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>> I'D LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
[1) CALL TO ORDER]
IT IS NOW 6:00 PM.MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. IF YOU'RE ABLE, PLEASE STAND FOR A FLAG SALUTE AND REMAIN STANDING FOR AN INVOCATION BY YOUR POLICE CHAPLAIN, MIKE LYNCH.
>> THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THE SEASON THAT WE ARE JUST OBSERVING, EASTER, THE DAY OF OUR RISEN SAVIOR.
WE THANK YOU, LORD, FOR TONIGHT.
AS WE CONDUCT BUSINESS, I PRAY, LORD, THAT YOU WILL BE WITH EACH ONE OF THE COUNCILMEN THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT, THAT DECISIONS ARE MADE WISELY.
BE WITH THE OFFICERS THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT TO BE SWORN IN, ADDED TO OUR NEW POLICE DEPARTMENT.
LORD, WE PRAY FOR SAFETY FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM, AND ALL OF THE FIREFIGHTERS AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS HERE IN TOWN.
WE ASK, LORD, THAT YOU BE WITH EACH FAMILY THAT'S REPRESENTED HERE TONIGHT AS WELL, AND I PRAY THIS IN JESUS' PRECIOUS NAME. AMEN.
>> THANK YOU, MR. LYNCH. WE'LL MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT SINCE THERE ARE NO PRESENTATIONS THIS EVENING.
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 TONIGHT'S AGENDA.
THIS WILL LIMIT COUNCIL MEMBERS' RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS DURING THIS COMMENT PERIOD.
AT THIS TIME, ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? SEEING NONE, WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM 9, NEW EMPLOYEE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ARE THERE ANY ONLINE COMMENTS, MADAM CLERK?
>> THERE ARE NO EMAIL COMMENTS FOR THIS ITEM OR ANY OTHER ITEM ON THIS AGENDA.
>> VERY WELL. THANK YOU. NOW WE MAY PROCEED WITH ITEM 9,
[9) NEW EMPLOYEE POLICE DEPARTMENT BADGE PINNING CEREMONY]
NEW EMPLOYEE POLICE DEPARTMENT BADGE PINNING CEREMONY FOR ANGEL SANCHEZ, POLICE OFFICER, AND LARRY MORRIS, POLICE OFFICER.AFTER THE PINNING OF THE BADGE THIS EVENING, THE CITY CLERK WILL ADMINISTER AN OATH OF OFFICE AND WE'LL TAKE A BRIEF RECESS FOR FAMILIES TO TAKE PHOTOS.
>> GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
TONIGHT WE HAVE TWO BADGE PINNINGS, TWO NEW OFFICERS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, BOTH OF WHOM JUST COMPLETED A MONTH-LONG RECERTIFICATION SCHOOL UP IN SAN JOSE SO THAT THEY'RE FULLY QUALIFIED AND READY TO GO TO WORK.
AS YOU KNOW, I NEVER PREPARE ANYTHING WHEN I COME UP HERE TO DO THESE PINNINGS.
BUT TONIGHT IS SOMEWHAT UNIQUE TO ME IN THE SENSE THAT ONE OF THE MEMBERS THAT WE'RE PINNING TONIGHT, HIS MOTHER HAD SOME VERY PARTICULAR CONCERNS ABOUT HIS SAFETY AND ABOUT WHETHER HE SHOULD RE-ENTER LAW ENFORCEMENT AFTER BEING AWAY.
WE HAD A BRIEF DISCUSSION TONIGHT WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE AND I ASSURED ANGEL'S MOTHER THAT AS I WOULD ALL OF THE MOTHERS OF ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT WORK FOR US, THAT I DON'T TAKE ANY OF THE ISSUES WITH STAFF LIGHTLY.
OBVIOUSLY, IT'S MY JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY REMAIN SAFE AND THAT WE PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM WHERE THEY CAN THRIVE AND FLOURISH.
MY PROMISE TO YOU, MA'AM, IS THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I TRY TO DO EVERY DAY.
I ALSO TOLD HER THIS EVENING THAT I'M NOT AFRAID OF MUCH.
BUT THE ONE THING I WAS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED OF WAS RUNNING INTO ANGEL'S MOTHER ON THE STREET.
I EXPRESSED THAT [INAUDIBLE] TOLD ME, HE SAID, YEAH, SHE'S VERY CONCERNED.
ANYWAY, WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO GO ON WITH A BADGE PINNING TONIGHT.
THE FIRST ONE WILL BE ANGEL SANCHEZ.
PINNING HIM TONIGHT WILL BE HIS SON, ANGEL JUNIOR.
INTERESTING STORY ABOUT ANGEL.
ANGEL WORKED IN SHAFTER AT SHAFTER PD WITH ME WHEN I WAS THERE.
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THEN HE LEFT AND WENT OFF TO BE AN ENGINEER ON THE TRAIN AND DECIDED THAT HE WANTED TO BE BACK IN WASCO WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN THE COMMUNITY HE GREW UP IN, AND WANTED TO COME BACK AS A POLICE OFFICER.ONE OF THE FIRST POLICE OFFICERS FOR THE CITY OF WASCO.
ANGEL, IF YOU WOULD, WOULD YOU PLEASE [INAUDIBLE]? LITTLE BLOOD'S OKAY.
>> [LAUGHTER] TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. YOU GOT THIS. [APPLAUSE]
>> [BACKGROUND] THEN SECONDLY LARRY MORRIS.
LARRY, WOULD YOU COME UP, PLEASE? JUST A LITTLE SOMETHING ABOUT BOTH OF THESE GENTLEMEN.
I MENTIONED THAT THEY'D BEEN TO RECERTIFICATION SCHOOL.
THEY WERE GONE FOR ACTUALLY A MONTH, WASN'T IT? IT SEEMED LIKE SIX MONTHS.
BUT YOU MIGHT ASK YOURSELF, WELL, WHY WOULD WE TAKE THE TIME TO PROVIDE THAT TRAINING AND BRING THESE PEOPLE IN? STANDING BEFORE YOU, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IS 21 YEARS WORTH OF LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE, 11 WITH LARRY AND 10 WITH ANGEL.
THEY HAVE A MYRIAD OF EXPERIENCE.
ANGEL HAS GOT A LOT OF TRAINING AND EXPERTISE IN DUI INVESTIGATION AND ACCIDENT SCENE TRAFFIC-TYPE WORK.
LARRY HAS BEEN AN SRO, A SCHOOL RESOURCES OFFICER.
HE'S ALSO SERVED AS A FIELD TRAINING OFFICER WHEN HE WORKED UP IN DELANO AND TONIGHT HE'S GOING TO BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE, ERICA MORRIS.
HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU DONE THAT? [LAUGHTER]. [APPLAUSE].
>> GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU FOR COMING TO THE WASCO POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING FAITH IN ME TO BE YOUR CHIEF.
I CERTAINLY TAKE THAT AS A VERY SERIOUS OBLIGATION [APPLAUSE].
I'M GOING TO TURN THIS TO THE SIDE, HOPE I DON'T COVER ANYBODY.
>> GENTLEMEN, HOW ABOUT A COUPLE STEPS FORWARD? [LAUGHTER].
>> IF YOU CAN PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
I DO SOLEMNLY OR AFFIRM THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AGAINST ALL ENEMY, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE, FAITH, AND ILLUSION TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
THAT I WILL TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION OR PURPOSE OF EVASION, AND THAT I WILL WELL AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES UPON WHICH I'M ABOUT TO ENTER ROUND OF APPLAUSE [APPLAUSE].
[00:10:02]
>> BEFORE WE TAKE A RECESS, DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS FROM STAFF OR COUNCIL MEMBERS? VICE MAYOR, MEDINA.
>> JUST WELCOME ON BOARD, CHIEF.
DOES THAT PUT US TO WHERE OUR GOAL IS OR BE PRETTY CLOSE TO IT?
>> WE'RE VERY CLOSE, SIR. IN FACT, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THE BACKGROUND NOW, I EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO STAY ON THE LIST.
>> THAT'S AWESOME. THAT'S GREAT. WELCOME ON BOARD, GENTLEMEN. MEMBER REYNA?
>> ANGEL, I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE YOU.
I THINK THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU, YOU WERE A TEENAGER [LAUGHTER].
AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER ME.
MY SON GILBERT. BUT ANYWAY, CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH.
IT'S WONDERFUL TO SEE OUR PEOPLE FROM WASCO BECOME PART OF THIS NEW VENTURE WHICH IS THE WASCO POLICE DEPARTMENT.
SO WELCOME AND I WISH YOU ALL MUCH SUCCESS.
>> MEMBER SODANIA, ANYTHING TO ADD?
>> JUST WELCOME ON BOARD AND THANK YOU GUYS AND THANK THE FAMILY FOR MAKING THE LEAP TO JOINING THE WASCO POLICE DEPARTMENT. THANK YOU GUYS.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND WELCOME TO THE CITY OF WASCO.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO BOTH YOU GUYS.
THERE ARE REALLY GOOD THINGS ABOUT EVERYBODY.
I'VE KNOWN ANGEL FOR A LONG TIME, SO THAT DOESN'T APPLY TO HIM.
I WAS HAPPY TO SEE YOUR NAME ON THE LIST, ANGEL, AND WELCOME TO THE CITY.
YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO DO SOME GOOD THINGS FOR OUR CITY, I'M SURE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO ECHO THOSE COMMENTS.
THANK YOU TO THE FAMILIES AND TO THE MOMS AND THE WIVES, EVERYBODY.
LIKE I'VE ALWAYS SAID, IT'S A FAMILY.
PUBLIC SERVICE IS A FAMILY ENDEAVOR EVEN IN PUBLIC SAFETY. SO THANK YOU.
AND I THINK WE AGREE WITH CHIEF FIVECOAT IN DOING OUR BEST TO SUPPORT THIS POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ALL OF OUR OFFICERS SERVING WASCO.
SO THANK YOU ALL. WE'LL TAKE A BRIEF RECESS NOW.
THANK YOU. AND THEN WE'LL RESUME IN FIVE MINUTES.
>> DO YOU THINK IT'S GOING TO BE THAT LONG? YOU HAVE TO RESERVE.
> I DO. I'M SORRY. THAT IS MY FAULT.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND START WITH OUR REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE STATE ASSEMBLY AND STATE SENATE.
HOW ABOUT YOU GO FIRST, CLARIBEL OR JANET, WHATEVER WENT FIRST [LAUGHTER].
>> WELL, WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GAVE.
SO IT'S AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE THAT YOUR FAMILY ALLOWS TO SHARE YOU GUYS WITH OUR RESIDENTS IN OUR DISTRICT, 35TH, IN THE CITY OF WASCO.
AND ON BEHALF OF THE ASSEMBLY WOMAN, SHE WANTS TO CONGRATULATIONS AND BE SAFE AND HAVE A BLESSED AND JUST DO THE RIGHT THING AT ALL TIMES WHEN THEY SEE YOU OR WHEN THEY DON'T SEE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE THE LEAD THAT'S GOING TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE IN OUR CITY.
SO HAPPY RESIDENTS, HAPPY YOU.
SO ON BEHALF OF THE ASSEMBLYWOMAN, DR. JASMEET BAINES, WE'RE GIVING A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION AND HONOR OF BECOMING A POLICE OFFICER OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN WASCO TO ANGEL SANCHEZ [APPLAUSE].
ALSO ON BEHALF OF THE ASSEMBLYWOMAN, DR JASMEET BAINES, AS A DOCTOR, SHE WISHES NOTHING TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GUYS ARE SAFE AND WELL.
AND WE ALSO HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR BECOMING ONE OF THE POLICE OFFICERS OF THE FINEST WASCO POLICE DEPARTMENT, LARRY MORRIS [APPLAUSE].
>> MAKE SURE TO PUT THAT ON THE STATE RECORDS.
JEAN TAPIA, KERN COUNTY DISTRICT REP FOR STATE SENATOR MELISSA HURTADO.
AND ONCE AGAIN, IT IS A PLEASURE TO JOIN YOU ALL COUNSEL AND ALL OF THE COMMUNITY HERE WHO IS HERE TO SUPPORT OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THANK YOU TO YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE IN YOUR PAST EXPERIENCES SERVING VARIOUS COMMUNITIES HERE WITHIN SENATE DISTRICT 16.
ON BEHALF OF THE SENATOR, WE JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE DONE.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU WILL DO.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU TO THE FAMILY AND THE PARENTS FOR GIVING YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY TO KEEP US SAFE.
AND SO ON BEHALF OF THE SENATOR, I ALSO HAVE A CERTIFICATE I'D LIKE TO PRESENT TO LARRY MORRIS, POLICE OFFICER, AND TO ANGEL SANCHEZ, POLICE OFFICER.
>> FINISH MY M&M'S. ALL RIGHT.
LET'S GO AND BRING THIS MEETING BACK TO ORDER.
[10) CONSENT CALENDAR]
WE CAN MOVE ON WITH ITEM 10 OR TWO, ITEM 10.[00:15:02]
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS CONSENT CALENDAR.THE CONSENT CALENDAR CONSISTS OF ITEMS THAT ARE ROUTINE AND NONCONTROVERSIAL.
AS ALWAYS, IN THE STAFF'S OPINION, THESE ITEMS ARE APPROVED IN ONE MOTION UNLESS COUNCIL MEMBER OR A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REQUESTS REMOVAL OF ANY PARTICULAR ITEM.
THIS EVENING, WE HAVE ITEMS 10 A THROUGH 10 I.
AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO ASK THE MEMBERS IF THEY HAVE ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ON ANY PARTICULAR ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
>> I HAVE NONE EITHER. IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE ANY ITEMS THIS EVENING? SEEING NONE, ARE THERE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE ANY ITEMS?
>> ITEM I JUST FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
>> I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL ON ALL ITEMS, SEPARATE CONSIDERATION ON ITEM I.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE RULE?
>> MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM MEDINA TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR WITH ITEM 10 I BEING TABLED TO FURTHER DISCUSSION.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. MEMBER, REYNA.
[10) i. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute a $240,000.00 purchase order with NIXON-EGLI Equipment Co., a Source Well partner, to purchase a new lift truck 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 15378, no environmental review is required.]
>> YEAH, I JUST WANTED A LITTLE BIT FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS PURCHASE OF A TRUCK.
WAS THIS PART OF OUR PROJECTS THAT WE HAD PLANNED TO PURCHASE OR IS THIS SOMETHING THAT JUST CAME UP?
>> NO, THIS WAS AND I'LL ALLOW PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TO COMMENT IN DETAIL.
>> SO YES, ORIGINALLY IT WAS JUST THE PURCHASE OF A BUMPER TOW UNIT BY ITSELF AND WE DECIDED TO OPT OUT AND NOT GO WITH THE UNIT.
AFTER TESTING IT OUT FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, IT WAS PRETTY UNSTABLE.
IT WAS GOOD FOR THE LOWER LIGHTS.
BUT ONCE YOU GET HIGHER TO THE BIGGER LIGHTS COMING INTO THROUGH 43, COMING INTO WASCO, IT DIDN'T REACH.
VERY UNSTABLE, UNSAFE FOR STAFF.
STAFF CONTINUOUSLY LOOKING FOR A BETTER OPTION RAN INTO THIS UNIT HERE THROUGH A SOURCE WORK CONTRACT WHICH IS A BETTER OPTION.
SAFER, HAS ALL THE OUTRIGGERS, EVERYTHING YOU NEED.
>> I READ THE REPLY. I WAS JUST CURIOUS BECAUSE ORIGINALLY YOU WERE JUST GOING TO PURCHASE THE ARM, RIGHT?
>> AND ATTACH IT TO AN EXISTING TRUCK?
>> CORRECT. SO IT WOULD TOW LIKE A TRAILER.
SO IT WAS A BUMPER TOW, YOU WOULD HOOK IT TO A TRUCK AND YOU COULD TOW IT AROUND.
BUT WHEN YOU GET TO THE HIGHER LIGHTS, IT'S NOT. IT'S UNSTABLE.
>> WELL, THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO HEAR BECAUSE I READ THE REPORT AND I WAS JUST WONDERING WHETHER THIS WAS PART OF OUR ORIGINAL PROJECT THAT WE HAD IN ADDITION TO COMPLETE FOR THE YEAR.
SO IT'S A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY.
>> IT'S ALMOST A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DISCUSS IT.
IN THE FUTURE, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS ITEM NOT TO BE ON CONSENT WHEN THERE'S SUCH A LARGE ITEM, BUT BRING IT UP FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
THAT WILL BE NICELY, THAT WAY.
I MOVED TO APPROVE IT IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS HERE.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED BY MEMBER MARTINEZ.
>> MOTION. OKAY. MAYOR GARCIA?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA, SORRY. SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ TO APPROVE ITEM 10 I.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. WE CAN NOW MOVE ON TO NEW BUSINESS.
[13) a. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or designee to finalize and execute a Utility Relocation Agreement with California Department of Transportation necessitated by the Conflict 8001 Hwy 46 Roundabout Project; 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. (Hurlbert) ]
ITEM 13 A, ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR DOES HE NEED TO CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REGARDING THE UTILITY RELOCATION AGREEMENT NECESSITATED BY THE CONFLICT 8001 ROUNDABOUT PROJECT AND FIND THAT THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT AS DEFINED UNDER THE SEQUEST STATE GUIDELINES.THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO STATE GUIDELINES SECTION 15060C3, NO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED. CITY MANAGER, BERT.
>>YES. HONORABLE MAYOR, AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, AS YOU ARE AWARE, THERE IS A ROUNDABOUT PROJECT DESTINED FOR
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THAT INTERSECTION OF 43 NORTH WITH HIGHWAY 46 AND J STREET.AND PART OF THAT REQUIRES REMOVAL AND OUR RELOCATION OF A NUMBER OF UTILITIES, INCLUDING CITY WATER LINES.
THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN DRAGGING ON FOR QUITE A WHILE, THE NUMBER OF DESIGN ITERATIONS.
FINALLY, WE'RE NEARING THE END OF THAT CYCLE.
BUT THERE'S AN AGREEMENT THAT WILL BE IN PLACE THAT COVERS THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE ROLES OF EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT.
KEY IN THAT IS, THERE'S A TERM KNOWN AS BETTERMENT, WHERE A STATE FUNDED PROJECT, WHEN THERE ARE COSTS FOR RELOCATION OR REPLACEMENT OF FACILITIES, YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL THAT IT DOESN'T CONSTITUTE WHAT'S KNOWN AS A BETTERMENT, WHERE THE MUNICIPALITY OR THE PROPERTY OWNER DOESN'T END UP WITH SOMETHING SUBSTANTIALLY BETTER THAN WHAT THEY HAD BEFORE.
THIS HAS BEEN A STICKING POINT IN OUR AGREEMENT NEGOTIATIONS, BUT WE NOW BELIEVE WE ARE CLOSE TO FINALIZING THAT.
THE CALTRANS FOLKS NOW AGREE THAT ANYTHING THAT IS PART OF THEIR PROJECT DESIGN, NO MATTER WHAT IT IS, IF THEY APPROVE THE DESIGN AND THE PLANS, THAT IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A BETTERMENT.
SO WE ARE IN THE FACE OFF PERIOD OF THIS WHERE WE WANT THOSE WORDS TO BE IN THE AGREEMENT.
AND ONCE THAT'S DONE, THEN I WOULD LIKE AUTHORIZATION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT.
I DON'T KNOW THAT I LEFT ANY IMPORTANT DETAILS OUT OF THAT.
>> OKAY. SO THAT'S WHERE WE ARE AND SO REALLY WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR TONIGHT IS JUST AUTHORIZATION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT FINAL NEGOTIATION OF WORDING ON THE AGREEMENT, GET IT EXECUTED, AND GET THEM MOVING FORWARD.
>> GOT IT. OKAY. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM 13 A THIS EVENING? ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM MEDINA?
>> SCOTT, CAN YOU SPEAK ABOUT THIS WATER PIPES THAT ARE GOING TO BE PUT ON THERE? I DON'T HAVE THAT REPORT IN FRONT OF ME.
>> SO SPECIFICALLY THE BETTERMENT DISCUSSION IS AROUND, RIGHT NOW THERE ARE THREE WATER CROSSINGS AT THAT SECTION.
ONE WAS ON THE CURRENT AND SOON TO BE OLD BNSF BRIDGE, THERE IS A WATER LINE THERE.
THERE WAS ANOTHER ONE ABOUT HALFWAY BETWEEN THERE AND J STREET THAT WENT UNDER THE EXISTING HIGHWAY AND SERVE THE OTHER SIDE, CONNECTED NORTH AND SOUTH.
AND THEN A THIRD ONE THAT'S VERY NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF J STREET AND 46.
THE BRIDGE IS GOING TO COME DOWN.
THAT SECTION OF PIPE WILL NOT BE REPLACED.
THE SECONDARY CROSSING THAT'S HALFWAY BETWEEN THERE AND J STREET IS GOING TO BE REMOVED AND ABANDONED. THAT WILL GO AWAY.
THE CITY'S CONTENTION WAS WELL, WE BETTER PUT A SLIGHTLY LARGER PIPE IN PLACE OF THOSE OTHER, THE THREE AND IT BETTER BE IN A CASING SO THAT IF IT EVER NEEDS TO BE WORKED ON, WE WON'T DISRUPT THE ROUNDABOUT.
IT'LL BE ADJACENT TO THE ROUNDABOUT, NOT UNDER IT.
WE THINK IT SHOULD BE OF A SIZE THAT WILL ALLOW FOR FUTURE GROWTH WITHOUT TEARING UP THE BRAND NEW INTERSECTION AND PAVEMENT.
THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION, APPARENTLY IF YOU JUST FOLLOW THE LETTER OF THE CALTRANS PROCEDURES AND POLICIES, THEN THE INCREMENTAL VALUE ABOVE WHAT IS MINIMALLY NECESSARY WOULD CONSTITUTE A BETTERMENT.
> THIS NEGOTIATION PROTECTS THEM AS WELL BECAUSE IT PROTECTS THE ROUNDABOUT FROM BEING, AT ONE POINT, PERHAPS FLOODED OR EVEN UNDERMINED BY A WATER LEAK.
>> EARTHQUAKE. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT COULD DISRUPT THAT OR SIMPLY UNANTICIPATED GROWTH ON ONE SIDE OF THE CROSSING OR THE OTHER THAT NECESSITATES UPSIZING THE PIPE.
NOW IT WOULD BE A MATTER OF JUST CUTTING IT OFF AT BOTH ENDS.
SLIDING A BIGGER PIPE THROUGH VERSUS A RAW PIPE, YOU'D HAVE TO DIG UP THE WHOLE INTERSECTION.
IT IS BETTER FOR BOTH PARTIES AND IT'S A MINOR COST AND INCREASE COMPARED TO THE LARGER PROJECT.
AND I THINK THEY'VE NOW SEEN THE LIGHT.
>> SO IT'S BETTER, BUT NOT A BETTERMENT?
>> IT'S BETTER. IT'S SUPERIOR, NOT A BETTERMENT.
>> I THINK IT'S JUST FORWARD PLANNING.
>> YEAH, IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE OF US TO NOT DO WHAT WE'RE DOING.
>> KUDOS TO STAFF FOR HAVING THE FORESIGHT TO THINK ABOUT THIS AND LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE AND PROTECTING THE CITY AND THAT PROJECT AT THE SAME TIME. SO, THANK YOU.
[00:25:06]
>> INDEED. MEMBERS ON [INAUDIBLE] DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD?
>> THANK YOU. THEN I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED. I'LL SECOND.
MADAM CLERK WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE VOTE BY ROLE?
>> MOTION BY MAYOR, I'M SORRY, COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA, SECONDED BY MAYOR GARCIA TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. MOVING ON TO ITEM 13 B,
[13) b. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to execute all documents, including but not limited to agreements, amendments, and reports necessary for the creation of a Non-Profit Police Activity League Organization; 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 15378, no environmental review is required. (Hurlbert)]
ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, AGREEMENTS, AMENDMENTS, AND REPORTS NECESSARY FOR THE CREATION OF A NONPROFIT POLICE ACTIVITY ORGANIZATION.AND FIND THAT THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT AS DEFINED UNDER THE STATE GUIDELINES.
THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO STATE GUIDELINES SECTION 15378, NO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED.
>> HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THIS IS PERHAPS ONE OF THE FUN THINGS ABOUT STARTING UP THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AS WE WILL BE ABLE TO REACTIVATE RATHER THAN THE SAL, THE SHERIFF'S ACTIVITY LEAGUE, IT WILL NOW BECOME A PAL.
IN SOME CASES, WE COULD HAVE JUST TAKEN OVER THAT ORGANIZATION, INCLUDING THEIR TAX EXEMPT TAX ID BUT IN THIS CASE, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAS ONE THAT IS AN UMBRELLA THAT COVERS ALL OF THEIR PAL OPERATIONS FROM CITY TO CITY AND IT'S NOT TRANSFERABLE.
BEFORE US, WE'LL HAVE A LIST OF THINGS TO ACCOMPLISH, BEGINNING WITH THE SECURING A 501C3 TAX ID.
THERE'S A STATE ORGANIZATION OF PALS AND SALS THAT WE WILL ENGAGE WITH AND GO THROUGH THEIR GUIDELINES FOR THE SERIES OF STEPS NEEDED TO GET GOING.
WE ARE IN THE FINAL STAGES OF REVAMPING THE BUILDING OVER THERE THAT THE CITY ALREADY OWNS, BUT HAS TAKEN OVER.
YOU MAY RECALL, WE HAD A PROJECT TO DO THE DEMOLITION OF IT AND THE REMODELING OF IT, THE REFURBISHMENT.
BIDDING CLOSES ON THE 17TH OF THIS MONTH SO WE'RE HOPEFUL.
FOUR CONTRACTORS SO FAR HAVE TAKEN OUT THE BIDDING DOCUMENTS SO WE ANTICIPATE GETTING SOME OF THOSE BACK WITH HOPEFULLY COMPETITIVE BIDS.
BUT ALL THOSE STEPS WILL NEED TO BE COMPLETED TO REACTIVATE.
OF COURSE, WE'LL HAVE TO HAVE SUFFICIENT MANPOWER WITHIN OUR RANKS AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO ACTUALLY OPERATE SUCCESSFULLY.
BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THE PAL ACTUALLY DOES.
WE COULD TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.
BUT IT'S VERY EFFECTIVE IN DIVERTING YOUTH FROM NONPRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES TO HOPEFULLY PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES.
BUT MAYBE MORE IMPORTANTLY, ESTABLISHES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THOSE YOUTH AND THE OFFICERS AND THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY AS THEY VISIT THE BUILDING AND GET TO KNOW THEM AS PEOPLE, NOT JUST FOLKS WITH A BADGE AND A GUN, SO A VALUABLE RESOURCE.
LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING IT GOING.
IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, I'M ACTUALLY ASKING FOR AUTHORIZATION TO DO THINGS I'M NOT SURE WHAT YET IS ON THIS LIST, BUT IF WE COME UP WITH ANYTHING CONTROVERSIAL, I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE COUNCIL.
BUT TONIGHT I'M ASKING FOR JUST AUTHORIZATION TO MOVE FORWARD THROUGH ENABLING THE ORGANIZATION.
>> VERY WELL. THIS EVENING YOU'RE LOOKING FOR APPROVAL ON THIS ITEM WITH NO BUDGET ACTION THAT'S GOING TO.
>> NO BUDGET ACTION. I EXPECT THE EXPENSES TO BE NOMINAL.
THERE'LL PROBABLY BE A LITTLE BIT OF CITY ATTORNEY TIME TO REVIEW CONTRACTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT WITH THE STATE AND WITH THE IRS, BUT NOTHING SUBSTANTIAL.
>> VERY WELL. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM AT THIS TIME? ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR, PRO TEM MEDINA?
AGAIN, THIS IS A WONDERFUL ENDEAVOR THAT YOU ARE PURSUING.
AT THIS HEIGHT, THE SHERIFF'S ACTIVITY LEAGUE HAD OVER 100 MEMBERS.
THE POSITIVE IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY, THE YOUTH OF OUR COMMUNITY IS HUGE BECAUSE THESE ARE KIDS THAT ACTUALLY LOOK AT POLICE IN A VERY DIFFERENT MANNER THEY LOOK AT THEM AS A FRIEND, A MENTOR, RATHER THAN SOMEBODY THAT MIGHT ARREST THEM FOR SOMETHING THEY'RE DOING.
[00:30:02]
BECAUSE MOST OF THOSE KIDS WILL BE ACTUALLY DOING ACTIVITIES THAT ARE GOOD FOR THEM AND FOR THE COMMUNITY.I THINK THAT IT'LL BE EVEN BIGGER NOW THAT WE HAVE OUR OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WE KNOW THE REASONS BEHIND WHY THAT WOULD BE, AT LEAST I THINK WE ALL KNOW, WE HAVE A LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT AS OPPOSED TO THE SHERIFF AND THAT'S NOT DENIGRATING WHAT THE SHERIFF DID.
THEY DID A WONDERFUL JOB, BUT I THINK THIS WILL BE EVEN BETTER SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT.
YES, GO FIND ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO DO, EVEN THOSE THAT YOU HAVEN'T THOUGHT OF.
>> MEMBER SALDANA, ANYTHING TO ADD?
>> THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR MEDINA.
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM MEDINA TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
>> MADAM CLERK. WE CAN NOW MOVE ON TO ITEM 13C.
[13) c. Adopt the Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or designee to finalize and complete the purchase of additional Police Department Start-Up vehicles and safety equipment; 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 15378, no environmental review is required. (Hurlbert)]
ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO FINALIZE AND COMPLETE THE PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL POLICE DEPARTMENT START UP VEHICLES AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT.WE FIND THAT THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT AS DEFINED UNDER THE C QUEST STATE GUIDELINES.
THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO STATE GUIDELINES SECTION 15378, NO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED. MR. HERBERT?
>> YES, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THIS IS A LITTLE BIT OF A CLEAN UP ITEM HERE FOR SOME OF THE LAST MINUTE, THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE NEEDING AS WE START UP THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THAT TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE START UP BUDGET THAT THIS COUNCIL HAD ALREADY APPROVED PREVIOUSLY.
THERE'S STILL REMAINING FUNDS IN THAT START UP BUDGET.
WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY IF YOU RECALL, WE JUST MET WITH A CAR VEHICLE SUPPLIER WHO HAD A NUMBER OF EXCESS VEHICLES AND HAD PROVIDED WHAT WE HAVE SO FAR AND HE'S ACTUALLY BEEN HOLDING BACK SOME ADDITIONAL UNITS FOR US.
WE'D LIKE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE AT THIS TIME TO GET THREE MORE UNITS AND INCLUDING THE UP FITTING FROM THAT SAME SUPPLIER SAME UP FITTER.
THE VENDORS IN THIS CASE HAVE ALL BEEN PRE APPROVED AND PRE USED AND WE'VE HAD GOOD SUCCESS WITH.
THERE ARE ALSO THE DUTY WEAPONS FOR THE REMAINING OFFICERS THAT WILL BE COMING ON BOARD BETWEEN NOW AND FULL STAFFING, AND SOME AEDS, THE AUTOMATED DEFIBRILLATORS.
WE'LL HAVE A NUMBER OF THOSE THAT ARE CARRIED AT LEAST IN THE SERGEANT'S TRUNKS.
THERE WILL ALWAYS BE AT LEAST ONE ON DUTY DURING THE NORMAL SHIFT AND THOSE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO GO TO THE SCENE WHERE THEY MAY BE NEEDED AND SOME ADDITIONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT HELMETS AND SHIELDS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT HADN'T BEEN PURCHASED PRIOR.
ALL ALTOGETHER THE THREE VEHICLES AND THE REST OF THE EQUIPMENT I DESCRIBED IS JUST UNDER 300,000.
SHIPPING HASN'T BEEN FINALLY CALCULATED ON SOME OF THE ITEMS, BUT WE BELIEVE IT'LL COME IN UNDER THE 300,000.
IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS WITH THAT BETWEEN THE CHIEF AND I, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO ANSWER.
>> ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS MAYOR PRO TEM MEDINA?
>> I JUST HAD A QUESTION OF THE STAFF REPORT SAYS IT WILL BE FULLY OPERATIONAL THIS MONTH.
DOES THAT MEAN WE'RE GOING TO BE LAUNCHING THIS MONTH?
>> WE HAVE A TARGET DATE OF APRIL 18.
WE'RE TRYING TO REMAIN POSITIVE AND NOT EVEN TALK ABOUT THE THINGS THAT MIGHT PREVENT THAT.
ON THIS TOPIC, WE'VE STOPPED ASKING OUR VENDORS WHEN THINGS WILL BE READY AND WE'VE STARTED TELLING THEM WHEN THINGS WILL BE READY.
THE 18TH IS THE CURRENT TARGET.
THE CRITICAL PIECES ARE IN PLACE.
THERE ARE A COUPLE THINGS THAT MAY SLIP, BUT WE'VE ADOPTED A TERM FROM ONE OF OUR VENDORS, IF SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, IS IT A BLOCKER OR IS IT NOT A BLOCKER FROM GOING LIVE.
WE'VE JUST ABOUT EXHAUSTED THE BLOCKER ITEMS. REALLY AS OF LAST WEEK, LATE LAST WEEK, EARLY THIS WEEK, THERE ARE NO REAL BLOCKERS LEFT.
SOME MAY BE INCONVENIENCES FOR A SHORT TIME WHILE WE CATCH UP, BUT THAT'S THE PLAN.
[00:35:01]
ON THAT DATE, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT WOULD OFFICIALLY BE OUT OF THE CITY OF WASCO IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.>> ON THAT DATE, 911 TRAFFIC WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO OUR DISPATCH CENTER.
WHATEVER AMOUNT OF OVERLAP THERE IS IS BETWEEN THE SERGEANT AND OUR CHIEF TO NEGOTIATE.
I EXPECT IT'LL TAKE A LITTLE WHILE TO MAKE THE PHYSICAL TRANSITION.
ALL OF OUR FOLKS ARE ACROSS THE STREET, IN ESSENCE, AN ALL HANDS SHIFT EVERY DAY, AND WE'LL DROP TO A THIRD OF THAT, OR A QUARTER OF THE FOLKS WILL BE ON DUTY ON ANY GIVEN MINUTE OF THE DAY.
WE AREN'T GOING TO FULLY OCCUPY NEXT DOOR UNTIL WE'RE ACTUALLY THROUGH A COUPLE OF CYCLES OF THOSE SCHEDULES.
BUT THE 911 TRAFFIC IS REALLY THE DEMARCATION POINT.
THERE IS STILL A COUNTY COMPONENT TO THAT, THERE'S A STATE OS DOJ COMPONENT TO THAT, THERE'S HARDWARE COMPONENTS TO THAT.
AS OF EARLY THIS WEEK, ALL THE PHONE STUFF IS IN AND WORKING AND TESTED.
RECORDERS ARE WORKING AND TESTED SO IT'S VERY MUCH READY TO GO AND OUR STAFFING IS ABOVE WHAT WE HAD EVEN HOPED FOR AT THIS STAGE OF THE GAME.
THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT FULL STAFFING.
FULL STAFFING IS THIS MYTHICAL MODEL AND IT WELL COULD BE THAT WASCO WILL END UP BEING THE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN KERN COUNTY THAT IS TRULY FULLY STAFFED.
EVERY APPROVED POSITION WILL BE FILLED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.
>> IT'S A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION.
>> YES. ALONG THOSE LINES THERE WILL BE ASSUMING THE 18TH HOLDS, THERE WILL BE A VERY MODEST CELEBRATION IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING.
THERE REALLY ISN'T ROOM THERE BETWEEN THE HIGHWAY AND THE FRONT DOOR TO HOLD MUCH OF A BIG CELEBRATION.
THE CHIEF HAS BEEN WORKING ON A MORE GRAND SORT OF EVENT THAT THE PUBLIC CAN PARTAKE IN THAT WILL SCHEDULE FOR A LITTLE WHILE AFTER THE GO LIVE.
>> VERY WELL. THANK YOU. ANYTHING TO ADD MEMBER SALDANA?
>> COULD I ASK YOU, MEMBER REYNA?
I RECEIVED AN EMAIL REGARDING THE 18TH, BROWARD HIGH SCHOOL BUT NOT A CALENDAR INVITE.
WILL THE CALENDAR INVITE COME OUT ONCE WE CONFIRM THAT WE'RE ATTENDING?
>> MY MISTAKE. THE EIGHTH AND THE 18TH ARE VERY SIMILAR TO ME. [LAUGHTER].
>> WILL THERE BE A CALENDAR INVITE? BECAUSE I DID NOT RECEIVE ONE.
>> WE HAVEN'T SENT OUT THE CALENDAR INVITE UNTIL WE GET CONFIRMATIONS.
>> THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE IS THIS.
WELL, ACTUALLY WE HAVE TWO MORE QUESTIONS.
THE INTERCEPTORS ARE THREE MORE.
HOW MANY DOES THAT MAKE FOR US?
>> WE HAVE MOVED THE TOTAL FLEET SIZE TO 19 COUNTED IN THE SURVEYS.
>> YOU AND I HAD HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT DOJ.
I KNOW THAT THEY WERE HOLDING YOU UP AND IT WAS A BUREAUCRACY THAT YOU COULDN'T APPROVE.
>> WE VOLLEYED THAT BACK OVER THE FENCE TODAY.
>> WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT THE DATA WE PROVIDED TODAY WILL SUFFICE.
THE GENERAL TOPIC IS ALL ABOUT CYBERSECURITY.
DOJ IS RIGHTFULLY VERY SENSITIVE ABOUT THAT, BUT SO ARE WE.
OUR STAFF AND OUR CONSULTANTS HAVE BUILT A VERY SECURE ENVIRONMENT.
IT MOSTLY CENTERS AROUND A MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT HOW OUR SECURITY SYSTEMS WORK.
IT'S DIFFERENT THAN SOME OF THE OTHER MODELS OUT THERE ON THE MARKET.
>> INTERESTING. IS OURS BETTER?
>> I HAVE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. THANK YOU FOR THE ANSWERS.
>> WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECONDED BY MEMBER SALDANA.
[00:40:01]
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SALDANA TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. MOVING ON TO 14 ITEMS,
[14) a. Kern Economic Development Corporation (Garcia)]
REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES 14A KERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.THE NEXT MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR THE 25TH AT 9:00 AM IN ARVIN.
I'LL BE ATTENDING THAT MEETING IN ARVIN.
LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT 14B KERN COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS MEMORANDUM.
[14) b. Kern Council of Government (Reyna)]
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. NOT MUCH GOING ON.
HOWEVER, THE STATE CONTROLLER'S OFFICE RELEASED THE STATE TRANSIT ASSISTANCE ALLOCATION ESTIMATE SUMMARY.
THEY'RE STILL WORKING ON THE BUDGET, I BELIEVE.
THE REPORTS ON THAT ESTIMATE THAT KERN COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS WILL RECEIVE $11,513,345 THE APPORTIONMENT TO WASCO IS $34,441, AND THAT'S FOR THE 2024/2025 FISCAL YEAR.
WE DON'T KNOW AT THIS TIME WHAT THE ACTUAL NUMBER [NOISE]. THAT'S ALL, MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU, MEMBER REYNA, 14C WASCO TASK FORCE.
[14) c. Wasco Task Force (Saldaña and Medina)]
>> WE HAVE OUR FIRST CLEAN-UP SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, 9:00 AM AT CORMACK PARK.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME. SATURDAY AT 9:00 AM CORMACK PARK.
>> DO YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO SEND CALENDAR INVITES? I'M WONDERING.
>> I THINK SO. WE CAN LOOK INTO IT.
IF NOT, MARIA CAN PROBABLY [OVERLAPPING].
>> FEEL FREE TO SEND [OVERLAPPING] [LAUGHTER] TO THE WHOLE COUNCIL.
>> MY CALENDAR HAS BECOME QUITE USEFUL. THANK YOU.
>> FIFTEEN REPORTS FROM KERN COUNTY FIRE CHIEF HELPED.
[15) a. Kern County Fire Department (Appleton)]
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS. CONGRATULATIONS TO TWO MORE POLICE OFFICERS BEING PINNED TONIGHT.
IT'S FANTASTIC. IT'S BEEN GREAT TO WATCH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT COME AROUND.
IT IS FUNNY, NOT ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT BUT FIRE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT THE FACT THAT YOU ALL HAVE A FULLY STAFFED DEPARTMENT, VERY COOL.
FANTASTIC. A COUPLE OF THINGS.
I DIDN'T KNOW THAT YOU WERE PUTTING DEFIBRILLATORS IN THE SERGEANT'S CARS.
THEY DO IT IN SHAFTER IN THE OFFICER'S CARS.
IT IS A FANTASTIC RESOURCE THAT THEY GET THERE SO MUCH QUICKER THAN WE DO SOMETIMES BECAUSE THEY'RE ALREADY OUT ON PATROL.
THAT'S GREAT WHEN SOMEONE GOES INTO FULL ARREST. THAT'S VERY GOOD.
THEN LASTLY, I WAS OUT OF TOWN, BUT ON THE 22ND WE HAD A VEHICLE VERSUS A TRAIN.
I WAS HOPING THE SERGEANT COULD BE HERE BECAUSE HE COULD TALK ABOUT THE OTHER PART.
BUT BASICALLY, WE HAD A PEDESTRIAN THAT WAS STRUCK BY A TRAIN AND DID PASS AWAY AT THE SCENE.
I'M SURE YOU'VE ALL PROBABLY HEARD ABOUT IT.
BUT AS FAR AS I KNOW, THAT'S THE ONLY THING THAT'S BEEN EXCITEMENT GOING ON IN WASCO, WHICH IS A GOOD THING RECENTLY FOR US.
I SAW A POST ON FACEBOOK WHERE THEY DONATED SOME FOOD TO THE SHAFTER FIREHOUSE AND A BUNCH OF FEMALES STARTED COMMENTING THAT THAT'S A GOOD WAY TO GO MEET FIREMEN.
THEY SAID THEY WERE GOING TO GO TO WASCO.
>> ALL YOUR HOSE DRAGGERS AWAY.
>> I'LL LET THEM KNOW. I'LL TELL THEM TO BE CAREFUL.
>> NOBODY EVER COMMENTS THAT ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT STUFF ON CHIEF.
IT'S ALWAYS ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS.
>> BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT THEY'RE BRINGING THE POLICE OFFICERS.
[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER. MY FAVORITE REPORT.
[16) REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER]
>> YES. HONORABLE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I HAVE A PRETTY GOOD LIST TONIGHT.
WE'LL GET THROUGH IT QUICKLY HERE.
YOU HEARD THE STATS FROM THE CHIEF ON WPD RECRUITMENT AND EQUIPMENT, SO WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE THERE.
WASCO AVENUE WAS REOPENED OVER THE NEW BRIDGE AND THE OVERPASS THERE, IT'S BEEN CLOSED FOR QUITE SOME TIME, JUST CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC ALLOWED.
THAT'S GOING TO BE HELPFUL FOR SOME FOLKS.
THE LABOR CAMP DEMOLITION, IF YOU'VE DRIVEN OVER THERE, IF YOU HAVEN'T, I RECOMMEND IT, THE BUILDINGS ARE GONE COMPLETELY.
ONLY FOUNDATIONS REMAIN TO BE BROKEN UP AND HAULED OFF.
[00:45:03]
THERE WILL BE, I SUPPOSE, A FAIRLY EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF TIME JUST CLEANING THE SOIL AND THE SMALL DEBRIS OFF THE SITE.THE MOST COMMON REMARK IS IT'S SO MUCH BIGGER THAN IT LOOKED LIKE BEFORE.
WITH ALL THOSE BUILDINGS GONE, IT'S A 23-ACRE CHUNK OF LAND, SO IT'S PRETTY GOOD.
WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT BEING DONE.
THE VETERANS RECOGNITION BANNER PROGRAM.
WE, AGAIN, STILL HOPE TO HAVE THE NEW POLLS INSTALLED BEFORE FOURTH OF JULY.
THE BANNER PRICES NOW ARE 105 [NOISE] EACH, AND THE ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE END OF APRIL, SO BY APRIL 30TH IN TIME TO HAVE THEM PUT TOGETHER INTO AN ORDER AND SUBMITTED TO THE MANUFACTURER AND BE BACK IN TIME FOR 4TH OF JULY.
>> MAY I ASK YOU A QUESTION, SCOTT?
>> HOW ARE WE LETTING THE COMMUNITY KNOW ABOUT THIS PROGRAM? I KNOW WE DID IT BEFORE.
BUT ARE WE PROMOTING IT AT THIS TIME AS WELL?
>> YEAH. I THINK THE WAYS THAT WE'VE THOUGHT OF SO FAR ARE THROUGH THE WEBSITE POSTING.
I BELIEVE A COPY OF THE PROGRAM DETAILS WAS SENT TO WASCO IS TO HOPEFULLY MAKE IT ONTO THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA WHICH THEN PROPAGATES.
I THINK WE WERE GOING TO MENTION IT.
KERRY WAS GOING TO MENTION IT AT THE NEXT COMMUNITY MEETING.
CERTAINLY, AT TASK FORCE GET-TOGETHERS IT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN BE BROUGHT UP AND POINT BACK TO THE CITY WEBSITE FOR THE DETAILS FOR ANYBODY THAT'S INTERESTED.
WE COULD ALSO TRY TO GET IT MENTIONED AT THE SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> THAT WOULD BE BECAUSE WE DID HAVE A GOOD RESPONSE THE LAST TIME THIS WAS OPENED TO CREATE NEW POSTERS.
I DON'T REMEMBER THE AMOUNT BUT THERE WERE SEVERAL THAT WERE PURCHASED.
>> IT WOULD BE NICE TO ADD TO IT BECAUSE WE HAVE PLENTY OF LIGHT BULBS WITH US.
>> YES. IF OUR INTREPID REPORTER WANTED TO MENTION IT IN TONIGHT'S RECAP, THAT CERTAINLY IS SOMETHING YOU COULD ADD.
>> CAN WE AGENDIZE FOR A FUTURE META DISCUSSION TO SPONSOR SOME OF THOSE OURSELVES BECAUSE THE COST IS EXPENSIVE FOR OUR VETERANS? I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT IT BEFORE, BUT I HOPE WE COULD AGENDIZE SOMETHING-
>> YOU CAN ADD THAT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BANNERS BEFORE I MOVE ON? OKAY. SPEAKING OF COMMUNITY BREAKFAST TOMORROW.
7:00 A.M. RIGHT HERE IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS WILL BE THE NEXT ONE.
LET'S SEE. MS. COBB WITH ANY QUESTIONS.
NEXT SNIP EVENT COMING UP APRIL 12TH, THAT'S A FRIDAY.
THE USUAL PLACE OVER ADJACENT TO PUBLIC WORKS.
>> TIMES THAT BEGIN USUALLY AT 8:00 A.M.
>> AND THOSE ARE STILL BY APPOINTMENT AND THEY HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEM FILLING UP THEIR APPOINTMENTS SO IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING BETTER.
>> NO MISSED APPOINTMENTS ANYMORE?
>> WELL, I THINK THEY'RE PROBABLY ARE, BUT NOWHERE NEAR THE NUMBER OF PREVIOUSLY.
>> DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE COST IS FOR MICRO CHIPPING OF A DOG?
>> I'M NOT TOO SURE IF THEY'RE ACTUALLY MICRO CHIPPED THERE ON SITE RIGHT NOW.
>> NO, I COULD DO THAT MYSELF.
I WAS JUST WONDERING IF YOU KNEW IT.
>> THEY HAVE TO DO IT I CANNOT.
>> DO YOU REMEMBER HOW MUCH YOU PAY?
>> I REMEMBER, I THINK IT WAS LIKE 35 BUCKS MAYBE AT MOST. EVERYTHING ELSE WAS A WEEK.
>> ONCE THAT GRANT PROGRAM IS UP AND RUNNING, THAT ALSO COVERED PORTIONS OF THAT CAN BE USED FOR MICRO CHIPPING PROGRAMS. SO WE MAY BE ABLE TO INTEGRATE THAT IN.
EITHER AS ITS OWN EVENT OR AS PART OF THE SNIP EVENT.
>> HOW FAR ALONG ARE WE WITH THE ORIGINAL GRANT THAT WE GOT WHICH WAS $282,000, I BELIEVE. DO YOU KNOW HOW?
>> OKAY. NOT CRUCIAL I WAS JUST WONDERING, BECAUSE WE GOT ANOTHER GRANT ON TOP OF THAT, RIGHT?
>> ALL RIGHT. VERY GOOD. THANK YOU.
>> ON THAT SAME TOPIC THERE WILL BE A FREE ADOPTION EVENT HELD ON APRIL 5TH, THAT'S THIS FRIDAY, AT THE GROCERY OUTLET IS HOSTING THAT THERE.
SO FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 2:00 P.M, IT'LL BE ANIMALS ON DISPLAY THERE FOR TEST DRIVING AND HOPEFUL ADOPTION.
WE'VE GOT A SPRING CARNIVAL COMING UP AT TERESA BURKE, APRIL 11TH THAT'S A THURSDAY, NEXT THURSDAY FROM 5:00 P.M TO 8:00
[00:50:01]
P.M. AND YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A CALENDAR INVITE ON THAT.MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY, WE SPOKE ABOUT LAST MEETING AT THE NATIONAL CEMETERY THAT'S SATURDAY, MAY 25TH BUT THE RSVP IS CLOSED APRIL 15TH.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, VISIT WITH THE CLERK'S OFFICE AND THEY CAN GET YOU SIGNED UP.
A COUPLE REMINDERS STAFF AND A COUPLE OF YOU WILL BE ATTENDING ICSC COMING UP MAY 19TH THROUGH 22ND, SO THAT'S COMING UP.
JUNE 17TH IS OUR FIRST BIKE RODEO, THE SUMMER SAFETY EVENT HELD AT BARKER PARK.
I DON'T HAVE TIMES YET ON THAT BUT THAT'S PRETTY FAR OUT THERE ON THE HORIZON.
ALSO STILL OPEN, THE CITY APPOINTED BOARD SEAT ON THE WASCO REC AND PARK DISTRICT.
THAT'S A TERM OR A SEAT THAT'S FREED UP BY SHARON'S RESIGNATION AND THAT TERM RUNS THROUGH NOVEMBER 30TH OF 2025.
ANOTHER THING TO KEEP IN MIND, I DON'T KNOW AMONGST THE CURRENT CITY AND COUNCIL WHO RECALLS A PROGRAM CALLED THE KCAC, THE KERN COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF CITIES.
THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT WENT DEFUNCT DURING COVID AND THERE'S AN EFFORT TO REVIVE THAT.
THIS IS A QUARTERLY MEETING OF TYPICALLY COUNCIL MEMBERS, CERTAIN STAFF HOSTED ON A ROUND ROBIN BASIS BY EACH CITY.
AND OFTEN THERE WILL BE A PRESENTATION RELATED TO THE COMMUNITY WHERE IT'S HELD OR SOME LOCAL PERSON OF NOTE WILL SPEAK.
FOR EXAMPLE, RIDGECREST HOSTED AND GOT THE WHOLE GROUP INTO THE CHINA LAKE MUSEUM, THE NAVAL WEAPONS CENTER MUSEUM, WHICH WAS A TREAT.
WE'VE HAD ONE OF THE EVENTS IN BAKERSFIELD WAS HELD IN ONE OF THE DOWNTOWN ART STUDIOS.
SO IT'S A CHANCE FOR A COUNCIL TO MEET, OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS MEET THEIR PEERS PRIMARILY.
SO THERE IS AN EFFORT RIGHT NOW UNDERWAY TO TRY TO GET THAT GOING.
THE ROTATION STOPPED WITH ARVIN, THEY'VE HAD TROUBLE GETTING IT BACK UP OFF THE GROUND AND I THINK I SPOKE TO MAYOR GOH ABOUT IT AT THE KERN COG MEETING AND SHE'S INTERESTED IN HELPING GET THAT GOING.
>> IT'S SEEMS LIKE A PURELY SOCIAL, BUT I THINK IT HAS SOME VALUE.
WE ALL FACE A LOT OF THE SAME ISSUES AND IT GETS A CHANCE TO BUILD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS.
HOPEFULLY, WITHIN THE NEXT QUARTER OR SO WE'LL HAVE OUR FIRST KICKOFF MEETING.
>> ARE YOU SPEARHEADING IT AGAIN OR?
>> HOPEFULLY NOT THAT DOESN'T SOUND VERY SURE.
>> I'M TRYING TO NOT SPIN ANOTHER PLATE RIGHT NOW.
BUT BAKERSFIELD HAS SOME BANDWIDTH AND THE MAYOR SEEMED INTERESTED, SO SHE MAY DEDICATE SOME STAFF TIME TO GETTING IT.
THERE'S A BANKING COMPONENT, THERE'S A ORGANIZATION COMPONENT.
IT'S NOT DIFFICULT BUT IT DOES TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME.
>> MIGHT BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HOST MAYBE SOMETIME THIS YEAR WITH SO MANY THINGS HAPPENING.
>> WELL, WE'RE W, SO IF WE GO ALPHABETICALLY, IT WILL BE A WHILE, IT'LL BE A COUPLE OF YEARS.
BUT OFTEN CITIES ARE LOOKING TO SWAP BECAUSE THEY AREN'T READY TO HOST.
SO IF WE WANT TO JUMP TO THE HEAD OF THE LINE, I CAN CERTAINLY THROW OUR HAT IN.
>> ONCE WE'RE ALL SETTLED IN, I BELIEVE [INAUDIBLE].
>> OTHER THINGS THAT WE'RE UNFORTUNATE?
>> LAST BUT NOT LEAST MY DAUGHTER IS GETTING MARRIED THIS COMING SATURDAY, SO I WILL BE OUT OF TOWN AND I'LL HAVE ACTING CITY MANAGER, LARA WILL TAKE OVER MY DUTIES FROM THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY.
I'LL BE BACK IN TOWN MONDAY EVENING.
>> SO IS THIS GOOD NEWS OR BAD NEWS?
>> IT'S GOOD NEWS. THIS IS HER FIRST MARRIAGE.
SHE'LL BE MORTIFIED IF I GAVE HER AGE BUT SHE'S 39 AND SO SHE'S GETTING MARRIED FOR THE FIRST TIME.
SO SHE'S EXCITED, WE'RE EXCITED.
>> I LIKE THE WAY YOU KEEP SAYING FOR THE FIRST TIME IS IF IT'S GOING TO BE.
>> WELL, MANY OF HER PEERS, I SHOULDN'T SAY MOST, HAVE BEEN MARRIED A COUPLE OF TIMES, SO THAT'S TRUE.
ANYWAY, HER FIANCEE IS A GREAT GUY AND THEY'RE VERY HAPPY AND SO WE'RE VERY HAPPY.
>> CONGRATULATIONS TO HER AND TO YOU AND YOUR WIFE.
[00:55:02]
SO THAT'S A PLUS.I DON'T KNOW IF HE WOULD HAVE SURVIVED THIS LONG AS A FIANCE, BUT THE BAD NEWS IS THE WEDDINGS IN SANTA BARBARA AND IT'S A LITTLE SPENDY TO PUT ON A WEDDING IN SANTA BARBARA.
SO THAT'S A FAIRLY SMALL CEREMONY AND WE'LL HAVE A BIG RECEPTION HERE NEXT MONTH OR SO.
>> IT'LL BE OUT OF POCKET AND I THINK THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT.
>> AWESOME. AND WE CAN MOVE OF THE REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL.
[17) REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL]
>> MAYOR, I HAVE NOTHING TO REPORT.
>> WAIT, APRIL FOOL WAS YESTERDAY.
>> BE SURE THE MINUTES REFLECT THAT.
>> THANK YOU, MEMBER MARTINEZ?
>> WELL, I'LL BE GETTING MARRIED NEXT SATURDAY AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO FINALLY GETTING THAT TWO YEAR ENGAGEMENT OVER WITH.
>> AND THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE IT.
SO IT'S WEDDING SEASON LET'S TAKE IT OFF.
>> OH, NEXT SATURDAY. ABOUT THIS SATURDAY.
>> I'M ON THE SAVINGS BOAT OVER HERE.
>> ALEX, WASN'T IT JUST ABOUT A WEEK, A WEEK AND A HALF THAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THAT.
AND YOU SAID, I THINK I'M GOING TO TAKE THE PLUNGE AND NOW YOU'RE DOING IT.
>> WELL, MY PARTNER IS A WEDDING PLANNER, SO IT'S EASIER TO PUT ONE TOGETHER.
I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION.
I KNOW IT'S A LITTLE BIT LONGER THAN WE USED TO BUT THAT'S OKAY.
THANK YOU, FOLKS. AND NOW WE WILL ADJOURN FOR CLOSED SESSION.
>> SO I DON'T KNOW MAYOR, IF I COULD INTERRUPT.
I HAD A DISCUSSION WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY AND IT TURNS OUT WE DO NOT HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANT UPDATES ON THE THREE LEGAL ACTIONS.
SO WHAT MY RECOMMENDATION IS TO JUST DEFER THE APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES UNTIL WE DO HAVE A NEED FOR CLOSED SESSION, AND SO WE CAN BYPASS THAT ITEM ALTOGETHER.
>> DO YOU NEED A MOTION FOR THAT?
>> ALL RIGHT. WELL, THEN WITH NO CLOSED SESSION ITEMS, WE WILL MOVE TO ADJOURN.
THANK YOU, FOLKS. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT..
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.