[00:00:01]
>> VERY WELL. WE CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER AT 6:01 PM.
[1) CALL TO ORDER]
PLEASE STAND FOR A FLAG SALUTE IF YOU'RE ABLE TO?>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO 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.
>> WE'LL GO AHEAD AND OBSERVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
THANK YOU, FOLKS. NOW, CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR ME, PLEASE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SALDANA ABSENT.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. I'M MOVING ON TO 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 SUCCESS OR 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.
THE BROWN ACT DOES NOT ALLOW ACTION OR DISCUSSION ON ANY ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA THIS EVENING.
THIS WILL LIMIT ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS MADE DURING THIS PERIOD.
ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? MADAM CLERK, DO WE HAVE ANY EMAILS COMMENTS?
>> THERE ARE NO EMAIL COMMENTS FOR THIS ITEM OR FOR ANY OTHER ITEMS ON THIS AGENDA.
>> VERY WELL, MADAM CLERK. THANK YOU.
[10) b. Wasco Police Department (Fivecoat) ]
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS 10A, WE HAVE CHIEF 5 CO. THAT'LL BE 10B.WASCO POLICE DEPARTMENT, PLEASE.
>> GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
TONIGHT, I'VE GOT A BRIEF SUMMARY OF OUR ACTIVITY SINCE THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING.
I DID WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND NOTE TWO EXEMPLARY CASES WE'VE HAD, BOTH OF WHICH WERE HEROIN, FENTANYL OVERDOSES.
THEY HAPPENED ONE WEEK APART ON THE SAME DAY.
FOUND IN BOTH CASES, THE MEDICAL EMERGENCY INVOLVED A FULL CARDIAC ARREST.
THEY USE BOTH NARCAN AND AEDS TO REVIVE BOTH OF THE VICTIMS, AND BOTH OF THEM ARE FULLY OKAY NOW.
IT'S QUITE A SAVE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT.
AS FAR AS OUR INCIDENTS FOR THIS MONTH, WE GOT THE FULL MONTH OF JUNE NOW, SO WE'VE GOT COMPARISON BETWEEN MAY AND JUNE.
THE NUMBER OF CALLS FOR SERVICE COMING THROUGH THE 911 CENTER INCREASED FROM 829 LAST MONTH TO 863 THE MONTH OF JUNE.
THE OFFICER INITIATED ACTIVITY IS STILL STAYING UP, THEY'RE FAIRLY HIGH, TOTAL OF 1,629 OFFICER INITIATED EVENTS SINCE WE STARTED.
LAST MONTH, WE WERE AVERAGING ABOUT 41% OF THE ACTIVITY WAS OFFICER INITIATED.
AS FAR AS TOTAL CRIMINAL CASES, WE'RE WORKING CASE INVESTIGATIONS.
LAST MONTH WAS 200, THIS MONTH IS 213.
THE ACTIVITY IS STARTING TO SHOW SOME STATIC APPEARANCE ANYWAY.
STILL A LOT OF ISSUES WITH HIT AND RUN ACCIDENTS, HAD A NUMBER OF COLLISIONS THAT WERE CRIMINAL COLLISIONS HIT AND RUN, WHERE THEY FLED THE AREA.
AS FAR AS ARREST, 81 ARRESTS, SAME AS LAST MONTH.
WE HAD 81 LAST MONTH, 81 FOR JUNE.
WE'VE HAD 199 ARRESTS SINCE WE START ON APRIL 18TH.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THE LION'S SHARE OF THAT IS ADULTS.
CITATIONS THIS MONTH HAS DROPPED.
I THINK A LOT OF IT IS AWARENESS ON THE PART OF THE CITIZENS, BUT WE HAD 85 CITATIONS ISSUED THIS LAST MONTH COMPARED TO 153 IN MAY.
IF WE LOOK AT IT MONTH BY MONTH, AS YOU CAN SEE, THE ACTIVITY IS RUNNING FAIRLY CONSISTENT.
I DID NOTICE THAT WHILE THE NUMBER OF OFFICER INITIATED EVENTS WERE DOWN A LITTLE BIT,
[00:05:03]
THE NUMBER OF 911 CALLS THAT WERE GOING THROUGH DISPATCH WENT UP A LITTLE BIT.IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, ANYTHING TO ADD?
>> NOT TO SOUND LIKE A BROKEN RECORD, BUT AGAIN, THIS WEEK, YOU GUYS DID A GREAT JOB.
THERE WAS A LOT OF CHATTER ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT PEOPLE BEING VERY HAPPY WITH YOUR PRESENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.
IN PARTICULAR, PETRA REDEA HAD DONE A POST THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE COMMENTED ON, AND IT WAS ALL POSITIVE ABOUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
AGAIN, IT'S JUST AMAZING WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING AND HOW MUCH THE PUBLIC IS BEHIND YOU GUYS.
>> THERE ISN'T A DAY GO BY THAT I DON'T FEEL LIKE WE'VE BEEN BLESSED.
WE TRULY HAVE, AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN SUSTAIN THAT.
>> CHIEF, I JUST WANT TO COMMENT ON YOUR REPORT.
I LOVE THE WAY YOU'RE DOING IT.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IN THE PAST, I ASKED OUR PREVIOUS AGENCY TO DO TO PUT IT MONTH TO MONTH TO MONTH NEXT TO EACH OTHER AS OPPOSED TO JUST ONE MONTH STATS.
I LOVE THE WAY YOU'RE DOING IT BECAUSE IT GIVES US A TRUE PICTURE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING.
THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. I APPRECIATE IT.
JUST LIKE [INAUDIBLE] COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ'S COMMENTS THAT PEOPLE ARE VERY HAPPY ABOUT THE WORK THAT THE OFFICERS AND YOU AS A HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT ARE DOING.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE GOOD JOB THAT EVERYONE IS DOING.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF. I APPRECIATE YOUR REPORT THIS EVENING.
>> YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD?
>> WELL, I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY THAT LIEUTENANT MORA HAS BEEN A GREAT CONTRIBUTOR TO WHAT YOU'RE SEEING ON THE STREET.
HE RUNS ALL THE OPERATION SIDE OF THE HOUSE FOR ME.
WE COLLABORATE ON A DAILY BASIS, AND I THINK THE SUCCESS OF 4TH JULY EVENT THAT WE HAD, THE INDEPENDENT STAY EVENT WE HAD WAS DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO THE WORK THAT HE DID ON PUTTING IT TOGETHER.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO NOW IS HAVE LIEUTENANT MORA DEMONSTRATE FOR YOU CITIZEN RIMS. CITIZEN RIMS IS A PROJECT THAT ALEX HAS BEEN WORKING ON.
HE SOLELY HAS BEEN WORKING ON IT, ACTUALLY.
IT'S A TRANSPARENCY PLATFORM FOR OUR CITIZENS SO THAT THEY CAN LOOK AT OUR ACTIVITY AND SEE WHERE THE PROBLEMS ARE OCCURRING IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR, MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL.
WELL, HE DID A VERY GOOD JOB INTRODUCING WHAT I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT, SO I'M JUST GOING TO GET TO IT.
WE'LL DO A QUICK OVERVIEW OF CITIZEN RIMS. BEFORE I START, I WANTED TO EXPLAIN WHAT CITIZEN RIMS IS.
OUR DATABASE IS CALLED RIMS, IT'S THROUGH SOME RIDGE SYSTEMS, AND THAT'S WHERE ALL OUR REPORTS ARE ENTERED.
THIS IS CITIZEN RIMS, IS A COMPONENT FOR THE CITIZENS.
WHAT THIS TOOL IS, IS IT INTERACTIVE MAPPING SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO SEE THE CRIME DATA.
NOT ONLY CAN THE COMMUNITY SEE THE CRIME DATA, BUT THEY CAN ALSO SEE INFORMATION BULLETINS, ARRESTS, MISSING PERSONS, STOLEN VEHICLES, AND ANY POLICE RELATED INFORMATION.
WHAT CITIZEN RIMS CAN ALSO DO IS IT HELPS US PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SERVICES, ONE OF WHICH IS CONDUCTING EXTRA PATROLS, SO PEOPLE CAN REQUEST EXTRA PATROLS FOR ANY GIVEN PROBLEMED AREA AND/OR VACATION CHECKS.
I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF HOW IT WORKS.
FIRST OFF, YOU CAN'T BREAK IT, SO ANYBODY THAT GOES IN HERE IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO MOVE IT AND EXPLORE IT.
ANY INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
IT'S RESTRICTIVE, IT'S NOT ALL INCLUSIVE.
THESE ARE THE CALLS THAT WE ARE REPORTING.
YOU CAN DECIDE WHETHER YOU WANT TO CHECK THIS DATA FROM ONE DAY, TWO DAYS, SEVEN DAYS.
YOU SEE THE INTERACTION THERE.
[00:10:03]
CRIME RANGES, TYPE IN A DATE AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON DURING THAT TIME PERIOD.WE DON'T HAVE ONE NOW, BUT IF WE EVER HAD A NEED TO POST A MOST WANTED PERSON OR POSTER, THIS IS WHERE YOU WOULD FIND IT.
THE SAME CONCEPT WITH MISSING PERSONS.
WE HAVE A FEW HERE, AND THIS IS ALL TO HELP US FIND THESE INDIVIDUALS.
STOLEN VEHICLES, THEY'RE ALL LISTED HERE.
OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE DISCLAIMERS ASKING THE PUBLIC NOT TO CONFRONT, PLEASE CALL US. ARREST RECORDS.
IF THERE'S EVER A NEED FOR US TO PUBLISH A PRESS RELEASE, THIS IS WHERE WE WOULD FIND IT, AND THIS IS WHERE WE GET INTO THE SERVICES THERE.
BASIC INFORMATION, NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE, AND DATES, OBVIOUSLY.
WHEN YOU WOULD WANT US TO PATROL AND THE TIMES REQUESTED.
ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, THIS IS WHERE YOU WOULD PUT IT.
FOR DIRECTED PATROL, SAME CONCEPT.
WHAT AREAS ARE HAVING THE ISSUES? ALTHOUGH WE'RE GOING TO BE MONITORING THIS.
IF IT'S A PRESSING MATTER, WE ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY TO CALL THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
BUT THIS IS JUST ANOTHER WAY TO LET US KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING OUT IN THE STREET.
THE OTHER SERVICES, YOU CAN HELP US WITH CRIME PREVENTION AND IDENTIFICATION BY REGISTERING YOUR SURVEILLANCE CAMERA.
WE SIMPLY ASK THAT YOU TELL US THE NUMBER OF CAMERAS YOU HAVE, THE HOURS THAT THEY RECORD AND HOW LONG THE DATA IS COMPLETE.
ALL THE INFORMATION, ALL THE SERVICES HERE ARE COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL.
IT DOESN'T LEAVE OUR DATABASE, AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE HELP THAT WE CAN GET WITH THIS. ANY QUESTIONS?
WE REALLY APPRECIATE THIS PRESENTATION.
I KNOW A LOT OF US ARE EXCITED.
I KNOW THE RESIDENTS WILL BE EQUALLY EXCITED.
WE REALLY ARE TAKING US INTO THIS 21ST CENTURY WITH SOME OF THIS TECHNOLOGY AND THE SERVICES.
WHILE WE'RE ON IT, THE SECURITY CAMERA REGISTRATION, IT MIGHT BEHOOVE THE COUNCIL AND STAFF TO CONSIDER MAYBE BRINGING BACK THE CAMERA REBATE PROGRAM.
WE EXPLORED AND TESTED OUT BEFORE WITH THE SHERIFF'S SYSTEM, AND SINCE THIS IS IN HOUSE NOW, THERE MAY BE NEW FEELINGS AROUND IT.
>> I THINK THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY HERE WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ON THE GROUND AND ALSO THE POTENTIAL OF MAYBE HAVING THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REACTIVATED.
THOSE TWO FACTORS MAY DRAW SOME MORE PEOPLE TO THE PROGRAM.
THIS REQUEST OR THIS REGISTRATION, I THINK, CAN BE MATED UP WITH THAT REBATE PROGRAM TO BE A LITTLE MORE SEAMLESS.
RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE PROCESSES, BUT I THINK WE CAN PUT THEM TOGETHER.
>> CERTAINLY. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBERS, ANYTHING TO ADD?
CAN YOU ZOOM IN JUST ON ANY ONE OF THE PENS? I NOTICED THAT WHEN YOU GO INTO THE PENS, IT'LL SAY 400 BLOCK OF PALM, BUT IT'LL ACTUALLY SHOW THE PIN AS BEING ON A SPECIFIC HOUSE.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS RANDOMIZED AND THAT WE AREN'T DISCLOSING LOCATIONS OF VICTIMS. AT LEAST ON THE PHONE, IT SHOWS IT AS BEING ON AN ACTUAL HOUSE LIKE A PIN.
>> I'M SORRY, THE MOUSE IS VERY SENSITIVE.
>> IT'S SHOWING A SPECIFIC HOUSE.
IF YOU CLICK ON IT, IT'LL SAY 1,800 BLOCK IN 9TH PLACE OR WHATEVER THAT IS.
BUT IS THAT AN ACTUAL RANDOM HOME? IT'S NOT THE ACTUAL CRIME VICTIM?
>> NO. IT'S SUPPOSED TO TARGET A GENERAL AREA.
>> BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT SHOWS IT ON A CORNER, SOMETIMES IT SHOWS IT IN THE MIDDLE, SO THAT'S THE REASON WHY I DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WAS RANDOM.
>> IT'S A GOOD POINT. WE COULD WORK WITH THE VENDOR TO ENSURE THAT IT IS RANDOMIZED, BUT EVEN IF IT IS, IF IT'S SITTING ON A PARTICULAR ROOFTOP, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO ASSUME THAT'S THE SPOT, AND SO THAT MAY NOT BE WHAT WE WANT.
WE'LL TALK TO THE VENDOR ABOUT THAT AND SEE HOW THAT WORKS.
>> GOOD FEEDBACK, COUNCIL MEMBER. ANY OTHER COMMENT?
CAMERAS. NOW, WHEN WE HAD THE SHERIFF,
[00:15:03]
THEY HAD A REGISTRY AND A LOT OF PEOPLE REGISTERED THOSE CAMERAS ALREADY.>> ARE THOSE ALREADY AVAILABLE TO US SO WE CAN PASS THEM ON TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT?
>> I BELIEVE WE HAVE THOSE RECORDS, IF NOT, I THINK WE CAN GET THEM.
>> THAT WOULD BE A GOOD START EVEN IF IT IS NOT A LOT.
THEN THE MISSING PERSONS PAGE, ARE THOSE LOCAL MISSING INDIVIDUALS?
>> YES. EVERYTHING HERE IS OURS. IT'S AN [INAUDIBLE] SECTION.
>> I THINK IT'S A GREAT THING.
THIS OPENS IT UP TO ANYONE TO BE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN THE POLICING AND SOLVING OF ISSUES IN WASCO.
>> OUTSTANDING JOB, SIR. SEEMS LIKE A GREAT PLATFORM, SO GOOD JOB.
PRETTY USER FRIENDLY, FOR THE MOST PART SEEMS LIKE SO.
>> LESS COMPLICATED. WE MAKE IT EASIER.
>> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THIS AS WELL.
>> ONE MORE QUESTION IF I MAY, HOW DO WE INTEND TO PUBLICIZE THIS WEBSITE?
>> WELL, IT LITERALLY BECAME AVAILABLE THROUGH THE PUBLIC SITE WITHIN THE LAST 12 HOURS.
WE'RE MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS STABLE AND THEN WE'LL START TO PUBLICIZE A LITTLE BIT TOMORROW.
>> MAYBE WE PUT UP A SCREEN AT SOME OF THESE TABLE EVENTS YOU'RE ALREADY DOING.
THAT WAY WE CAN HAVE INTERACTION AND LIVE INTERACTION FROM THE PUBLIC.
>> WE CAN DO THAT. THERE IS A FEATURE ON OUR WEBSITE ALSO OF CURRENT NEWS, AND WE CAN FEATURE IT ON THERE FOR A WHILE.
HAPPY TO SHARE THE INFORMATION WITH THE PRESS AND THEY MAY BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE AS WELL TO GETTING THE WORD OUT.
>> BACK TO OUR AGENDA. WE HAVE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS ITEM 11 CONSENT CALENDAR.
[11) CONSENT CALENDAR]
THE CONSENT CALENDAR CONSISTS OF ITEMS THAT ARE ROUTINE AND NON-CONTROVERSIAL IN STAFF'S OPINION.THESE ITEMS ARE APPROVED IN ONE MOTION UNLESS A COUNCIL MEMBER OR MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REQUESTS THE REMOVAL OF ANY PARTICULAR ITEM.
THIS EVENING, WE HAVE ITEMS 11A-11J.
AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO ASK THE MEMBERS IF THEY HAVE ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON ANY PARTICULAR ITEM ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR? MAYOR PRO TEM MEDINA?
>> THANK YOU. I TOO HAVE NONE.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE ANY PARTICULAR ITEM? ARE THERE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT LIKE TO REMOVE ANY ITEMS?
>> MAYOR, I DON'T WANT TO REMOVE THE ITEM.
THERE IS A CORRECTION ON THE MINUTES OF JUNE 18TH.
I NORMALLY SEND AN EMAIL AHEAD OF TIME, BUT I ACTUALLY OVERLOOKED SENDING THE EMAIL.
ON MY COMMENTS, IT SAYS THAT I HAD FOLLOWED UP WITH SUPERVISORY COUCH, BUT ACTUALLY WHAT I SAID, I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH SUPERVISORY COUCH.
IF THAT CORRECTION COULD BE MADE, THAT WOULD BE MORE ACCURATE.
OTHER THAN THAT, UNLESS THERE'S ANY OTHER FURTHER QUESTIONS, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
IT'S BEEN MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
MADAM CLERK, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE NOTE BY ROLE?
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION IS APPROVED WITH FOUR AYES WITH COUNCIL MEMBER SALDANA ABSENT.
>> MADAM CLERK, I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED TO SAY ON THE RECORD, INCLUDING THE NOTED CORRECTION ON THE MINUTES.
>> OKAY. INCLUDING THE NOTED CORRECTIONS OF THE MINUTES MENTIONED.
>> GOT TO GET EVERYTHING ON THE RECORD.
FOLKS, BEING THE FIRST MEETING OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR, WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A REARRANGEMENT OF SCHEDULE THIS EVENING.
BEFORE WE MOVE ON WITH NEW BUSINESS, WE WILL BE RECESSING TO CLOSE SESSION.
[18. CLOSED SESSION]
THEN WE WILL RETURN TO REPORT OUT AND RESUME THE AGENDA THIS EVENING.IF YOU CAN, JUST HANG OUT WITH US, WE WILL SEE YOU SOON FOLLOWING CLOSED SESSION.
BEFORE WE DO THAT, ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS AT THIS TIME?
[00:20:03]
WE WILL NOW ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION AND REPORT OUT.>> ALL RIGHT, FOLKS, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND CONTINUE WITH THE AGENDA.
THE ATTORNEY HAS REPORTED OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION.
CITY CLERK HAS NOTED THOSE FOR THE MINUTES.
WE CAN NOW MOVE ON TO NEW BUSINESS 14B,
[14) b. Adopt a Resolution Approving the Proposed Memorandum of Understanding Agreement between the Wasco Police Officers Association (WPOA) and the City of Wasco, 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. ]
ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PROPOSED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE WASCO POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION AND THE CITY OF WASCO.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, MR. HERBERT.
>> YES, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, AS REPORTED PREVIOUSLY, WITH THE OPENING AND OPERATIONS OF OUR WASCO POLICE DEPARTMENT, EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATION ASSOCIATION WAS FORMED CALLED THE WPOA, WASCO POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, AND ENGAGED IMMEDIATELY IN NEGOTIATING AN INITIAL MOU FOR OPERATIONS OF THOSE EMPLOYEES OF THAT DEPARTMENT.
THOSE NEGOTIATIONS WENT VERY QUICKLY.
WE WERE PRESENTED INITIALLY WITH A LIST OF PROPOSED TERMS. THOSE WERE NEGOTIATED BACK AND FORTH A COUPLE OF TIMES JUST TO NARROW DOWN THE EXACT TERMS. ULTIMATELY, WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU TONIGHT, I THINK, CAN CORRECTLY BE CALLED A FINAL DRAFT OF THAT MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.
THIS IS A TWO YEAR AGREEMENT AND CONTAINS BOTH THE RATE AND SPECIAL INCENTIVE PAY RATES AND SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT PAY RATES AND ALL THE FEATURES THAT YOU NEED STARTING UP A NEW DEPARTMENT FROM SCRATCH.
THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THAT, MOST NOTABLY, AS MENTIONED IN THE STAFF REPORT, CALLS FOR A COLA OF 4% OF BASE FOR EACH OF THE TWO TERM YEARS.
THIS MATCHES CLOSELY WITH THE CPI FORECASTS THAT ARE OUT IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS, 3.6-3.8 ARE THE CURRENT FORECASTS.
WE KNOW THAT SOME PARTS OF THE EXPENSE WORLD ARE CLIMBING FASTER THAN THAT, FOOD AND FUEL MOST NOTABLY.
THAT WAS REALLY THE CENTER OF THE NEGOTIATION WAS THAT COLA.
OTHER THINGS HAD TO DO WITH TYING DOWN THE RATES FOR BILINGUAL PAY, POST CERTIFICATION INCENTIVES, EDUCATION INCENTIVES, AND ALSO AN INNOVATIVE WAY OF HANDLING HOLIDAY PAY.
RATHER THAN HAVING A PRETTY COMPLEX BECAUSE WE HAVE TWO DIFFERENT 12 HOUR SHIFTS IN PLACE PLUS A 980 SHIFT AND AN EIGHT BY FIVE HOUR SHIFT, AND SO HANDLING HOLIDAYS IS VERY DIFFICULT.
SOMETHING THAT THE ASSOCIATIONS NEGOTIATOR BROUGHT TO THE TABLE WAS A SYSTEM USED BY ANOTHER ONE OF HER CLIENTS THAT JUST HAS A FIXED AMOUNT OF HOURS CREDITED TO EACH EMPLOYEE FOR EACH PAY PERIOD THAT OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR REPRESENTS A FULL PAYMENT FOR HOLIDAY PAY RATHER THAN CALCULATING DOUBLE TIME AND WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOUR SHIFT CROSSES MIDNIGHT? PART OF IT'S IN THE HOLIDAY, PART OF IT ISN'T.
WE TOOK A LOOK AT THAT WITH THE FINANCE DIRECTOR CALCULATED THE NUMBERS OUT.
IT TURNS OUT TO BE A WASH FOR THE CITY DOLLAR-WISE, BUT A FANTASTIC IMPROVEMENT OVER TRYING TO TRACK THE COMPLEX CALCULATION OF HOURS AND WHERE THE HOLIDAYS FALL AND SO FORTH SO WE AGREED TO THAT, AND LOOKING FORWARD TO USING THAT SYSTEM.
THERE'S AN AGREEMENT ON THE UNIFORM STIPEND THAT THIS COUNCIL SUFFERED THROUGH OUR START UP PAINS WITH BRINGING ON OUR FIRST OFFICERS.
WE TOOK A GUESS AT WHAT UNIFORM COSTS WERE GOING TO BE, AND THEN WE QUICKLY WERE GIVEN A REALITY CHECK ON WHAT THAT IS.
SO WE HAVE A TWO TIER UNIFORM ALLOWANCE SYSTEM WHERE WHEN AN OFFICER FIRST JOINS, THEY GET UP TO A FIXED AMOUNT OF REIMBURSEMENT OF ACTUAL COSTS, AND THEN IT FALLS BACK TO A MONTHLY STIPEND TO MAINTAIN AND REPLACE PIECES OF THE UNIFORM GOING FORWARD AT A DIFFERENT RATE.
ALL OF THOSE ITEMS WERE VOTED ON AND RATIFIED OR APPROVED RATHER BY THE ASSOCIATION.
[00:25:04]
WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU IS A CLEAN VERSION OF THAT DOCUMENT THAT THEY VOTED ON.ALSO, AS I MENTIONED PRIOR, THE RESOLUTION THAT WE'RE ASKING YOU TO CONSIDER TONIGHT WILL GIVE THE CITY ATTORNEY AND THE NEGOTIATING PARTIES THE FLEXIBILITY TO CORRECT ANY CLARIFICATION, TYPOS AND SO FORTH WITHIN THE DOCUMENT WITHOUT ALTERING THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE DOCUMENT UNTIL THE IT'S AGREEABLE TO BOTH PARTIES SO I DON'T EXPECT A LARGE NUMBER OF CORRECTIONS TO BE MADE AT THIS POINT.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> APPRECIATED. THANK YOU, MR. HERBERT.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS. MAYOR PORTE MEDINA?
>> NO COMMENTS, MAYOR. THANK YOU.
>> ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON THIS ITEM AT THIS TIME? GREAT, SEEING NONE, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE VOTE BY ROLE.
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA, SECONDED BY MAYOR PORTE MEDINA TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION.
MOTION IS APPROVED WITH FOUR AYES WITH COUNCIL MEMBER SALDANA ABSENT.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. MOVING ON TO ITEM 14A,
[14) a. Adopt a Resolution Approving the Amended Salary Schedule for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 in Compliance with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Requirement for Publicly Available Pay Schedules, and Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15378, no environmental review is required.]
ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE AMENDED SALARY SCHEDULE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024, 2025, IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS CALPERS, REQUIREMENT FOR PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PAY SCHEDULES, AND FIND THAT THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT AS DEFINED UNDER STATE SQA GUIDELINES THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO STATE GUIDELINE SECTION 15378.NO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED, MR. HERBERT.
>> YES, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THIS IS NORMALLY A FAIRLY PEDESTRIAN ITEM, AN UPDATE TO OUR SALARY SCHEDULE.
THIS IS WHERE WE HAVE THE RECORD REQUIRED BY PERSON AND THE STATE TO HAVE ON FILE.
THE DIFFERENCE ON THIS ONE IS ANTICIPATION OF YOUR APPROVAL OF THE POA MOU JUST MOMENTS AGO.
THIS NEW SCHEDULE DOES INCLUDE THAT 4% COLA THAT WAS NEGOTIATED WITH THE POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, AND THAT WILL BE EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST.
THAT'S REALLY THE ONLY DIFFERENCE.
THE OTHER IS THAT WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING AN UPDATED VERSION OF THIS.
NOW THAT WE HAVE REPRESENTED EMPLOYEES FROM TWO DIFFERENT BARGAINING GROUPS ON THE SAME SCHEDULE, WE NEED TO RECONCILE SOME OF THE RANGE NUMBERS THAT ARE IN COMMON IF FOR WHATEVER REASON IN THE FUTURE, THOSE RANGES DIVERGE FROM EACH OTHER.
PERHAPS EVEN PRIOR TO THE APPROVAL OF THE SEIU MOU, WE MAY BE BRINGING BACK AN UPDATED SCHEDULE THAT MAKES THAT DISTINCTION.
BUT FOR NOW, THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS, MAYOR PORTE MEDINA?
>> SEEING NO COMMENTS, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECOND. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE VOTE BY ROLE.
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ, SECONDED BY MAYOR GARCIA TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION.
MOTION IS APPROVED WITH FOUR AYES WITH COUNCIL MEMBER SALDANA ABSENT.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. ITEM 15, REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES,
[15.a. Kern Economic Development Corporation (Garcia)]
15A CURRENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.THAT NEXT MEETING, I STAND CORRECTED.
LAST MEETING, I SAID IT WAS ON 27TH OF JUNE.
I FOUND OUT IT WAS NOT WHEN I ROLLED UP TO THE BUILDING, AND THERE WAS NOBODY THERE.
IT IS IN FACT ON JULY 27TH AT THE BAKERSFIELD ASSOCIATION OF VULTURES AT 9:00 AM.
ITEM 15B, CURRENT COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS, MR. REYNA?
[15.b. Kern Council of Government (Reyna)]
>> MAYOR, I DID ATTEND THE MEETING.
THERE WERE SEVERAL ITEMS THAT WERE APPROVED FOR FUNDING, ACTUALLY REFUNDING TO OUR CITY.
UNFORTUNATELY, I WALKED AWAY FROM MY HOUSE WITHOUT THE PACKET, AND SO I WILL REPORT AT THE NEXT MEETING AS TO WHAT THOSE WERE.
THERE WERE SEVERAL OF THEM THAT WE GOT REFUNDED ON SO.
>> EXCITING. WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.
>> IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO RECEIVE MONEY.
[15.c. Wasco Task Force (Saldaña and Medina)]
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OUR CLEANUP.
WE'RE GOING TO PUSH IT BACK FOR THE 13TH.
[00:30:03]
NEXT SATURDAY, 7:00 AM, AND WE'RE GOING TO END UP DOING A DOWNTOWN CLEANUP.WE'LL BE MEETING UP AT THE NEW ARTWORK THERE WITH ALL THE BUTTERFLIES.
THERE'S PLENTY OF CLEANUP AROUND THE AREA.
WE'RE WORKING ON PUTTING A FLYER TOGETHER AND WE'LL SEND SOMETHING OUT.
HOPEFULLY TODAY. YEAH,7:00 AM.
>> 7:00 AM ON THE 13TH, NEXT SATURDAY.
[16. REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER]
MR. HERBERT, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO PRESS THIS EVENING?>> MR. REYNA, WOULD YOU LIKE ISRAEL TO REPORT THOSE GRANT AMOUNTS?
>> YES. THAT WOULD BE THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
WELL, THOSE ARE ACTUALLY REFUNDS THAT WE'RE RECEIVING FOR WORK THAT WE'RE PERFORMING.
YEAH, PLEASE. I LEFT THE PACKET AT HOME, BUT IF YOU HAVE THEM, PLEASE DO.
>> ABSOLUTELY. HONORABLE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL.
TO PIGGYBACK ON COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA.
WE RECEIVED TWO REIMBURSEMENTS.
ONE WAS FOR $335,556, AND THE OTHER WAS FOR 523,163, AND THAT IS FOR TRANSIT OPERATIONS AND FOR STREET AND ROAD MAINTENANCE REPAIRS AND OLD PROJECTS.
IT'S A TOTAL OF A LITTLE BIT OVER 800,000 IN TOTAL REIMBURSEMENTS.
NOT INCLUDING FISCAL YEAR 2023, WHICH WE JUST SUBMITTED LAST WEEK.
>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE MEMBERS.
I DO HAVE A QUESTION SINCE YOU BROUGHT IT UP AND I DON'T HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION WITH ME, BUT I WILL STILL QUESTION AND MAYBE NEXT TIME YOU CAN HAVE AN ANSWER.
SOME OF THESE REIMBURSEMENTS ARE FROM 2019, WHICH IS FIVE YEARS AGO.
I'M QUESTIONING WHY DOES IT TAKE US SO LONG TO ACTUALLY SUBMIT FOR REIMBURSEMENT.
>> THERE CAN BE A COUPLE OF REASONS.
>> IF YOU HAVE THE ANSWER NOW, I'LL HEAR IT. YES.
>> CERTAINLY, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL.
WHEN WE BROUGHT BEFORE THE COUNCIL THE REPORT AND THE CLAIMS WHEN THEY WERE SUBMITTED, THERE WAS SEVERAL FACTORS.
THERE WAS A SHIFT IN THE LEADERSHIP SO THAT CONTRIBUTED TO SOME DELAYS.
ALSO THE DETAIL NEEDED TO BE FURTHER ANALYZED BECAUSE THERE WAS ALSO COVID ACTIVITY THAT HAPPENED AT THE SAME TIME.
>> COVID. WHEN COVID TOOK PLACE, WE SHUT DOWN AND WE WENT TO SKELETON CREWS SO THAT FURTHER HAS DELAYED US.
WE NEEDED TO BE A HUNDRED PERCENT SURE THAT WE WERE BILLING.
THAT'S WHY WHEN WE WERE GOING OVER THE BUDGET PRESENTATION, THERE WAS A NEGATIVE BALANCE ON TRANSIT.
WHY IS IT THAT WE HAVE THAT NEGATIVE AMOUNT? WELL, IT WAS BECAUSE OF THESE AMOUNTS, AND OUR AUDITORS REVIEWED OUR DOCUMENTATION, AND YES.
>> THAT'S A PERFECT EXPLANATION.
I WANTED TO ASK THE QUESTION AND THANK YOU FOR THE ANSWER.
I'M CERTAIN WE WON'T SEE THAT UNLESS WE HAVE ANOTHER PANDEMIC. [LAUGHTER]
>>THERE IS ANOTHER REASON THAT IT HAPPENS SOMETIMES AS WE DO ACCUMULATE MULTIPLE YEARS OF FUNDING TO GET TO THE AMOUNT THAT WE NEED FOR A LARGER PROJECT THAT WE DON'T GET IN A SINGLE YEAR, SO WE'LL REACH BACK AND GRAB THOSE EARLY DOLLARS AND SCOOP THEM FORWARD FOR A LARGER PROJECT.
>> THAT CAN HAPPEN. IN FACT, THAT WILL HAPPEN WITH SOME FUNDING WE WERE TALKING ABOUT TODAY ON THE STATE OF GOOD REPAIR PROGRAM.
>> BECAUSE THIS CAUGHT MY EYE AND I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO HAKIMI AND I QUESTIONED WHY THIS BEING REFUNDED SO LATE AND YOU CITY DIDN'T ASK FOR THAT.
ANYWAY. THANK YOU FOR THE EXPLANATION.
NOW WE ALL KNOW THE REASON FOR IT.
>> I DO HAVE A FEW ITEMS HERE.
WE HAD ANOTHER SNIP EVENT ON 619.
LOOKS PRETTY SUCCESSFUL, A TOTAL OF 24 DOGS SPAYED OR NEUTERED, 19 CATS SPAYED OR NEUTERED FOR A TOTAL OF 43 ANIMALS.
THE NEXT SCHEDULED EVENT IS AUGUST 13TH AT THE USUAL PLACE A TIME ACROSS THE STREET IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS YARD, AUGUST 13TH.
I WILL LEAVE, WE'RE GOING TO GET A GRANTS UPDATE FROM MS. LAURA HERE IN JUST A MOMENT, BUT I'LL FINISH OFF MY LIST.
THE COOLING CENTER IS OPEN ALL WEEK BECAUSE OF THE FORECAST TEMPERATURES IN EXCESS OF 105, AND WE'LL ALSO HAVE DIAL RIDE SERVICE TO AND FROM THE OLD COURTHOUSE AVAILABLE.
[00:35:05]
THE COOLING CENTER WILL BE OPEN 1:00-7:00.THE LAST RIDE HOME FROM COOLING CENTER WILL BE AT 6:30.
>> I DID SEE THAT ON THE FLYER.
SO PEOPLE WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE THE COOLING CENTER PRIOR TO IT CLOSING?
>> IF THEY NEED A RIDE? THAT THAT MAKES IT SO IT'S MANAGEABLE WITH OUR DIAL RIDE STAFF.
>> SO IT'S A 30 MINUTE WINDOW THERE?
>> THEY'LL BE IN THE AIR CONDITIONED VAN DURING THAT TIME?
>> IT'S GREAT. IT WAS 106 TODAY, BUT I THINK IT GOT TO 107 HERE IN WASCO.
I CHECKED IT. THANK YOU FOR EXTENDING THAT PERIOD BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THIS HEAT WAVE FOR MULTIPLE DAYS.
>> IT LIKELY WILL GO BEYOND MONDAY THE 8TH, AND WE'LL TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT IT FRIDAY AND SEE IF WE NEED TO EXTEND AND LET PEOPLE KNOW BEFORE THE WEEKEND THAT IT WILL GO BEYOND MONDAY.
>> YOU HAVE ANY NUMBERS FOR TODAY? DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE THERE?
>> I DO NOT. THAT'S STILL PROBABLY JUST CLOSING NOW.
SO ANOTHER REMINDER, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS AT THE LAST MEETING, BUT THE UTILITY RATE INCREASES THAT ARE POSTED ON THE WEBSITE AND IN THE FLYERS THAT WERE SENT TO RATE PAIRS HOMES TOOK EFFECT YESTERDAY.
THE JULY BILLINGS WE'LL USE THOSE AND WANTED TO POINT OUT IN PARTICULAR THE SANITATION RATES NOW INCLUDE THAT COUNTY PASS THROUGH, WHICH IS AN ADD ON.
IT'S A PASS THROUGH FEE IN EVERY SENSE OF THE TERM BECAUSE THE COUNTY CHANGED THEIR FEES THERE.
>> ARE WE ON OUR OWN LETTING OUR CUSTOMERS KNOW THAT WE ARE PASSING THROUGH THIS ON THEIR BILL?
>> WELL, THE COUNTY RAN THEIR OWN 218 PROCESS, SO THEY WERE NOTIFIED THAT WAY.
THIS IS A REMINDER THAT THIS WAS NOT PART OF OUR RATE STRUCTURE AND THIS AFFECTS COMMERCIAL FOLKS PRIMARILY THAT YES, THEIR TOTAL BILL GOES UP, BUT PART OF THAT IS NOT DUE TO THE CITY'S RATE STRUCTURE.
>> I WONDER WHETHER WE CAN PUT A SMALL MESSAGE ON THAT BILL.
>> IT IS A SEPARATE LINE ITEM.
>> IT IS A SEPARATE LINE ITEM.
>> I BELIEVE THAT'S TRUE. YES. PERFECT.
>> WORK CONTINUES ON THE PAL BUILDING.
THERE WAS A BUNCH OF INFRASTRUCTURE.
FOUNDATION CUTTING TO GET IN PLUMBING AND STUFF AND A LOT OF THAT WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND WORK IS CONTINUING VERY WELL THERE.
>> FIRST IS CENTRAL AVENUE PARK.
WE MADE A COMMAND DECISION LAST FRIDAY TO GO AHEAD AND OPEN THE PARK TO ELIMINATE THE FOLKS GOING AROUND THE FENCE TO USE THE PARK OVER THE WEEKEND.
THAT TURNED OUT TO BE A VERY POPULAR DECISION.
I HAD A REPORT FROM CITIZEN TONIGHT ABOUT HOW MUCH THAT WAS ENJOYED AND PEOPLE REALLY ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF IT.
HOWEVER, WE'LL HAVE A MORE FORMAL RIBBON CUTTING ON JULY 19 AT 9:00 AM.
AT THE PARK. SO MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THAT, YOU SHOULD GET A FLYER AND A CALENDAR INVITE FROM THE CLERK.
>> THAT FENCE CAME DOWN. PEOPLE WERE GET IT.
>> THEY WERE WITHOUT IT. BUT THERE WERE SOME.
THE CONTRACTOR HAD TO FINISH A COUPLE OF ITEMS ON FRIDAY MORNING.
>> THE INSPECTION NEEDED TO BE DONE.
>> THE INSPECTIONS, AND SO IT WAS NECESSARY.
THE OTHER SAVE OF THE DATE IS THE CURRENT EDC ANNUAL DINNER.
PLEASE RSVP WITH THE CITY CLERK.
THIS IS ON SEPTEMBER 12, 06:00.
AS WE KNOW, THIS EVENT CAN FILL UP.
AND SO IF YOU'RE AT ALL INTERESTED, PLEASE GET YOUR RESERVATION IN EARLY.
>> I'LL ADD ON TO THAT ONE, IF YOU HAVE ALREADY RSVP FOR LEAGUE OF CITIES, MAKE SURE YOU DO THAT. COUNCIL MEMBERS.
>> ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN SEPTEMBER?
>> SACRAMENTO, THAT'S WHERE I GUESS IS IN SACRAMENTO.
>> YES. NOW IT'S TIME FOR MARIA'S REPORT ON GRANT STATUS.
[00:40:01]
>> HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I ONLY HAVE TWO ITEMS. THE FIRST ITEM, I WASN'T HERE LAST MEETING AND I KNOW THAT THE COPS TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT GRANT CAME TO YOU.
I WANTED TO REPORT TO THE COUNCIL THAT THAT APPLICATION HAS BEEN SUBMITTED.
I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT WE SUBMITTED THAT AND HOPEFULLY SOON WE'LL GET A GRANT AGREEMENT THAT WE CAN EXECUTE AND IMPLEMENT PROCURE THOSE EQUIPMENT ITEMS THAT THE CHIEF AND POLICE DEPARTMENT WANTS TO PURCHASE WITH THAT GRANT.
THE OTHER ITEM THAT I'M HERE TO REPORT ON TONIGHT, YESTERDAY, WE RECEIVED NOTICE, AN AWARD NOTIFICATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT THAT THE CITY OF WASCO IS BEING AWARDED 561,814, $561,000 FOR RAPID REHOUSING, STREET OUTREACH, AND SUPPORTED CASE MANAGEMENT TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN WASCO.
OUR GOAL IS TO ONCE WE GET THIS GRANT AGREEMENT EXECUTED WITH THE CALIFORNIA HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IS TO PUT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO REQUEST PROPOSALS FROM NON PROFITS.
HOPEFULLY WE CAN PARTNER WITH A NONPROFIT THAT COULD HELP US DO THE STREET OUTREACH AND THE RAPID REHOUSING AND PROVIDE SOME OF THESE SERVICES AND HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO HELP SOME OF OUR RESIDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY GET HOUSED AND GET THOSE SERVICES THAT THEY NEED.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THAT.
>> IT'S EXCELLENT AND VERY TIMELY NEWS. THANK YOU.
>> EXCELLENT NEWS, VERY TIMELY.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE UNLESS YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR ME.
>> VERY WELL, ANY OTHER THING COUNCILMEMBERS?
>> REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, MAYOR PRO TEM MEDINA?
[17. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL]
>> YES, MAYOR. I HAVE A FEW ITEMS TO DISCUSS HERE TO TALK ABOUT.
FIRST OF ALL, SIR, JAS ME BAINES WAS HERE ON JUNE 29 FOR OUR FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION.
I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH HER AND INTRODUCE HER TO SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
SHE IS A GREAT FRIEND OF WASCO. WE ALL KNOW THAT.
I THINK THAT SHE WANTED TO COME AND CONGRATULATE OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND BE WITH THEM.
SHE TOOK SEVERAL PICTURES WITH THEM.
IF YOU EVER SEE HER, JUST THANK HER FOR ALL THE MONEY THAT SHE HAS BEEN ABLE TO SECURE FOR US IN OUR CITY.
WE ARE GETTING CALLS FROM THE CITY REGARDING THE COOLING CENTER BEING OPENED, WHICH IS A GREAT THING.
I GET IN BOTH IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH.
>> HOWEVER, MY PHONE AND I IMAGINE MANY OTHER PHONES ARE TAGGING THAT AS POSSIBLE SPAM.
THE CALLS ARE COMING FROM PALMDALE.
>> SO I'M WONDERING WHETHER WE CAN ROUTE THOSE A DIFFERENT WAY SO THAT THEY COME FROM WASCO.
>> I HAVE THAT ON MY LIST TO EXPLORE WITH OUR IT STAFF TOMORROW.
YEAH. I'VE NOTICED THE SAME THING, AND YOU'RE RIGHT.
SOME PHONES WILL TAG IT AS SPAM.
MINE DOES NOT COME THROUGH A SPAM, BUT IT DOES SHOW PALMDALE.
HOPEFULLY THE VENDOR WILL BE ABLE TO FIX THAT.
>> YEAH. IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME AND SO I NEVER ANSWERED THE CALL, BUT THEY DO LEAVE A MESSAGE, AND IF YOU LISTEN TO THE MESSAGE, THEN YOU KNOW IT'S FROM THE CITY.
I HAD A NOT A COMPLAIN, BUT SOMETHING WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION BY BOB ELLIS ABOUT THE TREES THAT USED TO BE NEXT TO HIS BUILDING ON THAT PARKING LOT.
NO TREES WERE PLANTED WHEN THE NEW TREES WERE PUT UP AND HE'S WONDERING WHETHER THE CITY CAN INSTALL TREES WHERE THE TREE WERE BEFORE BECAUSE THEY PROVIDED SHADE TO THAT BUILDING.
HE SAID HE HAD SPOKEN TO SOME OF OUR STAFF.
>> HE HAS AND I THINK HE'S RECEIVED AN ANSWER ABOUT THAT AS WELL.
>> WELL, THAT'S NOT WHAT I HEARD.
>> HE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN HAPPY WITH THE ANSWER.
>> OKAY. THAT'S SOMETHING JUST I WANTED TO BRING UP.
ALSO HE BROUGHT UP ANOTHER FACT THAT THE CURB AT WHERE THE GAZEBO USED TO BE OR THE CLOCK TOWER USED TO BE.
[00:45:01]
THE CURB THERE ON HE SAYS THERE IS A RAMP AND ALSO A SIDEWALK.WHAT DO YOU CALL THAT PART OF THE SIDEWALK?
>> THE CURB. HE THINKS THAT'S A DANGEROUS THING.
>> THAT'S BEING ADDRESSED ALSO AND THE CONTRACTORS WORKING ON.
I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT STATUS, BUT THERE'S A RAILING THAT WILL BE INSTALLED THERE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STREET, BUT WE ARE AWARE OF THAT.
THE CITY HAS PLACED CONES THERE IN TAPE A NUMBER OF TIMES AND THEN FOLKS REMOVE THE CONES AND THE TAPE OVER NIGHT OR AT SOME POINT AND SO WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP ON IT AS BEST WE CAN.
BUT WE ARE DEFINITELY AWARE OF THAT.
THANK YOU. I'M GLAD THAT YOU'RE TAKING CARE OF IT.
I WAS APPROACHED BY THE DELUXE WATER FOUNDATION.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE ATTEMPTED BEFORE TWICE, AND THEY WANT TO HAVE A UCLA IMOBILE CLINIC, SEPTEMBER THE 27TH AND THE 28TH.
THAT'S A FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AND THE CLINIC WITH SARA 7:00 AM AND AT 5:00 PM.
SCOTT YOU AND I HAD DISCUSSED THIS BEFORE.
THEY WANT TO LEAVE THE EQUIPMENT OVERNIGHT.
I TOLD THEM THE CITY WILL NOT ASSUME ANY LIABILITY IF THEY DECIDE TO DO THAT.
I WANTED TO ASK WHETHER THE COURTHOUSE WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR THESE EVENT.
>> I DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE CALENDAR HERE IN FRONT OF ME.
>> BUT I GUESS, THE REASON WHY I'M ASKING YOU IS BECAUSE THE COURTHOUSE WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO US BECAUSE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS THERE, BUT IS THE COURTHOUSE AVAILABLE AGAIN?
>> IT IS GENERALLY BEEN AVAILABLE, YES.
>> YEAH TWO ROOMS ARE STILL NOT 100%, I DON'T BELIEVE.
>> NO, THEY ONLY NEED THAT THAT MAIN.
>> JUST THE MAIN MEETING ROOM, YES.
>> IF THOSE DATES ARE AVAILABLE [OVERLAPPING]
>> SEPTEMBER 27TH AND THE 28TH.
THAT'S A FRIDAY AND A SATURDAY.
>> HAVE THEY CONTACTED THE CITY CLERK?
>> NO. THEY THEY CONTACTED ME TODAY.
>> DEFINITELY GOES THROUGH THE CLERK'S OFFICE.
THEY WILL KNOW THE SCHEDULE OF THE ROOM.
>> YEAH. THE ONLY QUESTION I HAD IS WHETHER WE COULD USE THE COURTHOUSE.
>> LAST MEETING, I DID MENTION THAT I HAD THIS CONVERSATION WITH SUPERVISOR COUCH AND AARON HAKIMI AND YOU SCOTT REGARDING PUTTING SHOULDERS ON THE ROADS THAT CONNECT TO WASCO.
I FOLLOWED UP WITH IT. AS I SAID, I WOULD.
THE CONVERSATION HAS CHANGED IN THE SENSE THAT THE WAY THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD BE DONE, IT'S NOT NECESSARILY POSSIBLE NOW.
NOW THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT USING CMAQ MONEY TO GET THIS DONE.
I DID TELL AARON TO CONTACT YOU, SCOTT.
IF HE DOESN'T, WOULD YOU FOLLOW UP WITH HIM TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP THIS CONVERSATION GOING? THIS COULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO GET THIS ROADS DONE.
ACTUALLY, IT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO GET HIM.
I BELIEVE THAT'S IT. ONE MORE QUESTION.
DO YOU KNOW WHEN THE RECYCLING CENTER ON 6TH STREET WILL REOPEN AND DO YOU KNOW WHY IT CLOSED? [LAUGHTER]
>> I DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWER TO EITHER OF THOSE QUESTIONS.
>> I'VE HEARD FROM A COUPLE OF FOLKS THAT THEY WONDERED ABOUT CLOSED AND THEN WE'VE GONE BY AND THEY SEEM TO BE OPERATING.
BUT MAYBE THEY'RE ON SOME SORT OF CRAZY SCHEDULE OR MAYBE THEY ARE.
>> I DON'T THINK IT'S OPERATING.
IT HAS THAT SIGN, LIKE HOW I HAD MENTIONED LAST TIME THAT IT WAS DOWN FOR RENOVATION OR SOMETHING.
>> I HAVEN'T BEEN BY FOR A WEEK OR TWO. COUPLE OF WEEKS.
>> APPARENTLY IT'S OPERATED BY THE SAME PEOPLE THAT OPERATED ONE IN SHAFTER.
>> BOTH OF THEM ARE CLOSED AND SO PEOPLE ARE WONDERING WHERE THEY CAN GET OR TAKE RECYCLABLES.
ARE WE REQUIRED TO HAVE A RECYCLING CENTER? IF IT'S NOT THAT, CAN WE FIND SOMEONE TO DO IT?
>> WELL, CERTAINLY, WE CAN PUT SOME ENERGY INTO FINDING SOMEONE THAT'S INTERESTED IN OPERATING.
THERE MAY HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN FOLKS ASKING ABOUT THAT WAS WHY WE INVESTIGATED-
>> THE G STREET FACILITY IN THE FIRST PLACE.
>> THAT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE COULD DO THAT BECAUSE PEOPLE NEED IT.
>> I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE'S A CALORIE CYCLE EDICT THAT WE HAVE ONE IN TOWN, BUT I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED.
>> I THOUGHT THAT THERE IS SOME KIND OF-.
[00:50:01]
>> WELL, THE PROGRAM FOR CURBSIDE DEFINITELY IS A REQUIREMENT OF 11 83, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE'S A REQUIREMENT THAT THE CITY HAVE A FOR PROFIT.
>> BECAUSE I REMEMBER THAT WE WERE CONSIDERING AT ONE TIME HAVING ONE BY THE GROCERY STORE WHERE THE TROPICANA MARKET IS NOW SAMAR. THE OLD SAMAR.
>> RIGHT. WELL, THOSE HAVE BEEN TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE PAST BEFORE I ARRIVED AND EVEN A COUPLE OF TIMES AFTER.
UNFORTUNATELY, THEY'RE ABUSED WITH ILLEGAL DUMPING AND OTHER THINGS.
>> IT'S UNFORTUNATE [OVERLAPPING].
SO WE'VE CEASED THOSE PROGRAMS.
>> LET'S SEE IF WE CAN SOLVE THIS ISSUE BECAUSE AGAIN, PEOPLE ARE IN NEED OF RECYCLING AND CONVERTING THOSE CANS AND BOTTLES INTO MONEY.
THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL FROM ME, MAYOR. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. WELL, I HAVE NO COMMENTS.
THAT'S EVERYTHING [LAUGHTER] EXACTLY.
>> I DO HAVE ONE LAST QUESTION TONIGHT.
WHAT IS THE STATUS ON THE DOWNTOWN PROJECT.
IS THAT CLOSE TO BEING FINALIZED? IS THAT FINALIZED?
>> IT'S VERY CLOSE TO BEING FINALIZED.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF OUTSTANDING ITEMS THAT WERE DISCUSSED AT OUR MEETING THIS MORNING, STILL PENDING, INCLUDING THAT GUARD RAILING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
I DON'T KNOW IF EACH OF YOU HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO WALK DOWN THERE, CHOOSE AN EARLY MORNING HOUR.
BUT EVERYTHING TURNED OUT JUST LIKE WE PLANNED, I THINK.
>> I ACTUALLY WALKED IT YESTERDAY.
I MEAN, I THINK EVERYTHING'S NICE.
BUT THE GENTLEMAN THAT CAME HERE LAST MEETING HAD A CONCERN ABOUT HAVING NO SEATING AREA.
IS THERE GOING TO BE ANY BENCHES.
I MEAN, WE HAVE THAT BIG LOT, WHERE THE BUTTERFLIES ARE, BUT THERE'S NO SEATING.
>> THE SEATING WALLS ARE INTENDED TO TAKE THAT PLACE.
IF YOU RECALL, WE HAD TO REMOVE A NUMBER OF BENCHES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS BECAUSE THEY WERE BEING USED AS BEDS DAY AND NIGHT AND NO AMOUNT OF URGING STOP FOLKS FROM USING THEM FOR THAT.
THE SEATING WALLS WERE THE ANSWER TO THAT.
NOT NEARLY AS COMFORTABLE, BUT THEY DON'T ENCOURAGE NAPPING OR CAMPING.
>> I GUESS IT'S NICE TO WALK, BUT BESIDES THAT, I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH WE'RE GETTING OUT OF THAT SPACE.
>> THAT'S MY CONCERN I WALKED OUT THERE YESTERDAY AND IT'S NICE TO SEE, BUT THERE'S REALLY THAT'S ABOUT IT, YOU WALK AND YOU'RE OUT OF THERE.
THERE'S NO SENSE OF LIKE, YEAH, I WANT TO HANG OUT HERE.
>> WELL, IT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING WE CAN REVISIT ONCE IT'S OPEN AND BEING USED AND CONSIDERED.
>> I MEAN, I THINK I HEAR THE CONCERN, BUT I THINK IT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT WE JUST KEEP AN EYE ON AND SEE HOW WE CAN MAKE IT WORK OR HOW MUCH TRACTION WE GET.
BECAUSE THE WHOLE IDEA WITH REVITALIZING THAT TOWN IS THAT WE GET MORE PEOPLE TO GET THERE AND WANT TO HANG OUT AND WHATNOT.
>> [INAUDIBLE] THERE'S STILL SOME MISSING PIECES THAT WE'RE HOPING WILL BRING PEOPLE AND WANT TO STAY THERE.
>> YEAH I MEAN, THE BUTTERFLIES ARE NICE? WE GO LOOK AT THEM AND [LAUGHTER] IT'S STILL NOT FULLY.
>> THERE ARE STILL PIECES THAT HOPEFULLY ENCOURAGE THAT.
>> EXCELLENT. THANK YOU. EVERYBODY. GOOD MEETING, AND WE GO AHEAD. CALL THIS MEETING ADJOURNED [NOISE].
>> THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.