City of Wasco
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, September 4, 2007 – 7:00pm
City Council Chambers
1) CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Espitia called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m
2) FLAG SALUTE
3) INVOCATION: Pastor Gabriel Bustamante – Iglesia del Aposento Alta
4) ROLL CALL Mayor Espitia, Members Cortez, Hively, Wegman and West
Attorney E. Plaza, City Manager Mittag, City Clerk Hight, Executive Assistant Rodriguez, Finance Director Zervis, Public Works Director Allen, Interim Planning Director Raper, Sgt. Lee
5) PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS: Mayor Espitia presented a Proclamation to Andy Castillo, President of The Wasco Festival of Roses for the Wasco Centennial Celebration.
6) COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE:
Jose Lona 1665 Shamrock Ct. asked about the headphones for translation.
7) CONSENT CALENDAR:
a) Approval of Minutes from the Following Meeting:
Emergency Meeting on August 10, 2007
b) Approval of Bill Paying List.
c) Report and Possible Approval for Repair of asphalt road on Scofield Avenue.
d) Report and Possible Approval for Adoption of the Western Kern Transportation Development Plan.
e) Report and Possible Approval of Tuition Reimbursement Policy.
f) Report and Notice of Completion – Safe Routes to School, Highway 46 at Griffith Avenue, Signal and Intersection Improvements Project.
g) Acknowledge Receipt of Correspondence.
h) Approve the Reading of All Ordinances and Resolutions by Title Only and
Approve Publication of All Ordinances in Summary Form.
Member West made a motion to approve calendar, 2nd by Wegman. Motion carried with a 5-0-0 vote.
8) Report and Possible Minute Action, RE: Appeal of Conditional Use Permit 07-02 – PC Resolution No. 07-22 dated July 9, 2007. (Raper)
Member West recused himself and left the council chambers.
Mayor Espitia recused himself, gave the gavel to Mayor Pro Tem Cortez and left the council chambers.
Interim Planning Director Raper read the report and gave options of upholding the Planning Commissions decision; reverse their decision or adding additional conditions to the conditional use permit.
Mayor Pro Tem Cortez asked for comments from the audience.
Gerardo Rios spoke in opposition to opening the establishment.
Ramon Oliva 1204 E Street spoke in support of opening the establishment.
Mayor Pro Tem Cortez asked Sgt Lee about past and present illegal activity in the area.
Sgt Lee agreed with Mr. Rios regarding past behavior and crime activity in the area and what another “bar” could mean to the residents.
Member Hively referred to the map as 62% of the restaurant is designated as “bar” area.
There was clarification of staff that the map submitted tonight is the only map on file.
Mayor Pro Tem Cortez asked for public comments.
Bob Reeves 2325 Sunset spoke in opposition to the opening of the establishment.
Luis Alvedra 1109 E Street spoke in opposition.
Conception Rios 1122 E Street spoke in opposition.
There were no further comments.
Member Wegman made a motion to uphold the appeal, 2nd by Member Hively. Motion carried with a 3-0-2 vote. Mayor Espitia and Member West abstained.
Mayor Pro Tem Cortez took a five minute recess.
Mayor Espitia and Member West returned to the Council Chambers.
Mayor Espitia reconvened the regular meeting at 7:52 p.m.
9) Report and Possible Approval, RE: 2007-2464 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASCO APPROVING THE CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN MUNIFINANCIAL AND THE CITY OF WASCO FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING PLAN (IFP) FOR THE ROSE CITY INDUSTRIAL PARK. (Zervis)
Finance Director Zervis gave staff report.
Marty Jones 2200 Garden Street, spoke cautioning council.
Don Olsen 1916 spoke in regards to the creation of a new industrial park and the vacant land in the existing industrial park.
City Manager Mittag explained the progress of infill of the industrial park and the need for the new park for rail access and size of lots available.
Suzanne Rios 2232 Sharon Ct. spoke in regard to the annexation of property and the funding for the EIR.
There was discussion regarding the city being proactive and ready for development.
Member West asked about bond obligation.
Zervis explained that “no” this does not in any way obligate the city.
Bob Reeves 2325 Sunset spoke in favor being proactive.
Steve Gair 1416 Stacy Ct. spoke in support.
Mayor Espitia asked for further comments.
Member Wegman made a motion to approve, 2nd by Member Hively. Motion carried with the following vote
AYES: Espitia, Cortez, Hively, Wegman and West.
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
City Clerk Hight read the resolution title
10) Report and Possible Minute Action, RE: Possible Downtown Harvest Festival, September 22, 2007. (City Clerk Hight)
City Clerk Hight asked for Council support of a Downtown Harvest Festival, and requested the waiver of fees and permits.
Member Cortez made a motion to approve, 2nd by Member Wegman. Motion carried with a 5-0-0 vote.
11) Report and Possible Minute Action, RE: Wasco Recreation and Park Board Appointment. (City Clerk Hight)
Mayor Espitia and Member Cortez abstained from conversation and vote.
City Clerk Hight reported that two applications were received for the position of appointment to the Wasco Recreation and Parks Board. The two applications were however received after the set deadline that was noticed in the newspaper and asked for direction.
There was a brief discussion regarding a committee and a consensus to re-advertise appointment.
Member West made a motion to re-advertise and have Members Hively and Wegman serve on the committee to interview applicants. Motion carried with a 3-0-2 vote. Mayor Espitia and Member Cortez abstained.
12) REPORTS FROM CITY STAFF
City Clerk Hight reminded Council of the Clock dedication scheduled for Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
Interim Planning Director Raper reported that several code and general plan amendments would be heard at the next meeting.
Public Works Director Dan Allen reported that 7th street striping would be completed by Thursday and that the wastewater treatment plant upgrade would be slowed down until residential development progressed.
13) REPORTS FROM CITY ATTORNEY - None
14) REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER
City Manager Mittag asked Council for direction on how to arrange a meeting with the Wasco Recreation and Parks District and when to set the meeting. Direction was given.
15) REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL
Member Hively thanked the Sheriffs Department for being proactive on the sexual offender sweep and asked if information could be published in the local paper.
Member Wegman reported on the Kern Cog meeting where the MOU was presented regarding the widening of Highway 46 to 4-lanes from Highway 99 to the 101.
Member Wegman made a motion to adjourn to RDA at 8:45, all in favor motion carried.
Member Cortez made a motion at 8:47 to reconvene regular meeting and to move into closed session, all in favor motion carried.
16) CLOSED SESSION: CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION. Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 54956.9: 2 Cases
Mayor Espitia reconvened regular meeting at 9:05.
Assistant City Attorney Plaza reported that no reportable action was taken.
17) ADJOURNMENT: Member Cortez made a motion to adjourn. All in favor, motion carried.
______________________________ _______________________________
Vickie Hight, City Clerk Danny Espitia, Mayor
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