[00:00:03] >> GOOD EVENING. I WILL NOW CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. [1) CALL TO ORDER: Mayor] THE TIME IS 6:00 PM. MADAM CLERK, CAN WE PLEASE HAVE THE ROLL CALL? >> MAYOR SALDANA? >> PRESENT. >> MAYOR PRO TEM REYNA? >> I'M HERE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ? >> HERE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MEDINA? >> HERE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER RAYA ABSENT. >> CAN WE ALL STAND FOR FLAG SALUTE. PLEDGE. >> >> IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO DO AN AVOCATION. NOBODY DO HOME SERVICE, PLEASE. THANK YOU. >> ARE THERE ANY CHANGES IN THE AGENDA? [5) APPROVAL OF AGENDA] >> NO CHANGES. >> I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVAL. >> MOVED. >> SECOND. >> MADAM CLERK CAN I GET THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL. >> MAYOR SALDANA. >> AYE. >> MAYOR PRO TEM REYNA. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ? >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MEDINA? >> AYE. >> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MEDINA, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS FORM. MOTION WAS APPROVED WITH FOUR EYES WITH COUNCIL MEMBER RAYA ABSENT. >> THANK YOU. I HAVE A PROCLAMATION TIME OF [FOREIGN] PESTICIDE AWARENESS. [6.a. Proclamation – Lideres de Campesinas Pesticide Awareness] THE CITY OF WASCO RECOGNIZES FEBRUARY 2026 AS NATIONAL PESTICIDE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH, HIGHLIGHTING THE RISKS, PESTICIDES POSED TO FARM WORKERS, FAMILIES, AND THE ENVIRONMENT. THE PROCLAMATION HONORS LEADERS [FOREIGN] FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP, ACKNOWLEDGES ONGOING EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY EFFORTS AND REFLECTS ON THE LEGACY OF CESAR CHAVEZ AND ADVANCING FARM WORKER HEALTH. IT CALLS FOR SAFER PRACTICES, STRONGER PROTECTIONS, AND ALIGNMENT WITH THE USDA AND LAND SORRY, EQUITY AND INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT HEALTHIER AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITIES. >> I WILL DO HAVE THEM COME FORWARD. >> LADIES COME UP PLEASE FORWARD. >> IF THEY WANT TO SAY ANYTHING INTERPRETER. >> THEY HAVE AN INTERPRETER. >> THIS IS A REALLY GOOD INTERPRETER. >> HE'S A GOOD DEPUTY CITY CLERK. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING OR? >> [FOREIGN] THEY WOULD [00:05:05] LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR RECOGNIZING PESTICIDE AWARENESS. THEY STARTED WITH THAT STARTED AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY AND IT ENDED HERE. AGAIN, THEY WOULD LIKE TO THANK FOR GIVING THEM THIS PROCLAMATION. >> THANK YOU. ANYTHING COUNSEL? >> SURE. >> AFTER. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING MR. REYNA. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. CONGRATULATIONS. THE WORK THAT YOU DO IS VERY VITAL. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT. KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY, FARM WORKERS SAFE IS VERY IMPORTANT, SO I COMMEND YOU FOR DOING THIS. CONGRATULATIONS. >> IT'S ALMOST EVERY MONTH THAT WE'RE RECOGNIZING YOU LADIES BECAUSE YOU DO SO MANY WONDERFUL THINGS IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND I'M VERY PROUD THAT YOU GUYS HAVE CONTINUED TO MAKE STRIDES TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY AND SPREAD AWARENESS. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU GUYS DO. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MEDINA? >> I THINK THIS IS EITHER THE THIRD OR FOURTH TIME THAT YOU GUYS ARE UP HERE FOR THE PET SIDE AWARENESS. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. OBVIOUSLY, IT'S AN IMPORTANT TOPIC. EDUCATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, FOR EVERYTHING. I THINK JUST REALLY EDUCATING PEOPLE ON, WHAT TO DO, WHEN NOT TO DO THAT TYPE OF STUFF. I'LL KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. >> THANK YOU, LADIES. AS MY COLLEAGUES HAVE MENTIONED, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT, AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR GUYS' LEADERSHIP. LIKE TO TAKE A PICTURE WITH YOU GUYS. [APPLAUSE] >> PROCLAMATION IN PAPER. [BACKGROUND] [00:10:49] >> [FOREIGN] BECAUSE OF THAT, WE ARE GRATEFUL AND I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS ARE WORKING HARD TO EDUCATE OUR RESIDENTS ON DISTRICT 35 OUR RESIDENTS IN WASCO OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE PESTICIDE AND TO BE INFORMED THESE CHEMICALS ARE SO ON BEHALF OF MY BOSS ASSEMBLY WOMAN, DR. BAINS. WE CONTINUE TO RECOGNIZE THE LEADERS [INAUDIBLE] EVERY YEAR FOR THE EFFORT THAT THEY DO, NOT ONLY EVERY DAY, BUT THROUGH THE WHOLE YEAR. IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS ESSENTIAL BECAUSE WE GET NEW PEOPLE, THEY DON'T KNOW, AND SO WE WANT TO EDUCATE THEM BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO SAY, I DIDN'T KNOW, YEAH, YOU DID, BECAUSE YOU GUYS OPENED THE DOOR TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OUR RESIDENTS ARE EDUCATED IN ANY SUBJECT MATTER, AND FOR THAT, CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU CLARA. [APPLAUSE]. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> THANK YOU, CLARA. MOVE ON TO ITEM 7. THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING IS 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 THE AGENDA OVER WHICH THE COUNCIL AND SUCCESS OR AGENCY HAVE JURISDICTION. SPEAKERS ARE LIMITED TO 2 MINUTES. MAXIMUM OF MINUTES WILL BE ALLOWED FOR ANY ONE SUBJECT. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD BEFORE MAKING YOUR PRESENTATION. THE BROWN ACT DOES NOT ALLOW ACTION OR DISCUSSION ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA. SUBJECT NOTE WILL B WILL LIMIT A COUNCIL MEMBERS RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS DURING THE COMMENT PERIOD. DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? I SEE NONE. ANY EMAIL COMMENTS? >> NO EMAIL COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM OR ANY ITEM ON THIS AGENDA. [8.a. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Nomination and Appointment of Chairman and Vice-Chairman (Hurlbert)] >> ITEM NUMBER 8. COUNSEL FINDS THE ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT. >> NO. >> NO. >> I GUESS I'M UP ON THAT ONE. WE GOT ITEM NUMBER 8, SUCCESSOR AGENCY BUSINESS. WE HAVE ITEM 8A. COUNSEL FINDS THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER SECTION 15378 OF THE SQL GUIDELINES NOMINATION AND APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND VIE CHAIRMAN, MR. HURLBERT. >> YES, HONORABLE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION. WITH THE REORGANIZATION AT OUR PREVIOUS MEETING, WE NEED TO MAKE A NEW APPOINTMENT OF A CHAIRMAN AND VIE CHAIRMAN FOR THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY. BY TRADITION, THIS IS USUALLY THE MAYOR AND THE MAYOR PRO TEM. BUT IF THE COUNCIL WISHES TO DO SOMETHING OTHER THAN THAT, THEN WE CAN CERTAINLY OPEN NOMINATIONS AND HAVE A VOTE. I THINK THE FIRST QUESTION WOULD BE JUST TO THE COMMISSION WHETHER YOU'D LIKE TO DEVIATE FROM THE TRADITION OF HAVING THE MAYOR AND THE PRO TEM SERVE AS CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN. >> I'M GOOD WITH THAT. >> I'M FINE WITH IT, TOO. IN FACT, I NOMINATE MAYOR. >> BEFORE WE GO TO NOMINATIONS, ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? >> GO AHEAD, MR. REYNA? >> I NOMINATE MAYOR SALDANA TO BE THE CHAIRMAN. [00:15:04] >> DO WE NEED A SECOND ON THAT? >> SURE. >> THE SOUTH SECOND. >> WE CAN PROCESS. >> DO WE NEED TO DO SEPARATE OR? >> BOTH NOMINATIONS WITH ONE ACTION, I BELIEVE, WITH ONE. >> I'LL NOMINATE MEMBER REYNA TO BE THE VICE CHAIR. >> I WILL SECOND. MADAM CLERK, CAN WE GET THE VOTE BY ROLL CALL FOR CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR? >> WE HAVE TWO MOTIONS. SORRY, I'M GOING TO DO THE ROLL CALL. CHAIRMAN MEDINA? >> HERE. >> [LAUGHTER]. >> AYE. >> VICE CHAIRMAN SALDANA? >> AYE. >> DIRECTOR MARTINEZ? >> AYE. >> DIRECTOR REYNA. >> AYE. >> MOTION BY? I`M SORRY I DIDN'T GET IT. >> MAYOR PRO TEM, TO NOMINATE MAYOR AS CHAIRMAN. >> WHO SECOND IT? >> COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ. >> TO APPOINT MAYOR SALDANA AS CHAIRMAN. >> AND MAYOR PRO TEM. >> SORRY, IT`S SEPARATE MOTIONS. >> MR. MARTINEZ MADE A MOTION TO NOMINATE VICE CHAIRMAN AND THE SECOND WAS MR. MEDINA. >> MARTINEZ AND MEDINA? >> YES. >> SO I'LL GO BACK AGAIN TO THE OTHER ONE. MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM. REYNA TO APPOINT MAYOR SALDANA AS CHAIRMAN. SECOND IF I, I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T GET THE SECOND. >> MARTINEZ. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ. >> A MOTION IS APPROVED WITH FOUR AYES WITH COUNCIL MEMBER RAYA ABSENT. >> I'LL DO THAT. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MEDINA TO APPOINT MAYOR PRO TEM AS VICE CHAIRMAN. THE MOTION IS APPROVED WITH FOUR AYES WITH COUNCIL MEMBER RAYA ABSENT. I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT. >> IT`S OKAY. >> THE FIRST OF YEAR, WE'RE ALL GETTING BACK. >> THAT WAS JUST A PRACTICE ONE, WE HAVE ONE MORE. [LAUGHTER] >> BY THE WAY, WE'RE ALL COMMISSIONERS. >> COMMISSIONERS, BOARD MEMBERS. >> ALL RIGHT. I THINK THAT`S ALL RIGHT. [8.b. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution of the Successor Agency to the Former Wasco Redevelopment Agency adding Eduardo Saldaña and Gilberto Reyna as Authorizing Signers for all Successor Agency Bank Accounts and remove Valentin Medina and Mark C. DeMay (Mosqueda)] >> WE MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER EIGHT. SUCCESS OR AGENCY BUSINESS. COUNCIL FINDS THIS ACTION, EIGHT B, I'M SORRY. COUNCIL FINDS THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER SECTION 15378 OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES, ADOPTED RESOLUTION OF THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE FORMER WASCO REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, ADDING EDUARDO SALDANA AND GILBERT REYNA AS UNAUTHORIZED SIGNERS FOR ALL SUCCESSORS AGENCY BANK ACCOUNT AND REMOVE VALENTINE MEDINA, AND MARK DEMA. MS. MOSQUEDA. >> YES. HONORABLE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION. THE STAFF IS RECOMMENDING THAT WE ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE FORMER WASCO REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY TO ADD EDUARDO SALDANA AND GILBERT REYNA AS AUTHORIZING SIGNERS FOR A SUCCESSOR AGENCY, BANK ACCOUNTS, AND REMOVE VALENTINE MEDINA AND MARK C. DEMA. THIS IS A HOUSEKEEPING ITEM. WE HAD PREVIOUSLY APPOINTED MARK DEMA AS THE SIGNER BEING THAT HE HAD A CONDITIONAL OFFER FOR THE FINANCE DIRECTOR POSITION, BUT SINCE THEN IT'S BEEN, HOW CAN THEY PUT IT? WE DIDN'T FULFILL THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, SO WE NEED TO ADD HIM AND REMOVE HIM FROM THE SIGNING AUTHORITY. >> THANK YOU, MS. MOSQUEDA. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS? MAYOR PRO TEM? >> NO THANKYOU. >> NO COMMENTS. >> MARTINEZ, MR. MEDINA? >> NO COMMENTS. >> I HAVE NO COMMENTS MYSELF. >> MOTION FOR APPROVAL? >> TO MOVED. >> I SECOND. >> MADAM KIRK, VOTE BY ROLL CALL? [00:20:03] >> CHAIRMAN SALDANA? >> AYE. >> VICE CHAIRMAN REYNA? >> AYE. >> DIRECTOR MARTINEZ? >> AYE. >> DIRECTOR MEDINA? >> AYE. >> MOTION BY DIRECTOR MARTINEZ, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIRMAN REYNA TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. MOTION IS APPROVED WITH FOUR AYES WITH COUNCIL MEMBER RAYA ABSENT. >> ALL RIGHT MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER NINE. [9.a. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Nomination and Appointment of Chairman and Vice-Chairman (Hurlbert)] >> I GUESS I'M UP AGAIN ON THAT WAY. SO WE'LL DO ITEM NINE, WASCO PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY BUSINESS. WE HAVE NINE A. COUNCIL FINDS THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER SECTION 15378 OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES, NOMINATION AND APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN. MR. ROBERT. >> YES. MR. CHAIRMAN, AND VICE CHAIRMAN, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION. THIS IS A MIRROR IMAGE OF THE PREVIOUS EIGHT A, AND WE SIMPLY IF WE WANT TO FOLLOW TRADITION, YOU CAN APPOINT THE MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM AS CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN. IF THAT IS NOT THE CASE, WE'LL PROCEED WITH THE NOMINATION PROCESS. >> PERFECT. THANKYOU. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE. WE'LL MOVE FORWARD WITH, I GUESS, ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS, VICE CHAIRMAN SALDANA? >> I HAVE NO COMMENTS. >> DIRECTOR MARTINEZ? >> NO COMMENTS. >> DIRECTOR REYNA? >> NO COMMENTS. I NOMINATE MAYOR SALDANA TO BE THE CHAIRMAN. >> I WILL SECOND. >> I DON'T WANT TO NOMINATE MYSELF. >> IF WE CAN DO ALL IN ONE MOTION, THEN WE CAN VOTE IN ONE MOTION. THAT MIGHT BE SIMPLER. >> YOU CAN NOMINATE YOURSELF. >> I`LL NOMINATE DIRECTOR REYNA AS VICE CHAIRMAN. >> THE DEFEATS THE PURPOSE. >> HOW ABOUT THIS? I'LL NOMINATE EDDIE AS CHAIRMAN AND I'LL ELIMINATE MEMBER REYNA AS VICE CHAIRMAN. THAT WAY IT'S ALL ONE MOTION. THERE YOU GO. >> THAT`S IT. ANYONE SECOND? >> THAT WORKS. >> PERFECT. >> ALL RIGHT. MADAM KIRK, CAN WE DO THE ROLL? >> CHAIRMAN MEDINA? >> AYE. >> VICE CHAIRMAN SALDANA? >> AYE. >> DIRECTOR MARTINEZ? >> AYE. >> DIRECTOR REYNA? >> AYE. MOTION BY DIRECTOR MARTINEZ, SECONDED BY CHAIRMAN MEDINA TO APPOINT MAYOR SALDANA AS CHAIRMAN AND MAYOR PRO TEM REYNA AS VICE CHAIR. MOTION WAS APPROVED WITH FOUR AYES, WITH COUNCIL MEMBER RAYA ABSENT. >> ALL RIGHT. WE`LL RUN TO ITEM NUMBER NINE B. [9.b. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Wasco Public Financing Authority adding Eduardo Saldaña and Gilberto Reyna as Authorizing Signers for all Wasco Public Financing Authority Bank Accounts and remove Valentin Medina and Mark C. DeMay. (Mosqueda)] COUNCIL FINDS THAT THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER SECTION 15378 OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES. ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE WASCO PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY, ADDING EDUARDO SALDANA AND GILBERT REYNA AS AUTHORIZING SIGNERS FOR ALL WASCO PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY BANK ACCOUNTS AND REMOVE VALENTINE MEDINA AND MARK C. DEMA. MS. MOSQUEDA. >> HONORABLE CHAIRMAN AND COMMISSIONERS. AGAIN, THIS IS JUST THE HOUSEKEEPING ITEM WITH THE NEW APPOINTMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN. WE ARE REMOVING VALENTINE MEDINA, WHO WAS THE PREVIOUS CHAIRMAN AND THE DEPUTY TREASURER, DEMA. WE'RE ADDING CHAIRMAN SALDANA AND VICE CHAIR REYNA. STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION. >> THANK YOU, MS. MOSQUEDA. ANY COMMENTS? ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? I SEE NONE. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS. VICE CHAIRMAN REYNA? >> NO COMMENTS. >> DIRECTOR MARTINEZ? >> NO COMMENTS. >> DIRECTOR MEDINA? >> NO COMMENTS. MR. RAYA IS ABSENT, SO NO COMMENTS FROM ME EITHER. I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL. >> TO MOVE. >> I'LL SECOND IT. MADAM KIRK, VOTE BY ROLL CALL. >> CHAIRMAN SALDANA? >> AYE. >> VICE CHAIRMAN REYNA? >> AYE. >> DIRECTOR MARTINEZ? >> AYE. DIRECTOR MEDINA? >> AYE. >> MOTION BY DIRECTOR MARTINEZ, SECONDED BY CHAIRMAN SALDANA TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. MOTION IS APPROVED WITH FOUR AYES WITH COUNCIL MEMBER RAYA ABSENT. >> THANK YOU, MADAM KIRK. NOW WE'RE MOVING ON TO ITEM 10. [10.a. Roman Nunez, Police Sergeant (Promotion)] POLICE DEPARTMENT BADGE, PENDING CEREMONY FOR MORROW, WOULD YOU LIKE TO INTRODUCE HIM? >> YES. I`LL TAKE CARE OF IT. THANKYOU. [00:25:11] >> THANK YOU, HONORABLE [INAUDIBLE] BAR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. I`M GOING TO GET RIGHT TO IT. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, AND THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT HERE TO SUPPORT OUR OFFICERS TODAY. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE WASCO POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN IN SERVICE FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND NINE MONTHS NOW. AT THE FOREFRONT OF THOSE OPERATIONS ARE THE OFFICERS BEING PROMOTED HERE TODAY. THERE'S SOME OFFICERS BACK THERE AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR COMING. OUR MISSION HERE IN WASCO IS SIMPLE. WE PRESERVE LIFE, WE KEEP THE PEACE, AND WE PROTECT PROPERTY. THESE OFFICERS HAVE ACCEPTED THAT RESPONSIBILITY IN A VERY REAL WAY, AND THEY CHOSE TO DO IT HERE IN WASCO. TODAY, WE'RE GOING TO RECOGNIZE SOME GROWTH, SOME TRUST AND SOME COMMITMENT. CAN I HAVE SERGEANT ROMAN NUNES COME UP DONE BY ME, PLEASE? SIR ROMAN IS PROMOTED TO SERGEANT. HE'S A SEVEN YEAR VETERAN. HE'S WORKED AT GANGS. HE'S WORKED AS A FIELD TRAINING OFFICER, AND AS A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER. HE IS OUR GO TO GUY FOR TRAFFIC INVESTIGATIONS IN CITY OF WASCO, FAST LEARNER, AND VERY, VERY FOCUS ON MOVING OUR DEPARTMENT FORWARD. HIS ROLE AS A SERGEANT IS GOING TO GIVE HIM MORE OPPORTUNITY TO MENTOR, TRAIN, AND TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE. HE'S GOING TO BE PINNED BY HIS DAUGHTER, RAILEY NUNEZ. [APPLAUSE] WHATEVER YOU DO, YOU GO STRAIGHT. [LAUGHTER]. >> BETTER THAN MOST. >> YES. [10.b. Ethan Alegria, Senior Police Officer (Promotion)] [APPLAUSE] >> NEXT. IF YOU WERE TO ASK ANYBODY IN OUR DEPARTMENT WHO OUR NEXT SENIOR POLICE OFFICER SHOULD BE? 90% OF OUR DEPARTMENT WOULD TELL YOU THAT WOULD BE ETHAN ALEGRIA. THE DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZES ETHAN ALEGRIA PROFESSIONALISM, RELIABILITY, AND DEDICATION TO HIS CAREER. OFFICER ALEGRIA HOLDS A STANDARD FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW. IN MY OPINION, HE'S GOING TO MOVE OUR DEPARTMENT FORWARD. OFICER CAN YOU COME OVER HERE, PLEASE? SIX YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. HE'S OUR CURRENT FIELD TRAINING OFFICER. HE WORKS GANGS. I THINK HE'S WRITTEN EVERY SEARCH WARRANT THAT CAN POSSIBLY BE WRITTEN. HE ASKED THAT I PIN THEM, SO I'M HONORED TO DO THAT. [APPLAUSE] >> YOU WANT BAILEY TO HELP YOU? >> TODAY WE ALSO GET TO WELCOME THE NEWEST MEMBER OF OUR TEAM. [10.c. Kristell Cristerna, Police Officer] WE'RE GOING TO PIN TODAY CHRISTENA, SHE'S OUR NEWEST OFFER COMING UP HERE NOW. [APPLAUSE]. >> CHRISTENA, YOU'VE BEEN FOR US A COUPLE OF WEEKS NOW, AND YOU UNDERSTAND YOU'RE JOINING A TEAM THAT'S BASED ON TRUST AND SERVICE. THE BADGE THAT YOU WEAR TODAY REPRESENTS THE TRUST OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE OFFICER STANDING NEXT TO YOU. SO PLEASE REMEMBER THAT AS YOU TAKE YOUR OATH, JUST DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THE RIGHT REASON. AND YOU'LL BE OKAY. ALL RIGHT. AND SO SHE'S GOING TO BE PINNED BY HER GOOD FRIEND, BAKERSFIELD POLICE OFFICER, MIRANDA BLACK. [00:30:03] [APPLAUSE] I DO WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE. IT`S THROUGH YOUR SUPPORT, YOUR PATIENCE AND YOUR SACRIFICE THAT MOMENTS LIKE THIS HAPPEN. I'M PROUD OF EVERY ONE OF THESE OFFICERS AND THE OFFICER BEHIND THERE. IT'S THEM THAT MAKE THE MAGIC HAPPEN HERE FOR WASCO. SO THANK YOU ALL. WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER. >> I'M NEXT. WE'LL BE DOING THE OATH. AFTER I SAY I, STATE YOUR NAME AND REPEAT AFTER ME, PLEASE. PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. I. >> I. >> DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR. THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC. THAT I WILL BEAR TRUTH FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. THAT I WILL TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION. OR PURPOSE OF EVASION. THAT I WILL, WELL, AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES UPON WHICH I'M ABOUT TO ENTER. ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND] >> DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING? >> YES. [Additional Item] >> JANET, WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UP? >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS JANET DENEIA KERN COUNTY DISTRICT R FOR STATE SENATOR TAVO, AND IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE CELEBRATING YOUR PROMOTIONS AND YOUR NEW ROLE HERE WELL DESERVED WITHIN THE CITY OF WASCO. THE SENATOR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT HERE, AND WE JUST WANT TO SAY WE KNOW THAT THE CITY IS IN GOOD HANDS WITH YOU GUYS HERE ON THE CLOCK, SERVING OUR COMMUNITY. REALLY, WE CONTINUE TO EXPECT TO SEE BIG THINGS. I'M VERY EXCITED TO SEE THAT THE WASCO PD IS PROMOTING INTERNALLY AND WE KNOW THAT YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO BE AMAZING IN YOUR NEW ROLES. ON BEHALF OF THE SENATOR, I DO HAVE CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION FOR YOU. UNFORTUNATELY, OFFICER ALEGRIA THE 45 MINUTE TREK FROM BAKERSFIELD TO HERE, YOUR CERT DID NOT SURVIVE, BUT [LAUGHTER] I WILL GET YOU YOURS. I WILL DROP IT OFF LATER THIS WEEK HERE AT THE CITY. FOR NOW, CEREMONIAL ONLY, BUT I WILL GET YOU YOUR CERT. YES. [LAUGHTER] SERGEANT NUNES, THIS ONE'S YOURS. OFFICER CRISTERNA, YOURS. AGAIN, CEREMONIAL FOR NOW. [LAUGHTER] >> THANK YOU. >> CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] [OVERLAPPING] >> THANK YOU, JANET. CLARA, GREET US. >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL. WHAT I HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO KNOW THAT OUR DISTRICT 35 IS IN GOOD HAND, ESPECIALLY THE CITY OF WASCO. YOU GUYS, I SEE YOU GUYS IN DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES AND I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING THINGS BECAUSE YOU LOVE THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SERVE AND YOU LOVE YOUR JOB. WHAT I ASKING YOU GUYS TO REMEMBER THAT THE CHIEF SAID DO THINGS FOR THE RIGHT REASONS WHEN THEY SEE YOU AND WHEN THEY DON'T SEE YOU BECAUSE WE WANT OUR RESIDENTS TO FEEL LIKE THEY COULD TRUST THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND YOU GUYS ARE BUILDING A LEGACY. [00:35:01] THE PEOPLE GOING TO WANT TO BE LIKE YOU, SO ON BEHALF OF MY BOSS ASSEMBLY WOMAN, DR. BAINES, I GOT CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION FOR OFFICER NUNEZ TO BECOME SERGEANT, IT'S AWESOME BECAUSE I USED TO HANG OUT WITH OTHER SERGEANT. BUT THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS. I GOT TO SAY THE LITTLE GIRL WAS BETTER THAN THE CHIEF I' GOING TO LIE. [LAUGHTER] BUT IT ISN'T GOOD, IT'S JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GUYS LAUGH BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T SEE THE HUMOR IN THINGS, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE CHIEF BEFORE THE NEW CHIEF WAS SAYING, YOU WANT TO BE WHEN THE RESIDENTS IN YOUR COMMUNITY FEEL THAT THEY COULD APPROACH YOU, THEN THAT'S WHEN CRIMES ARE GOING TO GO DOWN. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THINGS IN A LIGHTING AND YOU FEEL LIKE YOU PART OF THEM AND THEY PART OF YOU, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT TRUTH THAT THEY COULD COME TO YOU AT ANY TIME FOR ANY REASON. EVEN JUST TO SAY HELLO. THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. ETHAN ALEGRIA SENIOR POLICE OFFICER. CONGRATULATIONS [APPLAUSE]. LAST BUT NOT LEAST CHRISTINA. EVERY TIME I SEE A WOMAN IN A UNIFORM, IT MAKES ME HAPPY AND GRATEFUL, GOD CREATED US NOT ONLY TO BE A WOMAN AND TO HELP OTHERS, BUT JUST TO BRING THAT COMPASSION AND LOVE TO THE DEPARTMENT. I HOPE THAT YOU COULD DO THAT FOR OTHER RESIDENTS IN OUR DISTRICT, ESPECIALLY TO WASCO, BECAUSE WE FEEL LIKE, WE NEED THAT MORE SO THAT PEOPLE COULD TRUST US, THAT THEY COULD FEEL THEY BEING HER. YOU'RE GOING TO BRING THAT WOMAN COMPONENT TO THE DEPARTMENT, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE US. THEY COULD BE FEMININE, TOO. THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE AGGRESSED ALL THE TIME. CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] [OVERLAPPING] >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, LADIES. >> COMMENTS. >> ANY COMMENTS FROM REYNA. >> THIS IS WONDERFUL. THE FACT THAT YOU ARE GETTING NEW POSITIONS FOR YOU TWO, MR. ALEGRIA, AND OUR NEW SERGEANT. I THINK IT SPEAKS OF THE GROWTH WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT AND ALSO THE LEADERSHIP WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT. THEN A NEW OFFICER, WELCOME, WELCOME ABOARD, AND JUST BE OUT THERE AND BE SAFE. WHILE YOU KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE. THANK YOU ALL. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ. >> FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR CITY. IT'S A REALLY BRIGHT FUTURE TO HAVE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE SO YOUNG TO BE IN THE ROLES THAT YOU GUYS ARE IN. I KNOW THE SERGEANT HAS A LITTLE GRAY HAIR LIKE ME, [LAUGHTER] BUT GET OUT. BUT HE'S STILL A YOUNG MAN. WE HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR YEARS AHEAD. YOU GUYS EACH HAVE A UNIQUE ROLE TO FULFILL WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT, KRISTELL, YOU'RE OUR NEWEST OFFICER. THAT MEANS YOU'RE THE LOW PERSON ON THE TOTEM POLE. GET TO HANDLE ALL THE REPORT CALLS, YOU'RE GOING TO BE THE FIRST ONE THAT EVERYBODY SEES IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND THAT'S A GOOD THING TO GAIN THAT EXPERIENCE AND TO ENGAGE WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND TO TOUCH ON WHAT CLARA SAID, IT'S GREAT TO SEE WOMEN INCREASING THEIR ROLES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND YOU'LL ALSO BE A REPRESENTATIVE FOR ALL THESE LITTLE GIRLS AROUND HERE TO SAY THAT THEY CAN BE ANYTHING THEY WANT TO BE. THAT'S AWESOME. ETHAN, CONGRATULATIONS. I'M VERY HAPPY TO SEE YOU IN THIS POSITION. YOU'RE IN A GREAT POSITION RIGHT NOW BECAUSE YOU'RE THE GUY THAT EVERYBODY'S GOING TO LOOK TO FOR LEADERSHIP, EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY NOT BE A PART OF THE COMMAND STRUCTURE YET, YOU STILL ARE THE LEADER OF YOUR SQUAD AND YOUR TEAM. YOU'RE GOING TO BE HANDLING THE MORE COMPLICATED INVESTIGATIONS AND ALL OF THAT STUFF, AND I HAVE NOTHING BUT FAITH IN YOU, SIR. SURGE, YOU'VE GOT THE BEST JOB IN THE DEPARTMENT. YOU GET TO GO TO ALL THE HOT CALLS AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE ANY REPORTS. [LAUGHTER] YOU'VE GOT A UNIQUE POSITION THOUGH OF LEADERSHIP AND ALSO, UNFORTUNATELY, BEING A DISCIPLINARIAN AT TIMES. THAT COMES WITH A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY, BUT AGAIN, I HAVE NOTHING BUT FAITH IN YOU. THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING. [APPLAUSE] >> COUNCIL MEMBER MEDINA? >> I THINK MEMBER MARTINEZ, SOME DID IT PRETTY WELL. IT'S GREAT TO SEE WHENEVER THERE'S AN INTERNAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE'RE PROMOTING FROM WITHIN BECAUSE IT JUST KEEPS THAT AMBITION GOING, ESPECIALLY WITHIN THE REST OF THE TEAM THAT THERE'S OPPORTUNITY. I THINK ONE OF THE REASONS THAT PEOPLE LEAVE THEIR JOB IS BECAUSE LACK OF OPPORTUNITIES OR THEY SEE THAT CEILING WHERE IT'S LIKE, I'M NOT GOING TO REACH IT. [00:40:01] THE FACT THAT THERE'S OTHER OFFICERS HERE SPEAKS HIGHLY OF THE CULTURE THAT THE CHIEF HAS CREATED HERE. I THINK LIKE I'VE SAID IT BEFORE, WE'RE HEADED DOWN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THE FACT THAT WE'RE SEEING THE PROMOTIONS, WE'RE SEEING THE OFFICERS COMING IN, IT'S GREAT TO SEE, SO CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU GUYS. I'D LIKE TO ECHO WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND BEING THE LAST ONE, I ALWAYS BE THE LAST ONE THAT, SOMEBODY ELSE SAID WHAT I WANTED TO SAY. I WANTED TO TELL YOU GUYS, CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME ON BOARD, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO BE WORKING AROUND YOU GUYS AND LOOK FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE HERE IN WASCO. THANK YOU GUYS FOR JUMPING ON BOARD, AND CONGRATULATIONS AND YOU GUYS PROMOTION. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU. >> IN A MINUTE RECESS, AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK FOR [OVERLAPPING] >> CAN TAKE PICTURES. >> TAKE PICTURES RIGHT NOW. >> NO TIME. >> THE TIME. >> IT IS 6:41. [APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER] >> GO AHEAD. >> I WILL NOW CALL THIS MEETING BACK TO ORDER. THE TIME IS 6:49 PM. ORDER NUMBER 11. PUBLIC SAFETY RECORD REPORTS. [11.a. Kern County Fire Department (Appleton)] CURRENT COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT, CHIEF APPLETON. [OVERLAPPING] >> GOOD EVENING, HONOR MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. HAPPY NEW YEAR? >> HAPPY NEW YEAR. THIS OTHER REPORT FOR DECEMBER, AT 138 TOTAL CALLS IN WASCO FOR ENGINE 31, 17 FIRES, 84 MEDICAL CALLS, AND THE REST FOR MISCELLANEOUS CALLS. COUPLE OTHER THAN A FEW WRECKS RECENTLY AND THE FOG, AND IT'S BEEN VERY FOGGY LATELY, SO JUST WARN EVERYBODY TO DRIVE CAREFULLY. ANY QUESTIONS? >> MR. MARTINEZ. >> NO QUESTIONS. >> MR. REYNA. >> NO. >> NO QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. CHIEF. >> NO QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR THE REPORT, CHIEF ALTON. >> WE'LL GO ITEM 11.B, [11.b. Wasco Police Department (Mora)] WASCO POLICE DEPARTMENT, CHIEF MORA. .>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. WHAT I HAVE PUT TOGETHER HERE IS A FEW SLIDES TO GIVE YOU A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT OUR NUMBERS LOOK LIKE. WE HAVE NUMBERS FOR PART OF 2024 AND ALL OF 2025. I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING. I ADDED AS MUCH AS I COULD FOR THE SAKE OF TRANSPARENCY, YOU'RE PROBABLY FAMILIAR WITH THE TOP THREE ROWS, THE INCIDENTS, CALLS FOR SERVICE AND OFFICER INITIATED ACTIVITY. FOR INCIDENTS, WE'VE HAD A 50% INCREASE COST FOR SERVICE, INCREASE 52%. BUT I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT OFFICER INITIATED ACTIVITY IS ALSO UP. I WAS EXPECTING AN INVERSE RELATIONSHIP. BECAUSE THE MORE COST FOR SERVICE AND THE MORE INCIDENTS WOULD MEAN LESS OFFICER GENERATED, BUT IN THIS CASE, NOT THE CASE. OFFICERS ARE STILL OUT THERE, AND THEY'RE PUTTING IN THE WORK. OUR PURSUITS ARE UP A LITTLE BIT, 59%. ARRESTS 47%, USE OF FORCE, 5%, ASSAULTS 21%, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 60%, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, UP A BIT 30%. THEFT 50. WHAT I CAN SAY ABOUT THEFT IS I GROUPED ALL THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF THEFT. I HAD TO DO WITH EBT THEFT OR ANY TYPE OF FRAUD, WE GROUP IT THERE BECAUSE THE OTHERWISE THERE'S TOO MANY CATEGORIES. THAT'S UP 50%. ROBBERIES 15%, SEXUAL ASSAULT, RAPE, 100%. DRUG CASES ARE UP 18%. FIREARM SEIZED 150% FOR 2025, AND SHOPLIFTING IS UP 100%. NO. I KNOW WE SEE A LOT OF PERCENTAGE INCREASE, BUT THE WAY I'M APPROACHING THESE STATS IS THAT IT COULD ALSO MEAN THAT WE'RE ALSO CAPTURING MORE AND THAT PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY CALLING US SINCE THEY KNOW THAT WE'RE HERE AND THAT WE'RE RESPONDING. >> IS THE 2024 DATA, THAT'S ONLY FOR PART OF THE YEAR THAT THE PD WAS UP AND RUNNING. THAT WOULD ACCOUNT FOR SOME OF THE INCREASE IN THE [OVERLAPPING] >> YES, THE DISCREPANCY WOULD BE THERE. I THINK WE'RE GOING TO KNOW MORE AS WE GET THE FULL YEARS WORTH OF 2026 AND MAYBE 2027. [00:45:06] BUT IT'S NOT ALL BAD, DEPENDING ON HOW YOU LOOK AT IT. IF WE LOOK AT DUIS, WE HAVE A 131% INCREASE IN ARRESTS, SO 2024 63, 2025, 146. I'M REALLY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT NUMBER BECAUSE IF THERE'S A PROBLEM, WE'RE WELL ON OUR WAY OF TO SOLVE THAT. BURGLARIES, WE REDUCE THOSE 45%. AUTO THEFTS, 10%, TRAFFIC COLLISIONS, 19%. FATAL COLLISIONS. WE REDUCED THOSE BY 66%. BY THE WAY WE MET OUR GOAL, WE WERE TRYING TO NOT HAVE ANY FATAL COLLISIONS DURING THE HOLIDAYS, THAT'S JUST A TERRIBLE TIME FOR THOSE THINGS TO HAPPEN. MY EXPERIENCE, THAT HAS HAPPENED, SO THANK GOD FOR US THIS HOLIDAY SEASON NO FATAL TRAFFIC COLLISIONS. WE RECOVERED MORE VEHICLES, 21%, OR SITTINGS AND CONTACTS ARE UP 37% AND OBVIOUSLY HOMICIDES ZERO 2024, ZERO AND 2025. THAT'S GOOD. IN THE AREA OF TRAFFIC, WE STARTED PRETTY SLOW IN THAT WE WANTED TO EDUCATE PEOPLE. BUT NOW WE'VE INCREASED OUR CITATIONS. WE'VE ISSUED 74% MORE, UNLICENSED DRIVERS, 80% MORE CITATIONS. SUSPENDED CITATIONS ARE FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN DUI, AND THOSE ARE 11% HIGHER LAST YEAR. SUSPENDED FOR DUI. WE ISSUED 103% MORE CITATIONS, 49 VERSUS 21. SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS, WE DID COFFEE WITH THE COP. WE DID THE COMMUNITY CLEAN UP. BIKE RODEOS FOURTH OF JULY. THIS YEAR, WE DID THE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH AT TRUNK OR TREAT, NATIONAL NIGHT OUT CHRISTMAS PARADE. THERE'S OTHER FUNCTIONS THAT WE DID WITH THE SCHOOLS CAREER DAYS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, BUT THESE ARE THE MAIN ONES. WE LIKE AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE OF THESE IN THIS YEAR, COMING UP. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, CHIEF MORE. ANY COMMENTS, MAYOR PRO TEM REYNA? >> JUST BRIEFLY, YOU ALREADY ALLUDED TO IT. THE REASON WHY WE'RE HAVING SO MANY MORE CALLS IS BECAUSE OUR POLICE ARE RESPONDING TO US. THAT GIVES CONFIDENCE TO OUR RESIDENTS THAT WHEN THEY CALL, THERE'S GOING TO BE SOMEONE COMING TO THEIR AID. YOU SPOKE ABOUT THAT EARLIER LAST WEEK. I THINK THAT THAT'S SOMETHING TO BE COMMENDED. YOU'RE ACTUALLY DOING THE JOB THAT YOU WERE HIRED TO DO YOU AND EVERYONE IN THE DEPARTMENT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. CONGRATULATIONS. THOSE ARE SOME IMPRESSIVE NUMBERS. VERY IMPRESSIVE NUMBERS. I LIKE THE FACT THAT YOU CONTINUE TO, WE'RE BEYOND TALKING TO PEOPLE AND LETTING THEM GO WITH A WARNING. YOU'RE NOW ISSUING CITATIONS BECAUSE THE QUICKEST WAY TO CHANGE SOMEBODY'S BEHAVIOR IS WHEN YOU START HITTING THEM IN THEIR POCKETBOOK. THAT REALLY CATCHES PEOPLE'S ATTENTION. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. REYNA. COUNCIL MEMBER MEDINA. >> THANK YOU FOR THE RECAP AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. >> THANK YOU. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ. >> GREAT WORK. A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I NOTICED ON THERE. ONE, SINCE THE PDS TAKEN OVER, WE'VE HAD ZERO HOMICIDES IN A YEAR AND A HALF, WHICH IS AWESOME. I REMEMBER, SIX YEARS AGO WHEN WE HAD SEVEN IN ONE YEAR IN 112 MONTH PERIOD. BUT I THINK ALSO THAT AND THE REDUCTION OF TRAFFIC FATALITIES GOING FROM THREE YOUR FIRST FEW MONTHS TO ONLY ONE IN A FULL CALENDAR YEAR. I THINK THOSE ARE A DIRECT CORRELATION TO YOU GUYS BEING VISIBLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND CONDUCTING ENFORCEMENT AND PED STOPS. GREAT WORK. ONE OF THE STATES THAT I ACTUALLY LIKE SEEING ON THERE, I LIKE SEEING THE PURSUITS GO UP. I KNOW MOST PEOPLE ARE RISK AVERSE TO PURSUITS, BUT YOU HAVE SOME DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE SO RISK AVERSE THAT THEY WON'T LET YOU CHASE PEOPLE. AS I MENTIONED IN OUR LAST MEETING, I'M A SCANNER LISTENER TO. YOU GUYS DO CANCEL PURSUITS WHEN THEY'RE DANGEROUS, WHICH YOU SHOULD. BUT WHEN THEY'RE SAFE TO DO, YOU ALLOW THE PURSUITS TO GO THROUGH AND THAT'S THE WAY THAT IT SHOULD BE. [00:50:01] THAT'S AWESOME. BUT I DO HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR YOU. HOW MANY OF OUR OFFICERS ARE RADAR TRAINED? >> WE HAVE ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT NUMBER GO UP AND HOW ARE YOU GUYS WITH RADAR EQUIPMENT? >> WE JUST PUT IN AND WE'RE APPLYING FOR A NEW GRANT AND PART OF THAT'S GOING TO BE LIGHTERS. WE HAVE RADARS IN THE CARS MOUNTED AND WE HAVE HANDHELDS AS WELL. WE'RE HOPING TO GET ANOTHER TWO LIGHTERS. >> HOW MANY DO YOU GUYS HAVE RIGHT NOW? >> LIGHTERS. >> WE HAVE FIVE. >> WE HAVE MORE THAN WE HAVE PEOPLE TRAINED [OVERLAPPING] >> WE'RE GOOD WITH THE EQUIPMENT. >> PERSONALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US GET THE EQUIPMENT THAT WE NEED AND GET AS MANY OFFICERS TRAINED, AND I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE A FOCUS THIS YEAR ON SPEEDING ENFORCEMENT IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS. IF YOU GO INTO THESE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS, THEY'RE FLYING DOWN THE STREETS, AND THAT'S VERY TOUGH TO DO IN A PATROL CAR, JUST PACING SOMEBODY WHEN YOU ONLY GET TWO BLOCKS TO PACE THEM BEFORE THEY'RE AT A STOP SIGN AND THEY'RE COMING TO A STOP. THE ONLY REAL WAY TO ENFORCE THAT IS WITH RADAR IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS. JUST A SUGGESTION OF WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, OBVIOUSLY, I DON'T KNOW HOW THE REST OF THE COUNSEL FEELS ABOUT IT, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT. >> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THE FEEDBACK AS WELL. >> THANK YOU, MR. MARTINEZ. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU GUYS DO, MR. CHIEF MORA, AND THAT'S ALL I GOT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPORT. >> THANK YOU ALL. >> GOING TO CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS, [12) CONSENT CALENDAR] ITEM NUMBER 12. CONSENT CANDOR. THIS CONSENT CANDOR 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 A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REQUESTS THE REMOVAL OF THE PARTICULAR ITEM. THIS EVENING, WE HAVE ITEMS 12A TO 12H. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE MEMBERS IF THEY HAVE ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON A PARTICULAR ITEM ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. MAYOR PRO TEM REYNA? >> NO CONFLICT, MAYOR. THANK YOU. >> MEMBER MARTINEZ? >> NO CONFLICT. >> MEMBER MEDINA? >> I HAVE NONE. >> AND I HAVE NONE MYSELF. IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM? NO ONE. ARE THERE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM? MAYOR PRO TEM REYNA? >> NO MAYOR. THANK YOU. >> MEMBER MARTINEZ? >> I HAVE NOTHING, SIR. >> MEMBER MEDINA? >> NO. >> I HAVE NONE MYSELF. I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> MADAM CLERK, VOTE BY ROLL CALL, PLEASE. >> MAYOR SALDANA. >> AYE. >> MAYOR PRO TEM REYNA. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MEDINA. >> AYE. >> MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM REYNA, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR. MOTION WAS APPROVED WITH FOUR AYES, WITH COUNCIL MEMBER RAYA ABSENT.. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. ITEM NUMBER 13, PUBLIC HEARINGS. [13.a. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Conduct a Public Hearing to discuss the City’s Community Development block grant closeout of 21-CDBG-PI-00032 Grant and Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or designee to closeout submission to the California department of housing and community development. (Villa)] COUNCIL FINDS HIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER SECTION 15378 OF THE SQA GUIDELINES. CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS THE CITY'S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT, CLOSE OUT OF 21-CDBG-PI00032, GRANT AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO CLOSE OUT SUBMISSION TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, MR. VIA. >> GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. THIS EVENING'S HEARING IS TECHNOLOGY CDBG, THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE FUNDING THE ADA SIDEWALKS AND LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS ON FOUR STREETS, 13TH THROUGH 16TH STREET BETWEEN BROADWAY AND D STREET. THIS CONSISTED OF 16 ADA RAMPS, 13 STREET LIGHTS, FOUR DRAIN INLETS. THIS PROJECT BENEFITS 66 HOMES, A CHURCH, AND A PART, ALONG WITH ANYONE TRAVELING IN THE AREA, INCLUDING FIRST RESPONDERS, HAVING THE PROPER LIGHTING IN THE AREA, ADDRESSING ANY CALLS IN THE AREA. THE CITY WOULD ONCE AGAIN LIKE TO THANK CDBG, THAT IS A PART OF HCD HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, FOR FUNDING THIS PROJECT. WITH THIS, STAFF RECOMMENDS ADOPTING A RESOLUTION, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO CLOSE OUT THIS PROJECT WITH CDBG. IF ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, [00:55:03] I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER. >> THANK YOU, MR. VIA. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE MEMBERS? >> NO, JUST A COMMENT. >> BEFORE WE DO THAT, YOU OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING? >> AWESOME, YES. OH, SORRY. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. [NOISE] DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. [NOISE] ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS, MAYOR PRO TEM REYNA? >> THANK YOU. I WAS JUST SAYING THIS FUNDING FROM CDBG HAS DONE A GREAT DEAL OF GOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITY. NOW THERE'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER ROUND OF FUNDING FROM CDBG, AND UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE. I WAS BUSY EVERY TIME. THERE WAS THREE OR FOUR DIFFERENT WORKSHOPS. HOPEFULLY, WE WILL DO THE SAME WITH THAT FUNDING. WE STILL HAVE SIDEWALKS THAT ARE UNFINISHED, LIGHTING THAT NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT WITH NEW FUNDING. WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH WE'RE GOING TO GET? BUT WHATEVER WE GET IS WELCOME. THANK YOU. GREAT JOB. >> MEMBER MARTINEZ. >> NO COMMENTS. >> MEMBER MEDINA. >> I HAVE NO COMMENTS. >> I HAVE NO COMMENTS MYSELF. I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL. SORRY ABOUT THAT. MADAM CLERK. >> SO MOVED. >> I'LL SECOND IT. MADAM CLERK WILL VOTE BY ROLL CALL. >> MAYOR SALDANA. >> AYE. >> MAYOR PRO TEM REYNA. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ? >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MEDINA? >> AYE. >> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ, SECONDED BY MAYOR SALDANA TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. MOTION IS APPROVED BY FOUR, WITH COUNCIL MEMBER RAYA ABSENT. >> THANK YOU. ITEM 14, DEFERRED BUSINESS. THERE'S NONE. ITEM 15, NEW BUSINESS. [15.a. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Approval of Travel Expenses Exceeding $500.00 for the City Manager, Community Development Director, and Selection of two Council Members to attend the ICSC Conference scheduled for May 18-20,2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Hurlbert)] 15A, COUNCIL FINDS THE ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER SECTION 15378 OF THE SQA GUIDELINES, APPROVAL OF TRAVEL EXPENSE EXCEEDING $500 FOR THE CITY MANAGER, AND COMMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND SELECTION OF TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS TO ATTEND THE ICSC CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR MAY 18, 2026, IN LAS VEGAS. MR. HURLBERT? >> YES. EXCUSE ME, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. THIS IS AN ANNUAL ITEM. WE HAVE CONTINUED TO FIND VALUE IN ATTENDING THE ICSC CONFERENCE AND MAKING CONTACT WITH POTENTIAL RETAILERS AND DEVELOPERS WHO MAY BE INTERESTED EITHER NOW OR IN THE FUTURE IN WASCO. AS IS OUR PRACTICE HERE, WE GENERALLY SELECT A COUPLE OF STAFF AND THE TWO MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL TO ATTEND THAT WAY WE AVOID ANY BROWN ACT INTERACTIONS, WHILE WE'RE THERE, IT JUST SEEMS TO MAKE THINGS A LOT EASIER. TONIGHT, WE'RE LOOKING FOR APPROVAL NOT ONLY OF THE TRAVEL AND TRAINING IN EXCESS OF $500, BUT ALSO FOR THE COUNCIL TO CONFIRM THE TWO MEMBERS WHO WILL BE ATTENDING THIS YEAR. >> ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? I SEE NONE. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS, MAYOR PRO TEM REYNA? >> NO COMMENTS. >> MEMBER MARTINEZ? >> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT IF NOBODY ELSE WANTS TO GO, I'D ACTUALLY LIKE TO GO THIS YEAR. I'VE ONLY BEEN ONCE BEFORE, AND I DON'T GO TO VERY MANY CONFERENCES, BUT I THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ONE, AND IF IT'S OKAY WITH EVERYBODY, I WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THIS YEAR. >> MEMBER MEDINA? >> I HAVE NO COMMENTS. >> I HAVE NO COMMENTS MYSELF. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL. >> WE HAVE TO PICK. >> OH, WE HAVE TO PICK. >> I WANTED TO GO IF ANYBODY ELSE DOESN'T WANT TO GO. >> I WANTED TO GO, BUT IT'S UP TO YOU, MA'AM. >> I WOULD LIKE TO GO [LAUGHTER] >> SO MARTINEZ AND SALDANA. >> I THINK THAT'S IT. >> I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL. >> SO MOVED. >> I'LL SECOND IT. MADAM CLERK VOTE BY ROLL CALL. >> MAYOR SALDANA. >> AYE. >> MAYOR PRO TEM REYNA? >> AYE. [01:00:01] >> COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ? >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MEDINA. >> AYE. >> MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM REYNA, SECONDED BY MAYOR SALDANA, TO APPROVE THE TRAVEL EXPENSE WITH THE ATTENDANCE COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ AND MAYOR SALDANA. MOTION IS APPROVED WITH FOUR AYES, WITH COUNCIL MEMBER RAYA ABSENT. >> ITEM 15B, [15.b. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines, Reorganization of City Council Committee Assignments. (Hurlbert)] COUNSEL FINDS THAT THE ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER SECTION 15378 OF THE SQA GUIDELINES REORGANIZATION OF CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS, MR. HURLBERT. >> YES, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, ALONG WITH THE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING, WE ANNUALLY WANT TO GO THROUGH OUR COMMITTEES TO DO A COUPLE OF THINGS. ONE IS TO EITHER CONFIRM THE CURRENT ASSIGNMENTS. ALSO, AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COMMITTEE AND DELETE A COMMITTEE IF IT'S NO LONGER VALID, AND ALSO TO MAKE NEW COUNCIL MEMBER ASSIGNMENTS TO THOSE COMMITTEES IF THERE'S A DESIRE TO CHANGE. I THINK THERE'S A LOT TO LOOK AT HERE. BUT HOPEFULLY, IF WE JUST GO THROUGH IT SYSTEMATICALLY, IF THERE'S NO DESIRE TO MAKE A CHANGE, THAT'S OBVIOUSLY THE SIMPLEST, AND WHAT WE'LL DO IS THROUGH JUST AN ITERATIVE DISCUSSION AS WE GO DOWN, WE'LL HAVE THE CLERK CAPTURE ANY CHANGES, AND THEN WE CAN ACCEPT THE ENTIRE SLATE AT THE END HAS KEPT OR CHANGED OR DELETED AT THE END. IF THAT MAKES SENSE, WE CAN JUST START AT THE TOP AND GO DOWN, AND I CAN READ THE NAME OF THE COMMISSION OR THE COMMITTEE AND THE CURRENT MEMBERS AND THEN SIMPLY INDICATE WHETHER THERE'S A DESIRE TO MAKE A CHANGE. >> MR. MAYOR, MAY I ASK YOU A QUESTION BEFORE HE DOES THAT? DID MEMBER RAYA JUST FILL IN FOR THE COUNCIL MEMBER HE REPLACED ON ANY COMMITTEES, OR IS HE ON ANY COMMITTEE? >> I BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE AN ASSIGNMENT. YOU'LL SEE HIS NAME APPEAR ON A COUPLE OF THESE ITEMS. >> I JUST COULDN'T REMEMBER IF HE WAS OR NOT. >> NOW, THAT MAY COMPLICATE THIS SLIGHTLY. DEPENDS ON WHAT THE COUNSEL'S PLEASURE IS. WE CAN LEAVE MR. REYNA WHERE HE IS ON EXISTING COMMITTEE SINCE WE DON'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK HIM IF HE WISHES TO CONTINUE. OR IF THERE'S A DESIRE TO MAKE A CHANGE, THEN THIS QUORUM CAN MAKE THAT CHANGE. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THE PROCESS? >> NO. THE PROCESS IS CLEAR TO ME, BUT IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, I BELIEVE THAT MR. REYNA WAS AGREEABLE TO SERVE IN THOSE COMMISSIONS OR COMMITTEES WHERE HE HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO? >> YES. THE ONLY QUESTION WOULD BE IF HE'S INTERESTED IN CONTINUING TO SERVE. IF HE TURNS OUT HE'S NOT, WE CAN BRING THOSE ITEMS BACK TO COUNSEL TO FILL IN THE VACANCY. >> HE SHOULD'VE BEEN HERE. [LAUGHTER] >> THESE THINGS HAPPENED. >> I DID NOT HEAR WHAT YOU SAID. >> I SAID THAT'S TOO BAD, HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN HERE. >> WHEN YOU DON'T SHOW UP, YOU GET APPOINTED TO THINGS. [LAUGHTER] >> THAT DEFINITELY HAPPENED. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON PROCESS? I'LL ATTEMPT TO HERD THIS THROUGH. RECRUITMENT BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. THIS IS THE INTERVIEW PANEL THAT REVIEWS APPLICANTS FOR OUR ASSIGNED BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. CURRENTLY, IT'S COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ AND RAYA. >> I'M FINE WITH BOTH OF US STANDING OUT. >> YES. MADAM CLERK. >> WE'RE GOING TO OPEN UP THE PUBLIC COMMENTS. >> OH, YEAH. LET'S ASK FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. >> I KNOW THERE'S NO [LAUGHTER]. >> ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? I SEE NONE. YOU WILL GO WHERE WERE 15 B. >> 15B. >> WE'LL GO DOWN THE LIST AND ASK IF ANY MEMBER IS INTERESTED IN EACH COMMITTEE. THEN THERE WILL. >> SOME WILL GO THROUGH. >> HE'S GOING THROUGH THEM. OH, MY BAD. >> SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT THAN THE SCRIPT. I APOLOGIZE. ANY DESIRE FOR A CHANGE ON THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS RECRUITMENT COMMITTEE? >> NOT FOR ME. >> NOW, I'M FINE WITH BOTH OF THEM IN SERVICE. >> I THINK THAT'S OKAY. >> MIGUEL. WE'LL KEEP THAT AS IS. LEGISLATIVE BILL INTRODUCTIONS FROM THE LEAGUE OF CITIES. THIS IS PRIMARILY WHEN THE LEAGUE SENDS OUT NOTIFICATIONS, ALERTS, AND OTHER INDICATIONS, THEN THE CITY OCCASIONALLY HAS ASKED TO RESPOND QUICKLY WITH A LETTER OF SUPPORT OR ADVERSE LETTER. THIS WOULD BE THE COMMITTEE THAT WOULD MEET IN LIEU OF THE ENTIRE COUNCIL TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN QUICKLY. [01:05:03] CURRENTLY, MARTINEZ AND REYNA ARE APPOINTED. ANY DESIRE TO CHANGE? >> I'M FINE WITH THAT. >> I'M FINE WITH THAT. >> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS. >> HOW OFTEN DOES THAT HAPPEN? >> VERY RARE. [LAUGHTER] >> IT HAPPENED ONCE IN TWO YEARS. >> MAYBE ONE IN THE LAST YEAR OR TWO. IT'S NOT TERRIBLY COMMON. >> I'M FINE WITH IT. >> COMMUNITY TASKFORCE, CURRENTLY, MEDINA AND SALDANA. >> THIS ONE, I'D LIKE TO BE REMOVED AND A RAYA IN MY PLACE, ALONG WITH SALDANA. >> GOOD WITH THAT. ANYONE ELSE? >> NO, I THINK THAT'S IT. >> OKAY WITH THAT. WE AGREE RAYA WILL BE GOOD WITH IT, TOO. HOPEFULLY, HE WILL. HAS THERE BEEN ANY DISCUSSION WITH MR. REYNA ABOUT THAT? >> THERE'S A DESIRE FOR PS AND IDEA, SO I THINK THAT'D BE PERFECT. >> WE'LL LEAVE THAT AS PROPOSED. REVIEW AND ADVISE IN RELATION TO REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS. THIS ONE, LAST YEAR, GOT USED TWO OR THREE TIMES. THIS WOULD BE SIMILAR AS TO DURING NEGOTIATIONS, ARE OFTEN A NEED FOR MORE THAN EVERY OTHER WEEK REVIEW BY THE COUNCIL, CURRENTLY MEDINA AND REYNA. >> I'M TRYING TO SERVE IN IT AGAIN. >> I AM TOO, THAT'S I'M OKAY. >> I DON'T ANTICIPATE A LOT OF REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS THIS YEAR. WE'LL STAY WITH THE CURRENT POSITION IN CITY POSITION AND SUPPORT COMMITTEE. MR. MEDINA AND RAYA ARE CURRENTLY ON THAT COMMITTEE. I'LL HAVE TO BE HONEST. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS COMMITTEE HAS MET. >> WE HAVEN'T BECAUSE THAT WAS [OVERLAPPING] >. IN MY TIME HERE. THIS WOULD BE MORE OF A WHOLESALE REORGANIZATION COMMITTEE TO LISTEN TO PROPOSALS FOR A LARGE-SCALE REORGANIZATION, I BELIEVE. >> DO YOU NEED THAT COMMITTEE? >> I DON'T ANTICIPATE NEEDING IT RIGHT AWAY. SO IT COULD BE DROPPED AND REFORMED, IF NECESSARY, OR IT CAN JUST STAY AND NOT BE USED. THE CLERK MAY HAVE SOME INPUT. >> YES. THIS COMMITTEE, WE ALSO USE THEM FOR LETTER OR SUPPORT. SO IF WE HAVE ANOTHER AGENCY ASKING FOR A LETTER OR SUPPORT, WE RUN IT THROUGH THIS COMMITTEE. >> NOT RELATED TO LEGISLATION OR THE LEAGUE. SO I STAND CORRECTED ON THAT. SO THAT DOES OCCASIONALLY HAPPEN. THAT HAS HAPPENED. >> I'M FINE WITH IT REMAINING THE WAY IT IS. >> I'M FINE WITH IT. >> GOOD. >> SO THAT WRAPS UP INTERNAL. IS THERE ANYONE THAT'S AWAKENED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH A STRONG DESIRE TO FORM A NEW COMMITTEE? OR SENSE OF NEED THAT WE'RE SHORT ON COMMITTEES. SO WE'LL LEAVE THE CITY INTERNAL COMMITTEES AS IS WITH THE CHANGES NOTED. AND NOW WE GO ON TO THE LIST OF OUTSIDE AGENCY WHO REQUEST CITY REPRESENTATIVES. SO KERN COG, MR. REYNA IS THE MEMBER AND MR. SALDANA IS CURRENTLY THE ALTERNATE. IS THERE A DESIRE TO MAKE CHANGES THERE WITH KERN CO? >> HAPPY TO CONTINUE TO SERVE. >> I'LL DO WITH THAT. >> WE'LL STAY WITH THAT THEN. CITY SELECTION COMMITTEE. MR. REYNA IS THE MEMBER AND MR. MEDINA IS THE ALTERNATE. RARELY USED. >> I DON'T THINK WE MET AT ALL LAST YEAR. >> IT'S USUALLY JUST TO PUT ME BACK IN THAT DARN [INAUDIBLE] COMMITTEE. >> ARE YOU FINE WITH REMAINING THAT WAY? ARE YOU FINE WITH IT? >> YEAH. >> SO WE'RE OKAY WITH IT. >> THE CURRENT ASSIGNMENT ARE HAPPY? EITHER OF YOU INTERESTED IN TAKING THEIR PLACES. THEY'RE BOTH HAPPY AS IS. >> NO. >> SO WE'RE GOOD WITH THE CITY SELECTION COMMITTEE. SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT SPECIAL CITY SELECTION COMMITTEE. MR. MARTINEZ IS CURRENTLY THE MEMBER AND MR. SALDANA IS THE ALTERNATE. ANY DESIRE TO CHANGE? >> I WAS GOING TO ASK IF THE CHANGE IF IT WAS OKAY WITH MARTINEZ. >> HE WANTS TO BE THE PRIMARY. AND I'M FINE WITH BEING THE ALTERNATE OR IF SOMEBODY ELSE WANTS TO STEP IN. WE MET ONE TIME FOR 15 MINUTES LAST YEAR. >> EITHER OF THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS INTERESTED IN OTHER CHANGES? >> I'M GOOD WITH MR. MARTINEZ BEING THE ALTERNATE. >> AND YOU'RE GOOD WITH THAT, MR. REYNA? [01:10:01] >> I'M FINE WITH IT. >> SO WE'VE CAPTURED THAT, MADAM CLERK? >> YES. >> NEXT TO LAST. KDC CORPORATION HAS ASKED FOR A MEMBER. CURRENTLY, MR. MEDINA SERVES AS THE CURRENT EDC REPRESENTATIVE. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN CONTINUING? >> I'M GOOD CONTINUING, OR IF THE MAYOR WANTS TO TAKE IT ON? >> IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE, I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT. >> AND I THINK WE MEANT IT'S A QUARTERLY DEAL, SO IT'S THREE TIMES A YEAR. >> RIGHT. >> SO I'M FINE I'M FINE STAYING ON. >> APCD. MR. REYNA IS THE CURRENT MEMBER. >> THIS IS AN ELECTED POSITION. IS VOTED ON BY THE CITIES. I'M SERVING THREE YEAR TERM, WHICH ENDS IN APRIL. THERE IS AN INTERNAL PROCESS THAT IS DONE TO POSSIBLY RE-APPOINT ME FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS. THE BOARD DOES THAT. I DON'T KNOW IF I WILL BE APPOINTED OR NOT, BUT IF THEY DECIDE NOT TO RE-APPOINTMENT, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE APPOINTMENT WILL GO TO ANOTHER CITY BECAUSE THEY DO ROTATE CITIES. I'VE SPOKEN ABOUT THIS PREVIOUSLY. I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO SERVE. AGAIN, IT'S VOTED ON. IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE DECIDE HERE. THE LAST TIME I WAS APPOINTED, WHY AM I HAVING TROUBLE WITH THAT? OTHER CITIES VOTED FOR ME. >> SO WE'LL REMOVE THAT OFF OF THE LIST. >> THAT'S AN OUTSIDE DECISION, SO WE'LL STAY WITH THAT. AND IF THERE'S A DESIRE BY THAT OUTSIDE COMMITTEE, OUTSIDE ENTITY, TO MAKE A CHANGE, THEN WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE COUNCIL. >> AND AGAIN, IF THEY MAKE A CHANGE, IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT IT WILL GO TO ANOTHER CITY BECAUSE IT IS BY ROTATION. IT DOESN'T REMAIN ON THE SAME CITY, ACCORDING TO MY UNDERSTANDING. SO I'M WILLING TO SERVE AND I'VE EXPRESSED THAT TO THEM BECAUSE THEY ALREADY MADE MENTION THAT MY CURRENT TERM ENDS IN APRIL. AND SO HOPEFULLY THEY'LL WANT TO HAVE ME AGAIN. >> THAT COMPLETES THE OUTSIDE AGENCY LIST. I BRIEF IT NOT PART OF THIS VOTE OR CHANGES, BUT I MENTIONED THAT I SERVE AS THE CITY MANAGERS DEPARTMENT SELECTION OR POINTEE TO THE MCA COMMITTEE. THIS IS A GROUP THAT MEETS QUARTERLY AND IT DISCUSSES EMERGENCY MEDICAL POLICY PRIMARILY. OCCASIONALLY, THERE'S FUNDING THAT COMES DOWN THROUGH THAT GROUP. THE MEMBERS INCLUDE THE SHERIFF AND THE PRESIDENT OF ONE OF THE HOSPITAL DISTRICTS AND THE PRESIDENT OF HALL AMBULANCE AND GROUPS LIKE THAT. MYSELF AND ONE OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM [INAUDIBLE] CURRENTLY SERVICE CITY REPRESENTATIVES. AND AGAIN, THAT'S AN OUTSIDE GROUP THAT MAKES THOSE NOMINATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS, SO IT WOULDN'T AFFECT THIS LIST. SO IT SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE A LIST CONFIRMED. IF THERE'S ANY QUESTION, I CAN HAVE THE CLERK READ IT BACK TO US OR WE CAN GO AS WE UNDERSTOOD. >> NO, I THINK IT'S CLEAR. AT LEAST TO ME. >> EVERYBODY COMFORTABLE WITH VOTING AT THIS POINT? AND I'LL TURN IT BACK TO YOU, MR. MAYOR. >> SO DO I GO JUST TO ITEM 15C OR NO? >> HAVEN'T APPROVED THAT, MOTION FOR APPROVAL. >> I'M SORRY. I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THE LIST. >> GO AHEAD. >> TAKE YOUR PICK. >> MAYOR SALDANA. >> AYE. >> MAYOR PRO TEM REYNA. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MEDINA. >> AYE. >> MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM REYNA, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MEDINA TO APPROVE THE REORGANIZATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT LIST. MOTION IS APPROVED WITH FOUR AYES WITH COUNCIL MEMBER RAYA ABSENT. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. MOVING ON TO ITEM 15 [15.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 sign and execute a Consent to Common Use and Joint Use Agreement with California High Speed Rail Authority for utility crossing maintenance and emergency repair. (Hurlbert)] C. COUNSEL FINDS THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER SECTION 15378 OF CEQA GUIDELINES. ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO SIGN AND EXECUTE A CONSENT TO COMMON USE, AND JOINT USE AGREEMENT WITH CALIFORNIA HIGH SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY FOR UTILITY, CROSSING, MAINTENANCE, AND EMERGENCY REPAIRS. MR. HURLBERT. [01:15:02] >> YES, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. THESE TWO TEMPLATE AGREEMENTS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO YOUR STAFF REPORT HAVE COMPLICATED NAMES, BUT THE PURPOSE OF THEM IS PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD. DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HIGH SPEED RAIL THROUGH WASCO, WITH THE DIVISION OF THE EXISTING BNSF RAILWAY ALIGNMENT AND THE NEW HIGH SPEED RAIL ALIGNMENT, THERE WERE A NUMBER OF STEEL CASINGS PLACED UNDER THE TRACKS. THESE HOUSE CURRENT AND FUTURE CITY UTILITIES AMONGST OTHER THINGS. SMALL AMOUNT OF THESE CASINGS PROTRUDE OUT OF THE RAILWAY RIGHT OF WAY INTO CITY RIGHT OF WAY IN ALMOST EVERY CASE. AND THIS AGREEMENT SIMPLY PROVIDES A PROCEDURE AND AGREEMENT ON HOW BOTH ENTITIES WILL HANDLE THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR AND EVEN IN THE CASE OF EMERGENCY REPAIR OF DAMAGE OR FAILURE OF THOSE PIECES OF INFRASTRUCTURE. PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD. IT'S IMPORTANT POINTING OUT THAT THESE ARE TEMPLATES. THERE WILL BE EIGHT OR MORE INDIVIDUAL AGREEMENTS THAT HAVE PARAGRAPH SUBSTITUTED OUT THAT DESCRIBE THAT PARTICULAR CROSSING. SO THE TEMPLATE IS IDENTICAL ACROSS ALL OF THEM THAT'S BEEN VETTED OVER A PERIOD OF MONTHS BY HIGH SPEED RAIL, OUR CITY ATTORNEY AND STAFF. AND SO THE TEMPLATES ARE NOW AGREED UPON BETWEEN THE TWO ENTITIES. SO IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS, HAPPY TO ENTERTAIN THOSE. >> THANK YOU, MR. HURLBERT. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? I SEE NONE. ANY COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS? MEMBER PRO TEM REYNA. >> I JUST WANT TO SAY I DID READ THAT REPORT. I FOUND IT INTERESTING, AND I THINK IT'S A VERY GOOD SOLUTION THAT ANYBODY, EITHER THE CITY OR HIGH SPEED RAIL, CAN ANSWER TO AN EMERGENCY CALL TO GET THESE THINGS RESOLVED, IF THERE'S A NEED FOR THAT. SO WELL THOUGHT OUT. >> THAT WAS ONE OF THE NEGOTIATED CONCESSIONS THAT WE HAD IS THAT DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF IT, PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY COMES FIRST. BUT WE DEFINITELY RECOGNIZE WE DON'T WANT CITY FOLKS INSIDE THE RIGHT OF WAY IF THERE MIGHT STILL BE A TRAIN COMING, NO MATTER WHAT'S GOING ON. SO THIS PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW TO HANDLE THAT. >> WELL DONE. >> MEMBER MARTINEZ. >> NO COMMENTS. >> MEMBER MEDINA. >> NO COMMENTS. >> I HAVE NO COMMENTS MYSELF. I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SO MOVED. >> I'LL SECOND IT. >> MADAM CLERK, RULE BY ROLL CALL, PLEASE. >> MAYOR SALDANA. >> AYE. >> MAYOR PRO TEM REYNA. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MEDINA. >> AYE. >> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ SECONDED BY MAYOR SALDANA TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. MOTION IS APPROVED WITH FOUR AYES, WITH COUNCIL MEMBER RAYA ABSENT. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. MOVING ON TO ITEM 15D. [15.d. Council finds this action is not a “project” under section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; Adopt a Resolution Approving the Employment Agreement with Keri Cobb as the Community Development Director with a salary amount of $156,400.00] COUNCIL FINDS THIS ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER SECTION 15378 OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES. ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH KERI COBB AS THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR WITH A SALARY AMOUNT OF 156,400. MR. HURLBERT. >> YES, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. MISS COBBS CONTRACT HAS COME TO AN END WITH AN EXTENSION, AND SO THIS IS A RENEWAL. THE TERMS, WE'RE STANDARDIZING, AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE AMONGST ALL THE DIRECTORS ON HOW VACATION AND DIFFERENT TYPES OF LEAVE IS HANDLED. SP THIS REPRESENTS A STANDARD DIRECTOR CONTRACT WITH ONLY THE DATES AND THE SALARY, WHICH REPRESENTS A 5% MERIT STEP INCREASE. >> THANKS MR. HURLBERT. >> MAKING THIS EFFECTIVE JANUARY? >> YES. THE EFFECTIVE DATE, AS YOU'LL SEE ON THE DRAFT AGREEMENT, IS THE 13TH. >> ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? I SEE NONE. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS. MAYOR PRO TEM REYNA. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. FIRST OF ALL, LET ME SAY THAT SHE DOES A GOOD JOB. SO NOTHING TO QUESTION THERE, OR EVEN YOUR IDEA OF RENEWING HER CONTRACT. MY QUESTION IS, I DON'T REMEMBER A TIME IN WHICH YOU BROUGHT BEFORE US, BEFORE THE COUNCIL, THE CONTRACT OF SOMEBODY THAT YOU HAVE FULL AUTHORITY TO HIRE OR FIRE. [01:20:04] SO I'M JUST CURIOUS AS TO WHY YOU'RE BRINGING IT FORWARD. >> IT'S BECAUSE WE'RE NOW ENTERING A PERIOD OF THE CYCLE OF THESE CONTRACTS WHERE I WASN'T HERE WHEN THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT WAS PUT INTO PLACE. >> SO THAT'S THE ONLY REASON WHY? >> THEY'RE STARTING TO CYCLE NOW. SO YOU WILL PROBABLY SEE SEVERAL OVER THIS YEAR. >> THAT WAS WHAT PIQUED MY INTEREST. NORMALLY, YOU WOULD JUST MOVE FORWARD, RIGHT? >> EVEN IN THOSE CASES, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CHIEF POLICE, HIS CONTRACT AND THE CONTRACT THAT WAS PROPOSED FOR MR. DEMAY, THOSE WOULD HAVE BEEN OTHER EXAMPLES OF DIRECTOR LEVEL CONTRACTS THAT I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT. >> BUT MR. DEMAY WAS A NEW HIRE? >> YES. FOR A RENEWAL, YES. YOU'RE PROBABLY CORRECT. >> EXACTLY. SO THAT'S WHAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION BECAUSE I DON'T REMEMBER. AND I MAY BE WRONG. NOT WRONG ABOUT NOT REMEMBERING, BUT YOU MAY HAVE IN THE PAST OR MAYBE ANOTHER MANAGER HAS BROUGHT IN THE PAST A RENEWAL LIKE THIS. I JUST DON'T REMEMBER WHEN. BUT I'M FOR IT. ABSOLUTELY. MAYOR, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS. >> MEMBER MARTINEZ. >> KERI DOES A GREAT JOB. THAT'S A GOOD THING. >> MEMBER MEDINA. >> NO, I HAVE NO COMMENTS. >> I HAVE NO COMMENTS MYSELF. I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SO MOVED. >> I'LL SECOND IT. MADAM CLERK, VOTE BY ROLL CALL, PLEASE. >> MAYOR SALDANA. >> AYE. >> MAYOR PRO TEM REYNA. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MEDINA. >> AYE. >> MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM REYNA SECONDED BY MAYOR SALDANA TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION APPROVING THE AGREEMENT, MOTION IS APPROVED WITH FOUR AYES WITH COUNCIL MEMBER RAYA ABSENT. >> DID WE FAIL TO DO SOMETHING? >> NO. I FAILED TO DO SOMETHING. AND THIS IS WHY YOU JUST APPROVED IT WITH MINOR CORRECTIONS ON THIS DRAFT. SO ONE OF THE EXECUTIVE LEAVE? >> YES. >> ACCRUAL RATE IS INCORRECT. IT'S THE OLD RATE. SO THAT WILL BE CORRECTED. >> YOU GO MAKE THAT CORRECTION. >> I'LL MAKE THAT CORRECTION ON THE DRAFT. >> AND I MOVE THAT THIS APPROVAL IS WITH THAT CORRECTION IN MIND. THANK YOU. >> ANYTHING ELSE? SPEAK NOW, OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE. [LAUGHTER] >> ALL RIGHT, MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 16, REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES. KERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, MR. MEDINA? >> WE HAVE NOT HAD A MEETING, SO NOTHING TO REPORT. >> KERN COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT, MR. REYNA. [16.b. Kern Council of Governments (Reyna)] >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I DO HAVE A FEW ITEMS TO REPORT ON. JUST BEAR WITH ME, IT MAY TAKE JUST A LITTLE. THE KERN COG UPDATE, ITEM 3C: EV CHARGING PROGRAM, ITEM 3C PROVIDES AN ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE TO THE REGIONAL ELECTRIC VEHICLE EV CHARGING PROGRAM. WASCO IS ONE OF THE PARTICIPANT CITIES AND OUR STAFF HAS COMPLETED INSTALLING THE CHARGING STATIONS. ACCORDING TO IRENE ENRIQUEZ, DUE TO A CHANGE IN VENDORS, THE BUDGET SHE'S REQUIRED AN AMENDMENT AND SO OF TODAY, THE CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION STAFF HAS INFORMED KERN COG THE ASPECT ON APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT BY THE END OF THIS WEEK. OUR CITY STAFF IS PREPARED TO ISSUE THE FINAL INVOICE AND SUBMIT THE FINAL PACKET AS SOON AS THE AMENDMENT IS APPROVED, WASCO AGREEMENT TERMINATES ON APRIL 26TH. THAT'S THE ONLY THING WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF, THAT WE DO NEED TO MEET THAT DEADLINE. BUT AGAIN, EVERYTHING IS MOVING FORWARD. ITEM 4, REGIONAL AWARD OF MERIT. UNDER ITEM 4, I AM PROUD TO SHARE THAT THE WASCO POLICE DEPARTMENT, PAL PROGRAM IS BEING RECOGNIZED WITH THE REGIONAL AWARD OF MERIT. THE WASCO POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE IS RECEIVING A REGIONAL AWARD OF MERIT FOR ITS WORK WITH YOUTH AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. PLEASE, SIGN ME UP FOR THIS DINER AWARD. [LAUGHTER] BY THE WAY, I SAY THAT JOKINGLY, BUT YEAH, WE NEED TO SIGN UP RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE THEY SELL OUT SO WE CAN'T WAIT TO DO THAT. I EXPECT THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SEVERAL OF OUR POLICE OFFICERS AND OUR COORDINATOR THERE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND AS WELL. >> THE CLERK WAS WORKING MADLY ON THAT TODAY. >> I DID NOT WRITE DOWN THE DATE, BUT IT'S COMING UP. >> MARCH, 5TH. >> BUT THE TABLES GO BY FAST OR SELL FAST RATHER. [01:25:02] GO BY FAST THAT SOUNDS LIKE THAT. [LAUGHTER] ALL RIGHT, TTPC UPDATE. THE CMAQ PROJECT CLASSIFICATION STAFF HAS RECOMMENDED THAT OUR CONGESTION MITIGATION AND AIR QUALITY CMAQ PROJECT BE CLASSIFIED AS A NON-LOCAL GRID PROJECT CONSISTENT WITH THE COMMITTEE'S ACTIONS IN NOVEMBER. NOW, WE DID THAT AND I REPORTED ON THIS PREVIOUSLY, BUT THERE IS AN ADDITION TO THAT AND I WILL SPEAK ABOUT IT LATER IN MY COMMENTS. CALTRANS CONSTRUCTION UPDATES. CALTRANS, CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, BY THE WAY, WRITING WHAT THE ACRONYMS MEAN, I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW WHAT CALTRANS MEANS, BUT MAYBE THE OTHER ACRONYMS YOU DON'T SO I'M DOING THAT FOR YOUR BENEFIT, REPORTED THAT THE PEDESTRIAN BEACON PROJECTS AND STATE ROUTE 46 AND STATE ROUTE 43 IN WASCO MOVING INTO CONSTRUCTION. THEY ASKED IF WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR THE HIGHWAY 46 AND J STREET ROUNDABOUT. I SAID, YES FOR THE ROUNDABOUT, [OVERLAPPING] NOT THE BEACONS. THAT'S AN ADDITION. >> SURE. >> YEAH. THAT'S WHAT I TOLD THEM, BRING THE RIBBON. >> WE HAVE A RIBBON. [LAUGHTER] >> YEAH, WE HAVE THE SCISSORS TOO. >> MAYBE THAT'LL HELP MOVE IT ALONG. >> WELL, YEAH. I REPORTED ON THIS THE LAST MEETING, IT'S BEEN A WHILE, WHAT IS IT? FOUR WEEKS, I REPORTED ON THIS, THEY'RE STILL WAITING ON HIGH SPEED RAIL TO DO SOME WORK. >> DO YOU EVER SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE GO OVER THOSE ROUNDABOUTS? YOU GUYS REALLY WANT TO BE UP THERE CUTTING A RIBBON? [LAUGHTER] >> THAT'S TRUE. >> WE'LL HAVE OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT. >> BACK BEHIND THE GAS STATION. [LAUGHTER] >> YEAH. >> I'LL LET SCOTT DEAL WITH THE LOGISTICS OF THAT. ANYWAY, SO HE MAY CONTACT YOU. I TOLD HIM, YES. >> OKAY. >> ALL RIGHT. ITEM VD, THAT SOUNDS TERRIBLE BUT THAT'S WHAT THE ITEM IS. [LAUGHTER] I COULDN'T AVOID THAT. ADU ALLEY REHABILITATION FUNDING, ITEM VD NOTES THAT THE SUB ALLOCATION FOR THE WASCO ALLEY REHABILITATION FOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, ADUS, HAS BEEN REVISED FROM 750,000 TO 705,882. THIS HAPPENED IN JULY OF 2024. HOWEVER, THERE'S ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. ADU ALLEY REHABILITATION FUNDING ITEM NOTES THAT THE SUB ALLOCATION FOR THE WASCO ALLEY REHABILITATION, WAIT, I JUST READ THAT. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. ANYWAY, LET ME SAY THIS. OUR STAFF HAS UP TO FEBRUARY 4TH, THE MEETING OF THE TTAC TO SUBMIT THEIR UPDATE. LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE MEET THAT DEADLINE. THAT'S COMING UP RATHER SHORTLY. OKAY, STATEWIDE REAP 2.0 DEADLINE EXTENSIONS, ALSO HIGHLIGHTS STATEWIDE DEADLINE EXTENSIONS TO ASSEMBLY BILL 130 FOR THE REGIONAL EARLY ACTION PLANNING PROGRAM EXPENDITURES DEADLINE, DECEMBER 31TH, 2026, FINAL INVOICE DEADLINE JUNE 30TH, 2027, AND FINAL REPORT DEADLINE JUNE 30TH, 2027. FOR METROPOLITAN PLAN ORGANIZATIONS, MPOS, THE STATE MAY REALLOCATE SPENT FUNDS THROUGH DECEMBER 31TH, 2027. I WILL BE LEAVING THIS INFORMATION WITH THE CITY CLERK SO THAT IF YOU NEED TO REFER BACK TO IT, YOU CAN. ITEM VH, RSTP DRAFT PROGRAM OF PROJECTS. ITEM VH INTRODUCES THE DRAFT PROJECTS FOR THE REGIONAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM OR RSTP. THE DRAFT INCLUDES 925,000 PROGRAM FOR PAYMENT REHABILITATION VARIOUS LOCATIONS FROM GRIFFITH AVENUE TO FILBURN STREET ON THE 2027-2028 CYCLE. THIS IS THE REFERENCE THAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT, THAT I MENTIONED EARLIER, AND THIS IS FROM HIGHWAY 46 THROUGH FILBURN ON GRIFFITH. THIS TIES INTO THE EARLIER CMAQ DISCUSSION AND REFLECTS FUTURE REGIONAL FUNDING SUPPORT FOR WASCO ROADWAY NETWORK. STAFF HAD A LOT TO DO WITH THIS, [01:30:02] THEY MOVED TO CLASSIFY THIS AS A LOCAL ROAD PROGRAM SO THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET THE FUNDING, AND SO I GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR DOING THAT. ITEM 6, LCTOP APPORTIONMENTS. ITEM 6 COVERS A LOW CARBON TRANSIT OPERATIONS PROGRAM OR LCTOP APPORTIONMENT FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. THE TOTAL REGIONAL APPORTIONMENT IS $1,000,608,073, AND THE CITY OF WASCO ALLOCATION IS 43,443. THIS FUNDS SUPPORT TRANSIT PROJECTS THAT REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, SUCH AS FREE OR REDUCED FARES, SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS, OR CLEAN FLEET OPERATIONS. THIS ANNUAL FUNDING HELPS US MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE OUR LOCAL TRANSIT SERVICES. ACCORDING TO KERN COG REGIONAL PLANNER, IRENE ENRIQUEZ, FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR ONLY, THERE MAY BE TWO CALLS FOR PROJECTS. THE FIRST IS IN FEBRUARY AND THE SECOND IN JULY OF THIS YEAR. KERN COG WILL PROVIDE UPDATES, ITS LCTOP STAFF FINALIZES THE SCHEDULE. [INAUDIBLE] HAVE NOT FULLY FUNDED THE ABOVE PROGRAM BECAUSE OF A SHORTAGE OF CAP-AND-TRADE FUNDING. THIS IS JUST FOR YOUR INFORMATION. WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF THAT BECAUSE THAT'S COMING RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. THE FIRST CALL FOR SERVICE IN FEBRUARY AND THE NEXT ONE IN JULY. THAT'S IT FOR MY REPORT, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. I'LL BE HAPPY TO TRY TO ANSWER. MADAM CLERK, THIS IS FOR THE RECORD. >> THANK YOU, MR. REYNA. IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE MEMBERS? >> NO QUESTION. >> NO QUESTIONS, ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, MR. REYNA. WE'RE MOVING ON TO ITEM 16C WASCO TASK FORCE. [16.c. Wasco Task Force (Saldaña and Medina)] NOTHING TO REPORT OTHER THAN WE'LL HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON OUR NEXT EVENT ON THE NEXT MEETING. ITEM 17, REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER. [17) REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER] >> YES. HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, A QUICK LIST HERE. CDBG WORKSHOPS WERE HELD ON THE 14TH AND 15TH. MISS LAURA, YOU CAN GIVE US A QUICK RECAP. >> THANK YOU, CITY MANAGER. HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. AS COUNCIL MEMBER MAYOR PRO REYNA MENTIONED, WE DID HAVE TWO WORKSHOPS ON THE 14TH AND THE 15TH, ONE WAS AT THE PAL BUILDING, WHERE WE HAD PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND YOUTH ATTENDED, PROVIDED GREAT FEEDBACK. WE'RE ALSO DOING AN ONLINE SURVEY. WE DID ONE FOR THE YOUTH, AND WE'RE ALSO DOING IT FOR THE COMMUNITY. THE COMMUNITY CDBG PUBLIC SURVEY IS POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE, ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS, IF YOU WERE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND THOSE WORKSHOPS, I ASK THAT YOU HELP US OUT BY COMPLETING THE ONLINE SURVEY AND PROVIDING FEEDBACK. SO FAR, WE'VE HAD OVER 100 PEOPLE DONE THE SURVEY, WHICH IS GREAT. WE PLAN TO HAVE IT OPEN UNTIL OUR NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING WHERE WE'LL HAVE OUR PUBLIC HEARING AND ASK COUNCIL TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION AND TAKE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT THAT THE COMMUNITY MIGHT HAVE. BUT BOTH WORKSHOPS WERE A GREAT SUCCESS. WE HAD NEW FACES ATTENDED, VERY PRODUCTIVE, GREAT FEEDBACK. AT OUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING, I HOPE TO BRING BACK AN ANALYSIS OF THE SURVEY AND SOME OF THE FEEDBACK WE HEARD BACK FROM THE COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU, MISS LAURA. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. >> IN THIS WHOLE WORKSHOPS, BOTH OF THEM ARE FOR THE CDBG NOFA, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK PROGRAM. THAT PROGRAM FUNDED THE LIGHTING PROJECT THAT LUIS PRESENTED TONIGHT AND IT ALSO HELPED US REHABILITATED THE PAL BUILDING SO WE'RE GOING AFTER THE SAME GRANT THIS COMING YEAR. [LAUGHTER] >> THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT IDEA. >> YES. >> THE NEXT ONE IS THAT THERE WILL BE, AND I DON'T HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION ON THIS, BUT THERE IS A STEM ROBOTICS PROGRAM FOR 6TH-8TH GRADERS THAT STARTS THIS THURSDAY. I DON'T RECALL THE ORGANIZATION THAT'S SPONSORING OR HOSTING THAT. >> YOU REMEMBER? >> YES, IF I MAY ADD. [LAUGHTER] YES, SO CALIFORNIA RESOURCE, CRC, IS SPONSORING THAT. [01:35:02] WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IT AT THE PAL BUILDING. IT IS FREE OF COST, NO CHARGE TO FAMILIES. I BELIEVE THERE'S STILL OPENINGS. THERE IS A LIMIT. THEY'RE DOING 20 YOUTH. I BELIEVE LAST TIME I SPOKE TO OUR PAL COORDINATOR, WE STILL HAVE OPENINGS SO WE'RE ALSO PROMOTING IT THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, AND WE'RE ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO GET THE WORD OUT AND HOPEFULLY, GET MORE KIDS TO ATTEND. >> WHAT'S THE AGE GROUP? >> I BELIEVE IT IS SIXTH GRADERS TO EIGHTH. >> 6TH-8TH GRADERS, YEAH. >> SIXTH THROUGH EIGHTH. >> YOU'RE WORKING WITH THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THIS? IS THAT HOW WE'RE DOING? >> I BELIEVE, YES. OUR PAL COORDINATOR IS WORKING WITH THE SCHOOLS TO GET THE WORD OUT, AND IT WILL BE AT THE PAL BUILDING. IT WILL BE AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, FIVE WEEKS. >> I LOVE IT. >> NICE. >> THANK YOU. >> THE TYPE OF THING WE LIKE TO SEE HAPPENING THERE. SO NEXT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT ALREADY, THE HAWK AND BEACON CROSSWALK PROJECTS, BOTH ON 46 AND POPLAR, AND HERE AT 43 AND 8TH, WE'LL KICK OFF MONDAY THE 26TH. SO WE DID GET APPROVAL TO DO THAT PRE-WORK, WHICH WAS EXCELLENT. >> I'M HAPPY FOR THAT BECAUSE WE'VE WORKED LONG AND HARD TO GET THIS GOING, AND NOW THEY'RE THE ONES PREVENTING US FROM DOING IT. >> THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN POST ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA LIKE THAT WORK STARTING? >> SURE. >> OBVIOUSLY, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SEE IT OUT THERE BUT IT'S JUST THEY KNOW THAT PEOPLE HAVE CAME TO THE MEETING, TALKED ABOUT IT, WHATEVER. SO I THINK IF WE'RE ABLE TO THROW IT OUT THERE THAT'S ACTUALLY STARTING, I THINK IT'D BE GOOD. >> YEAH. I'M WITH MEMBER MEDINA. I DON'T READ. MY WIFE USUALLY SAYS, "LOOK WHAT THEY'RE SAYING." [LAUGHTER] AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REGULARLY COMES UP, THAT THIS CROSSING AT POPLAR AND HIGHWAY 46. SO I ALWAYS SAY, "HEY. THEY SHOULD KNOW THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THAT FOR A WHILE." SO YES, I SECOND THAT, IT SHOULD BE POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT WE'RE STARTING. THEN MAYBE WE CAN HAVE A RIBBON FOR THAT, TOO. >> PARDON. >> A RIBBON CUTTING. >> OH, SURE. NOW, RECALL THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE THIS PRE-WORK AND THEN THERE'S A MATERIALS SUPPLY CHAIN DELAY. >> NO, I'M AWARE OF THAT BUT ONCE IT'S UP, WE SHOULD MAKE A BIG TO DO ABOUT IT. >> OKAY. SO WE'LL MAKE THE WORK STARTING ANNOUNCEMENT NOW AND THE RIBBON CUTTING CLOSER TO THE FUNCTIONALITY? >> RIGHT, THAT MAKES SENSE. >> I THINK THAT'S GREAT. >> OKAY. NEXT, PAL, WE'LL HAVE A MOBILE CLINIC, WILL BE HOSTED THERE ON MONDAY THE 26TH, BETWEEN 2:00-5:00. SNIP EVENT SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 28TH AND FEBRUARY 23TH, BOTH AT 8:00 AM IN THE USUAL LOCATION ACROSS THE STREET. >> REAL QUICK. SCOTT, IF I MAY, UNDER PAL, YOU SAID IT'S A MOBILE HEALTH CLINIC? >> MOBILE HEALTH CLINIC, CORRECT. >> THAT'S OPEN TO EVERYBODY? >> YEAH, I DON'T BELIEVE THERE ARE RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. >> THAT'S CORRECT, CITY MANAGER. IT IS OPEN FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND IT'S FREE OF CHARGE. >> THAT'S SOMETHING THE LIDERES CAMPESINAS GROUP IS AWARE OF BECAUSE IF NOT, THAT THAT SHOULD BE SOMEBODY WE SHOULD BE TAPPING INTO BECAUSE THEY OBVIOUSLY, THEY'RE INTEGRATED WITH THE COMMUNITY. THEY KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT MAYBE DON'T HAVE HEALTH COVERAGE AND WHATNOT SO I THINK WHOEVER IS LEADING THAT SHOULD TOUCH BASE WITH THEM. >> WE'LL DEFINITELY WORK WITH OUR PAL COORDINATOR TO MAKE SURE THEY CONNECT WITH THE LIDERES CAMPESINAS AND GET IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA TOO. >> THANK YOU. >> I DO WANT TO SAY THAT LIDERES CAMPESINAS DO A LOT OF WORK ON SIGNING UP PEOPLE FOR MEDICARE, THEY DO THAT, OR MEDI-CAL, THEY DO THAT. I GUESS THEY JUST GO TO DIFFERENT PLACES AND PROMOTE THIS. YEAH, IT'S A GOOD WAY TO BRING THEM IN SO THAT THEY CAN PASS THE WORD AROUND WITH EMPHASIS, THAT IT IS THE PAL BUILDING AND THE PAL ORGANIZATION THAT IS PUTTING THIS EVENT ON. >> YES. >> OKAY. >> NEXT COMMUNITY BREAKFAST IS SCHEDULED AT THE COURTHOUSE FOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 7:00 AM. KERN COG REGIONAL AWARDS, WE TALKED ABOUT. THE CLERK IS WORKING WITH THEM DILIGENTLY, [01:40:05] AS I SAID, TO SECURE AS MANY SEATS AS WE CAN GET THERE. >> THEY MIGHT LIMIT THE NUMBER OF TABLES AVAILABLE. >> THEY ARE LIMITED. >> THAT'S RIGHT. WE NEED TO BE PROMPT IN GETTING THE SEATS. >> THEN SOME OF YOU MAY BE AWARE THE MUNICIPAL CAMPUS LOCATION ACROSS THE STREET IS NOW VACANT. THE FELLOW WHO WAS USING THE GAS STATION BUILDING FOR STORAGE IS NOW OUT. MR. VIA STAFF, ARE GOING TO SEE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO USE A VARIETY OF OUR EQUIPMENT, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING THE BULK OF THE DEMOLITION OURSELVES. YOU'LL SEE THAT STARTING IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. >> CAN WE COME AND DEMOLISH SOMETHING? [LAUGHTER] THE ONLY REASON WHY I ASK IS BECAUSE THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT, THEY ACTUALLY DO THAT. THEY BRING THE TRACTORS, AND THEN THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD GET TO DESTROY THEM. >> THEY MUST HAVE A DIFFERENT LIABILITY CARRIER THAN WE HAVE. [LAUGHTER] >> DON'T TAKE ME TOO SERIOUSLY. IT IS TRUE THAT THEY DO THAT, BUT I'M NOT WANTING TO COME AND DESTROY ANY BUILDINGS. BUT IT SOUNDS FUN. I'M GOING TO MISS IT BECAUSE I'M GOING TO BE [OVERLAPPING]. >> IT DOES SOUND LIKE FUN. BUT WE'LL HAVE THE TRAINED EXPERTS RUNNING THE EQUIPMENT. >> YEAH. >> THEN LASTLY, JUST A QUICK NOTE, THERE WAS QUITE A BIT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT KDC TODAY OR TONIGHT. I MENTIONED THAT KDC HAS BEEN RUNNING AN EAST KERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM FOR MANY YEARS, MAYBE A DOZEN YEARS. LAST YEAR, THEY KICKED OFF THE EQUIVALENT HERE ON WEST KERN. THAT GROUP MEETS QUARTERLY, AND IT'S MOVING ALONG. THERE WAS A HUGE TURNOUT FOR THE FIRST MEETING. IT WAS HELD OUT AT TAFT COLLEGE. SINCE THEN, THE ATTENDANCE HAS BEEN UP AND DOWN, BUT THE GROUP CONTINUES TO MEET, AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S A USEFUL FORUM FOR EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND NETWORKING FOR FOLKS THAT BOTH ON THE VENDOR SIDE OF THE FENCE AND THE CITY MANAGEMENT SIDE. I ATTENDED THAT MEETING LAST WEEK, AND IT WAS PRODUCTIVE. THAT CONCLUDES MY COMMENTS FOR TONIGHT. >> THANK YOU, MR. HERBERT. MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 18, [18) REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL] REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL, MAYOR PRO TEM REYNA. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST HAVE A FEW ITEMS. I ATTENDED DR. JESS ME PAINE'S OPEN HOUSE BACK IN DECEMBER. WELL ATTENDED. I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE KEEP IN TOUCH WITH OUR LEGISLATORS. PARTICULARLY ALSO WHEN SHE IS RUNNING FOR CONGRESS, AND IF SHE MAKES IT TO CONGRESS, WE'LL HAVE A FRIEND IN CONGRESS. DO WE NEED MORE FRIENDS TO MOVE ANYTHING FORWARD? [LAUGHTER] BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO DO THAT. I ALSO IN COLLABORATION WITH LA VIA CAMPESINA, FOOD FORWARD AND FATHER LOGI FROM THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, I PARTICIPATED IN THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION ON JANUARY 10. WE HAD OVER 80 VOLUNTEERS, THE MAJORITY OF THEM YOUNG VOLUNTEERS. THERE WAS A CHILD THAT WAS SIX-YEARS-OLD AND A 13-YEAR-OLD THAT I NEED FOR A FACT. THIS SIX-YEAR-OLD WAS A QUEEN. WE HAD LOTS OF ROYALTY. WE DISTRIBUTED 39,000 POUNDS OF FOOD TO OVER 500 FAMILIES. THAT'S SOMETHING. I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE STAFF BECAUSE WITHOUT THEIR HELP, WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THIS. SCOTT, NO DOUBT, YOU'RE AWARE THAT WE RELY ON THE CITY TO UNLOAD THESE PALLETS OF FOOD ONTO THE PARKING OF THE CHURCH SO THAT WE CAN DISTRIBUTE THEM. THANK YOU ALL. THIS IS A COMMUNITY EFFORT, AND IT WOULD NOT WORK WITHOUT EVERYONE. THANK YOU. I ALSO ATTENDED THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THE CHIEF WAS THERE, AND HE HAD A VERY NICE REPORT TOO. AGAIN, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT COMMITTEE TO SERVE ON. THE CDCR DOES A LOT OF WORK FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND SO IT'S GOOD TO BE IN CONTACT WITH THEM SO THAT WE CAN PERHAPS COORDINATE WITH THEM. [01:45:01] THEN ALSO, I ATTENDED THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, I AM A MEMBER, AND WE HAD A CHICKEN DINNER SALE. THIS WAS LAST SUNDAY, AND THIS IS TO HELP THE CURRENT SEMINARIANS WITHIN THE DIOCESE OF FRESNO. I'M PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPORT THEM BECAUSE THE SEMINARIANS, WHEN THEY'RE AWAY FROM THE SEMINARY, THEY'RE ON THEIR OWN. THEY DON'T REALLY WORK OTHER THAN STUDY, AND SO IT'S GOOD TO SUPPORT THEM. THAT'S IT FOR ME. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> THANK YOU, MR. REYNA. MEMBER MARTINEZ. >> ON JANUARY 10, THE WASCO HIGH OPENED THEIR WELLNESS CENTER FOR STUDENTS. I FEEL TERRIBLE. I FORGOT TO ATTEND AFTER THEY CALLED ME A COUPLE OF TIMES ABOUT IT, AND I FORGOT. BUT THE REASON WHY I'M BRINGING IT UP, EVERY STUDENT HAS ACCESS TO FREE CLOTHING, SHOES, HYGIENE PRODUCTS, AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD. THE REASON WHY I'M BRINGING IT UP IS SHARON SHARP REACHED OUT TO ME. THE SNOWBALL IS COMING UP SHORTLY. THEY ARE ASKING FOR DONATIONS OF SUITS, SUIT JACKETS, SLACKS, TIES, ETC. SHE DIDN'T ASK ME FOR ANY WOMEN'S CLOTHES. I DON'T KNOW WHY. [LAUGHTER] BUT I'M ASSUMING THAT THEY NEED DRESSES AND THINGS LIKE THAT. IF ANYBODY HAS ANY SUITS OR THINGS LIKE THAT THAT THEY WANT TO GET RID OF, YOU CAN EITHER CONTACT ME, SHARON, OR ALI DOBBS. >> I WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND BECAUSE I WAS AT THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION TOO. I WANTED TO ATTEND THAT. THAT'S A WONDERFUL THING. >> MEMBER, MEDINA. >> I JUST HAVE TWO QUESTIONS, I GUESS. IS THERE AN UNWIRE UPDATE, OR WILL WE BE GETTING ONE? >> YES. I CAN GIVE YOU A QUICK UPDATE. STAFF HAS MET WITH THE UNWIRED FOLKS A FEW TIMES IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS. RAIN INTERRUPTED SOME OF THE WORK, AND ALSO WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM TO STRESS THE NEED TO WORK ON THE BACKLOG OF REHAB WORK. THE AGREEMENT IS THAT THEY ARE LEAVING THEIR TWO FULL-TIME REHAB CREWS IN PLACE. THEY PAUSED THEIR NEW DRILLING OVER THE HOLIDAYS, ESSENTIALLY. THAT HAS NOW RESTARTED, BUT THEY'VE LEFT THE TWO FULL-TIME REHAB CREWS IN PLACE, AND THAT'S TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING CAUGHT UP ON SOME OF THE REHABILITATION WORK. THEY STILL HAVE A TARGET COMPLETION DATE LATE THIS WINTER. I WOULD SAY FEBRUARY, MARCH IS WHAT THEY'RE SHOOTING FOR. THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE OF STAFF CHANGES WITHIN UNWIRED. THE CONTACTS FOR PUBLIC WORKS HAVE REMAINED LARGELY THE SAME, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE OF OTHER CHANGES. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE STRESSING THE REHAB DEAL AND BECAUSE WITH THE HEAVY RAINS AND ALL THE BORING WORK THEY DID, ALL THOSE THINGS GOT UNCLOGGED AND A LOT OF UNEVEN AREA. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S THAT. >> THEY FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT IF THEY GET BEHIND AGAIN, THEY NEED TO STOP NEW WORK AND REDIRECT THOSE EXTRA RESOURCES TO THE REHAB AS WELL. >> I'M SURE THERE'S GOING TO BE OTHER WEATHER EVENTS COMING UP. STILL EARLY ON, SO THAT WE'RE STAYING ON THAT CYCLE. THEN THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD WAS IN REGARDS TO PARKS AND REC. THE LAST TIME THE JOINT MEETING GOT CANCELED. I BELIEVE THERE'S TWO VACANCIES NOW. SO THAT JOINT MEETING IS NOT GOING TO BE PROBABLY ANYTIME SOON, I IMAGINE. >> I WOULD GUESS YOU'RE RIGHT. IT PROBABLY WON'T BE COMING RIGHT OF WAY. MADAM CLERK, IS THAT CORRECT? THEY'RE JUST MINUS TWO, OR ARE THEY MINUS THREE? >> AS FAR AS I KNOW, THERE'S THREE RECRUITMENTS THAT THEY'RE DOING. >> ON SOCIAL MEDIA, I THINK I SAW THAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR TWO. I JUST ASSUMED TO BE BORN NO LONGER ON BOARD OR RESIGNED. >> THAT'S FOR THE APPOINTMENT FROM THE COUNCIL. IT'S TWO SEATS. AND THE OTHER ONE IT'S THE APPOINTMENT OF THE KERN COUNTY SUPERVISORS. >> THAT WOULD BE DAVID COUCH. I SPEAK WITH HIM. >> IT'S HIM. >> I WANTED TO ADD TO THAT. >> I GET ANSWERED, I GUESS. >> WE'RE AWARE THAT THEY'RE SHORT AND WE'VE RUN A RECRUITMENT RECENTLY AS WELL. >> MAYOR, IF I MAY. I WANTED TO SPEAK TO ON WHY TWO. IT WASN'T IN MY NOTES, SO THAT'S WHY I FAILED TO MENTION IT. [01:50:02] I'VE HAD COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE SAYING THAT THE TERRIBLE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING. THIS IS THE PEOPLE TELLING ME I HAVEN'T SEEN THE WORK MYSELF AT PATCHING THESE HOLES THAT THEY MADE. NOT ONLY ARE THEY DOING A TERRIBLE JOB OF IT, BUT THEY'RE LEAVING TRASH BEHIND, AND THINGS THAT ARE RELATED TO THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MIGHT BE. I DON'T KNOW. BECAUSE WE'VE SPOKEN ABOUT THIS MORE THAN ONCE, I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE MADE VERY CLEAR TO THEM, AND I'M CERTAIN YOU ARE. BUT FOR SOME REASON, THEY'RE NOT GETTING THE MESSAGE THAT THEY CANNOT WORK THIS WAY, THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO STOP THE WORK UNLESS THEY MAKE THESE THINGS RIGHT. WE WERE ALL EXCITED, AND WE'RE STILL EXCITED ABOUT THEM BRINGING THE TECHNOLOGY, BUT THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY LEAVE THINGS AS THEY FOUND THEM, AND THEY'RE NOT DOING THAT, ACCORDING TO THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE COMPLAINED. >> ABSOLUTELY ACCEPT THAT. BUT I AGAIN WOULD STRONGLY URGE YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO ARE RECEIVING THESE COMPLAINTS, TO POINT THOSE PEOPLE EITHER TO THE PUBLISHED UNWIRED NUMBER THAT THEY HAVE FOR COMPLAINTS DIRECTLY, AND OR TO THE CITY, EITHER THROUGH MIGA OR CALLING PUBLIC WORKS. BUT WE'RE JUST NOT HEARING THAT SAME LEVEL OF COMPLAINTS FROM THE COMMUNITY. >> IT'S POSSIBLE THAT PEOPLE SHY AWAY FROM COMING TO THE CITY AND DOING THAT, AND BECAUSE WE'RE OUT THERE IN THE COMMUNITY OR HEARING THESE THINGS, BUT DEFINITELY I THINK THAT THERE IS A THERE THERE. >> YES. I'M CERTAIN THERE ARE ISSUES OUT THERE. THE OTHER, WHICH WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, IS THAT AS THEY WORK, THERE ARE TEMPORARY PATCHES MADE BECAUSE IT'S NOT ECONOMICAL TO BRING IN AN ASPHALT CREW TO FIX A THREE-BY-THREE HOLE AND THEN COME BACK THREE DAYS LATER AND DO THE NEXT ONE AND TWO DAYS LATER TO DO THE NEXT ONE. THEY'LL DO A BLOCK AT A TIME. BATCH THE CONCRETE REPAIR AND THE ASPHALT REPAIR, AND THE LAWN AND SPRINKLER REPAIR IN BATCHES BECAUSE IT'S JUST UNECONOMIC TO DO IT. >> MAKE SENSE. >> AND SO FOLKS ARE SEEING THINGS THAT ARE THERE FOR A WEEK OR TWO OR THREE, THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S GOING TO BE LEFT THAT WAY. ALL OF THOSE REPAIRS HAVE TO MEET CITY APPROVAL BEFORE THE PROJECT CAN BE SIGNED UP. >> ARE WE INSPECTING THEM AFTER THEY FINISH THE WORK? DID YOU WANT TO ANSWER [OVERLAPPING]. >> YES, IF I MAY. AND I JUST BRING BACK ON SCOTT HERE THAT ANY INFORMATION YOU RECEIVE OR COUNCIL MEMBERS RECEIVE, AND IF YOU MENTIONED, MAYBE THEY MAY BE SHY TO REACH OUT TO PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTLY. BUT EVERY CALL THAT HAS CAME IN OR EMAIL OR PHONE CALL, OR SOMEONE DIRECTLY COMES INTO THE OFFICE HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF THE SAME DAY. WE URGE, EVEN IF IT'S YOURSELF, CONTACT ME OR OUR PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE, AND WE'LL GET IT HANDLED RIGHT AWAY. IF IT DOESN'T, IF IT GETS DROPPED, WE'LL MAKE SURE IT GETS HANDLED THAT DAY. THEY'VE BEEN PRETTY GOOD ABOUT THAT. LATELY, YES, THE WEATHER WAS NOT ON THEIR SIDE. THEY DO TEMPORARY PATCHES. THE COMPACTION IS GOING TO GET TAKEN CARE OF NOW. WE'VE SUGGESTED, AND THEY'RE DOING IT NOW, IS WHERE THEY COME BACK WITH THE PNEUMATIC COMPACTING UNIT, WHICH, BEFORE, THEY WERE NOT USING BECAUSE IT WAS A TEMPORARY PATCH, BUT EITHER WAY, NOW WE TELL YOU HAVE TO DO IT, COMPACT IT RIGHT, DO YOUR TEMPORARY PATCH AND COME BACK AND DO THE REPAIRS. AND YES OUR CITY STAFF INSPECTS THE REPAIRS TEMPORARIES AND FINAL, FROM NOW ON. >> THAT GIVES ME PEACE OF MIND. I'LL SPEAK ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THE GAS COMPANY ACROSS THE STREET FROM MY HOUSE CAME IN, THEY DUG THIS BIG HOLE BECAUSE THEY HAD A BROKEN LINE. I SAW THEM DISTURB A LITTLE BIT OF A ROCK GARDEN THAT MY NEIGHBOR HAS THERE. WHEN THEY LEFT, ONE OF THEM WAS ACTUALLY PUTTING THE ROCKS ALL IN PLACE. THAT'S HOW GOOD THEY ARE. THEN THEY DID A TEMPORARY PATCH, AND THEN ABOUT A WEEK LATER, SOMEBODY ELSE CAME UP. SAME PROCESS. VERY CLEAN. IT WAS LIKE THEY WERE NEVER THERE. I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING TO BE EMULATED. THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING UP ON THESE THINGS. I'LL BE SURE THAT IF I HEAR FROM ANYONE ELSE, I'LL BE CONTACTING YOU. >> GOT IT. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD. I DON'T REMEMBER 19, THERE'S NO CROW SESSION, [01:55:03] SO THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED, AND IT'S 8:03 PM. >> NO. I DON'T. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.