE AN EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION IN MARCH OF 2020 AND LEARNED ABOUT THE RISING CASES OF EVALI.
FAST-FORWARD TO TODAY, OUR PROGRAM HAS BEEN EDUCATING OUR PARTNERS ON PROP 31, ALSO KNOWN AS THE FLAVOR TOBACCO LAW, AND COLLABORATING WITH CODE ENFORCEMENT IN THE COMMUNITIES WE WORK WITH TO EDUCATE TOBACCO RETAILERS ON THE NEW LAW.
ON JANUARY 31ST OF THIS YEAR, WE PARTNERED WITH CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, CHRISTIAN AND SERGIO TO PROVIDE RETAILERS WITH EDUCATIONAL PACKET ON PROP 31 AND CODE ENFORCEMENT WAS ABLE TO OBSERVE WHAT TOBACCO PRODUCTS WERE STORED IN THE SHOPS AND ANSWER ENFORCEMENT SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO RETAILERS.
TIME HAS GONE BY THAT, WE'RE WRAPPING UP OUR FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT AND STARTING A NEW GRAND CYCLE ON MAY 1ST, 2023.
WE'RE CURRENTLY STILL AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE ANY TOBACCO-RELATED RESOURCES.
BUT AS OF APRIL 30TH OF 2023, UNIDOS POR SALUD WILL NO LONGER BE SERVICING THE COMMUNITY OF WASCO.
FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE OF TOBACCO-FREE COALITION OF KERN COUNTY WILL BE YOUR RESOURCE. THANK YOU.
I WILL LET ONE OF THE STUDENTS ENEVY SHARE A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE IN THE COALITION.
I ALSO HAVE SOME PROGRAM FOLDERS THAT CONTAIN A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION.
IT'S FIVE FOR COUNCIL. MAY I LEAVE IT WITH YOU?
>> GOOD AFTERNOON CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND AUDIENCE.
I'M ENEVY LOPEZ, PRESENTLY A SENIOR IN WASCO HIGH SCHOOL.
I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT SERVING MY COMMUNITY AND WORKING TOWARDS ACHIEVING SOCIAL JUSTICE GATHERED HERE TODAY.
I'VE COLLABORATED AND PARTICIPATED IN MY COMMUNITY'S COALITION UNIDOS POR SALUD, A PROGRAM OF THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH COLLABORATIVE TO INFORM MY PEERS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY COMMERCIAL TOBACCO AND HOW YOU CAN ADVOCATE FOR POSITIVE CHANGE.
I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS EVENTS FROM UNIDOS POR SALUD SUCH AS PHOTOVOICE PROJECT WILL BE OBSERVE AND TAKE PICTURES OF TOBACCO-RELATED IMAGERY.
IMAGERY THAT WE SEE ON A DAILY BASIS IN OUR ENVIRONMENT AND TALK ABOUT OUR EXPERIENCES RELATED TO TOBACCO IN THE COMMUNITY.
THROUGH THE PROCESS OF GOING TO LOCAL PUBLIC PLACES HERE IN WASCO, I'VE NOTICED HOW THE COMMUNITY IS NOW FULLY AWARE OF THE DANGERS VAPING CAN CAUSE TO YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE ME.
[00:05:03]
I NOTICED HOW EASILY MY PEERS AT SCHOOL AND OTHER TEENAGERS HAVE ACCESS TO GETTING TOBACCO-RELATED PRODUCTS FROM THEIR FRIENDS AND/OR A LOCAL STORE AROUND THE CORNER.WHILE REALIZING THE AMOUNT OF PRODUCTS I HAVE SEEN ON THE FLOOR NEAR MY SCHOOL, I FELT PROVOKED JUST BY THE COLOR OF IT, EVEN GRABBED MY ATTENTION TO JUST LOOK DOWN AT IT.
NOW JUST IMAGINE YOU'RE A LITTLE SIBLING WALKING BACK FROM SCHOOL AND SEEING THAT.
I REFLECT ON THE LAST FEW YEARS AND I'M AMAZED ON HOW I ACHIEVED THINGS MY YOUNGER SELF WOULD HAVE NEVER THOUGHT OF DOING.
SOMEONE THAT CAN BE A POSITIVE INFLUENCE TO MY PEERS AND MOTIVATE OTHERS TO GET INVOLVED IN MAKING OUR COMMUNITY HEALTHIER.
IN 2022, I WAS A CAMP COUNSELOR FOR THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP SUMMIT FOR OVER 50 YEARS AROUND THE CENTRAL VALLEY THAT REACT NOW HOSTED, WHICH CREATED A SPACE FOR YOUTH TO LEARN HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR THE THINGS THEY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
THROUGH MY WORK WITH UNIDOS POR SALUD AND CYAN AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES I'VE HAD, AS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO COMES FROM AN UNDER-SERVED COMMUNITY, I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO GIVE BACK TO OTHERS.
UNIDOS POR SALUD HAS GIVEN ME PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, I BECAME COMFORTABLE IN CONDUCTING KEY INFORMATION, INTERVIEWS AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS, ATTENDING COMMUNITY EVENTS AND PARTICIPATING IN DATA RESEARCH AND COLLECTION.
TO ADD ON EVERYONE AT UNIDOS POR SALUD WERE SUPER KIND AND UNDERSTANDING, MAKING THIS EXPERIENCE EXTREMELY MEMORABLE.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME FOR LETTING ME GRAB YOUR ATTENTION AND HEARING MY EXPERIENCE IN THE COALITION.
I WILL NOW PASS IT ON TO MADELINA. THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS MADELINA ANDRES AND I'M A WASCO YOUTH COALITION MEMBER FROM UNIDOS POR SALUD.
I'M A SOPHOMORE AT WASCO HIGH AND I'VE BEEN WITH THE COALITION FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS.
OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, I'VE HAD A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE WITH THE COALITION ALONGSIDE MY PEERS.
I'VE LEARNED SO MUCH SINCE BEING IN THE COALITION THAT I WOULDN'T HAVE IF I WEREN'T A MEMBER.
FOR EXAMPLE, IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR, WE DID STORE OBSERVATIONS WHERE WE WENT TO LOCAL CONVENIENCE STORES AS WELL AS GAS STATIONS AND COLLECTED DATA ON TOBACCO MARKETING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE STORES.
WE VISITED 23 STORES AND WE WERE SURPRISED TO FIND THAT WALMART NO LONGER SELLS TOBACCO PRODUCTS.
THIS IS HUGE BECAUSE WALMART IS ONE OF THE LARGEST CHAIN STORES AND IS THE BIGGEST IN OUR COMMUNITY OF WASCO.
THIS SHOWS HOW IMPACTFUL PEOPLE LIKE YOU CAN CONTINUE TO SERVE AND PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY BY STOPPING THE SELL OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY.
I'VE ENJOYED MY TIME WITH UNIDOS POR SALUD, AND I'M SAD TO KNOW THAT THE PROGRAM WON'T BE SERVING WASCO AS OF MAY 1ST, BUT I KNOW I CAN ALWAYS REACH OUT TO THEM FOR SUPPORT.
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT THE PROGRAM IS DOING IN COMMUNITIES, YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM AT UNIDOS POR SALUD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. BRIEFLY, I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT, WHEN WE SPOKE BEFORE, THEY WERE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THE WORK THAT CHRISTIAN AND SERGIO DID WITH CODE COMPLIANCE, THAT DID A VERY GOOD JOB OF GOING OUT AND MAKING ALL THESE BUSINESSES AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM.
I KNOW THAT THEY WERE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE HELP THAT THEY GOT FROM WASCO FOR THAT, SO YOU CAN PASS THAT ALONG.
REAL BRIEFLY BECAUSE THIS IS PUBLIC COMMENTS.
I STARTED CHEWING AT 16 YEARS OLD.
I QUIT JANUARY 3RD OF THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THIS BAN. THANK YOU.
>> ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS? MEMBER DANIEL, MEMBERS HAVE ANY COMMENTS?
>> NO. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I HAVE PICTURES OF YOU TWO SPEAKING ON THE MICROPHONE.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE AN IPHONE, I CAN DROP THEM.
>> MADAM CLERK, DO WE HAVE ANY EMAIL COMMENTS?
>> WE DO NOT HAVE ANY EMAIL COMMENTS ON ANY OF THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
>> ITEM NUMBER 7, SUCCESSOR AGENCY BUSINESS, WE HAVE NONE.
ITEM NUMBER 8, WASCO PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY, WE HAVE NONE.
CONSENT CALENDAR, ITEM NUMBER 9.
[9) 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 THE COUNCIL MEMBER OR A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REQUESTS THE REMOVAL OF A PARTICULAR ITEM.
THIS EVENING, WE HAVE ITEMS 9A THROUGH 9O.
AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO ASK THE MEMBERS THAT DO HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON A PARTICULAR ITEM ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR MEMBER SALDANA?
>> YES. I'D LIKE TO REMOVE FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION ITEM I, L, AND M, MAYOR.
>> ITEM I, AIDA ELLISON LINCOLN AND AMAZON MARRIOTT WILL BE REMOVED.
MEMBER MEDINA, DO YOU HAVE ANY CONFLICTS?
>> ARE THOSE ITEMS THAT ARE BEING REMOVED COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA THEY'RE FOR CONFLICT OR YOU'RE REMOVING THEM FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION?
>> THAT WOULD BE YOUR NEXT QUESTION.
[00:10:02]
I HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSION I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.>> IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM? YES. ARE THERE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM? MEMBER MEDINA?
>> I JUMPED THE GUN, DIDN'T I?
I WAS DISTRACTED SENDING PICTURES. I APOLOGIZE.
>> I, L, AND O, I BELIEVE IT WAS CORRECT.
>> I, L, AND M. THANK YOU. MEMBER SALDANA?
>> I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF EVERYTHING EXCEPT FOR THE ITEMS REMOVED, CORRECT?
>> MOTION WAS MADE BY MEMBER SALDANA, I'LL SECOND.
MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU CALL THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL?
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SALDANA AND SECONDED BY MAYOR MARTINEZ TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM 9, I, L, AND M FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
MOTION WAS APPROVED BY FOUR AYES AND MAYOR PROTEM GARCIA, ABSENT.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. IF YOU DON'T MIND,
[Items 9I, 9L & 9M]
I'LL SPEAK ABOUT BOTH I AND L TOGETHER.THEY'RE ABLE TO REFER TO WELL, 12 AND WELL 14.
I READ YOUR REPORT AND ALSO READ THE REPORT FROM THE PEOPLE THAT DID THE LAB WORK.
I KNOW IN YOUR REPORT YOU SAY THAT WE NEED TO FIX THESE WELLS BEFORE THE HEAT GETS HERE, SO THAT'S CRUCIAL.
FIRST ONE IS WE DO HAVE SIX WELLS.
RIGHT NOW WE ARE OPERATING WITH FOUR.
IS THAT CORRECT? BECAUSE 12 AND 14 ARE SHUTDOWN.
>> I'M GOING TO REFER TO OUR PUBLIC [OVERLAPPING].
ACTUALLY, AUTHORED IN THE REPORT SO YOU WILL GET THE DETAILS CORRECT.
>> I HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS THAT'S WHY I'M-
>> SORRY. BUT YES, YOU ARE CORRECT.
>> I IMAGINE, WELL, I DON'T IMAGINE I KNOW THAT WE HAVE REDUNDANCY RIGHT.
ON DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION WE'RE NOT OPERATING THE SIX WELLS AT ONE TIME.
HOW MANY WELLS DO WE OPERATE TO SATISFY IRREGULAR DEMAND.
>> CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW THEY'RE JUST THREE WELLS IN OPERATION TO HANDLE THE DEMAND.
BUT AS HEAT INCREASES, PEOPLE USE THE SPRINKLERS MORE OFTEN.
SHOWER, KIDS RUN AROUND OUTSIDE WITH WATER.
THAT INCREASES PROBABLY FIVE WELLS AT THAT POINT 4-5 DURING THE TODAY.
TEMPERATURES ARE MILD NOW, BUT NEXT WEEK ON THURSDAY, IT'LL BE 97 DEGREES.
YOU'RE SPEAKING ABOUT HIGHER DEMAND DURING FIVE DAYS.
THAT WILL LEAVE US ONLY WITH FOUR WELLS AND WE NEED FIVE SO THE QUESTION BECOMES NOW, WHAT IS THE EXPECTED? I KNOW YOU PROBABLY CANNOT ANSWER WITH CERTAINTY BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF UNKNOWNS WITH BOTH WELLS.
BUT THEY HAVE A TIMELINE THAT WHEN AT LEAST ONE OF THESE WELLS WILL COME ONLINE AGAIN.
I KNOW WELL, 14 IT WAS JUST DONE.
I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS REGARDING THAT.
ARE THERE ANY GUARANTEES ON THE WORK THAT WAS DONE? BUT I'LL LET YOU ANSWER THE FIRST QUESTION THAT I ASKED.
>> I CAN ANSWER THAT, SO WELL 14 WE'LL START OFF WITH WELL 14.
THAT WAS IDENTIFIED YESTERDAY THAT THE BOLTS ON IT WERE BAD.
>> THE BOLT WHAT BRINGS UP THE WATER WELL WITH THE MOTOR.
THEY CHECK IT INTO IF THEY HAVE IT IN STOCK, IF NOT, THEY CAN REBUILD, BUT COST IS ALMOST IDENTICAL.
ONCE THEY CONFIRM THAT WHICH SHOULD BE PROBABLY TODAY IN THE EMAILS OR TOMORROW MORNING.
THEN THEY CAN KNOCK THAT OUT WITHIN TWO DAYS AND DROP BACK IN THAT WELL WILL BE READY TO BACK ONLINE.
>> THAT ANSWER MY QUESTION. THAT WAS A BIG CONCERN BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW THAT WE OPERATE IT WITH THREE DURING JUST NORMAL WEATHER OR MILD WEATHER.
BUT I KNEW THAT AS DEMAND INCREASES, WE NEED MORE CAPACITY.
>> THAT'S WHAT PROMPTED MY QUESTIONS.
NEXT WEEK, MOST OF THE WEEK WE'RE GOING TO BE IN THE MID 80S AND THEN BY THURSDAY 97 DEGREES.
SO WE NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR THAT.
IN THE CASE THAT ONE OF THOSE WELLS WERE NOT TO COME ONLINE IN TIME,
[00:15:02]
WHAT WOULD BE THE STEPS THAT WE NEEDED TO TAKE?>> WE WOULD SEND OUT A MESSAGE AND PUT THE TEXT MESSAGE THAT WE DO TO CONSERVE WATER DEFINITELY WE'D DO THAT.
WE CAN SEND A LETTER THAT WE'LL CALL A STATE, ALLOW US TO RUN A DIFFERENT WELL, THAT IS CURRENTLY OFF BUT WELL 12.
I'M SORRY. WELL 12 THE ONE THAT'S ON HERE.
WELL 12 THAT ONE AS WELL IS BEING FLUSHED CURRENTLY.
WITH ANOTHER NEGATIVE TEST COMING BACK, WE CAN ALSO HAVE THAT ONE BACK ONLINE PRETTY QUICK.
>> ON THE REPORT SAYS THERE IS ALSO SERIOUS CONCERN FOR SURFACE INFILTRATION OR INFLUENCE, WHICH RAISES QUESTIONS OF THE WELL STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY.
THAT SOUNDS LIKE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM.
IS THAT GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE RESOLVED?
>> NO POTENTIALLY, IT COULD BE AN ISSUE IF THAT'S THE CASE.
WHEN WE DO THIS WORK, THIS WOULD WORK.
WE'RE HOPING TO PUSH IT BACK TO THE WINTER TIME AND AT THAT TIME WE WOULD DO THIS WORK HERE.
IF THE TEST COMES BACK NEGATIVE THIS WEEK, WE WOULD POSTPONE THIS ONE.
>>THAT ANSWER MY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. NOW, MOVING ON TO ITEM M. NOW, I LOOKED AT THE REPORT AND IT'S GREAT THAT WE'RE PUTTING SHELTERS FOR BUS RIDERS.
BUT I LOOKED AT THE MAP AND I HAD SOME QUESTIONS REGARDING HOW WAS THE DECISION MADE TO PLACE TWO OF THOSE SHELTERS A BLOCK FROM EACH OTHER ON 7TH STREET.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT CRITERIA WAS USED.
I'M WONDERING WHETHER THERE WAS SOME SPECIAL NEED TO HAVE THEM SO CLOSE TOGETHER OR WHETHER THERE'S A NEED TO SEPARATE THEM A LITTLE BIT FURTHER.
IF PEOPLE CAN WALK A FURTHER DISTANCE TO BE SHELTER BECAUSE THERE'S LITERALLY A BLOCK FROM EACH OTHER SO FAR, PLAN THAT WAY.
>> MAYBE IF I MISSPEAK, BUT I BELIEVE THAT OCCASIONS ARE CONCEPTUAL, WE'RE NOT TIED TO THOSE PRECISE LOCATIONS.
WE WANTED TO SHOW THE NUMBER THAT WE BELIEVE THAT FUNDING CAN COVER.
MORE WORK WILL BE DONE ON PRECISE LOCATIONS INCLUDING YOU GUYS SAYING YOU DON'T WANT THEM THAT CLOSE, SEPARATE THEM TO WANT TO MOVE SOME TO ENTIRELY NEW LOCATION.
>> THAT MAKES SENSE BECAUSE IT WAS JUST PEOPLE COULD WALK AN ADDITIONAL BLOCK TO SHELTER THEMSELVES AND WAIT FOR THE BUS.
I THOUGHT THAT WAS NOT A VERY GOOD IDEA.
OF COURSE, YOU DO HAVE ONE ALSO, DECADES IN HIGHWAY 46.
AGAIN, THAT'S PROJECTED TO BE THERE, BUT NOT NECESSARILY WILL END UP THERE, IS THAT CORRECT? BECAUSE THERE'S ONE CURRENTLY AT FIFTH IN BEKINS.
BUT THE ONE ON FIFTH IN BEKINS IS NOT A DESIGNATED STOP FOR OUR DATA ARRAY TO STOP.
RIGHT NOW POTENTIALLY, WE WANT TO PUT A SHELTER.
OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE GOING TO ASK FOR PERMISSION FROM ADA.
THAT AREA IS USED A LOT FROM OUR SENIORS AND ADAS AND ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAINS, WE DO WANT TO PROVIDE THAT SHELTER FOR OUR PASSENGERS.
IF THOSE YOU HAVE THE BIG SHOPPING CENTER THAT ARE THERE AND THEN YOU HAVE RIGHTLY SO.
BUT THE OTHER TWO DIDN'T MAKE SENSE.
>> THE OTHER TWO ALSO, AS WE TRANSPORT OUR ADAS AND SENIORS, A LOT OF OUR SENIORS DO GO TO VANGUARD, WHICH IS ONE OF THE STEPS THAT WE'RE ALSO PROVIDING, TRYING TO PROVIDE SHELTER THERE.
THE OTHER ONE IS ALSO THEY DO STOP.
WE STOP THERE TO DROP OFF OUR PASSENGERS TO GO TO THE UNION BANK AND TO GO TO THAT AREA.
USUALLY THE REASON WHY WE CHOSE THOSE POTENTIAL LOCATIONS, IT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE BEING UTILIZED A LOT WITH OUR ADA AND SENIORS.
>> THE QUESTION WOULD BE, CAN ADA CUSTOMERS THAT WE SERVE WOULD BE ABLE TO WALK IN ADDITIONAL BLOCK? I GUESS THAT WOULD BE THE QUESTION.
>> THEY CAN BUT USUALLY WE DESIGNATE AN AREA ON 7TH STREET WHICH ARE LOW SIDE AREAS FOR THEM TO WAIT FOR OUR DOLLARIDE TO PICK THEM.
>> I WANT TO BE CLEAR. WE DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROVIDE THE SERVICE THAT IS NECESSARY.
BUT LOOKING AT THE MAP, ONE SHELTER A BLOCK FROM THE OTHER DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME.
SOMETHING TO CONSIDER AS WE FINALIZE THIS THINGS, AND THAT'S IT.
UNLESS THERE ARE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE.
>> I'LL SECOND THE MOTION. MADAM CLERK, COULD YOU CALL THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL?
[00:20:01]
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA SECONDED BY MAYOR MARTINEZ TO APPROVE ITEM I, L, AND M. MOTION IS APPROVED BY FOUR AYES WITH MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA ABSENT.
[10) a. Introduce and Waive the First Reading by title only of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Wasco rezoning 19.4 acres (APN 490-020-21, 22, and 23) from R-1-6 (single family residential 6,000 square foot minimum lot size) to P-F (Public Facilities), Amending Zoning Code Sections 17.22.050 Table 2-1, 17.22.055, Table 2- 2, 17.40.140(B) and 17.30.030(A) and Find that this project is compliant with the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 pursuant to the Mitigated Negative Declaration (SCH#2023010548) for the Water System Improvement and Treatment Project adopted by the Wasco City Council on March 21, 2023. (Cobb)]
PUBLIC HEARINGS INTRODUCE AND WAVE THE FIRST READING BY TITLE ONLY OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE CITY OF WASCO REZONING 19.4 ACRES, 8EN4902021, 22 AND 23 FROM PUBLIC R16, SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL, 6,000 SQUARE FOOT [NOISE] MINIMUM LOT SIZE, TO PF PUBLIC FACILITIES AMENDING ZONING CODE, SECTION 1722050, TABLE 2-11722.055, TABLE 2-2174014B AND 1730.30A, AND FIND THAT THIS PROJECT IS COMPLIANT WITH THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT OF 1970, PURSUANT TO THE MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION SCH2023010548 FOR THE WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT AND TREATMENT PROJECT ADOPTED BY THE WASCO CITY COUNCIL ON MARCH 21, 2023.YOU PROBABLY GOING TO TELL ME [LAUGHTER] I DIDN'T HAVE TO READ ALL THAT, HUH?
>> YOU DID ACTUALLY. [LAUGHTER]
>> HONORABLE MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR READING ALL THAT.
I WILL BRIEFLY JUST GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ON THIS.
[NOISE] WHAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING AND WHY WE'RE HOLDING THIS PUBLIC HEARING.
WELL, SINCE 2021, THE CITY PROPRIETOR I BELIEVE, WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THE WATER WELLS AND THE WATER ISSUE AND IN 2022, THE CITY PURCHASED SOME PROPERTY BY FILBURN CENTRAL TO BUILD WELL NUMBER 17, AND PART OF THAT PURCHASE THE CITY NEGOTIATED WITH THE EXISTING LAND OWNER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROPERTY WAS ZONED.
RIGHT NOW THE PROPERTY IS ZONED R1 RESIDENTIAL, SO THIS IS WHY WE'RE DOING ALL THIS.
WE GOT ZONE IT TO BE PUBLIC FACILITIES BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE BUILDING A WELL, AN ANIMAL SHELTER, A PUBLIC WORKS YARD.
IN ADDITION, WE ARE ZONING SOME [NOISE] OF THAT LAND POTENTIALLY COULD BE USED FOR A STORAGE FACILITY OR A STORM WATER RETENTION AND IT COULD BE BOTH.
BUT WE'RE TRYING TO DO THAT TOWARDS THE SIDE OF THE RESIDENTIAL.
IT'S PART OF A BIGGER PARCEL WHERE SOME OF THAT LAND IN THE FUTURE IS ZONED FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
PART OF THE PROCESSES TO REZONING IT PROPERLY SO WE'RE ABLE TO DO WHAT THE CITY NEEDS TO DO AND THEN PUT A BUFFER BETWEEN OUR FACILITIES AND THE RESIDENTIAL AREA.
WE'RE ASKING COUNCIL TO INTRODUCE IT, HOLD THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING AND I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THE COUNCIL MIGHT HAVE.
>> MS. LAURA. [NOISE] AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? SEEING NONE, I'D LIKE TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
[NOISE] I'LL TRY TO HIT A LITTLE SLOWLY.
[LAUGHTER] SORRY. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MEMBER MEDINA?
>> THIS IS AN ISSUE ACTUALLY THAT I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH.
SCOTT AND I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS AT LENGTH, SO I DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS. THANK YOU.
>> I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO INTRODUCE AND WAVE THE FIRST READING OF THE ORDINANCE.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
MADAM CLERK, WILL YOU CALL THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
>> SURE I CAN. MAYOR MARTINEZ?
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SALDANA TO INTRODUCE AND WAVE THE FIRST READING OF THE ORDINANCE.
MOTION IS APPROVED WITH FOUR AYES WITH COUNCIL MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA ABSENT.
[11) a. Approval of Minutes for: 1. December 6, 2022, Regular Meeting. 2. December 20, 2022, Regular Meeting. (Martinez)]
DEFERRED BUSINESS, A, APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR DECEMBER 6TH AND REGULAR MEETING AND ITEM NUMBER 2 DECEMBER 20 OF REGULAR MEETINGS.>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THIS ITEM WAS BROUGHT UP BECAUSE THERE WERE SOME ERRORS ON ONE OF OUR MINUTES, WHICH WAS DECEMBER THE 6TH.
AND WE DID FIX A TYPO THAT WAS MENTIONED BY COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA.
AND ON THE DECEMBER 20, WE PROVIDED THAT INFORMATION THAT MR. REYNA WANTED ON THE REPORTING OUT,
[00:25:04]
WHICH WAS THAT HE HAD MET WITH JASMINE, OUR ASSEMBLY PERSON.SO THAT INFORMATION HAS BEEN ON THERE AND THAT IS ALL FOR MY REPORT. [LAUGHTER]
>> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? ITS LIKE SLAMMING THE SLEDGE, REACHING FOR IT ALREADY.
ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE, ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MEMBER MEDINA?
>> THANK YOU STAFF FOR CORRECTING. THANK YOU.
>> THAT'S ALL THE CLERK'S FAULT.
>> I HAVE NO COMMENTS. I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
MADAM CLERK, COULD YOU CALL THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL, PLEASE?
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MEDINA TO APPROVE ITEM 11A.
MOTION IS APPROVED WITH FOUR AYES WITH MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA ABSENT.
>> ITEM NUMBER 12, NEW BUSINESS. WE HAVE NONE.
ITEM NUMBER 13, REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES.
[13) a. Kern Economic Development Corporation (Garcia)]
CURRENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.MOVING ON TO CURRENT COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS. MEMBER REYNA.
[13) b. Kern Council of Government (Reyna)]
>> MEETING THIS WEEK. IN FACT, THURSDAY.
[13) c. Wasco Task Force (Reyna & Medina)]
WASCO TASK FORCE, MEDINA.>> WE HELD OUR MEETING APRIL 6TH.
I THINK IT WAS DUE TO THE EASTER WEEK.
WE'LL TRY AGAIN THIS FOLLOWING WEEK, SO NOT MUCH TO REPORT.
REPORTS FROM THE FIRE AND SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
[14) a. Kern County Fire Department (Appleton)]
ITEM NUMBER 8 FROM COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT, CHIEF APPLETON. NICE TO SEE YOU, SIR.>> GOOD EVENING, [NOISE] HONORABLE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
GOOD TO SEE YOU. HOPE YOU ALL HAD A HAPPY EASTER.
I'M JUST GOING TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT OUR MARCH REPORT NUMBERS WERE WITH 198 TOTAL INCIDENTS IN WASCO FOR ENGINE 31, 20 OF THOSE WERE FIRES AND VARIOUS TYPES IN 128 MEDICAL CALLS AND THEN THE REMAINDER ARE MISCELLANEOUS TEXTS CALLS.
OTHER THAN THAT, I HAVE NOTHING TO REPORT. ANY QUESTIONS?
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. DO ANY OF THE MEMBERS HAVE QUESTIONS?
>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION. ARE YOU INVOLVED WITH THE WHOLE EOC DEAL? YES, WELL I'M NOT ASSIGNED TO THE EOC.
>> MY QUESTION IS, I KNOW WE HAD THE WHOLE EMERGENCY RESPONSE GOING ON WHEN WE HAD THE FLOODING.
NOW EVERYTHING'S CALMED DOWN, BUT THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF SNOW MELT OR IT'S A LOT OF SNOW IN THE MOUNTAINS, THE HEAT IS GOING TO START PICKING OUT.
IS THERE ANY SORT OF PLAN THAT'S IN PLACE THAT WE'RE DOING TO RESPOND TO ANY POTENTIAL FLOODING IN THE FUTURE?
>> YES. WE ARE RAMPING UP FOR THAT RIGHT NOW.
THERE'S APPROXIMATELY IN THE SNOWPACK IN THE KERN RIVER DRAINAGE THAT SUPPLIES LAKE ISABELLA AND THE KERN RIVER DOWN BELOW LAKE ISABELLA.
FOR THAT WATERSHED AREA, THE STATE ESTIMATES THERE'S 1.83 MILLION ACRE FEET OF WATER IN THE SNOWPACK.
THAT'S ENOUGH TO FILL AND DRAIN LAKE ISABELLA THREE TIMES, SO THERE'S A LOT OF WATER COMING DOWN.
WE'RE PREPARING FOR THAT RIGHT NOW.
YOU'LL PROBABLY SEE THE EOC OPEN BACK UP IN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO.
THEN I DON'T ANTICIPATE THAT WE HAVE THAT MUCH SNOW MELT IN THE PUZZLE CREEK DRAINAGE THERE'S SOME SNOW MELT, BUT I DON'T SEE ANY OF THAT AFFECTING WASCO.
>> ITEM B, KERN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENTS, SIR.
[14) b. Kern County Sheriff’s Department (Stacy)]
>> GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS COREY STACY, I'M THE NEW SERGEANT HERE IN WASHINGTON SUBSTATION.
HOPEFULLY, I CAN PRESENT WHAT YOU GUYS ARE LOOKING FOR.
I'LL GO OVER A COUPLE OF CASES THAT I FELT WERE IMPORTANT FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.
ON MARCH 26TH, DEPUTIES WERE DISPATCHED OVER TO THE AREA FORTH IN GRIFFITH FOR A LOT OF MUSIC TYPE CALL.
AS THEY ARE IN THE AREA, THEY FOUND A COUPLE OF SUBJECTS THAT WERE IN THE AREA, SOUNDED LIKE THEY WERE BREAKING GLASS ALONG THE ROADWAY THERE.
AS DEPUTIES MAKE CONTACT WITH THEM, THEY ARRESTED ONE INDIVIDUAL, ONE GUY ENDED UP FLEEING IN THE NEARBY BUSHES, THEY LOCATED A GHOST GUN WITH A EXTENDED MAGAZINE, AND WAS ABLE TO TIE IT TO THE SUBJECT THAT WAS ARRESTED DURING THAT ENCOUNTER THERE, AND HE IS CURRENTLY STILL IN CUSTODY.
[00:30:01]
ANOTHER SUBJECT WAS UNIDENTIFIED AT THE TIME.MEMBERS OF THE WASHINGTON SUBSTATION, WE SERVED A SEARCH WARRANT AND IT'S IN THE BLOCK OF THIS STREET, AND LOCATED ANOTHER GHOST GUN WITH AN EXTENDED MAGAZINE.
WE ARRESTED TWO SUBJECTS OUT THERE.
THEY ARE KNOWN MOSCOW GANG MEMBERS AND ONE'S OUT OF CUSTODY, THE OTHER ONE IS STILL IN CUSTODY ON SOME GOOD CHARGES ARE THERE.
THEN ON APRIL 11TH, I'M SURE YOU GUYS ALL HEARD OF THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD CRASH INTO THE APARTMENT BUILDING ON CENTRAL.
THAT SUBJECT WAS IDENTIFIED BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE TERM FOR IT.
BASICALLY LIKE NITROUS OXIDE AND WAS HUFFING AND I'M NOT SURE WHERE IT ALL OCCURRED.
HOWEVER, NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THAT.
IF YOU GUYS SAW THE VIDEO, HE ACTUALLY HAD HIS HAND OUT THE WINDOW, AND THE CAMERA THERE.
OTHER THAN THAT, I KNOW WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH A LOT OF OHVS IN THE AREA.
I KNOW OUR DEPUTIES HAD BEEN DISPATCHED TO THOSE AREAS.
HOWEVER, THE SUBJECTS END UP FLEEING PRIOR TO OUR ARRIVAL OR WHEN WE GET THERE.
I DON'T SEE IT BEING TOO SAFE TO PURSUE THEM BECAUSE THAT WILL CAUSE MORE CONCERN TO THE PUBLIC AND THEIR SAFETY.
BUT WE ARE TRYING TO BE PROACTIVE IN GETTING THOSE OHVS OFF THE STREET.
>> THE OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLES. THE QUADS, MOTORCYCLE, DIRT BIKES.
>> THEY'RE ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY?
>> AT 12 MIDNIGHT TRYING TO STIFFEN IT IS.
>> YEAH. I MEAN, I KNOW LAST WEEK DEPUTIES GOT CALLED TO A SEVERAL OF THEM.
ESPECIALLY OVER THE SPRING BREAK WEEKEND, THEY WERE OUT THERE QUITE A BIT.
A LOT OF THEM WERE YOUNG KIDS OUT THERE RIDING AROUND AND THEY'RE NOT MEETING ANY HARM.
HOWEVER, IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR THEM AND FOR THE OTHER TRAFFIC ON THE ROADWAYS.
WE'RE TRYING AGAIN, IF THEY CREATE MORE OF A DANGER WHEN THEY FLEE FROM US, AND IF WE WERE TO CHASE THEM, IT MAKES IT EVEN WORSE.
WE CONTINUE TO TRY TO PATROL THE AREAS. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
>> SERGEANT. IN FACT, THE NEWS IN BAKER'S HILL YESTERDAY, I BELIEVE IT WAS REPORTED THAT THERE WERE SOME KIDS THAT WERE INJURED BECAUSE THEY COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE OR VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE RIDING THOSE TINY LITTLE MOTORCYCLES.
>> THEY'RE NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THE ROAD.
THEY HAVE NO TYPE OF SIGNAL OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
>> YEAH. I'VE HEARD NITROUS OXIDE WAS SOMETHING THAT YOU PUT INTO CAR.
WHEN YOU TOLD US IS THAT THIS GUY WAS HIGH ON IT?
>> IN A WAY. IT'S BEEN LONG YEARS AND YEARS OF WHAT THEY CALL WHIP IT.
BASICALLY IT'S NITROUS OXIDE IN A LITTLE BOTTLE.
THEY CAN USE IT OUT OF THE AIR CLEANERS FOR THE COMPUTERS AND THEY BASICALLY INGEST THAT.
IT GETS THEM TO A CERTAIN HIGH, IF YOU WILL, FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN THEY'LL BE FINE AFTER THAT.
IT IS MORE OF A INTOXICATING AGENT FOR A TIME.
FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, YOU CAN'T DETECT IT IN A BLOOD OR BREATH TEST.
IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS YOU FIND EVIDENCE OF IT AND SOME OF THEM WILL ADMIT TO IT.
BUT A LOT OF TIMES IT HAPPENS YOUNG HIGH SCHOOL KIDS AND EVEN YOUNGER AT TIMES.
I'VE RESPOND TO CALLS WHERE KIDS HAVE PASSED OUT AT SCHOOL FROM HUFFING.
PRETTY MUCH JUST LIKE A PINK CAN CRY ON OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
THE FIRST TIME I HEARD OF THAT.
>> IT'S JUST WHAT IT IS IN THE LABEL OF THE PENAL CODE.
>> THE VEHICLE BECAME AIRBORNE, RIGHT?
>> OH, YEAH. LUCKILY, WE HAD THE VIDEO A LITTLE BIT, JUST KIND OF SEE WHERE HE WAS COMING FROM AND HOW IT WAS DRIVING.
LUCKILY, NOBODY WHO WAS INJURED.
TURNED OUT IT WASN'T STOLEN VEHICLE THAT WAS UNREPORTED AT THE TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [NOISE]
>> REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER? [NOISE].
[15) REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER]
>> YES. WELL, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I'VE FEW ITEMS TONIGHT.
SPECIFICALLY, LET'S TALK ABOUT EVENTS COMING UP HERE.
WE'VE GOT THE, OUT IN MAY 13TH, CURRENT ECONOMIC SUMMIT.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE BROADCAST VERSION OF THAT.
[00:35:07]
IN THE PAST, THAT HAS BEEN A LIVE EVENT THAT CAN BE ATTENDED IN PERSON.NOW IT'S GOING TO BE TRANSMITTED ON TELEVISION.
I BELIEVE WE SENT NOTICES OF THAT WITH A PROGRAM TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WE CAN FOLLOW UP WITH ANOTHER COPY OF THAT IF THAT WOULD BE OF INTEREST TO THE COUNCIL.
SATURDAY THE 22ND, THIS COMING SATURDAY WILL BE THE COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP EVENT STARTING AT BURGER PARK, 9AM TO NOON.
ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME.
I THINK WE HAVE QUITE A FEW SIGNED UP, BUT WE CAN ALWAYS USE MORE VOLUNTEERS.
FOLKS THAT WANT TO SHOW UP EARLY AND GET OUTFITTED CAN SHOW UP A LITTLE BIT BEFORE NINE, BUT THE EVENT WILL START AT NINE.
>> IF YOU HAVE A CALENDAR INVITE ON THAT.
>> OKAY. SHOULD HAVE A CALENDAR INVITE, YES.
WE HAVE WHAT WE USED TO CALL THE KAFIR, THE COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT THAT IS PRODUCED BY OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT OR FINANCE DIRECTOR, IS NO LONGER CALLED THAT, IT'S CALLED THE ACFR FOR UNUSUAL REASONS.
[LAUGHTER] BUT NONETHELESS, OURS IS COMPLETE AND HAS BEEN POSTED TO THE WEBSITE UNDER THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT TAB UNDER REPORTS.
YOU CAN FIND IT THERE, WILL BE THE MOST CURRENT ENTRY THERE.
THIS IS A FORMAL VERSION OF OUR ACCOUNTING.
IT'S STANDARDIZED ACROSS CITIES SO THAT FOLKS THAT WANT TO DO ANALYSIS OF MUNICIPAL FINANCES SEE A STANDARD REGULAR FORMAT THAT'S USABLE ACROSS MUNICIPALITIES.
THE SNIP EVENT IS COMING UP APRIL 28TH AT THE COURTHOUSE FROM 8AM TO 4PM.
IF IT'S LIKE PREVIOUS EVENTS, IT'S PERHAPS LARGELY SOLD OUT, BUT WE'D LIKE TO ANNOUNCE IT NONETHELESS.
FOLKS WANT TO TRY TO SNEAK IN THERE AND GET A RESERVATION.
HAD A QUICK UPDATE THAT WE RECEIVED LAST WEEK ON THE DRIVE THE LILY STREET TO NUISANCE PROPERTY THAT [NOISE] WAS DISCUSSED LAST COUPLE OF MEETINGS.
OUR EFFORTS THROUGH OUR ASSEMBLY MAN OR FEDERAL?
>> CONGRESSMAN RATHER, I'M SORRY, CONGRESSMAN VALIDALE BORE FRUIT AND IS ABLE TO GET THE ATTENTION OF SOME FOLKS AT HUD AND BY THEIR INDICATION, THERE'LL BE PAYING MUCH MORE CLOSE ATTENTION TO THAT PROPERTY.
THEY WERE DISPATCHING HEAD PERSONNEL TO EVALUATE IT AND GET THE CLEANUP STARTED AND BOARD UP AND GET IT READY TO PUT ON THE MARKET.
THE CIRCUMSTANCES, IT TURNS OUT WHERE THAT THE OCCUPANTS HAD PASSED AWAY.
THE HUD HELD THE REVERSE MORTGAGE FOR THE PROPERTY AND SO IT WAS IN LIMBO AND CONTINUES TO BE IN LIMBO.
BUT THEY'RE AWARE THAT IT'S CREATING A NUISANCE CENTER, SHOULD BE ACTING UPON IT VERY QUICKLY.
OVERALL REPORT FROM THE CONFERENCE.
OTHERWISE, I BELIEVE THOSE THAT ATTENDED FELT IT WAS WORTHWHILE.
THE SESSIONS WERE I THOUGHT BETTER THAN AVERAGE ON THIS ONE.
WE HAD WHAT WE ALL FELT WERE SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, OUR LEGISLATORS FROM KERN COUNTY WITH DR.
BAINES AND SENATOR HURTOTTO AND WE WERE ABLE TO SHARE OUR CONCERNS AND HIGHLIGHTED ITEMS AND FELT LIKE THEY WERE VERY RECEPTIVE TO OUR COMMENTS.
ALL IN ALL, IT WAS A SUCCESSFUL EVENT AND WELL WORTH THE TIME.
I THINK THAT'S ALL THAT I HAVE.
DO WE DO CLOSED SESSION FIRST AND THEN REPORTS FROM THE COUNCIL OR?
[16) REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL]
>> MEMBER SALDANA, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT?
>> I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT.
I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT WITH THE CANVAS WEBB, WHO IS THE PERSON THAT COMES AND DOES THE SNIP BUS, AND SHE MENTIONED SOMETHING TO ME THAT IS CONCERNING AND THAT IS THAT ABOUT HALF OR MORE THAN HALF OF THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE APPOINTMENTS DON'T SHOW UP.
[00:40:04]
WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT THEY GO BY POINTS AND THEY'RE REQUIRED TO HAVE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF POINTS.I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT AMOUNT BUT SOMEWHERE IN THE 600 RANGE.
SO WHEN PEOPLE DON'T SHOW UP, THEY'RE NOT REACHING THESE GOALS THAT THEY HAVE SET UP.
THIS LAST EVENT, WHAT THEY DID IS THEY OPENED IT UP TO STAND-INS OR PEOPLE WAITING TO BE ATTENDED IF SOMEBODY DIDN'T SHOW UP, BUT IT STILL WAS NOT AS SUCCESSFUL AS THEY EXPECTED IT.
IT HAPPENED THE LAST TIME THEY WERE HERE TOO.
WHAT SHE SAID TO ME IS THAT, I KNOW THIS WOULD HAVE TO BE AGENDIZED TO BE DISCUSSED IF WE WANT TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION.
SHE ASKED ME TO CONSIDER PERHAPS HAVING A SMALL FEE FOR EACH EITHER SPAYED OR NEUTERED PET BECAUSE ONCE PEOPLE HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME, THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO SHOW UP.
IF IT IS FREE, THEY SIMPLY DECIDE THAT THEY'LL DO IT ANOTHER TIME.
IT TIES UP THE APPOINTMENT OTHER PEOPLE DON'T GET TO COME AND HAVE THEIR PET SPAYED OR NEUTERED.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHE TOLD ME IS HAPPENING EVERYWHERE WHERE THERE ARE FREE EVENTS, BUT IT DOESN'T HAPPEN WHERE THEY CHARGE WHETHER IT'D BE 5, $10, WHATEVER THE AMOUNT MAY BE.
SHE SAYS IF A FEE IS HAVING TO BE PAID BY THOSE ATTENDING, THEY ALWAYS SHOW UP.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT PERHAPS WE NEED TO BRING BACK AND DISCUSS SO THAT THERE'S A PURPOSE TO THIS.
IT IS FREE BECAUSE WE WANT TO AFFECT THE STRAY POPULATION IN WASCO, BUT WE'RE NOT ACHIEVING THAT GOAL BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOT COMING TO SPAY AND NEUTER THEIR PETS.
SO MAYBE INCLUDING A SMALL FEE WILL CHANGE THAT.
IF YOU COULD BRING IT BACK UP FOR DISCUSSION, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
AS SCOTT MENTIONED, WE HAD LEGISLATIVE VISITS WITH OUR ELECTED.
THEY WENT REALLY, REALLY WELL.
I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS.
THAT'S WHY I LIKE TO GO TO SACRAMENTO BECAUSE WE GET TO MEET WITH THEM, EXPRESS OUR CONCERNS, AND THEY ALWAYS HAVE AN ANSWER FOR US.
IN REGARDS TO THE SESSIONS, I'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH THIS.
I'VE BEEN ON THE COUNCIL. THIS IS MY SEVENTH YEAR.
I'VE BEEN GOING REGULARLY TO THIS CONFERENCES, AND THEY HAVE A TENDENCY TO BECOME REPETITIVE AFTER YOU GO FOR SEVERAL TIMES.
YOU HEAR THEM ONCE, YOU HEAR THEM TWICE.
SCOTT AND I WERE COMMENTING ABOUT THIS LADY THAT SENDS THE BALL OUT INTO THE AUDIENCE, IT'S A BEACH BALL, SEND IT BACK AND SO EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO DO THAT.
THE ONLY DIFFERENCE WE NOTICE THIS TIME SHE HAD US ALL COME TO THE FRONT AS OPPOSED TO BEING IN THE AREA WHERE WE WERE STANDING OR SITTING BUT THE MESSAGE WAS THE SAME.
BUT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT I LEARNED, AND I THINK ALL OF US THAT ATTENDED LEARN IS THAT THERE IS A VERY IMPORTANT WAY THAT WE CAN ELIMINATE THIS DRUG HOUSES AND ALSO ANY HOUSES WHERE THERE IS PROSTITUTION, WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE IN WASCO BUT WHO KNOWS? BUT THROUGH THE DRUG ABATEMENT ACT, WE LEARNED THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY SHUT DOWN THIS DRUG HOUSES.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL USING AND SO I CAN'T WAIT FOR US TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION BECAUSE NOT ONLY CAN WE DO IT BUT WE CAN ALSO RECOUP THE COST THAT IT TAKES TO DO THE PROCESS.
SCOTT, WHO WAS THE CITY ATTORNEY? FROM WHAT CITY WAS HE THAT HE TALKED ABOUT THAT HE HAD DONE SEVERAL?
>> SANTA ROSA, I THINK, WASN'T IT?
BUT I THINK IT WAS SANTA ROSA.
>> WELL, HE HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL AT THIS PROCESS.
HE SAYS IT TAKES ABOUT A YEAR WHEN HE TOOK OVER AS ATTORNEY, ONE PROPERTY HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FOR 15 YEARS WITH NO RESULTS.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT ENCOURAGES ME AND I'M CERTAIN IT ENCOURAGES ALL OF US THAT ATTENDED, THAT WE CAN SOLVE THOSE ISSUES THROUGH THE LEGAL PROCESS.
I WANT TO THANK STAFF ALWAYS FOR PROVIDING SUCH DETAILED REPORTS.
IT ALWAYS HELPS ME MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS.
I KNOW I SAY THAT EVERY TIME BUT I MEAN IT EVERY TIME. THANK YOU.
[00:45:04]
>> THANK YOU. [NOISE] THAT WAS MEMBER REYNA, SORRY.
[LAUGHTER] I JUST WANT TO GO BACK ONE MEETING.
I KNOW MARAION CAME AND PRESENTED AND SAID HIS THANKS TO THE CITY OF WASCO, BUT I WANT TO SAY THANKS TO OUR EMPLOYEES.
HE HAS MADE US LOOK REALLY GOOD.
BECAUSE I WAS SITTING UP THERE IN A ROOM WITH REPRESENTATIVES WITH JASMINE BEIN'S OFFICE, SENATOR TODD'S OFFICE, AND EVERY TIME THEY ASKED FOR SOMETHING AND I SAID, WELL, LET ME MAKE PHONE CALL AND I CALLED SCOTT AND SCOTT IS LIKE, IT'LL BE THERE IN AN HOUR.
THEY'RE LIKE, "LIKE THAT?" LITERALLY THAT'S WHAT THEY SAID.
I WAS LIKE, "YEAH, THAT'S HOW WE GO IN WASCO." THEY WERE VERY APPRECIATIVE.
YOU GUYS SHOWED HOW ORGANIZED WE ARE, HOW PREPARED WE WERE, THAT YOU GUYS WERE STILL ABLE TO GET THAT STUFF UP THERE LIKE THAT.
I REALLY WANT TO COMPLIMENT LEWIS BECAUSE I LEFT.
I DIDN'T KNOW LEWIS WAS STILL THERE AND ABOUT 4:30, HE'D ALREADY BEEN THERE MORE THAN HALF THE DAY, MOST OF THE DAY.
ACTUALLY, SHOVELING SAND OUT THERE BECAUSE, BLESS MCFARLAND, BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANYBODY WHO WAS EXPERIENCED IN DOING THIS.
LEWIS SHOWED UP AND TOOK COMMAND OF THE WHOLE SCENE, GOT PEOPLE FLOWING THROUGH THERE.
WHEN SAUL CALLED ME, IT WAS 4:30, AND I WAS LIKE, HE'S ALREADY GONE, ISN'T HE? HE GOES, HE JUST LEFT ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AGO.
THAT WAS ON THIS, I THINK SATURDAY OR SUNDAY, HIS DAY OFF.
THANK YOU LEWIS. THEY WERE VERY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR HELP TOO.
[APPLAUSE] THE OTHER THING I WANT TO DO, I WANT TO COMMEND DEPUTY DE LA ROSA FOR THE SHOOTING THAT TOOK PLACE ON SYCAMORE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.
HE WASN'T INVOLVED BUT HE WAS THE FIRST ONE ON SCENE.
UNFORTUNATELY, I KNOW THERE WERE OTHER INCIDENCES THAT TOOK AWAY STAFFING, BUT SHAFTER PD SHOWED UP AND HELPED.
HE DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB OF GETTING THAT INVESTIGATION GOING.
FORTUNATELY, IT WAS A LOT CLOSER TO HOME THAN I WOULD LIKE BEING TWO DOORS DOWN FROM MY HOUSE.
MY SON LITERALLY HAD TO GET MY WIFE AND AUNT BUYING A CAR AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
IT WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION, BUT I WANT TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS JOB.
HE WAS THERE BY HIMSELF FOR A LITTLE WHILE UNTIL SHAFTER PD GOT THERE.
I WANT TO MAKE THIS VERY CLEAR, I DON'T THINK WE HAD MORE DEPUTIES THAT WOULD HAVE CHANGED THE OUTCOME OF THIS INVESTIGATION.
EVERYTHING WOULD HAVE PLAYED OUT EXACTLY THE WAY IT WOULD HAVE.
BUT WE DO HAVE SOME STAFFING ISSUES BUT HE DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB WITH HIS INVESTIGATION SO DID THE OTHER DEPUTIES THAT GOT THERE A LITTLE BIT LATER.
HE WAS ON SCENE WITHIN PROBABLY TWO MINUTES OF THE CALL BEING DISPATCHED, AND HE DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB, SO THANK YOU.
I HAVE NOTHING FURTHER TO REPORT.
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO THE CLOSED SESSION PART.
[17) CLOSED SESSION]
ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS AT THIS TIME?>> I'M SORRY. THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS NUMBER 17 WILL BE A, APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 21, 2020 CLOSED SESSION MINUTES AND ITEM B, CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ANTICIPATED LITIGATION, SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 2, SUBDIVISION D, DAVID, AND PARAGRAPH 3, SUBDIVISION E OF SECTION 54956.91 POTENTIAL CASE.
WE WILL NOW ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION TO REPORT OUT.
>> OUR WORK PROGRESSES STUFF LIKE THAT. [BACKGROUND]
>> MAYOR, THERE WERE TWO ACTUALLY SITTING IN THE CLOSED SESSION.
[18) CLOSED SESSION ACTION]
THOSE WERE APPROVED ON MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA SECONDED BY MAYOR MARTINEZ.ALL IN FAVOR. ON THE CLAIM, THE CLAIM WAS DENIED ON MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER MAYOR MARTINEZ AND COUNCIL MEMBER SALDANA. ALL IN FAVOR.
>> MAYOR, IF YOU CAN GO TO ITEM 19, WHICH IS ADJOURN THE MEETING.
>> BE GENTLE BECAUSE YOU SCARED ME. [LAUGHTER]
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.