[00:00:04]
>> GOOD EVENING. I WILL NOW CALL THIS MEETING IN ORDER.
[1) CALL TO ORDER]
THE TIME IS 6:00 P.M. MADAM CLERK, CAN WE PLEASE HAVE THE ROLL CALL?>> THANK YOU. IF YOU CAN, PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE FLAX SALUTE.
THANK YOU. PLEASE REMAIN STANDING.
IS THERE ANYBODY IN THE AUDIENCE, I WOULD LIKE TO LEAD US IN INVOCATION.
NOW, WE'LL OBSERVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
THANK YOU [NOISE]. AT THIS TIME, WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 5, APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
[5) APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO THE AGENDA?>> THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
>> I WILL SECOND, MADAM CLERK CAN WE GET THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL?
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ, SECONDED BY MAYOR MEDINA TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
>> PERFECT. THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 6 PRESENTATIONS.
[6.a. Recognition of Former Sales Tax Committee Member CARL J. HIVELY]
TODAY, WE HAVE ITEM 6A, RECOGNITION OF FORMER SALES TAX COMMITTEE MEMBER CARL J. HIVELY.MR. HIVELY, YOU CAN JOIN US IN THE PODIUM, PLEASE.
WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS TIME TO RECOGNIZE MR. CARL JOE HIVELY FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE SALES TAX COMMITTEE AS A MEMBER.
MR. HIVELY WAS AMONGST THE FIRST SALES TAX COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHEN THE CITIZENS VOTED FOR MEASURE X IN 2017.
HE SERVED AS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FROM 2007 UNTIL 2016.
MR. HIVELY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE FOR ALL THE TIME THAT YOU'VE COMMITTED TO THE CITY.
OBVIOUSLY, IT TAKES FOLKS LIKE YOURSELF THAT ARE WILLING TO PUT IN THE TIME AND HELP OUT.
FOR THAT, WE THANK YOU AND WITH THAT, I'LL PASS IT ON FOR ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS.
DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING CLEAR ABOUT AS WELL? I'LL LET THE MEMBERS COME IN AND THEN WE'LL BRING YOU UP. MAYOR PRO TEM.
>> ECHO MAYOR MEDINA TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, MR. HIVELY.
>> JOE, NOT ONLY TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME ON THE SALES TAX COMMITTEE BUT FOR YOUR TIME ON THE CITY COUNCIL.
YOUR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AS A TEACHER AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
YOU'VE LEFT A LEGACY IN THIS TOWN AND I HOPE THAT YOU REALIZE THAT.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE.
>> THANK YOU MR. HIVELY FOR YOU HAVE COACH OR YOU HAVE TAUGHT OR YOU FOR MANY YEARS.
YOU HAVE SERVED IN THE SCHOOL BOARD, AND THE TAX COMMITTEE.
YOU HAVE DONE SO MUCH FOR A COMMUNITY THAT SHOWS HOW MUCH YOU APPRECIATE AND LOVE OR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE.
ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. JOE, YOU HAVE SERVED HONORABLY THE CITY AND YOU'VE ALSO SERVED HONORABLY IN THE SALES TAX COMMITTEE.
I KNOW THAT IT TAKES A LOT OF DEDICATION AND YOU'RE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT IS UNIQUE THAT WAY, THAT IS WILLING TO PUT IN THEIR TIME TO MAKE THE CITY A BETTER PLACE.
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOU'VE DONE.
SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN BE VERY PROUD OF.
WE ARE PROUD OF WHAT YOU'VE DONE. THANK YOU.
>> WELL, NO, I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY, WHEN I WAS ON THE CITY, I WENT THROUGH A LOT OF CHANGES AND I'VE SEEN A LOT OF CHANGES SINCE I'VE BEEN GONE.
BUT FOR THE BETTER. I THINK THIS TOWN IS IN A VERY GOOD POSITION RIGHT NOW AND MOVING FORWARD.
I LOVE TO SEE THE GREAT PEOPLE WE HAVE ON THE DIES UP THERE, PEOPLE THAT I HAD IN SCHOOL AND ENJOYED AND KNOW THAT THEY'RE JUST GREAT PEOPLE AND THEY'RE GOING TO DO A GREAT JOB WITH EVERYTHING THEY'VE DONE.
I STARTED ON THE SALES TAX COMMITTEE BECAUSE I WAS THERE TO PASS THAT MEASURE UP ON THE CITY COUNCIL AND WE WORKED HARD TO GET IT PASSED.
I HAD INSIDE FEELING THAT I WAS GOING TO STAY ON THERE UNTIL WE GOT OUR OWN POLICE FORCE [LAUGHTER].
BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY VOTED FOR FOR THAT MEASURE X.
BUT MR. FIVE COTE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF PUTTING IT TOGETHER AND WE'RE THERE NOW,
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AND SO IT'S TIME FOR ME TO MOVE ON [LAUGHTER].BUT THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR YOUR FINE COMMENTS.
>> THANK YOU. WE DO HAVE A PRESENTATION FOR YOU.
GENTLEMEN, SORRY, CLAVE I CAN'T FORGET ABOUT YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAJOR. CONGRATULATIONS. I KNOW THAT I KNEW WHEN I WAS GOOGLING AND I THAT BECAUSE I KNOW I KNOW THAT YOU WERE PART OF THE CITY COUNCIL SO TO ME IT'S ESSENTIAL THAT YOU KNOW THAT'S HONOR TO HAVE PEOPLE LIKE YOU REPRESENTING THE RESIDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY IN SUCH HONOR WAY.
WHATEVER THE COUNCIL SAY IS JUST CONFIRMED WHAT I HONOR AND BECAUSE OF THAT, WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR THE TAXES, FOR THE VISION THAT YOU HAVE ON YOUR AS A CITY COUNCIL TO HAVE BETTER THAN WHAT YOU FOUNDED.
IN OUR DISTRICT 33, WE ARE MUCH BETTER TODAY.
IT'S A COMPLETE ESTIMATE THAT MY BOSS INVESTED FIVE MILLION DOLLARS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ESSENTIAL RESIDE [INAUDIBLE] AND YOU ARE PART OF THAT LEGACY.
SO KNOW, YOUR HARD WORK PAID OFF BECAUSE TODAY WE HAVE A FULL POLICE DEPARTMENT.
>> THANK YOU [APPLAUSE] [NOISE].
[6.b. Sexual Harassment Awareness Month – LIDERES DE CAMPESINAS]
WE HAVE A PRESENTATION OR A PROCLAMATION, SORRY FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT AWARENESS MONTH WE HAVE DELORES CAMPESINA.IF YOU CAN JOIN ME TO THE PODIUM, PLEASE [NOISE].
CLARE, I'M ASSUMING YOU HAVE. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
TODAY, WE HAVE THE PROCLAMATION FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH.
WHEREAS APRIL IS ANNUALLY RECOGNIZED AS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH AND WHEREAS DELORES CAMPESINA AN ORGANIZATION OF FARM WORKERS WHO ARE RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT ISSUES FACED BY WOMEN IN THE HEALTH SECTOR, INCLUDING SEXUAL ASSAULT, SEXUAL HARASSMENT, AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WHEREAS DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL, DELORES CAMPESINA KERN SUR USES ART AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS TO EDUCATE COMMUNITIES ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT, TO TELL THE STORIES OF WOMEN FOCUSING ON EXPERIENCES OF WOMEN IN KERN COUNTY, TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT PREVENTING SEXUAL ASSAULT AND WHEREAS THEY CONDUCT OUTREACH AND EDUCATION TO FARM WORKERS AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY, INFORMING THEM OF THEIR RIGHTS AND RESOURCES, ENGAGE IN A PEER TO PEER EDUCATION, AND WHEREAS THEY ASSIST WORKERS IN REPORTING SEXUAL ASSAULT ABUSE, AND DISCRIMINATION, AND THE REPRESENTATIVES ACCOMPANY VICTIMS TO COURT, AND WHEREAS ALL SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS TO SERVE ACCESS TO CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICE TO INCREASE THEIR SAFETY AND SELF SUFFICIENCY.
NOW, THEREFORE, I THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WASCO ON BEHALF OF THE WASCO CITY COUNCIL AND ALL ITS CITIZENS DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF APRIL 2025,
[00:10:02]
AS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH AND CALL UPON MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SUPPORT SURVIVORS VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN HEALING.FROM TESTIMONY WHEREOF I HAVE HERE ON TO SET MY HAND AND COSTS TO BE AFFIXED THE GREAT CITY OF WASCO ON THIS DAY OF 15TH OF APRIL 2025.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO [SPANISH].
OBVIOUSLY, IT TAKES A LOT OF WORK, A LOT OF ORGANIZING, A LOT OF COMMUNICATING WITH THE COMMUNITY.
OBVIOUSLY, I THINK THE MOST VULNERABLE GROUP OUT THERE IS FARM WORKERS FOR SURE, ESPECIALLY WOMEN AND THE INDUSTRY.
THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. IT IS APPRECIATED.
IT DOES NOT GO ON NOTICE, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.
WITH THAT, I'LL PASS IT ON TO MAYOR PRO TEM, ANYTHING TO ADD.
>> THANK YOU, LADIES [SPANISH].
YOU GUYS HAVE POINTED OUT GOOD AWARENESS ON DIFFERENT THINGS THAT THE COMMUNITY REALLY NEEDS AS FAR AS FOR THE ANYBODY TO HAVE RESOURCES SO THEY COULD GET MORE HELP IN ANY CASE THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS DO.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AS A FORMER DETECTIVE THAT USED TO INVESTIGATE SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES.
I KNOW THAT THESE ARE OFTENTIMES THE MOST TRAUMATIC CASES THAT CAN HAPPEN TO PEOPLE AND THEY HAVE THE LONGEST IMPACT ON THE VICTIMS. A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AS BEING SOMETHING THAT IS VIOLENT AND IF IT'S NOT NECESSARILY SOMETHING THAT THEY WOULD CONSIDER VIOLENT, THEY THINK MAY NOT BE INAPPROPRIATE AND IT IS.
HAVING AWARENESS AND THINGS LIKE THAT FROM YOU GUYS, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT IN THE COMMUNITY TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT NONE OF THIS BEHAVIOR IS ACCEPTABLE AND IT'S ALL INAPPROPRIATE. SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, LADIES FOR BRINGING THE AWARENESS TO HER COMMUNITY ABOUT SEXUAL VIOLENCE.
I KNOW ABOUT A MONTH AGO YOU GUYS BROUGHT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
THANK YOU FOR COVERING ALL THESE IMPORTANT ISSUES IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO.
YOU'RE BRINGING LIE TWO ISSUES THAT ARE REALLY PREVALENT AND NOT SPOKEN ABOUT FREQUENTLY BECAUSE VICTIMS USUALLY SHY AWAY FROM DECLARING THEMSELVES AS VICTIMS. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO [SPANISH].
>> [SPANISH] AS WORKING FOR ASSEMBLY WOMAN IS A HONOR AND PRIVILEGE, AND I WANT TO TAKE THE LADIES EVERYWHERE [INAUDIBLE] COUNTY TO SHARE THE INFORMATION REGARDING SEXUAL VIOLENCE FOR THAT MATTER BECAUSE WE DO MATTER.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS NOT HERE TO HARM YOU OR ANY WAY BECAUSE THEY HERE TO FIND THE VICTIM'S ADMISSION TO HELP YOU WITH THE CRIME MIGHT BE.
AS ADVOCATED FOR THAT WHATEVER TOPIC IT MAY BE, WE HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FOR YOUR BOARD IN ALL AREAS [SPANISH] [APPLAUSE].
[00:15:27]
>> MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 7,
[7) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:]
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA.AS PORTION OF THE MEETING OR 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 OVER THE COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY HAVE JURISDICTION.
SPEAKERS LIMITED TO TWO MINUTES, A MAXIMUM OF 30 MINUTES WILL BE ALLOWED FOR ANY ONE SUBJECT.
PLEASE STATE THE NAME FOR THE RECORD BEFORE MAKING YOUR PRESENTATION.
BROWN ACT REQUIREMENTS TO BROWN ACT DOES NOT ALLOW ACTION OR DISCUSSION ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA SUBJECT TO NARROW EXCEPTIONS.
WELL LIMITED COUNCIL MEMBERS' RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS DURING THIS COMMENT PERIOD.
ARE THERE ANY [OVERLAPPING] [LAUGHTER] DIDN'T EVEN [INAUDIBLE]
CLARA [INAUDIBLE] ASSEMBLY WOMAN FIELD REPRESENTATIVE FOR YOUR DISTRICT 35TH.
I'M HERE TO HONOR WHERE HONOR IT IS.
I WANTED TO THANK THE CITY OF WASCO FOR THE AMAZING JOB THAT THEY DID FOR THE BIPOLAR MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS EVENT THAT THEY DID. IT WAS ESSENTIAL.
I WAS LIKE, I FEEL LIKE I'M IN A CONCERT.
YOU HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING, AND THE CITY WAS LIGHT.
I WASN'T SURPRISED BECAUSE YOU HAVE TWO AMAZING PEOPLE DOING THIS EVENT AND THE RESULTS WERE IN THE PUDDING.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU COULD SAY IT LIKE THAT.
BUT BECAUSE YOU GUYS WORKED SO HARD DOWNTOWN AND THEN UTILIZING THE WHOLE DOWNTOWN E SHOW ON THAT EVENT.
I THINK IT'S HONOR FOR ME TO GIVE A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION ON BEHALF OF THE ASSEMBLY WOMAN TO THESE TWO AMAZING PEOPLE THAT MADE THIS EVENT POSSIBLE.
NOT ONLY THAT, TO THE CITY OF WASCO FOR THINKING FORWARD AND SAY THAT ALL THESE TOPICS ARE IMPORTANT IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
I'M HONORED THAT WE WERE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN BEING HERE IN THAT PRESENT.
FIRST, I HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR VERONICA JACUNDE FOR WASCO TRIBUTE REPORTER FOR YOUR AMAZING WORK AT THE WASCO HEALTH AWARENESS AND OUR FESTIVAL CELEBRATION, BIPOLAR DAY.
YOU GUYS ROUTED, YOU GUYS THREW IT OUT OF THE PARK.
WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FROM [INAUDIBLE] ASSEMBLY WHEN WE [INAUDIBLE] FOR YOUR REPORT.
[APPLAUSE] WELL, WHEN YOU HAVE A GOOD WOMAN, YOU GOT TO HAVE A GOOD MAN TOO.
THIS ONE GOES TO ONE OF YOUR OWN, MR. GILBERTO RENA.
CITY COUNCIL THAT HE PUT HIS BEST FORWARD BETWEEN THESE TWO, SO MUCH SPONSORSHIP AND SO MUCH ACTIVITY ON THAT DAY.
IN LESS THAN A MONTH, THEY THREW A EVENT THEY COULD HAVE TOOK MONTHS TO FACILITATE, AND YOU GUYS DID AMAZING.
OUR CITY COUNCIL, GILBERTO RENA, WE ALSO HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR YOUR HARD WORK AT THE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS AND THE AFFECT WAS ON BEHALF OF THE ASSEMBLY WOMAN, DR. JASMINE BAINS.
>> I WAS LIKE, ALL THIS GOOD STUFF.
THANK YOU. YOU GUYS DID ALL THE WORK, WE JUST SHOWED UP.
>> THANK YOU FOR COMING. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I HAVE YOUR SHIRT BUT I FORGOT IT. I GOT IT.
FOR NEXT YEAR. NEXT YEAR IS A DIFFERENT DESIGN.
>> BECAUSE YOU RAISED [INAUDIBLE]
[00:20:01]
>> COME ON, EVERYBODY. GET IN HERE.
>> I FEEL LIKE IT'S [OVERLAPPING]
>> [INAUDIBLE] ASSEMBLY WOMAN [INAUDIBLE] THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> GOD BLESS YOU. I WAS LIKE, OH NO.
>> THANK YOU, YOU DON'T HAVE TO.
>> I KNOW BUT YOU GUYS HEARD ME.
>> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO DO THIS PRESENTATION TO SOME AMAZING PEOPLE, THEY WENT OUT AND ABOVE.
THAT MAKES ME FEEL HAPPY BECAUSE I KNOW THE CITY PAST COUNCIL, THAT HE SAID THAT HE SEES THE CITY IN A BETTER PLACE.
HE WAS THERE, IS IN ANOTHER CHAPTER AND IT SHOWS BY EVERYTHING THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING BY IMPROVING YOUR CITY.
I GO TO ALL THE CITIES, I SAY, YOU GUYS GOT TO STEP TO THE PLAY BECAUSE WASCO IS DOING AMAZING THINGS, AND YOU SHOULD BORROW FROM THEM.
INSTEAD OF HAVING YOUR ALICE ALL AT SEE, JUST DO SOME MURALS AND MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL.
BUT WHEN YOU WALK AWAY AND YOU LOOK AT IT, IT GOES IN ANOTHER LEVEL, SO YOU GUYS ARE PUTTING WASCO IN A MAP IN A POSITIVE WAY. CONGRATULATIONS.
>> THANK YOU, CLARA. [APPLAUSE]
THAT'S VERY THOUGHTFUL AND CONSIDERATE ON YOUR END.
I THINK IT'S DEFINITELY WELL WORTH TO BE RECOGNIZED BECAUSE IT WAS A GREAT EVENT, AS WE DISCUSSED IN THE LAST MEETING.
IT WAS WELL PUT TOGETHER IN A VERY THOUGHT OUT STEP BY STEP, SO GREAT JOB TO BOTH OF YOU.
>> I DO WANT TO SAY THAT THIS EVENT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE COOPERATION OF SO MANY OF YOU.
FROM KERRY AND SCOTT, LOUIS, EVERYONE WAS SO ACCOMMODATING, AND THE CHIEF.
THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE TOO LONG TO MENTION ALL OF THEM.
BUT I KNOW THAT WE WERE SPEARHEADING IT, BUT WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT YOU, SO THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS? SEEING NONE, MADAM CLERK, DO WE HAVE ANY EMAIL COMMENTS?
>> THERE ARE NO EMAIL COMMENTS FOR THIS ITEM OR ANY OTHER AGENDA ITEMS.
>> PERFECT. MOVING ON TO ITEM 10,
[10.b. Wasco Police Department (Fivecoat)]
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS. CHIEF, YOU'RE UP.>> GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
THIS IS A SPECIAL MEETING FOR ME BECAUSE IN THREE DAYS WE GO OVER A YEAR OF OPERATION WITH THE WASCO POLICE DEPARTMENT.
TONIGHT, I'D JUST LIKE TO PROVIDE A BRIEF SUMMARY OF WHERE WE WERE AND WHERE WE'RE AT NOW.
ON THE 22ND OF APRIL, NEXT WEEK TUESDAY, WE HAVE THE GRAND OPENING OF THE POW BUILDING AND THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION FOR THE PD.
I'M CERTAINLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE THERE.
JUST A COMMENT ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF MY ORGANIZATION, MARIA, I TRULY HAVE TO TAKE A MOMENT AND SPEAK TO ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR ME AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
POW WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE IF IT HADN'T BEEN THE WORK THAT YOU DID ON THE GRANTS AND BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER.
TONIGHT WHEN I TALK ABOUT DRUNK DRIVERS AND THE ARRESTS WE'RE MAKING, IT GOES TO ANOTHER GRANT, WHICH SHE SEEMS TO ANTICIPATE THE NEEDS OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BEFORE I DO BECAUSE SHE'S ALREADY TALKING ABOUT AN OTS GRANT FOR OUR DUI PREVENTION PROGRAM.
AGAIN, THE SUCCESS AND ALL THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED THIS YEAR, IF IT HADN'T BEEN THE GRANT WORK YOU DID, I DON'T THINK WE COULD HAVE PULLED THIS OFF.
LOOKING AT THE STEPS FOR THE YEAR, I TRIED TO GO BACK AND TAKE IT ALL THE WAY FROM APRIL 18 OF 2024 ALL THE WAY UP TO TODAY'S DATE.
WE'RE JUST NORTH OF 18,000 INCIDENTS THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS HANDLED SINCE WE WENT TO WORK A YEAR AGO.
YOU'LL NOTICE ON THIS PARTICULAR SLIDE, NOT ONLY DO I HAVE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF EVENTS THAT WE'VE HAD UP TO THIS POINT, BUT YOU'LL NOTICE THE AREA THAT I HIGHLIGHTED FOR YOU IN GREEN.
WE'VE DONE OVER 3,000 TRAFFIC STOPS THIS YEAR.
[00:25:03]
OUR 1013 EVENTS WHERE WE'RE CONTACTING CITIZENS OUT IN THE FIELD, AND WE'VE GOT 374 OF THEM.THAT PROGRAM'S ONLY BEEN ALIVE FOR FOUR MONTHS.
IN AS FAR AS OUR ARREST STATUS, WE'RE PUSHING CLOSE TO 1,000 ARRESTS, AND THERE'S A REASON I'M HIGHLIGHTING THESE.
BECAUSE AS WE LOOK AT THE FAR RIGHT COLUMN HERE AS FAR AS THE ACTIVITY OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, YOU'LL NOTICE THAT WE'VE ALSO HANDLED 325 NARCOTICS-RELATED INVESTIGATIONS, MANY OF WHICH RESULTED IN APPREHENSIONS OF PEOPLE WITH DRUGS LIKE FENTANYL.
I GOT TO LOOKING AT, WHY ARE WE DOING SO WELL AS AN ORGANIZATION? WHAT DAWNED ON ME TODAY WAS THAT 40% OF ALL THE ACTIVITY WE DO IS OFFICER-INITIATED, WHICH MEANS IT'S THE PATROL OFFICERS ON THE STREET THAT ARE MAKING THESE STOPS, IDENTIFYING THESE PROBLEMS, AND DEALING WITH THEM.
WE'RE OUT THERE MOVING AROUND.
THE GUYS ARE VERY HIGH VISIBILITY, THEY MAKE A LOT OF CITIZEN CONTACTS.
YOU'LL SEE THEM IN THE COMMUNITY AT COMMUNITY EVENTS TALKING TO BUSINESS PEOPLE AND CITIZENS AND THE CHILDREN.
ALL OF THAT IS GENERATING THE SYNERGY TO MAKE THIS DEPARTMENT SUCCESSFUL.
PROACTIVE ENFORCEMENT, OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S A BIG THING.
I WAS SURPRISED WHEN I LOOKED TODAY, WE'VE ARRESTED 148 DRUNK DRIVERS IN THE LAST YEAR, WHICH IS A PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE GRANT THAT WE'RE WORKING ON IS REALLY GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL FOR US TO HOPEFULLY DISSUADE PEOPLE FROM DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED.
THE NUMBERS THAT YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN NOW, THERE IS A COMPARISON THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER, BUT I WANT TO QUALIFY IT BEFORE WE GET INTO THE DETAIL OF IT.
WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, ONE OF OUR LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS WENT TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND ASKED FOR ALL THE CRIME STATS FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR OF 2023.
THEY WEREN'T PROVIDED THOSE NUMBERS.
THEY WERE ONLY PROVIDED WHAT'S KNOWN AS PART 1 CRIMES.
COUNCILMAN MARTINEZ WOULD KNOW THAT PART 1 CRIMES ARE GENERALLY YOUR MORE MAJOR FELONY TYPE CRIMES, PART 2 CRIMES ARE PROPERTY CRIMES.
THEY WERE BROKEN OUT IN THE OLD UNIFORM CRIME REPORTING SYSTEM THAT THE FBI HAD.
BUT I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE AN INJUSTICE TO JUST SAY, WELL, THESE ARE THE NUMBERS AND THIS IS THE WAY IT FALLS.
THE PROBLEM WITH UCR AND THE NEW SYSTEM, WHICH IS CALLED CYBERS AND NYBERS, THE PROBLEM WITH THOSE SYSTEMS IS SOMETIMES AGENCIES UNDERREPORT THEIR ACTIVITY.
AS AN EXAMPLE, YOU COULD HAVE A COMMUNITY LIKE WASCO AND YOU HIRE A CHIEF AND PART OF MY EVALUATION'S BASED ON MY CRIME STATUS.
IF I CHOOSE TO TAKE A FELONY BURGLARY AND TURN IT TO A PETTY THEFT, THAT CHANGES THE STATUS CONSIDERABLY, DOESN'T IT? WHEN WE'RE LOOKING, TRYING TO COMPARE NUMBERS FROM THE SO AND NUMBERS FROM US, YOU HAVE TO REALIZE THAT THERE IS SOME ISSUES WITH STANDARDIZATION OF THESE CRIMES AND HOW THEY'RE REPORTED.
THE NUMBERS THAT WERE PRESENTED TO THE NEWS MEDIA OUTLET ARE SHOWN IN THAT MIDDLE COLUMN THERE.
THOSE ARE THE KCSO STATUS FOR A CALENDAR YEAR 2023.
THE THING THAT I'D LIKE TO DRAW TO YOUR ATTENTION IS WHAT WE SEE HAPPENING WITH THE PART 1 PERSONS CRIMES.
THE HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW NUMBERS THAT YOU SEE ON THE FAR RIGHT ARE OUR NUMBERS AS FAR AS THOSE TYPES OF CRIMES.
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 22. REGULAR ASSAULT.
WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THOSE TWO CRIMES, ONE IS GENERALLY ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON, THE OTHER IS LIKE SOMEBODY GOT BEAT UP REAL GOOD.
AS FAR AS ATTEMPT HOMICIDES, WE'VE HAD NONE.
AS FAR AS ACTUAL HOMICIDES, WE'VE HAD NONE.
WHEN WE LOOK AT THE COMPARISON WITH THE COUNTY'S NUMBERS, WE DID HAVE A PERSON'S CRIME PROBLEM, I BELIEVE, PRIOR TO 2024.
WE'VE MADE REAL STRIDES AT REDUCING THOSE NUMBERS.
NOW ONE THAT I'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT, AND AGAIN WE'VE GOT TO TALK ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT IT'S REPORTING, UNDER REPORTING, WHATEVER, IS ON THE SEXUAL ASSAULT SIDE.
WE INCLUDED OUR CHILD MOLEST CASES IN THERE AS WELL.
THAT'S THE TOTAL FOR ALL OF THE GROUPS.
THIS ONE WAS AN INTERESTING ONE TO ME.
I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT ONE FOR YOU.
WE'VE HAD 174 CARS TAKEN DURING THIS LAST 12 MONTHS.
BUT THE 12 MONTHS OF 2023 SHOWED 243 CARS STOLEN.
[00:30:01]
IS IT BECAUSE WE'RE REALLY GOOD AT WHAT WE DO? WELL, I DON'T KNOW THAT I CAN CLAIM THAT.THROUGH YOU AND THROUGH THE EFFORTS THAT YOU TOOK, I BELIEVE, BACK IN 2019, 2020.
YOU LOOKED AT THE FLOCK CAMERA SYSTEM, YOU BUDGETED FOR FLOCK CAMERAS.
WE SUBSEQUENTLY INSTALLED THOSE AFTER WE STARTED THE PD, AND NOW WE'VE ADDED FLEET 3, WHICH MEANS WE HAVE THE SAME CAPABILITY IN SOME OF OUR PATROL CARS.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IS WE'RE SEEING A DROP IN THE NUMBER OF STOLEN CARS THAT WE HAD HAD PREVIOUSLY, AND OUR RECOVERY RATE IS RUNNING AT ABOUT 66%.
>> WE'RE DOING PRETTY GOOD AND I'D HAVE TO SAY THAT TECHNOLOGY AND AGGRESSIVE INVESTIGATION IS WHAT'S HELPED US IN THAT REGARD.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM FOR YOU.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF. THESE ARE GREAT NUMBERS.
I'M GLAD YOU EXPLAINED THE HOMICIDE AND SOME OF THOSE BECAUSE I DID HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ON THAT.
I DON'T KNOW HOW EASY OR HARD IT IS TO TEASE OUT, BUT OUT OF THESE ARRESTS, IS THERE ANY WAY OF KNOWING HOW MANY OF THESE WERE REPEAT OFFENDERS?
>> YES, SIR. I THINK IF YOU WERE TO LOOK AT MOST AGENCIES, THE REPEAT OFFENDERS OR AS WE CALL THEM THE FREQUENT FLYERS, THEY MAKE UP THE BULK OF YOUR CRIME ACTIVITY.
>> THANK YOU CHIEF. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM.
>> NO QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, CHIEF FOR IT'S OBVIOUSLY THE COMMITTEE HAS RECOGNIZED THE CHANGES EVER SINCE YOU GUYS CAME IN, SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU GUYS DO.
>> CHIEF A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, THEY SAID THAT WE COULDN'T AFFORD A POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WE COULDN'T RECRUIT FOR A POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND THAT THE QUALITY OF SERVICE THAT WE WERE GOING TO GET WAS GOING TO BE LOWER THAN WHAT WE WERE GETTING.
CLEARLY, TODAY, THESE CRIME STATS PROVE THE EXACT OPPOSITE, WE ACCOMPLISHED EVERYTHING WE WANTED AND WE DID IT IN LESS TIME THAN WHAT I THINK ANYBODY REALLY THOUGHT WAS FEASIBLE.
THESE CRIME STATS JUST REFLECT THAT.
YOU SEE THE DECREASE IN GRAND THEFTS, WHICH THE ONE THING THAT I'VE ALWAYS FOUND WITH UNIFORM CRIME STATISTICS IS IF YOU LOOK AT THE GRAND THEFT CATEGORY, THAT DOESN'T BECAUSE THEY TAKE IT AS A GTA, THE REPORT, AND IT STAYS AS A GTA THROUGHOUT IT AND YOU CAN'T REALLY FUDGE THAT THAT'S WHY THAT NUMBER IS SO HIGH FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, WHICH YOU SEE OTHER NUMBERS THAT THEY'VE PLAYED GAMES WITH TO MANIPULATE AND SHOW OTHERWISE.
BUT ANYWAYS, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU GUYS ARE DOING AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED THIS YEAR.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF. GREAT NUMBERS.
THANK YOU FOR KEEPING THE COMMUNITY SAFE YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB. KEEP IT UP, CHIEF.
I WANT TO ECHO COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ'S COMMENTS.
PEOPLE THOUGHT WE COULDN'T DO THIS.
IN FACT, WE HAD TWO STUDIES THAT SAID WE COULDN'T DO IT.
WE WERE GETTING A SERVICE THAT WAS SUBPAR, PAYING A LOT OF MONEY 4.3 MILLION DOLLAR, AND WE WERE NOT GETTING WHAT WE WERE PAYING FOR.
HERE WE ARE, A YEAR LATER NOW AFTER WE DECIDED THAT WE WERE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD AND HAVE OUR OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND THE NUMBERS ARE OUTSTANDING.
THIS DOESN'T SPEAK OF THE FACT THAT WELL, MAYBE IT DOES.
IT SPEAKS TO THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ARE NOW AWARE THAT THEY CANNOT GET AWAY WITH IT.
I THINK THOSE NUMBERS REFLECT THAT TOO.
YOU'RE CATCHING THOSE THAT ARE DOING IT, BUT THERE ARE A LOT MORE THAT ARE THINKING TWICE ABOUT DOING ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY'LL GET CAUGHT.
PEOPLE ARE SAYING, I SEE THE POLICE EVERYWHERE.
THAT VISIBILITY IS SOMETHING THAT WE DIDN'T USED TO HAVE AND IS MAKING A HUGE AMOUNT OF DIFFERENCE AND WHAT IS THAT 2013, THOSE PERSONAL CONTACTS FROM THE OFFICERS, 1013.
I THINK THAT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR POLICE OFFICERS, OUR SERGEANTS, AND OUR LIEUTENANT FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. HONORABLE MAYOR, IF I COULD ADD SOMETHING.
>> I'M HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT I WAS DEAD WRONG ABOUT ONE PIECE OF THIS ADVENTURE WE'RE WRONG WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I I PREDICTED THAT IT WOULD TAKE A LOT LONGER FOR THE COMMUNITY TO BUILD BACK THE TRUST IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT.
I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT ISN'T IN THESE STATS IS THAT PEOPLE ARE PICKING UP THE PHONE AND THEY'RE CALLING WHEN THINGS ARE WRONG, WHERE THEY HAD GIVEN UP THERE WAS EITHER MISTRUST OR THEY HAD GIVEN UP HOPE UNDER THE PREVIOUS ARRANGEMENT.
THE CHIEF AND I HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS,
[00:35:01]
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR PEOPLE TO REBUILD THAT TRUST, AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD TAKE A LOT LONGER.BUT I THINK WE'RE SEEING RESULTS THAT'S SAY THE TOWN HAS RALLIED BEHIND US, AND THAT'S A BIG PART OF THE SUCCESS AS WELL.
>> PEOPLE WERE WAITING FOR IT.
>> THAT'S JUST PROOF. I'M GLAD THAT YOU WERE PROVEN WRONG ON THAT.
>> THANK YOU ALL. MOVING ON TO ITEM 11,
[11) CONSENT CALENDAR]
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS CONSENT CALENDAR.CONSENT CALENDAR CONSISTS OF ITEMS THAT ARE ROUTINE AND NON CONTROVERSIAL IN THE STAFF'S OPINION.
THESE ITEMS ARE APPROVED IN ONE MOTION UNLESS A COUNCIL MEMBER OR MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REQUESTED REMOVAL OF A PARTICULAR ITEM.
THIS EVENING, WE HAVE ITEMS 11A TO 11D.
AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO ASK THE MEMBERS IF THEY HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON A PARTICULAR ITEM ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA?
>> I HAVE NO CONFLICT. IS THERE ANYBODY IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM? NO. ARE THERE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM? MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA.
I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL. I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE.
>> MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU GET THE VOTE BY ROLL COUNT.
>> MOTION BY MAYOR MEDINA, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
>> THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO ITEM 14 NEW BUSINESS.
[14.a. Council finds this action is not a “project” under Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or designee to Sign and Execute a Consultant Services Agreement with California Consulting, Inc., a full-service grant writing firm, to provide grant writing assistance for projects listed on the Adopted Capital Improvement Program. (Hurlbert) ]
14A COUNCIL FINDS THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER SECTION 15378 OF THE SQL GUIDELINES, ADOPT A RESOLUTION, AUTHORIZING A CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO SIGN AN EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH CALIFORNIA CONSULTING TEAM, A FULL SERVICE GRANT WRITING FIRM TO PROVIDE GRANT WRITING ASSISTANCE FOR PROJECTS LISTED ON THE ADOPTED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. MR. HOBERT?>> YES. HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
ALONG WITH THE IMPRESSIVE SUCCESS THAT WE'VE HAD INTERNALLY AND ESPECIALLY WITH MISS LARA, THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OTHER TYPES OF GRANTS, PERHAPS WHEN THERE ARE SPECIFIC GRANTS THAT REQUIRE EXPERTISE THAT'S OUTSIDE OF OUR CURRENT REALM, OR IF WE'RE SIMPLY TOO BUSY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE OUT THERE.
AFTER A NUMBER OF DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PRINCIPALS OF CALIFORNIA CONSULTING, THIS COMPANY HAS BEEN AROUND JUST ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME THAT I'VE BEEN IN THE CITY BUSINESS, MR. SAMUELIAN STARTED THE COMPANY RIGHT AROUND 2005 OR SO.
THEY'VE REALLY GROWN INTO AN IMPRESSIVE COMPANY AND THEIR ABILITY TO LOCATE AND TO SECURE GRANT FUNDING IS IMPRESSIVE.
WHAT WE ANTICIPATE THIS IS AND HE HAS AGREED TO A STRUCTURE WHERE UNTIL WE IDENTIFY A GRANT THAT IS WITHIN OUR FOCUS AND WE HAVE A LIKELIHOOD OF BEING ABLE TO ACHIEVE IT.
THEY'LL PROVIDE GRANT ALERT AND LOCATING SERVICE TO US AT NO COST.
WE'RE ON THEIR LIST THEY PROVIDE US WITH NEW GRANTS THAT ARE COMING OUT AND ONES THAT THEY THINK, KNOWING WHAT OUR CRITERIA ARE THAT WOULD BE A GOOD FIT.
IF WE DECIDE, THEN WE CAN ENGAGE ON INSTANCE BY INSTANCE BASIS, EITHER ON AN HOURLY RATE OR THEY ALSO HAVE A FLAT RATE STRUCTURE BASED ON THE VALUE OF THE GRANT THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE OBTAINED.
THIS IS A LOW RISK WAY FOR US TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEIR EXPERTISE.
I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S ANY PENALTY OF US BECOMING AWARE OF A GRANT AND GOING FORWARD AND DOING THE APPLICATION OURSELVES AND SEEING IT THROUGH.
BUT IF WE FEEL LIKE THERE'S A DISTINCT ADVANTAGE SUCH AS A GRANT THAT THEY'VE HAD SUCCESS IN SECURING WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES, WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT FOR A REASONABLE COST.
THIS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT ALLOWS FOR THAT AND WOULD ONLY SPEND THE MONEY ON A PARTICULAR ONE, AND IT WOULD BE A SIMILAR PROCESS TO NOW WHERE WHERE THE COUNCIL IS INFORMED AND APPROVES US GOING AFTER A GRANT, WE WOULD INCLUDE THE FUNDING FOR THESE SERVICES AT THE SAME TIME.
IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER.
>> THANK YOU, SCOTT. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS, MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA.
[00:40:01]
>> JUST A QUICK QUESTION ABOUT THE FEES.
IF THEY CHARGE A PERCENTAGE OF THE GRANT, WE CAN'T PAY THEM THEIR FEES DIRECTLY OUT OF THE GRANT.
WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND OR SOMETHING?
>> SOME GRANTS DO ALLOW FOR THAT AND SOME DON'T.
IT'S A SLIDING SCALE IT'S MAYBE BASED ON SOME PERCENTAGES BEHIND THE SCENES, BUT IT'S A A BRACKETED.
I BELIEVE THAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE INCLUDED IN THE STAFF REPORT SO IT'S A SLIDING SCALE AND IT HAS A CAP.
BUT YES, YOU'RE CORRECT, WE WOULD EITHER NEED TO SECURE THOSE FUNDS FOR THEIR FEE IF ALLOWED OUT OF THE GRANT ITSELF OR IF NOT ALLOWED FROM SOME OTHER SOURCE, INCLUDING THE GENERAL FUND.
>> IS IT A MONTH TO MONTH CONTRACT?
>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. THE TERM,
>> WHAT IS TECHNICALLY [INAUDIBLE].
>> THERE THERE'S NO EXPENSE ON LETTING IT CONTINUE [OVERLAPPING] UNTIL WE SAY THAT'S THE GRANT WE WANT TO GO AFTER AND WE WANT TO USE YOU FOLKS TO HELP WRITE IT.
>> IT'S IN THEIR BEST INTEREST IN THE SENSE OF HEY, WE'RE PUSHING THESE GRANTS TO YOU.
IS THERE ANY INTEREST AND THEN HIS BUSINESS FOR THEM IF WE DECIDE TO MOVE FORWARD.
THAT'S THE WAY THAT I'M INTERPRETING THIS.
THIS STRUCTURE DOES MOTIVATE THEM TO HELP TO FIND GOOD MATCHES FOR US THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR US BECAUSE THEN THE LIKELIHOOD OF US ENGAGING THEM TO HELP WRITE IT AND MANAGE IT WOULD GO UP WE'RE ALL IN THE SAME DIRECTION ON THIS.
>> I HOPE MY GOAL WOULD BE TO GO AFTER FUSE THEM FOR COMPETITIVE GRANTS.
THERE'S GRANTS OUT THERE THE ALLOCATION BASE.
WE CAN JUST FILL OUT PAPERWORK AND WE'RE GUARANTEED THAT MONEY AS LONG AS WE FOLLOW AN EXAMPLE OF KERN CO, THEY HAVE GRANTS THAT AS LONG AS WE DO OUR PAPERWORK, WE'RE ENTITLED TO THAT SO WE WOULDN'T USE THEM FROM THAT.
WE WILL USE THEM FOR COMPETITIVE GRANTS THAT ARE MY GOAL IS FOR ACROSS THE STREET.
HOPEFULLY, THEY FIND A BIG GRANT THAT IS COMPETITIVE, WHETHER IT'S STATE OR FEDERAL, THAT THEY HAVE EXPERTISE. THEY'VE DONE IT.
THEY HAVE A TEAM OF PEOPLE THAT CAN HELP US PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER THAT WOULD MAKE US COMPETITIVE WITH 400 OTHER CITIES IN CALIFORNIA COMPETE FOR THOSE FUNDS.
TYPICALLY, BIG GRANTS, SUPER COMPETITIVE.
WE'RE COMPETING WITH BIG CITIES THAT HAVE A LOT OF STAFF OR CONSULTANCY.
>> ANYTHING ELSE, MEMBER RAYA.
I THINK IT'S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
I DO WANT TO BRING SOMETHING UP, AND THAT IS CAPACITY.
WE KNOW THAT MARIA IS VERY SUCCESSFUL OF GETTING GRANTS AND THAT WE ARE LACKING CAPACITY TO GET THIS GRANTS IMPLEMENTED.
I LOVE THE FACT THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR COMPETITIVE GRANTS THAT WILL BE PERHAPS LARGE GRANTS THAT WE CAN GO AFTER.
I LOVE THE FACT THAT THESE PEOPLE CAN TELL US THERE'S A GRANT AVAILABLE AND WE CAN GO AFTER ON OUR OWN OR THAT WE CAN DECIDE TO USE THEM. I LOVE THAT.
BUT WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT CAPACITY TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GRANTS, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO DISCUSS IN THE FUTURE, NO DOUBT.
>> BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE COUNCIL BECAUSE THAT HAS BEEN ONE THING THAT YOU AND I HAVE DISCUSSED, SCOTT.
THAT WE NEED TO HAVE THE CAPACITY TO CONTINUE TO GET GRANTS AND IMPLEMENT THEM AND NOT BE CURTAILED BY THE FACT THAT WE DON'T HAVE THAT CAPACITY AND SAY, WELL, WE COULD GO AFTER THIS GRANT, BUT WE DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO ACTUALLY IMPLEMENT IT.
I THINK WE NEED TO DO BOTH GREAT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
BUT LET'S LOOK AT THE OTHER SIDE OF IT, WHICH IS OUR CAPACITY TO DELIVER ON THIS GRANTS.
>> THANK YOU, MR. REYNA. I REALLY HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO THAT.
I APPRECIATE MARIA THE EXPLANATION.
I THINK THAT'S HELPFUL, JUST LAYING THE FOUNDATION, ANYTHING THAT'S JUST GUIDELINE BASED, THAT'S PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD.
YOU'LL CONTINUE TO TAKE THE FOREFRONT ON THAT AND I THINK THERE'S THERE'S OPPORTUNITY FOR US THERE AND I LIKE THAT THERE'S NOT A COMMITMENT PER SE, RIGHT WHERE WE'RE HAVING TO PAY A MONTHLY FEE OR OR WE'RE COMMITTED BECAUSE I DID SEE THE PRICING STRUCTURE, I THINK IF IT'S A 2 MILLION PLUS GRANT.
IT'S LIKE THAT'S WHERE TO 15,000 20, 30.
[00:45:02]
I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS, BUT I GUESS THE ONLY CLARIFICATION QUESTION WOULD BE, THAT'S A FEE REGARDLESS IF WE GET IT OR WE DON'T GET IT.IF WE'RE APPLYING FOR A $2 MILLION GRANT, THEN IT'S 30,000, THEN WE'RE PUTTING 30,000 OUT THERE.
BUT I GUESS I WOULD HOPE THAT THEY FEEL PRETTY COMFORTABLE THAT IF WE'RE APPLYING FOR THAT GRANT.
THAT THEY FEEL PRETTY GOOD ABOUT US HAVING A HIGH CHANCE.
I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY GAVE US GUARANTEES, BUT THEY SAID 99% THEN LET'S DO IT.
BUT I'M SURE THAT THAT'S NOT HOW THEY WORK.
UNLESS THERE'S ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE.
>> MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU GET THE VOTE BY ROLL COUNT..
>> MOTION BY MAYOR MEDINA, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
>> THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO ITEM 14B.
[14.b. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or designee to finalize and endorse an agreement with Teter Architects & Engineers Connected for Professional Architectural Services for the new Wasco Police Building Project. (Hurlbert) ]
COUNCIL FINDS THIS ACTION NOT A PROJECT UNDER SECTION 15378 WITH THE CEQA GUIDELINES.ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO FINALIZE AND ENDORSE AN AGREEMENT WITH TETER ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS CONNECTED FOR PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FOR THE NEW WASCO POLICE BUILDING PROJECT. MR. HERBERT.
>> YES, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THIS IS ONE OF THOSE IMPLEMENTATION STEPS THAT COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA JUST MENTIONED.
WITH THE ACQUISITION OF THE PROPERTY ACROSS THE STREET, WE'RE READY TO START FINDING THE REST OF THE FUNDS TO ACTUALLY START CONSTRUCTION THERE.
WE HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED THROUGH FORMER WORK OR EARLIER WORK DONE FOR THE CITY AND THROUGH THE OTHER CONNECTIONS WHILE WE'VE BEEN DOING RESEARCH ON POLICE FACILITIES, INTRODUCED TO THE FOLKS AT TETER ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERS.
THEY HAVE DONE A FAIR AMOUNT OF JUST PRO BONO WORK WITH US JUST TELLING US WHAT OUR DIFFERENT OPTIONS ARE AND SO FORTH.
THIS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WOULD BE A LIMITED SCOPE, AND IT'S DESIGNED TO GET SOME WORK DONE TO HELP US FORMALIZE THE SITE PLAN FOR THE LAND ACROSS THE STREET AND TO TALK ABOUT JUST THE ARRANGEMENT OF THE BUILDINGS, THE ACCESSES, AND THE PARKING SPACES NEEDED TO SUPPORT THOSE BUILDINGS, AND HOW THAT MIGHT FIT ON THE PROPERTY.
THESE ARE NOT FLOOR PLANS, THESE ARE NOT MECHANICAL PLANS, THESE ARE NOT PLANS THAT WOULD GO OUT TO BID.
THESE ARE SIMPLY REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SITE, AND PERHAPS A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT CONCEPTS OF WHAT THE ELEVATIONS MIGHT LOOK LIKE, A RENDERING.
THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THIS IS TO HAVE PROFESSIONALLY DONE, NOT THE ONES THAT I DO WITH VISIO, BUT TO HAVE SITE PLANS THAT WE CAN USE IN APPLYING FOR THESE FUNDS AND DOING PRESENTATIONS TO BOTH YOU AS THE COUNCIL AND TO POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVES AND ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN OUR PROJECT AND COULD USE THESE MATERIALS TO GO FORWARD AND PROMOTE OUR PROJECT.
THEY PROPOSED A NUMBER OF TASKS, BUT THE TWO THAT WE'RE INTERESTED IN ARE THE SITE PLAN MASTER PLAN, WHICH WOULD BE A TWO-DIMENSIONAL GRAPHIC OF THE SITE, AND THEN THE OTHER WAS A 3D GRAPHIC IMAGE AND THESE WOULD BE THE ELEVATIONS OF WHAT A BUILDING POTENTIALLY COULD LOOK LIKE, AND AGAIN, USEFUL FOR DOING PRESENTATIONS.
THE TWO OF THOSE ITEMS, YOU SEE THE NUMBERS IN YOUR STAFF REPORT THERE BETWEEN 23 AND 28, 000 FOR THE FIRST TASK AND 12-14,000 FOR THE SECOND.
GIVEN THINGS THAT MAY COME UP AND WE MAY WANT MORE COPIES OF FINISHED PRODUCT THAN MAY ASSUMED IN THEIR ORIGINAL PROPOSAL, WE'VE ROUNDED THAT UP TO $45,000 NOT TO EXCEED NUMBER FOR THESE FIRST TWO TASKS.
AGAIN, THE PSA WILL REMAIN IN PLACE.
IF WE DECIDE TO DO MORE WORK WITH THEM IN THE FUTURE, WE CAN DO THAT, BUT IT WOULD COME BACK TO YOU FOR SEPARATE APPROVAL BEFORE WE ASSIGN ADDITIONAL TASKS.
THIS WORK WOULD BE PAID FOR OUT OF THE FUNDS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE ALLOCATED TO THE CIP FOR THE POLICE FACILITY.
IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER US.
>> THANK YOU, SCOTT. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? I SEE CLARA TAKING A LOT OF NOTES, SHE'S GOING TO GET US ALL THE MONEY.
[LAUGHTER] ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA.
[00:50:03]
>> FOR THE TWO PLANS, IS THE BASIC PLAN THE 3D?
>> THE 2D IS THE BASIC PLAN, THE SITE PLAN.
A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT LAYOUTS, AND THEY'LL BASICALLY JUST BE BLOCKS.
THIS IS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AREA, THIS IS THE CITY HALL AND COUNCIL CHAMBERS AREA.
THESE ARE THE SHARED FUNCTIONS OF THOSE AND HOW THE TRAFFIC FLOW WOULD WORK.
TASK B WOULD BE MORE OF AN ARTISTIC APPROACH OF HERE ARE SOME OTHER BUILDINGS ABOUT THOSE SIZES AND LAYOUTS AND HERE'S THE TYPES OF ELEVATIONS OR FINISHES WE COULD HAVE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING.
WOULD NOT NECESSARILY LOCK US INTO ANYTHING.
THEY'RE JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE INTERESTING TO LOOK AT THAN A STAIR-DOWN LINE DRAWING.
>> BOTH PLANS ARE NECESSARY WHEN YOU APPLY FOR FUTURE GRANTS.
>> I THINK SO. I THINK IT'S DIFFICULT TO JUST WITH WORDS OR WITH THE ROUGH TOOLS THAT WE HAVE INTERNALLY TO PROVIDE THAT DETAIL THAT SHOWS A THOUGHT-OUT GRANT APPLICATION AND CONVEYS THE VISION THAT WE HAVE.
>> IN SPANISH, WE SAY [FOREIGN] I DON'T KNOW HOW TO TRANSLATE THAT.
CAN YOU TRANSLATE THAT, CLARA? [BACKGROUND] [LAUGHTER]
>> YOU SEE IT, YOU CAN LOVE IT.
>> THAT IS A VERY GOOD TRANSLATION.
WE WOULDN'T EXPECT IT OUT OF HIM, [LAUGHTER] BUT HE DID IT.
>> THREE YEARS OF SPANISH 1 PAID OFF.
>> BUT NO, I THINK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA, AND IT IS A MODEST AMOUNT, AS YOU MENTIONED.
I THINK THAT IF WE CAN PRESENT THIS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE, INCLUDING OUR LEGISLATORS AND OTHERS THAT MIGHT HAVE DEEP POCKETS OR ACCESS TO MONEY SOMEHOW, I THINK I WOULD PROBABLY CONVINCE THEM THAT IT IS A COST WORTH A WHILE GETTING BEHIND.
I THINK IT'S A VERY GOOD IDEA.
I LIKE THE IDEA THAT ALSO YOU CAN MAKE IT BETTER FROM ITS BEGINNINGS TO SHOWING ELEVATIONS.
BUT I DO WANT TO ASK YOU THIS QUESTION NOW.
YOU'VE ALREADY BEEN LOOKING AS TO WHAT BUILDINGS WE MIGHT BE PUTTING IN THERE, AND SO WOULD THOSE BUILDINGS BE REFLECTED IN THESE MOCKUPS THAT WOULD BE MADE?
>> I BELIEVE SO. WELL, IT'S JUST SIMPLY FASTER AND EASIER TO LOOK AT SOMETHING.
THIS IS CLOSE TO WHAT WE'RE AFTER.
SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS WHAT WE'RE SHOOTING FOR, RATHER THAN TURN AN ARCHITECT LOOSE WITH AN UNLIMITED BUDGET TO COME BACK WITH 20 DIFFERENT DESIGNS.
>> I AGREE WITH YOU WHOLEHEARTEDLY.
I JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHETHER YOU ARE ALREADY THINKING ABOUT USING BUT WE'RE ALREADY THINKING ABOUT BUILDING, IS THE DEMONSTRATION OF THAT PROJECT.
>> I ANTICIPATE AS THIS PROCESS MOVES ALONG, THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE COUNCIL TO TALK ABOUT THIS; TO TALK ABOUT THE TYPE OF BUILDING WE'RE LOOKING FOR AND ESTABLISHING A THEME WITH THESE STRUCTURES AND PARTICULARLY THE PUBLIC-FACING SIDE OF IT, WHAT LOOK ARE WE AFTER THERE.
BUT WE'RE AT SO EARLIER STAGE.
WE HAVE DECISIONS TO MAKE ABOUT WHETHER THIS IS A STICK-BUILT BUILDING, WHETHER THIS IS A STEEL FRAME BUILDING, WHETHER THIS IS A TILT-UP BUILDING.
THERE ARE FIVE DIFFERENT CONSTRUCTION METHODS THAT ARE ALL COMPETING FOR VALIDATION WITH US.
BUT JUST ABOUT ANY OF THOSE CAN BE MADE TO LOOK LIKE A CERTAIN LOOK.
>> THAT'S WHAT WE'RE AFTER. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY THAT IS REVIEWING GRANT APPLICATIONS IS EXPECTING A PRELIMINARY DESIGN TO BE EXACTLY HOW THE FINISHED PRODUCT IS GOING TO LOOK.
I APPRECIATE IT. IF THERE ARE NO MORE QUESTIONS, I MOVE TO APPROVE.
>> I WILL SECOND. MAYOR, CAN WE GET THE VOTE BACK?
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA, SECONDED BY MAYOR MEDINA TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
[14.c. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or designee to finalize and endorse an Amendment to the Employment Agreement with Deputy Public Works Director Alberto Martinez. (Hurlbert)]
[00:55:03]
COUNCIL FINDS THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER SECTION 15378, THE CEQA GUIDELINES.ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO FINALIZE AND ENDORSE AN AMENDMENT TO THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH DEPUTY PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR ROBERTO MARTINEZ. YES, ROBERT.
>> YES, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THIS IS A CONTRACT CLEANUP TASK HERE.
WE HAVE A STANDARD SET OF BENEFITS THAT HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR DIRECTOR-LEVEL CONTRACT EMPLOYEES AND THIS ONE SLIPPED BY.
WE HAVE A STANDARD OF 80 HOURS PER YEAR OF EXECUTIVE LEAVE, WHICH IS STANDARD ACROSS ALL OF THE OTHER DIRECTORS.
THIS PARTICULAR POSITION WAS AN OLD MODEL THAT HAD 56 HOURS.
THIS ITEM HERE SIMPLY CORRECTS THAT INCONSISTENCY.
YOU CAN SEE IN YOUR STAFF REPORT, THERE'S THE CURRENT WORDING ABOVE, AND THEN THE PROPOSED CHANGES.
THERE WAS TWO TYPO CORRECTIONS, AND THE CHANGE FROM 56 TO 80 HOURS.
IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS, HAPPY TO ANSWER THOSE.
>> IT SEEMED PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD.
I GUESS THE ONLY QUESTION I HAVE, THIS ADMIN EXACTLY, IS THAT DIFFERENT THAN JUST THE NORMAL PTO? IS THAT ON TOP? I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND.
>> IT IS IN ADDITION TO VACATION ACCRUAL, BUT IT IS INSTEAD OF WHAT MIGHT BE CALLED PTO IN OTHER INSTANCES.
IT REALLY WAS ESTABLISHED BEFORE MY TIME HERE AND IS PRETTY STANDARD IN THE INDUSTRY FOR FOLKS THAT ARE OVERTIME EXEMPT, THE SALARIED EMPLOYEES.
IT'S A RECOGNITION THAT MOST ARE SPENDING A LOT MORE THAN 40 HOURS A WEEK DOING THEIR JOB.
[BACKGROUND] WE ASK A LOT OF OUR DIRECTOR-LEVEL STAFF AND THEY ARE AVAILABLE ALL THE TIME.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL LEAVE WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.
>> MAYOR, I DO WANT TO ASK A QUESTION. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? DID OUT THERE TO FALL IN A DIFFERENT [OVERLAPPING]
>> I THINK THAT THESE WERE NEW POSITIONS THAT WERE CREATED.
WE HAD TWO DEPUTY PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTORS IF YOU RECALL, AND ONE OF THOSE THEN PROMOTED TO CITY ENGINEER.
THESE TWO CONTRACTS WERE JUST CREATED IN THE MIDST OF THAT GROWTH AND [OVERLAPPING]
>> IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE THEY'RE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT IN BENEFITS THAN THE REST OF THE DIRECTORS.
>> ANYWAY, I'M GLAD THAT WE ARE CORRECTING THIS.
I THINK ALBERTO IS A GREAT INDIVIDUAL.
HE DOES A MARVELOUS JOB, SO THANK YOU.
>> THERE IS NO QUESTION HE INDIVIDUALLY IS DESERVING OF THIS.
I HOPE NOT, BUT I WOULD SAY THAT DON'T BE SURPRISED IF WE HAVE MORE ISSUES LIKE THIS THAT COME UP WHERE WE'RE NORMALIZING THE CONTRACTS FROM ONE TO THE OTHER AND TRYING TO KEEP THEM ALL IN SYNC SO THERE AREN'T DISCREPANCIES.
>> YES. I DON'T HAVE AT ALL A PROBLEM WITH THAT.
>> WHEN WE FIND THEM, WE WILL BRING THEM TO YOU.
>> PERFECT. THANK YOU. WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO ENTER A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
>> SECOND. MADAM DIRECTOR, [INAUDIBLE]
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ, SECONDED BY MAYOR MEDINA TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
>> THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO ITEM 14D.
[14.d. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or designee to finalize and endorse an Employment Agreement with Assistant Chief of Police, Alecio Mora. (Hurlbert)]
COUNCIL FINDS THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER SECTION 15378 WITH THE CEQA GUIDELINES.ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO FINALIZE AND ENDORSE AN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE, ALECIO MORA. MR. HERBERT.
>> YES, HONORABLE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
AT YOUR LAST MEETING, THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE CREATION OF THE NEW POSITION OF ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE, AND THIS IS THE NEXT STEP.
IT'S A PROPOSED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT TO PROMOTE LIEUTENANT MORA TO THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN DISCUSSED WITH YOU INTERNALLY PRIOR, AND IT FALLS INTO THAT SAME CATEGORY OF DESERVING EMPLOYEES, AND HE CERTAINLY HAS PROVEN HIMSELF TO EVERYONE'S SATISFACTION,
[01:00:05]
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE CHIEFS, AND IT'S HIGHLY ENDORSED.>> NOW HERE IN NO CHIEF, NOW'S THE TIME.
>> I FULLY AGREE AND I THINK THAT THIS MOVE JUST CONTINUES TO SET UP THE DEPARTMENT FOR SUCCESS GOING FORWARD.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FROM A BUDGETING STANDPOINT THAT THE CURRENT INTENT IS TO LEAVE THE LIEUTENANT POSITION VACANT FOR NOW.
WE DON'T EXPECT AN IMMEDIATE FULFILLING OR EITHER INTERNALLY OR EXTERNALLY OF THAT POSITION, SO THE BUDGET IMPACT IS MINIMAL, PARTICULARLY IN LIGHT OF THE SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME LEFT IN THE BUDGET YEAR.
>> IF THERE ARE OTHER QUESTIONS, HAPPY TO ANSWER THOSE.
>> ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME?
>> I WANTED TO KNOW IF [INAUDIBLE] ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY.
>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. WE'LL DISCUSS THAT.
THE QUESTION REALLY IS THE TIMING OF WE NORMALLY DO BADGE PININGS AT A COUNCIL MEETING AT THIS LEVEL.
>> I WOULD HAVE NO OBJECTION OF DOING IT AT THAT TIME IF YOU WANT TO DO IT.
>> THIS IS A LONG MONTH, SO MAY 6 IS THE NEXT MEETING.
THAT'S A LONG TIME TO WAIT FOR THE PUBLIC RECOGNITION OF THIS.
WITH THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACT, IT WILL BE EFFECTIVE ON THE DATE THAT WE CHOOSE.
WE'LL DISCUSS THAT INTERNALLY.
[LAUGHTER] I GUESS I HAVE ONE REACTION.
WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE AN UNAGENDIZED VOTE HERE, BUT I WOULD ASK IF THERE WERE ANY OBJECTIONS TO HANDLING IT AT THE CELEBRATION.
WOULD YOU, CHIEF? LET ME LOOK AT IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER REASONS WE CAN'T DO THAT, IF SO, WE'LL MOVE FORWARD.
>> PERFECT. ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS? SEEING NONE, ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA?
>> THIS IS A GOOD MOVE, AND IF HE WAS HERE, I'D CONGRATULATE HIM. BUT THAT'S IT.
>> JUST TO CONGRATULATE OFFICER MORA FOR JOINING THE ASSISTANT CHIEF.
I JUST HEARD GREAT THINGS ABOUT HIM AND BEING UNDER MR. CHIEF FICO'S LEADERSHIP AND MENTORSHIP.
HE WOULD BE A GREAT FIT. MEMBER REYNA.
>> I FEEL THE SAME WAY. I THINK HE'S A PERFECT INDIVIDUAL TO TAKE ON THAT POSITION.
HE HAS THE KNOWLEDGE TO KNOW HOW TO GET IT DONE, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, HE HAS THE CHIEF'S BACKING, [LAUGHTER] WHICH I VALUE GREATLY. DEFINITELY.
>> I THINK A LOT OF FOLKS, PROBABLY THE CHIEF'S BLESSING.
ONE THING THAT I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT MR. MORE WAS THAT HE WAS WORKING ON HIS MASTERS.
READING THE REPORT LAST NIGHT, I THINK THAT'S AWESOME.
SOMEBODY THAT'S EDUCATED, SOMEBODY THAT EASY TO GET ALONG WITH.
IT'S ABOUT THE COMMUNITY, SO I THINK THAT'S A GOOD MOVE.
ALL OF MY INTERACTIONS WITH HIM HAVE BEEN GREAT.
HE'S A STAND UP PERSON, SO I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE WITH THIS.
>> I SHOULD POINT OUT, I'VE KNOWN ASSISTANT CHIEF MORA FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS NOW.
MY HISTORY WITH HIM GOES BACK A LOT LONGER THAN THIS TIME HE'S BEEN HERE IN MOSCOW.
>> WE KNOW HE CAME FROM SHAFT.
>> I JOINED SHAFT OR NOT TOO MANY MONTHS APART, SO I'VE KNOWN HIM A LONG TIME, IN ALL POSITIVE.
I DID NOT SAY IN WHAT CONTEXT.
[LAUGHTER] I JUST SAID I'VE KNOWN HIM FOR A LONG TIME.
>> I'VE JUST READ IN BETWEEN THE LINES.
>> BUT I APPRECIATE IT. I GUESS HE'S ON LEAVE THIS WEEK.
HE OFFERED TO BE HERE, BUT WE DIDN'T WANT HIM TO INTERRUPT HIS VACATION TO BE HERE FOR THIS PART.
>> HE'S THE RIGHT GUY FOR THE JOB.
>> AWESOME. IF THERE ARE NO OTHER COMMENTS, I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE.
>> MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU GET THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL?
>> MOTION BY MAYOR MEDINA, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
[01:05:02]
MOTION SYNONYMOUSLY APPROVED.>> AWESOME, THANK YOU. MOVE ON TO ITEM 14E.
[14.e. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or designee to develop, finalize and endorse all documents and agreements necessary to make full utilization of Rule 20A Power Line Undergrounding funds allocated to the City of Wasco. (Hurlbert)]
COUNCIL FINDS SECTION IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER SECTION 15378 OF THE SEQUEL GUIDELINES.ADOPT A RESOLUTION, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNATE TO DEVELOP, FINALIZE AND ENDORSE ALL DOCUMENTS AND AGREEMENTS NECESSARY TO MAKE FULL UTILIZATION OF RULE 28 POWERLINE UNDERGROUNDING FUNDS ALLOCATED TO THE CITY OF WASCO. MR. HARBERT.
>> YES, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THIS IS AN EFFORT THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME.
WE HAD BAD NEWS FOR THE COUNCIL A COUPLE OF TIMES ABOUT OUR REQUEST TO USE ACCUMULATED FUNDS.
THIS IS A PUC STRUCTURE THAT THE ELECTRIC UTILITIES IN PARTICULAR WERE CHARGING A FEE TO EVERY ELECTRIC USER AND PUTTING IT IN A SPECIAL FUND FOR THE UNDERGROUNDING OF POWER LINES, WHERE IT FIT A CERTAIN CRITERIA.
THE CITY APPLIED TWICE TO USE THESE FUNDS TO UNDERGROUND PULL LINE YOU SEE OUT THE WINDOW HERE TODAY IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THE FUNCTIONALITY AND EFFICIENCY OF OUR PROPOSED PROJECT ACROSS THE STREET.
THAT APPLICATION WAS DENIED TWICE, BUT WE DIDN'T GIVE UP.
WE FILED A PROTEST FOR THE RULES FOR THAT PURPOSE, AND WE'VE GOT ASSISTANCE FROM OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES ACROSS THE BOARD, AND A LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM SENATOR HERTADO AND SOME CONTACT FROM BOTH THE ASSEMBLY WOMAN'S OFFICE, I BELIEVE, AND ALSO FROM MR. VALDEO'S OFFICE.
TO OUR SURPRISE AND DELIGHT, THEY REVERSED THE FINDING AND OUR APPROPRIATED FUNDS OF JUST OVER 1.3 MILLION ARE NOW GOING TO BE RETAINED HERE IN WASCO, AND THEY'RE GOING TO WORK WITH US ON IMPROVING THIS PROJECT.
WE ARE UNDER A PRETTY TIGHT TIMELINE TO ESTABLISH AND BRING TO YOU AN ORDINANCE PROPOSAL THAT CREATES AN UNDERGROUNDING DISTRICT, AND THE RESOLUTION TONIGHT AUTHORIZES ME TO GO FORWARD AND/OR MY DESIGNEE TO GO FORWARD WITH WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MEET THAT DEADLINE.
IT'S JUNE 6. WITH OUR ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS, IT'S GOING TO BE VERY TIGHT, AND WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR SOME ANSWERS FROM PG&E ON EXACTLY THE CONTENTS OF THAT PROPOSED ORDINANCE, NEED TO BE.
NONE THE LESS, WE ARE MOVING FORWARD VERY QUICKLY TO DO THAT, AND OUR HOPE IS TO SECURE THOSE FUNDS THAT MAY BECOME OUR CRITICAL PATH, AS THEY SAY, ON THAT PROJECT BECAUSE THESE THINGS OFTEN TAKE A LONG TIME IN ENGINEERING, AND THEN GETTING THEM DONE.
BUT WE AT LEAST DO HAVE THE APPROVAL AND NOW WE HAVE THE FUNDS TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
IN YOUR RESOLUTION, YOU WILL SEE THAT IT'S FAIRLY OPEN AS FAR AS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, AND I APPRECIATE THE COUNCIL'S FLEXIBILITY AND ENTRUSTED ME TO MOVE THAT FORWARD TO MEET THAT TIMELINE.
IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER THOSE.
>> THANK YOU, SCOTT. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE, ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA?
>> GOOD LUCK, IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF WORK.
YOU GUYS ARE TRYING TO SECURE THE 1.3 MILLION, GREAT JOB.
I FIND SO INTERESTING THAT THEY DO SAY THAT IF YOU DON'T MAKE THAT JUNE 6 OR 28, I FORGET WHICH ONE IT IS, A DEADLINE THAT THEY WILL PULL THE FUNDS.
WHATEVER YOU DO, MAKE THAT DEADLINE.
YOU HAVE MY COMPLETE APPROVAL TO GET THERE SO THAT WE DON'T LOSE THOSE FUNDS.
I FIND IT SO INTERESTING THAT THEY DON'T NOTIFY ANYONE THAT THEY'RE PULLING THEM OUT.
THEY JUST TAKE THEM AWAY AND THEN REASSIGN THEM TO WHOEVER THEY WANT TO REASSIGN THEM.
I SAW SHAFER IN THERE HAVING SOME REASSIGNED FUNDS, AM I CORRECT IN THAT?
>> THEY ARE RECEIVING SOME, YES, FOR A PROJECT THAT THEY HAD.
>> THAT'S IN OUR FUNDS, WAS IT? [LAUGHTER]
>> SOME OF THOSE ARE GOING TO COME BACK HOME WHERE THEY BELONG.
IT IS A VERY LONG, COMPLEX HISTORY WITH THIS.
BUT THE SHORT VERSION OF IT IS THAT I THINK THE PG&E GOT THE PUC TO AGREE THAT THIS PROGRAM WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANAGE.
IT BECAME VERY EXPENSIVE, AND SO THEY DECIDED TO JUST CURTAIL THE PROJECT.
[01:10:04]
THE FUNDS THAT HAD BEEN ACCUMULATED, AND THEY HAD BEEN NOTIFYING, BUT THEY'RE PRETTY PICKY ABOUT APPROVING THESE PROJECTS AS WELL.THERE WERE CITIES THAT HAD BEEN WORKING ON PROJECTS, IF WE READ THROUGH THE INFORMATION HERE UP TO $11 MILLION FOR LONG STRETCHES OF ROADWAY UNDERGROUNDING AND SO FORTH.
BECAUSE THE PROGRAM WAS BEING CURTAILED, THEY WERE ON A PATH THAT MIGHT TAKE ANOTHER FIVE YEARS TO ACCUMULATE THE FUNDS.
WELL, NOW THEY'RE SHORT BECAUSE THERE'S NO MORE ACCUMULATION.
THEY WENT AROUND, CATEGORIZED ALL THE CITIES AS EITHER ACTIVE OR INACTIVE.
BECAUSE WE HAD BEEN DOING THE SAME THING, SAVING OUR FUNDS FOR A RAINY DAY, WE WERE CATEGORIZED AS INACTIVE.
>> THEY DO SAY THAT IN OUR TWO ATTEMPTS THAT WE COULD NOT PROVE THAT THERE WAS A BENEFIT TO THE PUBLIC.
THEY SAY NOW WITH THIS NEW INFORMATION, THAT CHANGES THE WAY IT [INAUDIBLE] BUT ANYWAY, IN ANY EVENT, I THINK IT IS VERY GOOD.
I WANT TO THANK OUR ASSEMBLYWOMAN JASMINE BAINES, OUR SENATOR MELISSA ARTADO, AND OUR CONGRESSMAN, DAVID VALADEO, FOR MOVING THIS FORWARD.
I THINK THAT WAS CRUCIAL BECAUSE THEY PROBABLY THINK, WELL, THEY CAN REGULATE US AND WE DON'T WANT THAT.
>> WE DID HAVE SOME ASSISTANCE ALSO DURING THIS JOURNEY OF RESEARCHING OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND THE CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES AND WHATNOT.
WE'VE BEEN INTRODUCED TO A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO DO LOBBYING AMONGST OTHER THINGS IN SACRAMENTO, AND THEY HEARD ABOUT OUR PLIGHT AND JUST DID SOME WORK FOR US PRO BONO, JUST TO HELP US OUT.
>> THEY WILL BE RECOGNIZED APPROPRIATELY AT THE CORRECT TIME.
I DON'T HAVE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO ADD WITH THAT, I'M LOOKING FOR MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
>> I WILL SECOND. MADAM CLERK, CAN WE GET THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL?
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ, SECONDED BY MAYOR MEDINA TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
>> THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO ITEM 14F.
[14.f. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or designee to finalize and endorse a Side Letter with WPOA concerning Evidence and Property Room Duty incentive pay. (Hurlbert)]
COUNCIL FINDS THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER SECTION 15378 OF THE CQ GUIDELINES, ADOPT A RESOLUTION, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER DESIGNEE TO FINALIZE AND ENDORSE A SIDE LETTER WITH WPOA, CONCERNING EVIDENCE AND PROPER DUTY INCENTIVE PAY. MR. HARBERT.>> HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
WASCO POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OR WPOA.
AS YOU KNOW, WE PUT TOGETHER AN MOU ALMOST A YEAR AGO NOW.
IN THAT PROCESS, WE IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF INCENTIVES AND PAY INCENTIVES FOR DIFFERENT SPECIALIZED DUTY.
ONE OF THOSE THAT WE ESTABLISHED WAS FOR EVIDENCE ROOM AND EVIDENCE BOOKING WORK.
WE REALLY DID NOT HAVE A GOOD RULER TO MEASURE WHAT WAS THE VALUE OF THAT ADDITIONAL DUTY OUT IN THE MARKET BECAUSE MANY DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND LONGER HAVE A DEDICATED PERSON THAT DOES JUST THAT.
IN OUR CASE, WE HAVE AN OFFICER WHO IS DOING THIS AS AN ADDITIONAL DUTY, VERY SIMILAR TO THE ARMOR, OR IN OUR CASE, THE ARMOR THAT TAKES CARE OF THE WEAPONS AND DOES THE TRAINING AND SO FORTH.
WE SET A STIPEND LEVEL AT THAT SAME LEVEL.
WELL, WE CAME TO FIND OUT THAT IS NOT COMPETITIVE, IT'S NOT REALLY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT'S NECESSARY OR THE SKILLS INVOLVED.
WE HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL OFFICER WHO HAS DONE THIS SPECIFIC WORK IN THE PAST, VERY GOOD AT IT.
THIS IS A RECOGNITION OF THAT REALISTIC MARKET VALUE OF THIS EXTRA DUTY.
THE UNION MET WITH US AND WAS VERY FLEXIBLE ON THIS AND WE CAME TO AN AGREEMENT ON THE 750 FIGURE.
THEY WISH TO MEMORIALIZE THAT AND AMEND THE MOU THROUGH THIS SIDE LETTER.
THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY.
[01:15:01]
IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS, I'M HAPPY TO ADDRESS THOSE.>> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE, ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA?
>> ALL THOSE YEARS, WE MADE PROPERTY RUNS FROM THE SUBSTATIONS TO BAKERSILLE, WE SHOULD HAVE BE GETTING PAID.
[LAUGHTER] WE DIDN'T GET INCENTIVE PAY FOR IT, WE JUST HAD TO DO IT. [LAUGHTER]
>> I'M LOOKING AT THE AMOUNT, IT'S NOT A SMALL AMOUNT.
THAT'S YOUR RECOMMENDATION, THAT'S THE AGREEMENT THAT YOU CAME WITH THE WASCO POLICE ASSOCIATION.
>> I'LL SUPPORT IT. I THINK THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE DULY COMPENSATED FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DO.
THIS IS WHAT IT TAKES, THEN I'M FOR IT.
ALTHOUGH IT'S NOT A SMALL AMOUNT.
>> IT IS NOT, AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT FOR THE COUNCIL, FOLLOWING WITH OUR EFFORTS, MY EFFORTS, AND IN PARTICULAR, TO MANAGE THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE PROPERLY.
THIS WAS SAID AS A SPECIFIC DOLLAR AMOUNT, NOT A PERCENTAGE.
I THINK WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THE PAST, THAT ASSIGNING PERCENTAGES AS INCENTIVES IS A LITTLE BIT DANGEROUS BECAUSE THEN AS THE BASE SALARY GROWS, THESE OTHERS GROW UNCHECKED.
THE RELATIVE VALUE AND THE MARKET VALUE OF THESE INCENTIVES GETS OUT OF WHACK IN RELATION TO THE BASE.
I HAVE TO GIVE KUDOS TO THE UNION MEMBERS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVE FOR RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT AND AGREEING TO A FIXED DOLLAR AMOUNT RATHER THAN A PERCENTAGE.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE NOTHING TO ADD, SO WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
>> MOTION BY MAYOR MEDINA, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM.
>> THANK YOU. MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
>> THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO ITEM 15,
[15.a. Kern Economic Development Corporation (Medina) ]
REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES, 15A, CURRENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.THE ONLY THING THAT I HAVE AT THE MOMENT IS MAY 1ST IS THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SUMMIT.
MARIA OR MONICA, ONE OF YOU TWO HAD SENT OUT A CALENDAR INVITE.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, MAKE SURE YOU GUYS RSVP WITH THEM SO THEY GET YOU GET SIGNED UP.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE. CURRENT COUNCIL GOVERNMENT, MR. REYNA.
[15.b. Kern Council of Government (Reyna) ]
I WILL BE ATTENDING A MEETING THIS THURSDAY, SO I'LL BE REPORTING ON THE NEXT MEETING.
>> PERFECT. WASCO TASK FORCE, MR. SALDANA.
[15.c. Wasco Task Force (Saldaña and Medina) ]
>> WE'RE GOING TO GO IN START BACK UP IN MAY.
I WANT TO TAKE A TIME OFF ON THIS MONTH VIS-A-VIS.
>> I GUESS NOW MIGHT BE A GOOD TIME TO ASK SCOTT, DID WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON THE CONVERSATION WE HAD LAST TIME IN TERMS OF THAT STRIP OUT THERE ON GROMER AND PALM.
HAS THERE BEEN ANY CONVERSATION ON THAT FRONT? BECAUSE REALISTICALLY, WHEN WE HAD A CONVERSATION LAST TIME, WE TALKED ABOUT MAY.
THIS MONTH, WE'RE GOING TO GO DARK JUST BECAUSE WE JUST HAD THE CITY CLEAN UP FOR THAT LAST ONE.
IS THERE ANY UPDATE ON THAT FRONT?
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY SPECIFIC UPDATE.
LET ME FINALIZE A DISCUSSION WITH MR. VIA. BUT FROM MY POINT OF VIEW, I DON'T THINK THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THAT.
IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE GROMER FRONTAGE, NOT THE MARGALLO.
>> GROMER AND PALM THAT STRIP THAT WITH THE [OVERLAPPING].
>> LET ME FINALIZE THAT CONVERSATION WITH MR. VIA.
[16) REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER]
MOVE ON TO REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER.>> YES. I HAVE A MEDIUM-SIZED LIST, I GUESS TODAY.
COMMUNITY BREAKFAST, THE NEXT ONE WILL BE MAY 7TH AT THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM THIS TIME, HOSTED BY THEM, 7:00 AM.
SNIP EVENT COMING UP, APRIL 17TH,
[01:20:03]
TWO DAYS FROM NOW, 08:00-4:00 PM, ACROSS THE STREET.THIS YEAR'S OPEN ENROLLMENT, IF YOU WILL, ENDED APRIL 7TH.
WE HAVE FIVE NEW BANNER REQUESTS, AND PER EARLIER DISCUSSIONS, THOSE WILL BE ORDERED, AND WE'LL ALSO USE A SMALL PORTION OF THE BANNER MAINTENANCE BUDGET THAT WE'VE ESTABLISHED TO REPLACE THE OLDEST AND MOST WORN SEASONAL BANNERS.
WE HAVE SOME FOR SPRING AND WINTER, AND SO FORTH.
NAOMI WILL BE GOING THROUGH OUR CURRENT INVENTORY AND REPLACING THE ONES THAT ARE MOST IN NEED.
>> MAY I ASK YOU A QUESTION, SCOTT?
>> THE ONES THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE MAKING FOR THIS YEAR, HOW MANY OF THOSE DID WE SUBSIDIZE?
>> MAYBE YOU CAN REPORT ON THAT NEXT MEETING.
>> SURE. NEXT IS THE PARK AND REC DISTRICT EASTER EGG HUNT, WHICH OCCURRED TWO DAYS AGO, AND THE REPORT ON THAT, IT WAS WELL ATTENDED AND LOTS OF KIDS HAVING LOTS OF FUN.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF YOU WERE ABLE TO ATTEND, BUT APPARENTLY IT WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED.
THE PAL RIBBON CUTTING HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT A COUPLE OF TIMES TONIGHT, AND THAT IS APRIL 22ND, 10:00 AM AT THE PAL BUILDING.
ALSO WANTED TO REMIND THE COUNCIL AND FOLKS THAT YOU TALKED TO ABOUT THE AMAZON REGISTRY.
THIS WAS A GREAT IDEA FROM STAFF, AND WE'RE GETTING VERY GOOD RESULTS.
WE HAVE BOXES BEING DELIVERED TO THE CITY FROM THAT REGISTRY, AND THAT WILL BE INVALUABLE IN STOCKING AND GETTING THE PAL BUILDING READY TO GO INTO BUSINESS.
WACO RESOURCES FAIR COMING UP AT THE HIGH SCHOOL ON APRIL 25TH, FROM 6:00 TO 8:00 PM.
LEAGUE OF CITIES' LEADERS SUMMIT IS NEXT WEEK IN SACRAMENTO.
I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE TWO OF YOU ATTENDING ALONG WITH ME.
WE WILL HAVE FUN AT THAT, I'M SURE.
CURRENT EDC WAS MENTIONED ALSO HELD OUT AT CAL STATE, MAY 1ST.
IF YOU HAVEN'T SIGNED UP FOR THAT, SEE THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE AND GET HELP GETTING SIGNED UP.
THE ICSC CONFERENCE IS COMING MAY 18 THROUGH 20TH.
RESERVATIONS FOR THAT, I BELIEVE ARE CLOSED AND HOTELS ARE INACCESSIBLE AT THIS POINT.
IF YOU'RE SIGNED UP, THAT'S GREAT, AND IF NOT, WE'LL CATCH YOU NEXT YEAR.
COBB WILL BE ATTENDING AS WELL.
>> WILL THERE BE A PACKET FOR US?
>> WE'RE PERFECT. THAT WAY WE CAN WORK ON OUR PITCH.
>> WE'LL HAVE AS MANY STOPS DEFINED AND APPOINTMENTS SET AS WE CAN ALONG WITH THE NORMAL WANDERING AROUND.
MEMORIAL DAY AT THE NATIONAL CEMETERY IS COMING UP SATURDAY, MAY 24TH AT 9:00 AM.
I BELIEVE THERE'S AN RSVP REQUIREMENT ON THAT.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, IT'S A VERY MEMORABLE EVENT I'VE ATTENDED FOR MANY YEARS, AND IT'S A FIRST-CLASS EVENT, SO WORTH ATTENDING AT LEAST ONCE.
THEN LASTLY, THE WASCO BIKE RODEO IS COMING UP SATURDAY, MAY 24TH THAT SAME DAY.
TIME, WE HAVE NOT HAD THAT TIME ESTABLISHED YET, AND THAT'LL BE AT BARKER PARK, TYPICALLY IN THE MORNING HOURS.
HAVE TWO OTHER ITEMS THAT JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR SPECIAL MEETINGS COMING UP IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO BEFORE THE MAY 6TH MEETING.
ONE WOULD BE TO ADDRESS ANYTHING THAT WE MISSED WITH THIS RULE 20A TO ACCELERATE SOME HEARING.
THE OTHER IS WE ARE NEARING COMPLETION OF THE UNWIRED FIBER OVERBUILD CONTRACT.
THERE'S A BIG PUSH TO GET STARTED ON THAT AND RATHER THAN WAIT ALL THE WAY TO THE FIFTH OR THE SIXTH RATHER OF MAY.
WE MAY BUNDLE THOSE TWO TOGETHER AND SCHEDULE A SPECIAL MEETING.
I CAN'T TELL YOU EXACTLY WHEN WE NEED TO GET THE CONTRACT COMPLETED FIRST, AND WE NEED TO GET THE ANSWERS BACK FROM PG AND ON THE RULE 20, BUT BE PREPARED FOR THAT.
I SIMPLY NEED A QUORUM TO MOVE FORWARD ON EITHER OF THOSE ITEMS.
[01:25:04]
THAT'S IT FOR MY REPORT.>> THANK YOU, SCOTT. ANY QUESTIONS FOR SCOTT FROM THE MEMBERS?
>> I ASKED MY QUESTIONS ALREADY.
[17) REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL]
REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL.MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA, ANYTHING TO REPORT?
>> A COUPLE OF THINGS. I ATTENDED THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF CARNITAS EL JESSE ON APRIL 6TH, GARY, WOULD YOU REACH OUT TO HIM? HE HAD SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE STATUS OF HIS BUILDING, IF HE COULD DO THAT.
MAYOR, I WENT THE MONDAY AFTER AND I DIDN'T KNOW THAT HE IS CLOSED.
>> THEY'RE ONLY OPENED THURSDAY TO SATURDAY.
>> YEAH. HE'S CLOSED HALF OF THE WEEK.
I DIDN'T MAKE IT BECAUSE I GOT A SURGERY AND I DIDN'T MAKE IT THAT.
IF YOU COULD REACH OUT TO HIM, HE HAD SOME CONCERNS THAT I TOLD HIM I WOULD ADDRESS, BUT I WOULD LIKE HIM TO TELL YOU WHAT THEY ARE.
>> ALSO, ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY APRIL 11TH AND 12TH, I ATTENDED THE UCLA MOBILE OPHTHALMOLOGY CLINIC HERE AT THE COURTHOUSE, WHICH PROVIDED FREE SERVICES TO OUR WASCO FARM WORKING COMMUNITY BY PREVIOUS APPOINTMENT.
I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THESE PEOPLE.
THE CLINIC WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE UCLA LATINX STUDY SEED GRANT WITH PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS BEING DR. ANNE L. COLEMAN, UCLA CHAIR OF THE ORTHODONTOLOGY DEPARTMENT, AND THE UCLA MOBILE EYE CLINIC.
DR. GERARDO MORENO, UCLA CHAIR OF THE FAMILY MEDICINE DEPARTMENT, AND DIRECTOR OF PRIME LA, KARLA MURILLO, UCLA MEDICAL STUDENT, PRIME LA.
THIS INITIATIVE WAS IN COLLABORATION WITH DOLLARS BERTHA FOUNDATION.
IT WAS A TWO DAYS, ABOUT 24, 25 PEOPLE WERE SEEN, NO COSTS TO THEM.
I THINK THAT'S A GREAT THING FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
IT BENEFITS OUR LESS FORTUNATE.
I ALSO ATTENDED AND I HAD AN EGGCELLENT TIME AT THE WASCO RECREATION AND PARKS DISTRICT EASTER EGG HUNT.
THAT WAS FUN. THAT'S IT FOR ME.
>> GOOD CHOICE OF WORDS RIGHT THERE.
I JUST HAVE MORE OF A QUESTION OR A COMMENT FOR THIS PRIME MORE FOR YOU LOSE.
I'VE NOTICED THERE ON THE CORNER OF PALM AND SEVEN.
THERE'S AN APARTMENT COMPLEX, AND IT'S FULL OF WEEDS.
I'M NOT SURE WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THAT. YEAH. IT'S THAT CORNER.
LIKE THE REST OF THEM ARE UPKEPT, AND THAT I DON'T KNOW WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT SECTION, BUT WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT.
>> HANG ON. YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT FROM [OVERLAPPING]?
[OVERLAPPING]. CENTRAL AND SEVEN.
>> YES. THAT CORNER WHERE THERE'S THOSE APARTMENT COMPLEXES, THE ONES RIGHT IN THE CORNER, THERE'S A BUNCH OF OVERGROWN WEEDS.
THAT NEEDS TO GET CLEANED UP WHERE THAT NEEDS TO GO.
>> MAYOR, MAY I SAY SOMETHING ELSE? I WANT TO ADD TO THAT, WHICH IS SEVENTH AND BECKETS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF IT.
I KNOW WHO OWNS THAT PROPERTY, SO IT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED UP. THEY CAN DO IT.
[LAUGHTER] WEEDS, LOTS OF WEEDS.
THEY'RE NOT ONLY UNSIGHTLY, THEY'RE A FIRE HAZARD.
>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S TAKEN CARE OF.
ONE MORE THING, MAYOR, IF I MAY.
I DO WANT TO MENTION PUBLICLY THAT THERE IS UNFINISHED SIDEWALKS, AND I MENTIONED IT TO DIRECTOR LEWIS ON FIFTH STREET, JUST EAST OF POPLAR.
THIS IS SAFE DRIVES TO SCHOOL STREET.
IT GOES ALL THE WAY TO KARL CLEMENTS AND FURTHER.
BUT THERE IS A PORTION THERE THAT HAS NO SIDEWALK, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO ATTEND TO AS WE ARE ON THE PROCESS OF INSTALLING SIDEWALKS, WHERE THEY NEED TO BE.
I THINK THIS WOULD BE A PRIORITY TO FIX.
[01:30:02]
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I MENTIONED IT IN MY COMMENTS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.>> THE ONLY OTHER COMMENT THAT I HAVE IS, AS I WAS DRIVING HERE, I SAW THAT WE ALREADY HAVE SOME OF THAT ARTWORK ON THE TRASH BINS.
THAT WAS PRETTY COOL TO SEE. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN THROUGH DOWNTOWN, BUT JUST SEEING THE ONE RIGHT THERE IN THE CORNER, IT LOOKS GOOD.
>> I AGREE. THERE ARE TWO THAT HAVE THE PROTOTYPE WRAP ON THEM, AND THE OTHERS WILL FOLLOW.
>> THEY LOOK BEAUTIFUL. VERY COLORFUL.
>> THAT IS IT. WITH THAT, WE HAVE ITEM 18, CLOSED SESSION.
[18) CLOSED SESSION]
THIS EVENING WE HAVE ITEMS 18 A THROUGH 18C.ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS AT THIS TIME? NONE. WE WILL NOW ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION AND RETURN TO REPORT OUT.
>> MAYOR, MAY WE TAKE A SHORT RECESS?
>> THIS MEETING A ADJOURNED. THE TIME IS NOW 7:48.
[NOISE]
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.