Wasco City Council
Minutes of Regular Meeting
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor West called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.
2. FLAG SALUTE
3. INVOCATION – Councilmember Pearson delivered the invocation.
4. ROLL CALL - Mayor West, Council Members: Cortez, Pearson, Espitia and Wegman.
Staff Present- City Manager Pennell, City Attorney A. Peake, Executive Secretary Krause, Accounting Manager Mosqueda, Public Works Director Jones, Superintendent of Streets and City Projects Manager Wren, Planning Director Woodcock, Economic Development Director Mittag, Human Resources/Risk Manager Randhawa and Sgt. Zimmermann.
5. PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS: Mayor West presented a proclamation to Wasco School District Nurse Karen Perry and National Health Services representative Monica Covarrubias proclaiming Wasco Public Health Week, October 3-7, 2006 organized by Wasco Union Elementary School District and National Health Services.
6. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE – Charles Wegman, 1322 Griffith, Wasco, thanked Sheriff’s Department for responding to complaints of illegal activity at 1829 G Street. Mr. Wegman asked City Code Enforcement to increase efforts at that site.
Espitia requested a report from code enforcement regarding the above mentioned site at the October 3rd City Council meeting.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR -
a) Approval of Minutes from the following Meetings:
Regular Meeting on August 15, 2006
Regular Meeting on September 5, 2006
b) Approval of Bill Paying List.
c) Acceptance of Building Permit Report for August 2006.
d) Acceptance of Code Enforcement Reports:
1. Fire Prevention Services – August 2006
2. Wasco Code Compliance Officer – July and August 2006
e) Approval of License Agreement between the City of Wasco and the Wasco Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture for office space use at the Transit Transfer Station at a rate of $300 per month.
f) Acknowledge Receipt of Correspondence.
g) Approve the Reading of All Ordinances and Resolutions by Title Only and
Approve Publication of All Ordinances in Summary Form.
Cortez made a motion to approve the consent calendar, 2nd by Pearson. All in favor, motion carried.
8. Second Reading and Possible Adoption of an Ordinance, RE: 2006-523 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 17.19.01.H OF THE CITY OF WASCO MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO DESIGN REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PLACEMENT OF MANUFACTURED HOUSING ON RESIDENTIAL LOTS -
Woodcock gave a brief report. Pearson made a motion to adopt the ordinance, 2nd by Cortez. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: West, Cortez, Espitia, Pearson and Wegman
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Attorney Peake read the ordinance title.
9. Report, Public Hearing and Possible Introduction of an Ordinance, RE: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 17.79.06.P OF THE CITY OF WASCO MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO THE USE OF PORTABLE CANOPIES AND CARPORTS IN RESIDENTIAL ZONE DISTRICTS – (Continued from September 5, 2006)
Mayor West opened the public hearing and Woodcock gave a brief report and read specific verbiage to clarify the proposed location allowance of portable canopies and portable carports in the two versions of the ordinance presented for consideration. There were no comments from the public. Mayor West closed the public hearing at 7:23pm. Following much discussion, a motion was made by Cortez to approve Version B, which would not allow the grandfathering of existing units. The motion was seconded by Pearson. The motion failed on a 2-2-1 vote. West and Espitia opposed, Wegman abstained.
Cortez requested clarification from staff as to the current ordinance in place. Pennell stated that the current ordinance states that portable canopies and portable carports are not allowed in residential zones.
10. Report, Public Hearing and Possible Approval, RE: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASCO ABANDONING A PORTION OF PALM AVENUE RIGHT-OF-WAY BETWEEN 5TH STREET AND 7TH STREET IN FAVOR OF THE WASCO UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT -
Wren reported that representatives of the Wasco High School District requested continuance of this item to October 17, 2006. There were no public comments. A motion to continue item to October 17, 2006 was made by Espitia and seconded by Pearson. All in favor, motion carried.
11. Second Reading and Possible Adoption of an Ordinance, RE: 2006-524 A ZONE CHANGE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF WASCO RELATED TO TRACT 6590 LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF POSO AVENUE AND CENTRAL AVENUE -
Woodcock gave a brief report. A motion to adopt was made by Pearson and seconded by Cortez. The motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: West, Cortez and Pearson
NOES: Espitia and Wegman
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Attorney Peake read the ordinance title.
12. Report, Public Hearing and Possible Introduction of an Ordinance, RE: A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT RELATED TO PROPERTY INCLUDED IN ANNEXATION 39 (Continued from September 5, 2006) -
Mayor West opened the public hearing. Woodcock reported that multiple issues needed to be addressed and recommended the item be pulled and re-noticed when ready to come back before the Planning Commission and then Council. There were no comments from the public. Mayor West closed the public hearing at 7:28pm. No action taken.
13. Report and Possible Minute Action, RE: Approval of employment agreement with Rocio Mosqueda as Interim Finance Director -
Pennell gave a report referring to additional information handed out detailing the departments that this position would oversee until the Administrative Services Director/Finance Director position is filled.
Cortez and Pearson spoke in favor of approving the agreement. West questioned the need for the appointment. Following much discussion, Pearson made a motion to approve with a second from Cortez. The motion failed on a 2-2-1 vote. West and Wegman opposed, Espitia abstained.
Mayor West suggested the item be brought back at the next meeting.
14. Report and Possible Minute Action, RE: Request for approval to advertise for the hiring of a City Operations Manager -
Jones gave the report from staff. West asked about the timeline for the appraisals of the Barker property at 6th and J Streets and the City Corporation Yard. Jones stated that the timeline for both appraisals is approximately four weeks. Following discussion, Cortez made a motion to approve, seconded by Espitia. All in favor, motion carried.
15. Report and Possible Minute Action, RE: Consider Planning Commission recommendation to appoint Patricia Arredondo to the Economic Development Committee -
Mittag gave a brief report. A motion to approve the recommendation of the Planning Commission was made by Cortez and seconded by Pearson. All in favor, motion carried.
16. Report and Possible Minute Action, RE: Consider Committee recommendation to appoint Jerry Garza to fill Wasco Housing Authority Board vacancy of unexpired term to expire May 18, 2009 -
Cortez and Pearson reported that they had interviewed Mr. Garza and recommended appointment. Cortez made a motion to approve with a second by Pearson. All in favor, motion carried.
17. Report and Possible Minute Action, RE: Consider recommendation to upgrade and simplify the Zoning Code and create an Overlay Zone for the Highway 46 Corridor and direct staff to initiate an RFP for the project -
Mittag gave a staff report highlighting the vision of the Economic Development Strategy and recommendation of the Economic Development Committee. Following discussion, Pearson made a motion to approve the initiation of an RFP for the project, Espitia seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
18. REPORTS FROM CITY STAFF
Wren reported on the progress of the storm drain evaluation study, stating that the project is currently on time for the completion timeline of December 2006.
Wren reported that staff had met with CalTrans officials at the Griffith Avenue/Hwy 46 site to assess the traffic light project timeline and expedite construction. City staff has received CalTrans approval to submit a notice to contractors this week for the project bid opening on October 24, 2006. Possible safety precautions prior to traffic light construction were discussed. CalTrans is considering the following:
a. Keeping the flashing lights on 24/7 on the school crossing sign at the intersection
b. Installing solar lights on the posted school signs
c. Establishing right turn only option onto Griffith Avenue from Hwy 46
Woodcock reported that permits for model homes were being requested by developers at six of the area tracts, which indicates that developments are moving forward.
Krause reported that the Transit Transfer Station Grand Opening scheduled for Thursday, September 21st at 2:00p.m. would be well attended by Amtrak, CalTrans, CalTrans Rail, KernCOG and Kern Regional Transit officials, as well as local electeds.
19. REPORTS FROM CITY ATTORNEY - None
20. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER – Highlighted staffs’ accomplishments in completing the Transit Station project.
21. REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL -
Pearson questioned the apparent loss of RTIP funding for the Hwy 46 Widening Project. He asked if there is still funding available and what must be done to insure that allocated funds are not lost to another project. Following much discussion, Wegman stated that she would be attending the KernCOG board meeting on Thursday and would inquire.
22. CLOSED SESSION - None
23. ADJOURNMENT – 8:12 p.m. Espitia/Wegman. All in favor, motion carried.
___________________________ _________________________
Kathy Krause, Deputy City Clerk Fred West, Jr., Mayor
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