[00:00:03]
>> GOOD EVENING. I'LL NOW, TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER,
[1) CALL TO ORDER]
THE TIME IS 06:01 P.M. MADAM CLERK, COULD WE PLEASE HAVE THE ROLL CALL?>> MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, ABSENT.
>> PLEASE STAND FOR A FLAG SALUTE.
>> PLEASE REMAIN STANDING. IS PASTOR HERNANDEZ HERE? IS THERE ANYBODY WHO WOULD LIKE TO GIVE AN INVOCATION? WE'LL JUST OBSERVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE, PLEASE. PLEASE BE SEATED.
>> I'M SORRY, MAYOR. I APOLOGIZE.
FIRE CHIEF APPLETON WILL BE DOING HIS PRESENTATION DURING PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION.
>> OKAY. ITEM 6; PUBLIC COMMENTS, THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING IS RESERVED FOR PERSONS DESIRING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL AND INCLUDING THE COUNCIL ACTING AS THE GOVERNING BOARD FOR 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.
BROWN ACT REQUIREMENTS; THE BROWN ACT DOES NOT ALLOW ACTION OR DISCUSSION ON ITEMS NOT ON THE 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? MADAM CLERK, DO WE HAVE ANY EMAIL COMMENTS?
>> MAYOR, THERE ARE NO EMAIL COMMENTS FOR THIS ITEM OR ANY OTHER ITEM ON THIS AGENDA.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF APPLETON, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE YOUR PRESENTATION? [BACKGROUND] OKAY. NO PROBLEM. ITEM 7; WE HAVE NO BUSINESS.
ITEM NUMBER 9, THE REASON WHY YOU GUYS ARE ALL HERE TONIGHT;
[9) NEW EMPLOYEE POLICE DEPARTMENT BADGE PINNING CEREMONY FOR]
NEW EMPLOYEE, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BADGE PINNING CEREMONY. CHIEF FIVECOAT.>> HONORABLE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, AS WE'RE APPROACHING THIS THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, I HAVE TO SAY THAT I'M EXTREMELY THANKFUL WITH THE PROGRESS OF THE WASCO POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE VISION THAT YOU ALL HAD FOR US AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT; THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR CITY MANAGER AND OUR TEAM HERE IN WASCO.
JUST A MONTH AGO, ON OCTOBER 3RD, WE BROUGHT IN OUR SENIOR DISPATCHER AND TWO SERGEANTS, AND OUR TOTAL STAFF AT THAT TIME WAS SIX.
TONIGHT, WE HAVE TWO BADGE PINNINGS, AND WITH THE COMPLETION OF THESE TWO BADGE PINNINGS WE WILL HAVE 13 OFFICERS AND DISPATCHERS ASSIGNED TO THE WASCO POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IF WE STAY ON THE TRACK THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE, WE THINK BY DECEMBER 5TH COUNCIL MEETING, OUR STAFFING LEVEL WILL BE AT 20.
SO WE'VE MADE GREAT PROGRESS AND WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO BRING IN VERY GOOD TALENT INTO THE ORGANIZATION.
I'M PARTICULARLY PROUD TONIGHT, I GET TO ACTUALLY BADGE PIN ONE OF THE OFFICERS TONIGHT.
I'D LIKE TO START WITH OFFICER ETHAN ALEGRIA.
OFFICER ALEGRIA HAS THREE YEARS EXPERIENCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, HE HAS HAD QUITE A BIT OF GAME TRAINING AS A RANGE MASTER, SO HE'S A CERTIFIED RANGE MASTER, AND OF GREAT VALUE TO US RIGHT NOW.
HE'S ALSO A QUALIFIED FIELD TRAINING OFFICER.
SO HE WILL BE HELPING US TO TRAIN THE NEW STAFF THAT WE'RE BRINGING ON BOARD.
ETHAN, I HAVE TO TELL YOU, YOU'RE CERTAINLY ONE OF THOSE HIRES I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO.
AND IT'S WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU THIS.
[APPLAUSE] IT'S ALSO WITH GREAT PRIDE THAT I DO BRING ON ONE OF OUR DISPATCHERS.
JULIANA AYALA COMES TO US FROM LAMONT.
SHE HAS TWO YEARS EXPERIENCE AS A DISPATCHER, WORKING FOR A TRIBAL POLICE AGENCY UP THERE.
I'M VERY PROUD TO HAVE YOU, YOU'VE EXCEEDED MANY OF THE EXPECTATIONS I WOULD HAVE HAD NOT KNOWING YOU BEFORE YOU CAME IN.
I'M REALLY HAPPY THAT YOU'RE HERE.
[00:05:02]
COULD I HAVE YOUR MOTHER LORENA, PLEASE? MA'AM, WOULD YOU COME OVER? WOULD YOU PLEASE PIN THE BADGE ON YOUR DAUGHTER.[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU, MAYOR. COUNCIL.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF. I'LL NOW HAVE JANETTE TAPIA FROM SENATOR HURTADO'S OFFICE.
PLEASE COME FORWARD. SHE HAS A CERTIFICATE FOR THESE OFFICERS AND SHE'D LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS JANETTE TAPIA, CURRENT COUNTY REP FOR STATE SENATOR HURTADO; AND ON BEHALF OF SENATOR HURTADO, WE WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW ROLE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT OF SERVICE TO THE CITY OF WASCO, AND FOR ALL THAT YOU WILL DO TO CREATE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
ON BEHALF OF THE SENATOR, I HAVE CERTIFICATES FOR EACH OF YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS, AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AROUND THE COMMUNITY.
WE HOPE WASCO AND EVERYBODY IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CONSIDERS THE SENATOR AND HER TEAM PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
>> I'LL NOW ASK CLARABELLE GUITERREZ ON BEHALF OF DR.
ASSEMBLY WOMAN, JASMEET BAINS TO COME FORWARD, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. ON BEHALF OF THE ASSEMBLYWOMAN, DR. JASMEET BAINS, IT'S AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE THAT THE CHIEF IS MAKING SELECTIONS ON POSITIVE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO BE CAMPUSING OUR CITY OF WASCO AND MAKING IT BETTER THAN WHAT THEY FOUND.
I KNOW THAT HE CHOSE YOU FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF THINGS THAT YOU BRING TO THE COMMUNITY, NEVERTHELESS, IT'S A PLEASURE BECAUSE I KNOW THEY'RE BUILDING A NEW POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE RESIDENTS THAT THEY SERVE, THAT'S WHY HE CHOSE YOU.
ON BEHALF OF THE ASSEMBLYWOMAN, DR. JASMEET BAINS, CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH.
WE ALSO HAVE CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION, AND WELCOME TO THE FAMILY.
>> WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A FIVE-MINUTE RECESS HERE, JUST A SECOND TO DO PHOTOGRAPHS WITH-
>> I'M SORRY. WE'RE GOING TO DO THE OATH OF OFFICE FIRST.
>> IF YOU COULD PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.
AFTER 'I', YOU CAN STATE YOUR NAME.
I AND REPEAT AFTER ME AS WELL.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY WELCOME TO THE TWO OF YOU TO THE CITY OF WASCO.
YOU GUYS ARE A PART OF SOMETHING THAT'S MUCH BIGGER THAN YOURSELVES BECAUSE YOU ALONG WITH YOUR PEERS, ARE PART OF A FOUNDATION.
YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO BE A PART OF BUILDING THIS REPUTATION FOR OUR DEPARTMENT, AND THE REPUTATION OF THE DEPARTMENT IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR RECRUITING FUTURE PEOPLE AND SETTING A TEMPO.
IT'S ALL ABOUT PRIDE, INTEGRITY, AND HONOR, AND FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD, BOTH OF YOU WILL SERVE IN THAT ROLE VERY EFFECTIVELY.
I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR SELECTING THE CITY OF WASCO TO BE YOUR NEW HOME.
[APPLAUSE] BEFORE WE TAKE A RECESS, DO ANY OF THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE ANY COMMENTS THEY'D LIKE TO MAKE?
>> I'LL JUST ECHO WHAT YOU SAID. WELCOME TO THE TEAM.
>> WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A FIVE-MINUTE RECESS FOR
[00:10:01]
PHOTOGRAPHS AND THEN WE'LL GET BACK IN SESSION.>> I JUST ATE FOR NO REASON, SIR.
>> I WAS GOING TO MAKE- [BACKGROUND] [FOREIGN]
[BACKGROUND] [NOISE] [LAUGHTER]
[BACKGROUND] I WANT ONE MORE PLEASE. [BACKGROUND]
>> THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN.
[LAUGHTER] [NOISE] [BACKGROUND] THANK YOU, CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN.
YOU GUYS HAVE MADE A POSITIVE DECISION, YES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.
[BACKGROUND] [NOISE] [LAUGHTER]
[00:15:06]
>> [LAUGHTER] WANTS TO STAY FOR THE FUN PART.
>> FOR THE REST OF THE CALENDAR?
>> I'LL CALL THIS MEETING BACK TO ORDER.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 10, CONSENT CALENDAR.
[10) CONSENT CALENDAR]
THE CONSENT CALENDAR CONSISTS OF ITEMS THAT ARE ROUTINE AND NON-CONTROVERSIAL IN STAFF'S OPINION.THESE ITEMS ARE APPROVED IN ONE MOTION, AN LSA COUNCIL MEMBER, OR A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REQUEST THE REMOVAL OF A PARTICULAR ITEM.
THIS EVENING, WE HAVE ITEMS 10A - 10I.
AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO ASK THE MEMBERS IF THEY HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON A PARTICULAR ITEM ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM? SEEING NO ONE. ARE THERE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM, MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA?
>> NO ITEMS, MAYOR. THANK YOU.
>> THERE'S NOTHING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE, SO I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
>> ALEX. MADAM CLERK, COULD WE PLEASE HAVE A VOTE BY ROLL CALL?
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
>> MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 13,
[13a. Adopt a Resolution Approving the City of Wasco Police Department to create a Police Cadet Program, and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c) (3), no environmental review is required.]
NEW BUSINESS ITEM A ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE WASCO.THE CITY OF WASCO POLICE DEPARTMENT CREATED A POLICE CADET PROGRAM AND FIND THAT THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT IS DEFINED UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT STATE GUIDELINES.
THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO STATE GUIDELINES, SECTION 1506DC3, NO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED, MS. FARAH.
>> GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
SORRY, I'M A LITTLE BIT TALLER THAN ANTICIPATED.
BEFORE YOU IS THE STAFF REPORT REQUESTING THE CREATION OF A POLICE CADET PROGRAM.
AS YOU'VE JUST RECENTLY EXPERIENCED, WE HAD THE PINNING CEREMONY FOR TWO NEWLY HIRED DISPATCHER AND A OFFICER.
WHAT WE'RE REQUESTING HERE IS THE INTRODUCTION OF A CADET PROGRAM TO INTRODUCE INDIVIDUALS TO A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TO PREPARE THEM INTO THE ENTRY INTO THE POLICE ACADEMY.
WELL, WE'RE REQUESTING IS THE APPROVAL TO START THEM OFF ON A PART-TIME BASIS, AND PAY FOR THEIR 25 WEEK COURSE TRAINING THAT WILL BE OFFERED BY THE KERN COUNTY.
I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT, I GOT THE NAME.
>> THE REGIONAL ACADEMY PROVIDED BY THE KERN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
I WILL GO AHEAD AND ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS AT THIS TIME FOR THE PARTICULAR REQUESTS ON THE POLICE CADET PROGRAM.
>> ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE.
I JUST HAD A QUESTION AS THE TERM PART-TIME IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE DURATION OF THE ACADEMY AND THEN THEY'LL BECOME FULL-TIME ONCE THAT.
>> YES. BASICALLY, THE PART-TIME TERM FOR THE SPECIFIC SALARY CAME ABOUT BECAUSE THERE'LL BE SUPPLEMENTING ANY ADDITIONAL CLERICAL POSITIONS AT THE SAME TIME THAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY GOING THROUGH THE TRAINING, SO MAJORITY OF THE TIME THE TRAINING MIGHT BE AN EIGHT-HOUR DAY.
IF THEY'RE GOING TO COME BACK IN AND COMPLETE TWO HOURS, THEN THEY'RE GOING TO BE ON A PART-TIME BASIS.
THEY WOULDN'T WORK A FULL SALARY, 40 HOURS SCHEDULED TO WORK WEEK.
>> OKAY. I HAVE NO OTHER QUESTIONS.
>> DO HAVE A QUESTION? I IMAGINED THIS IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO SUSTAIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, IT'S NOT JUST A TEMPORARY DEAL.
>> NO, IT'S NOT A TEMPORARY DEAL.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IS ATTRACTING LOCAL TALENT AND INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE BRINGING IT ON EARLIER TO YOU ALL IT'S BECAUSE THEY ACTUALLY HAVE A SCHEDULED TRAINING FOR FEBRUARY, AND WE'RE TRYING TO ATTRACT AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO GET THEM SELECTED FOR THAT FEBRUARY TIMELINE.
>> OKAY. NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.
>> WHAT A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL STUDENTS AND THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE IN WASCO.
I'M ALL FOR IT, I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS UP.
>> ALL I ANTICIPATE THERE WILL BE A LOT OF INTEREST IN THIS.
I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
[00:20:02]
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
MADAM CLERK MAY WE HAVE THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL?
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MEDINA TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
[13b. Adopt a Resolution Approving the Amended Salary Schedule for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 in Compliance with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Requirement for Publicly Available Pay Schedules, and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c) (3), no environmental review is required.]
ADOPT THE RESOLUTION APPROVING THE AMENDED SALARY SCHEDULE FOR FISCAL YEAR 23, 24, IN COMPLIANCE WITH CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM CALPERS REQUIREMENT FOR PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PAY SCHEDULES AND FIND THAT THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT IS DEFINED IN THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT, STATE GUIDELINES.THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO STATE GUIDELINES, SECTION 15060C3, NO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED.
BEFORE YOU IS THE UPDATED SALARY SCHEDULE THAT ACTUALLY REFLECTS THAT HOURLY RATE FOR THE CADETS.
WE'RE JUST FOLLOWING WITH THE PROTOCOL REQUESTED FROM THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM CALPERS, AND MAKING SURE THAT THIS IS READILY AVAILABLE TO ALL AND SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE BRINGING IT FORWARD AS AN ADDITIONAL ITEM ON NEW BUSINESS.
I CAN GO AHEAD AND ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS AT THIS TIME.
>> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS, MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA?
>> I HAVE NO COMMENTS. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> MADAM CLERK, IT'S BEEN MOTIONED AND SECONDED.
CAN WE HAVE THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL.
>> MOTION BY MAYOR MARTINEZ, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
[13c. Discussion and Possible Minute Action regarding the Selection of a Name for the New Park at Central Avenue and Filburn Avenue and find that the subject activity is not a project within the meaning of CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 and is therefore not subject to review under CEQA.]
>> MOVING ON TO ITEM C, DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE MINUTE ACTION REGARDING THE SELECTION OF A NAME FOR THE NEW PARK AT CENTRAL AVENUE AND FILBURN AVENUE, AND FIND THAT THE SUBJECT ACTIVITY IS NOT A PROJECT WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECRET GUIDELINES 15378, AND IS THEREFORE NOT SUBJECT TO REVIEW UNDER SEQUEL, MS. KOPP?
>> MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, AS YOU ALL ARE AWARE IN 2021, THE CITY RECEIVED AN URBAN GREENING GRANT TO CONSTRUCT A PARK AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF CENTRAL IN FILBURN.
THAT PARK IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND ANTICIPATED TO BE COMPLETE SOMETIME IN THE SPRING.
AS PART OF THE GRANT APPLICATION, THE PROJECT WAS NAMED CENTRAL AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK BECAUSE WE HAD OTHER NAME FOR THE PROJECT FOR THE GRANT APPLICATION.
BUT AS WE'RE NEARING THE TIME WHERE WE NEED TO ORDER SIGNS AND SOLIDIFY A NAME FOR THE PARK.
I'M HERE BEFORE YOU TO SUGGEST A FEW POSSIBLE NAMES FOR THIS PARK AND GET YOUR GUIDANCE.
IN THE STAFF REPORT, STAFF HAS SUGGESTED CENTRAL AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK, WHICH IS AGAIN WHAT THE PROJECT WAS ORIGINALLY NAMED, FILBURN AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK BECAUSE THE PARK IS ON FILBURN AVENUE, OR PEDAL PARK BECAUSE THE PARK IS INTENDED TO CONNECT THE CITY'S EXISTING BIKE PATH FACILITY ON FILBURN IN CENTRAL AT THAT CORNER.
IT'S A NEEDED CONNECTION TO THE CITIES BIKE PATH AND INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO BIKE TO THE PARK.
>> ARE THERE ANY [OVERLAPPING]
>> ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME?
JUST KEEP THIS SIMPLE, CENTRAL PARK.
THIS DAY AND AGE, NO PERSON'S NAMES.
IT'S PROBABLY BEST TO AVOID AND JUST KEEP IT SIMPLE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, JOHN. ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS? SEEING NONE. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE WELL, I GUESS I'LL START THIS OFF.
I PREFER CENTRAL AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK PERSONALLY, BUT I'M NOT SOLD ON IT 100% SO SOMEBODY ELSE, IF THERE'S A CONSENSUS, I'M WILLING TO CHANGE MY VOTE TO GET A CONSENSUS, BUT THAT'S MY SUGGESTION, MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA. [LAUGHTER]
I THINK IT'S INTERESTING AND IT'S NOT NECESSARILY GEOGRAPHIC AND I THINK CENTRAL AVENUE HAS A TONE OF CENTRAL AND I THINK IT WAS ALLUDED TO IN THE REPORT THAT IT'S NOT EXACTLY IN CENTRAL, SO THAT COULD BE MISCONCEIVED BY SOMEBODY, SOMEONE NEW TO TOWN MAYBE, PERHAPS.
BUT I THINK THAT THE PEDAL PARK IS FINE AND IT DOES ENCOURAGE ACTIVE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SO I THINK IT'S ALL-AROUND A WIN FOR ME.
THAT'S WHERE I END MY COMMENTS.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. MEMBER MEDINA?
>> I'M WITH JOHN. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. I'D LIKE CENTRAL PARK.
>> CENTRAL PARK EVOKES NEW YORK CENTRAL PARK.
IT IS NOTHING LIKE CENTRAL PARK.
I TOO LIKE PEDAL PARK, BUT YOU PROBABLY CAN FIGURE THAT OUT.
[LAUGHTER] I LIKE THAT, AGAIN,
[00:25:02]
IT EVOKES PEDALING TO IT OR PEDALING FROM IT, AND I THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT GATHERING FOR BIKE RIDES.WHAT A GREAT PLACE TO START, I LIKE PEDAL PARK.
>> AGAIN, IT'S CENTRAL AVENUE PARK GUYS.
NOW THAT YOU'VE MENTIONED THAT.
>>NO WORRY THE SUGGESTION IS [OVERLAPPING].
EXACTLY. INSTEAD OF CENTRAL AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK, I'M IN THE CONSENSUS WITH JOHN TO KEEP IT AT CENTRAL PARK.
>> BUT IT'S CURRENTLY NAMED CENTRAL PARK.
>> IT DOESN'T TECHNICALLY HAVE A NAME.
THE GRANT APPLICATION [OVERLAPPING].
>> THESE ARE THE SUGGESTIONS. WE'RE COMING UP WITH A NAME.
>> THE PROJECT NAME THAT WAS USED IN THE GRANT APPLICATION WAS CENTRAL AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK.
KIND OF A MOUTHFUL, IT JUST WAS THE NAME THAT WAS USED ON THE GRANT APPLICATION.
IT COULD ALSO BE THE PARK NAME.
>> YOU GUYS ARE LOOKING FOR A CONSENSUS FROM ALL FIVE OF US FOR THIS, CORRECT?
>> WOULD BE NICE, SO ONCE WE ORDER THE SIGN, WE [LAUGHTER] THERE'S NO CONFUSION.
>> WELL, TO BE CLEAR, WE DON'T LIKE [OVERLAPPING] ANY OF THESE OPTIONS AND WE JUST WANT TO CENTRAL PARK.
>> THESE THINGS HAVE A WAY OF GROWING LEGS, I THINK, SO BE GOOD TO HAVE A CONSENSUS ON WHAT WE'RE GOING TO CALL THE THING YOU IN THE FUTURE.
>> ANYBODY WANT TO PLAY ROCK, PAPER, AND SCISSORS? [LAUGHTER]
>> TO BE CLEAR, YOU GUYS DON'T LIKE ANY OF THESE, WE WANT TO CHANGE OR REMOVE THE TWO WORDS AND JUST LEAVE IT TO CENTRAL PARK.
>> I'M PERSONALLY OKAY WITH ANY ONE OF THOSE THREE NAMES INCLUDING, JUST THE CENTRAL AVENUE PARK OR CENTRAL PARK.
I WANT TO KEEP IT SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE.
I'D LIKE TO MOVE THIS FORWARD AS A CONSENSUS, SO IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO TRY TO GET EVERYBODY ON THE SAME PAGE, THAT'S WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO.
>> I CAN ADD THAT I HAVE HEARD THE CONCERN THAT CENTRAL PARK MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE IT SHOULD BE CENTRAL AND IN THE CENTER, AND IT'S NOT, IT'S REALLY ON THE EDGE OF THE CITY.
>> CAN I ARGUE AGAINST THAT? I MEAN, FILBURN AVENUE? IT'S THE NAME OF THE STREET.
>> YEAH. SAME IDEA BEHIND CENTRAL AVENUE, THEY'RE BOTH ON BOTH STREETS.
>> PEDAL PARK IS NOT AFFECTED BY THOSE CONNOTATIONS.
>> I KNOW BIG DECISIONS. [LAUGHTER]
>> HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT PEDAL PARK? ARE YOU OPPOSED TO THAT NAME?
>> I HONESTLY PERSONALLY DON'T LIKE IT.
>> EDDIE, WHAT'S YOUR FEELINGS ON PEDAL PARK?
>> I THINK IT'S UP TO YOU. [LAUGHTER].
>> YOU DON'T WANT ME TO. [OVERLAPPING]
>> JUMP ON OUR SAFE SIDE, I'M COMING.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.
WHAT WAS THE HISTORY OF IT? I'M NOT A HISTORIAN, WAS THERE A SIGNIFICANCE WHY IT'S CALLED SEVENTH STANDARD ROAD IS BECAUSE OF THE ARCHITECTURE, SURVEYING THERE WAS SEVEN STANDARD AND THE STATE TO HELP ALIGNMENT? WAS THIS A HISTORICAL TYPE THING? CENTRAL, YES, IT SOUNDS LIKE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN, BUT IT COULD MEAN SOMETHING ELSE.
IT COULD BE MORE OF A HISTORICAL NAMING OF THIS, BUT AGAIN, IT'S JUST OPINION. THANK YOU.
>> EDDIE, DID YOU WANT IT JUST CENTRAL? BECAUSE YOU WANTED CENTRAL PARK AND NOT CENTRAL AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK.
>> I'M OKAY WITH CENTRAL AVENUE PARK, I JUST THINK NEIGHBORHOOD, IT JUST ELONGATES IT.
>> WE HAVE THREE FOR CENTRAL AVENUE PARK APPARENTLY.
I GUESS THAT'LL BE THE BEST CONSENSUS WE CAN GET.
>> SUPPOSED [OVERLAPPING] FROM THE COUNTY.
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> ARE WE GOING TO NEED A MOTION FOR THIS? TOM, DO WE NEED A MOTION?
>> WE STRUCTURED THIS AS AN IMMEDIATE ACTION.
>> YOU WOULD NEED A MOTION TO PUT IT IN THE MINUTES.
>> MADAM CLERK, DO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND?[BACKGROUND].
>> I'M GOING TO VOTE YES ON IT.
I DON'T WANT TO BE THE [INAUDIBLE] SO, YES.
[00:30:06]
>> MOTION BY MAYOR MARTINEZ, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA TO NAME THE PARK CENTRAL AVENUE PARK.
MOTION'S UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
>> THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO ITEM 14,
[14a. Kern Economic Development Corporation (Garcia) ]
REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES.ITEM A, KERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. MEMBER GARCIA.
>> KERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HOSTED THEIR ANNUAL KERN ENERGY SUMMIT LAST WEEK ON THE 15TH AT THE MARRIOTT.
THE NEXT GATHERING WILL BE AT THE STATE OF THE COUNTY ON THE 25TH OF JANUARY.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. KERN COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT. MEMBER REYNA.
[14b. Kern Council of Government (Reyna)]
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, JUST GIVE ME A MOMENT.
THE LAST MEETING HAD SEVERAL ITEMS THAT PERTAIN TO WASCO.
ONE OF THEM IS, THE STATE WILL DISTRIBUTE 5.1 BILLION IN ONE-TIME TRANSIT FUNDING TO HELP TRANSIT SERVICES RECOVER FROM RECORD LOW RIDERSHIP CAUSED BY COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
SB 125, CHAPTER 54 STATUTES OF 2023, GUIDES THE DISTRIBUTION OF FOUR BILLION IN STATE GENERAL FUND THROUGH THE TRANSIT AND INTERCITY RAIL CAPITAL PROGRAM ON A POPULATION-BASED FORMULA TO REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AGENCIES WHICH HAVE FLEXIBILITY TO USE THE MONEY TO FUND TRANSIT OPERATIONS OR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.
KERN COG ESTIMATES THAT SB 125 TRANSIT FUNDS WILL BE A APPORTIONED OVER FIVE CONSECUTIVE YEARS.
HOWEVER, CURRENT COG AND MEMBER AGENCIES MUST PROVIDE A FOUR-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN ILLUSTRATING HOW THE FUNDS WILL BE SPENT IN THE FISCAL YEAR.
THE TRANSPORTATION BILL ALSO ESTABLISHES THE 1.1 BILLION ZERO-EMISSION TRANSIT CAPITAL PROGRAM TO BE ALLOCATED ON A POPULATION-BASED FORMULA BASED ON REVENUES TO FUND ZERO-EMISSION TRANSIT EQUIPMENT AND OPERATIONS.
I AM VERY PLEASED AND PROUD TO REPORT THAT OUR CITY STAFF WAS THE FIRST TO SUBMIT THE FOUR-YEAR PLAN AND THAT BOB SNODDY PRESENTED IT AS A MODEL TO OTHER TRANSPORTATION AGENCIES ON HOW TO PUT TOGETHER THE PLAN.
IT'S A BIG SENSE OF PRIDE FOR ME TO HEAR THOSE WORDS FROM SOMEBODY AT KERN COG.
HE MENTIONED MARIA IS SPEARHEADING THIS EFFORT AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT SHE WORKED HARD AT IT, BUT I WANT TO RECOGNIZE ALL OF OUR STAFF WHO HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT.
WASCO WILL RECEIVE FROM THE TRANSIT AND INTERCITY RAIL CAPITAL PROGRAM, TIRCP, CITIES AND COGS HAVE ALL KINDS OF ACRONYMS, AND I LIKE TO READ WHAT IT MEANS BECAUSE IT'S VERY DIFFICULT WHEN YOU HAVE ALL THESE ACRONYMS TO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT.
THE CITY IS GOING TO RECEIVE OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS, $1,359,139, AND FROM THE ZERO-EMISSION TRANSIT CAPITAL PROGRAM, THE ZETCP, $148,518, FOR A TOTAL OF $1,507,657.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL STAFF AGAIN FOR A TIMELY AND EXEMPLARY REPORT.
>> YOU'LL RECEIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE] NUMBER 2, THE TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE T-TAX STAFF RESEARCH AND PROPOSE A VOLUNTARY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PROGRAM.
THE STAFF HAS PRESENTED A DRAFT MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL AGREEMENT AND DRAFT REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL OUR CITY IS PARTICIPATING AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SCOTT ALLUDED TO IN A PREVIOUS MEETING BUT AT THIS TIME, THEY HAVE COME FORWARD WITH A PROPOSAL AND RSP.
NUMBER 3, THE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM AND THE CONGESTION MITIGATION AIR QUALITY PROGRAM AND THE ORIGINAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM PROJECTS IN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR NEED TO BE SUBMITTED FOR FUNDING AUTHORIZATION BY JANUARY 31ST.
IF AGENCIES PLAN TO SUBMIT PROJECTS FOR FUNDING AUTHORIZATION BEYOND JANUARY 31ST, LEAD AGENCIES ARE ASKED TO SUBMIT A LETTER WITH A REVISED SUBMITTAL SCHEDULE.
THE PROJECT DELIVERY LETTERS ARE DUE JANUARY 12TH OF 2024 AND I HAPPENED TO LOOK AT THAT REPORT.
OUR CITY HAS THREE PROJECTS LISTED.
[NOISE] ONE OF THEM IS THE CENTRAL AVENUE ROAD FILMBURN STREET TO SR 46,
[00:35:06]
PAVEMENT REHABILITATION AND THAT IS LISTED AS AT THE LAST MEETING IS NOT SUBMITTED YET, SO I'M GIVING YOU A HEADS-UP ON THAT SINCE THE DEADLINE IS JANUARY 12TH OF 2024.THERE'S ANOTHER ONE, POSTAL AVENUE, CENTRAL AVENUE TO MARTIN STREET, BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS, PAVE OUTSIDE AND PAVE THE SHOULDERS.
THAT ONE IS ALSO LISTED AS NOT SUBMITTED.
THE TOTAL FOR EACH ONE OF THOSE PROJECTS, THE FIRST ONE I MENTIONED IS $780,757 AND FOR THE SECOND ONE IS 349,028.
THEN THERE'S A THIRD PROJECT THAT THE FUNDING HAS BEEN APPROVED.
THIS IS THE EAST SIDE OF CENTRAL AVENUE FROM 1310 NORTH OF FILBURN STREET TO VIA MOROCCO BOULEVARD IN BETWEEN BETA 7 AND SR 46, INSTALL CLASS 1 AND CLASS 2 BICYCLE TRAILS, ADA CURB RAMPS, AND A DRIVE APPROACHES, AND RELATED PEDESTRIAN AND LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENT.
I DO WANT TO SAY THAT ANYTIME I SPEAK TO THE STAFF AT [INAUDIBLE], THEY ALWAYS SPEAK HIGHLY OF OUR STAFF BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU'D BE AWARE THAT THIS ARE COMING UP AND SO THEY NEED TO BE ATTENDED TO.
THERE'S ONE MORE RELATED TO DEADLINE FOR PROJECT DELIVERY LETTERS THAT ARE DUE JANUARY 12TH AND THERE ARE TWO.
THIS IS WASCO BIKE FACILITIES.
IT DOESN'T GIVE ME THE LOCATION.
THIS IS $3,000 IS ALSO LISTED.
IT'S NOT UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND I'M NOT SURE WHETHER THE FUNDING WAS ALREADY APPROVED FOR THAT AND THEN ALSO THIS IS FOR WASCO PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS, 11TH STREET FROM THIS STREET TO VERGE AVENUE, NEW SIDEWALK, CURB AND GUTTER, AND ADA RAMPS AND THAT ONE IS FOR A TOTAL OF 425,592, NOT UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
AGAIN, I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHERE WE ARE ON THIS ONE.
I DON'T EXPECT AN ANSWER RIGHT NOW, BUT JUST [INAUDIBLE].
THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT, MAYOR, SUBJECT TO ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. WASCO TASK FORCE MEMBER, MEDINA.
[14c. Wasco Task Force (Reyna & Medina) ]
>> SAME STORY AS BEFORE. WE HAVE NOW MET.
I AM GOING TO TRY TO PUT SOME TENTATIVE CALENDAR FOR THE SECOND WEEK OF JANUARY TO PICK BACK UP.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. REPORTS FROM KERN COUNTY FIRE CHIEF HAMILTON.
[15a. Kern County Fire Department (Appleton)]
[NOISE]>> GOOD EVENING OUR MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
I WANTED TO COME BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING I HAVE A LETTER FOR YOU, A THANK YOU LETTER, BUT I WANTED TO GIVE YOU THE HISTORY.
BACK IN 2018-'19 ONCE THE HIGH-SPEED RAIL STARTED COMING INTO TOWN AND THE PLANS WERE BEING MADE AS HIGH-SPEED RAIL STARTED HELPING TO VACATE DIFFERENT PROPERTIES I WORKED IN BATTALION 3, SO THIS IS MY BATTALION AND THE GUYS AT THE FIRE STATION KEPT WATCHING AND SAYING, HEY, WE CAN USE THAT BUILDING AND WE'D BE ABLE TO FIND DIFFERENT BUILDINGS AROUND TOWN THAT THE BUSINESSES WERE VACATING FOR HIGH-SPEED RAIL.
THEN THE LABOR CAMP CAME UP AND THAT WAS VACATED AND WE WORKED WITH THE CITY TO HELP THE PARTNERSHIP AND WE WERE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GO OVER THERE AND DO A LOT OF TRAINING.
NOW AS THINGS MOVE FORWARD, I KNOW THAT THE LABOR CAMP IT'S A EYESORE AND ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE CITY.
I GET IT AND WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT BUT I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MINUTE TO THANK THE COUNCIL AND THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY STAFF FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE ALLOWED US TO DO TO GO OVER THERE AND TRAIN.
IT HAS BEEN A PHENOMENAL OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO DO THINGS THERE.
WE HAD GRANDIOSE PLANS TO BEGIN WITH BUT BECAUSE OF MONEY AND ASBESTOS AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT WE REGULARLY RUN INTO, WE WERE NOT ABLE TO DO WHAT WE WANTED TO DO OVER THERE, BUT ASIDE FROM THAT, WE DID A LOT OF OTHER TRAINING.
THAT JUST ENDED A FEW WEEKS AGO.
MR. HERBERT TOLD ME THAT WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH GETTING THINGS CLEANED UP OVER THERE SO I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR GENEROSITY AND PARTNERSHIP IN THAT.
I HAVE A LETTER FOR THE CITY COUNCIL.
DEAR MR. MAYOR, THE CURRENT COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT, WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE TO THE CITY OF WASCO FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE THE VACANT WASCO LABOR CAMP.
SINCE 2019, OUR FIREFIGHTERS HAVE SPENT MANY HOURS IN THE VACANT FACILITY CONDUCTING DRILLS AND TRAINING.
[00:40:02]
THE SIZE AND THE SCOPE OF THE FACILITY PROVIDED A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO CONDUCT VARIOUS TYPES OF DRILLS THAT AIDED OUR FIREFIGHTERS IN INCREASING THEIR SKILLS AND ABILITIES.FROM SINGLE-ENGINE COMPANY DRILLS TO BRINGING AN ENTIRE FIRE ACADEMY TO THE FACILITY, WE WERE ABLE TO FIND SO MANY USEFUL SCENARIOS TO TRAIN OUR PEOPLE.
AS A RESULT OF THIS OPPORTUNITY, OUR FIREFIGHTERS HAVE GAINED NUMEROUS HOURS OF TRAINING TO HELP THEM PROVIDE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF SERVICE TO THE CITY OF WASCO, AS WELL AS OTHER COMMUNITIES ACROSS KERN COUNTY.
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE WASCO CITY COUNCIL, THE CITY MANAGER, CITY STAFF, AND THE KERN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR THE COLLABORATION WITH THE CURRENT COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THIS MANNER.
THE PERSONNEL OF THE KERN COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT HAVE BENEFITED GREATLY FROM YOUR WORK.
ON BEHALF OF THE FIRE CHIEF AND ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE]
>> WELL, THANK YOU, SIR. YOU GUYS ARE VERY WELCOME.
WE'RE GRATEFUL THAT YOU GUYS USED IT BECAUSE THAT JUST PROVIDES A BETTER LEVEL OF SERVICE FOR US AND OUR COMMUNITY AND SO WE'RE GLAD THAT YOU GUYS TOOK THAT OPPORTUNITY AND USED IT.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS?
>> JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU GUYS AS WELL.
HAVING IT OCCUPIED AND USED IN THAT PURPOSE, I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD.
WASCO HAS A HISTORY OF SERVING AND BEING A PARTNER WITH OUR PUBLIC SERVICE PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY FROM THE PRISON TO RIGHT HERE AT CITY HALL AND BEING ABLE TO USE THAT FACILITY NOT ONLY FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT, BUT I KNOW AGENCIES ACROSS THE STATE WERE USING IT OVER THE MONTHS IN TIME THAT YOU DID. THANK YOU.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS?
>> WELL, I HAD A QUICK QUESTION BUT I THINK MEMBER ALEX ALREADY ANSWERED IT.
DID THE USE OF THIS FACILITY ALSO HELP OTHER MEMBERS OF THIS STATION, BUT THROUGHOUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND TRAIN HERE?
>> YES, WE BROUGHT LADDER TRUCKS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTY, FIRE ENGINES FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTY, WE HAD SEVERAL GROUPS OF FIRE ACADEMY CADETS COME THROUGH AND WE WERE ABLE TO GO IN THERE AND IT'S LIKE A LITTLE TOWN IN THERE.
THE STREETS, THE FIRE HYDRANTS, THE BUILDINGS, ALL THAT STUFF AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DO A LOT OF WORK IN THERE. IT WAS GREAT.
>> WELL, THANK YOU, CHIEF. I THINK AGAIN, THIS WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYBODY TO HONE THEIR SKILLS AT FIGHTING FIRES, AND WE'RE HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT FOR YOU. THANK YOU.
>> BEFORE I GO, I WILL NOT BE AT THE CHRISTMAS BREAK BECAUSE I HAVE A CHRISTMAS PARTY THAT NIGHT SO I APOLOGIZE, I'LL MISS YOU.
THE FIRE TRUCK WILL BE THERE, BUT I WON'T BE THERE.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL.
NOW IT'S MY TURN TO ASK YOU, CAN I GET A PICTURE WITH ALL OF YOU SAYING THANK YOU? YOU GUYS ALWAYS [LAUGHTER] HAND OUT THINGS AND GET PICTURES SO IT'S MY TURN.
>> HAPPY TO DO THAT. [LAUGHTER].
>> DO YOUR THING. [BACKGROUND]
>> WE CAN ALL FIT. [OVERLAPPING] ALL OF YOU GUYS COME ON.
ALL OF YOU TOO. YOU GUYS GOT TO GET A PICTURE TOO, COME ON.
>> WE HAVE TO WATCH ALL THOSE PICTURES.
>> DON'T LET PERFECTION GET IN THE WAY.
[LAUGHTER] THIS ISN'T QUALITY, BUT ENDING GOOD, 1, 2, 3.
[00:45:10]
>> THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS RECIPROCAL, IT HAS REALLY WORKED WELL.
THE AGREEMENTS THAT WE PUT TOGETHER RIGHT AFTER I GOT HERE NOT ONLY BENEFITED CURRENT COUNTY FIRE, BAKERSFIELD FIRE, SWAT TEAMS, IT WAS MENTIONED THAT THE PRISON FOLKS CAME AND TRAINED.
WE HAD BOMB SQUAD, WE HAD A VARIETY FROM ALL DIFFERENT AGENCIES TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT.
I HAVE TO SAY, THANKS TO OUR STAFF, THEY MADE IT EASY BECAUSE WE'D GET A CALL SOMEONE WOULD GO UNLOCK THE PLACE WHEN WE STILL HAD A FENCE AND A GATE AND THEY WOULD JUST DO THEIR BUSINESS AND THEY TOOK CARE OF IT.
IT DIDN'T CREATE A PROBLEM FOR US AND IT EASILY COULD HAVE BECOME A PROBLEM.
I HAVE TO TAKE MY HAT OFF AND SAY THAT IT WORKED BOTH WAYS.
YOU GUYS HANDLED THE PRIVILEGE VERY, VERY RESPONSIBLY, AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE IT.
>> MY TWO BOYS GOT TO BE WITH THE SWAT GUYS ONE NIGHT.
MY TWO SONS WERE THE GUYS THAT WERE HIDING INSIDE THE BUILDINGS AND THE SWAT GUYS HAD TO FIND THEM.
>> THAT'S FUNNY AND IT'S AWESOME. [LAUGHTER]
>> IT WAS PRETTY FUN SO IT WAS A GOOD TIME.
>> WE DEFINITELY MADE A SILK PURSE OUT OF THAT.
>> AT LEAST IT WAS THE TRAINING EXERCISE THAT THE SWAT TEAM WAS LOOKING FOR.
>> IT WAS. [LAUGHTER] THEY WERE LIKE 14 AND 16 AT THE TIME, SO THEY WE'RE GOOD HIDERS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER?
[16) REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER]
>> YES. HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL FIRST TIME I'VE GOTTEN TO SPEAK TONIGHT ACTUALLY.
THAT'S ALWAYS A TREAT WHEN STAFF TAKES CARE OF THINGS.
I'LL IMMEDIATELY CALL STAFF UP OR THE REPORT FROM STAFF.
IF YOU RECALL, SOME TIME AGO WE APPROVED THE PLACEMENT OF THE RECYCLE BIN UP ON ANN AND AVENUE, AND ALSO WITH THE CAVEAT THAT IF IT WAS NOT HANDLED RESPONSIBLY, THAT WE WANTED TO RETAIN THE RIGHT TO REMOVE IT.
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT HAS OCCURRED.
MR. VILLA WILL GIVE YOU A QUICK UPDATE ON WHAT'S GOING ON OUT THERE.
>> PRETTY MUCH THAT'S WHAT IT IS.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE BIN HERE, WE'LL HAVE A FEW PICTURES THERE FOR YOU.
WELL, IT'S CONSTANTLY JUST ADDING TRASH AND PEOPLE SEE THIS AND THIS IS ALMOST JUST PROMOTING ILLEGAL DUMPING.
YOU SEE THE BIG NOTICE WITH NO DUMPING.
WE'VE TRIED MANY TIMES TO PUT DIFFERENT SIGNS POSTED THERE THAT THIS BIN WOULD GO AWAY IF IT CONTINUED TO BE SOME ILLEGAL DUMPING THERE AND IT JUST GREW WEEK BY WEEK.
AMERICAN REFUSE WOULDN'T TAKE THE BINS ANYMORE.
THEY WOULD JUST DIVERT TO THE LANDFILL SO WE HAD TO DO THE SAME AND IT WAS JUST TAKING TOO MUCH TIME FOR CITY STAFF TO CLEAN THIS UP.
SOME OF IT WAS TOO MUCH SO WE'D HAVE TO, I THINK ONE OF THOSE THEY HAVE ONE OF OUR EQUIPMENT ON THERE.
TAKING THAT HERE DOWN THE STREET, IT'S JUST TIME, MONEY IT WAS JUST A MESS.
THERE'S ONE OF THE PICTURES THERE OF THE EQUIPMENT WE HAD TO USE TO PICK UP THAT I BELIEVE WAS BROKEN UP TILE SO CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL.
JUST WANTED TO INFORM COUNCIL IN CASE SOMEONE SEEN THE BIN MISSING AND SAID WHAT'S GOING ON WITH IT AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT'S HAPPENING SO WE HAD TO REMOVE IT.
BUT YOU STILL CAN GET SOME FREE COMPOST THAT HASN'T BEEN MESSED WITH.
BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER.
>> ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE MEMBERS?
>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WERE GOING TO BRING IT UP. I JUST WANT TO PREEMPT I KNOW THE CALLS THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET FROM OUR COUNTY NEIGHBORS THAT DAMAGES WE'RE DOING THIS SO I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO GET THOSE CALLS.
>> THAT WAS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT.
IF YOU RECALL, THE CALLS THAT I RECEIVED HAVE BEEN OUT THERE.
IT IS UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE COUNTY ARE RESPONSIBLE TO ONLY DROP WHAT ARE RECYCLABLES AND THAT'S WHY THEY NEEDED IT BECAUSE THEY WERE HOLDING ONTO THE RECYCLABLES.
THEY WERE USING THE NEIGHBOR'S BINS TO DO THAT, BUT TO SEE THIS KIND OF ABUSE, JUST PEOPLE DUMPING TRASH ALL OVER THAT.
I CAN SEE HOW THAT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE, BUT IT IS REALLY UNFORTUNATE FOR OUR COUNTY NEIGHBORS THAT WE CANNOT PARTNER UP WITH THE COUNTY.
THEY WERE PAYING FOR IT AND NOW THEY'RE GOING TO LOSE THE SERVICE.
I'M REALLY DISAPPOINTED NOT IN OUR STAFF OR THOSE THAT WOULD USE IT
[00:50:06]
RESPONSIBLE BUT ALL OF THOSE OTHER ONES THAT FEEL FREE TO JUST DUMP TRASH WITHOUT REGARD TO ANYONE.>> I'M CURIOUS THOUGH. I KNOW IT HAPPENED, BUT IT WASN'T THIS BAD WHEN IT WAS IN TOWN.
IS THERE ANY ALTERNATIVES MAYBE A PLACE NEARBY?
>> I'VE THOUGHT ABOUT THAT AND WE CAN DISCUSS INTERNALLY, MAYBE THERE'S ANOTHER LOCATION WHICH IS PALM AND MAR-A-LAGO, WHICH IS A LITTLE BIT MORE LIT AND THAT IS A CITY PROPERTY THAT WE CAN DROP.
THERE USED TO BE A BIN THERE BEFORE.
THAT'S ONE OF THE OPTIONS WE'RE KICKING AROUND AND A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS THAT WE'LL BRAINSTORM AND BRING BACK TO YOU AND SEE IF THAT WORKS OR THAT WE CAN HELP THEM OUT.
>> THAT WOULD WORK. CHOOSE A LOCATION THAT YOU THINK WOULD BE BETTER THAN WITH THE RESULTS THAT WE HAVE GOT A DISLOCATION.
I THINK THESE PEOPLE THAT NEED IT WILL DRIVE TO IT.
>> IT'S JUST A MATTER OF NOT HAVING THIS TYPE OF RESOURCE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO AVOID. I LIKE THAT.
IF WE CAN FIND A DIFFERENT SOLUTION THAT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT LOCATION IS A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.
>> A SHORT ADDITION TO THAT, I THINK THAT THE ABUSE OF THE OTHER LOCATIONS NEAR THE PARK GOT NEARLY THIS BAD.
>> IT WAS PRETTY BAD. I AGREE THAT IT'S A SHAME.
WE'LL DEFINITELY LOOK FOR OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AND OTHER LOCATIONS AND LET YOU KNOW IF WE COME ACROSS A PLACE, WE WANT TO TRY AGAIN.
>> THE LOCATION THAT WAS AT BECKES AND 7TH STREET RIGHT BEHIND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THAT SEEM NOT TO GET BAD.
I SAW SOMETIMES THAT THERE WAS SOME TRASH OUT, BUT NOT TO THIS LEVEL, NOTHING LIKE THIS.
SOMETHING TO CONSIDER I THINK.
>> SURE. NEXT ON THE LIST NO SNIP EVENT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED PREVIOUSLY HERE IN THIS MONTH, BUT WE WILL HAVE ONE SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 22 AT THE USUAL PLACE AND TIME.
THE STRATA GRAND OPENING RIBBON-CUTTING WILL OCCUR NEXT THURSDAY, NOT THIS THURSDAY 11.30 AT 10:30 AM AT THE STRATA FACILITY.
COUNCIL IS ALL INVITED AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY.
CHRISTMAS PARADE IS ON THE CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER 2ND.
CITY WILL BE PARTICIPATING WITH OUR USUAL EQUIPMENT, THE SLEIGH, THE FIRE TRUCK.
WE'LL HAVE AN INFORMATIONAL BOOTH AT THE END, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO GET A QUICK COUNT FOR THE CLERK'S OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT INTEND TO PARTAKE AND WOULD LIKE TO RIDE IN THE FIRE TRUCK IN PARTICULAR.
IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR SCHEDULE IS AND YOU'RE INTERESTED, WAVE YOUR HANDS AT MONICA AND SHE'LL COLLECT THAT.
>> STARTS AT 6:00 PM IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE RIDING IN THE TRUCK PROBABLY A LITTLE AHEAD OF THAT.
>> OKAY. GOT IT. IF SOMETHING CHANGES, LET THE CLERKS KNOW AND WE'LL GET IT UPDATED.
WE WANTED TO MAKE A REMINDER THAT YOU HAD DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND GO DARK ON JANUARY 2ND FOR THAT FIRST REGULAR SCHEDULED MONDAY TO NOT HOLD A MEETING ON THAT DATE SO COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE DARK ON JANUARY 2ND.
THERE'S A CHRISTMAS TREE SPECTACULAR.
HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED HERE LOCALLY SOMETHING THE CITY WASN'T REALLY INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING OF, BUT WE RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION THAT'S PLANNED FOR THE WASCO VETERANS HALL ON DECEMBER 4TH.
IT WILL RUN FROM 6:00 PM TO 8:00 PM, I BELIEVE WE ARE IN POSSESSION OF A FLYER NOW ABOUT THAT.
>> IF WE RECEIVE A FLYER WE'LL FORWARD IT TO THE COUNCIL.
>> THAT IS AT THE VETERANS HALL?
>> NOT THE ONE AT BARKER PARK WHICH PEOPLE ARE USED TO CALLING VETERANS HALL.
>> IT IS AT BARKER PARK [OVERLAPPING].
[00:55:05]
I WOULD HAVE SHOWN UP AT THE WRONG PLACE.>> THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT BECAUSE THAT IS NOW CALLED THE WASCO RECREATION AND PARKS DISTRICT HALL.
>> BARKER PARK. NOW I LEARNED SOMETHING.
[LAUGHTER] ALSO WANTED TO REPORT IN LIEU OF MARIA LARA BEING HERE TONIGHT, THAT WE DID SECURE THE COPS HIRING GRANT AWARD HAS BEEN MADE.
I THINK THERE HAS BEEN SOME INFORMATION FLOATING AROUND ABOUT THAT.
$222,000 APPROXIMATELY OVER THREE YEARS.
IT WILL FUND AN OFFICER FOR THREE FULL YEARS.
THERE'LL BE FOCUSED ON VIOLENT CRIME AND GANG ACTIVITY.
THAT'S A BIG WIN FOR THE DEPARTMENT AND CHIEF WILL BE HAPPY TO HAVE THAT FUNDING AND THAT EXTRA BODY AVAILABLE AS WE GO FORWARD.
>> THAT'S GREAT NEWS, SCOTT. GREAT NEWS.
>> EVEN BETTER, THERE'S NO MATCH ON THAT GRANT SO IT'S 100% FUNDING.
>> NORMALLY ON THOSE THERE'S A STIPULATION THAT YOU MUST HIRE THE OFFICER FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF YEARS AFTER THE GRANT EXPIRES.
>> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT REQUIREMENT.
>> IT'S NOT A PROBLEM I DON'T THINK THAT.
>> NORMALLY IT'S NOT AND I THINK IN OUR EXPERIENCE, WE'VE SEEN OFFICERS GOING IN AND OUT OF THOSE PROGRAMS AND THEY'RE NORMALLY TYPICALLY RETAINED BETWEEN AND YOU JUST TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FUNDING WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.
>> THAT'S ALL I HAVE TONIGHT UNLESS THERE ARE QUESTIONS.
>> I JUST HAVE A QUESTION, IS THERE ANY UPDATE ON LABOR CAMP OR ARE THEY JUST CONTINUING WHAT THEY WERE DOING?
>> LABOR CAMP IS GOING TO BE IN PRETTY MUCH THE SAME MODE FOR A WHILE.
THEY'RE STILL IN THE ABATEMENT MODE.
WE RECEIVED BIDS LATE LAST WEEK FOR THE DEMOLITION PHASE, WHICH WOULD BE THE ACTUAL KNOCKING DOWN AND HAULING OFF.
THERE'S STILL SOME BIDDING QUESTIONS TO ANSWER ON THAT, WITH THE BIDS THAT WE RECEIVED.
BUT THOSE SHOULD BE RESOLVED SHORTLY AND WE'LL BRING THAT INFORMATION BACK TO YOU FOR APPROVAL AND AWARD OF THE BID AT THE NEXT MEETING.
BUT PROGRESS SEEMS TO BE GOING WELL.
I'VE HEARD THAT THE COMPANY THAT'S DOING THE WORK HAS HAD AS MANY AS 25 PEOPLE OVER THERE WORKING.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE'VE HEARD THE NUMBER OF BUILDINGS ABATED TO DATE.
>> I BELIEVE THEY DID THE FIRST SECTION ON WHERE THERE'S 6TH STREET.
>> THEY'RE STARTING FROM THE NORTHWEST AND MOVING SOUTH.
>> THEY'VE TOUCHED THE MIDDLE NOW I REMEMBER NORTHWEST CORNER.
>> I REMEMBER WHEN THEY FIRST STARTED, I THINK THEY'RE ON THE NORTHWEST CORNER AND SO THEY'RE WORKING THEIR WAY SOUTH.
>> I HAVE TO BELIEVE WE'RE SOMEWHERE IN A COUPLE OF DOZEN BUILDINGS, MORE OR LESS FULLY ABATED IN VARIOUS STAGES OF PROGRESS AND THE NEXT WAVE BELOW THAT.
ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE WAY DONE.
>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THAT.
ONCE THE ABATEMENT ENDS AND WE'RE READY TO TEAR DOWN, WE WILL BE REMOVING ALL THE DEBRIS THAT WE TEAR DOWN.
WILL WE HAVE TO ALSO REMOVE ANY OF THE SOIL, WILL THERE BE A NEED FOR THAT?
>> THERE'LL BE TWO REASONS FOR THAT AND THERE'S SOME MORE WORK BEING DONE ON THAT NOW.
THERE WAS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME IN THE CAMP'S HISTORY, THERE WAS A TERMITE INSECTICIDE USED THAT IF IT'S STILL PRESENT IN THE SOIL AROUND THE FOUNDATION THEN IT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED AND DISPOSED OF SEPARATELY.
WE'RE HAVING ANOTHER WAVE OF TESTING DONE ON THAT SO WE'LL KNOW.
IT LOOKS LIKE MAYBE 10 PERCENT OF THE BUILDINGS HAVE THAT AND SO THAT'LL BE A FAIRLY LIMITED ACTIVITY, COMPLICATED BUT LIMITED.
THEN THE OTHER SENSE IS JUST THE AMOUNT OF DEBRIS.
THERE'S BROKEN GLASS ON EVERY FOOT OF THAT 23 ACRES.
I EXPECT THAT THERE WILL BE AN EFFORT MADE TO REMOVE NOT ONLY THE LARGER ITEMS, BUT THEN SOME TREATMENT TO REMOVE AS MUCH DEBRIS FROM THE SOIL AND OR REMOVE THE SOIL THAT'S JUST NOT CONTAMINATED IN A POISONOUS SENSE, BUT JUST WITH BITS OF GLASS AND METAL AND WHATNOT.
THERE WILL BE A FINAL CLEANUP STAGE REQUIRED.
>> WHILE WE'RE ON STATUS UPDATES, IF WE COULD, DO YOU HAVE ONE FOR DOWNTOWN, ESPECIALLY WITH OUR EVENTS COMING UP? ARE YOU GOING TO BE GETTING QUESTIONS ABOUT IT?
>> YES. YOU HAVE A STATUS WE'VE JUST RECEIVED, IF YOU RECALL, FROM.
[01:00:03]
>> YES, BID'S OPEN ON THE 30TH.
>> BID OPENING IS ON THE 30TH FOR THAT PROJECT.
>> NOVEMBER. BY THE END OF DECEMBER IS WHEN YOU WILL BE EXPECTING BIDS TO COME IN? [BACKGROUND] WHEN WILL YOU CLOSE IT?
>> THE BIG NEWS LAST WEEK WAS, IF YOU RECALL, THE BIG HOLD-UP WAS THE ELECTRICAL PLANS THERE WERE JUST BEHIND AND SO THE FOLKS BIDDING ON THE LARGER PROJECT COULDN'T COMPLETE THE ELECTRICAL PORTION OF IT UNTIL THOSE PLANS WERE DONE.
THOSE WE RECEIVED LAST WEEK AND SO THE BIDDERS HAVE THIS TIME BETWEEN NOW AND THE 30TH TO FINALIZE THEIR WORK ON THE ELECTRICAL.
THAT HAS PAUSED THAT PROCESS FOR A WHILE TILL THE ELECTRICAL CAUGHT UP.
[17) REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL]
>> THANK YOU, SIR. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL.
>> NOTHING TO ADD AT THIS TIME.
>> I JUST HAVE ONE THING THAT I WANT TO DISCUSS.
I APOLOGIZE FOR MISSING THE LAST MEETING.
I WAS IN QUARANTINE, BUT I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND FORGIVE ME, I'M BLANKING ON THE ACRONYM ICSC CONFERENCE.
IT WAS A GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE.
I GOT PAIRED UP WITH MS. COBB, SO IT WAS A GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE.
BUT IN TERMS OF THE BEST USE FOR THE CITY'S DOLLAR, I THINK SENDING FIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS WAS A BIT OVERKILL FOR THAT BECAUSE AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES, EVERY BOOTH THAT ME AND MS. COBB WENT TO, SOMEBODY HAD ALREADY VISITED IT.
IN REALITY, WE SPENT MAYBE 3 HOURS AND WE DID EVERYTHING AND FOR A THREE-DAY TRIP, IT WAS A GREAT VACATION FOR MY WIFE AND I.
BUT IN TERMS OF BEING EFFICIENT WITH CITY DOLLARS, I THINK THAT THOSE SMALLER CONFERENCES SHOULD BE ATTENDED BY MAYBE TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO BECAUSE IT WAS A GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR ME.
BUT I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S VERY FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE TO SEND FIVE OF US TO SUCH A SMALL CONFERENCE.
>> IF YOU'D LIKE, WE CAN DEVELOP A ROTATION STRATEGY AND BRING THAT BACK NEXT TIME THERE'S A CONFERENCE THAT'S COMING OUR WAY.
>> I DON'T KNOW FROM WHAT I HEARD, THE VEGAS CONFERENCE IS MUCH LARGER, IT MIGHT NOT BE AN ISSUE WITH THAT, BUT WITH THAT CONFERENCE, LIKE I SAID, AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES, WE WERE JUST BEING TOLD THEY ALREADY WERE VISITED BY SOMEBODY FROM WASCO.
>> IT HAPPENS EVEN AT THE LARGER CONFERENCES AND SO, BUT IT'S A POINT WELL TAKEN, I THINK WE DO NEED TO BE EFFICIENT WITH OUR CITIZEN DOLLARS.
>> OTHER THAN THAT I HAVE NOTHING TO ADD.
THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED [NOISE]
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.