Minutes
City of Wasco City Council
TUESDAY, December 4, 2007 – 7:00pm
1) CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Espitia called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m.
2) FLAG SALUTE
3) INVOCATION: Gary Jones delivered the invocation.
4) ROLL CALL Mayor Espitia, Members; Cortez, Hively, Wegman, 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 – None
6) COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE:
Dennis Martin 928 F Street, Wasco, requested aid with Cal Trans regarding a project he is hoping to complete in Wasco.
7) CONSENT CALENDAR:
a) Approval of Minutes from the Following Meeting:
Regular Meeting of November 20, 2007
b) Approval of Bill Paying List.
c) Second Reading and Possible Adoption of 2007-554 Ordinance, 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 (ZOTA 07-13) IN AMENDING TITLE 17, CHAPTERS 17.19 (RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT DESIGN STANDARDS) AND TABLE 17-3 AND 17-4 AS REFLECTED IN EXHIBIT A.
d) Second Reading and Possible Adoption of 2007-555 Ordinance, RE: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASCO REPEALING THE EXISTING 15.04 AND ENACTING NEW CHAPTER 15.04 OF THE CITY OF WASCO MUNICIPAL CODE, AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS TITLE 24, 2007 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE.
e) Second Reading and Possible Adoption of 2007-556 Ordinance, RE: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASCO, COUNTY OF KERN, STATE OF CALIFORNIA REPEALING CHAPTER 15.08 AND ADDING NEW CHAPTER 15.08 TO THE CITY OF WASCO MUNICIPAL CODE, WHICH INCLUDES ADOPTION OF THE 2007 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE AS MODIFIED BY KERN COUNTY ORDINANCE CODE CHAPTER 17.32.
f) Report and Possible Minute Action, RE: Approval of Revised Site Lease for Tower at 764 E Street and Authorize City Manager to Execute All Related Documents.
g) Report and Possible Minute Action, RE: Amend Professional Services Agreement with URS to Amend the Scope of Work Extending Ending Date from December 31, 2007 to March 30, 2008 and Increasing Contract Funding, and Authorizing City Manager to Execute Related Documents.
h) Report and Possible Minute Action, RE: Consider Amendments to Professional Services Agreement with Remy, Thomas, Moose and Manley, LLP for Legal Review of the Final EIR for the Rose City Industrial Park and Authorizing City Manager to Increase Hours of Work and Increase Fee.
i) Report and Possible Minute Action, RE: SB 610 Water Supply Assessment for City of Wasco Industrial Park prepared by URS Corporation dated September 2007.
j) Acknowledge Receipt of Correspondence.
k) Approve the Reading of All Ordinances and Resolutions by Title Only and
Approve Publication of All Ordinances in Summary Form.
Member Cortez pulled items 7g and 7h for discussion.
Member West made a motion to approve the remaining calendar, 2nd by Member Wegman. 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
Member Cortez question staff on items 7 g and h.
There was a brief discussion regarding procedures for reimbursement, zone of benefits and benefit districts.
Member Cortez made a motion to approve, 2nd by Member Wegman. All in favor motion carried
5-0-0.
8) NOMINATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS OF OFFICERS:
Mayor Espitia asked if there were any comments from the audience; there were none.
a. Nomination and Appointment of Mayor
Member West made a motion to nominated Member Wegman for Mayor, 2nd by Member Hively. Motion carried with a 4-0-1 vote. Member Cortez no.
b. Nomination and Appointment of Mayor Pro-Tempore
Member Wegman made a motion to nominate Member West as Mayor Pro Tem, 2nd by Member Hively. Motion carried with a 5-0-0 vote.
c. Presentation of Appreciation Award to Outgoing Mayor.
Mayor Wegman presented a plaque of appreciation to Past Mayor Espitia. Member Espitia thanked staff and community.
d. Remarks by New Officers: There were none.
9) Continued Public Hearing for Consideration of an Ordinance, RE: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASCO AMENDING CHAPTER 5.32.070(E) OF THE WASCO MUNICIPAL CODE. (Glaser)
Chief Building Inspector Glaser gave a brief report of the verbiage change.
Mayor Wegman opened the public hearing, included the staff report and asked for comments from the public. Hearing none, Mayor Wegman closed the public hearing at 7:14 p.m.
Member Cortez made a motion to approve the first reading, 2nd by Member Espitia. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Wegman, Cortez, Espitia, Hively and West.
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
City Clerk Hight read the ordinance title
10) Report, Public Hearing and Possible Introduction of an Ordinance, RE: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASCO AMENDING THE WASCO MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 5, BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES, AND REGULATIONS, CHAPTER 5.16.120 MOBILE FOOD VENDING VEHICLES PROHIBITED CONDUCT AS REFLECTED IN EXHIBIT A. (Zervis)
Finance Director Zervis gave a brief report of the amendment.
Mayor Wegman opened the public hearing, included the staff report and asked for comments from the public.
Member Hively asked if enforcement was on a complaint basis. Staff responded that it would be proactively enforced.
Mayor Wegman opposed any changes in the ordinance.
No further comments.
Mayor Wegman closed the public hearing at 7:17 p.m.
Member Cortez made a motion to approve the first reading, 2nd by Member Espitia. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Cortez, Espitia, Hively and West.
NOES: Wegman
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
City Clerk Hight read the ordinance title
11) Report, Public Hearing and Possible Approval, RE: FY 2007/2008 CDBG Economic Development Allocation Over-The-Counter Component Grant for the Construction of a Rail Spur for the Rose City Industrial Park. (Zervis)
Finance Director Zervis requested that this item be cancelled until the annexation was completed.
Mayor Wegman explained that due to posting of the public hearing, that comments would be heard.
Mayor Wegman opened the public hearing and included the staff report.
Walt Desatoff of Malofy Farms spoke in opposition to the proposal, stating his families desire to continue farming in the area and the use of Wasco Ave.
Staff answered and committed to provide information as needed and requested.
With no further comment.
Mayor Wegman closed the public hearing at 7:27 p.m.
No action taken.
12) Report, Public Hearing and Possible Approval, RE: 2007-2482 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASCO ADOPTING PROPOSITION 218 ASSESSMENT BALLOT PROCEEDINGS PROCEDURES.
Finance Director Zervis gave a brief report.
Mayor Wegman opened the public hearing and included the staff report.
There were no comments from the audience or council.
Mayor Wegman closed the public hearing at 7:28 p.m.
Member Espitia made a motion to approve, 2nd by Member Hively. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Wegman Cortez, Espitia, Hively and West.
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
City Clerk Hight read the resolution title
13) Report and Possible Approval, RE: 2007-2483 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASCO APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING FROM THE GANG REDUCTION, INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION (CalGRIP) PROGRAM, BAY AREA AND CENTRAL VALLEY CITIES COMPONENT OF THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND IDENTIFYING THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY FOR GRANT ADMINISTRATION.
Finance Director Zervis gave a staff report.
Mayor Wegman asked for comments from the public or council.
There was a brief discussion regarding gang activity in Wasco. Sgt Lee weighed in on being proactive. Member West asked about gang activity in the Housing Authority.
With no further discussion, Member Hively made a motion to approve, 2nd by Member Cortez. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Wegman Cortez, Espitia, Hively and West.
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
City Clerk Hight read the resolution title.
14) Report and Possible Approval, RE: 20007-2484 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASCO APPROVING AN APPLICATION TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES FOR FUNDING UNDER THE LOCAL GROUNDWATER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; THE EXECUTION OF A STANDARD AGREEMENT IF SELECTED FOR FUNDING AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO; AND ANY RELATED DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LOCAL GROUNDWATER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
Public Works Director Allen gave a brief report and recommended approval.
Mayor Wegman asked for comments, there were none from the audience.
There was a brief discussion regarding the 3 different water plans available at the present time.
With no further discussion, Member Hively made a motion to approve, 2nd by Member Cortez, Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Wegman Cortez, Espitia, Hively and West.
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
City Clerk Hight read the resolution title
15) Report and Possible Approval, RE: 2007-2485 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASCO APPROVING THE CITY’S SUPPORT OF THE ALTAMONT PASS AS THE PREFERRED ROUTE FOR THE CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED RAIL SYSTEM ALIGNMENT.
City Manager Mittag gave a brief report of Kern Cogs request of support of this high speed rail alignment.
Mayor Wegman spoke of her support and asked for comments.
Hearing none, Member Cortez made a motion to approve, 2nd by Member Espitia. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Wegman Cortez, Espitia, Hively and West.
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
City Clerk Hight read the resolution title
16) Report and Possible Minute Action, RE: Consider City Council Appointment to the Planning Commission Unexpired Term Vacancy.
Member West recommended the appointment of resident Dwayne Hutson to fill the unexpired term of Commissioner Danny Brown to December of 2008.
Member Espitia made a motion to approve appointment, 2nd by Member Hively. Motion carried with a 5-0-0 vote.
17) Report and Possible Minute Action, RE: Approval of 2008 Employee Benefits Package.
Finance Director Zervis reviewed the employee benefit package and requested approval from council.
Mayor Wegman asked for comments or questions.
Hearing none, Member Espitia made a motion to approve, 2nd by Member Cortez. All in favor motion carried with a 5-0-0 vote.
18) Information Report, RE: New Stop Signs within the City.
Public Works Director Allen gave a brief report of the new sites designated to be a four-way stop: Poplar and Filburn, Palm and Filburn, Central and Filburn, Beckes and Poso, and Annin and Gromer.
There was discussion regarding community awareness of new stops, necessity of new stops and traffic counts. Member West had reservations about the placement of new stop signs.
No action taken on the information report.
19) Report and Possible Minute Action, RE: Selection of New City Entrance Sign Design Concept. City Manager Mittag gave a brief report of the proposed entry monument signs.
There was a brief discussion regarding elevations, locations, graffiti removal, and whether brick or river rock design.
Member Hively made a motion to move ahead with the red brick design, 2nd by Member West. All in favor motion carried 5-0-0.
20) REPORTS FROM CITY STAFF
Finance Director Zervis announced that the new run of utility billing is ready for distribution, and that Brenda Cortez has returned from maternity leave.
Public Works Director Allen reported on projects underway.
21) REPORTS FROM CITY ATTORNEY- none
22) REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER - none
23) REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL
Council members commended staff on employee benefit package.
Espitia-asked about additional service groups signage and where they could be placed on the new monument sign.
Cortez asked staff to place on the January agenda a review of City Attorneys fees.
Mayor Wegman adjourned to RDA at 8:07p.m.
Member Cortez made a motion to reconvene regular meeting, 2nd by Member Espitia. All in favor motion carried.
24) CLOSED SESSION
a. Performance Evaluation – City Manager
Government Code Section 54957 (City Council)
Member Hively made a motion to adjourn to closed session, 2nd by Member Espitia. Motion carried.
Mayor Wegman, Members Espitia and Cortez returned from closed session.
Members Hively and West absent.
Mayor Wegman reopened regular meeting at 9:20 p.m.
City Attorney Plaza reported that no action was taken in closed session.
25) ADJOURNMENT
Member Cortez made a motion to adjourn regular meeting at 9:20 p.m., 2nd by Member Espitia.
All in favor, motion carried.
__________________________________ ________________________________
Vickie Hight, City Clerk Cherylee Wegman, Mayor
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