[00:00:02]
[1) CALL TO ORDER]
GOOD EVENING. I WILL NOW CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER AT 6:01.MADAM CLERK, CAN WE PLEASE HAVE THE ROLL CALL? ALL MEMBERS PRESENT.
THANK YOU. IF YOU PLEASE CAN STAND FOR THE FLAG.
PLEDGE. 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.
THANK YOU. PLEASE REMAIN STANDING.
MR. LYNCH, WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO AN INVOCATION FOR US? SURE. LET'S BOW, PLEASE.
AND WE PRAY THIS IN JESUS' NAME.
THANK YOU, MR. LYNCH. MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER FIVE
[5.a. Retirement Recognition for Benny Butler for 20 years of Service with the City of Wasco]
PRESENTATIONS. TODAY WE HAVE JUST A SMALL RECOGNITION.RETIREMENT RECOGNITION FOR BENNY BUTLER FOR 20 YEARS OF SERVICE.
MISTER BUTLER, CAN YOU JOIN US IN THE PODIUM? AND THEN AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL UP MR. RHEA. YES. YOU FIRST.
LET ME FIRST. YOU. YOU GOT THE.
GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. WELL, BENNY 20 YEARS WENT BY PRETTY QUICK, MAN.
THIS ISN'T HIS FIRST RETIREMENT.
I BELIEVE THIS IS YOUR SECOND ONE.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN GO FOR A THIRD ONE.
NO, NO, YOU'RE GOING TO CALL IT.
YOU'RE GOING TO CALL IT RIGHT THERE. THAT'S IT.
INCIDENT FREE. WE NEVER WROTE HIM UP FOR ANYTHING.
I MEAN, AWESOME GUY, AWESOME GUY RIGHT HERE.
AND WE'RE SURE GOING TO MISS HIM. THANK YOU.
AWESOME. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
APPRECIATE IT. SCOTT, I BELIEVE MAYBE.
BENNY, DO YOU WANT TO THANK YOU ALL? SO I HAVEN'T HAD THE HISTORY THAT YOU HAVE WITH THESE OTHER GUYS, BUT WE REALLY DO APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE WITH THE CITY AND WISH YOU VERY, VERY WELL ON YOUR RETIREMENT, WHETHER IT'S YOUR LAST ONE OR NOT.
CHECK WITH YOUR ACTIVITY DIRECTOR.
MAKE SURE THAT'S OKAY. THANK YOU.
ABSOLUTELY. I HAD A GREAT TIME DOING IT.
GOOD. IN FACT, IT WENT BY SO FAST, IT WAS ALMOST LIKE FUN.
YEAH, BUT I REALLY ENJOYED WORKING.
YOU KNOW, I ENJOYED ALL THE PEOPLE IN WASCO THAT CAME OUT.
SOME OF THEM WOULD COME OUT, WORK AND SIT FOR AN HOUR OR SO TALKING.
DON'T YOU GOT SOMEWHERE TO GO, MAN? IT'S TOO LATE, YOU KNOW.
BUT YEAH, WE HAD A GOOD TIME OUT THERE.
THAT'S GOOD. REALLY ENJOYED IT.
ALL RIGHT, WELL, AGAIN, WE APPRECIATE YOU AND THE CITY THANKS YOU.
IF YOU PLEASE REMAIN STANDING.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? MAYOR PRO TEM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, BENNY.
COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ? THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. 20 YEARS IS A LONG TIME AND YOU MADE A BIG IMPACT ON THE CITY.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SERVICE.
THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT, BENNY.
I ECHO ALL OF THOSE COMMENTS, OKAY.
AND THANK YOU FOR 20 YEARS OF SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
RIGHT. HOPEFULLY WHEN I'M, YOU KNOW, RETIRING ONE DAY AND I HAVE THE SAME, YOU KNOW, SENTIMENT AS YOU DO, RIGHT? BECAUSE IT LOOKS IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ENJOYED YOUR TIME HERE.
AND, YOU KNOW, 20 YEARS GOES BY FAST.
IT REALLY DID. THANK YOU FOR THAT INVESTMENT.
ANOTHER THING THAT I HAVE TREMENDOUS NEIGHBORS.
THEY'RE THE MOST WONDERFUL PEOPLE I'VE MET IN A LONG TIME.
AND I JUST THOUGHT THAT I'D GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THEM.
AND WE DO HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR YOU.
GOODIES. THE KIDS WANT PICTURES.
YOU KNOW, ANY. NO MONEY THOUGH.
[00:05:02]
AND THEN NANCY AFTER THEM.IF WE CAN HAVE THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, ANTONIO AND SCOTT.
AND THEN WE'LL GRAB ANOTHER ONE WITH PUBLIC WORKS.
COUNT OF THREE. ONE, TWO AND THREE.
PERFECT. CAN I TAKE ONE FOR THE PAPER? OKAY. ONE, TWO AND THREE.
SCOTT. THIS IS THE KEY TO THE CITY.
WOW. UNTIL WE FINISH THE PROCESS.
YEAH. SO THEY KIND OF COOL FOR THE BUTTON.
YOU KNOW, THE KEY TO THE CITY. THAT MEANS YOU CAN STILL GET IN THE PUBLIC WORKS YARD.
OH, I THOUGHT IT WAS A PUBLIC WORKS.
YOU CAN'T GET ALL THE ATTENTION.
IT'S A BIG MOMENT FOR YOU TO BOTH BE IN THE PICTURE.
YOUR BIGGEST SUPPORTER? IT'S A LONG TIME.
EVER WROTE HIM UP. ALL RIGHT, WELL, THAT'S A GOOD WAY.
GOOD WAY TO START THE MEETING.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER SIX.
[6) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA]
PUBLIC COMMENTS.THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING IS RESERVED FOR PERSONS DESIRING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL, INCLUDING THE COUNCIL ACTING AS THE GOVERNING BOARD FOR THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY ON ANY MATTER NOT ON THIS AGENDA OR WHICH THE COUNCIL IS A 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.
THIS WILL LIMIT A COUNCIL MEMBER'S RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS DURING THIS COMMENT PERIOD.
ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? I DO, MIKE LYNCH, AND I'D LIKE TO BE BRIEF.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY ELSE READ IT IN THE NEWSPAPER THIS PAST WEEK, BUT SOMEBODY IN IN FLORIDA, SOME COMMENTATOR IN FLORIDA DECIDED THAT WASCO IS THE THIRD WORST SMALL TOWN IN THE UNITED STATES.
I TOOK OFFENSE TO THAT, AND I WOULD HOPE THAT MAYBE WE CAN DO SOMETHING AS A CITY TO COUNTERACT THAT WITH THAT AUTHOR. I MEANT TO BRING THE ARTICLE TONIGHT, BUT MY WIFE THREW IT AWAY, SO.
I'VE LIVED HERE ALMOST 28 YEARS.
I LOVE IT HERE. SO MAYBE I'M JUST WEIRD.
WHO KNOWS? BUT THANK YOU, MR. LYNCH. ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS? THE ARTICLE DID GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THOUGH.
THEY DID? YES. SO THAT WAS THAT WAS A POSITIVE PART.
YES. MADAM CLERK, ARE THERE ANY EMAIL COMMENTS? THERE ARE NO EMAIL COMMENTS FOR THIS ITEM OR ANY OTHER ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
MOVING ON. WE HAVE NO SUCCESSOR AGENCY BUSINESS AND NO WASCO PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY BUSINESS.
SO, WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER NINE.
[9) NEW EMPLOYEE POLICE DEPARTMENT BADGE PINNING CEREMONY FOR: a. Albert Lopez – Police Dispatcher]
NEW EMPLOYEE POLICE DEPARTMENT BADGE PINNING CEREMONY.[INAUDIBLE]. GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR.
TONIGHT, WE'RE A LITTLE LONG OVERDUE WITH THIS.
[00:10:05]
ALBERT LOPEZ.I'VE MENTIONED TO YOU ON MANY OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS ABOUT HOW BLESSED I FELT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WE'VE HIRED, AND HOW BLESSED I FEEL ABOUT OUR ABILITY TO PUT THIS DEPARTMENT TOGETHER.
ALBERT CAME FROM THE DELANO POLICE DEPARTMENT.
HE HAD 15 YEARS SERVICE THERE AS A DISPATCHER.
PRIOR TO THAT, HE WORKED IN THE PSYCHIATRIC CARE UNIT FOR THE COUNTY, AND ALSO WORKED AT WHAT WAS FORMERLY KNOWN AS 3B FOR PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION.
I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SIT DOWN AND TALK WITH ALBERT QUITE A BIT.
THE MORE WE TALKED, THE MORE WE REALIZED THAT WE SHARED A LOT OF COMMON LIFE EXPERIENCES.
THERE'S THINGS ABOUT ALBERT THAT HE'S VERY PRIVATE ABOUT, BUT IF YOU IF YOU UNDERSTOOD HIS FAMILY, HIS WIFE, MARIBEL AND HIM AND WHAT THEY DO FOR THEIR CHILDREN, IT'S JUST ABSOLUTELY AMAZING WHAT THIS MAN DOES.
HE'S ALSO A VERY GOOD EMPLOYEE AND HE'S HERE ALL THE TIME WORKING.
IT'S WITH GREAT PLEASURE AND PRIDE THAT TONIGHT I GET TO HAVE THE BADGE PINNING FOR ALBERT.
I'D LIKE TO ASK MARIBEL TO COME UP AND DO THAT FOR ME, PLEASE.
MARIBEL, IF YOU'LL TAKE THIS AND PIN YOUR HUSBAND FOR ME, PLEASE.
YOU CAN STICK HIM IF YOU WANT TO. BUT.
I DIDN'T THINK I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO.
YEAH. WE'LL ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE.
IF YOU CAN, PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.
YOUR NAME, PLEASE. DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM.
THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND.
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
AND THE CONSTITUTION. AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.
AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.
THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE.
AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
THAT I WILL TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY.
ANY MENTAL RESERVATION OR PURPOSE OF EVASION OR PURPOSE OF EVASION.
AND THAT I WILL WELL, AND THAT I WILL WELL.
THE DUTIES. UPON WHICH I'M ABOUT TO ENTER.
HUBBARD, IF YOU PLEASE, REMAIN STANDING.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM, THANK YOU, ALBERT, FOR JOINING THE TEAM.
AND WELCOME ON-BOARD MEMBER MARTINEZ.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE AND YOUR EXPERIENCE IS VERY BENEFICIAL TO OUR NEW DEPARTMENT, AND THAT'S JUST GREAT TO SEE PEOPLE FROM OTHER AGENCIES COMING IN AND BRINGING ALL THAT EXPERIENCE TO GET US UP AND RUNNING.
SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MARIA.
YEAH. JUST HEARING THAT YOUR EXPERIENCE FROM THE CHIEF AND EVERYTHING YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH, MAN, IT'S GOING TO BE YOU'RE GOING TO BE GREAT FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HERE FOR THE COMMUNITY OF WASCO.
IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE I SAW ALBERT LOPEZ AND I WAS I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH AN ALBERT LOPEZ.
[00:15:01]
SO, I WAS LOOKING HERE, WHERE'S ALBERT, WHERE'S ALBERT? AND THEN THEY FINALLY CAUGHT YOUR NAME.I GO, OH, OKAY, IT'S ANOTHER HOUR.
THANK YOU. MAYOR. ALBERT, CONGRATULATIONS.
YOU'RE A GREAT ADDITION TO OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ALBERT, I JUST I'M GOING TO SAY, I MEAN, YOU KNOW, WE JUST PRESENTED 20 YEARS OF SERVICE, SO, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT WE EXPECT, RIGHT? 20 YEARS OF SERVICE, YOU KNOW, BUT THANK YOU.
YOU KNOW, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE HERE.
IT'S ALWAYS GREAT WHEN WE'RE DOING THESE BATCH PAINTINGS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT JUST SHOWS THAT OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IS STRONG, RIGHT? THAT WE'RE CONTINUING TO RECRUIT.
WE'RE CONTINUING TO FILL THE POSITIONS.
YOU KNOW, I HEAR OTHER LOCATIONS THAT ARE STRUGGLING, RIGHT? SO THE FACT THAT WE'RE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO RECRUIT AND OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, THE CHIEF SPEAKS WELL OF YOU.
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU ON THE TEAM.
THANK YOU, SIR. WE WILL NOW HAVE A FIVE MINUTE RECESS FOR ANY, YOU KNOW, PICTURES AND CELEBRATION.
WE'LL BE BACK IN FIVE MINUTES.
I WILL NOW CALL THIS MEETING BACK TO ORDER.
ALL RIGHT. WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER TEN.
[10.b. Wasco Police Department (Fivecoat)]
I DO NOT SEE ANYBODY FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.SO, CHIEF FIVECOAT, YOU'RE UP.
TONIGHT, A LITTLE BIT OF CHANGE OF FORMAT.
THE SAME STATS AS NORMAL, WITH A FEW ADDITIONS.
FIRST THING I'D LIKE TO MENTION IS LATENT PRINT HIT PINS THAT WERE RECEIVED RECENTLY.
THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT STARTED HANDING OUT PINS MANY YEARS AGO FOR PEOPLE THAT WERE ABLE TO RETRIEVE LATENT EVIDENCE FROM CRIME SCENES, WHICH ULTIMATELY LED TO THE PROSECUTION AND CONVICTION OF THE CRIMINAL SUSPECT THAT WAS INVOLVED.
WE RECEIVED THREE SUCH PINS LAST WEEK TO GIVE TO OUR OFFICERS.
THE FIRST WAS MARIA ROCHA WITH.
SHE WAS GIVEN ONE HIT PIN, 18, GONZALEZ RECEIVED ONE HIT PIN.
AND THEN, I GUESS, THE TRULY THE STAR OF THE EVENING, JAVIER SANCHEZ.
THIS WAS HIS 79TH HIT ON LEIGHTON.
EVIDENCE. AND SO HE CAME FROM THE DELANO POLICE DEPARTMENT AS ALBERT DID.
HE WORKED PRIMARILY DOING CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATIONS UP THERE.
AND DURING THE COURSE OF HIS TENURE, OF COURSE, HE STARTED RACKING UP THESE LATENT HITS.
AND I KNOW, MR. MARTINEZ, COUNCILMAN MARTINEZ YOU'RE AWARE OF THE WORK THAT GOES INTO LIFTING LATENT PRINTS FROM CRIME SCENES.
AND I SPENT TEN YEARS TRYING TO EARN ONE, AND I NEVER GOT ONE.
I WAS GOING TO SAY NOT FOR JAVIER.
VERY IMPRESSIVE STATS ON HIS PART.
AND AS WE ROLL INTO THE NEXT SLIDE.
SO JUST TALKING ABOUT SOME OF OUR EVENTS, AND IT'S GOING TO COME BACK TO THIS LATENT EVIDENCE.
SO WE HAD THE 36TH ANNUAL OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARDS ON 10/10, WHICH FORTUNATELY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND CITY STAFF WERE THERE AS WELL. BUT WE HAD THE TABERNACLE OF PRAISE HARVEST FESTIVAL ON THE 26TH.
THEN OF COURSE, HALLOWEEN NIGHT WE HAD THE TRUNK OR TREAT EVENT DOWN AT BARKER PARK FOLLOWED BY THE WASCO SHAFTER FOOTBALL GAME LAST FRIDAY AND HOW THIS RELATES BACK TO THE HIT PINS AND THE LATENT EVIDENCE ON THE CITY OPERATION OF THE NIGHT OF THE FOOTBALL GAME.
WE HAD OVER 40 OFFICERS IN WASCO FROM VARIOUS AGENCIES AS FAR AWAY AS CAL CITY AND RIDGECREST.
THEY PERFORMED A NUMBER OF PAROLE AND PROBATION SEARCHES, AND ONE OF THOSE SEARCHES NETTED 2.5OZ OF CRYSTAL METH AMPHETAMINE, ALONG WITH OVER 2000 LETHAL DOSES OF FENTANYL, WHICH IS VERY A VERY BIG PROBLEM FOR US AND EVERYONE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY. THE SUSPECT IN THAT CASE, OR SUSPECTS THERE WAS FOUR SUSPECTS LIVED ACROSS THE STREET FROM AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
[00:20:03]
THE OTHER NOTABLE ONE, WHICH TIES DIRECTLY TO THE LATENT EVIDENCE, IS A SERIES OF FIVE CASES THAT WE HAD DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2ND COMMERCIAL BURGLARIES, ONE ON F STREET, THE OTHER A INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX, $30,000 WORTH OF ESTIMATED LOSS. WE DID FULL RECOVERY ON ALL OF THE PROPERTY WE RECEIVED; WE WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN LATENT EVIDENCE FROM THE CRIME SCENES.THEY EXECUTED A SEARCH WARRANT ON THE 27TH OF OCTOBER, CLEARED FIVE CASES, INCLUDING TWO ARMED ROBBERIES, AND RECOVERED THE WEAPON THAT WAS USED IN BOTH OF THE ARMED ROBBERIES.
AND AGAIN, THE CASE WAS MADE WITH LATENT EVIDENCE.
THIS NEXT SLIDE, WHAT I WAS TRYING TO DO FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COUNCIL, IS TO KIND OF GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF HOW THINGS ARE STARTING TO AVERAGE OUT IN THE CITY OF WASCO.
THIS IS BASICALLY A SEVEN MONTH AVERAGE.
IT RAN ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE END OF OCTOBER.
WE'RE DOING ABOUT 699 700 OFFICER INITIATED EVENTS A MONTH ON AVERAGE, ABOUT 961 CALLS FOR SERVICE.
IT MADE ME HARKEN BACK TO OUR ORIGINAL CONVERSATIONS WITH OWS WHEN WE WERE ASKING FOR A COMM CENTER, AND THEY SAID WE DIDN'T HAVE THE CALL VOLUME TO SUPPORT IT. WELL, WE'VE MORE THAN DOUBLED WHAT THEY HAD BEFORE.
TOTAL INCIDENTS ABOUT 1661 ON AVERAGE A MONTH.
AND THEN YOU CAN SEE IN THE FAR RIGHT COLUMN THE BREAKDOWN BY TYPES OF CASES.
AND AGAIN, THAT WAS JUST PROVIDED TO YOU TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF HOW WE'RE AVERAGING OVER TIME.
THE ACTIVITY IS STAYING RELATIVELY STATIC.
I MENTIONED AT THE LAST, AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING THAT WE'RE SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF A DECLINE IN ACTIVITY, WHICH IS NOT REALLY ABNORMAL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR. THINGS ARE COOLING OFF.
WE'RE NOT SEEING A LOT OF THE ACTIVITY THAT WE WERE SEEING DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.
OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE TO ME IS THE 1013 STOPS.
AGAIN, THOSE WERE CITIZEN CONTACTS.
I BELIEVE IT'S REALLY HELPING US WITH PUBLIC RELATIONS.
THE OTHER PREDICTION I MADE AND I DIDN'T MISS IT TOO BAD.
I THINK WE MISSED IT BY 36 CALLS.
SO PRETTY CLOSE TO 10,000 CALLS.
IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM FOR YOU.
MAYOR PRO TEM, ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS.
JUST. YOU GUYS ARE CONTINUING TO DO A GREAT JOB IN THE COMMUNITY.
ALL RIGHT. ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS. YOU'RE JUST DOING A GREAT JOB.
AND JUST. I LIKE MR. LYNCH. I READ THE ARTICLE AND THEY THE ARTICLE, THEY PRAISED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND WASCO THEY, THEY TOO NOTICED THE DIFFERENCE THAT YOU GUYS ARE MAKING IN THEIR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
THANK YOU, SIR. I'M MAYOR REYNA.
I JUST HAVE A QUESTION, CHIEF.
CAN YOU NAME THE SCHOOL? I WISH I COULD.
AND I'M WONDERING WHETHER THOSE INDIVIDUALS WERE THE ONES THAT YOU CAUGHT.
AND FORTUNATELY, EVERYTHING LINED UP AND IT WORKED OUT WELL.
GREAT JOB. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
[11) CONSENT CALENDAR]
ITEM NUMBER 11.THIS EVENING WE HAVE ITEMS 11 A THROUGH 11 F.
MAYOR PRO TEM SALINA? I HAVE NONE. MEMBER MARTINEZ? NO CONFLICT. NO CONFLICT.
MAYOR AND I DO HAVE NO CONFLICT.
[00:25:02]
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM? SEEING NONE, ARE THERE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM? MAYOR PRO TEM SALINA, I'M SORRY.ARE THERE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM? NO. NO. [INAUDIBLE].
SO I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
MADAM CLERK. IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
CAN I GET THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL? YES.
MARTINEZ. SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANHA TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
[13.a. Approve the New Homeless Outreach Coordinator position and 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. (Hurlbert)]
NEW BUSINESS.APPROVED THE NEW HOMELESS OUTREACH COORDINATOR POSITION AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE AMENDED SALARY SCHEDULE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 2025 AND 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.
YES. HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
ONE IS THE FULL TIME POSITION.
THE HOMELESS OUTREACH COORDINATOR IS PRETTY MUCH WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE.
WE HAVE A VARIETY OF GRANT FUNDING THAT IS COMING IN.
WE HAVE A NEED TO COORDINATE THAT.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT AT OUR STRATEGIC MEETING WAS TO PARTNERSHIP WITH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, NONPROFITS, CHARITIES THAT THAT MAKE IT THEIR BUSINESS TO DEAL WITH DELIVERING SERVICES TO HOMELESS FOLKS AND PROVIDING SERVICES.
BUT WE STILL NEED TO CONNECT THOSE FOLKS WITH OUR LOCAL HOMELESS POPULATION, AND WE STILL NEED TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE CALLED FOR IN THESE GRANTS THAT WE'VE COLLECTED.
SO THIS POSITION IS EXACTLY THAT.
IT WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH THE CODE ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT AND ALSO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT STAFF AND MAKE THESE CONNECTIONS, HOPEFULLY GET TO KNOW THE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR HOMELESS POPULATION AND BE ABLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
WE DON'T HAVE AN OVERWHELMING NUMBER RIGHT NOW, BUT THEY DO CAUSE SOME DISRUPTION.
MOST ARE RESISTANT, AT LEAST AT THE BEGINNING, SO WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN PUT THESE FUNDS TO GOOD USE WITH THIS PERSON AND HELP DIRECT THOSE EFFORTS AND FOCUS THOSE EFFORTS ON THE ONES THAT CAN BENEFIT FROM THAT.
WE'VE IDENTIFIED AND CREATED A NEW TITLE AND SALARY RANGE FOR THIS POSITION IS RANGE 41.
AND THAT RANGE NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO OUR SCHEDULE PER THE PURSE REGULATIONS, TO MAKE IT OFFICIAL.
IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS, WE'LL GET THOSE ANSWERED BETWEEN MYSELF AND STAFF.
ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM SELENA? NO COMMENTS. MARTINEZ? NO COMMENTS. MEMBER GARCIA? I JUST THINK IT'S JUST A VERY NEEDED POSITION HERE IN OUR TOWN.
YOU KNOW, OUR HOMELESS POPULATION IS INCREASING LITTLE BY LITTLE.
HOPEFULLY THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.
THANK YOU. MAYOR. I'M AMBIVALENT ABOUT THIS POSITION.
AND THE REASONS BEHIND IT IS BECAUSE I KNOW THAT ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE AS THE HOMELESS HAVE BEEN COMING TO WASCO ON A REGULAR BASIS. I MYSELF HAVE CALLED THEM TO COME HERE.
YOU KNOW, WHEN I TOOK THE TIME AND TALKED TO SOME OF THESE HOMELESS PEOPLE AND ASKED THEM, HOW CAN I HELP YOU TO GET OFF THE STREETS? AND SO I TRIED TO PUT THEM IN CONTACT WITH FLOOD MINISTRIES, WHICH IS ONE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT COMES TO WASCO.
AND I KNOW THERE ARE OTHERS BEFORE THE WASCO HOMELESS CAMP WAS
[00:30:05]
RAISED. FLOOD MINISTRIES WAS HERE AT LEAST ON TWO OCCASIONS, IF NOT MORE, PRIOR TO THE RAISING OF IT.AND THEY TALKED TO ALL OF THESE PEOPLE AND I BELIEVE IN FACT, I KNOW THAT ONE OF THEM TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE OFFER TO THE HOUSE, BUT THEN RETURNED LATER.
SO AND I KNOW IT IS A PROBLEM.
I JUST DON'T KNOW WHETHER PUTTING THIS MONEY INTO IT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
I KNOW IT'S A DIFFICULT SITUATION.
I KNOW THAT THE HOMELESS ARE OUT THERE AND THEY'RE CREATING SOME ISSUES.
BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT HIRING SOMEBODY TO ACTUALLY WORK ON THAT IS GOING TO MAKE THAT BIG OF A DIFFERENCE, KNOWING THAT OTHER AGENCIES HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL AT GETTING THESE PEOPLE OFF THE STREET.
I ALSO WONDER WHETHER THIS MAY END UP WITH SOME KIND OF ISSUE IN WHICH OUR COMMUNITY WILL NOT BE HAPPY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, NOBODY WANTS TO DEAL WITH THE HOMELESS.
WE DON'T WANT THEM ON THE STREETS, BUT THEY ALSO DON'T WANT THEM IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE ALL KNOW THAT THE OLD NIMBY NOT IN MY BACKYARD, SO I'M NOT SURE.
I'M NOT SURE WHETHER THIS IS THE SOLUTION.
AND SO I WANT US TO THINK ABOUT THAT BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD TO SPENDING THAT KIND OF MONEY.
I DO WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU BECAUSE YOU DO.
YOU DID MENTION THAT THERE ARE FUNDING THAT IS COMING TO US FOR THIS PURPOSE.
AND DO WE NEED SOMEBODY IN A POSITION THAT WOULD BE HERE, YOU KNOW, YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT TO, TO BE ABLE TO TO DO THAT? I'M JUST SO I CAN ADDRESS PARTS OF THAT.
I THINK YOUR REASONING IS EXACTLY WHAT WE CONSIDERED WHEN WE WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THIS.
THE OUTSIDE AGENCIES COMING OUT EVEN REGULARLY, ARE NOT HERE ALL THE TIME.
AND SO THAT WAS REALLY OUR FIRST INSTINCT WAS TO TURN A LARGE AMOUNT OF THIS FUNDING THAT WE'VE RECEIVED OVER TO IN A CONTRACT FORM WITH ONE OF THESE OUTSIDE AGENCIES.
AND SO THE IDEA IS TO TRY SOMETHING NEW AND TO HAVE A PERMANENT FOCAL POINT HERE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT CAN TRULY UNDERSTAND THE DYNAMICS THAT ARE GOING ON. AND MAYBE IT'S ONE OF THE OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS OR ANOTHER, OR A NEW ONE THAT THAT WE HAVEN'T DEALT WITH IN THE PAST. BUT SEEING IF WE CAN FIGURE THAT OUT AND OUR NUMBERS ARE SUCH THAT POSITIVELY AFFECTING 1 OR 2 INDIVIDUALS IS A, IT'S A PERCENTAGE OF OF OUR POPULATION.
AND THAT AND IT WOULD BE AN IMPROVEMENT OVER WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE PAST AS AS YOU SAY, SOME FOLKS GO AWAY THEY FIND THAT THEY CAN'T WORK WITHIN THE STRUCTURE OF ONE OF THE SERVICES THAT ARE BEING DELIVERED.
AND THEY THEY END UP BACK OUT ON THE STREET.
IF IT DOESN'T, WE GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AND AND TRY SOMETHING ELSE.
WE ALSO REALIZE THAT MANAGING THE FUNDING AND THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND THE OVERHEAD OF OF MANAGING THESE GRANT FUNDS WE NEED SOMEBODY TO TAKE ON THAT LOAD.
SO THOSE. THOSE ARE THE REALLY THE PRIMARY REASONS DRIVING THIS APPROACH.
OKAY. I DO WANT TO SAY THAT I DO RECOGNIZE THIS AS BEING AN IMPORTANT ISSUE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I THINK I SAID THAT ALREADY, BUT I WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THAT.
I THINK I'LL BE WILLING TO TRY THIS AND, YOU KNOW, SEE WHAT RESULTS WE GET.
I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE SOME TARGETS FOR THIS INDIVIDUAL OR THE POSITION IN GENERAL, YOU KNOW, AND I THINK THAT WE WILL MEASURE HOW EFFECTIVE THAT INDIVIDUAL HE OR SHE WILL BE BY THE RESOLUTION OF THOSE ISSUES THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS.
FIRST OFF, SO THE GRANT ITSELF, HOW LONG IS IT?
[00:35:04]
IS IT FOR A YEAR? IS IT FOR FIVE YEARS? WHAT'S THE ACTUAL FUNDING? IT IS A FIVE YEAR GRANT.YEAH. YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TO TALK TO THE.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
A FEW MONTHS AGO, WE APPLIED FOR THAT FUNDING.
THE GOAL WAS TO CONTRACT WITH THE NONPROFIT.
BUT WE'RE TRYING TO HIRE SOMEONE INTERNALLY THAT CAN HELP US MANAGE NOT ONLY, YOU KNOW, WORKING WITH OUR HOMELESS POPULATION, BUT ALSO MANAGE THAT CONTRACT WITH THAT NONPROFIT.
AND HOPEFULLY CONNECT THE DOTS.
YOU KNOW, WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE IN WASCO THAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT? I KNOW THAT A LOT OF OUR LOCAL CHURCHES, THERE'S SOME NONPROFITS THAT ARE DOING SOME GREAT WORK HERE IN WASCO, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHOEVER WE HIRE, THEY'RE THERE TO CONNECT THOSE DOTS.
OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING THAT.
AND I MEAN, I THINK THE POSITION ITSELF, IT'S I LIKE THE WAY THAT YOU PUT IT.
RIGHT. IT'S LIKE THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX.
RIGHT? WE'VE TRIED DIFFERENT APPROACHES.
I LIKE THIS APPROACH THAT WE'RE TAKING.
IT'S GOING TO BE THAT LIAISON, THAT SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT THAT'S GOING TO BE DEALING WITH PD.
BECAUSE I'M SURE THE PD HAS A LOT OF ENCOUNTERS WITH OUR HOMELESS POPULATION, RIGHT? BUT THIS PERSON IS REALLY GOING TO BE THAT THAT PERSON THAT'S GOING TO SORT OF TIE EVERYTHING TOGETHER.
IN TERMS OF THE POSITION ITSELF.
DO WE HAVE SOME SORT OF JOB DESCRIPTION ALREADY? WE DO. OKAY.
THAT WASN'T PART OF THIS, RIGHT? BECAUSE I DON'T THINK I SAW.
SO I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SEEING WHAT THAT JOB DESCRIPTION ENTAILS.
I KNOW IT'S GOING TO THIS PERSON WOULD REPORT TO KERI KERI TEAM.
BUT WITH THAT, I'M SURE THERE'S KPIS AND THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO BE MEETING, RIGHT? IN TERMS OF LIKE TO CONTINUE GETTING THE FUNDING, I WOULD ASSUME, CORRECT, THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S REPORTING WE HAVE TO DO ANNUAL REPORTS ON, YOU KNOW, THE IMPACT WE'RE HAVING ON ON THIS ISSUE.
YOU KNOW, HOW MANY, HOW MANY CLIENTS HAVE WE ASSISTED, HOW MANY INDIVIDUALS, HOW MANY OF THEM HAVE BEEN REHOUSED? HOW MANY OF THEM GOT, YOU KNOW, SOME KIND OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, WHETHER IT WAS MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE.
SO PART OF THE JOB DESCRIPTION, IT HAS, YOU KNOW, WE DETAIL WHAT WE HOPE TO HIRE, INCLUDING WE WANT TO BE PART OF THE MIS, THE HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM.
WE WANT TO HAVE ACCESS TO THAT SYSTEM SO WE CAN BE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, KEEP TRACK OR, YOU KNOW, MONITOR WHO ARE WE SERVICING AND WHAT ARE THEY, WHAT SERVICES WE'RE PROVIDING SO WE CAN REPORT WE GOT A REPORT BACK TO THE STATE HOW WE'RE USING THEIR MONEY.
ALL RIGHT. SO THAT ANSWERS THE QUESTION THAT I HAD EARLIER.
YOU KNOW THESE PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO MEASURE HOW EFFECTIVE THIS INDIVIDUAL THAT WE HIRE IS AT DOING THE JOB THAT THEY'RE HIRED TO DO.
SO THAT ALSO I LIKE WHAT I'M HEARING.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
MADAM CLERK, IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
CAN WE HAVE THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL? MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ.
SECONDED BY MAYOR MEDINA TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
[13.b. Informational Only Regarding the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update, 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. (Villa)]
SIGMA UPDATE AND FIND THAT THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT THAT'S DEFINED UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT STATE GUIDELINES.THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO STATE GUIDELINES SECTION 15378, NO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED.
MR. VILLA. GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR.
LOCAL AGENCIES MUST CREATE PLANS TO MANAGE GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY.
[00:40:07]
THE SUBBASIN INCLUDES EIGHT CITIES WASCO, ARVIN, BAKERSFIELD, DELANO, MARICOPA, MCFARLAND, SHAFTER, AND TAFT.ON JUNE 20TH, 2018, THE CITY ENTERED INTO A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF SHAFTER, [INAUDIBLE] WATER STORAGE DISTRICT AND SHAFTER WASCO IRRIGATION DISTRICT, KNOWN AS [INAUDIBLE]. THIS GROUP WAS FORMED, HAS FORMED ITS OWN GSA GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCIES TO CREATE AND IMPLEMENT COMPLIANCE PLAN REQUIRED BY SIGMA IN JANUARY 2020.
THE GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY SUBMITTED THEIR PLANS IN JANUARY 2022.
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES DESIGNATED THE PLANS INCOMPLETE IN JULY OF 2020.
THE GSA AMENDED AND RESUBMITTED THE PLANS IN MARCH OF 2023.
DWR DEEMED THE PLANT INADEQUATE.
THE FIRST STEP IN THIS PROCESS IS PUBLIC HEARING BY THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD, WHICH WILL DETERMINE THE SUBBASINS SHOULD BE DESIGNATED AS PROBATIONARY DUE TO UNRESOLVED DEFICIENCIES IN PLACE OF PROBATION, COULD RESULT IN WATER ATTRACTION FEES AND REDUCED WATER ALLOCATIONS FOR THE SURROUNDING REGION.
WASCO IS CLASSIFIED AS A DESIGNATED DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY.
ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM SELENA? I HAVE NO QUESTIONS. MEMBER MARTINEZ? NO QUESTIONS. MEMBER RAYA? NO QUESTIONS. MAYOR REYNA.
SO, SCOTT, I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING AS PART OF THAT GROUP.
IS IT THAT WE COULD NOT COME TO AN AGREEMENT AS A WHOLE WITH ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE OF THAT GROUP? YEAH, THIS THIS SUB BASIN PLAN IN ITS ENTIRETY WAS FOUND TO BE DEFICIENT.
I MEAN, WE COULD SPEND A COUPLE OF DAYS IN THIS ROOM TRYING ALL OF US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IT.
BUT IF WE BOIL DOWN TO IT, ONE OF THE KEY THINGS IS THERE'S DISAGREEMENT FROM ONE GSA TO ANOTHER ON WHAT ARE THE TRIGGER DEPTHS OF GAIN OR LOSS OF DEPTH OF GROUNDWATER DEPTH.
AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THAT OCCURS WHEN YOU PASS THROUGH ONE OF THOSE TRIGGER DEPTHS, AND FOR VARIOUS REASONS, DIFFERENT DISTRICTS AND GSA'S HAVE SET THOSE TO THEIR BENEFIT, AND THEY DON'T ALL COORDINATE.
AND NOW I WILL ALSO ADD MY OPINION ON THIS.
I THINK THAT SOME OF THE FOLKS REVIEWING THESE PLANS DON'T FULLY UNDERSTAND THE ENVIRONMENT HERE IN THE SOUTHERN END OF THE VALLEY AND IN OUR PARTICULAR SUB BASIN.
AND SO I THINK THERE'S A COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND REVISION THAT'S TAKING PLACE NOW IS TO TRY TO GET THE FOLKS THAT ARE REVIEWING THESE PLANS TO UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BETTER, AND WHY WE HAVE SET THINGS UP THE WAY WE HAVE.
IT RECOGNIZES THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITIES, OF THE CITY, OF THE PEOPLE VERSUS CROPS AND PROPERLY.
AND THERE ARE MITIGATION, MEMBERS OR MITIGATION MEASURES DEFINED IN OUR PLAN FOR WHEN MUNICIPAL SUPPLIES ARE IMPACTED AND WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO MITIGATE THAT IF IT DOES OCCUR.
SO THIS IS A REGIONAL CHALLENGE.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, WE ALL SINK OR SWIM TOGETHER AND IT IS A IT'S A REAL POSSIBILITY THAT THE SUB BASIN COULD END UP IN THIS PROBATIONARY STATUS, WHICH WOULD PUT ESSENTIALLY A TAX ON THE WATER THAT'S EXTRACTED FROM THE GROUND.
AND IT'S DISAPPOINTING TO ME THAT WE HAVE COME TO THIS IN WHICH, YOU KNOW, WE ENDED UP WITH THE GOVERNOR MANDATING SOMETHING FOR US.
HOW LIKELY IS IT THAT WE WOULD BE EXEMPT FROM ANY TAXATION?
[00:45:02]
I THINK THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE.I THINK MUNICIPAL USES TRADITIONALLY AND LEGALLY TYPICALLY TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER OTHER USES.
AND WHILE IT ISN'T A BUDGET BREAKING EXPENSE, IT'S, YOU KNOW, IT IS AN EXPENSE.
IF WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE WATER THAT'S EXTRACTED FOR THE USE OF OUR CITIZENS.
DO YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE OUR CASE HERE IN THIS HEARING? WE HAVE.
AND WE'VE BEEN MAKING THE CASE ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS.
THERE HAVE BEEN SOME STATEMENTS RELEASED.
YES, WE SO FAR WE'VE DEFERRED TO OUR PARTNERS AT NORTH KERN AND SWID TO BE THE FACE OF OUR CO-OP, AND I THINK THEY'RE IN THE BUSINESS FULL TIME.
RIGHT. BUT WE'RE ALSO NOW STARTING TO PARTICIPATE AS A CITY MEMBER OF THAT GROUP.
AND THE SAME WITH OUR OTHER PARTNER CITY OF SHAFTER HAS DONE SOME OF THE SAME.
SO WE'RE, WE'RE TRYING TO TAKE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES STRATEGICALLY.
AND BUT WHEN THEY OCCUR, WE WILL TAKE THEM.
THANK YOU. I THINK IT WILL BE CRUCIAL FOR US, YOU KNOW, IF WE ARE TO SUCCEED IN AVOIDING ANY CHARGES TO HAVE VOICE ALL ALONG OUR DISAGREEMENT WITH THE CURRENT STATUS.
AND WHERE IT MAY, IT MAY MAKE SENSE TO ISSUE A LETTER FROM THE COUNCIL, PERHAPS UNDER THE MAYOR'S SIGNATURE THAT, YOU KNOW, REINFORCING OUR POSITION. VERY GOOD.
THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION.
IS THIS JUST AN INFORMATION ITEM? YES, IT IS. THANK YOU.
ALL RIGHT. I HAVE NOTHING TO ADD.
[13.c. Informational Only Regarding the State Revolving Fund Grant status and recent changes, 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. (Villa)]
UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT STATE GUIDELINES.THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO STATE GUIDELINES, SECTION 15378 ON ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE CITY SUBMITTED A TECHNICAL PACKAGE TO THE STATE WATER BOARD BACK IN 2020 TO ADDRESS THE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE REPLACING OUR AGING WELLS AND WATER TREATMENT AT WELL 12.
ALSO, THE ADDITION OF TWO MUCH NEEDED STORAGE TANKS ALONG WITH AN [INAUDIBLE].
THE CITY HAS FACED MULTIPLE HURDLES DURING THIS FOUR YEAR PROCESS.
ON SEPTEMBER 26TH, 2024, STAFF MET WITH STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD AT THE CITY'S REQUEST.
UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS WHEN THE CITY WAS NOTIFIED THE FUNDS WOULD BECOME 100% FUNDED.
12 ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE GRANT FUNDING INCLUDED ARMY ADVANCED METERING AND TWO STORAGE WATER TANKS.
DELAYING THE PROJECTS COULD LEAD TO HIGHER EXPENSES IN THE FUTURE WITH RISING COSTS OF MATERIAL.
ONE ALTERNATIVE WILL BE TO FUND A STORAGE TANK TO BE PLACED AT 1213.
CURRENTLY APPROACHING COMPLETION.
WITH THAT, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, BE HAPPY TO ANSWER.
THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM SALINA? I HAVE NO COMMENTS. MARTINEZ? NO COMMENTS. MEMBER GARCIA? NO. NO COMMENTS. MAYOR REYNA.
RIGHT. THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING TO YES, THAT WE HAD A PLAN TO IMPROVE OUR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING WATER TANKS AND SMART METERS.
AND NOW WE'RE BEING TOLD YOU WILL NOT GET THE FUNDING FOR THOSE.
CORRECT. AND SO WHAT WE ARE TO CONSIDER IS WHAT THE COST WOULD BE IF WE DO NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH IT BY IMPLEMENTING THOSE THINGS THAT ARE BEING FUNDED.
THAT'S THE GIST OF IT, RIGHT? CORRECT. OKAY.
WELL, WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PROVIDE, WILL SERVE LETTERS TO DEVELOPERS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE SUFFICIENT WATER INFRASTRUCTURE TO ACTUALLY DO THAT.
AND SO I THINK IT WOULD BE SHOOTING OURSELVES IN THE FOOT IF WE DID NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH IMPLEMENTING THIS BUILDING OF THE WATER TANK AND STORAGE TANK AND THE METERS, THE SMART METERS.
[00:50:06]
AND I AM GIVEN CERTAIN CONFIDENCE WITH THE FACT THAT OUR.FINANCE DIRECTOR HAS LOOKED INTO IT AND HAS SORT OF GIVEN US REASSURANCES THAT WE CAN GO AHEAD AND PROCEED WITHOUT PUTTING OUR ENTERPRISE FUND AT RISK.
AND NOT TO GET THE CART AHEAD OF THE HORSE HERE.
[13.d. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Approve a Change Order for Well 13 Site Development Project to Procure and Install an Additional Water Storage Tank in an Amount not to Exceed $4.2 million, 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. (Villa)]
AND YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.WE WILL DISCUSS EXACTLY THOSE ITEMS ON THE NEXT ON THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM.
I GUESS I'M JUMPING THE GUN HERE.
THAT'S OKAY. THAT'S THAT'S WHERE WE'RE HEADED.
RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION.
I HAVE NOTHING TO ADD, SO WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM D, ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, OR DESIGNEE TO APPROVE A CHANGE ORDER FOR WARD 13 SITE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT TO PROCURE AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL WATER STORAGE TANK IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 4.2 MILLION, AND FIND THAT THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT AS DEFINED UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT GUIDELINES.
THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO STATE GUIDELINES SECTION 15378, NO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED.
FOLLOWING THE PREVIOUS STAFF REPORT, SINCE THE SRF FUND WILL NO LONGER FUND THE WATER STORAGE TANKS, A POTENTIAL SOLUTION WOULD BE TO CONSTRUCT A WATER STORAGE TANK AT WELL 13 SITE.
THE ADDITION OF THE WATER STORAGE TANK WILL SIGNIFICANTLY BENEFIT THE CITY BY ENABLING THE CITY TO MAINTAIN RESERVE WATER SUPPLY DURING NATURAL DISASTERS AND POWER OUTAGES.
CONSISTENT AND EFFECTIVE WATER PRESSURE FOR FIRE PROTECTION.
THESE ARE JUST A FEW BENEFITS OF HAVING WATER STORAGE TANKS.
AFTER THE CITY'S FINANCE DIRECTOR CONDUCTED A THOROUGH ANALYSIS.
THE CITY HAS SUFFICIENT FUNDS, WATER ENTERPRISE RESERVES TO FUND THE PROJECT.
WITH THAT, STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVING A CHANGE ORDER IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 4.2 MILLION TO PROCURE AND CONSTRUCT A 1.5 MILLION GALLON WATER STORAGE WATER STORAGE TANK AT 13.
WITH THAT, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER.
ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM SELENA.
I HAVE NO COMMENTS. MARTINEZ SOUNDS LIKE WE DON'T HAVE ANY CHOICE.
REALLY, SO I THINK WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH IT.
MEMBER GARCIA? WELL, SINCE LIKE YOU MENTIONED, THE COMPANY IS WORKING ALREADY ON WELL, 13 MIGHT AS WELL, YOU KNOW, CORRECT.
AND IF WE WEIGH MORE IT'S GOING TO BE MORE MONEY.
THE COST IS JUST GOING TO INCREASE.
AND THE COMPANY ON SITE WILL STILL CONTINUE.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO FIND THE BEST PRICE FOR THE TANK CURRENTLY IF THIS IS APPROVED TONIGHT.
SO IT COULD BE MUCH LESS THAN WE'LL BRING IT BACK FOR APPROVAL.
OKAY. THANK YOU. MAYOR REYNA I JUST HAVE ONE WE HAD ALREADY DESIGNATED WHERE THE TANKS WERE GOING TO BE IN THE PAST, AND I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS SITE WAS ALREADY SELECTED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
YES, BECAUSE THERE ARE PHYSICS, RIGHT, THAT NEED TO BE CONSIDERED WHERE YOU PLACE THE TANK.
AND I DON'T NEED TO BE TRYING TO EXPLAIN THOSE, BUT YOU KNOW HOW THE WATER FLOWS FOR A WHAT IS THE WORD I'M LOOKING FOR? IDEAL. IDEAL FLOW OF THE WATER.
SO SO SO THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE.
YES. AND I DON'T WANT TO INTERRUPT.
NO. AND AND THIS ITEM, THE THE WORDING IS A LITTLE BIT CLUMSY BECAUSE WE'RE REALLY TAKING TWO BABY STEPS HERE.
THE TANK, STEEL AND AND ASSEMBLY OF IT IS MAYBE A LITTLE LESS THAN HALF OF THAT TOTAL COST.
[00:55:07]
TONIGHT, WHAT YOU'RE APPROVING IS THE OVERALL CONCEPT TO MOVE FORWARD IN THIS DIRECTION.AND, AND TO GET THOSE QUOTES OR BIDS IN, IN HAND AND COME BACK TO YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
AND NEITHER WOULD THE REVOLVING FUND, EVEN IF IT HAD REMAINED AT ITS FULL SIZE.
IF YOU RECALL, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FOR REPLACEMENT WELLS.
BUT IT DOESN'T SOLVE OUR LONG TERM PROBLEM.
ONLY ADDITIONAL WELLS AND ADDITIONAL CAPACITY WILL DO THAT.
SO THIS IS ONE STEP OF MANY MOVING TOWARD THAT ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO GROW.
BUT I THINK THIS IS THIS IS CRITICAL.
AS MR. VILLA POINTED OUT, THE ENERGY SAVINGS ALONE WILL BE SIGNIFICANT.
AND BEING ABLE TO PUMP AT NIGHT DURING LOW UTILITY RANGES AND THEN DELIVER THAT WATER DURING THE DAY WILL BE A BIG ADVANTAGE.
AND ALONG WITH THE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS, IF WE HAD 2 OR 3 WELLS GO DOWN AT THE SAME TIME, YOU KNOW.
IT WOULD CONSTITUTE A SERIOUS SITUATION FOR US.
AND I THINK, AS WE'VE POINTED OUT IN EARLIER MEETINGS, THE NEW, WELL, SITES THAT WE'RE SELECTING, WE'RE SPECIFICALLY LEAVING ENOUGH ROOM FOR TANK AT EACH SITE SO WE CAN REFINE THE THE OVERALL WATER NETWORK PLAN AS IT GROWS AND PUT THE TANKS IN THE IDEAL POSITION TO TO BALANCE SOURCE AND PRESSURES AND SO FORTH.
I THINK I'D LIKE TO SPEND ONE MINUTE ALSO ON THE FINANCES OF THIS.
IF YOU RECALL SOME OF YOU WEREN'T ON THE COUNCIL AT THE TIME TO, TO RECALL THIS DISCUSSION, BUT WE HAD BEEN PUTTING AWAY SUBSTANTIAL RESERVES IN THE WATER ENTERPRISE ITSELF, THINKING THAT WE WOULD BE BUILDING THIS INFRASTRUCTURE ON OUR OWN.
AND THEN THE SRF OPPORTUNITY CAME ALONG AND WE REALIZED, HEY, NOW WE HAVE THIS NOT EXCESS MONEY, BUT WE HAVE THIS MONEY THAT NOW DOESN'T HAVE TO BE PASSED ALONG TO THE RATEPAYERS.
AND AND THIS IS WHAT WE ASKED MR. PERES TO LOOK, TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT CAN WE CONTINUE ON THAT SUBSIDY TRACK TO KEEP THOSE RATES AT A REASONABLE PACE AS THEY INCREASE, INSTEAD OF A SHOCKING INCREASE, AND BUILD THIS TANK AND STILL LEAVE OURSELVES IN A SAFE POSITION WITH OUR RESERVES.
AND THE ANSWER TO THAT IS YES.
AND THE OTHER HOPE IS THAT AS WE PROCEED, THAT WE GET THE FUNDING FOR THE WELLS AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADDITIONAL WATER PROJECTS WILL COME ALONG, AND WE WILL AGGRESSIVELY GO AFTER THOSE TO GET THE REST OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE WANT.
BUT THAT COULD BE A YEAR OR 2 OR 3 DOWN THE ROAD.
AND IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, I MOVE TO APPROVE IT.
I WILL SECOND. MADAM CLERK, CAN WE GET THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL? MAYOR MEDINA? AYE.
MAYOR REYNA. SECOND BY MAYOR MEDINA TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
[15.a. Kern Economic Development Corporation (Medina)]
REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES.15, A CURRENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
SO A NUMBER OF US ATTENDED THE CURRENT ENERGY SUMMIT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS THAT TWO WEEKS AGO? SOMETHING LIKE THAT. SO THAT WAS THAT WAS MY FIRST TIME ATTENDING THAT EVENT.
THAT WAS ACTUALLY INTERESTING TO HEAR EVERYTHING GOING ON.
THE LOCAL ECONOMY IS STRONG, RIGHT? THERE'S A LOT OF INVESTMENT HAPPENING HERE IN KERN COUNTY AND IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY.
THERE'S A LOT OF INTEREST HERE, SO I FORGOT MY NOTES.
RIGHT, WITH THE DIFFERENT FOLKS COMING IN AND TALKING ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON.
[01:00:07]
THAT I WAS NOT AWARE OF, YOU KNOW, EVEN JUST I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT ONE AUTONOMOUS, YOU KNOW, DEAL WAS CALLED THE ONE FOR THE PANELS, RIGHT? LIKE, THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT'S THAT WAS PRETTY COOL TO ME.AND PRETTY INTRIGUING JUST BECAUSE SOLAR ENERGY.
IT SEEMS LIKE SOLAR PLANTS ARE POPPING UP ALL OVER THE PLACE.
DOES ANYBODY REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS CALLED? HE WAS THE PANEL ROBOT.
NO. I'M KIDDING. THAT'S WHAT IT IS.
BUT IT DID HAVE A CATCHY NAME AND I'VE FORGOTTEN IT, I CAN'T REMEMBER.
YEAH. BUT ANYWAYS, YOU KNOW, THE CURRENT COUNTY IS DOING WELL.
THERE'S A LOT OF INTEREST HERE WHEN IT COMES TO TO ENERGY.
WHETHER IT'S SOLAR ENERGY OBVIOUSLY THE OIL INDUSTRY.
SO THERE'S THERE'S A LOT OF A LOT OF INVESTMENTS HAPPENING HERE.
AND OBVIOUSLY THAT MEANS THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S JOBS FOR FOLKS THAT LIVE, LIVE AND WORK HERE.
I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANY COMMENTS FROM THE FOLKS THAT ATTENDED.
NO COMMENTS. NO. AMBER, YOU WERE THERE.
I ENJOY IT. IT'S JUST LIKE YOU DID.
YOU KNOW, SEQUESTERING OF SEQUESTERING.
BUT NO, I, I TRULY ENJOYED IT TOO.
I THINK IT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE.
AND MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, THAT OPENS SOME MINDS ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT THE OIL INDUSTRY AND OTHER INDUSTRIES THAT ARE COMING TO KERN COUNTY ARE TO THE COUNTY AND TO EVERYONE IN THE COUNTY.
AND THEN THE NEXT GENERAL MEETING, I BELIEVE, IS IN JANUARY.
BESIDES THAT, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD.
CURRENT COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT, MR. REINA. ANYTHING TO REPORT? NO, THERE HASN'T BEEN A MEETING, SO NOTHING TO REPORT ON THAT.
[15.c. Wasco Task Force (Saldaña and Medina) ]
TASK FORCE. MAYOR PRO TEM? YEAH. IT WAS A GOOD TURNOUT ON THE LAST ON THE CITY WIDE CLEANUP.AND PICKED UP A LOT OF MATTRESSES, COUCHES AND EVERYTHING.
YOU GOT ANYTHING, MR. MAYOR? NEXT MEETING. MR..
SO WE'LL BE TAKING A BREAK FROM THE TASK FORCE FOR THE THIRD THURSDAY FOR THANKSGIVING MONTH.
RIGHT? FOR THIS MONTH AND FOR DECEMBER.
AND I LOOK FORWARD FOR HIM TO PICKING IT BACK UP IN JANUARY AND GOING EVEN STRONGER.
SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER, MR.
[16) REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER]
HERBERT. YES, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.A FEW ITEMS ON THE UPDATE HERE.
THE FIFTH STREET RESTRIPE PROJECT.
TO REARRANGE THAT PARK PARKING OVER HERE OFF OF OH, YEAH.
WHEN I WROTE THIS, IT WAS PROBABLY.
WHAT'S THAT? NOW IT'S FOR SURE IT'S DONE.
GET SOME CARNITAS, AND THEN I'LL CHECK IT OUT.
CHECK IT OUT. COMMUNITY BREAKFAST IS TOMORROW.
TO BE HELD AT THE FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
THE RECREATION AND PARKS JOINT MEETING UPDATE.
SO NOW THERE'S SOME TALK ABOUT.
MAYBE WE WILL HAVE A MEETING BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
NEXT MEETING? AN APPOINTEE TO FILL THAT BOARD.
THERE WILL BE A SNIP EVENT WE BELIEVE IN NOVEMBER.
WE DON'T HAVE A SCHEDULE FOR THAT YET.
THE DATE HAS NOT BEEN SELECTED.
THERE'S THE THE MEGA ADOPTION EVENT IS COMING UP SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH, THIS SATURDAY FROM 11 A.M.
TO 4 P.M. OVER AT RIVERWALK PARK.
[01:05:03]
WHAT TIME IS THAT AT 11 TO 4.WE'RE TAKING SOME DOGS TO THAT, I BELIEVE SO, YEAH.
THEN IT'S BEEN ON OUR PLATE HERE FOR A WHILE.
SEVENTH STREET RIBBON CUTTING NOW IS IMMINENT.
DAY AFTER TOMORROW, NOVEMBER 7TH AT 10 A.M..
AND WE START AT THE PARK AND THEN GO TO THE PLAZA.
SO RIGHT HERE ON THE CORNER FIRST.
NOVEMBER 21ST IS BEEN SET AS THE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT.
THAT WILL BEGIN AT THE SEVENTH STREET PLAZA.
THAT WILL BE HELD. AND THAT STARTS AT 4 P.M..
DO WE HAVE THAT ON OUR CALENDARS? YEAH. YEAH. OKAY. JUST A REMINDER.
AND THE CITY CLERK WILL REMIND ME WHEN THE REGISTRATION CUTOFF IS, BUT THERE ARE TWO OPTIONS THIS YEAR FOR THE MAYORS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS ACADEMY. ONE IS IN JANUARY, 22ND IN SACRAMENTO.
THE OTHER IS JANUARY 29TH IN GARDEN GROVE.
SO YOU CAN CHOOSE WHETHER YOU LIKE TO DRIVE NORTH OR SOUTH OR NOT AT ALL.
BUT LET THE CITY CLERK KNOW IF YOU'RE INTERESTED TO GET THE BEST REGISTRATION COSTS AND OPTIONS.
AND IF YOU NEED A VEHICLE, PLEASE LET THE CLERK KNOW AS WELL.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL AND PARADE.
AND IF WE START AT THE NORMAL TIME, THAT WILL BE 6 P.M..
BUT YOU'LL YOU'LL NO DOUBT GET ADDITIONAL UPDATES.
THERE IS AN EVENT CALLED THE TOUR OF LIGHTS AND THAT'S COMING, BUT WE DON'T HAVE A DATE FOR THAT YET EITHER, BUT WE'LL GET YOU CLUED IN ON THAT.
ALSO, I'D LIKE TO HAVE YOU WATCH FOR THE PAPER THAT WILL BE RELEASED THURSDAY.
THIS WILL BE THE FIRST HALF PAGE BLOCK OF CONTENT THAT THE CITY IS PROVIDING TO THE TRIBUNE.
SO STAFF'S DONE A GOOD JOB OF DEVELOPING A PROCESS TO GET THE CONTENT.
SO WE AREN'T SCRAMBLING TO FILL SPACE EVERY WEEK OR EVERY OTHER WEEK.
SO BUT I THINK YOU'LL ENJOY THE FIRST ONE.
AND THEN I CONCUR ON THE ENERGY SUMMIT.
REPORT OUT. IT WAS VERY INTERESTING.
SOME OF THE IDEAS, THE COMPRESSED AIR STORAGE UNDERGROUND AND THE GRAVITY BASED SOLAR STORAGE, SOLAR ENERGY STORAGE.
SOME OF THOSE IDEAS WERE PRETTY THOUGHT PROVOKING.
BUT BUT IT IS DRIVING THIS INNOVATION AND AND WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF OUR MAJOR OIL AND GAS OPERATORS HERE IN OUR PART OF THE COUNTRY STARTING TO PIVOT. AND AND THEY HAVE THE BRAINPOWER AND THE WHEREWITHAL TO DEVELOP SOME OF THESE NEW TECHNOLOGIES.
SO I THINK WE'LL SEE SOME INTERESTING WORK COME OUT OF THAT.
MOVING ON TO REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL.
[17) REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL]
MAYOR PRO TEM ANYTHING? I HAVE NOTHING TO REPORT.REMEMBER, MARTINEZ. NOTHING TO REPORT, SIR.
MEMBER GARCIA. NO, NOTHING TO REPORT.
MAYOR. I TOO ATTENDED THE ENERGY SUMMIT.
I ALREADY MADE MY COMMENTS ABOUT THAT.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES.
AS YOU RECALL, I WAS TASKED WITH VOTING FOR OUR CITY.
WHAT THE COUNCIL'S WISHES WERE.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE DID NOT HAVE A QUORUM.
SO THE RESOLUTION THAT WE HAD VOTED TO VOTE VOTED YES.
ON TO PASS THIS ON TO THEM ACTUALLY WAS NOT ADOPTED, YOU KNOW.
SO WHAT WAS THAT? WHAT HAPPENS TO ONE HAPPENS TO ALL.
[01:10:01]
I FORGET THE EXACT WORDING.YEAH. AND AND THE SAD PART IS THAT WHEN I CAME OUT, PEOPLE WERE ASKING ME, WHERE DO I GO VOTE? YOU KNOW, THEY HAD THEIR RED OR ORANGE CARDS.
AND I SAID, WELL, THAT WOULD ALREADY HAPPEN.
AND WE NEEDED YOU, YOU KNOW, TO HAVE A QUORUM.
REALLY SAD. I ATTENDED SEVERAL OF THE SESSIONS.
SCOTT. YOU AND I ATTENDED A COUPLE TOGETHER, BUT AT THE END, I ATTENDED ONE CALLED WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS, AND I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IT BRIEFLY, BECAUSE THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE AND THAT IS FUNDING FOR ROADS, WHICH IS NORMALLY FUNDED THROUGH THE GAS TAX.
THERE'S TALK ABOUT AND I'M CERTAIN YOU ARE ALL AWARE THAT THERE IS A VEHICLE MILES DRIVEN PROPOSAL THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S HOW YOU WOULD BE TAXED.
BUT THAT'S NOT IMPLEMENTED YET.
AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE AS A CITY NEED TO DO, AND YOU AS STAFF NEED TO LOOK AT, IS WHAT CAN WE DO NOW WHERE THERE'S STILL SOME FUNDING AVAILABLE BEFORE THIS? TEN YEARS ARE UP WHERE IT'S A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY AS TO WHERE MONEY WOULD BE COMING FROM.
SO WE NEED TO BE VERY MINDFUL OF THAT AND GO AFTER ANY MONEY THAT WE CAN GET TO IMPROVE OUR ROADS, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO DRY OUT AND THAT'S GOING TO LEAVE US ALL WANTING MONEY TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE OF THE ROADS THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.
SO WE NEED TO ALL DO OUR PART TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT WE HAVE THE FUNDING OR THAT WE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FUNDING THAT CURRENTLY EXISTS TO BE ABLE TO FIX THE ROADS THAT WE CAN FIX.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I REMEMBER FROM THE PAST IS THAT WASCO WAS ALWAYS ABLE TO COLLECT MONEY THAT OTHER CITIES WERE NOT USING.
DO YOU REMEMBER THOSE DAYS, SOME OF THE OLDER STAFF MEMBERS? KERI. YOU PROBABLY REMEMBER THAT.
AND SO THAT MONEY BECOMES AVAILABLE AND IT'S AVAILABLE TO WHOEVER ASKS FOR IT FIRST.
RIGHT. SO THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO.
I DID RECEIVE AN EMAIL FROM CHRIS.
HE WAS VERY GRATEFUL FOR OUR PARTICIPATION.
CHIEF, THANK YOU FOR HAVING THE PDF THERE.
THE CITY FOR HAVING A LOT OF THE CANDIES.
THAT WAS GOOD PROMOTION FOR THE VAN.
IT'S GOING TO GET A LOT OF CALLS.
SO, ALL IN ALL, THAT WAS MY FIRST TIME PARTICIPATING IN THAT EVENT.
I THINK IT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS.
A LOT OF KIDS, A LOT MORE THAN I THOUGHT I WOULD SEE OUT THERE.
BUT I KNOW THANK YOU ALL FOR ATTENDING THAT.
[18) CLOSED SESSION]
WITH THAT BEING SAID, MOVING ON TO ITEMS 18 8 TO 18 C, ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE, WE WILL NOW ENTER INTO A CLOSED SESSION AND RETURN TO REPORT OUT.WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.
[19) CLOSED SESSION ACTION]
OKAY. NO OTHER REPORTABLE ACTION.ALRIGHT, THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED FOR THE WCC.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.