12.a. Council finds this action is not a “project” as defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Conduct a Public Hearing to Discuss the City’s Community Development Block Grant Closeout of 20-CDBG-CV2-3-00010 Grant. (Villa)

[12.a. Council finds this action is not a “project” as defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Conduct a Public Hearing to Discuss the City’s Community Development Block Grant Closeout of 20-CDBG-CV2-3-00010 Grant. (Villa)]

PUBLIC HEARINGS. WE'VE GOT ITEM 12. A. COUNCIL FINDS THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT AS DEFINED UNDER SECTION 15378 OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES.

CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS THE CITY'S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT CLOSEOUT OF 20-CDBG-CV2-3-00010 GRANTS. MR VILLA. GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR.

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. SO TONIGHT IS TO CLOSE OUT THE HCD HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANT AND ACKNOWLEDGE CDBG COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT AS A PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE WITH CONTRIBUTION JUST SHY OF $810,000.

AS WE ALL KNOW, THIS FUNDING WAS CRUCIAL IN REHABILITATING THE POLICE ACTIVITIES.

LEAGUE BUILDING LOCATED AT 1276 BIRCH AVENUE.

POWELL OPENED ITS DOORS ON JULY 28TH FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND APPROXIMATELY 70 YOUTH HAVE REGISTERED.

WELL, NOW THERE'S WHAT, 84? ACCORDING TO CHIEF.

SO SINCE THIS REPORT, WE HAD 70. SO WE'VE WE HAVE MORE NOW, WHICH IS GREAT.

THIS JUST HIGHLIGHTS WHAT WASCO THAT WASCO NEEDED A FACILITY LIKE POWELL BUILDING SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS BOXING, WEIGHTLIFTING, TUTORING, MENTORSHIP, AND PROVIDING A POSITIVE SPACE FOR YOUTH WITH THIS CITY AND STAFF.

THANKS HCD AND CDBG FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND I'LL TURN IT OVER.

THANK YOU, MR. VILLA. AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

DO 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 SALDAÑA.

I HAVE NO COMMENT. MEMBER MARTINEZ. NO COMMENTS.

MEMBER RAYA. NO COMMENTS. MEMBEY REYNA. YES. THANK YOU TO THIS PROGRAM FOR GIVING US OVER $900,000 TO GET THIS DONE.

PLUS THE PLUS THE UTILITY SUBSIDY. RIGHT. SO NO OTHER COMMENTS.

THANK YOU. AND I HAVE NO COMMENTS. JUST A GREAT WORD.

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

I WILL SECOND. MADAM CLERK, CAN WE GET THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL? MAYOR MEDINA. AYE. MAYOR PRO TEM SALDAÑA. AYE.

COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ. AYE. COUNCIL MEMBER RAYA.

AYE. COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA. AYE. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA.

SECONDED BY MAYOR MEDINA TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.

MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. THANK YOU. WE HAVE NO DEFERRED BUSINESS, SO WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 14.

[14.a. Wasco Recreation Parks District Project Update- Information only (Cobb)]

NEW BUSINESS. WE HAVE ITEM 14.A. WASCO RECREATION PARK DISTRICT PROJECT UPDATE INFORMATION ONLY.

MS. COBB. YES. GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR.

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. YOU MAY RECALL THAT ABOUT A MONTH, MONTH AND A HALF AGO, WE HAD A JOINT MEETING SCHEDULED WITH THE RECREATION AND PARKS DISTRICT THAT HAD TO BE CANCELED. IN LIGHT OF THAT, WE THOUGHT WE'D INVITE THE DISTRICT STAFF TO COME PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON SOME OF THE PROJECTS THEY'RE WORKING ON. SO WITH THAT, THEY WERE GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO AGREE TO BE HERE THIS EVENING TO GIVE YOU ALL AN UPDATE.

SO I'LL TURN IT OVER TO CHRIS AND GOOD EVENING. I WANTED TO BEGIN BY THANKING THE CITY COUNCIL AND OUR PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD FOR THE CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION.

WORKING TOGETHER ALLOWS US TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL IMPROVEMENTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE TRULY VALUE THE SHARED COMMITMENT TO MAKING OUR PARKS AND FACILITIES BETTER FOR RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES. AS YOU ARE AWARE, A RESOLUTION THAT WAS APPROVED AND PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IN THE AMOUNT OF $550,000 IN MEASURE X FUNDS. THAT WAS ALLOCATED INTO THE CITY'S 202-2025 CIP BUDGET FOR GENERAL PARK IMPROVEMENTS. MEASURE X FUNDS WERE REQUESTED IN FEBRUARY FOR 2 REPLACEMENT PLAY STRUCTURES AND THE REPLACEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY POOL FENCING.

PARK IMPROVEMENTS WITH MEASURE X FUNDING AT WEST SIDE PARK, WE WERE ABLE TO UPDATE AND GET A NEW PLAYGROUND WITH NEW MODERN PLAY STRUCTURES DESIGNED FOR COMFORT FOR VISITORS OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES.

ADDITIONAL PLAYGROUNDS SHADE STRUCTURES WERE ADDED TO ENHANCE COMFORT FOR VISITORS COMING TO VISIT THE PLAYGROUND, ALONG WITH THE NEW ENGINEERED WOOD FIBER PLAYGROUND SURFACING.

[00:25:04]

THE TOTAL COST FOR WEST SIDE PROJECT WAS $210,286.45 AT BARKER PARK.

THE PLAYGROUND WAS UPDATED AS WELL, WITH NEW MODERN PLAY STRUCTURES DESIGNED FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES.

ADDITIONAL PLAYGROUND SHADE STRUCTURES AND SEATING WERE ADDED TO ENHANCE COMFORT FOR FAMILIES AND VISITORS TO THE COMING TO THE PLAYGROUND, ALSO WITH NEW AND NEW ENGINEERED WOOD FIBER PLAYGROUND SURFACING.

THE TOTAL COST FOR THAT PROJECT WAS $214,401.51.

AT BARKER PARK, THE POOL FENCE IT WOULD BE A NEW WROUGHT IRON FENCE FOR THE COMMUNITY POOL IS SCHEDULED TO BE INSTALLED THIS FALL.

THE REMAINING AMOUNT OF MEASURE X FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $125,312.04, WILL GO TOWARD THAT NEW FENCING.

FUTURE INVESTMENTS FOR BARKER AND WESTSIDE PARK AT BARKER PARK A NEW IRRIGATION SYSTEM.

POOL RESURFACING, FULL MECHANICAL SYSTEM UPGRADES AT WEST SIDE PARK, NEW IRRIGATION SYSTEM, NEW STADIUM LIGHTING FOR GREEN SPACE USE FOR SOCCER AND FLAG FOOTBALL, LIGHTING AT THE SKATE PARK, CONSTRUCTING A BLOCK WALL ALONG THE APARTMENT PROPERTY TO CREATE A CLEAR SEPARATION OF THE SPACE BETWEEN THE PARK AND THE APARTMENTS.

IT IS OUR HOPE THAT THROUGH THIS ONGOING PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION, THE CITY CONTINUES TO ALLOCATE MEASURE X FUNDING FOR CIP BUDGETS AND PROJECTS, PARTICULARLY FOR IMPROVEMENTS OF THESE 2 PARKS.

CONTINUED SUPPORT IN THESE AREAS WILL NOT ONLY STRENGTHEN INVESTMENT IN PARKS, BUT ALSO ALLOW WRPD TO BETTER PLAN AND PRIORITIZE FUTURE CIP PROJECTS FOR PARKS, ENSURING LONG TERM COMMUNITY BENEFIT.

ANNIN AND CORMACK PARK PROJECTS. I ALSO WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SHARE WITH YOU THE IMPORTANT STEPS OUR DISTRICT HAS TAKEN TO ADDRESS THE FUTURE OF ANNIN PARK.

THIS PARK WAS A VALUABLE GREEN SPACE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE RECOGNIZE JUST HOW VITAL IT IS FOR FAMILIES, RECREATION, AND OVERALL THE COMMUNITY'S WELL-BEING TO HAVE GREEN SPACE.

THE DISTRICT HAS MADE ANNIN PARK A PRIORITY TO ENSURE WE MOVE FORWARD IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE.

WE HAVE HIRED A PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANT WHO HAS 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN PARKS AND RECREATION ADMINISTRATION.

I'VE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH HER AND SHE IS LEADING THE PROJECT ON BEHALF OF THE DISTRICT.

SHE IS ALSO OVERSEEING THE CORMACK PARK PROJECT, ENSURING BOTH PARKS ARE BEING THOUGHTFULLY PLANNED AND MANAGED IN A WAY THAT MAXIMIZES THEIR BENEFIT TO OUR COMMUNITY. THIS IS JUST NOT ANOTHER PROJECT TO WRPD.

WE SEE ANNIN PARK AND CORMACK PARK AS ESSENTIAL INVESTMENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE.

OUR DISTRICT IS FULLY COMMITTED TO SEEING THEM THROUGH AND WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES THESE IMPROVED GREEN SPACES WILL BRING ONCE COMPLETED.

NOW OUR CONSULTANT, MONA JAMIESON WILL UPDATE YOU GENTLEMEN ON THE STATUS OF THESE PROJECTS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. CHRIS. GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE TIME TO SHARE SOME EXCITING NEWS WITH YOU.

SO IT'S BEEN 8 MONTHS SINCE I WAS HERE LAST, AND WE HAD A GREAT CONVERSATION.

AND I'M SURE THAT THAT BECAUSE WE DON'T SEE ANYTHING HAPPENING, IT'S LIKE, WHAT'S GOING ON? IT'S BEEN 8 MONTHS. AND SO I JUST AM VERY EXCITED TO BE HERE TO TELL YOU WHAT IS GOING ON.

BUT IT HAS BEEN ALL BEHIND THE SCENES. AND SO THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS.

GRANT PROJECTS AND PUBLIC PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, AS KERI CAN WITNESS TO TAKES A LONG TIME. AND SO WE HAVE BEEN WORKING, JUST SO YOU KNOW THESE PROJECTS TAKE LONG AND, AND SO I JUST WANTED TO KIND OF CHRIS IS FROM CHAPTER AND THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE, WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE CHAPTER PROJECT.

SO I WANTED TO ASK CHRIS HOW WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU STARTED HEARING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE PARK THAT THEY'RE NOW GETTING READY TO BUILD IN CHAPTER? SEE IT HAPPENING NOW, BUT IT HAS BEEN YEARS OF PLANNING.

SO DO WE WANT TO TAKE THAT LONG? NO, NO WE DON'T.

[00:30:01]

AND SO WE'RE WORKING VERY HARD TO GET THIS PROJECT, BOTH OF THESE PROJECTS OFF THE GROUND.

SO I'M GOING TO UPDATE YOU ON BOTH CORMACK AND ANNIN PROJECTS.

THE FOR THE SAKE OF TIME IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF YOU WAIT AND ASK QUESTIONS WHEN I GET TO THE END OF EACH SECTION.

YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN GIVEN 2 MINUTES TO COVER THIS SO.

YOU GOT ONE NOW. [LAUGHTER] I'M GOING TO GRAB MY WATER. I PROMISE I WON'T TAKE A LOT OF YOUR TIME.

HOWEVER, I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THESE PROJECTS ARE TO YOU, JUST LIKE THE DISTRICT.

SO LOVE CORMACK PARK. SO THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE, WE WERE FINALIZING A SCOPE CHANGE.

I'M HOPING THAT YOU REMEMBER THAT. I MEAN, IT'S BEEN EIGHT MONTHS, AND IT'S FRESH ON MY MIND, BUT IT IT'S BEEN A WHILE AT THE TIME, THE GRANT WAS $1.7 MILLION.

OUR ESTIMATE WAS $2.7 MILLION, AND SO WE HAD TO CUT $1 MILLION WORTH OF PROJECTS OUT OF THE CORMACK PARK TO, SO THAT WE COULD GET IT DOWN TO WHERE WE HAD THE GRANT FUNDS.

SO WE HAD TO CONDUCT EXTENSIVE PUBLIC OUTREACH.

THEY THAT WAS DONE WHEN THE GRANT WAS WRITTEN.

AND SO THEY SAID, SURE, WE SEE THIS CHANGE. IT LOOKS GREAT, BUT WHERE ARE YOUR PUBLIC INPUT AND COMMENTS? SO I SPENT TIME AT THE LITTLE LEAGUE GAMES BROUGHT BACK A LOT OF MEMORIES.

BEING HERE IN WASCO I SPENT TIME AT THE EASTER EGG HUNT, WHICH WAS GREAT.

YOU HAD GREAT TURNOUT AND ALSO MET WITH RESIDENTS AND ALSO OWNERS OF PROPERTIES AROUND CORMACK PARK, AND WE COLLECTED A LOT OF DATA FROM THEM, AND THAT DATA WAS ANALYZED AND SENT TO THE STATE.

AND SO THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE GET TO START THE PROJECT.

SO THEY APPROVED OUR REQUEST. AND SO WHILE IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE YOU SEE ANYTHING AGAIN MOVING, ANY MOVING DIRT, ANYBODY OUT THERE IS PROBABLY ANYWHERE BETWEEN BETWEEN THE SPRING OF 26 AND THE FALL OF 26.

IT JUST ALL DEPENDS. BUT RIGHT NOW, THE CONSTRUCTION PLANS ARE BEING FINALIZED AND THE BID DOCUMENTS WILL BE NEXT.

AND SO WE ARE PRETTY EXCITED THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE MOVING DIRT THIS NEXT YEAR.

SO THE PARK IS GOING TO BE BEAUTIFUL. WE'RE EXCITED.

ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT CORMACK? OKAY, SO MOVING ON TO ANNIN, WHICH IS I KNOW THE THE IT'S IT'S A LITTLE MORE LENGTHY ON MY END AND I'M SURE THAT THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS BASED ON OUR LAST CONVERSATION.

SO ANNIN PARK WAS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUNDS.

SO THESE FUNDS COME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THEY GO TO THE STATE AND THEN THE STATE AWARDS THEM.

THESE FUNDS HAVE COVERED PROJECTS ALL OVER THE STATE, WATER PROJECTS.

THEY'RE VERY IMPORTANT FUNDS THAT FUND A LOT OF PARK DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.

AND SO WE APPRECIATE HAVING THOSE FUNDS AVAILABLE TO US.

HOWEVER, WHEN YOU USE THOSE FUNDS ON A PROJECT OR IN A PARK AND THE PARK, YOU NO LONGER WANT TO OPERATE THAT PARK, THEN YOU MUST THERE'S A GRANT RESTRICTION ON THERE.

THEY WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO JUST SELL THAT PROPERTY OR DO SOMETHING ELSE WITH IT.

SO THE DISTRICT AT THE TIME WHEN I WAS HERE, WE HAD SENT A LETTER IN SEPTEMBER OF 2024 TO LAND AND WATER AND SAID, CAN WE JUST REPAY THOSE FUNDS? THAT WOULD BE THE QUICKEST WAY, WE THOUGHT, TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AND SO THAT THE DISTRICT COULD SELL THE LAND AND BUILD A NEW PARK. OKAY. THAT'S THE PLAN, AS WE TALKED ABOUT LAST TIME.

SO WE RECEIVED OUR ANSWER IN JULY OF 2025, 10 MONTHS.

10 MONTHS. AND SO WHEN WE LOOK AND WE SAY, GEE, NOTHING'S GOING ON, I HAVE TO TELL YOU, YOU KNOW, YOU FEEL SOMETIMES YOU JUST FEEL LIKE YOU'RE HITTING YOUR HEAD AGAINST A WALL TO MAKE THESE THINGS HAPPEN WITH THE FEDERAL, BY THE WAY, WITH THE FEDERAL SHUTDOWN, WE'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO HEAR FOR QUITE A WHILE ON OUR ON OUR NEXT REQUEST THAT THE MOST RECENT REQUEST THAT WE SENT THEM. SO WE CANNOT THEY SENT US OUR ANSWER.

SAID NO, YOU CANNOT REPAY THE FUNDS, WHICH THEN TRIGGERS WHAT'S CALLED A CONVERSION.

[00:35:02]

NOT GOING TO GET INTO A LOT OF DETAIL. I'M GOING TO SIMPLIFY IT AS MUCH AS I CAN.

THE RESTRICTION ON THE PROPERTY AT ANNIN PARK, IT GETS TAKEN UP, LIFTED AND PUT ON WHATEVER PIECE OF PROPERTY AND WHATEVER PARK WE BUILD.

SO NOW THERE'S A RESTRICTION ON THAT, THAT PARK.

WHAT'S NICE ABOUT THAT IS THE PARK IS STILL THE DISTRICTS, AND THE DISTRICT CAN SELL THE LAND AND BUILD A NEW PARK.

OKAY. I'M SORRY TO SAY THAT WE NEED TO FIND A NEW PARCEL, WHICH WE HAVE LOOKED AND AND AND SCOTT AND KERI HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL WITH HELPING US FIND PROPERTY.

WE HAVE. ONCE WE COMPLETE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION, THEN IT COULD BE 10 MONTHS BEFORE THE CONVERSION IS APPROVED. AND THAT'S BEING POSITIVE. POSITIVE.

SO WITH THAT, WE MET WITH OUR PROJECT OFFICER ON AUGUST 6TH TO START ASKING ABOUT THAT CONVERSION PROCESS.

AND SO WE'RE WAITING THE REPLACEMENT PROPERTY THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

WE DID SEE SEVERAL WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS, BUT WE CANNOT ACT UNTIL WE GET 1 ANSWER.

WE SENT 1 QUESTION ON SEPTEMBER 25TH TO THE STATE.

I'VE CHECKED BACK TWICE, AND WE STILL DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER.

WE CANNOT MAKE AN OFFER. OR BECAUSE WE DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.

SO AS YOU CAN SEE, THESE TAKE A WHILE. OKAY, SO PLEASE KNOW I AM DOING EVERYTHING I CAN.

SO IS THE DISTRICT. WITH EVEN THE HELP OF YOUR STAFF, WE ARE WORKING VERY HARD TO TRY TO GET THIS TO TO HAPPEN.

IN FEBRUARY WE DISCUSSED THE PLAN TO APPLY FOR LAND AND WATER FUNDS.

RIGHT? WELL, WHY? WHY WOULD WE WANT TO DO THAT WHEN IT'S TAKING FOREVER TO GET A RESPONSE? BECAUSE THERE AREN'T A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER THAT. WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT IT, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF IT BEING A $15 MILLION PROJECT, AND THE LAND AND WATER GRANT WOULD ONLY COVER 50% OR $7.5 MILLION.

SO WE ALL KIND OF LOOKED AND SAID, AND SAID, WELL, WHERE ARE WE GOING TO GET THE OTHER $7.5 MILLION? AND THE ANSWER WAS, I DON'T KNOW. HOWEVER, WE DID FIND OUT THAT WE CAN APPLY FOR STATE GRANT FUNDS THAT WILL QUALIFY TO MATCH THAT 50%. SO IF WE APPLY AND ARE AWARDED BOTH OF THOSE GRANTS, WE COULD BUILD A NEW PARK.

OKAY. SO IT'S DOWN THE ROAD. A YEAR OR 2 HOPEFULLY IF WE GET THE MONEY AND IF WE GET THE PROPERTY AND THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR THE PROPERTY.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF IFS THERE. BUT I'M PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

OKAY. IN AUGUST, THE STAFF FROM THE WASCO RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT, THE CITY OF WASCO, BOTH SCHOOL DISTRICTS, WE ALL GOT TOGETHER TO TALK ABOUT FUTURE PARKS AND WASCO.

SO WE RECOGNIZE, I THINK EVERYBODY IN WASCO RECOGNIZES THAT WE NEED A SPORTS COMPLEX THAT IS LIKE WE ALL RECOGNIZE THAT AND THAT TO TO REPLACE ANNIN PARK. WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT WE NEED A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK ON THE NORTH SIDE OF TOWN. SO THESE ARE 2 PARKS THAT ARE IN THE MASTER PLAN THAT ARE DOWN THE ROAD THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

BUT WE ASKED OURSELVES, HOW CAN WE WORK TOGETHER TO MEET THE PARK NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY? SO REMEMBER LAST TIME I TOLD YOU MY FAVORITE.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE QUESTIONS TO ASK IS WHAT IF AND WHY NOT? OKAY. SO WE ASKED OURSELVES, WHAT IF WE FORM A COALITION BETWEEN OUR AGENCIES AND 1 GROUP MOVING IN 1 DIRECTION. WHAT IF WE CREATE AN MOU TO STRENGTHEN CHANCES FOR GRANT AWARDS? IT IS ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER AND THAT'S THE KEY TO ALL THIS.

[00:40:06]

SO WE TALKED ABOUT WHY NOT. WHY NOT CREATE A VISION.

CREATE A VISION THAT WE ALL CAN TAKE THAT WE CAN ALL AGREE UPON.

TAKE TO THE COMMUNITY. CREATE AN ACTION PLAN, A CONCEPT PLAN, A FUNDING PLAN NOT ONLY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT I SHARED THAT WITH YOU, BUT ALSO FOR MAINTENANCE. SO WE TALKED ABOUT THAT LAST TIME.

WHERE WILL THE MAINTENANCE DOLLARS COME FROM? AND OF COURSE I TOLD YOU, I DON'T KNOW.

SO 8 MONTHS LATER WE HAVE AN ANSWER. AGAIN, WORKING WITH YOUR STAFF, WORKING WITH WITH CHRIS AND THE RECREATION DISTRICT. THERE THERE ARE WAYS THAT THE DISTRICT CAN ASSESS MONEY ON TO THE PROPERTIES TO ACTUALLY PAY FOR THE MAINTENANCE NOT ONLY OF THE NEW PARK, BUT POTENTIALLY ALL OF THE PARKS, BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT WITH THE DOLLARS THAT THE DISTRICT HAS, MAINTENANCE IS ALWAYS A STRUGGLE. IT WAS 20 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS HERE, AND IT STILL IS.

AND SO THAT IS ALSO A POSSIBILITY. BUT WE MUST GET THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED AND ON BOARD.

SO THIS IS LIKE NOT JUST ALL OF THE AGENCIES, BUT THIS IS ABOUT GETTING THIS COMMUNITY.

I DON'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE, BUT IT'S MY COMMUNITY.

IT ALWAYS WILL BE MY HOME. SO THAT'S WHY I'M ACTUALLY HERE BECAUSE I WANT TO SEE THIS HAPPEN.

SO THE THE WASCO RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT IS HOPING TO MAKE THAT WHAT IF AND THAT WHY NOT ACTUALLY HAPPEN. AND THEN NOW WE HAVE TO RELY ON ALL EVERYBODY WHO'S INVOLVED TO SAY YES.

AND THAT'S GOING TO BE AT THE COUNCIL LEVEL AND AT THE BOARD LEVEL.

SO AGAIN, THIS WILL TAKE TIME. IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF EFFORT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WE MUST STAY THE COURSE FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT WHAT ARE MY KIDS GOING TO HAVE TOMORROW.

WHAT ARE THE KIDS OF WASCO GOING TO HAVE TO 5 YEARS FROM NOW, 10 YEARS, 15, 20? BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, I'VE BEEN GONE 20 YEARS.

IT WILL GO BY FAST. SO IT'S OUR JOBS TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN AND PLAN WELL FOR THE FUTURE.

I WANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH A QUOTE. IT'S BY JOHN MAXWELL, WHO IS ABSOLUTELY MY FAVORITE MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, WRITER, TRAINER. AND HE SAID, THE PESSIMIST COMPLAINS ABOUT THE WIND.

THE OPTIMIST EXPECTS IT TO CHANGE. THE REALIST ADJUSTS THE SAILS.

SO I'M READY TO ADJUST SAILS. ARE YOU? I THINK THAT WASCO IS READY FOR THIS, BUT WE ALL HAVE TO ADJUST OUR SAILS AND GO IN ONE DIRECTION. QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS MAYOR PRO TEM SALDAÑA? NO COMMENTS.

THANK YOU, MS. JAMIESON FOR THE PRESENTATION.

AND. POWERFUL STUFF. YOU SHOULD BRING IT ON BOARD AND OUT TO US.

I'M WILLING. I'M ON BOARD. SO. MEMBER MARTINEZ.

NO COMMENTS. MEMBER RAYA. I JUST LOVED IT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN OUT THERE FOR 2 YEARS, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO TALK TO THE HIGH SCHOOL ELEMENTARY.

THE CITY [INAUDIBLE] TO YOU GUYS. I'M LIKE, YOU GUYS HAVE TO UNITE.

THESE ARE THE SAME KIDS, SAME KIDS. YOU GUYS HAVE TO WORK FOR THE COMMON GOAL BECAUSE WE NEED IT.

WE NEEDED A LOT IN A LOT OF. FIRST TIME YOU CAME IN HERE, YOU BROUGHT THE FAITH, THE ENTHUSIASM THAT WE CAN DO IT.

AND WHEN YOU TRY TO DO THE POOL, YOU GAVE THAT EXAMPLE.

EVERYBODY SAID, NO, IT CANNOT BE DONE. AND YOU GOT IT.

AND WITH YOUR EXPERTISE AND, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH NORTH OF THE RIVER, YOU GOT CONNECTIONS.

YOU KNOW HOW IT WORKS AND IT'S A MATTER OF TIME.

IT'S A MATTER OF 1 PERSON REALLY WANTED IT. AND UNITING THE PEOPLE AND GETTING THEM TOGETHER ON BOARD FOR 1 GOAL.

AND YOU WERE THE PERSON THAT DID IT. THAT'S GREAT.

I WAS WITH CHRIS AND A COUPLE OF TIMES I WENT WITH THEM AND I SAW HER AND VALERIE BEING BUSY, VALERIE PICKING UP THE PHONES, CHRIS RUNNING THE PROGRAMS. YEARLY PROGRAMS, YOU KNOW, BASKETBALL, SOCCER, BACK TO BACK.

AND I'M LIKE, OH, CHRIS, YOU GUYS NEED A GRANT WRITER, A CONSULTANT, SOMEONE.

AND I TALKED TO THE BOARD. I GO, YOU GUYS, WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET NOWHERE IF YOU GUYS DON'T HIRE SOMEONE THAT IT'S OUTSIDE OF THE REGULAR ROUTINE AND AND LET THEM WORK.

LET THEM TALK TO DIFFERENT AGENCIES. BOOM, BOOM.

[00:45:03]

THROW HER IDEAS AND LET HER WORK, OR ELSE WE'RE ALWAYS GOING TO BE STUCK HERE.

YOU KNOW, I GREW UP HERE TOO, WITH NOTHING. AND I'M GLAD YOU STEPPED UP.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. IT TAKES A VILLAGE FOR SURE, MEMBER REYNA.

THANK YOU. MAYOR. I TOO HAVE BEEN SPEAKING ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS AND ALSO TALKING TO DIFFERENT AGENCIES.

THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE HIGH SCHOOL ABOUT COMING TOGETHER TO DO THIS, INCLUDING OURSELVES IN THE CITY.

YOU MENTIONED CREATING A COALITION OF AGENCIES, AND I WOULD CALL IT A COALITION OF THE WILLING.

RIGHT? YES, YES. HOWEVER, AT THE RISK OF BEING A PESSIMIST.

OKAY, YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU CAN OBTAIN LAND AND WATER FUNDING AT THE TUNE OF $7.5 MILLION, WHICH LEAVES YOU SHORT, WHICH THAT AMOUNT TO COMPLETE A PROJECT OF $15 MILLION.

AND THEN YOU MENTIONED THAT THE $7.5 MILLION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE STATE.

AND I'M WONDERING WHETHER THAT'S A REAL OR AN TOO OPTIMISTIC OR AN ASSUMPTION BEING THAT THE STATE HAS MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH ITS BUDGET AND THE BUDGET SHORTFALL.

SO I'M NOT SURE WHETHER YOU HAVE TAKEN THAT THAT UNDER CONSIDERATION? AND AGAIN I KNOW I'M, I'M RISKING HERE SOUNDING PESSIMISTIC, BUT BUT IT'S A TRUE FACT, YOU KNOW, AND THIS BUDGET WOES FOR THE STATE ARE PROJECTED TO LAST SEVERAL YEARS, SO, ANYWAY, IT'S JUST SOMETHING TO BRING SOME REALITY TO WHAT YOU MAY BE PLANNING, BUT I LOVE.

I LOVE YOUR ENTHUSIASM. I LOVE THE IDEAS THAT ARE COMING FORWARD.

THAT IS WHAT WE NEED. WE JUST NEED TO FIND A WAY TO FUND THESE PROJECTS.

AND THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE, AS YOU KNOW, I HAD BROUGHT DAVID COUCH, AND WE MET WITH HIM AND A FEW MONTHS BACK, AFTER WE MET, I ASKED HIM, I SAID, YOU KNOW, CAN WE COUNT ON YOU TO KEEP MOVING THIS FORWARD? AND HE SAID, YES, HE'S COMMITTED TO DOING THAT, BUT NOW HE'S RUNNING FOR AN ASSEMBLY SEAT.

SO MAYBE THAT MIGHT BE ANOTHER VOICE THAT WE CAN ADD TO THIS CONVERSATION AS WELL.

OKAY. YES AND YES. WE WERE ACTUALLY TOLD BY THE STATE THAT THEY WILL HAVE ANOTHER ROUND OF FUNDING BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT IS FROM BOND MONEY. IT MAY NOT BE FROM GENERAL FUND.

AND THAT THAT WILL BE COMING NEXT SPRING. SO BOTH THOSE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE COMING AT THE SAME TIME.

HOPEFULLY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS OPERATING BY THEN, BUT.

WE HOPE. YES, YES. I'M A PRETTY OPTIMISTIC PERSON.

AND I, I FIND THAT WE'RE ABLE TO GET THINGS DONE THAT WAY.

SO THAT'S GOING TO BE IT'S GOING TO BE WHAT I'M GOING TO BE WORKING TOWARDS.

OKAY. I COMMEND YOU FOR THAT. THANK YOU. ONE OF THE, YOU KNOW NOT PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THE ISSUE IS, BUT YOU JUST MENTIONED THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE FROM COMING FROM THE GENERAL FUND, SO THAT'S A GOOD A WAY TO RESOLVE IT.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPORT.

YOU ARE WELCOME. YEAH. THANK YOU. I REALLY LIKE THE WHAT IF AND WHY NOT APPROACH.

I THINK EVERYBODY'S WASTED ALREADY. YOU KNOW, A LOT OF US, PART OF THE REASON THAT WE JOINED WERE, YOU KNOW, FOR SOME OF THESE PROJECTS AND WE DIDN'T REALLY REALIZE THE MAGNITUDE OF, YOU KNOW, HOW LONG THESE PROJECTS TAKE. SO ON 1 SIDE, I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT CORMACK PARK IS, YOU KNOW, GOING TO GET GOING EVEN THOUGH, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 2026, IT'S STILL A WAYS AWAY, BUT IT'LL BE HERE BEFORE WE KNOW IT. SO I'M HOPING WE'RE ABLE TO GET SOME TRACTION ON THE ANNIN SIDE OF THINGS OR THAT PARK, WHATEVER THAT ENDS UP LOOKING LIKE.

BUT I THINK YOU HAVE OUR SUPPORT. YOU KNOW, WE JUST NEED TO ALL BE SORT OF POINTING THE SAME DIRECTION AND FIGURE IT OUT.

I THINK YOU'RE A GREAT RESOURCE. SO I TRULY APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU CAME BACK AND GAVE US, YOU KNOW, SOMEWHAT OF A POSITIVE REPORT. I KNOW IT'S THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO CONTINUE TO BE DONE, BUT KNOW THAT WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT WHEREVER WE CAN, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO BE WORKING IN THE SAME DIRECTION.

SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YES. HAVE YOU LOOKED INTO POSSIBLY GETTING A SPONSORSHIP

[00:50:07]

GOOD EVENING. HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL AND GUESTS.

MY NAME IS OSCAR ENCIZO, AND I'M JUST A GUEST AS WELL.

THE FATHER OF RIHANNA. SO I WAS ASKING A QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER YOU HAVE LOOKED AT THE POSSIBLE SPONSORSHIPS BY AGENCIES FOR OR BIG CORPORATIONS, SUCH AS A WONDERFUL COMPANY OR [INAUDIBLE] NEXT TO ANNIN PARK, OR ANY KIND OF A CENTER SUPPORT THAT HAVE TIES WITH AGENCIES LIKE THAT IN THAT NATURE? YES. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME DISCUSSIONS WITH SOME OF THE WHO YOU'VE MENTIONED.

THERE ARE SOME THAT WE WILL BE APPROACHING. WE HAVE CONTACTS.

AND SO THAT IS ANOTHER AVENUE THAT WE THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE TO GO TO FOR THE 50% MATCH.

AND SO THAT STILL GIVES US A LITTLE BUFFER OR BACKUP.

SO YES, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. AND, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, CONTACTS, YOU KNOW, YOU JUST SEND THEM OUR WAY.

OKAY. YEAH. BECAUSE I KNOW THAT FOR SURE. IN BAKERSFIELD, THEY USE A LOT OF THE BACK IN THE DAYS WHEN THE OIL INDUSTRY WAS PRETTY GOOD, THEY USED A LOT OF ERA. CHEVRON'S DEFINITELY SPONSORED A LOT AS WELL.

NOW YOU ALSO GOT THE AGRICULTURAL COMPANIES, LIKE A WONDERFUL COMPANY THAT ARE KIND OF A WRITE OFF SOMETIMES FOR THE CERTAIN DONATIONS. SO THEY'RE DEFINITELY ON OUR LIST.

OKAY. AND ALSO ANOTHER QUESTION.CAN WE INCLUDE THE RESTROOMS FOR THE MODIFICATION FOR CORMACK.

I KNOW MY DAUGHTER, SHE'S IN SOCCER AND WE HAVE NO RESTROOMS AT THAT POINT, SO WE HAVE TO LEAVE THE AREA.

SO HOPEFULLY THAT COULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN INCLUDE INTO THE PARK.

I'M PRETTY SURE IT PROBABLY IS. I HOPE IT IS SO. OKAY.

SO I HAPPEN TO KNOW THE PERSON WHO TOOK THOSE RESTROOMS OUT 20 YEARS AGO.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S THERE'S THERE'S POSITIVE AND NEGATIVES TO RESTROOMS, ESPECIALLY IN A SMALL PARK SUCH AS CORMAC.

AND THE PROBLEM THAT WE WERE HAVING WAS THE ILLEGAL ACTIVITY GOING ON IN THE PARK.

AND THE PARK WAS REALLY NOT. I'M SORRY. THE RESTROOM WAS NOT IN GOOD CONDITION.

IT WAS CRUMBLING, AND AT THE TIME THE COUNTY OWNED THAT PARK.

AND SO THE DECISION WAS MADE TO REMOVE THEM. AND GIVEN ALL OF THOSE REASONS, THAT'S WHY THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ADDED AND WON'T BE. THEY'RE VERY EXPENSIVE. THE IDEA OF A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK TYPICALLY IS IT SERVES, YOU KNOW, A MILE, YOU KNOW, A RADIUS AROUND YOUR PARK. AND I KNOW IT'S REALLY INCONVENIENT FOR PARENTS.

BUT AT THIS POINT, WE'RE LOOKING AT SAFETY AS WELL.

I KNOW THERE ARE PORTABLES OUT THERE AT TIMES.

THE CHRIS HAS MADE THOSE ARRANGEMENTS. AND WILL YOU BE DOING THAT ANYMORE, CHRIS? WHEN THERE'S A DISTRICT GRANT PROGRAM, WE MAKE SURE THERE ARE PORTABLES.

IF THERE'S A RENTAL OR SOMETHING GOING ON, THERE WILL BE PORTABLES, BUT ON A DAILY.

ALL RIGHT. WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 14.B.

[14.b. Council finds this action is not a “project” as defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving the Amended Salary Schedule for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 in Compliance with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Requirement for Publicly Available Pay Schedules. (Hurlbert)]

COUNCIL FINDS THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT AS DEFINED UNDER SECTION 15378 OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES.

ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE AMENDED SALARY SCHEDULE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 TO 2026, IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

CALPERS REQUIREMENT FOR PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PAY SCHEDULES.

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

THIS ACTION TONIGHT IS SIMILAR TO THE ACTION YOU TOOK EARLY THIS YEAR, LATE LAST YEAR TO TO CREATE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN A LEAD AND A AND A STANDARD POSITION, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE MECHANICS CLASSIFICATION AND ALSO IN THE FACILITIES MAINTENANCE CLASSIFICATION, THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE THE CREATION OF A LEAD POSITION, JUST AS A RECOGNITION OF PERHAPS A LITTLE MORE EXPERIENCE OR WHATNOT.

NOT NECESSARILY A SUPERVISORY POSITION, BUT A DISTINCTION BETWEEN LEVELS SIMILAR TO A 1 OR 2 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

IN THE CASE TONIGHT, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE TRANSIT DEPARTMENT AND A TRANSIT BUS DRIVER LEAD.

AND THIS WOULD BE A DISTINCTION WHERE THERE WOULD BE SOME ADDITIONAL DUTIES ADDED TO THE DRIVER POSITION.

AND THAT WOULD HELP BOTH TO CREATE AN ADDITIONAL BACKUP DRIVER AND ALSO TO ADDRESS OUR SCHEDULING.

AND WE CALL IT SCHEDULING, NOT DISPATCHING, BUT THE, THE DIRECTION OF THE BUSSES TO PICK UP CALLS.

[00:55:03]

SO IN THIS CASE, WE, WE WOULD CREATE 1 NEW POSITION CALLED THE BUS DRIVER LEAD.

AND THAT WOULD BE AT SCHEDULE RANGE NUMBER 31.

THIS IS A RANGE THAT ALREADY EXISTS IN THE APPROVED SALARY SCHEDULE.

WE WOULD SIMPLY BE ADDING THIS TITLE. SO IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS, I'M HAPPY TO ADDRESS THOSE.

PERFECT. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM SALDAÑA, I HAVE NO COMMENTS. MEMBER MARTINEZ.

NO COMMENTS. MEMBER RAYA. NO COMMENTS. MEMBER REYNA.

NO COMMENTS MAYOR. NO ONE ELSE HAS ANY COMMENTS I MOVE TO APPROVE.

ALL RIGHT. AND I WILL. SECOND. MADAM CLERK, CAN WE GET THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL? MAYOR MEDINA.

AYE. MAYOR PRO TEM SALDAÑA. AYE. COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ.

AYE. COUNCIL MEMBER RAYA. AYE. COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA.

AYE. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA. SECONDED BY MAYOR MEDINA TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.

MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. THANK YOU. WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM 14.C.

[14.c. Council finds this action is not a “project” as defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution to ratify the Memorandum of Agreement Between Kern Council of Governments and City of Wasco for the 2026 CommunityBased Outreach Mini-Grant Program, part of the 2026 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, and has been signed by the City Manager. (Lara)]

COUNCIL FINDS THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT AS DEFINED IN SECTION 15378 OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES.

ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO RATIFY THE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN KERN COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS AND CITY OF WASCO FOR 2026.

COMMUNITY BASED OUTREACH MINI GRANT PROGRAM, PART OF THE 2026 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY STRATEGY AND HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE CITY MANAGER,[INAUDIBLE]. THANK YOU HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

THIS ITEM IS MAINLY TO INFORM COUNCIL THAT THE CITY APPLIED FOR THE MINI GRANT FOR ON BEHALF OF THE PAL PROGRAM, AND THIS WILL GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE YOUTH TO BE INVOLVED IN THE PARENTS.

AND WE'RE HOPING COUNCIL CAN ALSO ATTEND. AND OBVIOUSLY, THE COMMUNITY, THE WHOLE COMMUNITY IS INVITED.

BUT THE CURRENT STAFF WILL BE ATTENDING. THEY WILL HAVE A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION.

THEY'LL HAVE BIG MAPS DISPLAYED. AND IT'S MAINLY TO GET INPUT ABOUT TRANSPORTATION NEEDS IN THE NEXT 5, 10 YEARS. AND WE WILL PROVIDE FOOD AND DRINKS.

AND IF YOU HAVE TIME, WE HOPE YOU CAN ATTEND.

BUT TONIGHT WE'RE ASKING YOU TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE MOU.

THE GRANT AMOUNT IS VERY MINIMAL. IT'S $2,500.

IT WILL MAINLY COVER STAFF TIME AND FOOD AND MATERIALS FOR THAT DAY.

I'M OPEN FOR ANY QUESTIONS. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? SEEING NONE. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM SALDAÑA. NO COMMENTS. MEMBER MARTINEZ.

NO COMMENTS. MEMBER RAYA. LOVE THE IDEA YOU'RE GIVING OUR CITIZENS THE CHANCE TO PUT THEIR INPUT IN.

YES. MEMBER REYNA. NO COMMENTS MAYOR. AND I HAVE NO COMMENTS.

THANK YOU, [INAUDIBLE]. I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.

SO MOVED. I WILL SECOND. MADAM CLERK, CAN WE GET THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL? MAYOR MEDINA. AYE. MAYOR PRO TEM SALDAÑA. AYE.

COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ. AYE. COUNCIL MEMBER RAYA.

AYE. COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA. AYE. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ, SECOND BY MAYOR MEDINA, TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. MOTION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM 14. D COUNCIL FINDS THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT AS DEFINED UNDER SECTION 15378 OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES.

[14.d. Council finds this action is not a “project” as defined under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Consideration of a Letter Requesting Governor Newsom to Veto Senate Bill 707 (SB 707). (Hurlbert) ]

CONSIDERATION OF A LETTER REQUESTING GOVERNOR NEWSOM TO VETO SENATE BILL 707, SB 707 MR. HURLBERT YES. HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

SB 707 READER'S DIGEST VERSION OF IT GREATLY EXPANDS THE REQUIREMENTS ON CITIES OF ALL SIZES, INCLUDING OURS FOR THE TRANSLATION SERVICES WHERE ALL OF OUR DOCUMENTS WOULD NEED TO BE TRANSLATED AND POSTED IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES. WE'D HAVE TO PROVIDE PERMANENT TRANSLATION SERVICES HERE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS BEING USED POTENTIALLY HAVING PROFESSIONAL TRANSLATORS PRESENT AT THE MEETINGS, EVEN IF THEY WEREN'T REQUESTED. AND ANOTHER 1, ANOTHER ITEM ON THIS BILL THAT SEEMS MINOR BUT CREATES A BIG PROBLEM FOR THE CITY, IS THAT IT WOULD ALLOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CREATE THEIR OWN TRANSLATION OF OUR DOCUMENTS AND HAVE A PLACE TO POST THEM WITH NO RECOURSE FROM THE CITY AS FAR AS AUTHENTICATING THE ACCURACY OF THOSE TRANSLATIONS.

SO THIS OPENS THE DOOR FOR ALL KINDS OF SHENANIGANS WITH WITH CHANGING THE INTENT OF THE THE AGENDA ITEMS WE HAVE IN THE STAFF REPORTS THEMSELVES. SO WE UNDERSTAND THE THE INTENT BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION CERTAINLY IS TO ENSURE

[01:00:05]

THAT ALL CITIZENS OF ALL CITIES HAVE ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION AND ACCESS TO THE CITY GOVERNANCE PROCESS.

BUT WE JUST FEEL THIS IS AN ILL CONCEIVED METHOD OF IMPLEMENTING THAT.

AND WE'D LIKE TO ISSUE A LETTER TO HAVE THE GOVERNOR VETO THIS VERSION OF IT.

I THINK THE CITY CLERK MAY HAVE SOME PARTICULAR FEELINGS ABOUT IT IF THERE ARE TECHNICAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BILL.

SOUNDS LIKE SHE WOULD LOVE IT. OH, REALLY? ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS MAYOR PRO TEM SALDAÑA? NO COMMENTS. MEMBER MARTINEZ.

YEAH, THIS IS JUST SILLY. SO WE NEED TO SEND A LETTER.

YEAH. MEMBER RAYA. YEAH NO COMMENT. MEMBER REYNA.

I THINK THIS IS MORE THAN SILLY. AND I HAVE NO COMMENTS.