[00:00:02]
NOW WE ARE. I'LL NOW CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO, FLAG SALUTE NOW.
AND FOLLOWED BY AN INVOCATION BY BROTHER PAUL HERNANDEZ FROM FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THE BIBLE SAYS WHERE THERE'S NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERISH.
LORD, WE PRAY THAT YOU WOULD GIVE OUR LEADERSHIP WISDOM.
I PRAY THAT YOU WOULD CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER OUR COMMUNITY, LORD AND OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
LORD, WE ASK YOU THESE THINGS IN YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST, PRECIOUS AND HOLY NAME.
[5) a. Proclamation for Safely Surrendered Baby Awareness Month]
ONE OF OUR FAVORITE PROCLAMATIONS TO PRESENT EVERY YEAR ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.SAFE SURRENDER. SAFELY SURRENDERED.
IS THIS MONTH FEBRUARY? WHEREAS THE SAFELY SENT, SURRENDERED BABY LAW RESPONDS TO THE INCREASING NUMBER OF NEWBORN INFANT DEATHS DUE TO ABANDONMENT IN UNSAFE LOCATIONS.
AND WHEREAS CREATED IN JANUARY OF 2001, THE LAW'S INTENT IS TO SAVE LIVES OF NEWBORN INFANTS AT RISK OF ABANDONMENT BY ENCOURAGING PARENTS OR PERSONS WITH LAWFUL CUSTODY TO SAFELY SURRENDER THE INFANT WITHIN 72 HOURS OF BIRTH, WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
AND WHEREAS IN KERN COUNTY, THERE HAVE BEEN 98 BABIES SAFELY SURRENDERED SINCE 2006.
AND WHEREAS THE SAFELY SURRENDERED BABY COALITION, UNDER THE COORDINATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, WORKS TO EDUCATE WASCO CITIZENS IN ALL KERN COUNTY RESIDENTS ABOUT ITS IMPORTANT LAW, ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT LAW.
AND WHEREAS THE COALITION IS MADE UP OF A SMALL GROUP OF DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS REPRESENTING A LONG LIST OF AGENCIES, NONPROFITS, HOSPITALS, AND STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING FIRST FIVE KERN, BAKERSFIELD CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT, KERN COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT, KERN MEDICAL, MERCY AND MEMORIAL HOSPITALS, ADVENTIST HEALTH, JUST TO NAME A FEW.
AND NOW, THEREFORE, I, ALEJANDRO GARCIA, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WASCO, CALIFORNIA, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY AS SAFELY AS SAFELY SURRENDERED BABY AWARENESS MONTH AND ENCOURAGES ALL WASCO CITIZENS TO REACH OUT AND ASSIST THE SAFELY SURRENDERED BABY COALITION WITH ITS ENDEAVORS.
I'LL GO AHEAD AND PRESENT THIS THIS EVENING.
THIS EVENING, WE HAVE OUR FRIENDS FROM KERN FIRE.
I BELIEVE THEY'RE GOING TO RECEIVE THIS.
THANK YOU. HE'S GOING TO HAVE A FEW WORDS NOW.
SURE. WHENEVER YOU WANT ME TO TALK FIRST.
OKAY. GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR.
IT IS SAFE SURRENDER MONTH HERE.
FEBRUARY. WE DO THIS EVERY YEAR.
IT'S A FANTASTIC PROGRAM STATEWIDE THAT THE PARENTS IN NEED, THAT, FEEL LIKE THEY CAN'T CARE FOR THEIR NEWBORN BABY CAN BRING THAT TO ANY FIRE STATION OR ANY HOSPITAL IN THE STATE.
AND THE REASON THAT, I GET ASKED A LOT.
WHY FIRE STATIONS? BECAUSE THERE MAY NOT BE A HOSPITAL IN EVERY FIRE OR IN EVERY COMMUNITY, BUT THERE IS A FIRE STATION IN ALMOST EVERY COMMUNITY.
AND SO HERE IN WASCO, WE HAVE A FIRE STATION.
AND, AND THAT FIRE STATION IS OPEN 24 SEVEN.
AND SO AS LONG AS THEY'RE NOT GONE ON A CALL, BUT PEOPLE CAN BRING THAT BABY TO THE FIRE STATION AND THEY WILL GET CARED FOR AND HAND IT OFF TO THE CORRECT PEOPLE, AND THE WHOLE PROCESS BEGINS.
AND SO IT'S A VERY GOOD PROGRAM.
WE ARE, AS ADULTS, IT IS OUR JOB, TO CARE FOR THOSE BABIES.
AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T, LOSE ANY BABIES.
THE LIVES OF BABIES, THEY ARE SO PRECIOUS.
[00:05:15]
THANK YOU EVERYONE.WE'LL NOW MOVE ON TO ITEM SIX.
[6) PUBLIC COMMENTS]
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 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.
BROWN ACT REQUIREMENTS DO NOT ALLOW ACTION OR DISCUSSION ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA.
ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? MADAM CLERK, DO WE HAVE ANY ONLINE COMMENTS? MAYOR. THERE ARE NO EMAIL COMMENTS FOR THIS ITEM OR ANY OTHER ITEM ON THIS AGENDA.
[10) CONSENT CALENDAR]
I HAVE NONE THIS EVENING.WE HAVE ITEMS TEN A THROUGH TEN H.
I DON'T HAVE A CONFLICT. I DON'T HAVE NO CONFLICT.
MEMBER. LET ME JUST GO THROUGH THE LIST.
MEMBER MEDINA? I HAVE NONE. MAYOR REYNA? NO CONFLICT. SALDANA? I HAVE NONE. THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.
IS THERE ANY ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE ANY PARTICULAR ITEM? ARE THERE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT LIKE TO REMOVE ANY ITEMS? I'M JUST VERY CURIOUS ABOUT ITEM G AND I HAD SOME QUESTIONS, SO I'D LIKE TO.
GREAT. WE'LL HAVE SEPARATE CONSIDERATION ON ITEM G.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER CONSIDERATIONS? MEMBER REYNA OR MEMBER SALDANA.
I HAVE NONE. MEMBER MEDINA? I HAVE NONE. I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR ITEMS FOR THE OTHER ITEMS. MOVE TO APPROVE MAYOR EXCEPT FOR G, WHICH IS PULLED OUT FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION.
I'LL SECOND IT. THANK YOU. MEMBER REYNA.
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED, MADAM CLERK.
. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
COUNCIL OH, I APOLOGIZE, MOTION IS APPROVED BEFORE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ.
ABSENT. THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.
[10) g. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the preparation and submission of a HOME Program Income (PI) application to the California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD), for funds not to exceed $800,000, to complete rehabilitation projects at Sunrise Villa Apartments and Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute a standard agreement and any amendments thereof, 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.]
YES. QUESTIONS? I'M VERY CURIOUS.I DON'T REMEMBER AN ITEM LIKE THIS COMING UP SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE COUNCIL.
I MAY BE WRONG, BUT I DON'T THINK SO.
IS THIS SOMETHING THAT THE CITY HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE PAST IN DOING THIS? BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME FUNDING, RIGHT, THAT WE'RE HOLDING FOR, FOR THIS PURPOSE.
AND SO, I WAS WONDERING, HAVE WE WORKED ON OTHER PROJECTS LIKE THIS BEFORE? SO, I WILL GIVE YOU THE QUICK ANSWER, AND THEN I WILL QUICKLY DEFER TO, MISS COBB TO GET INTO MORE DETAIL IF YOU WISH.
WE RECEIVE, AN ALLOCATION OF THESE FUNDS.
THEY HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE IN THE PAST.
THERE IS A PROJECT THAT IS, OUTLINED IN IN YOUR STAFF REPORT.
AND THEY TYPICALLY ARE LONG TERM PROJECTS.
THEY'RE FINANCED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
THEY USE THESE ALLOCATIONS OF FUNDS.
SOMETIMES THEY'RE FORGIVEN AT THE END.
SOME HAVE EXTREMELY LONG TERMS. I THINK YOU SAW HERE ONE OF THEM MATURES IN NOT TILL 2065, I THINK 61. SO, YES.
IT'S NOT PRACTICAL FOR US TO OFTEN IMPLEMENT THESE.
SO, FOR THAT PIECE I WILL TURN IT OVER TO MISS COBB.
SHE CAN EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT BETTER ABOUT HOW THESE WORK.
THANK YOU, SCOTT, I APPRECIATE THAT.
NO, YOU'RE CORRECT. I THINK THAT'S THAT'S PROBABLY TRUE.
THIS FUNDING IS ACTUALLY PROGRAM INCOME FROM PAST HOME PROGRAM LOANS THAT THE CITY HAS MADE.
THIS IS ONE OF THOSE, IT'S WE'RE VERY RESTRICTED ON WHAT WE CAN USE THAT MONEY FOR.
[00:10:05]
SO, WE THINK THIS IS A GOOD USE OF THAT FUNDING THAT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND JUST KIND OF BUILDING OVER THE YEARS INTERRUPT YOU, BUT NOT ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE, BUT ALSO THE PEOPLE THAT MAY RECEIVE THAT MONEY.THIS, THIS WILL GO THIS THIS PARTICULAR LOAN WILL BE MADE TO THE SUNRISE VILLA APARTMENTS FOR REHAB.
OKAY. I FOUND IT QUITE INTERESTING.
AND I THINK IT'S A GOOD THING THAT WE'RE DOING THIS.
I JUST, IS THE MONEY COMING FROM FEDERAL SOURCES OR STATE SOURCES OR BOTH? HOME IS A STATE. THIS IS A STATE PROGRAM.
AND AGAIN, THE CITY WAS INVOLVED IN IN GETTING THAT FUNDING MANY YEARS AGO AND, AND MAKING LOANS FOR HOUSING, I BELIEVE, HOUSING REHAB AND FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER PROGRAMS. AND AS THAT AS THOSE LOANS HAVE BEEN PAID OFF, THAT MONEY HAS COME BACK TO US IN THE FORM OF WHAT'S CALLED PROGRAM INCOME.
SO, LOANING THIS MONEY OUT FOR THIS PURPOSE, WHICH IS A GOOD PURPOSE, I APPROVE OF IT.
WILL THAT THAT WILL DEPLETE THAT FUND.
AND SO, DO WE EXPECT TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL FUNDING IN THE FUTURE YEARS? TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THAT THIS LOAN MAY BE FORGIVEN? CORRECT. THE ONLY ADDITIONAL FUNDS WILL RECEIVE.
OKAY. SO WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANSWERS.
BUT IF I COULD ADD ONE MORE BIT TO THAT, PLEASE DO SO.
RIGHT? I SAW IN PART THESE THESE AREN'T EXACTLY FREE WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO CITY STAFF.
SO, DIRECTOR COBB AND HER STAFF HAVE TO FILE THE ANNUAL REPORTS ON THIS.
IF IN SOME CASES ON THESE OLDER PROGRAMS, IF THERE ARE IMPROVEMENTS BEING MADE, THOSE HAVE TO BE SEPARATELY APPROVED THROUGH, SO THAT PERCENTAGE THAT GETS PULLED OFF IS IMPORTANT JUST TO RECAPTURE OUR COSTS FOR ADMINISTERING THE PROGRAM.
ALSO IN HERE, WE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A PREVIOUS OLDER PROJECT, THE ONE THAT THAT MATURES IN 61, WHERE THAT ADMINISTRATIVE FEE NEEDS TO BE ALLOCATED NOW OR IT MAY NOT BE THERE IN THE FUTURE FOR US TO TO ADMINISTER SOMETHING OUT, I WOULD GUESS, LONG AFTER ANY OF US IN.
THIS RUMOR AROUND TO MAKE SURE IT'S STILL THERE.
WE'LL PUT THAT AWAY IN A PLACE WHERE IT'LL EARN INTEREST AND HOPEFULLY IT'LL LAST.
THANK YOU SCOTT. SO THAT BRINGS UP ANOTHER QUESTION.
DID WE GO OUT AND LOOK FOR SOMEBODY WHERE WE COULD, ALLOCATE THESE FUNDS, TO DO GOOD IN THE COMMUNITY, OR DID THEY COME TO US, REQUESTING THAT THEY DO THAT? BOTH OF IT WOULD BE OKAY.
I'M JUST WONDERING. SO IN THIS CASE, A LITTLE OF BOTH SELF-HELP.
SELF-HELP IS INVOLVED IN THESE PROGRAMS. IT'S LOGICAL FOR THEM TO IMPLEMENT THEM.
IT'S LOGICAL FOR US TO ORGANIZE AND ADMINISTER THEM.
AND SO THAT'S A IT'S A GOOD COMBINATION OF EFFORTS THERE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
WELL, GOOD. YOU KNOW, THE REPORT STATES THAT SUNRISE VILLAS SINCE IT WAS BUILT, THEY STILL HAVE THE SAME APPLIANCES, SAME EVERYTHING ACCORDING TO WHAT I READ.
YES. SO THEY DEFINITELY NEED OF REVAMPING REMODELING.
I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. THIS REALLY MADE ME UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE DOING.
PENDING ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, I MOVE TO APPROVE.
IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.
MADAM CLERK, IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
MAYOR PRO TEM MEDINA I COUNCIL MEMBER.
SALDANA I MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER.
[11) a. Adopt A Resolution Authorizing the 2023 Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program Application and Adopting the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Plan Under the California Department of Housing and Community Development, and Find the subject activity is not a project within the meaning of CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 and is, therefore, not subject to review under CEQA. (Lara)]
PERMANENT LOCAL HOUSING ALLOCATION PROGRAM APPLICATION AND ADOPTING THE PERMANENT LOCAL HOUSING ALLOCATION PLAN UNDER THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND FIND THE SUBJECT ACTIVITY IS NOT A PROJECT WITHIN THE MEANING OF CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15378 AND IS THEREFORE NOT SUBJECT TO REVIEW UNDER CEQA.MADAM LAURA. THANK YOU, HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
TONIGHT'S PUBLIC HEARING IS MAINLY TO SOLICIT COMMENT FROM THE AUDIENCE OR THROUGH EMAIL ABOUT OUR FIVE YEAR PLAN TO HOW TO UTILIZE THE PERMANENT LOCAL HOUSING, ALLOCATION THAT THE CITY HAS BEEN ALLOCATED.
[00:15:05]
WE DID PUBLISH THIS, A FEW WEEKS AGO, AND WE'RE HOPING THAT, TONIGHT, WE'RE HOPING TO GET INPUT AND, RECEIVE THOSE COMMENTS, AND THEN WE'RE ASKING COUNCIL TO, ONE, YOU KNOW, REVIEW THE PLAN AND WHAT WE'RE INTENDING TO USE THIS MONEY AS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR ARE AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.AND WE'RE INTENT THE INTENT IS TO USE, YOU KNOW, THIS, THIS FUNDING FOR PEOPLE WITH INCOME BELOW 30%, THAT'S A PROGRAM REQUIREMENT.
THE INTENT, LIKE I SAID, IS TO USE THESE FUNDS TO ASSIST OUR HOMELESS, OR AT RISK IN WASCO, IF, ONCE WE GET THE THE FUNDING AND WE GET OUR EXECUTED AGREEMENT, THE CITY INTENDS TO ISSUE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO SOLICIT, A LOCAL COMMUNITY BASED NONPROFIT THAT HAS EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH OUR HOMELESS OR AT RISK POPULATION HERE IN WASCO.
SO WE WE HOPE THAT WE CAN BE ABLE TO PUT THIS MONEY OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND WE'RE ABLE TO OFFER, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, CONTRACT WITH SOMEONE THAT THEY CAN DO STREET OUTREACH, CASE MANAGEMENT, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND RAPID REHOUSING WITH AT LEAST SIX MONTHS OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE, AND THEN ANY JOB TRAINING OR SKILLS OR MENTAL HEALTH AN INDIVIDUAL MIGHT NEED CAN ALSO BE, FUNDED WITH THESE FUNDS.
EXCUSE ME? BEFORE WE DO THAT, LET'S OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON THIS ITEM AT THIS TIME? AT THIS TIME. I'LL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM MEDINA.
SO THIS I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THIS CORRECTLY.
SO THIS IS THE HEARING THAT WE ALREADY APPLIED OR WE'RE GOING TO APPLY.
SO THE FIRST YEAR THE CITY, WAS WE DIDN'T APPLY FOR IT.
SO TECHNICALLY, WE'RE IF YOU LOOK AT OUR PLAN, IT'S ONLY COVERING 20 FROM 2020 TO 2023.
AND, AND THE INTENT IT IS TO SERVICE OUR HOMELESS POPULATION OR AT RISK OF BEING HOMELESS.
OKAY, I THINK IT'S A IT'S A GREAT DEAL.
SOMETHING THAT'S DEFINITELY NEEDED FOR, FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU. I MEAN, MARINA, I DO HAVE QUESTIONS.
I READ THE REPORT AND I THINK IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM, I REALLY DO.
BUT I THINK YOU'VE ANSWERED THIS QUESTIONS.
IS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT WE'RE APPLYING FOR THIS FUNDS? IS THAT CORRECT? THAT IS CORRECT.
THE WAY I READ THE REPORT IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE 2020 FUNDING IS FEBRUARY THE 29TH.
SO AND THEN THERE IS A CHART THAT IS INCLUDED HERE.
AND IT, IT HAS THE YEARS AND IT HAS THE INCOME LEVEL, WHICH IS IT HAS TO BE 30% BELOW THE MEDIAN INCOME FOR THE, FOR THE, FOR WASCO.
BUT IT SAYS PROJECTED NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS SERVED.
SO WHERE DID THOSE PROJECTIONS COME FROM.
THESE ARE NOT ACTUAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN HELPED.
ARE YOU LOOKING AT THE PLAN? COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA, THIS CHART THAT WAS INCLUDED.
AND THAT COULD BE, YOU KNOW, HOMELESS OR AT RISK.
THE FIRST YEAR WE'RE PROJECTING BECAUSE WE ARE IF, THE 2020 ALLOCATION, IF WE'RE ABLE TO SUBMIT EVERYTHING ON TIME, WE DO HAVE A TIMELINE TO SPEND THOSE THOSE FUNDS, OUR, WE HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, ALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS, YOU KNOW, AWARDED TO, TO A SUBAWARDEE OR A NONPROFIT BY APRIL 30TH OF 2025.
SO WE'LL HAVE A VERY SHORT WINDOW TO TO BE ABLE TO AWARD THESE FUNDS.
[00:20:08]
RISK. FROM, YOU KNOW, PHIL EXPERIENCE, OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT HAS REPORTED TO US THAT THEY HAVE AT LEAST, YOU KNOW, 8 OR 9 DOCUMENTED HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS THAT THEY KNOW ARE HERE FROM WASCO.THERE MIGHT BE MORE OUT THERE THAT WE JUST DON'T KNOW.
BUT I KNOW THAT WE WE DID MEET WITH AN, A NONPROFIT AND, AND, YOU KNOW, THEY THERE COULD BE MORE, BUT AT A MINIMUM, WE'RE PROJECTING THAT WILL REACH OUT AT LEAST 12.
SOME PEOPLE DON'T WANT THE HELP.
YES. SO LIKE I SAID, STREET OUTREACH IS 12 SUPPORTIVE CASE MANAGEMENT IS FIVE.
WE'RE HOPING THAT OUT OF THOSE 12, FIVE OF THEM WOULD ENGAGE WITH, YOU KNOW, WITH A CASEWORKER AND AND COME UP WITH A PLAN ON, YOU KNOW, HOW ARE HOW CAN WE GET THE HELP YOU NEED IS THE AGENCY THAT THAT THE CITY INTENDS TO WORK WITH, FLOOD MINISTRIES.
ARE THEY THE ONES THAT YOU'RE LOOKING TO, ADMINISTER THIS? WE'RE NOT ABLE TO LIKE WE WILL BE ISSUING A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.
WE WE WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH ALL THE NONPROFITS THAT WE WE'RE AWARE OF.
THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION.
I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NO ONE MORE QUALIFIED THAN THAN THEY ARE TO SERVE THIS POPULATION.
I REALLY DO, YOU KNOW, IT'S IT'S WONDERFUL.
WHAT IS THE I DON'T KNOW IF I'M AWARE.
WHAT IS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THAT WOULD BE.
SO EVERY YEAR FOR 2020 IS, 142 TO 83.
AND THAT'S INCLUDING ADMIN AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, RIGHT? AND THEN THE FOLLOWING YEAR IS A LITTLE MORE, IN TOTAL IS A LITTLE OVER $700,000.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU. MARINA MEMBER SERRANO I KNOW I HAD ONE, BUT MR. ARENA POINTED OUT AND I GOT ANSWERED, SO THANK YOU.
I SUPPORT THAT, YOU KNOW, PROGRAM OR WHATEVER IT'S GOING TO BRING IN.
THANK YOU. GOOD. I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT AS WELL.
WITH THERE ARE SOME PLAYERS THAT COME TO MIND THAT ARE ON THE GROUND THAT DO GOOD WORK, THAT I WOULD ALSO HIGHLY ENCOURAGE, TO, TO, TO APPLY FOR, TO HELP US OUT WITH THIS EFFORT.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
MADAM CLERK, IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
MOTION IS APPROVED WITH FOUR EYES.
WILL COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ ABSENT? THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.
[13) a. Appointment of Brent Harrison to serve on the Wasco Recreation and Parks District Board for a four (4) years term expiring November 30, 2027, 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. (Garcia, Saldaña) ]
ITEM 13 A APPOINTMENT OF BRANT HARRISON TO SERVE ON THE WASCO RECREATION AND PARKS DISTRICT BOARD FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM EXPIRING NOVEMBER 30TH, 2027, AND FIND THAT THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT AS DEFINED UNDER THE CEQA GUIDELINES.MEMBER SALDANA AND I HELD INTERVIEWS LAST WEEK, WITH TWO VERY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES, AND WE ULTIMATELY DECIDED TO RECOMMEND MR. BRANT HARRISON FOR THE FULL COUNCIL APPROVAL.
HE COMES WITH A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE IN THE COMMUNITY, FROM COACHING TO, WORK IN WORK IN THE CITY.
SO WE APPRECIATE BOTH CANDIDATES TIME AND EFFORT TO COME IN AND INTERVIEW.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, MR. SALDANA, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? NO, I HAVE NOTHING TO ADD.
MR. HARRISON, DO YOU ACCEPT THE NOMINATION? YES. GREAT.
ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? I SHOULD HAVE ASKED PUBLIC COMMENTS FIRST.
ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS THEN ON THIS ITEM? GREAT. MEMBERS.
EXCUSE ME, MAYOR PRO TEM MEDINA.
ANY COMMENTS? JUST CONGRATULATIONS.
LOOKING FORWARD TO TO THE WORK THAT HE IS CONTINUING TO DO.
I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOR GROWTH AND PROJECTS AND WHATNOT.
[00:25:01]
SO LOOKING FORWARD TO TO SEEING WHAT YOU GUYS DO ON THE ON THE BOARD.I JUST WANT TO THANK MR. HARRISON FOR VOLUNTEERING TO SERVE IN THIS CAPACITY.
THANK YOU. MEMBER SERRANO, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? PRETTY MUCH. ALL RIGHT, THEN, WE'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
MOVE TO APPROVE. I'LL SECOND IT.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE VOTE BY ROLE.
MAYOR PRO TEM MEDINA, A COUNCIL MEMBER.
MAYOR REYNA, A COUNCIL MEMBER.
SOLANA. A MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM MEDINA, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SOLANA.
MOTION IS APPROVED WITH FOUR EYES WITH WITH COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ ABSENT.
THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. MR. HARRISON, I'M GOING TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY? COULD YOU PLEASE COME TO THE MIC, MAYBE INTRODUCE YOURSELF? HELLO, I'M BRANT HARRISON, AND I'M JUST SO HAPPY THAT YOU GUYS SELECTED ME TO BE THE PARKS AND REC TO HELP REPRESENT THE CITY OF WASCO AND THE COMMUNITY, AND TO BETTER THE PROGRAMS FOR THE YOUTH HERE IN THE WASCO.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, I DO WANT TO THANK, THE OTHER CANDIDATE FOR FOR STEPPING IN AND STEPPING UP.
HE SAID TO KEEP HIM IN MIND IN THE FUTURE FOR ANY OTHER FUTURE APPOINTMENTS.
AND ENCOURAGE EVERYONE OUT THERE LISTENING TO PLEASE, FEEL FREE TO APPLY.
[13) b. Receive and file the City of Wasco Financial Statements for the Year Ended June 30, 2023, and the City of Wasco Measure X Financial Statements for the Year Ended June 30, 2023, 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. (PerezHernandez)]
AND THE CITY OF WASCO MAJOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30TH, 2023 AND FIND THAT THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT AS DEFINED UNDER THE SEQUA GUIDELINES. THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO STATE GUIDELINES, SECTIONS 15060C3, NO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED.GOOD EVENING. HONORABLE MAYOR.
I AM PLEASED TO BRING BEFORE YOU THE 2022, 2023 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
WAIT A MINUTE. I THINK I'M IN THE WRONG ONE.
I HAVE A PRESENTATION I CAN SHARE ON MY SCREEN.
THE OPENING PRESENTATION AND ON YOUR END.
I'M HAPPY TO GO AHEAD AND SHARE YOUR SCREEN, PLEASE.
EXCUSE ME. YOU SHOULD BE GOOD NOW.
TO THE AGENDA WILL BE GOING OVER THE ENGAGEMENT TEAM.
THE DELIVERABLES SCOPE OF THE AUDIT.
AREAS OF PRIMARY EMPHASIS OR OTHER SUPPORTS THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
[00:30:01]
I'LL MENTION WHAT'S COMING YOUR WAY AND THEN IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM AT THE END.SO I MET WITH GABBY WITH THE ENGAGEMENT PARTNER.
DELIVERABLES AND SCOPE OF THE AUDIT.
WE'VE ISSUED OUR REPORT ON THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
WE'VE ISSUED WHAT'S REFERRED TO AS A YELLOW BOOK REPORT, WHICH IS THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING OR COMPLIANCE AND OTHER MATTERS. WE'VE ALSO ISSUED OUR SINGLE AUDIT, WHERE WE'VE AUDITED YOUR FEDERAL AWARDS, WHICH IS THE THIRD BULLET POINT.
AND WE'VE ALSO ISSUED A REPORT ON OUR TARGET IS A REPORT ON THE MEASURE X BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PERFORMED AGREED UPON PROCEDURES ON THE GANNETT CORPORATION LIMIT SCHEDULE.
AND WE'VE ISSUED A LETTER COVERING ARE REQUIRED COMMUNICATION FLIGHTS.
HOWEVER I HAVE I GUESS I HAVE KIND OF REMOVED SOME OF THE IMMATERIAL ITEMS IN TERMS OF, AREAS OF PRIMARY AUDIT EMPHASIS.
SO OUR AUDIT IS PERFORMED ON A RISK BASED APPROACH.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT THE AUDIT WE PERFORM A RISK ASSESSMENT TO IDENTIFY RISKS.
AND WE, PLAN TO PERFORM AUDIT PROCEDURES TO ADDRESS THOSE RISKS.
SO WE DON'T NECESSARILY LOOK AT EVERYTHING EQUALLY.
THESE ARE THE THREE MAIN RISK AREAS.
SO, THE FIRST IS MANAGEMENT OVERRIDE OF INTERNAL CONTROLS.
THIS IS A RISK THAT EXISTS IN ALL AUDITS.
IF THEY SO CHOOSE, THEY MAY DECIDE NOT TO PERFORM THOSE.
SO AS PART OF THAT RISK, WE PERFORM THESE PROCEDURES, WHICH INCLUDE, LOOKING AT HOW WE ASSIGN STAFF, INCORPORATING A LITTLE BIT OF UNPREDICTABILITY, EXAMINING JOURNAL ENTRIES, REVIEWING ESTIMATES AND ALSO PERFORMING OUR FRAUD INQUIRIES.
SECOND RISK IS THE RISK OF IMPROPER REVENUE RECOGNITION.
SO REVENUE IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT ITEM LOOKED AT BY MANY STAKEHOLDERS.
THE USERS OF YOUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
SO THERE IS A SPECIAL RISK THAT WE HAVE TO IDENTIFY HERE.
SO WE PERFORM A LOT OF THAT CALCULATION.
FOUNDATION OF YOUR REVENUES WITH MEDICAL PROCEDURES ON THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS.
AND THEN WE ALSO FOCUS ON PENSION.
THIS IS A RISK THAT IS A COMPLEX ACCOUNTING STANDARD.
AND WE SEE SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THAT AND PERFORM A CLOSER REVIEW OF OF YOUR PENSION ACCOUNTING.
AND I MENTIONED THIS BEFORE IN ACCORDANCE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED AUDITING STANDARDS AND GOVERNMENT AUDITING STANDARDS, WHICH ARE REFERRED TO AS YELLOW BOOK, STANDARDS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE PRESENTED FAIRLY IN ALL MATERIAL RESPECTS.
THIS IS THOSE LAST FOUR BULLET POINTS IS ESSENTIALLY WHAT AN UNMODIFIED OPINION MEANS.
NOTHING IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
SO THIS IS JUST A VERY HIGH LEVEL LOOK AT YOUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE FUNDAMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE SEPARATE.
THERE ARE TWO SETS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE FIRST IS THE GOVERNMENT WIDE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, WHICH ARE A CONSOLIDATED LOOK AT THE THE CITY'S REVENUES, EXPENSES AND, PAYMENT OF NET POSITION AS OF THE END OF THE YEAR AND LOOKS AT ALL ITEMS, INCLUDING LONG TERM CAPITAL ASSETS AND ALSO LONG TERM LIABILITIES SUCH AS YOUR PENSION PLAN.
THE OTHER SET OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE CALLED TRUST FUND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, WHICH IS PROBABLY MORE CORRELATED TO, FOR WHAT YOU MAY BE MORE FAMILIAR WITH WHEN YOU'RE PERFORMING YOUR BUDGET.
IN TERMS OF, LOOKING AT ASSETS AND DEFERRED OUTFLOWS OF RESOURCES, THERE WERE, INCREASE IN CASH AND INVESTMENTS, AND THAT'S JUST, A RESULT OF JUST HAVING MORE REVENUES COMING IN THAN, EXPENDITURES THAT YOU PLANNED LAST YEAR.
OTHERWISE THERE WEREN'T REALLY ANY SIGNIFICANT OTHER CHANGES IN YOUR ASSETS.
[00:35:02]
FIRST IS, A LARGE INCREASE IN YOUR UNEARNED REVENUES, WHICH I BELIEVE ARE UNSPENT OR MONIES OR GRANT REVENUES.AND, THE OUTSIDE, A LARGE INCREASE IN YOUR NET PENSION LIABILITY.
SO THIS IS A RESULT OF, INVESTMENT LOSSES AT CALPERS.
THERE IS A ONE YEAR LAG IN THE NET PENSION LIABILITY NUMBERS.
SO CALPERS HAD AN INVESTMENT LOSS IN 2021 AND THAT'S SORRY 2022. AND THAT'S THE REFLECTED IN THAT, PLAN ASSETS.
AND AS A RESULT YOUR NET PENSION LIABILITY INCREASED.
ON SLIDE 13, HERE, WE HAVE THE NET POSITION.
NET POSITION IS ESSENTIALLY YOUR ASSETS MINUS YOUR LIABILITIES.
SO THERE THEY WEREN'T EQUITY OR ALEX.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE END OF THE DAY.
AND THIS IS CLASSIFIED INTO THREE COMPONENTS.
THERE'S NET INVESTMENT IN CAPITAL ASSETS RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED.
NET INVESTMENT IN CAPITAL ASSETS ARE YOUR EQUITY.
IN CAPITAL ASSETS, WHICH ARE THE EQUIPMENT BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE, LESS ANY DEBT THAT WAS ISSUED TO ACQUIRE THOSE CAPITAL ASSETS, RESTRICTED NET POSITION OR ANY EQUITIES THAT ARE RESTRICTED BY THIRD PARTY CONSTRAINTS SUCH AS LAWS, REGULATIONS, CONTRACTS, THAT'S MONEY THAT'S SPECIFIED, HAS A SPECIFIED USE AND CAN ONLY BE USED FOR THOSE SPECIFIED PURPOSES.
AND AGAIN, THIS IS LOOKING AT A GOVERNMENT WIDE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
IT'S LOOKING AT ALL OF YOUR FUNDS.
SO THEY WON'T NECESSARILY THESE NUMBERS WON'T CONSIDER YOUR BUDGET OR FUND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
IT'S LIKE 14. HERE WE HAVE, SOMETHING WHERE WE'RE USING YOUR STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES TO DERIVE A NET COST OF SERVICE TO TAX REVENUE COMPARISON. THE NET COST OF SERVICE IS LOOKING AT THE EXPENSES, OF YOUR VARIOUS GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAMS, SUCH AS HOUSING, FOR EXAMPLE.
AND THAT IS LESS ANY REVENUES THAT THOSE PROGRAMS GENERATE.
AND THAT'S COMPARED TO YOUR TAX REVENUES.
SO NECESSARILY THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT, KIND OF ADJUST WITHIN THE CAPITAL GRANTS THAT MAY CREATE SOME AMAZING ITEMS WITH THIS COMPARISON, BUT IT'S FAIR TO LOOK AT IT OVER A LONG PERIOD TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY.
THIS IS LOOKING AT YOUR GENERAL FUNDS, UNRESTRICTED FUND BALANCE, AND COMPARING THAT TO THE GENERAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENDITURES, AND THEN, DERIVING WHETHER HOW LONG YOU WILL BE ABLE TO OPERATE IN A HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION WHERE YOU SEE NO MORE REVENUES.
THE GFOA RECOMMENDATION IS TO PERFORM THE GFOA STANDS FOR GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION.
AND, YOU CAN SEE THE GENERAL FUND IS LOOKS LIKE IT'S IN VERY GOOD SHAPE, BUT THERE'S 22 TO 30 MONTHS OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS OF AVAILABLE FUND BALANCE FOR FOR SENDING.
THIS IS JUST LOOKING AT YOUR ENTERPRISE CLIENTS.
THESE ARE VARIOUS UTILITIES AND OTHER ENTERPRISE ACTIVITIES.
[00:40:03]
IN TERMS OF THE, YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF YOUR TRENDS, IT'S THESE THREE FUNDS WHICH ARE THE WASTEWATER AND SEWER WATER UTILITY REFUSE COLLECTIONS. THERE WEREN'T ANY SIGNIFICANT, FLUCTUATIONS HERE, AND THEY'RE PRETTY CONSISTENT OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS.AND THEN THE LAST TWO FUNDS ARE YOUR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FUNDS AND YOUR CNG FUELING STATION.
THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FUND IS A BIT UNIQUE BECAUSE IT'S MAINLY FUNDED BY GRANT REVENUES.
SO IT'S MAINLY FUNDED BY IT'S NOT NECESSARILY GOING TO OPERATE JUST FROM YOUR FARES THAT YOU CHARGE.
SO IT IS, NORMAL THAT SOMETIMES YOU HAVE YOUR REVENUES BELOW YOUR EXPENSES.
AND THEN YOU ARE IN A DEFICIT NET POSITION, UNRESTRICTED NET POSITION HERE.
AND AGAIN, THIS IS, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS ARE SIMILAR TO THE GOVERNMENT WIDE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THAT THEY USE LONG TUM LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL ASSETS.
SO THESE MIGHT BE IMPACTING YOUR THE UNRESTRICTED NET POSITION.
AM I ABLE TO ASK A QUESTION BEFORE YOU CONTINUE? YES. THIS JUST JUMPS AT ME.
THESE COMPARISONS BETWEEN 2021 TO 2023, THE REGARDING THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, REVENUES AND EXPENSES. THERE'S A BIG, BIG DIFFERENCE, ALMOST DOUBLE, FROM 2021 TO 2023.
THE STAFF KNOW WHAT CAUSED THAT? YES. SO.
SORRY. SO THAT FLUCTUATION, MISS ARENA.
SO FOR OUR UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETING, IN IN MARCH, STAFF'S GOING TO BE BRINGING BEFORE YOU A THREE RESOLUTIONS WHERE WE ARE GOING TO BE REQUESTING, FROM THE CURRENT COG, TDA FUNDING AND ALSO, THE LTF FUNDING AS WELL.
AND THE REASON THE REASON WHY WE HELD OFF IS BECAUSE WE WANTED TO BE COMPLETELY SURE THAT WE WERE RECONCILING ALL OF OUR TRANSPORTATION GRANTS AND FUNDING AS, THE DIP BETWEEN 2021 TO 2022 IS A 5311, WHICH IS AN APPORTIONMENT OF, OF OUR, OUR TRANSIT OPERATIONS.
BUT NOW, IN THE COMING COUNCIL MEETING, THERE WILL BE THREE REPORTS THAT WILL, SORRY, THAT WILL BE PROVIDING A A POSITIVE FUND BALANCE.
HOPEFULLY THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION.
YEAH. YEAH, I CAN WAIT FOR A POSITIVE FUND BALANCE.
YEAH, WE DO HAVE WE DO HAVE THE FUNDS.
IT'S JUST THAT, THE WAY KERN KONG KERN COG OPERATES IS THEY WOULD LIKE FOR THE CITY TO PRESENT A CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF, OF TRANSIT AND FOR THEREFORE HAVE THE COUNCIL APPROVE THAT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE FUNDS FROM KERN KONG.
ALL RIGHT. SO YOU EXPECT ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO COME IN THROUGH KERN COUNTY.
THAT'S IT. YES. BASICALLY WHAT IT IS BOILS DOWN TO.
THANK YOU. AND THEN LASTLY, THE CNG FUELING STATION.
AGAIN, NOTHING IS I GUESS IN TERMS OF THE TRENDS, NOTHING SIGNIFICANT OVER THE PAST.
I THINK IT'S QUITE CONSISTENT.
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ASSUMPTION IS THAT THIS COUNTRY AND THIS IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE DISCLOSURES IN THE FINANCIAL REPORT, AND IT'S TO DEMONSTRATE THAT 1% INCREASE, OR 1% DECREASE IN YOUR DISCOUNT RATE WOULD CREATE SOME FLUCTUATIONS IN THIS LIABILITY. SO YOU COULD SEE THAT THE LIABILITY COULD BE UP TO 12 MILLION, OR IT COULD BE AS LESS AS TWO, 4 MILLION.
AND IT'S NOT NECESSARILY THAT ONE NUMBER IS MORE ACCURATE THAN THE OTHER NUMBER.
THE ACTUARY HAS DERIVED, AND USED THE APPROPRIATE DISCOUNT RATE OF ABOUT 7% OR 6.9%.
JUST ASK YOU WANT TO GO OVER SOME COMMUNICATIONS?
[00:45:02]
THIS IS THE SLIDE.JUST CLARIFYING OUR RESPONSIBILITY UNDER GENERALLY ACCEPTED AUDITING STANDARDS.
AND THEN ALSO OUR MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSIBILITIES WHEN THE FINAL DOCUMENT COMES OUT, OUR ASSIST MANAGEMENT IN PREPARING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINAL DOCUMENTS COMES OUT OF OUR OFFICE IS OFTEN, INTERPRETED AS THE WHOLE REPORT IS OUR AUDITOR'S REPORT.
BUT REALLY OUR REPORT IS ONLY THE OPINION.
SO OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO ISSUE AN OPINION ON THOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THAT INCLUDES EVALUATING INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING, LOOKING AT COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS, REVIEWING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT. AND THEN, OF COURSE, TO COMMUNICATE THE RESULTS OF THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PROVIDING US WITH RECORDS FOR THE AUDIT, ESTABLISHING INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING AND, FRAUD, ALSO TO INFORM US REPORTING OF FRAUD DURING THE YEAR AND PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS AND TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION.
OUR RESPONSIBILITY INCLUDES INDEPENDENCE.
SO THIS IS WHY YOU DON'T HAVE SOMEONE WITHIN THE CITY PERFORMING THE AUDIT.
YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO'S INDEPENDENT AND PROVIDING OPINIONS OF 3 OR 5 STREETS.
SO WE FOLLOW RULES SET BY THE AICPA AND THE STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY.
THIS WOULD INCLUDE THINGS SUCH AS NOT ACTING AS MANAGEMENT, NOT BEING EMPLOYEE OF THE CITY, NOT PREPARING TRANSACTIONS AND REPORTING TRANSACTIONS ON THE CITY'S BOOKS AND OTHER, ITEMS THAT YOU NEED TO, TO FOLLOW.
TIMING OF THE AUDIT WAS PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR ENGAGEMENT LETTERS.
THESE ARE THE, SIGNIFICANT ESTIMATES IN THEIR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
SO, PENSIONS, THIS IS AN ESTIMATE FOR CAPITAL ASSETS.
AND THEN YOUR MARKET VALUE OF YOUR INVESTMENTS IS AN ESTIMATE.
NO DIFFICULTIES WERE ENCOUNTERED IN THE AUDIT.
THERE WERE ADJUSTMENTS PROPOSED AND MANAGEMENT WAS RECORDED.
NO DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED THERE.
MIGHT BE REDUNDANT, MIGHT HAVE DUPLICATED THAT ACCESS.
SORRY. SORRY THING REFERS TO SOMEHOW GOT DUPLICATED.
BUT OTHER THAN THAT, NO MATERIAL WEAKNESSES IDENTIFIED AS PART OF OUR AUDIT.
WE ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY CONSULTATIONS THAT MANAGEMENT MAY HAVE, HAD WITH OTHER ACCOUNTANTS.
WE DON'T HAVE A GOING CONCERN ISSUE.
A GOING CONCERN IS WHEN, WE'VE EVALUATED THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THERE IS SIGNIFICANT DOUBT OVER THE FINANCIAL CONDITION RAISES DOUBT AS TO WHETHER THE ENTITY WILL CONTINUE, IN THE UPCOMING FUTURE.
SO WITH REGARDS TO LOOKING AT THE FUND BALANCE AND NET POSITION, WE DIDN'T WE DIDN'T SEE THIS IS ANOTHER SITUATION WHERE WE COULD REPORT A GOING CONCERN, AND WE HAVE NOT BECOME AWARE OF ANY FRAUD OR ILLEGAL ACTS.
I DID MENTION WE WERE GOING TO ANNOUNCE THE NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS.
THOSE ARE, MAINLY THE MOST SIGNIFICANT WOULD BE SB 100, WHICH 101, WHICH WILL CHANGE, OR ACCOUNTING OR COMPENSATED ABSENCES, WHICH IS YOUR ACCOUNTING FOR VACATION AND, RELATED TYPES OF LEAVE THAT YOU OFFER YOUR EMPLOYEES. HOWEVER, THE OTHER NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS THAT ARE COMING YOUR WAY UPON YOUR LIKING.
AND THAT CONCLUDES OUR PRESENTATION.
AND, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.
APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENTATION THIS EVENING.
ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS MAYOR PRO TEM MEDINA.
JUST CONGRATULATIONS, I GUESS, ON THE UNMODIFIED OPINION ON COMING OUT CLEAN.
SO GOOD JOB TO ISRAEL AND THE STAFF AND KEEP DOING A GOOD WORK.
MAYOR REYNA. ANY COMMENTS? YOU KNOW, I ZEROED IN ON THAT OVER $700,000, BUT THERE WAS SOMETHING ELSE THAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION EARLY ON.
ON PAGE 13, ARE YOU ABLE TO BRING UP PAGE 13? POWERPOINT. YES.
MR. DESAI, COULD YOU GO BACK TO SLIDE 13? YEAH, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE.
[00:50:05]
SO NET INVESTMENT IN CAPITAL ASSETS, YOU KNOW, THERE HAS BEEN CONTINUED GROWTH IN THAT SECTION.AND SO I WANTED TO CONGRATULATE EVERYONE BECAUSE I THINK AND I MAY BE WRONG ON THIS, BUT I THINK I'M CORRECT THAT IT IS DUE THROUGH OUR INVESTMENT POLICY THAT WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING, THAT THIS MEMBERS ARE THE RESULT OF THAT.
AM I CORRECT IN THAT ASSUMPTION? I THINK IT'S A COMBINATION OF THINGS, THE THE DIVERSE SOURCES OF REVENUE THAT WE'VE BEEN BUILDING UPON, THE AND THE INVESTMENT OF GRANT FUNDS AND SO FORTH.
SOME OF THOSE TURN INTO, CAPITAL ASSETS AND A VARIETY OF, OF DIFFERENT REASONS.
BUT YES, THE THE GROWTH IS, IS GOOD EVEN IN ITS SLOWED STATE RIGHT NOW.
RIGHT. IT'S A GOOD TREND FOR SURE.
AND OF COURSE, THE UNRESTRICTED FUNDS HAVE SHOWN ALSO A GREAT GROWTH THERE.
SO ANYWAY, I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT A POSITIVE NOTE ON THAT.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE THAT HAS WORKED TO ACHIEVE THIS OUTCOME.
I WOULD LIKE TO ECHO, PRO TEM MEDINA, JUST MENTIONING IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD THING TO HAVE A THIRD PARTY, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE STAFF AND THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR HARD WORK.
YES, YES. THANK YOU EVERYBODY.
YOU GUYS DO MAKE US ALL LOOK GOOD.
ALWAYS DO PRODUCE A GOOD BUDGET.
SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL ON THIS ITEM.
I MOVE TO APPROVE. SECOND IT, IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
MAYOR GARCIA I MAYOR PRO TEM MEDINA I COUNCIL MEMBER.
MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM MEDINA, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SOLANA TO RECEIVE AND FILE.
MOTION IS APPROVED WITH FOUR EYES, WITH COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ ABSENT.
AND THANK YOU AGAIN, MR. DESAI.
WILL WE GET A HARD COPY OF THIS, AUDIT IN THE FUTURE? YES, AND IT WILL ALSO BE POSTED ON OUR CITY WEBSITE UNDER FINANCE REPORTS AND WILL ALSO BE A DIGITAL COPY AS WELL.
ALL RIGHT. YEAH, I'M LOOKING FOR A HARD COPY OF THIS.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU EVERYONE.
[13) c. Adopt a Resolution approving the mid-year operating budget adjustments totaling $163,650 in the General Fund and $85,500 in other funds, 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, 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. (Perez-Hernandez)]
ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE MID-YEAR OPERATING BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS TOTALING 163,650 $50 IN THE GENERAL FUND AND $85,500 IN OTHER FUNDS, AND FIND THAT THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT AS DEFINED UNDER SEQUA GUIDELINES.THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO STATE GUIDELINES, SECTIONS 15060, C THREE, NO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED AND FIND THAT THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT AS DEFINED. I JUST SAID THAT AND THAT MIGHT BE A TYPO.
SOMETIMES IT'S NOT MR. PEREZ-HERNANDEZ. GO AHEAD.
AND I THOUGHT I WAS HOLDING THE CLICKER, BUT IT'S.
OKAY. SO THE PURPOSE OF THIS PRESENTATION IS IT COVERS FOUR KEY POINTS.
ONE OF THOSE IS TO REVIEW THE BUDGET STATUS AND THE PROJECTIONS, THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF THE GENERAL FUND, AS WELL AS THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS REVIEW THE PROJECTIONS FROM WHAT THE COUNCIL APPROVED BACK IN JUNE OF 2023.
AND LASTLY, REVIEW THE BUDGET ROADMAP, OR WHAT WE CALL MILESTONES THAT, POSITIONS THE COUNCIL AS WELL AS WELL AS STAFF, AND TO PRODUCE AND PRESENT A BUDGET FOR COUNCIL'S CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL IN JUNE.
[00:55:01]
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGET TO THE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL.WE THEN AS SWIFTLY TRANSITIONED TO START OUR FINANCIAL AUDIT, WHICH WAS ALSO PRESENTED BY MITESH, IN THE PREVIOUS PRESENTATION, AS WE HONE IN ON WHAT WE'RE CURRENTLY, WORKING ON, AND OUR ROADMAP IS OUR MID-YEAR BUDGET REVIEW, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE DISCUSSING RIGHT NOW, AND WE WILL SHORTLY PIVOT TOWARDS OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON FEBRUARY 24TH, 2024.
AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE STRATEGIC PLANNING STAFF WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THEIR, ANNUAL BUDGET REQUEST FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 2025, WHICH WILL BRING US A STEP CLOSER TO THE BUDGET WORKSHOPS THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, IT SEEMS PRETTY FAR, BUT WE'RE RIGHT RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.
AND THERE THERE WILL BE SOME REVISIONS PLUS OR MINUS.
AND LASTLY, WE WILL BE COMING BACK TO THE COUNCIL BEFORE THE COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION OF THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET, AS WELL AS A THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGET.
SO SOME OF THE SOME OF THE FINANCIAL CONDITIONS.
OVERVIEW. ON A POSITIVE NOTE, THE GENERAL FUND IS PERFORMING IN LINE WITH THE BUDGETED PROJECTIONS THAT THAT STAFF PRESENTED AT THE JUNE 28TH, ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET.
THERE WERE SOME SOME ADJUSTMENTS THAT TOTALED $249,000, AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE $249,000 IS 163,000 IS GENERAL FUND, AND $85,000 IS ALL OTHER FUNDS.
AS WE CAN SEE HERE, IT'S THEY'RE VERY MINIMAL ADJUSTMENTS AS WE WILL START TAKING A DEEPER DIVE WITH THESE AMOUNTS ARE IT REALLY DOES SET THE TONE AS TO WHAT STAFF HAS BEEN, HAS BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY TO NOT ONLY MAINTAIN THEIR OPERATING BUDGETS, BUT ALSO ON OUR REVENUE SIDE AND OUR PROJECTIONS HERE WE HAVE A DETAILED BREAKDOWN, WHICH IS ALSO FOUND IN OUR STAFF REPORT OF WHAT MAKES UP THE 163,000, AS WELL AS THE 85,000.
I'LL JUST TOUCH ON A COUPLE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE $160,000 INCREASE IN INTEREST EARNED.
AND THAT TOUCHES AND PIGGYBACKS ON, COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA'S COMMENT EARLIER ON OUR INVESTMENT POLICY THAT WAS TAKEN TO THE COUNCIL LAST YEAR FOR US TO INVEST IN, IN JPA, WHICH HAVE GENERATED AND WE ARE PROJECTING AN ADDITIONAL $160,000 IN INTEREST INCOME, WHICH IS VERY HEALTHY.
THERE ARE TWO OTHER LINE ITEMS THAT STAFF IS PROPOSING A REDUCTION IN THAT PRIMARILY IS 11,400 AND REDUCTION OF 8000 FOR GENERAL PLAN MAINTENANCE AND TECHNOLOGY FEES.
AND IF I CAN EXPLAIN THIS PROPERLY.
2023. THERE IS THE CONTRACTORS SUBMITTED A LOT OF, FOR A LOT OF BUILDING PERMITS, AND THEY WANTED TO SUBMIT THOSE AHEAD OF TIME BEFORE THE NEW BUILDING CODE TOOK INTO EFFECT.
AND AS A RESULT, THERE WAS THERE WAS A LARGE INCREASE, WHEN STAFF WAS REVIEWING THE BUDGET.
AND NOW WE'RE STARTING TO SEE A TAPER OFF NOW THAT THERE'S A NEW.
YEAH, I HOPE I ANSWERED THAT CORRECTLY.
CAN YOU GIVE ME ONE MINUTE, PLEASE? DEFINITELY.
I WAS REALLY I THOUGHT IT WAS THE SECOND TAKE.
AND THIS CHART HERE JUST HIGHLIGHTS THE TOP SEVEN GENERAL FUND REVENUES THAT ARE THE DRIVING FORCE FOR THE GENERAL FUND, AS WE CAN SEE HERE. AND FROM 2018 2019 FISCAL YEAR TO 2022 2023, THERE, THERE SEEMS TO BE A TREND, A CONSISTENT UPTICK IN
[01:00:01]
OUR TOP SEVEN AND GENERAL FUND TAX REVENUES FOR MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE FEE IN LIEU OF PROPERTY TAXES.WE HAVE SALES TAX, PROPERTY TAXES, INTEREST EARNED FRANCHISE AND OCCUPANCY TAX.
NOW HERE I DO WANT TO POINT THE, THE AUDIENCE AS WELL AS THE COUNCIL'S ATTENTION TO THE 2023 2024 CHART THAT IS ON THE ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE SCREEN, WHICH IS FROM JULY TO DECEMBER.
AND AS WE CAN SEE, THESE PERCENTAGES, STAFF DID NOT PROPOSE OR MAKE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR US TO MAKE ANY MODIFICATIONS TO THE PROJECTED REVENUES THAT WE WERE ANTICIPATING TO RECEIVE AT JUNE 30TH OF THIS YEAR.
AS WE CAN SEE, WE ARE AT 56% FOR OUR MOTOR VEHICLE, 50% FOR OUR MEASURE X, 49% FOR OUR SALES TAX.
SO HOW WHAT THAT TRANSLATES TO IS THAT OUR PROJECTIONS ARE AS COMING TO FRUITION.
BUT IF AT ANY POINT IN TIME WE DO SEE THAT THERE IS A NEGATIVE TREND, WE, THE CITY MANAGER AND STAFF WILL DEFINITELY COME BACK TO THE COUNCIL AND AND BRING TO EVERYONE'S ATTENTION.
BUT AS OF DECEMBER 31ST, WE ARE IN IN A GOOD HEALTH, HEALTHY POSITION FOR THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE TOP SEVEN REVENUE GENERATORS. NOW TAKING A, TAKING A SLIGHT TURN RIGHT ON THE GENERAL FUND.
SO FIRST WE'LL START OFF WITH WE HAVE COLUMN A AND COLUMN B AND THEN THE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COLUMN B AND A COLUMN A IS WHAT THE COUNCIL APPROVED AND ADOPTED LAST JUNE.
SO THE WE ANTICIPATED THAT ON JULY 1ST, 2023, WE WERE STAFF WAS VERY CONSERVATIVE IN THAT WE WERE EXPECTING TO END THE YEAR AND START THE NEW YEAR WITH $21.6 MILLION, WHICH IS THE YELLOW HIGHLIGHT.
AND WHAT THAT TRANSLATES TO IS US, THE CITY, DIPPING INTO OUR RESERVES OR SAVINGS ACCOUNT, AT THE MAGNITUDE OF $3.6 MILLION.
AND I'LL GET TO I'LL GET TO SOME OF THE SOME OF THE NUANCES AS TO WHY THIS IS TAKING PLACE.
WE LOOK AT COLUMN B AFTER THE AUDIT WAS COMPLETED, AND THERE IS A RECONCILIATIONS OF ALL OF THE MAJOR EXPENDITURES AND REVENUES AND CAPITAL.
THE AUDIT DETERMINED THAT THE BEGINNING BALANCE WAS IN FACT $26.4 MILLION.
AND IT'S IT'S IT'S GOOD FOR THE CITY.
BUT WE CAN SEE ON THE FAR RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE SCREEN THE 172,000 AND THE NEGATIVE, THE REDUCTION OF 8700, THE SUM OF THOSE TWO, THE NET IS 163,000, WHICH WE DISCUSSED IN THE PRIOR SLIDE.
THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE OF THE PLUSES OR MINUSES.
AND THAT IS THAT THE CITY HAS A, HAS A, A RESERVE POLICY OF 35% OF ITS OPERATING EXPENDITURES, WHICH TRANSLATES TO ROUGHLY THREE MONTHS OF OUR OPERATING EXPENSES.
AND IF THE CITY WAS TO SPEND, IT'S IN ITS ENTIRETY, THE OPERATING EXPENSES, THE NON OPERATING AND THE CAPITAL, WE WOULD END AT 75%.
SO THAT IS WELL ABOVE THE 35% TARGET THAT THE CITY HAS DETERMINED IS ADEQUATE FOR THE CITY.
NOW, I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING BECAUSE I SAY IT EVERY TIME I BRING THIS UP.
AND THAT IS THE CITY DID NOT HAVE DID NOT USED TO HAVE A 35%.
AND WE CHANGED THAT BECAUSE WE WANTED TO OBTAIN A LOAN.
SO JUST SOMETHING FOR REFERENCE.
YOU KNOW, IT'S I LIKE THE NUMBERS THE WAY THEY ARE.
AND SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE HEALTHY, BALANCES SO THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE NOT I WOULDN'T WANT TO FIND THE CITY, YOU KNOW, WITH, A PROBLEM OF HAVING JUST THREE MONTHS OF OPERATING BUDGETS.
SO I JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT.
ABSOLUTELY. AND AGAIN, THIS IS JUST A IT'S A FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP ACROSS THE BOARD, FROM COMING FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS TO THE CITY MANAGER, AS WELL AS THE COUNCIL MAKING THESE CRUCIAL, PRUDENT DECISIONS AS TO WHAT WE PLAN TO INVEST ON FOR THE NEXT FIVE, TEN YEARS.
[01:05:06]
AND WHAT DO THOSE INVESTMENTS ARE WILL TRANSLATE TO INTO THE FUTURE.SO IT'S NOT AN OVERNIGHT, JUST OUR SAVINGS AND OUR RESERVES GREW.
IT TOOK SOME TIME, BUT AS WE CAN SEE IN THE AUDITORS ARE ALSO ECHOING THE SAME.
THE CITY CAN KEEP THE LIGHTS ON FOR SIX MONTHS.
IT IS ABSOLUTELY A POSITIVE OUTCOME.
SO ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT I SAY THAT.
ABSOLUTELY. BUT BEFORE I, BUT BEFORE I, I SHIFT OVER TO THE FOLLOWING SLIDE, EARLY ON IN THIS, THIS, THIS SLIDE, I, I DID I DID MENTION THE SIX POINT, THE 3.6 MILLION AND AND IN OUR REVISED PROJECTION, IT DROPPED TO THE 3.4 MILLION.
AND WHAT WHAT ARE SOME OF THE, THE KEY ASPECTS OR FACTORS THAT ARE ATTRIBUTING TO THIS, THIS THE DIP INTO OUR RESERVES AND IS PRIMARILY DRIVEN BY TWO FACTORS. AND ONE IS THE START UP OF OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY PAYING THE, CURRENT COUNTY SHERIFF'S CONTRACT. AND WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT BEFORE THE.
COUNCIL. IT WAS A PRUDENT USE OF OUR RESERVES AND TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES TO THE RESIDENTS, WHILE ALSO THE CITY INVESTING AND IN AN ACQUISITION OF A FLEET DISPATCH AND STAFFING ALL THESE ALL THESE NECESSARY ITEMS FOR THE CITY TO START ITS OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
SO THAT IS WHY WE SEE THIS PROJECTED $3.4 MILLION.
AND TAKEN FROM OUR RESERVES PROJECTED NOW, WE WOULD SEE THAT TAPER OFF AS THIS AS THE CITY STARTS UP ITS POLICE DEPARTMENT AND SLOWLY DRIFTS AWAY FROM THE COUNTY'S SHERIFF'S CONTRACT, THAT NUMBER WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY TAKING A DIP.
NOW. THIS CHART HERE IS JUST A HISTORICAL TREND COMPARISON OF OUR GENERAL FUND FUND BALANCE.
AND IT'S THE PAST FOUR FISCAL YEARS, FIVE FISCAL YEARS THAT HAVE BEEN AUDITED.
AND AS WE CAN SEE, YEAR OVER YEAR, THERE'S THIS UPTICK OF GROWTH OF 23%, 19%, 16, 20%.
AND WE HAVE THE RED, WHICH IS ASSIGNED.
AND THAT WAS A COUNCIL APPROVED ACTION FOR THE CITY TO SET ASIDE THE $9.3 MILLION.
AND THE UNASSIGNED CAN BE USED FOR OTHER, SUCH AS THE START UP OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE PAYMENT, OF OPERATING OPERATING COSTS IN THE EVENT THAT WE DON'T RECEIVE ANY NEW REVENUE.
NOW THAT WE'VE COMPLETED THE REVIEW OF THE GENERAL FUND, NOW WE'LL BE MOVING OVER TO THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS, WHICH THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS ARE COMPOSED OF OUR WASTEWATER, WATER AND SANITATION.
LAST YEAR, IT WAS THE FIRST YEAR THAT THERE WAS A IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OF THE OF ALL THREE RATES.
AND WE'LL FIRST START OFF WITH THE WITH THE WASTEWATER AGAIN, NO DIFFERENT THAN THE GENERAL FUND.
WE'LL TAKE A SAME OUTLOOK OF OF THE WASTEWATER FUND COLUMN A IN THE GRAY IN IN THE YELLOW STAFF PROJECTED TO START OFF THE THE YEAR AT $6.6 MILLION AND END THE YEAR WITH $6 MILLION AT JUNE 30TH, 2024. THAT IS A NEGATIVE, $614,000 DIP INTO OUR RESERVES.
AND AFTER AFTER OUR AUDIT AND ANY RECLASSIFICATIONS OR ADJUSTMENTS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT STAFF DID BUDGET CONSERVATIVELY, AND THERE WAS AN ADDITIONAL $661,000, ADDED TO OUR BEGINNING FUND BALANCE OF LAST YEAR, WHICH IS REALLY GREAT FOR OUR FUND.
SO THEY HELP US BREAK EVEN OR BREAK EVEN.
AND AS WE CAN SEE HERE ON THE VARIANCES, AGAIN, THE REVENUES, THE OPERATING COSTS, THERE IS NO REQUEST FROM, FROM THE DEPARTMENT HEADS, DEPUTIES AND MANAGEMENT, FOR ANY ADDITIONAL ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
[01:10:01]
SO MOVING ON TO THE WASTEWATER, WORKING CAPITAL, IN OTHER WORDS A FUND BALANCE.HOW HOW ARE OUR SAVINGS DOING WITH THE WASTEWATER FUND.
AND AS WE CAN SEE HERE FROM 2017, 2018 ALL THE WAY TO 2023, 2024, AND THESE ARE AUDITED NUMBERS THAT WE CAN SEE ON OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THE BLUE LINE REPRESENTS HOW HOW WE ARE TRENDING YEAR OVER YEAR.
AND AS WE CAN SEE YEAR OVER YEAR, IT'S IT'S A SMOOTH, GRADUAL INCREASE, WHICH AGAIN SPEAKS TO THE SAME SENTIMENT THAT STAFF THE COUNCIL AND CAREFULLY ANALYZING OUR REVENUES, OUR EXPENDITURES.
DO WE NEED TO HAVE THESE EXPENDITURE LINE ITEMS THAT WE KNOW WE'RE NOT GOING TO USE? SO IT LOCKS UP THE MONEY STAFF IS HAS RECOGNIZED THAT WE HAVE THIS FUNDING.
THIS IS WHAT WE BELIEVE WILL BE SPENT UP TO JUNE 30TH OF 2024.
BUT AGAIN, THE STORY HERE IS THAT THAT THE WASTEWATER FUND IS IN A HEALTHY POSITION, VERY HEALTHY.
NOW HERE WE HAVE THE THE WATER FUND STAFF PROJECTED TO START JULY 1ST OF LAST YEAR WITH $11.1 MILLION AND END THE YEAR ON JUNE 30TH, 2024 WITH $10.7 MILLION, WHICH IS A A -$390,000 OUT OF OUR OUT OF OUR RESERVES TO PAY FOR OPERATING EXPENSES.
IT DOES NOT ACCOUNT FOR THE STATE REVOLVING FUND APPLICATION FOR THE 44 MILLION.
IT ALSO, IT ALSO HIGHLIGHTS THAT AS THE CITY DIPPING INTO THOSE RESERVES WAS WAS AN APPROVED ACTION AND DEEMED PRUDENT AT THE TIME FOR STAFF TO USE RESERVES TO OFFSET A STEEP INCREASE IN RATES FOR, FOR THE RESIDENT.
SO IT WAS A RATE STABILIZATION.
AND I DON'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT YOU, BUT YOU DID SAY 400,000.
DID YOU MEAN 4 MILLION? I DON'T SEE 400,000.
OH, IT'S, THE CAPITAL EXPENSE.
THAT'S 370,000, BUT IT ROUNDS POINT FOUR.
AND. AND LASTLY, IF WE WERE TO SEE THE COLUMN B, THE PROJECTED, THE PROJECTED IS ACTUALLY $12.8 MILLION, BUT IS AN INCREASE OF $1.6 MILLION FROM WHAT THE STAFF PROJECTED TO START OFF THE YEAR.
IT'S JUST IT'S A VERY HEALTHY, PROJECTION.
AND, AND OUR, OUR THIRD ASTERISKS, AS IT POINTS OUT, WE HAVE A 35% TARGET FOR OUR RESERVES, AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE 355%, BUT IT'S VERY HEALTHY.
HOWEVER, IT ALL IT WOULD TAKE IS JUST TWO WELLS TO NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
AND THAT WOULD DEFINITELY TAKE AN IMPACT FOR OUR OUR WATER, OUR WATER FUND.
BUT AGAIN, THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW WELL, IT'S WELL ABOVE, $5 MILLION AT THE MOMENT.
YOU KNOW, WE DID A BUY DOWN TO, ALLOW FOR A GRADUAL RATE INCREASE.
I THINK WE SPENT $1.2 MILLION ON THAT.
HOW MUCH OF THAT HAS BEEN SPENT AT THIS TIME? DO YOU HAPPEN TO KNOW THAT? SO THAT CALCULATION WOULD BE CAN BE PROVIDED TO THE COUNCIL TOWARDS THE END OF THIS BUDGET CYCLE? YEAH, SINCE THAT WOULD BE FINE.
I'M JUST CURIOUS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE WERE GOING TO DO THIS OVER FIVE YEARS, RIGHT? AND, AND SO DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH, I GUESS IT WOULD DEPEND ON HOW MUCH WATER PEOPLE ARE USING, HOW MUCH OF THAT BIDEN WOULD BE, WOULD BE USED.
AND MAYBE I'M LOOKING AT IT WRONG, I DON'T KNOW.
AND THAT'S WHAT I'M CURIOUS ABOUT IT.
BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO FIND OURSELVES AT THE END, YOU KNOW, AND THEN ALL THESE PEOPLE SUDDENLY SAYING, HEY, WHAT HAPPENED? YOU KNOW? SO I'M JUST CURIOUS.
[01:15:05]
THE CITY OF WASCO MATCHED IN TERMS OF THE COST TO PROVIDE WATER SERVICES.BUT THERE'S 1.1.2 PLUS OR MINUS.
IT'S IN THE SPAN OF FIVE YEARS, RIGHT? IT'S NOT JUST ALL IN ONE YEAR, BUT I BELIEVE THE CITY MANAGER.
YEAH. AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S A COINCIDENCE THAT THE ANNUAL SHORTFALL, THE $397,000 IS PROBABLY ALMOST EXACTLY MATCHES THAT BUYDOWN.
SO WE WERE THE ENTIRE ENTERPRISE IS DESIGNED TO BREAK EVEN RATES, EXPENSES.
WE INFLATED THE EXPENSES WITH THIS RATE BUY DOWN OR DECREASE THE REVENUES ARTIFICIALLY.
AND SO THIS IS ABOUT A QUARTER OR A FIFTH OF THAT $1.2 MILLION.
WELL, IT'LL IT'LL FLUCTUATE OVER THE FIVE YEARS.
BUT AND THAT'S WORRISOME BECAUSE WHAT'S THAT FOR A 12.
THAT'S ONLY IT'S ALREADY A THIRD OF THE OF THE FIVE YEAR BUY DOWN.
AND SO IT'S AND IT TAPERS OFF TO ZERO IN THE FIFTH YEAR.
SO THE FRONT LOADING HERE DOESN'T DOESN'T OVERLY CONCERN US AT THIS POINT.
WE'LL KNOW FAR AHEAD IF WE'RE GOING TO RUN OUT OF THAT 1.2 PROJECTION.
RIGHT OKAY. WELL THAT ANSWERS MY QUESTION.
I WAS VERY CURIOUS BECAUSE I WROTE IT DOWN AS I WAS REVIEWING THESE NUMBERS.
AND BY THE WAY, I AM GETTING A LOWER RATE THAN I USED TO GET CONSERVATION.
WELL, YOU KNOW, GOD HAS BEEN PROVIDING THE WATER, SO I JUST DON'T KNOW.
DEFINITELY. OKAY, THAT NEEDS TO BE, LIKE ON A BILLBOARD.
HERE WE HAVE THE CHARTER OF THE HEALTH OF THE WATER FUND FOR THE PAST SIX FISCAL YEARS.
AND AGAIN, THE SAME TREND, THE SAME THE SAME STORY THAT'S BEEN TOLD IN THE GENERAL FUND WITH THE AUDITS HAVE BEEN SAYING IS ALSO TAKING PLACE IN THE WATER FUND.
AND WE'RE IT'S IT'S A SMOOTH TAPERING OF OUR, OF OUR, OF OUR FUND BALANCE OR OF OUR RESERVES.
AND BUT AGAIN STAFF IS IS ACTIVELY WORKING ON THE STATE REVOLVING LOAN APPLICATION FOR A $44 MILLION GRANT FOR THE BUILDING OF CONSTRUCTION OF NEW WATER WELLS, AS WELL AS 1.5MG, STORAGE TANKS.
IT'S OKAY. YOU CAN LAUGH ALL YOU WANT.
I'M SORRY. I THOUGHT HE WAS LAUGHING.
NO, I WAS I'M TRYING TO PREVENT MY COUGH.
NOW MOVING ON TO THE SANITATION FUND.
ON THE SANITATION FUND, ITS STAFF PROJECTED TO START THE YEAR WITH $3.6 MILLION AND END THE YEAR WITH 1.8, AND THAT WAS A -$1.7 MILLION.
DIP INTO OUR RESERVES TO MAINTAIN OPERATIONS FOR THE CITY.
AND WHEN STAFF, COMPLETED THE AUDIT, THERE WAS A $4.4 MILLION STARTING BALANCE, FOR JULY 1ST OF 2023, WHICH TRANSLATES TO $849,000 FROM WHAT STAFF ORIGINALLY PROJECTED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.
NOW, THE ONLY REQUEST WAS A REDUCTION IN REVENUES FOR $7,500.
AND AND AGAIN, THAT'S THAT'S OUTLINED IN THE STAFF REPORT AS WELL AS SLIDE NUMBER SEVEN, WHICH WAS A REDUCTION IN THE ROLL OFF REVENUE FOR SANITATION.
[01:20:03]
DIPPING INTO AS OUR THREE, CONSULTANTS PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL.AGAIN, A SIMILAR SENTIMENT THAT THE, THE, THE BUSINESSES WERE SUBSIDIZING THE THE COMMERCIAL, THE COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES WERE SUBSIDIZING THE RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENT.
BUT THAT WAS ALREADY CORRECTED.
BUT ALSO, THE COUNCIL AND STAFF WAS AWARE THAT THIS THE SIMILAR SITUATION WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.
HOWEVER, IN YEARS OF FOUR AND FIVE, THAT'S WHEN THE CITY WAS GOING TO START SEEING, THE BENEFIT OF ADOPTING THE RATES, THAT THE COUNCIL APPROVED, THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR.
SO AGAIN, YES, IT DOES SEEM ALARMING THAT WE ARE BRINGING IN $4 MILLION ON THE COLUMN.
BE YET OPERATING EXPENSES IS $4.2 MILLION.
BUT AGAIN, THE SENTIMENT IS THAT EVERY JULY 1ST, THERE IS THIS RATE ADJUSTMENT THAT'S TAKING PLACE.
ALSO DURING THE THE ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS, STAFF, STAFF AND THE CITY MANAGER WILL BE GETTING TOGETHER TO REVIEW THE HEALTH OF THE OF THE SANITATION FUND BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO END UP, AT THE END OF THE DAY, COME BACK TO THE COUNCIL.
WELL, WE ARE ACTUALLY CAN'T PROVIDE THE SERVICE.
WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OF THE REVENUE, WHICH THAT'S NOT THE CASE.
I WANT TO MAKE THAT VERY CLEAR TO EVERYONE.
THAT'S NOT THE CASE AT THE MOMENT OF AS OUR RATES ARE INDICATED TO PRODUCE POSITIVE INFLOWS.
BUT ALSO IT IS PRUDENT FOR US TO REVIEW AND ANALYZE OUR SANITATION FUND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE WE CONTINUE TO STAY ON THIS PATH FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS WHILE ALSO REVIEWING OUR OPERATING EXPENSES, EXPENDITURES AND EXPENSES AND SEE WHERE WE CAN TRIM SOME FAT.
AND HERE IS A WORKING CAPITAL FOR THE SANITATION FUND.
AGAIN, THIS IS A HISTORICAL TREND OF THE THE PAST FIVE FISCAL YEARS, OH SIX FISCAL YEARS.
WE CAN SEE AN UPWARD TREND OF OUR RESERVES, AND WE CAN SEE THAT IN 2021, 2022 TO 20 22 TO 2023, THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT DIP IN OUR RESERVES.
THERE WAS TWO TRUCKS WERE PURCHASED AND BUT ONE OF THEM WAS RECORDED IN 2003 24.
SO THAT'S WHAT TRANSLATES TO THE $390,000 PLUS OR MINUS IN OUR SANITATION FUND WORKING CAPITAL.
THAT STAFF IS REQUESTING AN ADJUSTMENT.
IT'S MINIMAL, AND IT REFLECTS STAFF'S COMMITMENT TO HOLDING THE LINE IN OUR OPERATING EXPENDITURES AND REVIEWING AND ANALYZING WHERE WE CAN MAKE SOME REASONABLE REDUCTIONS TO, ESPECIALLY ON OUR ENTERPRISE FUNDS TO MAINTAIN THAT HEALTH.
BUT BUT ALSO RECOGNIZING THAT THE REDUCTION IN AND REVIEW OF OUR EXPENDITURES THE DOES NOT NECESSARILY IMPACT OUR, OUR, OUR RESIDENTS AND THE LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE BECAUSE THAT IS ONE OF OUR ONE OF OUR UTMOST.
PRIORITIES TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE TO OUR RESIDENTS.
SO JUST AND ONE ONE LAST COMMENT TO THE COUNCIL IS THAT THIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH, WE DO HAVE OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP WHERE STAFF WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A GUIDANCE WITH GOALS FOR SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE, NEIGHBORLY AND SAFE COMMUNITIES, EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT, AND ALSO REVIEWS, SOME HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS,
[01:25:01]
THAT WAS PROVIDED TO TO THE COUNCIL.THANK YOU, MR. PEREZ-HERNANDEZ. BEFORE MOVING TO THE COUNCIL FOR COMMENTS, ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? OKAY. ANY COMMENTS FROM MEMBER MAYOR PRO TEM MEDINA? OVERALL, IT SEEMS LIKE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE A GOOD FOOTING.
SAME DEAL AS, WITH THE AUDIT, SHOWED.
SO AGAIN, MY CONTINUED GRATITUDE TOWARDS, TOWARDS THE STAFF, FOR, FOR DOING WHAT YOU GUYS DO.
I KNOW YOU MENTIONED THAT THE INTEREST RATES WILL CONTINUE THE PRESSURE ON THE BUDGET.
CAN YOU ELABORATE A LITTLE BIT MORE AS TO WHAT YOU MEAN ON THE COST PRESSURES ON THE ON JUST THE THE INTEREST RATES, YOU KNOW, AFFECTING OUR BUDGET FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE FISCAL YEAR.
SO ON THE INTEREST RATES, IF WE'RE REFERRING TO INVESTMENT INTEREST, THOSE ARE ACTUALLY ON THE ON THE POSITIVE SIDE, WE ARE RECEIVING HEALTHY INTEREST RETURNS ON OUR INVESTMENTS, WHERE NOW WE'RE SEEING $160,000 THAT WE'RE PROJECTING AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
ON THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT IS COSTS ARE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER.
FOR EXAMPLE, I'LL USE ELECTRICAL COST.
TYPICALLY THE PAST 2 OR 3 YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN OUR ELECTRICAL COSTS.
AND THAT SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTS ESPECIALLY THE AND THE WASTEWATER FOR OUR TREATMENT PLANT AND OUR WATER FUND FOR OUR, MAINTAINING 24 HOURS, OUR WATER WELLS TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE POTABLE WATER AT EVERY HOME.
THANK YOU FOR THAT. NO FURTHER COMMENTS.
YOU KNOW, IN YOUR REPORT, YOU STATE THAT THE SB 1383 ORGANIC WASTE LANDFILL DIVERSION MANDATE, IF UNFUNDED, YOU SAID, WILL DIRECTLY IMPACT THE SANITATION FUND.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THE STATE ALWAYS PUTS MANDATES AND THEY'RE ALWAYS UNFUNDED.
ABSOLUTELY. AND THE THE THOUGHT BEHIND THAT STATEMENT, COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA, IS THE FACT THAT WE CAN'T CONTROL WHAT THE STATE DOES. AND IT'S IT'S UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE THESE MANDATES AT TIMES, WASCO IS NOT THE ONLY THE ONLY JURISDICTION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT THAT'S HAVING TO, FIND CREATIVE WAYS TO CONTINUE, NOT ONLY TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE BUT AVOID A $10,000 FINE PER DAY IF WE DO NOT COMPLY WITH THOSE MANDATES.
AGAIN, IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE, THE AND I JUST WANTED TO PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT OF LEVITY, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE IN REALITY, YOU KNOW, THEY THEY ALWAYS HAVE THESE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO AND THEY DON'T PROVIDE FUNDING FOR IT.
SO IT HAS TO COME OUT OUT OF OUR RESIDENTS POCKETS.
SO UNFORTUNATELY, I'M WITH YOU.
I JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT OUT OF UNFUNDED LIABILITIES.
YEAH. THERE YOU GO. THAT'S IT.
MEMBER SALDANA I HAVE NO QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
I AM ALWAYS, YOU KNOW, FILLED WITH CONFIDENCE AFTER THE MID-YEAR BUDGET AND MR. PEREZ-HERNANDEZ PRESENTATIONS BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE WE REALLY HAVE A THUMB ON THE BUDGET AND WHAT'S HAPPENING, WHAT'S COMING AND WHAT'S COMING OUT.
AND WE DID MAKE SOME REALLY BIG DECISIONS IN THE LAST YEAR WHEN IT CAME TO THE RATE SMOOTHING.
SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS CONTINUES TO BE MONITORED.
SO THAT'S PRETTY MUCH MAY I SAY SOMETHING ELSE? I WOULD BE REMISS BY NOT RECOGNIZING THE WORK THAT EVERYBODY DOES TO TO GET US HERE.
OKAY. ABSOLUTELY. I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
BUT IT TAKES PEOPLE LOOKING AT THOSE NUMBERS TO SAY, HEY, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO CUT A LITTLE BIT HERE, YOU KNOW, AND BE CAREFUL ABOUT THIS TO GET US TO THE POSITION THAT WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW. SO THANK YOU.
[01:30:10]
IT IS AN ADDITIONAL 40 PLUS PAGES.THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
ALL THE DIRECTORS, EVERYBODY KEEP AN EYE ON THOSE ENTERPRISE FUNDS FOR US BOTH.
YOU GUYS, BOTH YOU GUYS, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
SECOND. SECOND. IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE VOTE BY ROLE.
COUNCIL MEMBER. RAINA I COUNCIL MEMBER.
ARENA. SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER.
SALDANA TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION.
MOTION IS APPROVED WITH FOUR EYES WITH COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ ABSENT.
THANK YOU. VERY WELL. MOVING ON TO ITEM 14, A CURRENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
[14) a. Kern Economic Development Corporation (Garcia) ]
OUR NEXT MEETING ISN'T UNTIL APRIL 25TH.[14) b. Kern Council of Government (Reyna) ]
MOVING ON TO ITEM 14, B CURRENT COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS, MISTER REINA.THANK YOU, MAYOR. YOU KNOW, LAST TIME I WAS UNABLE TO REPORT ON THE MEETING, THE PREVIOUS MEETING THAT WE HAD, BUT WE HAD A MEETING SINCE. AND I KNOW THAT, CURRENT STAFF, HAD A MEETING WITH OUR STAFF, TO DISCUSS THE ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS AND HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
SO I DON'T WANT TO MENTION EACH LITTLE ONE OF THEM BECAUSE IT'S REALLY DETAILED ABOUT IT.
BUT, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE OUT THERE, LOOKING OUT FOR THINGS THAT WE CAN ACHIEVE THROUGH, CURRENT COG. ASSIGNED MONIES.
OKAY, THAT MANY OF THEM ARE ASSIGNED, BASED IN POPULATION.
AND ALSO WHENEVER WE REQUEST, A SPECIFIC FUNDING FOR SPECIFIC PROJECTS.
I KNOW EVERY TIME I QUESTION SOMETHING BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I DO, RIGHT? I MEAN, I JUST SEE THINGS AND I, I QUESTION THEM, AND SO THEY ALWAYS SAY WASCO STAFF ARE ALWAYS ON TOP OF IT.
SO I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU FOR DOING THAT.
SO HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET THOSE DONE WITHIN THIS YEAR.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE TIMELINES ARE FOR THEM, BUT HEY, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.
THANK YOU. I'LL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE ANY.
I KNOW A PRINCIPLE THAT WOULDN'T FIND THOSE BORING, THOSE UPDATES, TRUST ME.
BUT, ANYWAY, IT'S ALL GOOD, INFRASTRUCTURE FOR OUR CITY.
AND, IT'LL MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR THOSE OF US THAT USE THE ROAD, WHICH IS EVERYONE, RIGHT? ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU.
AND INVITE ANYONE TO TO PICK MR. RAYNA'S BRAIN, AS HE HAS A WEALTH OF INFORMATION AS HE REPRESENTS US ON THE CURRENT COG, AND I MEAN THAT.
SERIOUSLY. THANK YOU. WASCO TASK FORCE, MR.
[14) c. Wasco Task Force (Medina, Saldaña) ]
MEDINA. SALDANA.WE'LL JUST BE MEETING NEXT WEEK ON THURSDAY, 6 P.M., LOCATION TBD.
[15) a. Kern County Fire Department (Appleton)]
REPORTS FROM KERN COUNTY FIRE AND SHERIFF CHIEF ALBERTSON.[15) b. Kern County Sheriff’s Department (Stout) ]
GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. HONORABLE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL.AND, I JUST WANT TO NOTE THE, DEPUTIES, CONDUCTED OPERATION ON FEBRUARY 8TH AT APPROXIMATELY 9:00 IN THE MORNING, IN WHICH WE HAD INFORMATION THAT, A SUBJECT FROM LAST YEAR WAS DRIVING AROUND THE SHAFTER, WASCO AND DELANO AREA, POINTING HIS GUN AT GUN AT PEOPLE.
WE WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE VEHICLE AND, SUBJECT THE OWNER VEHICLE.
WE IDENTIFIED DAVID GARCIA OF LOST HILLS.
SUBJECT, SERVED A SEARCH WARRANT AT HIS RESIDENCE.
TOOK HIM INTO CUSTODY, WENT TO ANOTHER RESIDENCE AND ARRESTED ANOTHER JUVENILE 17 YEAR OLD.
AND WE LOCATED ONE FIREARM RELATED TO THAT INVESTIGATION.
AND, I VERY HAPPY ABOUT THIS, BUT I HAVE TO, DEFINITELY NAME THESE TWO DEPUTIES.
[01:35:06]
AND THEY WAS INVITED TO, GO TO CITY IN A COMMITTEE TO GIVE A ADVICE TO OTHER, TO GIVE AND RECEIVE ADVICE FROM OTHER AGENCIES ON THEIR DUIS.AND I'M REALLY PROUD OF WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
AND SO, OUR DEPUTIES CONTINUE TO WORK HARD TO SERVE THE, TO THE CITY OF WASCO.
ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU, SERGEANT.
THANK YOU. AND WE ARE ALSO WE JOIN YOU IN THAT PRAYER.
SERGEANT. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER.
[16)REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER]
YES, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.SOME OF THE SAME THINGS ARE GOING ON.
I DO HAVE SOME UPDATED STATISTICS FROM OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT STAFFING.
WE HAVE NOW FILLED 26 FULL TIME PAID STAFF POSITIONS OUT OF AN APPROVED 31 POSITIONS, INCLUDING THREE OATHS OF OFFICE THIS MORNING FOR DISPATCHERS.
WE HAVE A TOTAL OF, 46 COMPLETED.
AESOPH IS THE SOFTWARE WE USE FOR PROCESSING APPLICANTS AND 16 MORE IN PROCESS.
OUT OF 62 TOTAL, WE HAD NINE WITHDRAW, 13 DISQUALIFIED AND 26 HIRED.
I CAN REMEMBER A TIME, AND I'M SURE THE CHIEF CAN TOO, WHERE 2 TO 4% SURVIVAL RATE WAS THE NORM FOR APPLICANT TO ACTUAL, OFFER OF OF EMPLOYMENT.
SO I MAY I ASK A QUESTION ABOUT THAT? SURE. DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THAT TO THE FACT THAT WE ARE ABLE WE'RE BEING ABLE OKAY.
WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ATTRACT, PEOPLE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.
AND SO WE'RE NOT DEALING WITH, PEOPLE THAT ARE JUST BARELY ENTERING, ALTHOUGH WE HAVE SOME OF THOSE, BARELY ENTERING INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT WHETHER WE HAVE MANY WHO HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF KNOWLEDGE AND AS A RESULT, ALSO THEY THEY ARE ABLE TO PASS THIS, SCRUTINY.
RIGHT. THE ATTRIBUTE THAT I THINK, YEAH, THERE ARE PROBABLY SEVERAL DIFFERENT REASONS, BUT, A MORE, A MORE SERIOUS, LABOR POOL PERHAPS THERE AREN'T AS MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE JUST.
OH, I THINK I'LL BE A COP TODAY.
RIGHT, RIGHT. SO WE'VE GOT MORE SERIOUS APPLICANTS.
WE'VE GOT A, A GOOD STORY TO TELL HERE.
WITH OUR STARTUP AND WITH OUR CHIEF AND WITH THE FOLKS WE'VE ALREADY BEEN ABLE TO RECRUIT.
AND THE PROCESS THAT WE'RE USING, IS, I THINK IT DISCOURAGES FOLKS THAT ARE JUST WANTING TO MOVE FROM, YOU KNOW, A CLERK JOB TO, TO BE A POLICE OFFICER OR BEING THOROUGH.
DIDN'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT. SO, I THINK I THINK WE HAVE 16 FOLKS IN BACKGROUND AND FIVE SPOTS TO FILL. I THINK OUR ODDS ARE GOOD.
AND AND WE KNOW THAT WE CAN GO LIVE, EVEN WITHOUT ALL 31 POSITIONS FILLED.
SO MAKING TERRIFIC PROGRESS IN THAT REGARD.
ARE YOU READY TO GO LIVE FROM A STAFFING STANDPOINT? YES, FROM A TECHNOLOGY STANDPOINT AND A STATE OF CALIFORNIA REGULATORY STANDPOINT, ALMOST.
THAT'S ENOUGH. THAT'S ENOUGH CHATTER OVER THERE.
SERGEANT STOUT HAS BEEN LIVING THIS ADVENTURE WITH US.
SO THAT'S HE'S ALLOWED TO CHUCKLE.
VERY WELL. SO THAT'S GOING WELL.
WE DO HAVE, SPEAKING OF DATES, SAVE THE DATE.
KERN COBB REGIONAL AWARDS, MARCH 7TH.
THAT'S. SO THAT'S SNEAKING UP ON US.
YOU SHOULD HAVE RSVP'D BY NOW.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, THEY'VE STOPPED ACCEPTING, ANY ADDITIONAL.
OR WAS THAT THE OTHER ONE? THERE WAS A NOTE ON THAT TODAY.
THEY STOPPED ACCEPTING, REQUESTS AND RSVP.
CITY LEADERS SUMMIT COMING UP IN APRIL.
AGAIN, VISIT WITH THE CITY CLERK IS THAT'S STILL OPEN.
I WON'T BUG YOU ABOUT IT AGAIN.
COMMUNITY CLEANUP COMING MARCH 9TH.
[01:40:06]
IN THE PAST THEY HAVE DONE IT.I DON'T KNOW IF WE FOUND MORE DETAILS ON THAT.
WE'VE ALREADY SENT THE CALENDAR INVITES TO.
SO YOU HAVE THAT WE'RE TAKING CARE OF THERE.
AND THEN THE NEXT COMMUNITY BREAKFAST WILL BE MARCH 6TH, 7 A.M., AND MAYBE NOT AT THE COURTHOUSE.
WE'LL SEND IT. SO EMAIL INVITE AND THEN WE I MENTIONED LAST MEETING NO SNIP EVENT THIS MONTH, BUT WE WILL HAVE 1ST MARCH 13TH.
AND LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST ARE IF YOU ALL RECALL THE FABULOUS, VIDEO STARRING MYSELF IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR ABOUT OUR, OUR ASPHALT ZIPPER IS A FULL MONTH, MAYBE MORE THAN A MONTH AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.
IT WILL BE DELIVERED THIS WEEK.
SO WHICH ALLEY WILL YOU BE? YOU. WILL YOU BE, WORKING ON? WELL. ENOUGH TIME. ENOUGH TIME HAS PASSED.
WE MAY HAVE TO DO THAT FIRST ONE AGAIN.
OH. BUT, YEAH, WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO LINING UP A SERIES OF PROJECTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.
AND WHEN YOU HAVE ONE MORE, CAN I ADD ONE MORE? JUST A REMINDER FOR THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO SUBMIT THEIR 700.
AND AND YOUR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT FOR THE STRATEGIC MEETING I HAVEN'T.
IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE THAT, BE SURE AND SEND THAT TO, TO ISRAEL.
SCOTT. REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL.
[17)REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL]
MAYOR PRO TEM. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TONIGHT? I DO NOT.MAYOR. WELL, I'M OUT THERE, AND I SAY IT FREQUENTLY THAT WAY, YOU KNOW, LOOKING FOR WAYS TO BETTER OUR CITY.
SO I RECENTLY SPOKE TO DAVID COUCH ABOUT, FUNDING FOR OUR POLICE STATION.
I HAD BEEN GIVEN SOME INFORMATION THAT HE HAD DONE THAT A FEW YEARS BACK.
THAT SOURCE OF FUNDING IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
HE DID RECOMMEND THAT WE TAKE A CDBG LOAN AND GRANTS TO PAY FOR THAT LOAN.
SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT STAFF CAN LOOK INTO IT.
AND HOPEFULLY THAT WOULD BE ONE WAY TO, GET ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
I ALSO MET, MELISSA HURTADO ON FRIDAY.
I ALSO ASKED HER FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR OUR POLICE STATION.
SHE DID MENTION TO ME THAT THE THE BUDGET SHORTFALL HAS BALLOONED TO 75 MILLION.
SO THE CHANCES OF GETTING MONEY FROM THE STATE ARE PRETTY SLIM.
I ALSO HAD, I HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT A MONTH AGO WITH DAVID ABOUT, BUILDING, SHOULDERS ON THE ROADS THAT CONNECT TO WASCO BOTH ON THE SOUTH AND THE, AND THE NORTH OF WASCO, AND ALSO SOME OF THE ONES THAT GO WEST. AND SO HE SAID, WELL, LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS.
YEAH, THE COUNTY WOULD BE INTERESTED IN DOING THIS.
AND WE ARE NOT TOO FAR FROM FILBURN TO THE COUNTY RIGHT OF WAY.
AND SO THEY SAID, HEY, YOU KNOW WHAT? ONCE THE COUNTY IS THERE, WE COULD JUST DO IT ALL AND WE WOULD HAVE TO APPLY, CONCURRENTLY FOR FUNDING, AND THEN THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO DO THE WORK FOR US.
SO I THINK THAT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
AND, SO I HOPE THAT WE CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
[01:45:01]
AND WE JUST PROVIDE THE FUNDING AS WE GET IT.SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
I ALSO WHEN DURING THE RIBBON CUTTING AND GRAND OPENING OF THE CALIFORNIA HOME PROS AND THE THE CALIFORNIA HOME LOANS AND AS WELL AS POPS WAS IT THE THE THE THE BARBER SHOP? THANK YOU. I SPOKE TO TYLER CORTEZ ABOUT, TAKING ON, SPEARHEADING A, AT THE TIME, I SPOKE TO HIM ABOUT A DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION.
SCOTT HAD SUGGESTED THAT MAYBE HE WANT TO TACKLE A, WHAT DO YOU CALL IT, A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE? YES. AND SO I HAVE GONE BACK TO TYLER AT THE TIME.
HE SAID HE WOULD DO IT, AND HE SAYS, I JUST NEED TO GET CLEARANCE.
AND, YOU KNOW, FROM WHO HIS WIFE.
HE NEEDED AN APPROVAL FROM HER.
AND I FOLLOWED UP WITH HIM AND HE SAYS HE'S GOING TO DO IT.
AND SO I HOPE THAT, I DON'T HOPE I KNOW THAT HE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN.
I THINK THAT IN THE PAST WE HAVE HAD BOTH AND THEY HAVE ALWAYS FALLEN APART.
SO, THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE BEEN DOING.
ANYTHING TO ADD? NOTHING TO ADD.
SO GO AHEAD. AND I HAVE NOTHING TO ADD EITHER.
[18)CLOSED SESSION]
WE'LL BE MOVING INTO CLOSED SESSION.WE HAVE ITEMS 18 A THROUGH 18 C, AND WE'LL BE RETURNING FOR ADJOURNMENT FOLLOWING CLOSED SESSION.
IF YOU GO TO THE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC IF THERE'S ANY.
OH, I DIDN'T ASK FOR A PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC.
I'M SORRY. WELL, I MEAN, OH, I'M SORRY.
YES, WE DO HAVE TO ASK FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS. DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS? 18 A THROUGH 18 C THIS EVENING? SEEING NONE. WE'LL NOW ENTER INTO THE CLOSED SESSION AND RETURN TO REPORT OUT SOON.
EHMCKE. A MINUTES WERE APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
YEAH. WHAT'S NOT PRESENT? SIGN RIGHT THERE.
NO REPORTABLE ACTION ON 18 B NOR ON 18 C.
CAN I HAVE THE VOTES FOR 18 A, 18 A FOR MOTION BY MOTION.
IS YOUR WIFE GOING WITH YOU? NO. MOTION BY 18.
SECONDED. I THINK IT WAS THIS GUY.
WAS IT YOU WHO WAS SECONDED BY THE MAYOR? SECONDED BY SALDANA.
OH, GOOD. OKAY. TO APPROVE THE CLOSED SESSION.
NO REPORTABLE ACTION ATV AND SAY I THINK.
MEETING ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.