Minutes
City of Wasco
City Council
TUESDAY, October 16, 2007 – 7:00 pm
1) CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Espitia called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2) FLAG SALUTE
3) INVOCATION: Pastor Bill Lewis of Griffith Avenue Baptist Church offered the invocation
4) ROLL CALL
Mayor Espitia, Members: Hively, Wegman, West
Member Cortez absent.
Attorney E. Plaza, City Clerk Hight, Executive Assistant Rodriguez, Acting City Manager Zervis, Public Works Director Allen, Interim Planning Director Raper, Sgt Lee
5) PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS - None
6) COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE:
Jose Lona: Shamrock Ct. spoke about street repairs needed in the community.
Member Cortez arrived at 7:08 p.m.
7) CONSENT CALENDAR:
a) Approval of Minutes from the Following Meeting:
Regular Meeting September 18, 2007
Regular Meeting October 2, 2007
b) Approval of Bill Paying List.
c) Acceptance of Sheriff’s Activity Report for the Month of September 2007.
d) Acceptance of Code Enforcement Reports:
1. Wasco Code Compliance – September 2007
2. Fire Prevention Services – September 2007
e) Acceptance of Monthly Building Permit Report for September 2007.
f) Award 5th Street Reconstruction Project and Authorize Mayor and City Clerk to Execute Construction Contract.
g) Accept Notice of Completion for Transit Station Parking Lot Expansion, Authorize Payment of 10% Retention, and Authorize City Clerk to File Notice of Completion.
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.
Member West pulled item 7f for discussion.
Member Wegman noted that item 7g came in $5000.00 under budget.
Member Cortez made a motion to approve remaining calendar, 2nd by Member Hively. Motion carried with a 5-0-0 vote.
After clarification of bid award, Member West made a motion to approve item 7f, 2nd by Member Hively. Motion carried with a 5-0-0 vote
8) Acceptance of Monthly Financial Report Related to Status of Quimby Fee Account.
Member Wegman made a motion to accept report, 2nd by Member West. Motion carried with a 4-0-1 vote. Mayor Espitia abstained.
9) Report, Public Hearing and Possible Approval, RE: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASCO AMENDING TITLE 8 OF THE WASCO MUNICIPAL CODE TO REQUIRE RESIDENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS. (Assistant City Attorney)
Mayor Espitia opened the public hearing.
Assistant City Attorney Plaza gave a brief report of amendment to code and explained that this amendment is consistent with other communities.
Mayor Espitia asked for comments.
Member Wegman approved.
There were no further comments.
*Note: Mayor Espitia closed the public hearing at 8:26 p.m.
Member Wegman made a motion to approve first reading, 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 ordinance title
10) Report, Public Hearing and Continued Public Hearing, RE: Rose City Industrial Park Project Environmental Impact Report, and Public Hearing for Entitlements, General Plan Amendments, Pre-Zoning, Sphere of Influence, Annexation, Vacation of Road for Rail Spur, and Precise Development Plan for Rose City Renewables Ethanol Plant. (Raper)
Mayor Espitia opened the public hearing.
Interim Planning Director Raper gave a brief report and requested a continuance of item to the December 18, 2007 regular meeting.
Mayor Espitia asked for comments. There were none.
Mayor Espitia continued the public hearing to December 18, 2007 regular meeting.
Member West made a motion to continue item, 2nd by Member Wegman. Motion carried with a 5-0-0 vote.
11) Report, Public Hearing, and Continued Public Hearing, Re: Mitigated Negative Declaration for Municipal Well Located approximately 1,320 linear feet from the southwest corner of Annin Avenue and McCombs Road. (Raper)
Mayor Espitia opened the public hearing and gave the gavel to Mayor Pro Tem Cortez.
Interim Planning Director Raper gave a brief report and requested a continuance of item to the November 6, 2007 regular meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Cortez asked for comments. There were none.
Mayor Pro Tem Cortez continued the public hearing to November 6, 2007 regular meeting.
Member West made a motion to continue item, 2nd by Member Wegman. Motion carried with a 4-0-1 vote. Mayor Espitia abstained.
*Note: There was motion clarification at the end of the regular meeting stating that this item is continued to the staff recommended December 18, 2007 meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Cortez returned the gavel to the Mayor.
12) Report, Public Hearing and Possible Approval, RE: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASCO AMENDING THE WASCO CODE OF ORDINANCES TO AMEND TITLE 17 OF THE CITY OF WASCO ZONING ORDINANCE IN AMENDING TITLE 17, CHAPTERS 17.79 PROPERTY MAINTENANCE AND TABLE 17-1 AND 17-3 AS REFLECTED IN EXHIBIT A. (Raper)
Mayor Espitia opened the public hearing.
Interim Planning Director gave report regarding criteria for cargo containers and use in residential, commercial, and public facility zoned areas.
Mayor Espitia asked for comments.
Member Wegman opposed to having cargo containers in residential zones.
Member West stated the need to notify effected parties of this proposed ordinance.
There was a brief discussion regarding conditional use permits and noticing.
Staff was directed to notify effected parties of proposed ordinance.
With no further comments, Member Wegman made a motion to continue public hearing until the November 6, 2007 regular meeting. 2nd by Member Hively, motion carried with a 4-0-1 vote. Mayor Espitia abstained.
13) Report and Possible Minute Action, Re: Consider Establishing Council Committees for:
Acting City Manager Zervis requested direction and possible formation of 2-member committees to meet on the three a) – c) listed projects
a) Recreation and Parks
Member Wegman volunteered.
Member Wegman made a motion that she and Member Hively serve on the Parks and Recreation committee, 2nd by Member West. Motion carried with a 4-0-1 vote. Mayor Espitia abstained.
b) City Properties
Member Wegman volunteered.
Member Wegman made a motion that she and Member West serve on the City Properties committee, 2nd by member Cortez. Motion carried with a 5-0-0 vote.
c) Employee Benefits Review
Member Wegman nominated Mayor Espitia and Member West.
Member Wegman made a motion that Mayor Espitia and Member West serve on the employee benefits review committee, 2nd by Member Hively. Motion carried with a 5-0-0 vote.
14) Report and Possible Minute Action, Re: Accept Rose City Industrial Park Market and Economic Impact Study. (Zervis)
Acting City Manager introduced item and Eric Nickel of MuniFinancial who presented a Power Point presentation explaining the Market Study and Economic Impact Analysis of the proposed Rose City Industrial Park.
Member Cortez had concerns that the report did not address examples of similar parks success to prove viability of park.
There was further discussion regarding timelines and examples of information that could be added to the report.
Member Cortez made a motion to accept the report with the expectation of supplemental report at the next city council meeting, 2nd by Member Wegman. Motion carried with a 5-0-0 vote.
15) Report and Possible Minute Action, Re: Consider Filling Vacancy on Planning Commission and Housing Authority Board of Directors. (City Clerk Hight)
City Clerk Hight reported on the letter of resignation from Commissioner Brown from the Planning Commission, and a letter of resignation from Director Ofie Hardin from the Wasco Housing Authority and asked for direction. Clerk Hight also explained that a letter of interest had been received from a HUD tenant to fill the vacated seat of Miguel Narres and requested to include that application in the interview process..
Mayor Espitia directed staff to post and publish notices of vacancy for a two week time period for the Planning Commission and Wasco Housing Authority and asked for volunteers to interview applicants.
Member Wegman made a motion to set a committee of Members Wegman and West to interview applicants for the Planning Commission, 2nd by Member Hively. Motion carried with a 5-0-0 vote.
Member Cortez made a motion to set the committee of members Wegman and West to interview applicants for the Wasco Housing Authority, 2nd by Member Hively. Motion carried with a 5-0-0 vote.
16) Report and Possible Minute Action, Re: Consider Change of Date or Cancellation of January 1, 2008 Council Meeting due to Holiday. (City Clerk Hight)
City Clerk Hight requested direction from the Mayor and Council regarding the regular City Council meeting to be held on January 1st for posting and public hearing notifications that may need to be adjusted for closure or change of date.
After a brief discussion with staff, City Clerk was directed to consider the regular meeting to be held on January 1, 2008 a “Dark” meeting until further notice.
17) REPORTS FROM CITY STAFF
Raper: reported the need for traffic studies along Hwy 46 to meet the needs of Cal Trans and that the Planning Department is working towards that.
Allen: reported that 5th street was ½ day behind schedule but progressing. 9th street was scheduled for next week. Scofield repaving was a tough job and that he was very proud of the employees and the job they did. Allen also requested a meeting with the City Properties Advisory committee and the Recreation Dist. Regarding a potential use of the Industrial Park for recreation use.
Sgt. Lee gave a report on recent activity and future DUI and DL license check point.
18) REPORTS FROM CITY ATTORNEY
Assistant Attorney Plaza again reiterated that fact that item 9 the ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASCO AMENDING TITLE 8 OF THE WASCO MUNICIPAL CODE TO REQUIRE RESIDENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS
is consistent with Prop 83. Plaza wanted to make sure Council is aware that there are potential risks and constitutional challenges.
19) REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER
Zervis reported that the city has received two grants from Kern EDC.
20) REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL
Hively asked staff for a report on the progress of rebuilding the KFC.
West thanked Wasco citizens for their support throughout the recall process and looked forward to moving on.
Wegman congratulated staff and thanked individual directors for jobs well done.
21) CLOSED SESSION- none
22) ADJOURNMENT Mayor Espitia adjourned regular meeting at 8:20 p.m.
8:26 p.m. *Mayor Espitia reconvened the meeting at 8:26 p.m. to clarify/add to items 9 and 10.
City Clerk Hight asked for clarification on two items.
Mayor Espitia closed the public hearing on item # 9 at 8: 26 p.m.
Member West restated his motion on item #10 stating that this item is continued to the staff recommended December 18, 2007 meeting.
Mayor Espitia adjourned regular meeting at 8:27 p.m.
___________________________ ____________________________
Vickie Hight, City Clerk Danny Espitia, Mayor
| 
