City of Wasco
City Council Minutes
TUESDAY, November 7, 2006 – 7:00pm
1) CALL TO ORDER- Mayor West called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2) FLAG SALUTE
3) INVOCATION: Pastor Scott Allred of United Methodist Church delivered the invocation.
4) ROLL CALL Mayor West, Council Members: Cortez, Espitia, Pearson, and Wegman.
Others Present- City Manager Pennell, City Attorney A. Peake, City Clerk Hight, Executive Secretary Krause, Interim Finance Director Mosqueda, Public Works Director Jones, Superintendent of Streets and City Projects Wren, Economic Development Director Mittag, Planning Director Woodcock, Assistant Planner Jaquez and Sgt. Zimmermann.
5) PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS:
a) Workforce Housing Reward Program presentation by Anda Draghici and Jennifer Seeger of the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Sally Livingston introduced Anda Draghici and Jennifer Seeger of the California Department of Housing and Community Development who presented a check to Mayor West in the amount of $423,555.00
6) COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE:
Charles Wegman 1322 Griffith Ave: thanked Sgt. Zimmerman and staff for their efforts in the cleanup on G. street. He also stated the need for continued work on drug related dealings in the same area of town.
Mr. Lara 1755 Shamrock Ct.: stated his opposition to dairy’s and the need to protect our environment. He also stated his concern with needed stop signs around Thomas Jefferson middle school.
7) CONSENT CALENDAR: The Consent Agenda consists of items that in staffs' opinion are routine and non-controversial. These items are approved in one motion unless a Councilmember or member of the public removes a particular item.
a) Approval of Minutes from the Regular Meeting on October 17, 2006.
b) Approval of Bill Paying List.
c) Approval of 3-year Lease Agreement with Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 6742, for property located at 603 E Street in Wasco.
d) Approval of Department of Transportation Drug and Alcohol Policies.
e) Approval of Bid Award to Nicholas Construction for the City of Wasco 12” Waterline Project at Filburn Avenue and “G” Street C.D. Activity #05-STBG-1417 at a Cost Not to Exceed $376,365.
f) Approval of a Resolution #2006-2375 of the City of Wasco Approving the Final Subdivision Map, Improvement Plans, Improvement Security and Subdivision Agreement for Tract 6334 Phase 1 (located 1/8 mile northwest of the intersection of SR 46 and Palm Avenue), Accepting for Public Use all Dedications for the Purposes for which they are offered, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the
Subdivision Agreement, and Authorize the City Clerk to Endorse the Final Map and Transmit same to the County Clerk’s Office.
g) Approval of Cooperative Agreement for the Provision of Work Experience/Community Service Workfare Worksites for Participants in the CalWORKs Program.
h) Acknowledge Receipt of Correspondence.
i) Approve the Reading of All Ordinances and Resolutions by Title Only and
Approve Publication of All Ordinances in Summary Form.
Councilmember Wegman requested that items 7 f and 7g be pulled for discussion.
Pearson made a motion to approve remaining calendar, 2nd by Cortez. All in favor motion carried.
7f. Wegman inquired of staff the status of completion on project before it is approved this evening. Woodcock explained that this is the final step for recordation. Pearson made a motion to approve, 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 resolution title.
7g. Wegman requested that staff explain item. Pennell explained that the agreement is an ongoing agreement that is nearing expiration and needed renewal to continue in the program. Espitia made a motion to approve, 2nd by Cortez. Motion carried with a 5-0-0 vote.
8) Report, Public Hearing and Possible Approval, RE: A RESOLUTION #2006-2374 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASCO DECLARING APN 488-082-23 (ABANDONED WELL SITE) AS EXEMPT SURPLUS PROPERTY AND CONVEYING SAID PARCEL TO MR. AND MRS. APPODACA (APN 488-082-22)
Mayor West opened the public hearing. Woodcock reported on the status of the well and that it is no longer in use. Woodcock read the findings proving compliance and declaring this exempt surplus property. Pearson inquired as to the addition of a fence around property. Woodcock said that it could be a condition of the re-conveyance. No further comments. Mayor West closed the public hearing at 7:25 p.m. Pearson made a motion to approve, 2nd by Espitia. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: West, Espitia, Pearson, and Wegman.
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Cortez,
ABSENT: None
Attorney Peake read the resolution title.
9) Second Reading, Public Hearing and Possible Adoption, RE: AN ORDINANCE #06-525 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASCO AMENDING SECTION 2.30 OF THE WASCO MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE BY AMENDING SECTION 2.30.070, SECTION 2.30.090 SUBSECTION E AND SECTION 2.30.120
Mayor West opened the public hearing. Pennell re-introduced the ordinance from the last council meeting. There were no comments from the audience. Mayor West closed the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Espitia made a motion to approve, 2nd by Wegman.
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.
10) Report and Possible Minute Action, RE: Food Vending Vehicles
Woodcock gave a brief report and asked council for direction; to leave ordinance as is or allow greater flexibility. Woodcock also stated that all mobile food vendors who could be affected by this action were noticed of tonight’s discussion. Cortez invited Hoyetts owner/operator to address the audience with her concerns.
Debra Fontes, 2569 6th street, reported her routine of clean up each morning before she can open for business and her complaints to the County health department. She also inquired as to the ordinances that are related to Mobile Food Vendors and why they were not being enforced.
Mrs. Barazza addressed council and reported that they pay tax’s and comply with all of the health department rules. Restroom facilities are available for her employees at the Laundromat.
Discussion ensued over where mobile units can park, length of time they can park, restrooms facilities, distance from existing restaurants, and similar cities codes.
Valentine Zamarro 1815 Gaston, La Choncla, reported that he also pay’s taxes and complies with health department rules.
After lengthy discussion it was decided to revisit this issue at the next meeting, and until that time staff was instructed to enforce the existing ordinance.
11) Report and Possible Minute Action, RE: Approval to Proceed with Lease/Purchase of a Sanitation Truck for the Sanitation Division of the Public Works Department
Jones reported to council the fact the sanitation department is operating four(4) of the eight (8) truck fleet due to major mechanical breakdowns and recommended approval to proceed with a Lease/Purchase of a replacement truck. Wegman requested information regarding budget and stated that we have to have good equipment to be able to do our jobs. After a brief discussion, Cortez made a motion to approve, 2nd by Espitia. All in favor motion carried. 5-0-0.
12) Report and Possible Minute Action, RE: Appointments to Planning Commission, Wasco Housing Authority and Wasco State Prison Citizens Advisory Committee. Mayor West directed that the positions be advertised.
13) Discussion and Possible Minute Action, RE: Possible Increase to Sphere of Influence. Cortez encouraged council to take an aggressive role in expanding our sphere of influence. Discussion ensued over LAFCO’s narrow view of Wasco, the need to cultivate the relationship with LAFCO, expanding from 99-43, taking care of needs we already have, timeframes, and the modeling of our sphere after Shafter and Bakersfield’s. Pearson asked if there was enough support from the council to have staff move ahead with planning. The general consensus was affirmative. No action taken.
14) Discussion and Possible Minute Action, RE: Possible Retention of Revenue Experts, Inc. for Collection of all Administrative Citations.
Woodcock gave a brief report of program and the possibility of workshops to further inform all necessary individuals of the program. Staff was directed to follow up and bring information back to a future meeting.
15) Discussion and Possible Minute Action, RE: Possible adoption of a Neighborhood Nuisance Ordinance.
Cortez discussed the necessity for setting guidelines and providing tools/administrative citations for staff to enforce nuisances within the city. Staff was directed to follow up and incorporate the previous item with this and bring back to council at a future meeting.
16) Discussion and Possible Minute Action, RE: Check Signing Procedures
Cortez encouraged finding an alternate/modern method for check signing. Cortez asked the attorney what other methods were available. After discussion, staff was instructed to bring a couple of ideas back to council for review.
17) Discussion and Possible Minute Action, RE: Sheriff’s Substation telephone accessibility.
Cortez inquired as to the practices of the Kern County Sheriffs dispatch and what numbers for the community to call for assistance. Sgt Zimmerman instructed that all emergency calls should be dialed as 911, any information or non emergency calls can be 758-7266. If the public is seeking to speak to a Deputy or the Sergeant in Wasco; call the 758-7266, but if you need an officer to respond for any reason you will be connected to dispatch in Bakersfield.
Cortez stated his disappointment with the way calls are being handled and stated that we owe better service to our community.
18) REPORTS FROM CITY STAFF
Jones introduced new employee City Operations Manager Dan Allen.
Woodcock reported that annexations 37 and 38 were approved.
19) REPORTS FROM CITY ATTORNEY none
20) REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER
Invited council to attend the Combat Area Flag Presentation ceremony on Thurs.
Reported of James Zervis hire as the new Finance Director.
21) REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL
Pearson requested that the muffler shop at Poso and D be cleaned up.
22) CLOSED SESSION- none
23) ADJOURNMENT 9:30 p.m. Wegman made a motion to adjourn, 2nd by Cortez. All in favor motion carried
_____________________________________________ _________________________________________
Vickie Hight, City Clerk Fred West, Jr. Mayor
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