Mar 18, 2025 City Council

[1) CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:03]

GOOD EVENING. I WILL NOW CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER AT THIS.

THE TIME IS 6:02. 6:02. MADAM CLERK, CAN WE PLEASE HAVE THE ROLL CALL? CALL] COULD WE PLEASE STAND FOR A FLAG SALUTE? SALUTE. PLEDGE.

ANYBODY IN THE [INAUDIBLE] THAT ONCE [INAUDIBLE] IF I COULD JUST DO A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

ALL RIGHT. WE'LL DO A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

THANK YOU. LET'S SEE.

ARE THERE ANY CHANGES IN THE? NO. WE'RE GOING TO ITEM FIVE.

WE'RE ON TO ITEM FIVE. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.

[5) APPROVAL OF AGENDA]

MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAYNA. SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANHA TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.

MOTION IS APPROVED WITH FOUR AYES, WITH MAYOR MEDINA ABSENT, WHICH IT IS, 06:04. THE MAYOR'S HERE. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

WE'RE DOING THE PRESENTATION. WE'RE IN ITEM SIX.

ITEM SIX. SORRY FOR BEING LATE. JUST COMING BACK FROM WORK, BUT PRESENTATION.

[6) PRESENTATIONS]

AND DO WE HAVE SOMEBODY THAT'S RECEIVING? YES WE DO.

WE HAVE OUR TRANSIT DEPARTMENT HERE. YOU GUYS WOULD LIKE TO COME TO THE PODIUM.

I DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE A. I DO. I'LL GO UP THERE.

OKAY. SAMANTHA, PLEASE.

OKAY. I'LL STAND HERE.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU MARIA. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA. CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MARTINEZ. THANK YOU, GUYS, FOR WHAT YOU GUYS DO.

LIKE A LOT OF CITY EMPLOYEES, YOU GUYS WORK BEHIND THE SCENES, AND PEOPLE DON'T REALLY RECOGNIZE YOU GUYS AS OFTEN AS THEY SHOULD FOR WHAT YOU GUYS DO FOR OUR CITY. SO THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.

YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU. YEAH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU KNOW, YOU GUYS KEEP THE BUSSES MOVING. KEEP TAKE THE PEOPLE SAFELY EVERY DAY WHERE THEY NEED TO GO SMOOTHLY.

SOMETIMES YOU MAKE THEIR DAY. BUT JUST A COMMENT OR A SMILE.

JUST KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. AND REYNA. THANK YOU. MAYOR. YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE IN OUR CITY DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAVE RESIDENTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO TRANSPORT THEMSELVES FROM POINT A TO POINT B, LIKE MARIA SAID, AND YOU FULFILL THAT NEED.

THESE PEOPLE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET TO THE PLACES THAT THEY NEED TO BE AT, WERE IT NOT FOR OUR BUSSES AND OUR BUS DRIVERS.

[00:05:04]

RIGHT. SO AND MARIE AS WELL. SO, AND THE REST OF THE TEAM THAT IS NOT HERE.

SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU THANK YOU, THANK YOU I MEAN, I WAS GOING TO SAY I HOLD APPLAUSE FOR THE END.

YEAH. NO, I MEAN I ECHO WHAT EVERYBODY SAID, RIGHT.

YOU GUYS WORK BEHIND THE SCENES. YOU GUYS DO A GREAT JOB.

IT'S DEFINITELY THE FOLKS THAT DON'T HAVE A WAY TO GET SOMETHING SO SIMPLE TO GET TO THE STORE, RIGHT? THAT MAYBE WE DON'T THINK ABOUT BECAUSE WE'RE BLESSED TO HAVE A VEHICLE, OR WE'RE BLESSED TO HAVE STILL HAVE OUR LICENSE. SO THOSE ARE THOSE ARE BIG THINGS THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE. AND I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CHANGES IN TERMS OF BUSSES AND VANS AND ALL THAT.

AND YOU GUYS ARE, YOU KNOW, AT THE FOREFRONT OF MAKING ALL THAT HAPPEN. SO WE APPRECIATE THAT.

AND WE DO HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION. BUT I KNOW CLARIBEL ALSO HAS SOMETHING FOR YOU GUYS, SO I'LL LET HER COME UP. HI. THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND I WANT TO APOLOGIZE AHEAD OF TIME BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW.

SO I WANT TO APOLOGIZE AHEAD OF TIME, BUT I WILL MAKE IT RIGHT FOR THE REST OF YOU GUYS.

AND I KNOW THAT, LIKE, WHEN I CALL AND I SEE OH, THE TRANSIT IS HERE.

IT'S NOT A ONE YEAR, ONE DAY THING. YOU GUYS ARE MAKING SURE THAT OUR RESIDENTS IN OUR DISTRICT 35, NOT IN THE CITY OF WASCO, GET SAFETY EVERY DAY FROM POINT A TO POINT B, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU CANNOT TAKE FOR GRANTED BECAUSE LIKE THE COUNCIL SAID, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE RESIDENTS DON'T HAVE THE, THE, THE LUXURY TO HAVE TRANSPORTATION OR SOMEBODY TO GIVE THEM A RIDE SOMEWHERE AND THEY DEPEND ON SOLELY ON YOU. SO, BECAUSE YOU GUYS GO ABOVE AND BEYOND AND I KNOW BECAUSE I'VE BEEN I RODE WITH YOU IN THE PARADE AND HE TREATS ME LIKE A QUEEN.

SO IF YOU DO THAT TO ME, I KNOW THAT YOU DO IT TO EVERYBODY.

ON BEHALF OF THE ASSEMBLYWOMAN DR. JASMINE BATES, WE GOT CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION FOR ALL YOU GUYS.

[INAUDIBLE] LET ME KNOW. OKAY. OKAY. SO, I HAVE MYRA MEDINA.

SHE'S NOT HERE. IT'S OKAY. BUT WE APPRECIATE HER AS WELL.

AND I'M SURE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET THAT. YES. AND ALL THESE THREE ARE FOR YOU.

OH, BUT I WILL MAKE IT RIGHT WHEN I GET TO MY OFFICE.

YOU'RE DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB EVERETT. AND I WAS LIKE, I THOUGHT I CHANGED IT, BUT I DIDN'T, SO I'M, I TAKE I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF BEING HONEST WITH YOURSELF.

BUT IT SAYS LIKE THIS TO THE ADMINISTRATION TRANSIT SCHEDULER, IN HONOR OF YOUR COLLECTIVE EFFORT AND APPRECIATION FOR THE HARD WORK YOU DO TO KEEP OUR RESIDENTS SAFE IN DISTRICT 35 OF THE CITY WASCO AND NATIONAL TRANSIT EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY.

AND EVERY DAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THAT MY GRANDCHILDREN HAVE RIDDEN WITH EVERETT. AND THEY LOVE HIM. THEY. WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO RIDE THE BUS, THEY SAY WE WANT TO SEE THE BOY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

[Additional Item]

[00:10:37]

THE TRIBUNE DID A GREAT ARTICLE ON HER LAST WEEK. SO, THIS IS MANDY VEGA. SHE'S OUR NEW HOMELESS OUTREACH COORDINATOR.

SHE HAILS FROM THE CITY JUST TO THE NORTH OF US.

BUT SHE WAS A WASCO TIGER FOR ONE YEAR. SO WE'LL GIVE HER A CREDIT FOR THAT.

SHE'S GOT A REALLY VARIED BACKGROUND IN EDUCATION AND FINANCE AND NONPROFIT ASSISTANCE, SO AND SHE'S OFF TO A GREAT START.

SHE'S BEEN HERE ABOUT A MONTH NOW AND IS WORKING HARD TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE NEEDS ARE OUT HERE AND POOL RESOURCES WITH OTHER AGENCIES, WORK WITH OTHER AGENCIES, MAKE THOSE CONTACTS. SO WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE HER AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU ALL KNEW WHO SHE WAS AND PUT A FACE WITH THE NAME.

SO IF YOU SEE HER OUT AND ABOUT IN THE COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW WHO SHE IS? THAT'S AWESOME. WELL, WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE AND APPRECIATE YOU, YOU KNOW, HAVING HER HERE FOR US.

I DID SEE THE PIECE THAT WAS ALREADY, YOU KNOW, WRITTEN ON YOU, SO THAT WAS GOOD TO SEE.

BUT I DO APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE AND HAVING YOU ON BOARD BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THAT'S OBVIOUSLY AN IMPORTANT ROLE, SOMETHING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT THAT IS SOMEBODY THAT IS GOING TO FILL THAT GAP.

RIGHT. SO JUST READING THE ARTICLE THAT VERONICA WROTE ON YOU, I THINK, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE A GOOD BACKGROUND ON THAT.

AND HOPEFULLY YOU'RE ABLE TO HELP US ON THAT FRONT.

THANK YOU. I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE. THANK YOU.

ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? WELCOME ON BOARD.

MEMBER MARTINEZ. WELCOME. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS SOMETHING WE TOOK SERIOUS.

YOU KNOW, BEING A SMALL TOWN TO HAVE OUR OWN HOMELESS OUTREACH COORDINATOR.

YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY YOU CAN KEEP OUR PROBLEM FROM EXPLODING LIKE OTHER CITIES HAVE.

SO WELCOME ABOARD. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MARIA.

YEAH. WELCOME ABOARD. THANK YOU. MAYOR REYNA.

WELL, I ALREADY HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET HER, AND I ACTUALLY SAW HER IN ACTION ALREADY AT THE PLAZA.

TALKING TO ONE OF OUR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS. SO, THANK YOU. THANK YOU. AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER SEVEN.

[7) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA]

SPEAKERS ARE LIMITED TO TWO MINUTES. A MAXIMUM OF 30 MINUTES WILL BE ALLOWED FOR ANY ONE SUBJECT.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD BEFORE MAKING YOUR PRESENTATION.

BROWN ACT REQUIREMENTS. THE BROWN ACT DOES NOT ALLOW ACTION OR DISCUSSION ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA, SUBJECT TO NARROW EXCEPTIONS. THIS WILL LIMIT THE COUNCIL MEMBERS RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS DURING THIS COMMENT PERIOD.

ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? DO YOU WANT TO GO FIRST? OH, I NEED MY LITTLE CLICKER. YES YOU DO.

MY NAME IS BOB ELLIS. CAN YOU GUYS ALL SEE THIS? YES. MY NAME IS BOB ELLIS. I RESIDE AT 1202 CYPRESS AVENUE HERE IN WASCO.

AND I'M HERE FOR THE REASON, ACROSS THE STREET, I OWN THE PROPERTY AT 747 F STREET, IN BETWEEN THE COUNTY BUILDING AND THE NEW PARKING LOT, DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL, FOR HEARING MY MINUTE AND A HALF SPIEL.

I'VE LIVED IN WASCO ALL MY LIFE EXCEPT FOR THE FIRST TWO DAYS.

AT THAT TIME I STAYED WITH MY MOM AT MERCY, AND THEN WE BOTH MOVED OUT HERE, AND I'VE BEEN HERE EVER SINCE.

SO, ANYHOW, I'M WHAT DO I LOOK AT? OH, THIS THING.

I'M WANTING TO TALK TO YOU THIS EVENING ABOUT THIS NEW FENCE THAT I'VE PUT ALONG HERE.

I DON'T KNOW WHETHER ANY OF YOU HAVE SEEN IT, BUT IT'S ALONG THE ENTIRE SOUTH SIDE OF THE NEW PARKING LOT AND YOU'LL SEE A LITTLE STEP THERE. AND I'VE BEEN TOLD LAST WEEK THAT I'M ENCROACHING ON CITY PROPERTY.

I DON'T DENY THAT FOR ONE SECOND. I'M DEFINITELY, I'VE DEFINITELY PUT THESE STEPS.

YOU CAN SEE THEM HERE IF I KNOW HOW TO DO THIS.

I'VE DEFINITELY PUT THESE ON CITY PROPERTY IN THE LITTLE GARDEN AREA THERE YOU CAN SEE THEM.

[00:15:01]

IT WAS IN RED BRICK BEFORE, BUT SINCE THEY PUT IN THE NEW PARKING LOT, I CHANGED IT TO FLAGSTONE.

BUT ANYHOW, THESE STEPS ARE WHERE I'M DEFINITELY ENCROACHING IN CITY PROPERTY.

I DON'T DENY THAT FOR A SECOND, BUT I'M WONDERING IF THERE'S SOMETHING I CAN DO OR PERMIT I CAN FILL OUT A PAPER I CAN FIGURE OUT, OR WHATEVER I NEED TO DO TO MAKE THIS WORK. I THINK IT'S A IT'S NOT AN UNATTRACTIVE NUISANCE FOR THE CITY.

I THINK IT'S VERY, VERY SIMPLE, VERY NICE, VERY NOTHING OBTRUSIVE.

SO, I'M WANTING TO PRESENT THIS TO THE COUNCIL, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE AVENUE FOR APPROVING THIS COULD BE, WHETHER IT WOULD BE DENIED OR WHAT I NEED TO DO OR FILL OUT.

BUT IF I COULD WORK SOMETHING OUT, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.

I'VE PUT IN ALL ALONG THAT 150FT WORTH OF FENCE.

I'M ALREADY DOWN TO FIVE SECONDS. YES, SIR. WOW.

OKAY. THAT'S MY PRESENTATION. I WANT TO PUT A WHOLE ROW OF MURALS ALONG THERE AT SOME POINT.

I'VE ALREADY CONTACTED FOUR PEOPLE, SO. WOW, THAT WENT QUICK.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. ELLIS. ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? ME. OH, YEAH. THAT'S RIGHT. SORRY. OH, I NEED A TIMER.

CAN SOMEONE TIME ME? MARIA. MARIA, CAN YOU, LIKE, DO SIGNS? SIGN LANGUAGE. DO A FLAG. LIKE A FIREWORK OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

OKAY. YES. I'M READY. OKAY. IT'S STARTING. OKAY.

WELL. GOOD EVENING. HONORABLE MAYOR. MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

AMAZING. CITY STAFF. CHIEF IVECO, CHIEF APPLETON, AUDIENCE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CLARIBEL TO WELL, EVERYONE KNOWS THAT OUR EVENT, THE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS AND ART FESTIVAL, IS COMING UP CELEBRATING WORLD BIPOLAR DAY, SUNDAY, MARCH 30TH.

WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

AND WE WANT TO EXTEND COUNCIL MEMBER GILBERTO REYNA.

AND I WANT TO EXTEND A WARM INVITATION. HOPEFULLY ALL OF YOU WILL ATTEND.

ALL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE THEIR SHIRTS.

WE WANT TO SEE YOU THERE WEARING THEM PROUDLY AND EVERYTHING IS TURNING OUT FANTASTIC.

OUR ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP. WE'VE GOT TWO BANDS.

WE HAVE A PROFESSIONAL DANCE BY BALLET FOLKLORICO, WE HAVE A POETESS.

SHE'S GOING TO BE PERFORMING SOME ORIGINAL POETRY.

WE HAVE PLANET DANCE STUDIO, WE HAVE A CAR SHOW, OVER 30 BOOTHS, INFORMATIONAL BOOTHS.

WE HAVE CORNHOLE. ORCHIDEA AND TRACY ARE DOING FACE PAINTING.

OUR PLAZA IS FULL OF ARTISTS DISPLAYING THEIR WORK.

WE'VE GOT ART ACTIVITIES, SO IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT DAY OF FUN.

WE'RE STARTING OUR MEDIA CAMPAIGN ON WEDNESDAY.

WE HAVE RADIO INTERVIEW. NEXT WEEK IS A BOOK TELEVISION INTERVIEW ON NBC.

WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE PENDING WITH TELEMUNDO. SO THE CITY IS GOING TO GET SOME GREAT EXPOSURE FOR BEING, YOU KNOW, A GREAT HOST OF THIS EVENT. SO WE HOPE THAT ALL OF YOU WILL MAKE IT.

WE'RE SO EXCITED. WE'VE ALREADY SEEN GREAT RESULTS.

PEOPLE ARE CALLING JUST SAYING, HEY, WE WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS.

WE WANT TO BE VOLUNTEERS. AND SO WE REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS FOR SUPPORTING THIS EVENT, AND WE HOPE THAT WE WILL SEE YOU THERE. SUNDAY, MARCH 30TH, 11 A.M.

TO 4 P.M.. THANK YOU, THANK YOU VERONICA. THANK YOU.

GREAT JOB. OH, YOU FINISHED. NINE SECONDS TO SPARE.

THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? NOBODY. ALL RIGHT, MADAM CLERK, DO WE HAVE ANY EMAIL COMMENTS? THERE ARE NO EMAIL COMMENTS FOR THIS ITEM OR ANY OTHER ITEMS. THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER. MAYOR, BEFORE YOU MOVE FORWARD.

I'D JUST LIKE TO YOU KNOW, TALK TO STAFF BRIEFLY.

LET'S JUST FIND A SOLUTION FOR MR. ELLIS'S CURRENT PREDICAMENT.

SOMETHING THAT CERTAIN STAFF CAN COME OUT WITH A VIABLE SOLUTION.

SO. THANK YOU. MOVING ON, ITEM TEN, PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS.

CHIEF APPLETON, KERN COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT. SIR, CAN YOU REPEAT THAT? MR. ELLIS WASN'T ABLE TO HEAR WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT HIS COMMENT, AND HE MADE A SUGGESTION ABOUT HIS COMMENTS.

YES. I WAS JUST SUGGESTING TO THE STAFF TO FIND A VIABLE SOLUTION TO HIS CURRENT SITUATION.

SO, STAFF NO DOUBT WILL WORK WITH HIM TO DO. OKAY.

[10.a. Kern County Fire Department (Appleton)]

GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL THIS EVENING. I JUST HAVE A FEBRUARY REPORT FOR THE FOR ENGINE 31 HERE IN WASCO.

ENGINE 31 RAN A TOTAL OF 147 INCIDENTS. NINE OF THOSE WERE FIRES, 116 WERE MEDICAL CALLS, AND THE REMAINDER WERE MISCELLANEOUS CALLS. IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR WHEN THINGS KIND OF SLOW DOWN.

[00:20:01]

ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE MEMBERS. SEEING NONE. THANK YOU CHIEF.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. CHIEF. CHIEF. CHIEF FIVECOAT, WASCO PD.

[10.b. Wasco Police Department (Fivecoat)]

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AT A COUNCIL MEETING HAS FALLEN ON THE ANNIVERSARY MONTH OR DATE, IF YOU WILL, FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. AND TONIGHT IS ONE OF THOSE EXCEPTIONS WHERE IT'S THE SAME NIGHT.

SO, WE'VE JUST COMPLETED 11 MONTHS OF OPERATIONS WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND THIS TIME NEXT MONTH, WE WILL HAVE A YEAR BEHIND US. AND SO FAR, EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE RUNNING PRETTY MUCH AS WE EXPECTED.

LOOKING AT THE AT THE MONTHLY ACTIVITY, WE'RE RUNNING PRETTY CLOSE TO THE AVERAGE FOR EACH ONE OF THE CATEGORIES THAT YOU'VE GOT ON THE SLIDE BEFORE YOU AS FAR AS OUR MONTHLY ACTIVITY. ONE OF THE THINGS I'D LIKE TO NOTE IS THE VEHICLE THEFTS AND RECOVERIES.

I BELIEVE WE TALKED ABOUT THAT AT ONE OF THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS.

I WAS ABLE TO LOOK AT THE 2023 STATS WHEN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT STILL HAD CONTROL.

THEY HAD A TOTAL OF 243 STOLEN VEHICLES AT THIS SAME TIME OF THAT YEAR.

I THINK THE THE ADDITION OF TECHNOLOGY THAT WE'VE ADDED, RELATIVE FLOCK AND FLEET THREE, IS HAVING A DRAMATIC IMPACT ON SOME OF THE STOLEN VEHICLE ISSUES THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WE'VE HAD 136 COMPARED TO 243 UNDER THE TIME THAT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAD THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES.

THE SECOND SLIDE HERE IS JUST A TOTAL OF ALL OF THE INCIDENTS WE'VE HAD BY CATEGORY.

WHEN I LOOKED AT THE NUMBERS AND TRIED TO PROJECT WHERE WE WERE GOING TO BE AT THE END OF NEXT MONTH, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO COME IN SOMEWHERE AROUND 18,500 CALLS FOR THE YEAR, WHICH AGAIN, GOING BACK TO THE PSAP THING, THERE WAS SOME CONCERN BY OES WHETHER OR NOT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO FULFILL THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS THAT THEY CHOOSE TO FUND, WHICH WAS 790 A MONTH. IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO BE ABOUT 40 SOME PERCENT AHEAD OF THAT JUST ON 911 CALLS.

AND THEN WHEN YOU ADD IN, THE OFFICER INITIATED RESPONSES THAT WE HAD, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT NUMBER JUMP ALL THE WAY UP TO 18,000 BY THE END OF THIS, THIS 12 MONTH PERIOD. I'D LIKE TO THINK THAT THE WORK WE'RE DOING WITH OFFICER INITIATED ACTIVITY IS WHAT IS IMPACTING OUR GANG PROBLEM AND OUR DRUG PROBLEM IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE'RE MAKING A LOT OF STOPS OUT THERE. CAR STOPS, PEDESTRIAN STOPS.

WE'RE REMOVING QUITE A BIT OF DRUGS OFF THE STREET.

WE'VE TAKEN A NUMBER OF GUNS AND I THINK WE'RE HAVING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE GANG ACTIVITY.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.

THANK YOU CHIEF. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM? NO QUESTIONS. JUST COMMENT. THANK YOU.

CHIEF. YES, SIR. MAYOR MARTINEZ. NO COMMENTS OR NO QUESTIONS.

BUT JUST A QUICK NOTE. OUR CHIEF JUMPED OUT OF AN AIRPLANE.

SO, MAKE SURE YOU ASK HIM ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE.

A PERFECTLY GOOD AIRPLANE, BY THE WAY. YES. WELL, IF I MAY, I'M A MEMBER OF A GROUP OF VETERANS AND CURRENT PARATROOPERS WHO TRY TO HONOR THE GENTLEMAN THAT CAME BEFORE US IN WORLD WAR TWO.

I WAS AT TOCCOA, GEORGIA, WHICH IS THE ORIGINAL AIRBORNE TRAINING CAMP FOR THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

I ACTUALLY SLEPT IN THE BARRACKS. THAT EASY COMPANY FROM BAND OF BROTHERS SLEPT IN, AND I HAD THE ADVANTAGE OF JUMPING WITH ONE OF THE ACTORS FROM BAND OF BROTHERS. HE WAS MY JUMP PARTNER THAT DAY, AND WE ACTUALLY FLEW THE GRANDDAUGHTER OF THE REAL BAND OF BROTHERS MEMBER. HIS NAME WAS RAMIREZ. WE BROUGHT HER OUT TO TOCCOA, AND WE HAD THE ACTOR THERE AS WELL AS US AND A WORLD WAR II AIRPLANE, AND WE DID A COMMEMORATIVE JUMP FOR THE FAMILY.

AND IF ALL HOLDS WELL AND SCOTT LETS ME DO IT, I HAVE ANOTHER JUMP IN OREGON AT THE END OF APRIL.

BEFORE YOU SIT DOWN, I WANTED TO ASK YOU SOMETHING, AND I KNOW THAT MAYBE MEMBER REYNA HAD SOME QUESTIONS.

[00:25:01]

I'M MOST LIKELY WRONG. I THOUGHT THAT A RECOVERY RATE FOR STOLEN AUTOMOBILES WAS IN THE 40TH PERCENTILE.

AND LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS NOW, IT SHOWS TO BE 64%.

THAT'S QUITE A HIGH NUMBER. IT'S IMPROVING AND IT FLUCTUATES FROM MONTH TO MONTH.

YOU'LL SEE DIFFERENCES IN IT. BUT I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THE FORESIGHT THAT YOU ALL HAD WITH THE FLOCK SYSTEM AND THEN THE ADDITION OF THE FLEET, THREE EQUIPMENT THAT WE'RE PUTTING IN THE CARS NOW IS HAVING A DRAMATIC IMPACT ON OUR ABILITY TO MAKE RECOVERIES AND UNDERSTAND, TOO, THAT THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA AND THE UNITED STATES, THE FLOCK SYSTEMS ARE OUT THERE.

AND IF ONE OF OUR STOLEN VEHICLES HAPPENS TO PASS A FLOCK SYSTEM IN DELANO OR WHEREVER, WE GET ALERTED ON IT.

SO IT HELPS US WITH THE RECOVERY RATE. WELL, THIS NUMBER IS QUITE ENCOURAGING.

64% RECOVERY. THAT IS HIGH. SO I WANTED TO MAKE NOTE OF THAT.

THANK YOU. YES, SIR. BRIAN, DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING? NO. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, CHIEF. YES, SIR. MOVING ON.

[11)CONSENT CALENDAR]

THIS EVENING, WE HAVE ITEMS TEN A AND TEN E. THROUGH TEN E.

OH, SORRY. WHAT'S THAT? 11. OH, SORRY. I HAVE IT WRONG ON YOURS.

11. YEAH. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MEMBERS IF THEY HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON A PARTICULAR ITEM OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR. MEMBER MARTINEZ. NO CONFLICT. MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA.

I HAVE NONE. MEMBER GARCIA. NO. MAYOR REYNA. NO COMMENTS MAYOR.

AND I TOO HAVE NO CONFLICT. 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 SALDANA. I'M SORRY.

ARE THERE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM. NO ITEM. I HAVE NONE. MARTINEZ.

NOTHING, SIR. MEMBER GARCIA. NONE. MAYOR REYNA.

NO. MAYOR. THANK YOU. AND I HAVE NONE. I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.

SO MOVED. I'LL SECOND MADAM CLERK. WE HAVE A FIRST AND A SECOND.

CAN WE GET THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL? MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA. SECONDED BY MAYOR MEDINA TO APPROVE.

COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ. RIGHT, MOTION. MOTION AND A SECOND.

YEAH. SORRY. MARTINEZ. SECONDED BY MAYOR MEDINA TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.

MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO ITEM 14.

[14.a. Council finds this action not a “project” per Section 15060(c)(3); Appointment and Oath of Office for Florirene Olvera and Rocio Mosqueda to serve on the Wasco Sales Tax Oversight Committee (Measure X) for a term ending December 31, 2028, and for Larry Jennings to serve on the Kern Mosquito and Vector Control District for a term ending December 31, 2028. (M. Martinez)]

PER SECTION 15060C3. APPOINTMENT AND OATH OF OFFICE FOR FLORIN OLVERA AND ROCIO MOSQUEDA TO SERVE ON THE WASCO SALES TAX OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEASURE X FOR A TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31ST, 2028, AND FOR LARRY JENNINGS TO SERVE ON THE CURRENT MOSQUITO AND VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT FOR A TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31ST, 2028.

MARTINEZ OR OH NO, IT'S COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ.

SORRY, I WASN'T SURE WHAT MARTINEZ. COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ.

GET MORE CLEAR. SO WE HAD SOME REALLY GREAT APPLICANTS FOR THESE POSITIONS.

THEY ALL HAVE A GREAT PASSION FOR THE CITY OF WASCO, AND SO WE WERE FORTUNATE TO SELECT THESE THREE TO FILL OUR VACANT SPOTS.

OKAY. SO THAT'S SIMPLE. ANY. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA.

PLEASE WELCOME ON BOARD. AND WELL LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU GUYS IN ANYTHING I CAN HELP OUT.

THANK YOU. WELL, JUST CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUR APPOINTED COMMITTEE.

I THINK YOU GUYS BRING GREAT, GOOD EXPERIENCE, GOOD KNOWLEDGE TO THE STAFF AND TO THE TOWN.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU GUYS LOVE THE, YOU LOVE THE TOWN OF WASCO.

YOU GUYS WILL BE A GREAT ASSET TO OUR TOWN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SERVING.

THANK YOU. MEMBER REYNA. YEAH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT YOU DO IN SERVING THE COMMUNITY, IT'S A THANKLESS JOB.

RIGHT. SO BUT YOU DO IT BECAUSE YOU HAVE PASSION ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY.

SO THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. AND DO WE HAVE ALL THREE MEMBERS HERE PRESENT? YES WE DO. SO, IF YOU GUYS CAN COME UP TO THE PODIUM I JUST ECHO WHAT THE REST OF COUNCIL SAID.

OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE HERE BECAUSE YOU CARE, RIGHT?

[00:30:02]

SO I APPRECIATE YOU ALL BEING HERE, YOU KNOW, WILLING TO PUT IN THE EXTRA TIME TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND FOR PUTTING YOUR NAME AS PART OF THE OF THE COMPETITION, I GUESS.

SO WHAT, THREE, FOUR YEARS AHEAD, RIGHT. SO IT'S A IT'S A BIG COMMITMENT.

SO WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT.

SO MOVED. I'LL SECOND. OH, SORRY. LET ME FINISH THE STATEMENT.

TO APPOINT FLORIAN OLVERA AND ROCIO MOSQUEDA TO THE STATE, THE SALES TAX OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND LARRY JENNINGS TO THE CURRENT MOSQUITO AND VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT. SO, MOVED. SECOND. WE HAVE A FIRST AND A SECOND.

MADAM CLERK, CAN WE GET THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL? MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA. SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ TO APPOINT OLVERA ROCIO MOSQUEDA TO SERVE ON THE WASCO SALES TAX OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND LARRY JENNINGS TO SERVE ON THE CURRENT VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT WITH TERMS ENDING DECEMBER 31ST, 2028. MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

THANK YOU. AND NOW WE WILL HAVE CITY CLERK ADMINISTER THE OATH.

CAN WE GO NOW OR AFTER? AFTER. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. IF YOU CAN. I WANT TO GET MY BACK. OKAY.

YOU CAN PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. AND AFTER I SAY YOU DO, YOU STATE YOUR NAME, AND AFTER THE MISSION.

DO YOU, LARRY JENNINGS, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, THAT YOU WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

THAT YOU'LL TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY, WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION OR PURPOSE OF EVASION, AND THAT YOU WILL WELL AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU. ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE] JOIN ME, GENTLEMEN.

WE DO HAVE SOME PINS FOR YOU, AND WE'LL TAKE A PICTURE.

CLARIBEL. NO CERTIFICATES? NO, I DIDN'T GET THE MEMO, BUT THAT'S OKAY.

I CIRCLED BACK AROUND, YOU KNOW.

[00:35:14]

[14.b. Council finds this action not a “project” per Section 15378; Adopt a Resolution Approving the City of Wasco Social Media Policies, and Authorize the City Manager or Designee to Endorse and Implement the Social Media Policies. (Hurlbert) ]

MR. HURLBERT. YES. HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

PURSUANT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF STRATEGIC SESSIONS, WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH IMPLEMENTING SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE FOR THE CITY. THERE'S STILL PLENTY OF WORK TO BE DONE, BUT ONE OF THE FOUNDATIONAL PIECES OF THIS IS TO PUT SOCIAL MEDIA POLICIES IN PLACE THAT WILL GUIDE STAFF AND YOURSELVES IN HOW WE DEAL WITH SOCIAL MEDIA.

SO, IN YOUR STAFF REPORT, YOU SHOULD HAVE SOME BACKGROUND ON THAT.

AND AS WELL AS THE THREE DRAFT POLICIES. AND THESE COVER THREE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.

ONE IS THE SOCIAL MEDIA POLICIES FOR PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA SITES AND AS A, AS A COUNCIL MEMBER OR EVEN AS A STAFF MEMBER REPRESENTING THE CITY, THERE ARE SOME EXTRAORDINARY GUIDELINES BEYOND WHAT YOU WOULD NORMALLY BE ABLE TO EXERCISE AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN.

AND AS WE KNOW, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SEPARATE THOSE TWO, NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY.

SO THESE GUIDELINES WILL HELP WITH THAT. THEIR INITIAL AND THEY'RE PURPOSELY IN DRAFT FORM ON YOUR PACKET.

WE WE'VE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF EFFORT. STAFF HAS SPENT A LOT OF EFFORT WITH LOOKING AT OTHER POLICIES AT OTHER CITIES AND WORKING WITH OUR CITY ATTORNEYS TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE POLICIES ARE, ARE PROPER.

HOWEVER, THERE MAY BE SOME FINAL ADJUSTMENTS TO THOSE AS WE GET THEM READY TO ACTUALLY PUBLISH AND PUT INTO PLACE.

SO THE RESOLUTION TONIGHT ASKS FOR YOUR AUTHORITY TO DO THAT AND MAKE ANY CHANGES THAT ARE DEEMED NECESSARY.

AND ACCORDING TO THE CITY ATTORNEY'S. SO THE SECOND OF THESE IS THE FIRST ONE APPLIES TO THE ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS. EXHIBIT B APPLIES TO REGULAR, FULL AND PART TIME EMPLOYEES, VOLUNTEERS, MID-MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTOR EMPLOYEES.

SO PRETTY MUCH ANYONE THAT IS STAFF WITH THE WITH THE COUNCIL OR WITH THE CITY.

SO THIS WILL AFFECT MYSELF ON THROUGH ALL OF OUR STAFF.

CAN YOU GO TO THE NEXT ONE WITH EXHIBIT B? THERE'S EXHIBIT B AND IT IS VERY, VERY SIMILAR TO EXHIBIT A.

JUST A FEW OF THE TERMS ARE DIFFERENT THERE. AND THEN EXHIBIT C IS THE SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY ON PUBLIC COMMENTS.

AND AS WE DISCUSSED DURING SOME OF OUR EARLY STRATEGIC MEETINGS ON THIS TOPIC THIS IS THIS IS WHERE SOME CITIES GET SIDEWAYS IN, IN HANDLING THE COMMENTS WHICH CAN BECOME WHICH CAN BE VERY HELPFUL WITH THE CITY SOCIAL MEDIA SITE, OR THEY CAN BECOME INFLAMMATORY AND LEAD TO JUST ALL KINDS OF ONLINE WAR OF WORDS.

AND THIS POLICY HOPEFULLY WILL GUIDE US TO AVOIDING THAT.

IT ALSO LAYS OUT THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE PUBLIC AND USING OUR SOCIAL MEDIA SITES AND GIVES US SOME AUTHORITY ON DEALING WITH FOLKS THAT, THAT AREN'T BEHAVING RESPONSIBLY ONLINE. SO IF THERE ARE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, I CAN WITH THE SUPPORT OF STAFF, TRY TO ANSWER THOSE, BUT THEY'RE PRETTY CLEAR AND PRETTY BASIC FRAMEWORK OF GUIDELINES, AND THAT'S INTENTIONAL. WE DIDN'T TRY TO ANTICIPATE EVERY POSSIBLE SITUATION THAT MIGHT COME UP BUT RATHER TRY TO FOLLOW THE SPIRIT OF WHAT THESE POLICIES ARE ASKING FOR AND MAKE DECISIONS FOR UNIQUE SITUATIONS AS THEY COME UP.

SO, SCOTT, ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA.

I HAVE NO COMMENTS. MARTINEZ. YEAH, I HAD A QUESTION.

SO, I THINK IT'S AN EXHIBIT A, IT TALKS ABOUT ELECTED OFFICIALS.

YES. AND IT SAYS THAT, YOU KNOW, BASICALLY IF WE VIOLATE THE POLICY THAT THERE WOULD BE DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

I'M NOT OPPOSED TO THAT AT ALL. MY QUESTION IS, IS DO WE ACTUALLY HAVE A MECHANISM IN PLACE FOR THAT? THIS IS ONE OF THE AREAS THAT NEEDS TO BE DEFINED.

OKAY. I'M WITH YOU. I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THAT, TOO.

[00:40:01]

YOU'RE NOT SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINE OF STAFF. SO THAT'S.

WE MAY BE LOOKING FOR SOME INPUT FROM THE COUNCIL ON THAT.

OKAY. BUT THAT'S A GOOD OBSERVATION. OKAY, THAT WAS MY ONLY QUESTION.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT. I MEMBER RAYA. NO QUESTIONS.

MEMBER REYNA. SAME OBSERVATION AS MEMBER MARTINEZ.

WE ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS. AND SO, I THINK THAT ULTIMATELY, WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE THAT ELECT US.

BUT, YEAH, WE CAN COME TO SOME KIND OF YOU KNOW, WRITTEN LANGUAGE THAT COULD DEFINE THAT.

I ALSO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND WHETHER WE MIGHT RUN INTO A PROBLEM WITH THAT IS WE TRY TO MONITOR AND NOT MONITOR, BUT TRY TO PERHAPS CURTAIL WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING WITHIN THE PAGE. SURE. AND THAT MAY BE AN ISSUE I DON'T KNOW.

I KNOW THAT YOU DID A LOT OF WORK, AND YOU AND I ATTENDED THAT WORKSHOP REGARDING SOCIAL MEDIA.

BUT I AM WONDERING ABOUT THAT. AND THERE IS A ON PAGE 38 ON THE FIRST PARAGRAPH, THERE'S A WORD THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED. IT'S ON THE LAST SENTENCE OF THE FIRST PARAGRAPH OF PAGE 38.

IT SAYS PROTECTED BY LAW OR COMPANY POLICY. THAT SHOULD BE THAT SHOULD READ CITY POLICY.

OKAY. WE CAN LOCATE THAT. YEAH. IT'S ON PAGE 38.

FIRST PARAGRAPH. LAST SENTENCE, PAGE 38 I DON'T HAVE MARIANA IDENTIFIED.

OH, THERE IT IS. YEAH. OKAY. SECOND PAGE, WE DO NEED TO TALK FURTHER ABOUT THIS TO TRY TO COME UP WITH APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE. YEP, WE CAN FIX THAT FOR SURE. I THINK IT'S A GOOD START.

RIGHT. I JUST I THINK WE NEED TO DO SOME MORE WORK ON IT.

THANK YOU, MR. REYNA. ANYTHING ELSE? NO. THAT'S IT.

I GUESS JUST FOR MY UNDERSTANDING, AT THIS POINT IN TIME, ALL WE'RE APPROVING IS JUST THE GUIDELINES, RIGHT? WE DON'T HAVE A DESIGNATED PERSON THAT'S GOING TO BE DOING THE SOCIAL MEDIA YET IDENTIFIED.

OR WE DO OUR THE SOCIAL MEDIA RESPONSIBILITY FALLS ON OUR IT DEPARTMENT AND SPECIFICALLY OUR COMMUNICATIONS PERSON, THE IT SPECIALIST AND COMMUNICATIONS PERSON.

SO APPROVING THIS TONIGHT MEANS WHAT EXACTLY? MEANS THAT WE WILL ADDRESS THE COUPLE OF QUESTIONS, THE CORRECTION AND THE MATTER OF WHAT METHOD DISCIPLINE WILL OCCUR IF AT ALL. AND THERE'S A THIRD QUESTION REGARDING FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

FIRST AMENDMENT. AND I BELIEVE THAT THAT IS FOREFRONT IN THE STRUCTURE OF THESE POLICIES ALREADY AND FROM THE CITIES THAT WE TOOK THEM FROM.

BUT CERTAINLY WE CAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION. SO MY MY EXPECTATION IS THAT WE'LL WORK THROUGH THOSE ISSUES, MAKE SURE THAT EITHER WE BRING IT BACK OR WE CAN HAVE A COMMITTEE, AN AD HOC COMMITTEE ASSIGNED TO TO REVIEW THE FINAL VERSION, IF YOU'D LIKE, AND THEN WE'LL BEGIN IMPLEMENTING THEM.

THESE THESE AREN'T RECORDED OR ANYTHING ELSE.

THEY'RE JUST APPROVED AND ADDED TO OUR POLICIES.

BUT WE DID WANT TO MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER STEPS IN OUR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA PROJECT THAT ARE WAITING ON THESE TO BE IN PLACE.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT. AND I BELIEVE THE RESOLUTION IS WORDED THAT WAY TO WE USE THE TERM FINAL AUTHORIZED TO FINALIZE AND IMPLEMENT. SO THIS NEXT STEP WE TAKE OF CLEANING UP THESE COUPLE OF ITEMS HERE WILL CONSTITUTE THE FINALIZATION OF THE POLICY.

YOU WILL BE BRINGING IT BACK FOR A VOTE. WELL I LOOKING FOR SOME GUIDANCE THERE.

I CAN BRING IT BACK AGAIN FOR THIS FULL DISCUSSION AND REVIEW.

OR WE CAN ASSIGN AN AD HOC COMMITTEE TO OVERSEE THE FINALIZATION OF THIS DRAFT.

RIGHT. BUT EVEN THEN, IF WE HAVE A COMMITTEE, YOU WOULD STILL HAVE TO BRING IT BACK FOR A VOTE, RIGHT? NOT THE WAY THE RESOLUTION IS WORDED. SO IT WOULD BE VERY SIMILAR TO THE WAY A LOT OF OUR AGREEMENTS ARE CURRENTLY HANDLED, WHERE THERE WOULD BE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE THIS FRAMEWORK, THIS DRAFT, AND SUBJECT TO ATTORNEY'S INPUT, AND PERHAPS AN AD HOC COMMITTEES INPUT, THEN IT WOULD BE FINALIZED AND IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT BRINGING IT BACK.

ALL RIGHT. SO, SINCE THE MEMBER MARTINEZ AND I WERE THE ONES THAT RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CURRENT WAY THAT THIS IS WRITTEN,

[00:45:02]

IF YOU WANTED JUST TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE ADVICE OF THE TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS, THEN WE SHOULD BE CLEAR ABOUT THAT.

YEAH. I MEAN, GIVEN THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA AND HAVING A PRESENCE IN TERMS OF EVENTS GOING ON, I DON'T WANT TO HOLD IT UP ANY FURTHER. SO, I'M FINE WITH THE AD HOC, RIGHT? I'M FINE WITH THE REST OF THE VERBIAGE ON THERE.

SO, IF THOSE ARE THE QUESTIONS THAT ARE POSTED AND WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE AD HOC, I'M FINE WITH THAT.

MAYOR PRO TEM. I ECHO WHAT THE MAYOR SAYS. I SUPPORTED YOU.

OKAY. I'M IN OPPOSITION TO THAT. YEAH. I SUPPORT WHAT THE MAYOR SAID.

EXACTLY. OKAY. SO WITH THAT, DO WE NEED TO MAKE A MOTION? A MOTION? I THINK THE MOTION AS IT STANDS, WITH THE ADDITION OF THAT, THE FINALIZATION STEP WOULD BE WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF A TWO PERSON AD HOC COMMITTEE. THAT WOULD BE THE CHOICE OF THE COUNCIL THEMSELVES.

SO IF YOU. SORRY, I SKIPPED MEMBER MARTINEZ. BUT YEAH, I MEAN, SO IF HE'S WILLING TO SERVE. HE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING, RIGHT. I COMMITTED HIM TO IT.

I WILL IF IT'S THE COUNCIL'S PLEASURE THAT MEMBER MARTINEZ AND MEMBER REYNA FORM THAT AD HOC COMMITTEE, THEN THE MOTION COULD CERTAINLY BE AS WRITTEN WITH AN AD HOC COMMITTEE JUST TO ADD IN THE CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY AND THE AD HOC COMMITTEE INTO THAT.

SECTION ONE. OKAY. OKAY. I MAKE THE MOTION AS STATED.

I'LL TAKE IT. THERE YOU GO. I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION.

IS THAT. IS THAT CLEAR? MADAM CLERK SO ADDING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY AND AN AD HOC COMMITTEE CONSISTING OF MEMBER MARTINEZ AND MEMBER REYNA. AN AD HOC COMMITTEE.

MEMBER COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ AND COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA.

SO WITH THAT, CAN WE GET THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL? NO. THE MOTION WAS WITH MEMBER MARTINEZ OR. WAS THERE A SECOND? YEAH. YEAH. SO, MR. REYNA. YEAH. OKAY. I DIDN'T HEAR THAT.

MARTINEZ. OKAY. AND MR. ANY OKAY.

APPROVE MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED WITH PARTICIPATION WITH AD HOC COMMITTEE, CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY.

OKAY WITH THE AD HOC COMMITTEE. MEMBER MARTINEZ AND MEMBER RAYA.

REYNA. REYNA. MY APOLOGIES. I KNOW IT'S VERY SIMILAR, BUT YEAH, IT IS.

MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO ITEM 15.

[15.a. Kern Economic Development Corporation (Medina) ]

THERE WAS A MEETING HERE LAST WEEK. UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT.

I KNOW MEMBER REYNA YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT EITHER, WERE YOU? NO. AND THEN, SCOTT, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT.

I WAS I WAS THE HOST. ALL RIGHT. PERFECT. SO MAYBE YOU CAN REPORT OUT ON THAT.

I WILL REPORT OUT ON THAT AS PART OF MY OKAY.

REPORT IF THAT'S OKAY. THAT WORKS. OKAY. SO CURRENT COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT, MR.

[15.b. Kern Council of Government (Reyna) ]

TO REPORT ON THE LAST MEETING, EVEN THOUGH THE REPORT SAYS THERE WAS NO REPORTABLE ACTION OR NOTHING TO REPORT.

OKAY. PERFECT. THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO 15 C, WASCO TASK FORCE.

[15.c. Wasco Task Force (Saldaña and Medina) ]

AND IT STARTS FROM 8 TO 12 NOON AT THE BARKER PARK.

SO ALWAYS ACCEPTING ANY VOLUNTEERS. EVERYBODY IS WELCOME.

THAT'S ALL I GOT. SO, MRS. COBB. JUST A QUESTION ON THAT.

I KNOW LAST YEAR, I BELIEVE IT'S ROTARY CLUB BRINGS FOOD.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S HAPPENING THIS YEAR, BUT IF WE'RE BRINGING A BIG GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS, DO WE NEED TO GIVE YOU GUYS A HEADS UP TO PLAN ON THAT? OR THERE WILL BE FOOD, BUT I WILL VERIFY WHO'S PROVIDING IT.

SO, PLAN ON LUNCH. OKAY. FOR SURE. JUST BECAUSE I PLAN ON BRINGING A DECENT GROUP.

SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S ACCOUNTED FOR.

ALRIGHT, PERFECT. SCOTT. YOU'RE UP. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER.

[16) REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER]

[00:50:04]

SNIP EVENT TWO ARE SCHEDULED APRIL 4TH AND APRIL 17TH, AS USUAL OVER HERE ON EIGHTH STREET NEAR PUBLIC WORKS.

CSOS THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS IS HOSTING THEIR ANNUAL PUBLIC WORKS AND ET-CETERA EQUIPMENT SHOW OFF DAY OVER AT BARKER PARK.

THEY BRING A YOUNGER KIDS TO COME AND EXPLORE THE WORLD OF HEAVY TRUCKS AND VAC TRUCKS AND BACKHOES AND WHATNOT.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO ATTEMPT TO HAVE A DIAL-A-RIDE VAN THERE AS WELL.

THIS IS ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19TH, WHICH IS TOMORROW FROM 10:30 STARTING AT 10:30 A.M.

AT BARKER PARK. USUALLY LASTS ABOUT AN HOUR. NOT MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

COMMUNITY CLEANUP WAS MENTIONED, BUT WE HAVE A WITH THE COUNTY IS SPONSORING A BULK WASTE AND E-WASTE EVENT ON MARCH 29TH. BARKER PARK, 8 A.M. TO NOON. MENTAL HEALTH ART FESTIVAL HAS BEEN WELL REPRESENTED TONIGHT BY VERONICA. BUT AGAIN, THE REMINDER THAT'S SUNDAY, MARCH 30TH, FROM 11 TO 4.

AGAIN, THE BANNER VETERANS BANNER PROGRAM IS OPEN FOR SUBMITTALS THROUGH APRIL 7TH.

AND ALL THE INFORMATION ON THAT AND HOW TO APPLY IS, IS ON THE WEBSITE.

THE PAL RIBBON CUTTING PLUS THE ONE YEAR WPD CELEBRATION IS SCHEDULED NOW FOR APRIL 22ND.

THAT'S 10 A.M. AT THE POWELL BUILDING. SO, THE PLACE IS LOOKING REALLY GOOD, AND WE'LL HAVE A BOW ON IT BY THE TIME THE 22ND ROLLS AROUND. THE WASCO RESOURCES FAIR BEING HOSTED AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.

APRIL 25TH FROM 6 P.M. TO 8 P.M.. THIS IS NOT JUST RESOURCES, BUT JOBS AND WHATNOT FOR FOLKS TO ATTEND AND GET MORE INFORMATION. IS THAT ON OUR CALENDAR TOO, OR NOT THE LAW SCHOOL RESOURCE, YOU CAN ADD THAT. YEAH, I CAN ADD THAT. AGAIN, THAT WAS THE APRIL 25TH AT THE AT WASCO HIGH.

LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES LEADERS SUMMIT, APRIL 23RD THROUGH 25TH IN SACRAMENTO THIS YEAR.

I'M PLANNING TO ATTEND. I'M NOT SURE IF YOU IF WE'VE HAD OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS CONFIRM FOR THAT OR NOT.

YEAH. OKAY, SO I DON'T KNOW. I IMAGINE THAT'S GOING TO SELL OUT AS WELL, LIKE SOME OF THE OTHER EVENTS HAVE BEEN.

AND FINALLY THE LAST THING ON OUR CALENDAR IS THE ICSC CONFERENCE, MAY 18TH.

THAT'S THROUGH TUESDAY, FROM SUNDAY TO TUESDAY THE 20TH.

THAT'S HELD IN LAS VEGAS. THAT'S A SHORT CONFERENCE, STARTS SUNDAY AFTERNOON, AND IT'S PRETTY MUCH OVER BY TUESDAY.

I'LL BE BACK ON TUESDAY EVENING. I MAY GO AHEAD AND TURN IT OVER TO ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER LAURA TO RUN THE MEETING, THOUGH, JUST SO SHE CAN HAVE THAT PLEASURE. SO THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO ARE PLANNING ON ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE, YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHETHER TO TRY TO BE BACK HERE FOR THE MEETING OR THE PRESSURE WILL BE ON FOR THE REMAINING THREE TO FORM A QUORUM FOR THE MEETING THAT NIGHT ON THE 20TH. KEEP THAT IN MIND. AND LAST REPORT OUT WOULD BE AS REQUESTED FOR THE WEST KERN KDC MEETING WAS HOSTED HERE LAST WEEK, AND OVER AT THE REC AND PARK MEETING HALL, WE HAD ABOUT OH, I'D SAY ABOUT 15 FOLKS JOIN US FOR LUNCH BEFORE THE EVENT AND THEN CLOSE TO 30, I BELIEVE, ACTUALLY WERE THERE FOR THE MEETING.

SO BY ALL ACCOUNTS SUCCESSFUL. AND WE DREW FOLKS FROM SEVERAL SURROUNDING CITIES AND INCLUDING THE LAST TWO MEETINGS, WE'VE HAD A REPRESENTATIVE FROM MARICOPA WHO I HAVE IN MY 20 CLOSE TO 20 YEARS IN CITY BUSINESS.

I'VE NEVER SEEN MARICOPA REPRESENTED AT THESE KINDS OF MEETINGS.

SO THAT'S REALLY ENCOURAGING. SO AND FOLKS FROM, FROM INDUSTRY WERE THERE AS WELL TO SUPPORT THIS EFFORT AND A LOT OF GOOD NETWORKING AND SHARING OF INFORMATION AND THE PROJECTS THAT ARE GOING ON.

SO IT LOOKS LIKE THAT ORGANIZATION IS OFF TO A GOOD START.

ALL RIGHT. ANY QUESTIONS? YES I HAVE A QUESTION.

NO I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION. I ACTUALLY WILL ADD IT AFTER THE.

[00:55:01]

BUT GO AHEAD IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU SCOTT.

ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA.

I HAVE NONE. MARTINEZ. SO ARE YOU SUGGESTING WE GO DARK FOR THAT WEEK? NO. COUNCIL MEMBER OKAY. I'M SURE. I'M SURE WE HAVE.

THE CITY STAFF WAS LIKE, THANK YOU FOR ASKING, BUT, YOU KNOW, NO, I THINK THERE WILL BE BUSINESS TO HANDLE, BUT I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE REMAINING THREE THAT AREN'T GOING TO THE CONFERENCE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT THAT NIGHT.

YES, SIR. I'LL BE HERE. OKAY. YOU SAID POWELL BUILDING IS THE APRIL 20? 22ND. 22ND. OKAY. ARE WE DOING BOTH CELEBRATIONS? THE OPENING OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE POWELL BUILDING? YES. OKAY. MEMBER RAYA, ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD, QUESTION WISE? NO. MEMBER REYNA. ARE WE IN COMMENT SECTION NOW? OR WE'RE IN QUESTIONS FOR THE CITY MANAGER. I'VE ALREADY ASKED THE QUESTION.

THANK YOU. OKAY. AND I HAVE NOTHING. OKAY. THANK YOU.

I DO HAVE SOMETHING TO RELATE TO THE COUNCIL.

JUST A REMINDER, YOUR 700 FORMS ARE DUE APRIL THE 1ST.

IT HAS TO BE SUBMITTED DIRECTLY WITH THE PPC.

SO PLEASE REMEMBER TO GET THAT SUBMITTED. I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE FEES THERE ELECTRONICALLY.

THAT'S IT. ALL RIGHT. PERFECT. ALL RIGHT. MOVING ON TO REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL.

[17) REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL]

NOTHING TO REPORT. MEMBER GARCIA. NOTHING TO REPORT.

MEMBER REYNA. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I ATTENDED THE CDC, OUR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING TODAY.

PRISON STAFF WERE GLAD TO HEAR THAT WE WILL FIX SCHOFIELD.

IT WAS WELL RECEIVED. ONE QUESTION THEY ASK IS, CAN WE LET THEM KNOW WHEN THE WORK IS GOING TO START SO THAT THE EMPLOYEES ARE ABLE TO TAKE ALTERNATE ROUTES? OKAY.

SO I THINK THAT CLAUDIA SALDANA WOULD BE THE PERSON TO LET US KNOW WHENEVER WE KNOW THE DAY THAT WE'RE STARTING, SO THAT WE KNOW BEFORE THE DATE THAT WE'RE STARTING, SO THAT PEOPLE WILL KNOW TO TAKE ALTERNATE ROUTES.

YEAH. THERE'S NO PROBLEM WITH THAT. NO, I DON'T.

WE CAN DO THAT. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THAT'S IT FOR ME MAYOR. THANK YOU. AND I HAVE NOTHING TO ADD.

NO CLOSED SESSION TODAY. SO, WITH THAT THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.

THE TIME IS NOW 6:59 P.M..

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.