City of Wasco
City Council Minutes
September 2, 2008
City Council Chambers
746 8th Street, Wasco, California 93280
1) CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Pro Tempore West called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2) FLAG SALUTE
3) INVOCATION: Gabriel Bustamante of The Upper Room Church offered the invocation
4) ROLL CALL
Mayor Pro Tempore West, Members; Cortez, Espitia, Hively
Absent: Mayor Wegman
Attorney E Plaza, City Manager Mittag, City Clerk Hight, Executive Assistant Rodriguez, Finance Director Zervis, Public Works Director Allen, Community Development Director Johnson, Sgt Lee
5) PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS: Ron Rose of the Army Corp. of Engineers – “Stability and Current Condition of the Lake Isabella Dam”
Ron Rose gave a power point report of the Lake Isabella Dams areas of concern and beneficial functions.
6) COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None
7) CONSENT CALENDAR:
a) Approval of Minutes from the regular meeting on August 19, 2008.
b) Approval of Bill Paying List.
c) Acknowledge Receipt of Correspondence.
d) Approve the Reading of All Ordinances and Resolutions by Title Only and
Approve Publication of All Ordinances in Summary Form.
Member Cortez made a motion to approve, 2nd by Member Hively. Motion carried 4-0-1
Mayor Wegman absent.
8) Acceptance of Monthly Financial Report Related to Status of Quimby Fee Account
City Manager Mittag gave report of $308,156.16. No action taken.
9) Report, Public Hearing and Possible Introduction of an Ordinance and Waive First Reading, RE: An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Wasco Amending Section 13.08.020 Schedule of Rates by Adding Section 13.08.020(i)(6). (Allen)
Mayor Pro Tem West opened the public hearing.
Public Works Director Allen gave a report of the amendment to the water hydrant rate schedule.
There was a brief discussion regarding procedures and rate comparisons.
Mayor Pro Tem West asked for further comment or questions, hearing none closed the public hearing at 7:36 p.m.
Member Hively made a motion to approve and waive the first reading, 2nd by Member Espitia.
Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tempore West, Cortez, Espitia, Hively,
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Wegman
City Clerk Hight read the ordinance title
10) Report, Public Hearing, and Possible Approval, RE: Informing Citizens of the Funding Available through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and to Obtain Public Input on the Proposed FY 2008/2009 CDBG Planning and Technical Assistance Activities. (Johnson)
Mayor Pro Tempore West opened the public hearing.
Community Development Director Johnson gave the required reading and asked the clerk to pass a sign in sheet to the attendees to sign.
Johnson reported that staff was proposing an application for $35,000.00 for a planning technical assistance grant that would be used to update the cities sign ordinance.
Mayor Pro Tempore West asked for comment or questions, hearing none closed the public hearing at 7:40p.m.
Member Cortez made a motion to approve, 2nd by Member Espitia. Motion carried with a 4-0-1 vote. Mayor Wegman absent.
11) Report and Possible Approval, RE: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Wasco Approving an Application for Funding and the Execution of a Grant Agreement and Any Amendments Thereto from the State CDBG Planning & Technical Assistance Program’s General Allocation. (Johnson)
Community Development Director Johnson gave a brief report stating that this resolution enacts previous discussion of applying for the grant.
Member Hively asked if this would be a bid process, staff affirmed.
Member Hively made a motion to approve, 2nd by Member Cortez. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tempore West, Cortez, Espitia, Hively,
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Wegman
City Clerk Hight read the resolution title
12) Report and Possible Approval, RE: Consider Awarding of CNG Station Expansion Design Contract to Quad Knopf. (Allen)
Public Works Director Allen gave a brief report of the need of expansion with an additional pump to the existing one pump. This contract is for the design work. Allen went on to say that Kern Cog identified extra funding and with the help of Deputy Public Works Director Wren and Mayor Wegman, funding sources could be secured for the expansion of an additional pump and compressor.
Member Hively asked if usage has increased. Staff affirmed.
Member Hively made a motion to approve, 2nd by Member Cortez. Motion carried with a 4-0-1 vote. Mayor Wegman absent.
13) Report and Possible Approval, RE: Consider Awarding the Installation of three New Groundwater Monitoring Wells to Bradley & Sons Inc (Allen)
Public Works Director Allen gave a brief report and recommended awarding agreement to Bradley and Sons to install the required three groundwater monitoring wells. Allen reported that these wells are required by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board with the wastewater treatment plant upgrade. Allen reported that Bradley and Sons bid is in the Cities favor when compared to previous bids received.
Mayor Pro Tempore West asked if the City has a plan in place. Staff affirmed.
Mayor Pro Tempore West asked if there were any further questions, hearing none, Member Espitia made a motion to approve, 2nd by Member Hively. Motion carried with a 4-0-1 vote. Mayor Wegman absent.
14) Report and Possible Approval, RE: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Wasco Approving a Disposition Agreement Between the City of Wasco and Peep, LLC for the Transfer of Title of a Mobile Home Located at 1601 Poso Drive, Wasco, CA from the City of Wasco to Peep, LLC. (Zervis)
Finance Director Zervis gave a report of the acquired title to a mobile home as a result of a defaulted low income rehabilitation loan made in 2006. Zervis went on to explain that staff has listed the home in the paper and has not received any viable applicants. Zervis explained that there were two options for the council to consider.
1. Assume monthly rent and repairs and continue to market the unit for sale.
2. Approve a disposition agreement and transfer title to PEEP LLC.
Member Cortez asked if the city could carry papers on a loan or rental, and stated that he was unaware that this unit was available. He went on to express that he thought many people would take advantage of the opportunity to own a home.
Finance Director Zervis stated that the property has been listed in the paper and had been shown to a couple of prospective buyers with no avail.
After a brief discussion Member Hively made a motion to approve the disposition agreement with PEEP LLC, 2nd by Member Espitia. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: West, Espitia, Hively
NOES: Cortez
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Wegman
City Clerk Hight read the resolution title
15) REPORTS FROM CITY STAFF
Zervis: Reported on LAFCo meeting postponement of proposed annexation legislation.
Allen: Reported on work scheduled for Gromer, Palm and Annin. Also the City Fire Truck will be ready for parade for council members.
Sgt. Lee: brief staff report on child abuse case and window vandalism on 7th street. Also that DUI and Dl check point will be held soon. Thanked staff for helping with the SAL building.
16) REPORTS FROM CITY ATTORNEY- none
17) REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER- none
18) REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL
Cortez: complemented staff and Sgt. Lee on their efforts working with the SAL program.
Hively: echoed Member Cortez’ remarks.
Espitia: Reported that Republicans in Sacramento are pushing to reallocate RDA funding to balance CA’s budget and away from Cities, suggested a letter be sent to Sacramento.
West: again echoed the compliments to the staff and Sgt Lee for the work with the SAL program.
Member Cortez made a motion to adjourn to the RDA agenda, 2nd by Member Espitia. Motion carried 4-0-1 Wegman absent.
Mayor Pro Tempore West reconvened regular meeting and recessed into closed session at 8:12p.m.
19) CLOSED SESSION:
Mayor Pro Tempore West reconvened regular meeting at 8:31 p.m.
a) Conference with legal counsel—anticipated litigation.~ Disclosure of case name and details could jeopardize existing settlement negotiations.~ See Government Code section 54956.9(a).
Attorney E. Plaza reported that information was provided and direction was given to staff.
b) Sierra Club v. City of Wasco (No CV263663) and
Association of Irritated Residents v. City of Wasco (CV 263656)
Government Code Section 54956.9: Pending Litigation
Attorney E. Plaza reported that information was provided and direction was given to staff on settlement.
20) ADJOURNMENT to Wasco Redevelopment Agency Meeting
Member Espitia made a motion to adjourn at 8:32 p.m, 2nd by Member Cortez. Motion carried.
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Vickie Hight, City Clerk Fred West Jr., Mayor Pro Tempore
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