[00:00:03]
>> SURE ENOUGH. OF COURSE, THAT'S NOT FOR ME.
THAT'S FOR [INAUDIBLE]. IT'S NOT FOR ME.
>> [BACKGROUND] GOOD EVENING. I WILL NOW CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
[1) CALL TO ORDER]
THE TIME IS 6:01. MADAM CLERK, CAN WE PLEASE HAVE THE ROLL CALL?>> THANK YOU. IF YOU CAN, PLEASE STAND FOR THE FLAGSHIP.
>> NO. IS THERE ANYBODY IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO LEAD US IN A VOCATION? NO ONE. WE'LL OBSERVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
[5) PRESENTATIONS]
TO ITEM NUMBER 5, PRESENTATIONS.TONIGHT, WE HAVE TWO ITEMS. STARTING WITH PROCLAMATION NATIONAL PESTICIDE SAFETY EDUCATION MONTH.
WE HAVE LIDERES CAMPESINAS, IF WE CAN HAVE YOUR GUYS JOIN US AT THE PODIUM.
WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION TO PRESENT TODAY FOR NATIONAL PESTICIDE SAFETY EDUCATION MONTH, WHEREAS THE US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY RECOGNIZES FEBRUARY AS NATIONAL PESTICIDE SAFETY EDUCATION MONTH, AND WHEREAS DURING THIS MONTH, THE PURPOSE OF NATIONAL PESTICIDE SAFETY EDUCATION IS TO REINFORCE CORE PRINCIPLES OF SAFE PESTICIDE USE AND RAISE AWARENESS, AND WHEREAS LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS LIDERES, CAMPESINAS, [SPANISH] ARE ENSURING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF AGRICULTURE WORKERS AND COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY TREATED PESTICIDE AREAS ARE ESSENTIAL.
WHEREAS EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT AND THE WORK THEY DO BY ADVOCATING AND PROVIDING INFORMATION TO THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THOSE AFFECTED HERE LOCALLY IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PESTICIDE REGULATION DPR HAS DEVELOPED A STATEWIDE NOTIFICATION SYSTEM TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH NOTICE 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE APPLICATION OF ALL CALIFORNIA RESTRICTED MATERIAL PESTICIDES TO MAINTAIN TRANSPARENT AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO INFORMATION ABOUT PESTICIDE APPLICATIONS.
NOW, THEREFORE, I THE MAYOR OF CITY OF WASCO ON BEHALF OF THE WASCO CITY COUNCIL ACKNOWLEDGES CITIZENS DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2025 AS NATIONAL PESTICIDE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH.
TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I HAVE SET MY HAND HEREIN TO AND COST TO BE AFFIXED AT GREAT CITY OF WASCO ON THIS DAY OF FEBRUARY 4, 2025.
[SPANISH] THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I'LL GO AROUND THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FIRST AND THEN I'LL OPEN IT UP FOR COMMENTS.
DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS, MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA?
>> THANK YOU GUYS FOR WHAT YOU GUYS DO. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW DANGEROUS PESTICIDES CAN BE, AND ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIVE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT AREN'T EXPOSED TO THEM A LOT ARE VERY UNAWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS, SO THANK YOU GUYS FOR WHAT YOU DO AND FOR KEEPING OUR WORKERS SAFE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THE AWARENESS OF THE USES OF PESTICIDES IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THERE'S A LARGE AMOUNT OF PESTICIDE USE AROUND HERE IN OUR TOWN, AND WE USE IT AROUND HER HOMES AND OUR YARDS AND AGRICULTURAL FIELDS AROUND WASCO, AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU GUYS BRING THE AWARENESS, THE SAFETY TRAINING FOR OUR COMMUNITY, SO THERE WILL BE LESS INCIDENTS WITH THEIR PESTICIDES. THANK YOU.
>> MR. REYNA, ANYTHING TO ADD?
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I ECHO THEIR COMMENTS.
THEY'VE BEEN VERY THOROUGH WITH IT.
I DO WANT TO SAY, WHEN PEOPLE USE PESTICIDES AT HOME, THEY SEEM TO BE UNDER THE BELIEF THAT A LITTLE BIT WORKS,
[00:05:04]
MORE WILL WORK BETTER, AND NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.YOU NEED TO BE PRECISE WITH YOUR MEASUREMENTS.
I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE LEADERS CAMPESINAS, BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN BRINGING ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE FOR A LONG TIME.
THEY MAKE THESE APRONS TO BRING ATTENTION TO THAT FACT AND ALSO TO ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT WE ENCOUNTER IN OUR COMMUNITIES, WHICH IS VIOLENCE.
ANYWAY, THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE PROCLAMATION.
>> THANK YOU, MR. REYNA. I WILL ECHO WHAT EVERYBODY HERE HAS SAID. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE.
OBVIOUSLY, I KNOW YOU'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK WITH AGRICULTURE WORKERS AND CONTINUE TO DO.
OBVIOUSLY, SAFETY IS A NUMBER ONE PRIORITY AND SAFETY CAN BE REACHED THROUGH EDUCATION, EDUCATING AND RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYEES.
THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO, AND WE DO HAVE A PROCLAMATION HERE FOR YOU.
WOULD YOU GUYS LIKE TO SAY ANY COMMENTS, A FEW WORDS? [BACKGROUND] THEN PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
>> I'LL BE TRANSLATING. THANK YOU FOR THE PROCLAMATION, AND THIS IS WHAT KEEPS US VOLUNTEERS TO CONTINUE OUR FIGHT FROM OUR CURRENT SOUTH COMMITTEE, THANK YOU FOR THE RECOGNITION.
>> [BACKGROUND] [SPANISH] I'M GOING TO TAKE A PICTURE WITH YOU GUYS FIRST.
[SPANISH] MAYOR, CAN YOU GET RIGHT HERE, PLEASE? THANK YOU.
[SPANISH] ARE YOU READY? THERE YOU GO.
[SPANISH] THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR ALLOWING ME.
[SPANISH] ON BEHALF OF THE ASSEMBLY WOMAN DR. JASMEET BAINS, WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR THE HARDWORK THEY'VE BEEN DOING BY GIVING INFORMATION AND EDUCATING OUR RESIDENTS OF [INAUDIBLE] ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF USING PESTICIDES AND NOT BE AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN YOUR OWN CITY, SO THANK YOU.
>> [BACKGROUND] MOVING ON, WE HAVE ITEM 5A, PROCLAMATION SAFELY SURRENDERED BABY AWARENESS MONTH.
I BELIEVE WE HAVE ERIN ROGERS FROM [SPANISH].
>> BAKERSFIELD PREGNANCY CENTER, BUT YES, I'M REPRESENTING THE SAFELY SURRENDERED COALITION.
>> PREGNANCY CENTER. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
WE ALSO HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR YOU.
SAFELY SURRENDERED BABY AWARENESS MONTH,
[00:10:03]
WHEREAS THE SAFETY SURRENDERED BABY LAW RESPONSE TO THE INCREASING NUMBER OF NEWBORN INFANT DEATHS DUE TO THE ABANDONMENT IN UNSAFE LOCATIONS, AND WHEREAS FIRST CREATED IN JANUARY 2001, THE LAWS INTENT IS TO SAVE THE LIVES OF NEWBORN INFANTS AT RISK OF ABANDONMENT BY ENCOURAGING PARENTS OR PERSONS WITH LAWFUL CUSTODY OF SAFETY SURRENDER THE INFANT [NOISE] WITHIN 72 HOURS OF BIRTH WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED.WHEREAS IN KERN COUNTY, THERE HAVE BEEN 103 BABIES SAFELY SURRENDERED SINCE 2006.
WHEREAS IN WASCO AND THROUGH OUT KERN COUNTY, A NEWBORN BABY CAN BE SAFELY SURRENDERED INTO THE HANDS OF ANY HOSPITAL, EMERGENCY ROOM OR FIRE STATION STAFF.
WHEREAS THE SAFELY SURRENDERED BABY COALITION UNDER THE COORDINATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES WORKS TO EDUCATE WASCO CITIZENS [NOISE] AND ALL KERN COUNTY RESIDENTS ABOUT ITS IMPORTANT LAW.
WHEREAS THE COALITION IS LED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND INCLUDES A SMALL GROUP OF DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS REPRESENTING A LONG LIST OF AGENCIES, NON PROFITS, HOSPITALS, AND STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING FIRST 5 KERN, BAKERSFIELD CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE KERN COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT, BAKERSFIELD PREGNANCY CENTER, RIGHT TO LIFE, KERN COUNTY, KERN MEDICAL, MERCY AND MEMORIAL HOSPITALS, ADVENTIST HEALTH, TO NAME A FEW.
NOW THEREOF, I THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WASCO, CALIFORNIA, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2025 AS SAFETY SURRENDERED BABY AWARENESS MONTH, AND ENCOURAGE ALL WASCO CITIZENS TO REACH OUT AND ASSIST THE SAFELY SURRENDERED BABY COALITION WITH THEIR ENDEAVORS.
AS IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I HAVE SET MY HAND HERE ON TOO AND COST TO BE AFFIXED THE GREAT CEO OF WASCO CALIFORNIA ON THIS DAY OF FEBRUARY 4, 2025.
THAT'S A MOUTHFUL. [LAUGHTER] I'LL GO AROUND THE DIAS.
MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA, ANY COMMENTS OR ANYTHING TO ASK?
>> IF YOU CAN SAVE ONE BABY, IT'S WORTH IT, BUT YOU GUYS HAVE SAVED 103 SINCE 2006, AND THAT'S ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.
IT'S AMAZING WORK THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING, AND OBVIOUSLY EVERY LIFE MATTERS, AND IT'S INCREDIBLE.
IT'S UNFORTUNATE, BUT IT'S INCREDIBLE THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING THIS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, AND PLEASE CONTINUE.
>> THANK YOU, MEMBER MARTINEZ.
>> THANK YOU FOR SERVING SUCH A WARM HEARTED ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS THESE DEFENSELESS BABIES SURVIVE.
ALSO GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A BETTER LIFE IN ADOPTION.
WE KNOW THAT A LOT OF THE TIME THESE VERY DISTRESSFUL MOTHERS, THEY'LL LEAVE THESE BABIES IN THE RESTROOMS OR EVEN IN DUMPSTERS, AND YOU GUYS GIVE THEM ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY AND THE MOTHER ANOTHER SAFE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> [LAUGHTER] ERIN, GOOD EVENING.
>> GOOD. THE WORK THAT THE BAKERSFIELD PREGNANCY CENTER IS AN OUTSTANDING TYPE OF WORK THAT SAVES LIVES.
I AM VERY PROUD TO BE NOT ONLY A MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL, BUT A MEMBER OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS WHO SUPPORT BAKERSFIELD PREGNANCY CENTER WITH THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS EACH YEAR SO THAT YOU AND OTHER PREGNANCY CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE NATION CAN CONTINUE THE WORK THAT YOU DO.
BABY LIVES ARE MORE PRECIOUS, I THINK.
>> THANK YOU. EVERYBODY HERE SAID IT WELL, IT TAKES A VILLAGE.
YOU GUYS HAVE DONE A GREAT AMOUNT OF WORK.
IT'S BEEN A COMBINED EFFORT RIGHT BETWEEN A LOT OF DIFFERENT FOLKS AND CONTINUE THE GREAT WORK AND CONTINUE SAVING THOSE BABIES LIVES, GIVING THEM ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY AT LIFE. THANK YOU.
IT'S A HONOR TO BE HERE AND TO RECEIVE THIS PROCLAMATION.
WE APPRECIATE MAKING TIME ON YOUR AGENDA FOR THIS.
NOT ONLY WERE 103 BABIES SAVED SINCE WE HAVE BEEN KEEPING TRACK IN 2006, BUT IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS, NO BABIES HAVE BEEN ABANDONED OR DIED, AND THAT SUCCESS IS RIGHT THERE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND AND KNOW THERE'S A SAFE PLACE TO SURRENDER THEIR BABY IF THEY'RE IN A CRISIS SITUATION.
SOME PARENTS HAVE BEEN REUNITED AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS.
THEY'VE GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS, THEY'VE COOLED OFF AND FIGURED LIFE OUT AND HAVE BEEN REUNITED.
BUT 103 BABIES HAVE BEEN PLACED FOR ADOPTION AND HAVE FOREVER HOMES, AND I AM PRIVILEGED TO KNOW TWO OF THOSE FAMILIES PERSONALLY, WHO HAVE RECEIVED A SAFELY SURRENDERED BABY.
IT'S JUST A HAPPY ENDING STORY FOR EVERYONE.
[00:15:01]
THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR.THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS. WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, ERIN. CLARIBEL, I DON'T WANT TO MISS YOU THIS TIME.
CLARIBEL GUTIERREZ WITH ASSEMBLY WOMAN DR. BAINS.
I WAS LIKE, WAIT, I SURRENDER BABIES.
SHE SAID IT WELL. MY BOSS IS A DOCTOR ASSEMBLY WOMAN, DR. BAINS.
SAFETY AND HEALTH FOR ALL IS INCLUSIVE, AND ESPECIALLY FOR THE BABY.
BUT FOR THE PARENTS AS WELL, BECAUSE SOMETIMES THEY MAKE THESE HARD DECISIONS, THAT THEY KNOW THAT THEY CANNOT GIVE THE BABY WHAT THEY DESERVE, SO THEY PREFER TO SURRENDER.
WHEN YOU HEAR THOSE SUCCESS STORIES, AND WHEN THEY GET THEM BACK BECAUSE IN THE MOMENT, AND YOU GIVE THEM 14 DAYS TO RELAX, ANALYZE, BREATHING AND COME BACK AND WE GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY.
ON BEHALF OF THE ASSEMBLY WOMAN, DR. JASMEET, YOUR WORK DOESN'T GO UNNOTICED.
WE ARE SO GRATEFUL THAT YOU ARE IN KERN COUNTY, AND YOU ARE ABLE TO GIVE A GIFT OF HOPE AND LIFE TO PEOPLE THAT DON'T KNOW THEY HAVE IT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND] 1, 2, AND 3.
I FEEL SO POWERFUL WITH THIS STRONG THE MAN NEXT TO US AND ONE.
>> IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO START THE MEETING WITH RECOGNITIONS.
SO WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 6,
[6) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA]
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA.THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING IS RESERVED FOR PERSONS DESIRING TO ADDRESS COUNCIL, INCLUDING THE COUNCIL AS THE GOVERNING BOARD FOR THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY ON ANY MATTER NOT ON THIS AGENDA OVER WHICH A 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 PRESENTATIONS.
THE BROWN ACT DOES NOT ALLOW ACTION OR DISCUSSION ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA, SUBJECT TO NARROW EXCEPTIONS.
I WILL LIMIT THE COUNCIL MEMBER'S RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS DURING THIS COMMENT PERIOD.
ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
>> HI. MY NAME IS FLORA LOPEZ.
THE REASON I'M HERE TODAY IS BECAUSE OUR CITY IS FACING A STRAY DOG CRISIS THAT IS AFFECTING BOTH RESIDENTS AND ANIMALS.
THE REASON THIS IS ALARMING IS BECAUSE WE HAVE ANIMAL CONTROL HERE IN WASCO.
I PERSONALLY CALL TWICE A WEEK TO REPORT LARGE LOOSE DOGS.
WHEN I CALL, I'M ALWAYS ASKED IF THE DOG IS AGGRESSIVE.
IF HE'S NOT, THEN I'M TOLD THERE'S NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT.
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, MY FRIEND AND I TOOK OUR CHILDREN WITH OUR DOGS FOR A WALK AT THE PARK.
OUR DOGS WERE ATTACKED BY A PIT BULL MIX, SO WE HAD TO LEAVE.
WE THEN WENT TO A SECOND MARKER PARK.
WHEN WE GOT OUT OF OUR CAR, WE SEEN ANOTHER LARGE PIT BULL MIX, WE DIDN'T EVEN GET OUT.
WE HAD TO LEAVE THE SECOND PARK AS WELL.
I'M ALSO A LOCAL REALTOR AND PART OF MY JOB IS TO SHOW HOUSES.
WE'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO ATTRACT NEW RESIDENTS TO
[00:20:01]
OUR TOWN AS WELL AS OUR EXISTING RESIDENTS.ON A FEW OCCASIONS, I HAD MY CLIENTS WHO ARE AFRAID TO GET OUT OF THEIR VEHICLES DUE TO LARGE LOOSE DOGS.
MY QUESTION TO THE BOARD IS WHAT STEPS ARE BEING DONE TO ADDRESS THIS EMERGENCY? I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN WAIT AS I'M SURE YOU GUYS HAVE ALL SEEN THE PROBLEM.
DOGS ARE REPRODUCING THREE TO FOUR TIMES A YEAR.
ONE THING I ALSO WANT TO COMMENT SLASH ADDRESS IS, DO WE HAVE ANOTHER THING THAT I'M BEING TOLD WHEN I CALL THE ANIMAL CONTROL IS THAT THEY CAN'T CATCH THE DOG IF THEY HAPPEN TO GO OUT THAT DAY.
DO WE HAVE AN OFFICER THAT IS CERTIFIED TO TRANQUILIZE THE ANIMALS BECAUSE I KNOW WE DID AT ONE POINT IN TIME, I HAD A DOG IN HIGH SCHOOL WHO WAS TRANQUILIZED AND BROUGHT HOME SAFELY.
WHAT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO EMPTY THE SHELTER BECAUSE ANOTHER EXCUSE I'M GIVEN IS THAT THEY HAVE TOO MANY ANIMALS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. DUE TO THE BROWN ACT, RIGHT, IT LIMITS OUR ABILITY FOR RESPONSES, BUT YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO LEAVE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION AND SOMEONE WILL FOLLOW BACK UP WITH YOU.
>> OKAY. IS THERE A POINT IN TIME THAT MAYBE WE CAN CHECK BACK IF WE DON'T SEE ACTION BEING TAKEN?
>> YEAH. I'LL MAKE SURE IF YOU LEAVE YOUR CONTACT INFO, LEAVE YOUR NAME AND YOUR NUMBER, AND I'LL MAKE SURE SOMEBODY FOLLOWS UP WITH YOU.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? THANK YOU NONE. MADAM CLERK, DO WE HAVE ANY E-MAIL COMMENTS?
>> THERE ARE NO E-MAIL COMMENTS FOR THIS ITEM OR ANY OTHER ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
>> THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 9, PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS.
[9.b. Wasco Police Department (Fivecoat)]
CHIEF FIVE C WASKO POLICE DEPARTMENT.>> GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
AS I WAS PUTTING THE STATS TOGETHER FOR JANUARY, I REALIZED THAT WE'RE ABOUT TWO WEEKS AWAY FROM COMPLETING 10 MONTHS OF BEING FULLY OPERATIONAL.
WE PASSED OVER 14,573 INCIDENTS AS OF FEBRUARY 1.
WE'RE ON TRACK TO MAINTAIN THE AVERAGES WE'VE BEEN WE'VE HAD FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS.
THE NUMBERS ARE STILL RUNNING ABOUT 16 IN THIS CASE, 01,675 INCIDENTS FOR JANUARY.
JUST A COUPLE COMMENTS ON THE STAT.
SOMETIMES WE LOOK AT THE NUMBERS AND THE NUMBERS SEEM TO REPEAT.
AN INTERESTING THING HAPPENED THIS AFTERNOON.
I WAS ACTUALLY DOWNTOWN AND A PERSON CONTACTED ME AND THEY SAID, IT'S REALLY INTERESTING.
YOU HAD A FEW COMMERCIAL BURGLARIES DOWN HERE IN LATE NOVEMBER, EARLY DECEMBER, AND THEN YOU ARRESTED THESE TWO GUYS, AND WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY MORE COMMERCIAL BURGLARIES.
IT MADE ME STOP AND THINK ABOUT ONE OF THE STATS THAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU, WHICH IS THE TOTAL CASES THAT THE OFFICERS ARE HANDLING.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M SEEING THAT I'M LINKING AS THE CHIEF IS THE OFFICERS NOW HAVE COME TO THE POINT WHERE THEY'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW THE COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.
A LOT OF TIMES, THEY'LL GO OUT AND TAKE AN INITIAL CALL, AND THEN BY VIRTUE OF CONTINUING THEIR INVESTIGATION FROM THAT MOMENT FORWARD, YOU'RE ABLE TO MAKE APPREHENSIONS AND OFTENTIMES RECOVER PROPERTY AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
WHAT I'M SEEING OUT THERE IS THE ACTIVITY WE ARE HAVING.
WE'RE MAKING QUITE A FEW ARRESTS AS A RESULT OF THE CRIMES THAT ARE OCCURRING.
I THINK WE'RE HAVING A POSITIVE IMPACT, AND I'M REALLY PLEASED WITH WHAT THE OFFICERS ARE DOING IN THAT REGARD.
ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO BRING TO YOU THIS EVENING THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON.
I HAVE TO GIVE NAOMI PEREZ CREDIT FOR THIS ONE.
WE WERE TRYING TO COME UP WITH THE LOGO FOR THE NEW PAL PROGRAM.
WE LOOKED AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT PROTOTYPES, AND THEN COLLECTIVELY AMONGST CITY STAFF, WE TALKED TO ALL THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND DIRECTORS AND SAID, OF ALL THESE DESIGNS, WHICH ONE DO YOU PREFER? UNEQUIVOCALLY, I THINK EVERYBODY VOTED FOR THIS PARTICULAR DESIGN.
I WANTED TO BRING IT TO THE COUNCIL TONIGHT SO THAT YOU TWO COULD LOOK AT IT AND
[00:25:01]
SEE WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO WITH THE PAL PROGRAM AND TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE LOGO.IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM FOR YOU.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF. IT'S THE IDEA THAT ONE OR THE OTHER? ARE WE VOTING ON?
>> NO, WE'RE ACTUALLY LOOKING AT THAT AS BEING A LOGO.
WE WERE GIVING YOU THE CONTRASTING COLOR SO THAT IF WE PUT IT ON DIFFERENT STYLE SHIRTS OR WHATEVER.
I UNDERSTAND THAT NAOMI IS LOOKING ON TAKING THIS DESIGN AND INTEGRATING IT INTO A NEW SIGN FOR THE PAL BUILDING.
>> YES. OKAY. SO WE WERE QUITE PLEASED WITH THE WORK SHE DID.
IT'S A VERY NICE DESIGN, I BELIEVE.
>> YEAH. WELL, I GUESS WE'LL JUST GO DOWN THE LINE MAY TEMPI.
I LIKE YOU. THAT'S AUG. THAT'S IT.
>> FIRST OF ALL, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT IS DOING.
I'D BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY THAT.
IT LOOKS CLEAN. I'M EXCITED FOR THE POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAK.
DO WE HAVE AN OFFICER DESIGNATED YET THAT'S GOING TO RUN THE POLICE ACTIVITES SET?
>> WE HAVEN'T DESIGNATED A SPECIFIC OFFICER, SIR.
WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS, AS YOU'RE AWARE, WE'VE HIRED A FL COORDINATOR, WHICH WILL TAKE CARE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR KEEPING THE PROGRAM ON TRACK.
THEN VARIOUS OFFICERS AT DIFFERENT TIMES WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM SO THAT THE COMMUNITY AND THE KIDS GET TO KNOW ALL THE OFFICERS. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HOPING.
>> THAT PAL COORDINATOR STARTED YESTERDAY.
>> I'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO MEET HER SOON.
>> NOT TO TAKE TOO MUCH OF YOUR TIME, BUT IT IS A WONDERFUL TIME FOR US.
PAL, AS YOU KNOW, FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, WAS A PRIORITY.
THANKS TO MARIA LARA AND THE WORK SHE'S DONE AND THE STAFF AT PUBLIC WORKS.
EVERYBODY IN ALL OF THE CITY TEAMS HAVE COME TOGETHER TO MAKE THAT A REALITY.
I'M TRULY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE TIME WHEN YOU CAN ALL GO DOWN AND SEE THE RESULT AND SEE A PROGRAM UP AND RUNNING.
>> WELL, I'M EXCITED FOR IT, SIR.
I HAVE AN EXTRA LARGE T-SHIRT, BY THE WAY.
>> ABSOLUTELY, AND I AGREE WITH YOU THE BLACK ONE IS MY FAVORITE ONE.
>> ANY COMMENTS FROM MEMBER RAY?
>> JUST CONGRATULATIONS. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, AND I ALSO LIKE THE BLACK ONE, THE RATER BLACK.
>> WHEN I LOOKED AT THESE TWO LOGOS, IT BROUGHT A BIG SMILE TO MY FACE.
I LOOK AT SCOTT AND I WAS JUST BEAMING WITH PRIDE BECAUSE OF THIS PROJECT.
IT'S JUST WONDERFUL. I LOVE IT.
I DO REALIZE YOU HAVE THE BLACK ONE AND THE WHITE ONE.
CERTAINLY, THE WHITE ONE DOES NOT WORK WITH GRAY.
I CAN SEE THAT. THANK YOU, CHIEF.
NOT ONLY FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE BUT FOR CONTINUING TO WORK ON THIS PAL.
A ORGANIZATION THAT WILL BRING A LOT OF GOOD TO OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH PARTICIPATION OF THE KIDS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
GREAT JOB. CONGRATULATIONS NAOMI FOR HER GREAT WORK.
YEAH, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A T-SHIRT, TOO.
I'M A LARGE. IF YOU'RE TAKING ORDERS, TO SAY.
>> THE CHIEF HAS ALL THE LETTERS NOW. WE HAVE THEM DOWN.
>> WELL, BUT IF THEY SHRINK, I MAY BE AN EXTRA LARGE.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF. MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 10,
[10) CONSENT CALENDAR]
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS CONSENT CLENDAR.THE CONSENT CALENDAR CONSISTS OF ITEMS THAT ARE ROUTINE AND NON-CONTROVERSIAL ON THE STAFF'S OPINION.
THESE ITEMS ARE APPROVED IN ONE MOTION AND THAT'S COUNCIL MEMBER OR MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REQUEST REMOVAL OF PARTICULAR ITEM.
EVENING, WE HAVE ITEMS 10 A AND 10 B.
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MEMBERS, SO THEY HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON A PARTICULAR ITEM ON THE CONSENT COND, MAYOR FOR PENNSYLVANIA?
>> TWO HAVE NO CONFLICT. IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM? ARE THERE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM? MAYOR FOR PENNSYLVANIA?
>> I MEAN, IT'S PRETTY SHORT TODAY, SO.
[00:30:01]
I WOULD LIKE TO TAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
>> I'LL SECOND, MADAM CLERK. WELL BY CALL.
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RENA.
SECOND BY MAYOR MEDINA, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
>> THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO ITEM 12, DEFERRED BUSINESS.
[12.a. Council find this action not defined as a “project” per Section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines; Approve the Reorganization of the City Council Committee Assignments. (Hurlbert)]
ITEM 12 A, COUNCIL FIND THIS ACTION NOT DEFINED AS A PROJECT FOR SECTION 153 785 OF THE SQL GUIDELINES, APPROVE THE REORGANIZATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS, MR. HARBERT.>> YES. HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
IF YOU RECALL, THIS ITEM IS EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS, REORGANIZATION OF THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS WAS DEFERRED FROM LAST MEETING.
WE DIDN'T HAVE A UNANIMOUS BOARD AVAILABLE.
SO TONIGHT WE DO, AND WE'LL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.
IF YOU SEE ON YOUR STAFF REPORT, WE HAVE CONSULTED WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY AND WORKED OUT THE DETAILS OF EACH OF THESE COMMITTEES.
THESE ARE KNOWN AS ADVOCACY COMMITTEES.
THEY SERVE A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
THEY'RE FOR A MAXIMUM OF TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS IN ANY ONE COMMITTEE.
IT PROVIDES INTERIM GUIDANCE TO THE CITY MANAGER AND STAFF IN PARTICULAR AREAS AND THOSE AREAS ARE DEFINED HERE.
WE'LL GO THROUGH THESE ONE AT A TIME.
THE PROCESS WILL BE THE SAME FOR EACH.
WE HAVE ASSIGNMENTS ON EACH OF THE CURRENT EXCEPT ONE NEW COMMITTEE THAT I'LL EXPLAIN LATER.
THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE A COUPLE OF CHOICES.
ONE, MAYOR, YOU CAN PULL THE MEMBERS TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY DESIRE TO CHANGE.
THOSE ARE SOMEONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY.
IF NOT, WE CAN JUST NOTE THAT AND THAT'LL BE PART OF THE MOTION TO KEEP THE EXISTING ASSIGNMENTS FOR A PRIMARY AND AN ALTERNATE NUMBER ONE NUMBER TWO.
IF SOMEONE DOES WANT TO PARTICIPATE OR WE'RE MISSING A COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT, THEN YOU CAN OPEN A NOMINATION, FIND A SELF-NOMINATION, IF YOU LIKE.
ONCE THERE ARE NO MORE NOMINATIONS, WE'LL HOLD A VOTE AND THE HIGHEST VOTES RECEIVED WILL BE OR THE TWO HIGHEST VOTES RECEIVED WILL BE THE TWO MEMBERS TO SERVE.
THAT MAKES SENSE. THE NEW POSITION THAT'S BEING DEFINED AT THE BOTTOM IS ONE THAT WE'VE HAD BEFORE, BUT IT HAD LAPSED AND WE'RE CALLING THE CITY POSITION AND SUPPORT COMMITTEE.
WHEN WE RECEIVE A REQUEST TO PROVIDE A LETTER OF SUPPORT.
OR WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A POSITION ON A PARTICULAR LOCAL OR REGIONAL ISSUE.
IF IT'S NOT IT'S NOT CONTROVERSIAL, IN STAFF OPINION, WE'LL ASK THE COMMITTEE TO GIVE OKAY TO MOVE FORWARD ON THAT.
IF IT'S CONTROVERSIAL OR IT'S A MORE COMPLEX ISSUE, WE MAY GET INITIAL APPROVAL FROM THE COMMITTEE LIKE WE DID LAST MEETING WITH THE RENTAL AGREEMENT, AND THEN BRING IT BACK TO THE COUNCIL FOR FULL APPROVAL AT A LATER TIME.
BUT IT ALLOWS US TO BE A LITTLE MORE NIMBLE AND RESPONDING TO SITUATIONS, ESPECIALLY POLITICAL SITUATIONS WHERE MAYBE CAL CITIES IS RUNNING A CAMPAIGN FOR SUPPORT OF A PARTICULAR POSITION, AND RATHER THAN WAIT UP TO TWO WEEKS FOR THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING CYCLE, WE CAN GET A LETTER PUT OUT QUICKER, AND THAT MIGHT BE A BIG DEAL IN SOME CASES.
SO THAT'S WHAT THAT POSITION WILL BE FLUSHING. YES.
ARE WE LOOKING FOR TWO MEMBERS TO SIT ON THIS COMMITTEE?
>> YES. WE'LL HAVE TWO ON EACH OF THE CITY COMMITTEES.
WE'LL HANDLE THE OUTSIDE REPRESENTATIVES AFTER THIS IS COMPLETE.
THE FIRST STEP IS COMPLETE. WE'LL START AT THE TOP.
THIS IS INTERVIEWERS FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF BOARDS.
WE HAVE AN EXISTING COMMITTEE FOR THIS.
IT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE.
THE CURRENT REPRESENTATIVES ARE MARTINEZ AND SALDANA.
I THINK, MR. SALDANA, YOU HAD REQUESTED TO COME OFF OF THIS COMMITTEE, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> SO WE NEED ONE ADDITIONAL MEMBER TO VOLUNTEER TO SIT ON THAT INTERVIEW.
>> WE CAN WE CAN NOMINATE, RIGHT? SAME QUESTION I HAVE. ARE WE ABLE TO NOMINATE OR HOW DOES SURE.
I'D LIKE TO NOMINATE MR. RAYA.
>> YEAH I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION.
I DON'T KNOW THAT WE NEED A MOTION, BUT I SECOND IT.
>> THAT WAS WHAT I WAS THINKING.
>> OKAY. IF THERE ARE NO OTHERS, NO OTHER NOMINATIONS.
ASSUMING MR. RAYA IS GOOD WITH THAT.
I ACCEPT THAT, THEN MADAM CLERK, WILL STAY IN.
MR. MARTINEZ IS YOU'RE WILLING TO CONTINUE?
>> OKAY. SO WE HAVE THAT ONE DONE.
>> WE'RE GOING TO BE KEEPING NOTES AND AT THE END RATHER THAN I'LL HAVE THE CLERK READ
[00:35:05]
THE ASSIGNMENTS ONCE AT THE END JUST BEFORE THE MOTION AND THE MOTION CAN SIMPLY BE TO ACCEPT AS READ.>> SECOND ONE, LEGISLATIVE BILL INTRODUCTIONS.
THIS IS SPECIFICALLY FOR LEAGUE OF CITIES.
I MAY HAVE BEEN A LITTLE TOO BROAD ON THE PREVIOUS EXPLANATION OF THE [NOISE] POSITIONS.
BUT WHEN THE LEAGUE COMES OUT WITH A POSITION THAT THEY'RE GOING FOR 90 PLUS PERCENT OF THE TIME, WE'RE IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE CAL CITY'S POSITION.
BUT IT DOES HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY WHERE WE HAVE A LOCAL ISSUE AND WHERE [NOISE] IT'S NOT FIT AND WE DON'T SUPPORT IT.
SO THOSE I HAVE A FEELING WOULD COME BACK TO THE FULL COUNCIL, BUT WE NORMALLY ARE IN ALIGNMENT.
SO THIS IS A COMMITTEE THAT STAFF WOULD CALL UPON TO GIVE THAT INTERIM GUIDANCE.
AND CURRENTLY WE HAVE MR. MARTINEZ AND MR. REYNA SITTING ON THAT.
WOULD EITHER OF YOU PREFER TO MOVE OFF OF THAT COMMITTEE?
>> I DO WANT TO SAY SOMETHING THAT WHENEVER THE LEGAL OF CALIFORNIA CITIES AND I'M ECHOING WHAT YOU JUST SAID, NORMALLY, WE'RE IN AGREEMENT WITH HIM.
AND THEN WHEN THERE MAY BE SOME AND I'M JUST REPEATING WORDS LOCAL ISSUES, WE USUALLY GET SOME DIRECTION FROM YOU AS WELL.
SO I THINK THAT I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE AND THAT HAS BEEN VERY EFFECTIVE.
AND OF COURSE, IN THOSE ISSUES THAT REQUIRE THE ENTIRE COUNCIL THAT ALWAYS BROUGHT TO THE COUNCIL.
SO I THINK THAT I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE AND I DON'T KNOW IF MR. MARTINEZ WANTS TO CONTINUE.
>> I'M FINE WITH CONTINUING, BUT IF SOMEBODY ELSE WOULD LIKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE ON THIS COMMITTEE.
>> SEEING NO OTHER NOMINATIONS? [LAUGHTER] WE'LL ACCEPT THOSE ASSIGNMENTS FOR MR. MARTINEZ AND REYNA TO CONTINUE IN THAT CAPACITY.
>> HE COULD HAVE JUST SAID NOTHING AND BE OKAY [LAUGHTER].
>> SOMETIMES THAT GETS YOU IN TROUBLE.
NEXT, WASCO COMMUNITY TASK FORCE.
MAYOR MEDINA AND PRO TEM SALDANA CURRENTLY SIT ON THAT COMMITTEE. WOULD YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED? SEEING NONE? WE'RE GOOD WITH THAT.
WE WILL STAY WITH THOSE ASSIGNMENTS.
>> COMMITTEE TO REVIEW AND ADVISE IN RELATION TO REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS.
THIS COMMITTEE HAS GOTTEN A WORKOUT IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS.
SO CURRENTLY, WE HAVE MAYOR MEDINA AND MR. REYNA.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO SERVE IN THAT COMMITTEE IF THAT'S THE PLEASURE, COUNSEL.
>> AND I TOO LIKE TO CONTINUE ON THE COMMITTEE.
>> WE WILL RETAIN THOSE TWO ASSIGNMENTS.
LASTLY, AS THE NEW COMMITTEE I DESCRIBED EARLIER, CITY POSITION AND SUPPORT.
WE NEED TWO FOLKS TO VOLUNTEER OR BE NOMINATED TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE MAYOR MEDINA TO BE ONE OF THE MEMBERS.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THE MAYOR PARTICIPATE IN THAT COMMITTEE.
AS TO THE OTHER ONE, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY VOLUNTEERS.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE MEMBER REYNA.
>> YOU'RE AGREEABLE TO BOTH OF YOU?
>> ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS? [NOISE] SO WE HAVE THOSE SET.
NEXT, SECTION HERE IS THE LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE AGENCIES AND WE'LL GO THROUGH THOSE ONE AT A TIME.
KERN COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS OR KERN COG.
CURRENTLY, MR. REYNA IS THE MEMBER AND MR. SALDANA IS THE ALTERNATE.
I THINK THAT THERE IS A BENEFIT IN CONTINUITY IN THAT BODY.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE AS A PRIMARY MEMBER.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE AS AN ALTERNATE.
>> CONTINUE AS ALTERNATE. ANY OTHER INTERESTS AT THIS POINT? SO WE'LL STAY WITH THOSE ASSIGNMENTS.
THIS IS THE MYSTERIOUS BODY THAT [LAUGHTER] IS THE CATCH FOR ASSIGNMENTS IN THE COUNTY.
SO CURRENTLY MR. REYNA AND MAYOR MEDINA IS THE ALTERNATE.
>> I DO HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD ABOUT THIS COMMITTEE AS YOU SAY IT'S A MYSTERIOUS.
I AM THE VICE CHAIR OF THAT COMMITTEE CURRENTLY AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A MEETING WHICH THE CHAIR CANNOT ATTEND.
AND SO THERE IS SOME ACTION THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN,
[00:40:02]
SO ONLY FOR THAT REASON, [LAUGHTER] I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE.THE BUSINESS CAN CONTINUE INTERRUPTED BECAUSE IF WE DON'T DO THIS, BUSINESS WILL BE INTERRUPTED AND THE BUSINESS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE PLACE UNTIL NEW RESHUFFLE IS DONE AT THE COUNT.
DOES THAT MAKE SENSE TO EVERYBODY? [LAUGHTER].
>> IT REALLY IS NO WORK AT ALL EXCEPT FOR OCCASION.
>> AND ARE YOU OKAY WITH REMAINING AS THE ALTERNATE?
>> ANYONE ELSE HAVE AN INTEREST IN BEING THE ALTERNATE THIS TIME? SO WE'LL STAY WITH THOSE ASSIGNMENTS.
THEY HAVE A SPECIAL SELECTION COMMITTEE AS WELL.
IT'S THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT'S A CITY REPRESENTATIVE.
>> ACTUALLY, THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE THE CORRECTION ON THAT.
>> OH, YOU'RE RIGHT, I HAVE IT WRITTEN DOWN HERE.
MR. MARTINEZ IS THE REPRESENTATIVE, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> IT'S MR. MARTINEZ AS THE REPRESENTATIVE AND SALDANA AS THE ALTERNATE.
>> AND I HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD TO THAT ALSO.
RECENTLY, THERE WERE SOME AT LEAST ONE MEMBER FROM KERN COUNTY THAT WAS REAPPOINTED AND A MEMBER THAT DID NOT MAKE IT THROUGH THE ELECTION.
SO THAT MEMBER IS NO LONGER A MEMBER OF THAT COMMITTEE.
SO A REPLACEMENT NEEDS TO BE FIND AND IT'S FOUND THROUGH VOLUNTEERING WITHIN THOSE MEMBERS OF THAT COMMITTEE.
SO I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU REMAIN IN IT AND THAT MR. SALDANA REMAINS AS AN ALTERNATE, BUT THAT YOU DO ATTEND THE NEXT MEETING BECAUSE THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.
IT'S JUST NOW, I SPOKE TO KATHY PROUT ABOUT THIS AND I GOT A BIT CONFUSED.
SHE SAYS THAT I'M THE CHAIR FOR THAT COMMITTEE.
SO I DON'T KNOW HOW IF I'M NOT A MEMBER OF IT.
BUT SHE DID TELL ME THAT I'M A CHAIR OF THAT COMMITTEE.
>> WELL, PERHAPS THE SOLUTION HERE IS TO MAKE THIS PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENTS.
MAYBE YOU CAN GET A LITTLE MORE DETAIL ON HOW EXACTLY YOUR ASSIGNMENT CAME TO BE AT LEAST IN KATHY'S EYES AND IF WE NEED TO BRING THIS BACK.
>> I RECEIVED THE ROSTER FROM THAT AGENCY AND CURRENTLY WHAT THEY HAVE IS ALEX GARCIA.
>> YEAH. SO WE DO NEED IF IF A MEMBERS WISH TO CONTINUE THIS POSITION, I COULD MOVE ON TO THAT CHAIR AND HAVE NOT A CHAIR, BUT RATHER IS THE PRIMARY MEMBER AND THEY HAVE AN ALTERNATE FOR THAT POSITION.
IF AN ALTERNATE IS REQUIRED, I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS.
>> BUT IT'S TWO SEPARATE ASSIGNMENTS.
I THINK ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THE ONE THAT YOU'RE CURRENTLY FULFILLING AND THE ONE THAT MR. MARTINEZ IS FULFILLING OR TWO DIFFERENT POSITIONS IN THE ORGANIZATION?
>> I'M TALKING AND I'M A BIT CONFUSED ABOUT THIS TO BE TRUTHFUL.
THE ONE WHERE ALEX SERVED AS A PRIMARY AND I AS AN ALTERNATE.
THEY HAVE MOVED ME INTO BEING THE PRIMARY BECAUSE OF ALEX EXIT.
SO WE DO NEED A SECOND MEMBER.
>> IS THAT ON THE ACTUAL BOARD THOUGH?
>> NO, THE BOARD IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT THING.
THE CITIES VOTE FOR FOR BOARD MEMBERS.
AND IT IS A REALLY CONVOLUTED SYSTEM PUT TOGETHER BY THE AGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES.
AND BUT YEAH, NO, THIS IS THAT COMMITTEE THAT WILL RECOMMEND AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER, THE MEMBERS THAT NEED TO SERVE.
>> WELL, I GUESS I WOULD SUGGEST TO RETAIN THE TWO ASSIGNMENTS THAT WE HAVE FOR MR. MARTINEZ AND SALDANA.
AND YOU CONTINUE IN YOUR CURRENT CAPACITY, WHATEVER THAT IS.
IF IT TURNS OUT THAT THOSE TWO CONFLICT SOMEHOW, THEN WE'LL BRING THIS BACK AT A LATER MEETING TO CORRECT IT.
>> AND JUST TO CLARIFY, SCOTT, IT IS A ROTATING POSITION BY COUNTY.
[00:45:02]
SO I'M SERVING CURRENTLY IS A KERN COUNTY SMALL CITY REPRESENTATIVE.BUT ONCE MY TERM IS UP, IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY THAT SOMEBODY FROM KERN COUNTY WILL BE APPOINTED.
THE BOARD DOES HAVE THE ABILITY TO APPOINT MEMBERS, IT IS A THREE YEAR SERVICE BUT THEY CAN APPOINT YOU FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS.
SO MAYBE A TOTAL OF SIX YEARS.
BUT AGAIN, ROTATING, SO ONCE MY TERM IS UP ANOTHER COUNTY MAY GET A NOT MAY, WILL GET A CHANCE OF APPOINTING. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
>> DO THAT MAKE SENSE TO YOU, ADAM CLERK?
>> SO I THINK THIS COMMITTEE, YOU'RE CONFUSING THE COMMITTEES.
>> NO, BUT HE MENTIONED THE BOARD.
>> BOARD ASSIGNMENT IS SEPARATE.
>> YEAH, THAT ONE IS SEPARATE.
>> THE COMMITTEE IS WHAT IT IS AND IT COULD BE THAT THERE'S ANOTHER CATEGORY HERE THAT MR. REYNA WILL DO A LITTLE INVESTIGATION AND LET US KNOW IF WHAT WE APPROVED TONIGHT.
>> I'LL TRY TO BRING SOME CLARITY.
I DID HAVE A CONVERSATION TODAY WITH SAMIR AND I TELL YOU IT IS VERY COMPLICATED.
>> BUT THE WAY WE LEFT THAT, WE'LL LEAVE MR. MARTINEZ AND SALDANA AND THEIR CURRENT ASSIGNMENTS WITH THAT ORGANIZATION, THAT WILL BE APPROVED AS PART OF THE CITY.
>> FINALLY, KEDC, KERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, MR. MEDINA IS THE MEMBER.
I CONFIRMED WITH MR. CHAPMAN AT KEDC THAT WE ONLY HAVE ONE ASSIGNMENT THERE.
THERE'S NO NEED FOR AN ALTERNATE.
>> AND IF THERE'S NO OBJECTIONS, WE'LL LEAVE THAT AS IS.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO READ THE SUMMARY OR WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO?
>> YOU'LL BE READING IT OUT. YOU HAVE TO READ IT OUT.
>> YOU WANT TO GO THROUGH GOOD INTERVIEW.
>> I'M GOING TO READ THE CONSENSUS LIST AND THEN THE MOTION WILL BE BASED UPON WHAT'S READ.
>> INTERVIEWERS FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
WE HAVE MEMBER RAYA AND MARTINEZ, LEGISLATIVE BILL INTRODUCTIONS FROM LEGO CALIFORNIA CITIES, MEMBERS, MARTINEZ AND REYNA.
WASCO COMMUNITY TASK FORCE, MEDINA AND SALDANA, COMMITTEE TO REVIEW AND ADVISE IN RELATION TO REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS, MEDINA AND REYNA.
CITY POSITION AND SUPPORT COMMITTEE, MEDINA AND RAYA.
CURRENT COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS.
WE HAVE THE MEMBERS REYNA ALTERNATE SALDANA, CITY SELECTION COMMITTEE, THE MEMBER IS REYNA AND ALTERNATE MEDINA, AND THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT SPECIAL CITY SELECTION COMMITTEE IS MARTINEZ AND SALDANA, AND KEDC IS MEDINA.
>> ON THE PREVIOUS TO THE LAST, YOU DID MENTION MY NAME?
>> NO. SO COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA WILL BE AS CHAIR FOR THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AIR POLLUTION.
>> TO CONTINUE IN HIS CURRENT CAPACITY.
>> SO THE MEMBER IS REYNA AND THE ALTERNATE IS SALDANA?
>> NO. THE MEMBER IS MARTINEZ AND THE ALTERNATE IS SALDANA.
BUT WE'VE GOT THIS OTHER FLOATING ASSIGNMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE HPCD THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET CLARIFIED.
IT MAY BE THAT IT'S JUST AN ONGOING ASSIGNMENT AND DOESN'T NEED TO BE.
>> QUALIFIED OR CHANGED TONIGHT?
>> SO AS READ, I'D BE LOOKING FOR A MOTION.
>> CLERKS BEEN MOVED IN A SECOND.
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ, SECOND BY MAYOR MEDINA, TO APPROVE THE REORGANIZATION OF CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT LIST.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
>> MOVING ON TO ITEM 13 NEW BUSINESS, 13A COUNCIL,
[13.a. Council find this action not defined as a “project” per Section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines; Appointment of Two (2) Candidates to Fill Two (2) Four (4)-year term vacancies on the Planning Commission Board, term expiring on December 31, 2028. (Hurlbert)]
FIND THIS SECTION NOT DEFINED AS A PROJECT PER SECTION 15378B5 OF THE SQL GUIDELINES APPOINTMENT OF TWO CANDIDATES TO FILL TWO FOUR-YEAR TERM VACANCIES ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION BOARD,[00:50:04]
TERM EXPIRING ON DECEMBER 31, 2028, MR. HARBERT.>> YES, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
>> IT'S OUR FINAL ITEM TONIGHT.
WE HAD TWO EXPIRING TERMS AND BOTH MEMBERS AGREED TO CONTINUE ON.
WE HAD NO OTHER APPLICANTS, SO IT WAS A SHOO-IN.
IT LOOKS LIKE WE WENT A LITTLE BIT TOO LONG FOR ONE OF OUR CANDIDATES, AND WE LOST HER.
>> THAT'S HIM. CORTNEY'S HERE.
>> UNLESS SHE CHANGED HER NAME.
>> CORTNEY. THE TWO SELECTED ARE CORTNEY COLEMAN AND TRACY CLENDENIN, AND THEY WILL FILL THOSE VACANT SEATS THAT STARTED AND THE TERM GOES BACK TO RETROACTIVE TO DECEMBER 31ST OR JANUARY 1ST IS WHEN THAT TERM STARTED AND IT WILL EXPIRE IN 2028.
IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS EXCEPT THOSE NOW?
>> YES. THEY'RE DOING A GREAT JOB, SO THANK YOU.
HE SAID, MAYOR, IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A PICTURE?
TRACY AND CORTNEY, IF YOU CAN JOIN US.
>> HE'S NOT HERE. [BACKGROUND] [LAUGHTER]
>> WAS SHE HERE, TRACY? WAS SHE HERE?
>> NO, I THINK MY DAUGHTER WAS HERE, BUT SHE WENT FOR THE PRACTICE.
>> I THOUGHT SHE WAS HERE EARLIER.
>> HE. I'M SORRY. COMPLETELY OUT OF THE LOOP.
>> JUST IN CASE YOU GUYS THOUGHT WE WERE HERE, BECAUSE FRANK GOT EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR IF WASN'T FOR HIM.
>> THANK YOU. [INAUDIBLE] A HARD BARGAIN.
I COULDN'T EVEN TEXT HER WITHOUT HIM.
>> COME ON. RIGHT HERE NEXT TO TRACY.
>> THANK YOU. [OVERLAPPING] [LAUGHTER]
>> CORTNEY. [LAUGHTER] [OVERLAPPING]
>> WELL, TRACY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN VERY DILIGENT THE PAST FOUR YEARS AND YOU'RE VERY THOROUGH, SO I LOOK FORWARD TO YOU CONTINUING WITH THAT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. YOU'RE OBVIOUSLY INVOLVED.
THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO BE INVOLVED, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE WORK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO.
>> I'LL CONTINUE TO BE INVOLVED SO I CAN GET ONE OF THOSE.
>> THERE YOU GO. PUT YOUR SIZE IN NOW.
>> YOU NEED TO SAY YOUR SIZE SO THAT IT BECOMES PART OF THE RECORD.
>> MOVING ON TO ITEM 14, REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES.
CURRENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, WE WERE ACTUALLY OUT AT THE CONFERENCE IN SACRAMENTO, SO I HAVE NOTHING TO REPORT.
[NOISE] CAN BE CURRENT COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT, MR. REYNA?
>> NOTHING TO REPORT. [OVERLAPPING] I REPORTED ON THE LAST MEETING.
>> THANK YOU. 14C, WASCO TASK FORCE.
[14.c. Wasco Task Force (Saldaña and Medina)]
WE DROVE AROUND ON SATURDAY.I JUST HIT UP A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT SPOTS AROUND TOWN, IDENTIFYING SOME AREAS THAT NEED A LITTLE BIT OF ATTENTION.
THE IDEA WITH THAT IS WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO PUT A CALENDAR TOGETHER FOR THE YEAR, SO WE HAVE DATES AND LOCATIONS AS TO WHERE WE'LL DO CLEANUPS, AND THERE'S A COUPLE IDEAS RUNNING AROUND THAT.
THEN WE START DOING THE MONTHLY MEETINGS AS WELL.
REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER, MR. HURLBERT?
[15) REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER]
>> YES, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THIS IS NOT THE UPDATED VERSION OF THE LIST.
WE HAD THE SNIP EVENT ON THE 13TH.
[00:55:01]
>> I APOLOGIZE. THERE'S A LIST FORTHCOMING.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ITEMS THAT I CAN FILL IN WITH HERE.
I ATTENDED THE INAUGURAL WEST KERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP LAST WEEK.
IT WAS HELD OUT AT TAFT COLLEGE.
THIS IS AN EFFORT THAT KDC HAS PARTNERED IN EAST KERN AND THEY'VE BEEN GOING FOR NINE YEARS OR 10 YEARS, AND THE FOLKS OUT THERE HAVE FOUND IT USEFUL.
MR. CHAPMAN PUT TOGETHER WESTERN VERSION OF THAT.
IT WAS WELL ATTENDED, ABOUT 45 PEOPLE SHOWED UP.
AT THIS POINT, IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO TO HAVE FOLKS FROM WEST KERN COMPARE NOTES OF THE CITY REPRESENTATIVES.
WE HAVE TWO SUPERVISORS THERE.
IT WAS A GOOD EXCHANGE AND A GOOD START.
THEY PLAN ON MEETING EVERY OTHER MONTH, AND I HAVE OFFERED TO HOST THE NEXT ONE HERE IN WASCO.
THERE'LL BE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT ONCE THE DATE IS SETTLED ON.
HOPEFULLY IT'LL BE USEFUL REGIONALLY.
YOU HAVE TO MAKE ONE OR TWO IMPORTANT CONNECTIONS FOR THOSE KINDS OF THINGS TO PAY OFF.
GETTING BACK TO THE ACTUAL LIST, WE HAVE A SNIP EVENT COMING UP ON FEBRUARY 10TH AT THE USUAL PLACE AND TIME.
COMMUNITY BREAKFAST FOR FEBRUARY IS TOMORROW MORNING, 07:00 AM AT THE OLD COURTHOUSE.
THE CITY MAYORS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS CONFERENCE WAS WEEK BEFORE LAST AND WELL ATTENDED.
I THINK THOSE OF US THAT WENT FOUND IT USEFUL.
WE WERE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH ONE OF OUR LEGISLATORS AND GET SOME WORK DONE IN THAT REGARD TOO.
THE CAL CITY CITY MANAGERS CONFERENCE BEGINS IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES FOR ME, HOPEFULLY, AFTER CLOSED SESSION.
>> WE'RE GOING TO DRAG IT ON FOR AN HOUR.
>> THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER AND MYSELF WILL BE ATTENDING AND BE OUT THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK.
>> I'M EXPECTING WE'LL HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN MAYBE ON THE WAY.
WE HAVE FINALLY SCHEDULED THE JOINT MEETING WITH REC PARK AND THE CITY COUNCIL THAT WILL BE HELD FEBRUARY 27TH, 05:30 HERE AT CITY HALL.
WE HAVE THE KERN COG REGIONAL AWARDS COMING UP MARCH 6TH, 2025.
THAT EVENT ROUTINELY SELLS OUT, SO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, GET AHOLD OF THE CITY CLERK FAIRLY SOON AND LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU'RE INTERESTED.
WE HAVE A PAVEMENT AND SIDEWALK UPDATE IN RESPONSE TO SOME QUESTIONS FROM LAST WEEK.
THERE IS A MAILER THAT WILL BE SENT OUT TO YOU THAT HAS OUR METHODOLOGY AND SOME OF DATA THAT WE USE IN DOING THAT.
IT'S A LITTLE MUCH TO TRY TO PRESENT DURING THESE UPDATES.
THAT INCLUDES THOSE PROPOSED SIDEWALKS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE REPAIRING?
IT WILL HAVE THE DATA THAT WE USE, AND THERE ARE A COUPLE OF WAYS THAT PROJECTS COME FROM THIS DATA.
ONE IS THERE'S A CONCENTRATION AND THERE'S FUNDING FOR A PARTICULAR AREA JUST BASED ON THE CONDITION.
THEN THE OTHER WAY IS WHERE WE'RE DOING A PROJECT IN THAT VICINITY ANYWAY AND THE AFFECTED SIDEWALK CURB AND GUTTER, IT CAN BE ADDED TO THAT PROJECT WITH A MINIMAL INCREMENTAL COST AND THEN THEY GET ADDED THAT WAY.
>> I'LL WAIT TO SEE THE LIST THEN.
YOU DID MENTION THAT IT WAS PARTICULARLY IN AREAS WHICH WERE NEAR SCHOOLS, AND THAT'S WHAT CAUGHT MT ATTENTION.
>> THAT IS ABSOLUTELY PART OF THE PRIORITIZATION.
>> BECAUSE IT PROVIDES FOR SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL, CORRECT.
I'LL JUST LOOK AT IT AND THEN I'LL MAKE SURE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION THE ONES THAT I'M CONSIDERING THAT NEED EITHER TO BE PUT IN OR REPAIRED.
>> THEN WE WILL HAVE THE BANNER PROGRAM UPDATE.
FOR THE BANNER PROGRAM, AS WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING IN A COUPLE OF MEETINGS OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, IT HAS BEEN UPDATED AND THE FORM IS ON THE WEBSITE.
[01:00:01]
THE OPEN ENROLLMENT, IF YOU WILL, IS CURRENTLY OPEN AND IT WILL BE OPEN THROUGH APRIL 7TH.AS WE DISCUSSED, THE PRICING IS ADJUSTED, BUT WE ALSO HAVE THE CRITERIA FOR THE SPONSORSHIP AND THE SUBSIDY OF THOSE COSTS.
IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS, READ THROUGH IT ON THE WEBSITE.
IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS, PLEASE FORWARD THOSE OVER TO ME AND WE'LL MAKE SURE WE GET THOSE CLARIFICATIONS OR CORRECTIONS ONTO THE SITE.
>> JUST ONE QUESTION THAT I HAD ASKED BEFORE, AND I'M NOT SURE WHETHER STAFF WERE ABLE TO LOOK INTO IT, WHETHER THE BANNERS CAN BE POSITIONED AT A LOWER LEVEL THAN WHAT THEY WERE FOR THIS PAST EVENT.
THOSE ARMS ON THOSE NEW POLES ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE, SO EITHER TOGETHER OR SEPARATELY.
WE'RE STUCK WITH THAT SIZE AND THAT LOCATION, AT LEAST ON THE CURRENT POLES.
IF WE END UP DOING A SECOND PHASE ON THE STREET THERE, AND WE CAN INVESTIGATE WHETHER THERE IS A DIFFERENT TYPE.
BUT THEN WE END UP WITH POTENTIALLY TWO DIFFERENT SIZES OF BANNERS AND THAT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT TO MANAGE.
>> IT WOULD BE GOOD IF IF YOU CAN FIND THE SAME SIZE, BUT AT A LOWER ELEVATION SO THAT THEY'RE MORE VISIBLE.
THEY'RE OUT THERE, BUT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THAT.
>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. HURLBERT?
>> I'VE ALREADY ASKED MINE. THANK YOU.
[16) REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL]
>> FORT CITY COUNCIL, MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT WE AGENDIZE, FOR A FUTURE MEETING, DISCUSSION ABOUT ANIMAL CONTROL, AND THAT WE CAN DISCUSS MAYBE SOME POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
ONE THING THAT I'D BE CURIOUS TO KNOW IS I KNOW WE GET A LOT OF SURRENDERS, BUT I'D LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT OUR CAPACITY THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE, AND ALSO HOW MANY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CORRECT TERM IS, APPREHENSIONS OF STRAY DOGS WE ACTUALLY HAVE VERSUS SURRENDERS.
JUST IF WE COULD HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT INFORMATION.
>> SURE. MR. [INAUDIBLE], IS THAT?
>> THE TYPE AND AMOUNT OF DATA THAT WE COULD COMPILE PRIOR TO THE STRATEGIC MEETING?
>> IF THAT WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE, WE CAN JUST SAVE SOME TIME IN THE STRATEGIC MEETING FOR THAT DISCUSSION.
>> I'D JUST LIKE TO ADD, I SECOND TO THAT BECAUSE WE ALL GET THOSE COMPLAINTS THAT YOU HEARD TODAY, THAT DOGS ARE OUT THERE AND NOBODY IS PICKING THEM UP.
SO I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE DISCUSS IT. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>> I HAVE NOTHING FURTHER, MR. MAYOR. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANT TO MENTION WHAT SCOTT ALREADY MENTIONED.
WE ATTENDED THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES.
I THINK OF ALL I'VE ATTENDED JUST ABOUT EVERY ONE OF THOSE SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE COUNCIL.
MY IDEA IS THAT IF I GO THERE AND COME UP WITH A ONE SINGLE GOOD IDEA IS WORTH GOING.
OF COURSE, THERE'S ALWAYS MORE.
BUT HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH OUR STATE SENATOR MELISSA HURTADO AND THIS AT THE CAPITOL AND WHILE WE WERE THERE.
WE ALSO MET WITH ANOTHER SENATOR WHO WAS A REPUBLICAN.
HE IS A VERY GOOD FRIEND OF SENATOR MELISSA HURTADO.
IT WAS QUITE AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE AT THE SAME TIME THAT WE WERE ABLE TO DISCUSS ISSUES THAT AFFECT US.
IT'S WELL WORTH GOING THERE, AND I BELIEVE THAT'S IT.
I NOTHING ELSE TO REPORT. I THOROUGHLY ENJOY THAT EVENT.
>> THANK YOU, MR. REYNA. I DID PASS ALONG AN EMAIL, I BELIEVE LAST NIGHT IN REGARDS TO WHEN IT WAS PRESERVED, JUST FOR SHARING.
I DON'T THINK I INCLUDED YOU, BUT YOU MAYBE YOU MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING GOOD.
I JUST PASSED IT ALONG, SO SHARING THAT.
THE ONLY OTHER QUESTION, AND THIS WAS FOR YOU, MS. COBB, WAS THE HOMELESS COORDINATOR POSITION.
>> I ALSO STARTED FILLING THIS AS WELL.
>> AS WELL? SO TWO NEW COORDINATORS, ONE FOR ONE JOB.
PERFECT. I THINK THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
IF THERE'S NO OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS,
[17) CLOSED SESSION]
WE'LL GO ON TO ITEM 17, CLOSED SESSION.THIS EVENING, WE HAVE ITEM 17A-17G.
[01:05:03]
ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE.WE WILL NOT ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION AND RETURN TO REPORT OUT.
BEFORE I FORGET, CAN WE DO A PROCLAMATION FOR VALLEY CHAMPIONSHIP CHEERLEADING TEAM?
>> I'VE BEEN FORGETTING TO ASK YOU IF WE COULD DO THAT.
>> NEXT MEETING?
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.