[00:00:02]
>> GOOD EVENING. I WILL NOW CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER,
[1) CALL TO ORDER]
THE TIME IS 6:02.MADAM CLERK, CAN WE PLEASE HAVE A ROLL CALL?
>> THANK YOU. IF YOU CAN, PLEASE STAND FOR THE FLAG SALUTE.
IS THERE ANYBODY IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO LEAD US AN INVOCATION? NOW, WE'LL JUST ABSORB A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 5, APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
[5) APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO THE AGENDA?>> YES, HONORABLE MAYOR. WE'D LIKE TO REQUEST MOVING ITEMS A AND B UNDER PRESENTATIONS.
NOT ALL PARTIES ARE HERE TO PROCEED SO WE'D LIKE TO JUST MOVE THEM DOWN THE AGENDA AS WE PROCEED UNTIL ALL PARTIES ARE HERE.
>> PERFECT. JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, WE'LL START WITH C AND D, CORRECT?
>> THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION WITH THE CHANGES MENTIONED.
>> MADAM CLERK, CAN WE HAVE FIRST AND THE SECOND? CAN WE HAVE THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL?
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA TO APPROVE THE AGENDA WITH THE CHANGES AS MENTIONED.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
>> THANK YOU. WITH THAT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM 6C.
[6.c. Proclamation – National Police Week]
PROCLAMATION NATIONAL POLICE WEEK.WE HAVE CHIEF IFE COTE, WHO WILL RECEIVE THE PROCLAMATION.
CHIEF, WILL YOU JOIN US IN THE PODIUM, PLEASE? NATIONAL POLICE WEEK 2025, WHEREAS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK 2025 IS DEDICATED TO HONORING THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED IN A LINE OF DUTY WHILE PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES AND SAFEGUARDING OUR DEMOCRACY.
WHEREAS THERE ARE MORE THAN 800,000 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SERVING IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE DEDICATED MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF WASCO POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND WHEREAS SINCE THE FIRST RECORDED DEATH IN 1786, THERE ARE CURRENTLY MORE THAN 24,000 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN THE UNITED STATES WHO HAVE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE AND BEEN KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.
WHEREAS THE NAMES OF THESE DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANTS ARE ENGRAVED ON THE WALLS OF THE NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL IN WASHINGTON, DC AND WHEREAS 282 NEW NAMES OF FALLEN HEROES ARE BEING ADDED TO THE NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL THIS SPRING, INCLUDING 147 OFFICERS KILLED IN 2024, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NAMES ON THE MEMORIAL TO 24,067.
WHEREAS THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF ALL OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY WERE HONORED DURING THE NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL FUNDS 37TH CANDLELIGHT VIGIL ON THE EVENING OF MAY 13, 2025.
WHEREAS MAY 15 IS DESIGNATED AS PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY IN HONOR OF ALL FALLEN SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE US FLAG SHOULD BE FLOWN AND A HALF STAFF.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WASCO ON BEHALF OF THE WASCO CITY COUNCIL, AND ALL THE CITIZENS OBSERVE MAY 11 THROUGH 17 2025 AS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK AND PUBLICLY SALUTE THE SERVICE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION.
TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I HAVE HERE ON TO SET MY HAND AND CAUSE TO BE AFFIXED A GREAT CITY OF WASCO ON THIS DAY OF MAY 20, 2025. THANK YOU, CHIEF. [APPLAUSE]
>> HONORABLE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE WASCO POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU RECOGNIZE US.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL, MAYOR PRO TEM?
[00:05:02]
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF FOR ALL YOU DO.
AS YOU KNOW, BEING A POLICE OFFICER IS THE MOST DIFFICULT JOB IN THE WORLD.
YOU GOT TO BE PART PSYCHOLOGIST, PART TEACHER, PART MOTHER, PART FATHER, AND YOU GOT TO KNOW THE LAW INSIDE AND OUT, AND YOU'VE GOT TO DO IT ALL IN A SPLIT SECOND IN A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO BE SCRUTINIZED FOR IT.
IT'S SUCH AN AMAZINGLY DIFFICULT JOB.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT THIS DEPARTMENT DOES TO KEEP WASCO SAFE.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF, FOR EVERYTHING YOU GUYS DO FOR KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE AND MAKING WASCO A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.
SINCE YOU GUYS CAME IN, I SEE A LOT OF DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.
AS EVERYBODY KNOWS TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO, WE'RE PASSING THROUGH A VERY HIGH CRIME HERE IN WASCO.
TRAGIC EVENTS HAPPENED AROUND MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE EVEN LOST THAT PRIVILEGE OF GOING FOR A SIMPLE WALK BECAUSE OF MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED.
A POPULAR ONE YOUNG MAN WAS WALKING TOWARD OUR PARKING AND HE GOT SHOT.
ANOTHER INCIDENT WAS ONE OF MY FRIENDS.
HE WAS WALKING WITH HIS FAMILY DOWN POPULAR HITTING TO FIELD BURN, AND A CAR JUST PULLED OVER AND JUST ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS AND POINTED A GUN TO THEM.
HE SAYS, HEY, BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU GO OUT THERE FOR YOUR WALKS.
THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING OUT THERE SO BE CAREFUL. I STILL CONTINUE TO GO.
A MONTH LATER, ELDERLY MAN, HE WAS IN THE CROSSWALK OF POPULAR AND FIELD BURN, HE WAS JUST CROSSING ON HIS BIKE AND HERE COMES A SPEEDY PITY VEHICLE, JUST RUNS OVER THE STOP SIGN, HITS HIM AND AND KILLS HIM IN THE SCENE.
AFTER THAT, I SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT? I'M JUST GOING TO STOP.
I'M JUST GOING TO GO INSIDE THE HIGH SCHOOL OR JUST WALK IN THE PARK, I'M NOT GOING TO GO NO MORE.
SINCE THEN, THANK YOU FOR YOU GUYS.
I'VE SEEN A LOT OF PEACE COME BACK, NORMALITY.
NOW, I'M DOING MY REGULARLY WALKS WITH MY KIDS, NO PROBLEMS, AND I CONSTANTLY SEE OFFICERS ON THE STREET PATROLLING THAT STREET, THAT FIELD BURN BECAUSE THAT FIELD BURN WAS LIKE A FREEWAY, JUST SPEEDING AND I WAS LIKE, JUST TODAY I WAS COMING BACK FROM HOME AND I JUST SAW AN OFFICER PARK THERE STATIONED THERE JUST PATROLLING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BRINGING THE PEACE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY.
>> CHIEF, WE ALL OWE YOU AND OUR ENTIRE POLICE DEPARTMENT A DEBT OF GRATITUDE.
WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND THE POSITIVE CHANGES HAVE JUST BEEN FANTASTIC.
I ECHO EVERYONE AND EVERYONE'S SENTIMENT.
BUT I ALSO THINK WE OWE A DEBT OF GRATITUDE FOR THOSE THAT HAVE PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF THEM, BOTH IN THE DIFFERENT POLICE AGENCIES.
IT'S SO SAD THAT THAT HAPPENS.
IT SADDENS ME THAT IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN.
MY WISH FOR YOU AND ALL OF OUR OFFICERS AND EVERYBODY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IS THAT YOU REMAIN SAFE WHILE YOU DO YOUR DIFFICULT JOB OF KEEPING US ALL SAFE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF. I ECHO WHAT THESE GENTLEMEN SAID.
OBVIOUSLY, NOT MUCH ELSE TO ADD, BUT GREAT WORK. WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM.
OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE A PICTURE HERE OF THE STAFF.
JUST KEEP ON DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE WITH THAT. [APPLAUSE]
>> WANT TO TAKE PICTURES? [BACKGROUND]
I DIDN'T BUT YOU KNOW I LOVE THE [LAUGHTER] I CAN [INAUDIBLE] SAFELY.
I DIDN'T BRING A CERTIFICATE, BUT I WANTED YOU TO SAY THAT I WAS WITH THE CHIEF EARLY TODAY.
PEOPLE IN CHAPTER ARE TELLING ME HOW AMAZING IS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DATING PRIOR TO THAT.
IT WAS LIKE [INAUDIBLE] BEFORE ANYBODY COME IN AND [INAUDIBLE] OR CALLS YOU TO BE AND NOW JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY.
THEY SO HAPPY TO [INAUDIBLE] BECAUSE OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE WORK THAT THE CITY COUNCIL IS DOING.
CHAPTER WASCO IS A LITTLE BIT MORE SAFER TODAY.
[LAUGHTER] I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT BECAUSE I WAS IN SOMEBODY ELSE'S CITY AND THEY WERE TALKING GREAT ABOUT YOU GUYS.
I'M LIKE, THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO HEAR, SO CONGRATULATIONS.
NOT ONLY THIS DAY, BUT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
>> [INAUDIBLE] ONE, TWO, THREE. [BACKGROUND]
[00:10:08]
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS. [BACKGROUND]
[6.d. Proclamation – National Public Works Week]
WE HAVE ITEM 6D, PROCLAMATION NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS.I IMAGINE THAT'S WHY YOU ARE ALL HERE.
[LAUGHTER] JOIN ME IN THE PODIUM, PLEASE.
[OVERLAPPING] READY FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF PARAGRAPHS?
>> NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK, MAY 18 THROUGH 24, 2025, WHEREAS PUBLIC WORKS PROFESSIONAL FOCUSES ON INFRASTRUCTURE, FACILITIES, AND SERVICES THAT ARE OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES AND PUBLIC HEALTH.
HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE AND WELL BEING OF THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF WASCO.
WHEREAS THESE INFRASTRUCTURE, FACILITIES AND SERVICES CANNOT BE PROVIDED WITHOUT THE DEDICATED EFFORTS OF PUBLIC WORKS PROFESSIONALS OR ENGINEERS, MANAGERS, AND EMPLOYEES.
AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REBUILDING, IMPROVING, AND PROTECTING OUR NATION'S TRANSPORTATION, WATER SUPPLY, WATER TREATMENT, AND SLIDED WATER SYSTEMS, PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND OTHER STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES ESSENTIAL FOR OUR CITIZENS.
WHEREAS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST FOR THE CITIZENS, CIVIC LEADERS, AND THE CHILDREN IN THE CITY OF WASCO TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF AND MAINTAIN AN ONGOING INTEREST AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES.
WHEREAS THE YEAR 2025 MARKS A 65TH ANNUAL NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION, CANADIAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION, BE IT NOW THEREOF I, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WASCO ON BEHALF OF THE WASCO CITY COUNCIL AND ALL ITS CITIZENS DO HEREBY DESIGNATE THE WEEK OF MAY 18 THROUGH 24, 2025 AS NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK.
I URGE ALL CITIZENS TO JOIN WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND ACTIVITIES, EVENTS, AND CEREMONIES DESIGNATED TO PAY TRIBUTE TO OUR PUBLIC WORKS PROFESSIONALS, ENGINEERS, MANAGERS, AND EMPLOYEES, AND TO RECOGNIZE THE SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS THEY MAKE TO PROTECTING OUR NATIONAL HEALTH SAFETY AND ADVANCING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL.
TESTIMONY WHEREOF I HAVE HERE ON TO SET MY HAND IN CUSTODY A FIXED THE GREAT CITY OF WASCO, CALIFORNIA, ON THIS 20TH DAY OF MAY 2025. RANDOM APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
TO ADD TO THAT LONG PROCLAMATION THERE, I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR STAFF HERE AND THE OVERALL PUBLIC WORK STAFF AND THE STAFF THAT SHOWED UP.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, IT'S ALL MADE UP OF VAGUE DIVISIONS, AND I'LL GO THROUGH A COUPLE JUST FROM WATER THAT PROVIDES CLEAN DRINKING WATER, SAFE DRINKING WATER FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
WASTE WATER THAT TREATS OUR WASTE.
YOU FLUSH THE TOILET, AND WHERE DOES IT GO? BUT WE HAVE STAFF THAT TAKES CARE OF THAT AND PREVENTING ANY SANITARY OVERFLOWS, AGAIN, FOR SANITARY REASONS.
WE HAVE THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, DOES DESIGN GIS IN THERE, UPDATING OUR MAPS AND DOING INSPECTIONS FACILITIES THAT KEEPS OUR BUILDINGS MAINTAINED.
WE HAVE A STREETS DEPARTMENTS THAT THEY'VE BEEN ACTUALLY PRETTY BUSY REMOVING, A LOT OF GRAFFITI HAS BEEN GOING ON LATELY.
[00:15:02]
SANITATION DEPARTMENT THAT'S RIGHT HERE THAT'S BEEN COLLABING WITH DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.>> WHETHER IT BE TREE REMOVAL, BUT THE SANITATION, THEY REMOVE ALL THE WASTE AS WELL JUST TO KEEP US CLEAN OUT ON THE STREETS.
SHOP TO MAINTAINS OUR FLEET TO KEEP OUR SANITATION TRUCKS MOVING, ANY PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT WE NEED TO GET THE JOB DONE.
ATOM CONTROL AGAIN, ROUNDING UP ANY OF THE ANIMALS AND COMPLAINTS THAT GET DOG BITES, AND WE CAN'T FORGET ABOUT OUR ADMINS.
OUR ADMIN HERE THEY TAKE SO MANY CALLS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN, WHETHER IT'S GETTING AN APPOINTMENT FOR US OR ALL THE RESIDENTS COME IN, THEY HAVE CONCERNS, COMPLAINTS, THEY TAKE THEM ALL AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO HELP THEM OUT.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, ALSO DEPUTY DIRECTOR IS HERE, DOING A GREAT JOB, HELPING ME OUT AND ALSO REALLY JUST MAKING MY JOB A WHOLE LOT EASIER.
BUT FOR THAT, ALL THAT IS JUST WORKING TOGETHER WITH DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, COLLABING, AND AUTO ACCOMPLISH ONE GOAL, WHICH IS PROVIDE EXCELLENT SERVICE TO THE CITY OF WASCO.
>> ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM.
>> WELL, I'D LIKE TO ECHO WHAT RAYA HAS JUST MENTIONED.
PEOPLE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING OR WHAT YOU GUYS RESPONSIBILITY IS.
YOU GUYS PRESENT LIKE THAT, PRESENT INTO PERSPECTIVE.
THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALL YOU GUYS DO WITH THE CITY OF WASCO.
>> YOU GUYS REALLY ARE LIKE THE UNSUNG HEROES OF THE CITY, BECAUSE THE MAIN THING THAT PEOPLE EXPECT FROM THE CITY ARE LAW ENFORCEMENT, SAFE DRINKING WATER, ROADS.
A LOT OF THESE THINGS THAT PEOPLE EXPECT FALL UNDER YOU GUYS AND WHEN IT DOESN'T GET DONE, IT'S ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT WE HEAR ABOUT.
BUT FOR THE MOST PART, THERE AREN'T REALLY VERY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT YOU GUYS.
YOU GUYS ARE REALLY DOING A GREAT JOB OF KEEPING OUR CITY CLEAN.
THANK YOU FOR CLEANING UP THE GRAFFITI AND JUST KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
>> YEAH. DEFINITELY, GUYS. YOU GUYS ARE THE HEARTBEAT OF THE CITY.
WITHOUT YOU GUYS OR CITY, WE'RE NOW FUNCTION PROPERLY AND SAFELY.
YOU GUYS MEET THE COMMUNITY NEEDS.
GREAT JOB. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. CONGRATULATIONS.
>> I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE AND I NEVER GET TIRED OF SAYING IT.
YOU ARE THE GEAR OR THE GEARS BECAUSE THERE ARE SEVERAL OF YOU THAT KEEPS OUR CITY GOING.
WITHOUT YOU, EVERYTHING WOULD COME TO A HALT.
MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT, BUT YOU JUST WENT THROUGH A LIST OF THINGS THAT THAT DEPARTMENT DOES OR THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS DO THAT IF THINGS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY IF THE DRAINS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THE WATER WASN'T FLOWING PROPERLY, IF THE TRASH WASN'T BEING PICKED UP, IF THE STREETS WERE NOT BEING MAINTAINED, CUSTOMERS, OUR CITIZENS, OUR CONSTITUENTS WOULD BE VERY, VERY UNHAPPY.
FOR THOSE VERY EARLY MORNINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO DO AND GETTING YOUR HANDS DIRTY, I LOVE IT WHEN I FIND SOME OF YOU CLEANING THE DRAINS.
THIS IS NOT NECESSARILY WELL KNOWN NOW, BUT WE USED TO HAVE FLOODING IN OUR CITY, AND NOW WE DON'T HAVE FLOODING AND I WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW THAT THE REASON WHY WE DON'T HAVE FLOODING IS BECAUSE OF THE CREWS THAT GO A CLEANING THE DRAINS WITH THAT BIG BIG TRUCK THAT IS LIKE A BIG VACUUM CLEANER.
[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO.
WE JUST GOT BACK FROM A CONFERENCE WHERE THE DRAIN WAS NOT REALLY WORKING WELL.
I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE TO BRING IT UP JUST BECAUSE WE GET USED TO A LEVEL OF SERVICE, BUT THAT SERVICE IS SOMETHING THAT THE CITIZENS, THAT THE CONSTITUENTS THEY EXPECT, BECAUSE IT IS A SERVICE THAT THEY'RE PAYING FOR.
BUT YOU GUYS ARE HERE TO TAKE CARE OF THAT SERVICE, AND YOU GUYS DO A GREAT JOB.
THE GRAFFITI, WHENEVER I SEE SOME AROUND TOWN, I USUALLY TEXT LEWIS AND YOU GUYS ARE ON IT, AND YOU GUYS TAKE CARE OF IT.
I THINK THE RESPONSE THAT WE HAVE IN TERMS OF RESPONDING TO IT QUICK MAKES A BIG IMPACT.
BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT THIS LAST TIME WHERE WE SAW SOMEBODY TAG SOMETHING UP, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS ONE.
THEY CROSS IT OUT, THEY TACK SOMETHING ELSE UP AND THANKS TO YOU GUYS FOR BEING OUT THERE,
[00:20:03]
BEING RESPONSIVE, ON GRAFFITI, ON THE PUBLIC WORK SIDE, ON EVERYTHING THAT'S OUT THERE BECAUSE THE POINT THAT MR. REYNA MENTIONED ABOUT NOT HAVING ANY CLOGGING AND THINGS LIKE THAT, I ENCOUNTER SOME OF YOU GUYS OUT THERE DOING WORK, BUT I GUARANTEE YOU THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT SEE YOU OUT THERE ARE LIKE, WHAT ARE THESE GUYS DOING RIGHT HERE? MAYBE WE EVEN WONDERING LIKE, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, WHAT ARE THEY DOING? BUT IT'S THAT TYPE OF STUFF THAT THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, BUT THAT PLAYS A BIG FACTOR IN MAKING OUR CITY RUN.THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO, CONTINUE TO DO A GREAT JOB.
I KNOW THERE'S A COUPLE OF HOT SUMMERS IN FRONT OF US, SO STAY HYDRATED AND KEEP ON DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
>> I DO WANT TO ADD SOMETHING ELSE BECAUSE THE DRAINS.
I DIDN'T KNOW THIS, BUT WHEN I STOPPED TO TAKE PICTURES ONE TIME, THE PEOPLE THAT CLEAN OUR DRAINS, THEY CARRY A LITTLE DEVICE UNDER BELT BECAUSE IT IS AN UNSAFE THING THAT THEY DO BECAUSE GASES CAN ACCUMULATE IN THE DRAIN ARE ACTUALLY VERY HARMFUL TO OUR EMPLOYEES.
I DIDN'T KNOW THAT. IT MAY SEEM LIKE THEY'RE DOING A DIRTY JOB, BUT IT'S ALSO A VERY DANGEROUS JOB OR COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS JOB, SO AGAIN, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, AND WE JOIN YOU FOR OUR RECOGNITION.
>> I'M GOING TO GO BACK, BUT I WAS GOING TO SAY SPEECH THAT I WAS GOING TO YOU GIVE, HONESTLY YOU GUYS ARE THE PART OF THE CITY WHERE IF NOTHING GOES RIGHT, YOU GUYS ARE THE FIRST ONE [INAUDIBLE] THEN THE CITY IS GOING TO BE PEACEFUL BECAUSE YOU GUYS ARE ABLE.
BUT WHEN YOU COME TO THE CITY [INAUDIBLE] THAT MEANS THAT YOUR LEADER IS DOING IT AN AMAZING JOB OF PICKING PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING THE RIGHT AND THEY'RE HERE FOR THE RIGHT REASON.
MAINTAIN [INAUDIBLE] OUR VERY SMOOTH AN OPERATOR.
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUR SUPERVISOR AND YOUR TEAM, YOU GUYS ARE DOING AMAZING.
I CIRCLE BACK AROUND WITH YOUR SIGNIFICANCE.
>> I'M GOING TO WRITE A BOOK OF CLARA.
>> ALL RIGHT. WE WILL MOVE ON,
[6.a. Recognition for the Mental Health Advocate of the Year Award ]
GOING BACK TO THE TOP ITEM 6A.WE HAVE RECOGNITION FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR AWARD.
>> WE HAVE GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND OUR WONDERFUL CITY MANAGER SCOTT HURLBERT AND EVERYONE ELSE.
>> WAIT A SECOND. I THINK THE MAYOR WAS GOING TO READ SOMETHING.
[00:25:02]
OH, SORRY ABOUT THAT.>> NOW, YOU GET. THEN CLARE, I KNOW YOU HAVE SOMETHING AS WELL.
WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION TO THE CITY OF WASCO PROBABLY PRESENTS A CERTIFICATE TO VERONICA [INAUDIBLE] IN RECOGNITION OF HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY FOR BEING THE RECIPIENT OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE OF THE AWARD HONORED ON MAY 20TH, 2025.
WELL, I HAVE A VIDEO THAT I WANTED TO SHARE.
FIRST OF ALL, I WOULDN'T HAVE RECEIVED THIS AWARD, HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE SUPPORT OF EVERYONE HERE THIS EVENING.
THE CITY COUNCIL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING COUNCIL MEMBER AND I TO HOST OUR WORLD BIPOLAR DAY EVENT HERE IN THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY OF WASCO.
I HAVE THIS VIDEO THAT I'D LIKE TO SHARE FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DIDN'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE EVENT, HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DAY'S EVENT, WORLD BIPOLAR DAY 2025, INAUGURAL EVENT.
I HOPE TO HAVE IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR, HERE YOU GO.
[APPLAUSE] I REALLY WANTED TO THANK EVERYONE THERE.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, LOUSA, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PROCLAMATION.
CAREY, THANK YOU SO MUCH, WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU.
CITY MANAGER SCOTT HURLBERT, EVERYONE ON THE COUNCIL.
OUR CO FOUNDER GILBERTO REYNA.
NAMI KERN PRESIDENT, SHARON WOOLFOLK, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING FOR BELIEVING IN US AND ALLOWING US TO PARTNER WITH YOU ON THIS EVENT AND OF COURSE, CHIEF FIVE COOK, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING THERE THAT AFTERNOON AND MAKING SURE EVERYONE WAS SAFE, AND WE WERE ABLE TO BRING HIM ONSTAGE AND HAD A CHANCE TO INTRODUCE HIM TO EVERYONE THERE THAT WAS THERE THAT DAY, AND WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK HIM A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS AND HIGHLIGHT HIM AND HIS DEPARTMENT.
THAT WAS REALLY SPECIAL FOR US THAT DAY AS WELL.
I WANTED TO SHARE THAT WORLD BIPOLAR DAY SERVED AS AN IMPETUS FOR MANY GREAT THINGS TO COME.
THIS SUNDAY, COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA LAUNCHED HIS HEARTS AND MINDS WORKSHOP SERIES, WHICH WAS A GREAT SUCCESS, AND THAT IS A FOUR PART PROGRAM THAT HE INITIATED A MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS PROGRAM AT ST. JOHN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT GREW DIRECTLY FROM WORLD BIPOLAR DAY AND HOPEFULLY SOON WE'RE IN SOME REALLY STRONG TALKS WITH WASCO HIGH SCHOOL TO LAUNCH A NAMI NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS CHAPTER THERE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, A CLUB FOR THE STUDENTS, AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH MOBILE CLINIC COME TO WASCO THIS YEAR.
WE'RE TALKING TO AN ORGANIZATION TO DO THAT AS WELL.
LOTS OF GREAT THINGS HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THIS BIPOLAR DAY EVENT, AND WE'RE ALREADY PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR.
HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE TALKING WITH CAREY SOON TO PICK A DAY AND OF COURSE, WORK WITH MR. VIA. AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP AND MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE WAS SAFE AND THAT WE HAD A GREAT LAYOUT.
EVERYONE HAD A GREAT TIME, AND WE THOUGHT IT WAS A BIG SUCCESS.
WE WERE REALLY PLEASED WITH HOW MANY PEOPLE SHOWED UP, AND I THINK EVERYONE HAD A GREAT TIME.
WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
[00:30:01]
THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR THE RECOGNITION.>> THANK YOU, VERONICA. WITH THAT, I'LL OPEN IT UP TO COUNSEL FOR COMMENTS.
I'M GOING TO GO A LITTLE BIT OUT OF ORDER.
I KNOW, MR. REYNA, YOU ARE A BIG PART OF THIS, SO I'LL OPEN IT UP FOR YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. VERONICA, LET ME FIRST SAY THAT IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE WORKING WITH YOU ON THIS ENDEAVOR.
I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT THE HEARTS AND MINDS SERIES OF WORKSHOPS WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT SHARON AND NAMI.
BUT ABSOLUTELY, YOUR INCREDIBLE COMMITMENT TO MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY IS JUST
>> REFRESHING, YOU HAVE EXPOSED YOURSELF OUT THERE, TALK ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE AND YOUR DEALINGS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND I THINK THAT IT MAKES IT VERY PERSONABLE, AND I THINK PEOPLE HAVE RESPONDED SO WELL TO IT.
IT'S JUST WONDERFUL TO SEE THIS WORKSHOPS THAT HAS STARTED THIS PAST SUNDAY INITIATE, I THINK IT'S JUST ONE MORE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE MENTAL HEALTH AND ART FESTIVAL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO.
THANK YOU TO SCOTT, THE STAFF, EVERYBODY CONTRIBUTED IN SOME WAY.
WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU.
CAREY WAS VERY INSTRUMENTAL AND WALKING WITH US DOWNTOWN AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAD EVERYTHING RIGHT.
THE CHIEF OF POLICE TOO, CHARLIE, WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU AND SO THANK YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE.
THANK YOU, VERONICA FOR SELECTING ME AS YOUR CO FOUNDER.
I'M REALLY HUMBLED BY THAT. THANK YOU.
>> I'LL LIKE THANK YOU GUYS AND ALL THE STAFF AND EVERYBODY WAS INVOLVED.
IT LOOKS LIKE I DID MISS OUT ON A GOOD EVENT.
I WASN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT THAT DAY IN THE COURT FOR NEXT YEAR.
THANK YOU GUYS, FOR ALL THIS AWARENESS IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE COMMUNITY.
SOME OF THESE THINGS WE REALLY DON'T TALK ABOUT, BUT AS WE DO SHOWS LIKE THIS OR PRESENTATIONS OR AWARENESS, IT BRINGS A LOT OF INFORMATION TO A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT MIGHT NOT EVEN HAVE THE COURAGE TO ASK FOR THE INFORMATION, SO I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR EVERYTHING GUYS DID.
>> THANK YOU. I STILL HAVE YOUR SHIRT, BY THE WAY. [LAUGHTER]
>> YEAH TO PICK IT BACK OFF OF WHAT THE MAYOR PRO TEM SAID, TOO MANY PEOPLE SUFFER IN SILENCE, AND IT'S BECAUSE OF A LACK OF AWARENESS, THERE'S STILL A STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH, AND IT'S LIKE ANY OTHER MEDICAL PROBLEM.
THERE'S TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR IT AND BRINGING AWARENESS TO THAT IS JUST AN AMAZING THING. THANK YOU.
>> YEAH. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PRESTIGIOUS AWARD.
ALL YOUR DEDICATION AND TIME YOU PUT INTO THE EVENT.
WE ALL SEEN IT, GREAT JOB AND ORGANIZING IT.
THE COMMUNITY REALLY ENJOY THE ENTERTAINMENT, BUT THEY ALSO VALUE THE VALUABLE INFORMATION THAT YOU PROVIDED FOR THEM BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT SUFFERED FOR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND YOU GUYS DID A GREAT JOB.
KEEP IT UP AND CONGRATULATIONS.
>> GREAT JOB, VERONICA AND KATRINA.
I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT NEXT YEAR IS GOING TO BE EVEN BIGGER AND GREATER.
IT WAS A GOOD EVENT THIS YEAR AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO 2026.
LIKE I MENTIONED BEFORE, I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE LAYOUT AND HOW MUCH STYLE WENT INTO IT, YOU GUYS HAD A PLAN.
IT WASN'T JUST LIKE, OH YEAH, LET'S DO SOMETHING AND TRYING TO PUT IT TOGETHER.
YOU GUYS HAD A DEFINED PLAN OF WHAT IT WAS GOING TO LOOK LIKE AND THE LAYOUT AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
IT WAS WELL EXECUTED, AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT 2026 IS GOING TO BE EVEN BETTER.
I KNOW MAYOR PRO TEM WILL BE THERE NEXT YEAR [LAUGHTER] I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.
>> WITH THAT, CLARE BELL, I BELIEVE YOU HAVE A CERTIFICATE AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO PRESENT THIS TO VERONICA, I'VE BEEN AN ADVOCATE EVERY TIME SHARON INVITES US TO COME AND PARTICIPATE OR HAD THAT SOMEBODY WOMEN PARTICIPATE IN OUR EVENTS.
AS A DOCTOR, WE WANT THE WELLNESS AND HEALTH FOR ALL RESIDENTS, REGARDLESS IF YOU IN OUR DISTRICT OR NOT.
BECAUSE IF PEOPLE ARE WELL AND THEY ABLE TO WORK, THEY'RE ABLE TO PAY THEIR BILLS AND THEY ABLE TO MAINTAIN, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE THE STIGMA OF INCAPACITATED, OR YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW, THAT'S A SILENT KILLER.
FOR YOU TO COME TO THE FRONT VERONICA AND EXPOSE YOURSELF AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW, REGARDLESS OF WHAT IT IS, YOU TOOK IT AHEAD ON AND YOU MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY KNEW THAT THIS INFORMATION AND RESOURCE IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE THEY WANT TO HEAR.
THANK YOU FOR PUTTING YOURSELF OUT THERE AND MAKING SURE THAT THIS COME TO THE FRONT SHARE HAS BEEN DOING AN AMAZING JOB FOR YEARS.
BUT I THINK THIS ENHANCED WITH SOME BIGGER LENS, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU COME FROM.
IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU ARE.
IF YOU HAVE THIS TYPE OF ISSUE, THERE ARE SOLUTIONS AND INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR YOU.
[00:35:02]
ON BEHALF OF MY BOSS ASSEMBLY WOMAN, DR. BAINS, AS A DOCTOR AND ADDITION SPECIALIST, MENTAL HAVES PART OF THAT BECAUSE I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE GO START USING DRUGS OR THINGS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUES ON THE DAY TO DAY LIFE AND SO THIS IS BRINGING AWARENESS TO THEM, THIS HOPE, AND SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT TO OUR COMMUNITY IN WASCO AND OUR DISTRICT 35TH.WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE FOR YOU BECAUSE WE'RE ALREADY A WINNER.
>> THANK YOU. [LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE]
>> NOT ONLY FOR RIGHT NOW, BUT FOR WHATEVER THAT WE COULD BE THERE TO HELP YOU, AND OF COURSE, YOUR CO CHAIR, WE'RE GOING TO BE HERE TO CHEER YOU UP AND EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN.
CONGRATULATIONS. [FOREIGN] [OVERLAPPING]
>> THIS IS SO GREAT, I LOVE IT.
>> AS YOU SHOULD, YOU EARNED IT.
>> ALL RIGHT. WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM 6B.
[6.b. Proclamation – Mental Health Awareness Month]
WE HAVE PROCLAMATION, MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH, AND WE HAVE SHARON PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH.MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH 2025 OR AS IN 1949 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE MENTAL HEALTH, NOW KNOWN AS MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA ORGANIZATION CREATED MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH.
WHEREAS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH WAS ESTABLISHED TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN AMERICA'S LIVES, AND TO CELEBRATE RECOVERY FOR MENTAL ILLNESS AND WHEREAS MENTAL ILLNESS CAUSES UNTOLD SUFFERING FOR MILLIONS OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
WHEREAS MENTAL HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS ARE PROMOTING EMOTIONAL WELL BEING AND INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND WHEREAS IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY, BOTH AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT AND CARE FOR THOSE IN NEED AND HELP PEOPLE FIND THE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES THEY NEED FOR THEMSELVES, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WASCO ON BEHALF OF THE WASCO CITY COUNCIL AND ALL THE CITIZENS, TO HEREBY RECOGNIZE THE MONTH OF MAY 2025, AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I HAVE HERE ON TO SEND MY HAND AND COST TO BE A FIXED TO GREAT CITY OF WASCO ON THIS DAY OF MAY 20TH, 2025. THANK YOU.
>> GREETINGS, HONORABLE MAYOR AND ESTEEMED CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, ON BEHALF OF NAMI KERN COUNTY, BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ALL OF ITS MEMBERS.
WE DO THANK YOU FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.
THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS IS DEDICATED TO MAKING LIFE BETTER FOR ANYONE IMPACTED BY MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.
EVERY YEAR, THERE ARE 60 MILLION INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH OR EXPERIENCING SOME MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.
NOTABLY, THERE'S SOME ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND THAT'S NOT GETTING ANY BETTER, BUT THE STIGMA, THE PREJUDICE, THE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THOSE INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, IT'S INEXCUSABLE.
[00:40:02]
TO REDUCE THAT STIGMA, WE MUST BE WILLING TO HAVE OPEN CONVERSATIONS.WE HAVE TO EDUCATE OURSELVES AND OTHERS AND BE RESPECTFUL OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE LIVING WITH MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.
WITH THAT, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO OPEN THE CONVERSATION HERE IN WASCO ON MARCH 30TH AT WORLD BIPOLAR DAY CELEBRATION, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF VERONICA AND GOBERTA RENA.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY.
I ALSO WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT NAMI IS HERE.
WE'RE HERE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT A SERVICE TO ANYONE WHO NEEDS HELP.
WE BELIEVE IN THE POSSIBILITY OF RECOVERY, WELLNESS AND THE POTENTIAL IN ALL OF US.
NAMI EDUCATION CLASSES, EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS WITH THE INFORMATION THAT THEY NEED TO HEAL WITHIN THEMSELVES AND WITHIN THEIR FAMILIES.
WE ARE HERE TO PROMOTE CONFIDENCE, TO GIVE THEM THAT SELF WORTH, TO KNOW THAT RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE THROUGH OUR LIVED EXPERIENCES AND OUR SHARED SPOKEN WORD.
WE UNDERSTAND BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN THERE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE CARE.
CARE IS JUST A SIMPLE FOUR LETTER WORD, BUT IT'S A VERY POWERFUL WAY TO CHANGE LIVES.
PEOPLE LIVES WHO ARE IMPACTED BY MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.
IT'S A GIFT THAT WE GIVE OURSELVES AND TO EACH OTHER.
PEOPLE FEEL LOVED WHEN SOMEONE CARES.
PEOPLE KNOW THAT SOMEONE CARES WHEN WE LISTEN TO THEM.
PEOPLE RECOVER WHEN THEY KNOW SOMEONE CARES.
SOCIETY CHANGES AND THE ENTIRE SYSTEM CHANGES WHEN PEOPLE CARE.
AS THE NAMI KERN COUNTY, WE ARE HERE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND OUR COUNTY.
WE WANT TO TELL YOU, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS LIVING HERE IN WASCO.
WE APPRECIATE YOU AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
>> THANK YOU. WITH THAT, I'LL OPEN IT UP FOR COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS. MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA.
>> THANK YOU, MR. WOLF FOR THE PRESENTATION AND I THINK FOR THE SERVICES NAMI PROVIDES ARE REALLY ESSENTIAL FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
>> WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT THE STIGMA THAT GOES WITH MENTAL HEALTH BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S WHAT PREVENTS SO MANY PEOPLE FROM GETTING CARE.
BUT LITERALLY THIS MORNING I WAS TALKING TO A FRIEND OF MINE AND HE'S AN ARMY VET.
HE DID SEVERAL DEPLOYMENTS OVERSEAS AND HE'S ONE OF THE TOUGHEST GUYS I KNOW AND WE WERE TALKING AND HE WENT TO MAKE A POINT AND HE SAID, I HOPE YOU DON'T JUDGE ME, BUT MY THERAPIST TOLD ME THIS.
FIRST OF ALL, I WAS LIKE, WHY WOULD I JUDGE YOU?
>> BUT HERE'S ONE OF THE STRONGEST MEN THAT I KNOW AND HE WAS AFRAID THAT I WAS GOING TO THINK LESS OF HIM BECAUSE HE WAS IN TREATMENT AND THIS MAN HAS SEEN SOME HORRIFIC THINGS AND NEEDS THE TREATMENT.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE SERVICES THAT YOU PROVIDE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO DO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND THANK YOU FOR PROMOTING THE ISSUE AND BRINGING AWARENESS.
>> MANY PEOPLE ACROSS AMERICA AND IN OUR COMMUNITY THEY SUFFER THROUGH VARIOUS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES LIKE MY COLLEAGUE SAY HERE, IT'S VERY HARD, PEOPLE DON'T COME OUT AND HOPEFULLY, EVENTS LIKE THIS HELPS PEOPLE COME OUT AND THEN SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES AND HOPEFULLY HELP THEM OUT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. SHARON, YOUR DEDICATION TO MENTAL HEALTH IS TRULY INSPIRING AND IT'S REALLY MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT.
>> THIS PAST SUNDAY WORKSHOP, IT'S A TESTAMENT TO THAT.
WE HAD A GOOD CROWD AND THEY PARTICIPATED AND THEY WEREN'T SHY ABOUT SAYING THE THINGS THAT THEY THOUGHT THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE TO KEEP THEMSELVES WELL.
>> BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU GAVE US ALL INSTRUCTIONS AS TO HOW WE CAN DO THIS ON A DAY IN AND DAY OUT BASIS, TO KEEP OURSELVES HEALTHY.
I TRULY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO, I'M HAPPY TO COLLABORATE WITH YOU AND BEING ABLE TO BRING THE WORSHIPS TO WASCO, AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE DOING THAT FOR A LONG TIME TO COME.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I CAN TELL THAT YOU CARE.
I LOVE THAT WHOLE CARE AND REVOLVING AROUND THAT BECAUSE YOU BEING HERE, BUT THE WAY YOU EXPRESS YOURSELF, ABOUT THE PROGRAM, ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE DOING, I CAN TELL THAT YOU CARE AND THAT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE.
[00:45:01]
I KNOW YOU WERE A KEY PART ALSO OF THE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS EVENT AND I CAN SEE WHY.I CAN SEE WHY BECAUSE YOU BRING A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE.
YOU BRING A LOT OF CARE TO IT.
IT'S REALLY ABOUT JUST UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE. WE'RE DEALING WITH PEOPLE.
WE'RE DEALING WITH HUMAN BEINGS AND REALLY UNDERSTANDING THEM AND HAVING THAT EMPATHY.
I THINK YOU REALLY DEMONSTRATE THAT. YOU EMBODY IT.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND WE'RE HONORED TO GIVE THIS PROCLAMATION.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND BEFORE I JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE, I BELIEVE, CAREY.
>> WHEN MY INTERN APPROACHED YOU, YES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MOVING THINGS FORWARD. WE APPRECIATE YOU.
>> CAREY, SORRY. DID YOU HAVE?
>> YOU KNOW WHAT? I TELL SHARON, WE DID A PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF THE MENTAL WELL BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN WHAT SHE'S DOING.
WE WERE INVITED TO THE GALA WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO PRESENT A PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF MENTAL WELLNESS THROUGH THE WHOLE YEAR AND EVERYTHING THAT SHE DOES IS JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR RESIDENTS IN OUR DISTRICT 35TH HAD THE BASIC INFORMATION, HAD TO LEARN ABOUT THEMSELVES SO THEY COULD BE ABLE TO GET BETTER IN WHATEVER AREA IT MIGHT BE.
IT IS PEOPLE LIKE HER AND PEOPLE LIKE THE CITY OF WASCO, THEY ALLOW THESE EVENTS TO HAPPEN, BREAKING THE CHAINS OF THIS STIGMA THAT WE ALL WANT TO HIDE INSIDE THE CLOSET.
THANK YOU TO YOU, CITY COUNCIL, THE CITY MANAGER, AND THE STAFF AND SHARON FROM JUST BREAKING THOSE TO VERONICA AND GILBERT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALL GET A LITTLE PIECE OF THE, IT'S OKAY, NOT TO BE OKAY. THANK YOU.
LOOK AT ME. LET ME PUT THIS ON.
>> YES. DOES THIS MAKE ME OFFICIAL SOMETHING, SOMETHING? [LAUGHTER].
>> A VERY VALUABLE MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY. HOW IS THAT?
> I'M GOING TO PUT THE CAP ON THE BACK.
OTHERWISE, YOU'RE GOING TO FEEL A POKE IF I DON'T DO THAT.
>> I THINK CAREY SHOULD [INAUDIBLE]
>> YES, CAREY, THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE IT.
>> LET'S GET EVERYBODY HERE. COME ON, SCOTT.
>> [OVERLAPPING] THIS WAS A CITY TOGETHER.
ALL THE MOVING PARTS, SO COME ON.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE APPRECIATE A LOT.
>> COME ON. MARIA, ARE YOU SURE YOU WORKED ON THE GRAND FOR THIS?
>> [OVERLAPPING] NO. THANK YOU.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I WOULDN'T DOUBT IT.
>> [OVERLAPPING] COME ON. THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE IT.
>> NOW WE'RE GOING TO INVITE VERONICA TO COME HERE TOO.
[OVERLAPPING] THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> [BACKGROUND] MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 7, PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA.
THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING IS RESERVED FOR PERSONS DESIRING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL,
[00:50:03]
INCLUDING THE COUNCIL ACTING AS A GOVERNING BOARD FOR THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY ON ANY MATTER, NOT ON THIS AGENDA OVER WHICH THE COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY HAVE JURISDICTION.SPEAKERS ARE LIMITED TO TWO MINUTES.
A MAXIMUM OF 30 MINUTES WILL BE ALLOWED FOR ANY ONE SUBJECT.
PLEASE STATE THE NAME FOR THE RECORD BEFORE MAKING YOUR PRESENTATION.
THE BROWN ACT DOES NOT ALLOW ACTION OR DISCUSSION ON ITEMS NOT IN 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? SEEING NONE. MADAM CLERK, DO YOU HAVE ANY EMAIL COMMENTS?
>> THERE ARE NO EMAIL COMMENTS FOR THIS ITEM OR ANY OTHER AGENDA ITEMS, MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU. WITH THAT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 10, PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS.
[10.b. Wasco Police Department (Fivecoat)]
POLICE DEPARTMENT, CHIEF FIVECOAT.>> [BACKGROUND] [NOISE] BLESS YOU.
>> WELL, GOOD EVENING AGAIN, HONORABLE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
BEFORE I DO THE PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT, AND I FEEL REMISS.
I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE PRISON MEETING TODAY AND MET WITH ALL OF THE PRISON STAFF, THEIR REGULAR COMMUNITY MEETING.
THEY REALLY WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY TO EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE FOR WHAT WAS DONE ON SCOFIELD ROAD OUT THERE RELATIVE TO THE REPAIRS.
THEY WERE SINGING THE PRAISES OF MR. VIA AND HIS STAFF FOR ALL THE WORK THAT WAS DONE.
I TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THAT PROCESS AND THAT THERE WAS PROBABLY A LOT OF HOOPS YOU HAD TO JUMP THROUGH THIS AND THEY WERE TRULY APPRECIATIVE OF THE [INAUDIBLE].
I THOUGHT IT WAS WORTH MENTIONING.
AS FAR AS THE PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT TONIGHT, THINGS ARE RUNNING PRETTY STATIC AS THEY HAVE BEEN FOR THE LAST 14 MONTHS NOW.
WHEN I LOOK AT THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS THAT WE'RE RUNNING IN A 24 HOUR PERIOD, IT'S ABOUT 62, IF YOU COUNT EVERYTHING THEY'RE DOING.
GIVEN THOSE NUMBERS, IF WE PROTRACT THAT OUT TO THE END OF MAY, WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO BE RUNNING PRETTY CLOSE TO OUR MONTHLY AVERAGE ON NUMBER OF INCIDENTS AND CALLS.
A LOT OF TIMES WHEN WE LOOK AT THESE NUMBERS, YOU SEE THE NUMBERS AND THEY LOOK FAIRLY IMPRESSIVE, BUT IT DOESN'T TELL THE WHOLE STORY.
I HAD MENTIONED A COUPLE COUNCIL MEETINGS BEFORE THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT AND TRYING TO STOP SOME OF THE DUI ISSUES THAT WE'RE HAVING, WHICH ARE ALSO TIED TO A LOT OF THE HIT AND RUN ACTIVITY WE'RE HAVING.
I WAS REALLY SURPRISED TODAY WE GOT A PHONE CALL FROM THE MET ORGANIZATION WHO APOLOGIZED BECAUSE THEY HAD FORGOT TO SEND US A FORMAL INVITATION TO THE MET EVENT.
WE PULLED OUR NUMBERS AND WE NOTICED THAT IN ONE CASE, OFFICER URIBE HAS HAD 42 DUI ARRESTS SINCE HE'S BEEN HERE.
OFFICER COOK IS BEHIND HIM AT 12 RIGHT NOW, AND THE NEWEST MEMBER OF OUR DEPARTMENT THAT WE HIRED AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING HAS ALREADY RACKED UP FOUR.
IN MANY WAYS, IT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD AS A CHIEF THAT YOU'RE HAVING AN IMPACT ON THOSE CRIMES.
THE BIGGER MESSAGE IN THIS IS THAT WE'VE DEFINITELY GOT A SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUE THAT WE'RE HAVING TO DEAL WITH, AND WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO TRY TO REDUCE THOSE NUMBERS.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE STATS AND YOU SEE THE NUMBER OF ARREST, THE NUMBER OF ARRESTS ARE GOING UP BECAUSE OF DUI ENFORCEMENT IS REALLY WORKING FOR US.
THEN JUST LOOKING AT MONTH BY MONTH COMPARISON, WE'RE RUNNING PRETTY MUCH THE WAY THAT WE WOULD ANTICIPATE RUNNING FOR THE YEAR.
AS I SAID EARLIER, WE'LL BE AT ABOUT THE MONTHLY AVERAGE THAT WE'VE BEEN RUNNING FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS.
IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM FOR YOU.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM.
>> I HAVE NO QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, CHIEF ONCE AGAIN [INAUDIBLE].
>> EVERY MONTH, YOU COME TO US AND YOU HAVE SOMETHING IMPRESSIVE TO TELL US.
I THINK YOU SAID 42 DUI ARRESTS AND WE'RE IN A YEAR.
THE 12 IS GOOD, 42 IS JUST AMAZING.
>> WELL, JUST THANK YOU, CHIEF FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.
>> CHIEF, AS USUAL, A WONDERFUL REPORT.
I WAS ASKED A QUESTION, AND I WANT TO ASK YOU MAYBE YOU HAVE THE ANSWER.
[00:55:04]
I WAS BRAGGING TO SOMEONE ABOUT THE RECOVERY RATE ON STOLEN VEHICLES BECAUSE IT'S VERY HIGH, IT'S IN NEAR 70%.>> THIS PERSON SAID, WELL, HOW MANY OF THEM WERE BURNED? I DON'T KNOW IF WHEN YOU FIND THOSE VEHICLES THAT WERE BURNED, ARE THEY CONSIDER AS RECOVERY EVEN THEY'RE JUST A WRECK? DO YOU HAVE THAT INFORMATION?
>> IT WOULD BE A CASE CLEARED ON THOSE CASES, AND YES, WE DO HAVE THE NUMBERS.
QUITE FRANKLY, WE DON'T HAVE THAT MANY BURNS.
WE'VE HAD SOME OVER THE PAST YEAR.
OFTENTIMES, THEY'LL TAKE THEM TO AN ORCHARD AND DESTROY THEM IN THE ORCHARD, BUT I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT NUMBER, SIR, BUT I'LL GET THEM FOR YOU.
>> WHAT YOU'VE TOLD ME IS SUFFICIENT.
I TOLD THIS PERSON THAT I BELIEVE THAT IT WAS A MINIMAL AMOUNT THAT WOULD BE BURNED.
>> BUT YOU JUST CONFIRMED THAT.
I JUST WANTED TO ASK YOU AND I CAN CORROBORATE THROUGH YOU THAT I WAS RIGHT.
>> HE WAS BEING SNOTTY ABOUT IT.
THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT WORK YOU DO.
>> WITH THAT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 11,
[11) CONSENT CALENDAR]
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS CONSENT CALENDAR.THE CONSENT CALENDAR CONSISTS OF ITEMS THAT ARE ROUTINE AND NON CONTROVERSIAL IN THE STAFF'S OPINION.
THESE ITEMS ARE APPROVED IN ONE MOTION UNLESS THE COUNCIL MEMBER OR MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REQUEST THE REMOVAL OF A PARTICULAR ITEM.
THIS EVENING, WE HAVE ITEMS 11A-11H.
THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MEMBERS IF THEY HAVE CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON A PARTICULAR ITEM ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA.
IS THERE ANYBODY IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM? SEEING NONE. ARE THERE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM? MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA.
>> NO, NOTHING, MAYOR. THANK YOU.
>> I HAVE NONE. WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO ATTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL. I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE.
>> MADAM CLERK, WE HAVE A FIRST AND THE SECOND.
CAN WE GET THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL.
>> MOTION BY MAYOR MEDINA, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
>> THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 12, PUBLIC HEARINGS.
[12.a. Council finds this action is not a “project” defined under section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines; Conduct a Public Hearing and Adopt a Resolution Ordering the Creation of Underground Utility District No. 2025-01 property between 8th Street & 9th Street, dividing APN 030-081-02 & APN 030-081-01(approximately 600 feet). (Hurlbert)]
ITEM 12 A, COUNSEL FINDS THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT DEFINED UNDER SECTION 15378B5 OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES, CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION, ORDERING THE CREATION OF UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT NUMBER 2025-01, PROPERTY BETWEEN EIGHTH STREET AND NINTH STREET, DIVIDING APN 030-081-02 AND APN 030-081-01 APPROXIMATELY 600 FEET. MR. HURLBERT.>> HONORABLE MAYOR, AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THIS IS THE CRITICAL STEP FOR THE CREATION OF OUR UTILITY UNDERGROUNDING DISTRICT.
THIS HAS TO DO WITH THAT RULE 20A FUNDING THAT WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS AND THE RESTORATION OF THE CITY'S CREDIT BALANCE FOR THE UNDERGROUNDING PROJECTS.
WE HAD A REVERSAL OF THE INITIAL DENIAL OF OUR PROJECT, AND WE'VE BEEN ON A TIGHT SCHEDULE TO GET ALL THE PIECES DONE BEFORE THE FIRST WEEK OF JUNE.
FORTUNATELY, THE CITY OF WASCO ALREADY HAD A MUNICIPAL CODE THAT GOVERNS THE CREATION OF THESE DISTRICTS, BUT IT'S ESSENTIALLY THE BOUNDARY WITHIN WHICH THE UNDERGROUNDING WILL TAKE PLACE AND OVERHEAD AERIAL SERVICE WON'T BE ALLOWED WITHIN THAT DISTRICT GOING FORWARD.
IT WON'T UNDO THIS UNDERGROUNDING.
IN OUR CASE, IT'S, I BELIEVE IN YOUR STAFF REPORT, THERE IS A MAP INCLUDED, A SKETCH, I SHOULD SAY, BUT IT'S ESSENTIALLY THE ENTIRE BLOCK TO THE SOUTH OF US HERE PLUS A CONNECTOR TO ACROSS NINTH STREET AND ACROSS EIGHTH STREET TO REJOIN THE OVERHEAD UTILITIES ONCE THE WORK IS DONE.
YOU SAW THE CEQA NOTICE THERE AND THE REST OF THE LEGAL LEASE THAT'S NECESSARY.
AN INTERESTING SHAPE, BUT THAT IS THE ZONE THAT IS AFFECTED BY THE CREATION OF THIS DISTRICT.
[01:00:04]
WITH YOUR APPROVAL, WE NEED YOU TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING TO TAKE ANY FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC REGARDING THIS AND THEN ULTIMATELY AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING ADOPTION OF THE DISTRICT ITSELF, CREATION OF THE DISTRICT.I WILL LOOK TO STAFF TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T MISS ANY IMPORTANT.
WITH THE MOTION, WE WILL ASK FOR A CORRECTION OF THE EXEMPTION.
AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A CEQA FINDING WITH EACH OF OUR ITEMS. ON OUR PARTICULAR THING, THE CEQA SECTION THAT WAS REFERENCED IN THE AGENDA POSTING SAID THAT THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT.
RATHER THAT FIRST SENTENCE UNDER 12A SHOULD READ IT'S EXEMPT.
COUNCIL FINDS THAT THIS PROJECT IS EXEMPT PURSUANT TO CEQA 153016.
>> NO, I'M SORRY, 15301B AND 15302C.
I'LL PROVIDE THAT PRECISE TEXT TO THE CITY CLERK, BUT KNOW THAT YOU WILL BE APPROVING WITH THAT CORRECTION.
>> PERFECT. THANK YOU, MR. ROBERT.
AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? SEEING NONE, AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS, MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA?
>> NO. I JUST WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE STAFF FOR BEING SO EFFICIENT AND BEING ABLE TO GET THIS IN SUCH A TIMELY MANNER.
THANK YOU. I KNOW IT WAS HARD WORK, BUT YOU GOT IT DONE SO THANK YOU.
>> WE DID HAVE LOTS OF HELP FROM BOTH ELECTED OFFICIALS AND JUST BY COINCIDENCE, SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT WE MET WITH AT THE CONFERENCE THAT WE JUST RETURNED FROM WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING THIS MOVE FORWARD AS WELL SO WE DID HAVE LOTS OF HELP.
>> THANK YOU AND THANK THEM AS WELL.
THANK YOU TO THEM AS WELL. THANK YOU.
WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> THANK YOU. MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU GET THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL?
>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTIONS WITH THE CHANGES AS MENTIONED BY CITY MANAGER.
MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
>> THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO ITEM 15,
[15.a. Kern Economic Development Corporation (Medina) ]
REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES, CURRENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.THE LAST MEETING THAT WAS CONDUCTED I WAS ACTUALLY UP TOWN, SO WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTEND.
15B [INAUDIBLE] GOVERNMENT. MR. REYNA.
[15.b. Kern Council of Government (Reyna) ]
THERE WAS REALLY NOT MUCH THAT WAS TALKED ABOUT.
I DIDN'T BRING MY NOTES BECAUSE I CAME FROM VEGAS DIRECTLY TO HERE.
MY NOTES ARE AT HOME. BUT I DO REMEMBER THEY DID MENTION THAT THE FUNDING FOR THE [INAUDIBLE], I ALWAYS MISPRONOUNCE THAT WORD, PLEASE FORGIVE ME, ACROSS THE STREET WAS RELEASED, I BELIEVE, MAY 4.
THEY SHOULD ALREADY BE RECEIVING THAT OR MAYBE WE ALREADY HAVE IN OUR COFFERS.
THAT'S ALL I REALLY HAVE TO REPORT.
WELL, I'LL ASK YOU IN MY COMMENTS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ITEM 15C WASCO TASK FORCE.
[15.c. Wasco Task Force (Saldaña and Medina) ]
LAST MEETING, WE TALKED ABOUT THAT PROJECT ON GROMER AND PUMP.NOW WE JUST NEED TO WORK ON A FLYER. PUT THAT OUT THERE.
AT THIS POINT, IT'S LOOKING LIKE JUNE.
WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO SHOOT FOR MIDDLE OF JUNE.
BUT ONCE WE HAVE A HARD DATE, WE'LL LET YOU GUYS KNOW AND WE CAN COORDINATE ON THE PLANTS AND WHATNOT.
WITH THAT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM 16 REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER.
[16) REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER]
>> HONORABLE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
COMMUNITY BREAKFAST, LOCATION YET TO BE DETERMINED, BUT THAT'LL BE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4TH AT 7:00 A.M.
I THINK BY DEFAULT, IF THERE ISN'T AN ALTERNATE, IT WILL BE COURTHOUSE.
SCOFIELD ROAD PROGRESS STATUS.
>> ACTUALLY, I JUST GOT SOME INFO TODAY THAT IT'LL PAVE THE ROAD AGAIN TOMORROW MORNING.
[01:05:02]
I THINK WE GUESSED ABOUT A WEEK REMAINING, MIGHT BE A LITTLE MORE THAN THAT, BUT DEFINITELY PROGRESS.I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH PEOPLE AT THE PRISON, AND ANY COMPLAINTS FROM THEM REGARDING THE WAY WE'RE HANDLING?
>> ZERO COMPLAINTS AT LEAST ON MY DESK.
>> I HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY, SO WE'RE GOOD.
>> YOU'RE LYING. THAT'S GOOD NEWS.
>> THE STRIPING ON CENTRAL AVENUE IS NOW COMPLETE.
NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT HOW THAT WENT?
>> NO COMPLAINTS. EVERYONE'S HAPPY.
>> GOOD. HAPPY THAT IT'S HAPPENED, I'M SURE.
>> I DON'T HAVE A COMPLAINT, BUT I DO WANT TO ASK A QUESTION.
THIS IS JUST ME NOT UNDERSTANDING WHAT WE WERE DOING.
THERE IS NO BIKE LANE ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE STREET AND I AM ASSUMING BECAUSE THE ROAD IS NOT WIDE ENOUGH AND THAT WE DON'T OWN THE RIGHT OF WAY BEYOND WHERE THE ROAD ENDS, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> I'LL ASK A BRIEF QUESTION AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER IF IT VIOLATES THE RULES HERE.
WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE THAT SOMEDAY WE CAN ACQUIRE THAT RIGHT AWAY?
>> TYPICALLY, THAT THING WOULD BE DONE AS PART OF DEVELOPMENT AS DEVELOPMENT OCCURS.
THERE ARE SITUATIONS WHERE IF THERE WAS GRANT FUNDING AVAILABLE AS WE'RE SEEING ON FILBURN, WHERE THAT COULD BE ACCELERATED IN THE ABSENCE OF DEVELOPMENT.
BUT THE NORMAL PROCESS WOULD BE, IT WOULD WAIT FOR DEVELOPMENT TO OCCUR.
>> WELL, MAYBE IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
>> SURE. GROMER LANDSCAPE UPDATE.
WE ALREADY GOT SNIP EVENT, IS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 30TH, 08:00 TO 4:00 BY APPOINTMENT, THE USUAL PLACE.
MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONIES COMING UP THIS COMING SATURDAY.
THE BIKE RODEO, ALSO ON SATURDAY, MAY 24TH AT BARKER PARK.
THEN THE MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY AT WASCO MEMORIAL PARK WILL BE MONDAY, MAY 26 AT 10:00 A.M.
PUT THAT ON YOUR CALENDARS, AND WE'LL HAVE THE CITY CLERK FORWARD THAT LIST TO YOU AS WELL.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. THE EVENT HERE IN WASCO DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH THE NATIONAL CEMETERY EVENT?
>> NO. ONE IS ON SATURDAY AND ONE IS ON MONDAY.
>> YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ONE IN BAKER'S ROAD?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. BECAUSE I HAD SIGNED UP TO ATTEND THAT ONE.
>> THAT ONE'S ON SATURDAY AND THEN ON MONDAY IS THE ONE HERE LOCALLY.
>> WELL, WE HAVE THE BIKE RODEO IS THE ONE THAT CONFLICTS.
BUT I WAS TALKING ABOUT THE TWO EVENTS, THE MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE AT THE NATIONAL CEMETERY AND THE MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE HERE IN WASCO DO NOT CONFLICT WITH EACH OTHER.
I THOUGHT THEY DID SO I'M HAPPY TO HEAR THAT.
>> THE ONE IN WASCO IS ON MONDAY.
>> MONDAY AT WASCO MEMORIAL PARK 10:00 A.M.
>> THAT'S ALL I HAVE ON MY LIST.
>> THANK YOU, SCOTT. REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL, MAYOR PRO TEM SALDANA.
[17) REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL]
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS HERE.
AS YOU HEARD DURING THE PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS, WE HAVE HAD THE FIRST OF FOUR HEARTS AND MINDS WORKSHOPS, AND SHARON AND VERONICA WERE THERE, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OF OUR PEOPLE, PARISHIONERS THAT ATTENDED.
IN TYPICAL FASHION, EVERYBODY WAS LATE, SO WE GOT STARTED 20 MINUTES LATE, WHICH TOOK US LONGER INTO WHAT WE WERE PLANNED.
THEN PHOTOS AND CLEANUP TOOK A LITTLE BIT AND SO WE WERE THERE FOR LONGER THAN WE EXPECTED.
BUT THANK YOU TO SHARON AND VERONICA AND FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE.
THANK YOU TO FATHER LOGE FOR WORKING WITH US ON THE DIOCESE OF FRESNO FOR HELPING ME MAKE THIS [INAUDIBLE]. THANK YOU TO ALL.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE ICSC CONFERENCE.
I THINK IT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL.
WE ACHIEVED WHAT WE WANTED TO ACHIEVE.
WE MISSED A COUPLE OF VENDORS THAT WE WANTED TO SEE THAT THEY WERE NOT THERE.
BUT ANYWAY, SO I THINK THAT THERE IS A GREAT BENEFIT FOR US TO CONTINUE TO ATTEND THIS CONFERENCE,
[01:10:03]
AND I THINK WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO DO SO, SO THANK YOU.I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT THE [INAUDIBLE] SYSTEM.
I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT IT LAST MEETING AND I KNOW THAT THAT HAS BEEN RELEASED AS WELL, AND THAT DO YOU KNOW WHEN WE'RE GOING TO START ON THAT?
>> WE JUST RECEIVED A PERMIT THIS WEEK FOR CONSTRUCTION HERE ON THE 8TH STREET LOCATION.
WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED A PERMIT FOR HIGHWAY 46.
I THINK THE IDEA IS TO GET BOTH PERMITS AND PLACE THEM BOTH OUT TO BID AT THE SAME TIME SO CONSTRUCTION STARTS AT THE SAME TIME.
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT I CAN HELP WITH? CAN I REACH OUT TO SOMEBODY TO HELP YOU GET THAT PERMIT?
>> I'M NOT TOO SURE ON THAT, BUT I CAN CHECK TOMORROW MORNING WITH OUR CITY ENGINEER AND SEE WHERE THAT'S AT.
>> IF I CAN MAKE A PHONE CALL, MAYBE I CAN GET THAT MOVING.
BECAUSE THEY WERE DELAYING IT.
>> AT LEAST RIGHT NOW WE NEED A PERMIT.
>> WE JUST RECEIVED THE ONE FOR HERE, THIS LOCATION.
>> WELL, LET ME KNOW. I'LL BE HAPPY TO HELP THEM.
>> THANK YOU. THEN I WANTED TO ASK.
WE TALKED ABOUT MOBILE VENDORS LAST MEETING, AND CAREY YOU PROVIDED FOR US A SHEET AND I FORGET WHAT THE NAME OF THAT SHEET IS, BUT IT LISTS THE PERMISSIBLE SALES AREAS AND WHAT'S NOT PERMITTED.
I FORGET THE NAME OF THAT SHEET.
I ALSO HAD ASKED THAT OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS CARRY THAT INFORMATION SO THAT THEY CAN PASS IT ON WHERE IT IS APPLICABLE.
AS YOU MENTIONED, WE SHOULD NOT BE PASSING THAT TO PEOPLE THAT ARE VIOLATING THE RULES, BUT TO THOSE THAT COULD BECOME REGULAR IF THEY HAD IT.
BUT I WANTED TO ASK IF YOU COULD ALSO PROVIDE THAT FULL SHEET IN SPANISH SO THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
I WANT TO PUT THAT OUT THERE IN SOCIAL MEDIA, I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THOSE THAT ARE THINKING ABOUT DOING IT OR THOSE THAT ARE ALREADY DOING IT AND IT WOULD HELP THEM TO FIGURE OUT WHETHER THEY'RE DOING IT CORRECTLY.
[BACKGROUND] THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I APPRECIATE THAT AND I APPRECIATE YOU.
[LAUGHTER] I WANTED TO EXTEND AN INVITATION AND THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO CLARIFY WHETHER THE MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS, THE LOCAL ONE AND THE NATIONAL ONE CONFLICTED WITH EACH OTHER.
I WANT TO INVITE THE MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL TO COME TO THE ONE HERE IN WASCO TO HELP READ THE NAMES OF OUR DECEASED VETERANS.
THERE IS A MOVE TO RETURN TO DOING THAT.
THE VETERANS THAT WERE POST, I FORGET THE NUMBER OF THE POST, THE LOCAL VETERANS WERE IN CHARGE OF THAT, AND THEY DISBANDED.
THEY'RE NO LONGER DOING IT AND SO NOW THERE IS A MOVE FROM LOCAL CONSTITUENTS TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
I THINK IT'S A GREAT EFFORT, AND I THINK THAT IF YOU HAVE THE TIME, I INVITE YOU TO COME AND READ THE NAMES.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU IF YOU CAN, CAN YOU TELL ME NOW WHETHER YOU CAN COME AND READ SO I CAN TELL HER THAT WE WILL HAVE MORE THAN JUST MYSELF AND ANOTHER PERSON.
IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT YOUR CALENDAR BEFORE YOU DO THAT, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
BUT IF YOU COULD LET ME KNOW TODAY, THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME.
[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU TO STAFF FOR ALL YOU DO.
I DON'T SAY THAT OFTEN ENOUGH. THANK YOU.
>> MEMBER REYNA. ALSO AT THE CONFERENCE, IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OVERWHELMING.
TO SAY THE LEAST, IT'S HUGE DEFINITELY COMPARED TO THE SANDIA ONE THAT HAD ATTENDED PREVIOUSLY.
I THINK WE MADE THE RIGHT CALL ON ONLY SENDING TWO MEMBERS FROM THE COUNCIL MOVING FORWARD.
I THINK THAT'S PERFECT. I DO THINK THERE IS VALUE JUST GETTING IN FRONT OF THE FOLKS.
BUT I THINK, CAREY, YOU'RE GOING TO REALLY HAVE TO CARRY THE TEAM AND DO THAT FOLLOW UP BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO GO THE WAYS BECAUSE I CAN IMAGINE HOW THESE FOLKS JUST GET ALL THESE PAMPHLETS FROM ALL THESE PEOPLE AND JUST PUT THEM IN THE BAG AS WE SEE.
I KNOW YOU HAVE YOUR HOME WORK CUT OUT FOR YOU.
I'M SURE YOU WILL FOLLOW UP WITH A LOT OF THOSE FOLKS.
THEN BESIDES THAT, I ALREADY MENTIONED IT TO MR. REYNA, BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR RESPONDING TO THAT GRAFFITI DEAL. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.
I THINK AS WE SEE IT OUT THERE OR WHATNOT, LET'S GET IT REPORTED.
[01:15:04]
LET'S GET IT OFF THE STREETS BECAUSE IT DOES EXACTLY THAT, I THINK MR. REYNA HAD MENTIONED THAT LAST TIME WHERE IT'S LIKE, YOU HAVE SOMEBODY TAG, THE RIVAL GROUP OR OTHER KIDS OR WHATEVER THEY GO AND THEN JUST BECAUSE THIS ONE WAS BIG.I THINK IT WAS ONE OF THE BIG ONES THAT I HAD REPORTED AND IT'S EXACTLY THAT THEY HAD CROSSED THAT ONE AND THEN PUT UP ANOTHER ONE.
THE SOONER WE GET IT OFF THE STREETS, I THINK IT JUST HELPS WITH THAT.
BECAUSE LIKE THAT KMART BUILDING.
HONESTLY, I AM SURPRISED OF HOW CLEAN IT'S BEEN.
I THOUGHT IT'S GOING TO GET RE-TAGGED RIGHT AWAY.
NO, IT'S SURPRISINGLY IT'S BEEN STAYING CLEAN, SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS A GOOD CALL.
>> IT'S BEEN SEVERAL MONTHS AND IT HAS REMAINED TAG FREE AND SO THAT JUST SPEAKS TO WHAT YOU JUST SAID, MAYOR.
I THINK YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.
WHEN WE CLEAN IT UP IMMEDIATELY, DISCOURAGES THEM FROM GOING BACK AND DOING IT.
THEY DON'T GET TO BRAG TO THEIR FRIENDS, LOOK, WHAT I DID. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. WITH THAT, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD.
WE HAVE ITEM 18 CLOSED SESSION.
[18) CLOSED SESSION]
THIS EVENING WE HAVE ITEMS 18A THROUGH 18E.ARE THERE PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE.
WE WILL NOW ENTER TO CLOSED SESSION AND RETURN TO REPORT.
THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THE TIME IS NOW 7:44 P.M.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.