City of Wasco
City Council Minutes
TUESDAY, October 21, 2008
City Council Chambers
746 8th Street, Wasco, California 93280
1) CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Wegman called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m.
2) FLAG SALUTE: Mayor Wegman led the flag salute.
3) INVOCATION: Bill Lewis of Griffith Avenue Baptist Church offered the invocation.
4) ROLL CALL
Mayor Wegman, Members; Cortez, Espitia, Hively, West
Attorney E Plaza, City Manager Mittag, City Clerk Hight, Executive Assistant Rodriguez, Finance Director Zervis, Public Works Director Allen, Community Development Director Heiser, Sgt Lee
5) PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS: none
6) COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE:
Maria Salazar- 1734 Lupine Court Wasco, requested that something be done about a home in her neighborhood who has 7 people living in the back , who have loud music playing late at night, whohave7-8 cars parked on the street and who fill up the trash cans, so that they are unavailable for the neighborhood.
Jose Lona 1575 Shamrock Court Wasco requested that something be done regarding the pedestrian crosswalk at Palm and Hwy 46. It seems that the signal does not give pedestrian enough time to walk across the Hwy.
Sgt Lee Wasco Sheriffs Department, introduced Jr. Rodriguez who is the nighttime supervisor for the area.
7) CONSENT CALENDAR:
a) Approval of Minutes from the regular meeting on October 7, 2008
b) Approval of Bill Paying List.
c) Acceptance of Sherriff's Activity Report for the Month of September 2008.
d) Acceptance of Code Enforcement Report for the Month of September 2008.
e) Acceptance of Monthly Building Permit Report for September 2008.
f) Notice of Completion of CDBG Street Reconstruction 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, 2nd by Member Cortez. Motion carried with a 5-0-0 vote.
8) Report, Public Hearing and Possible Introduction of an Ordinance and Waive First Reading, RE: 08-578 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASCO AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASCO AND THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM. (Zervis)
Mayor Wegman opened the public hearing.
Finance Director Zervis gave a brief report stating that this is an introduction to an Ordinance to amend the City's contract with CALPERS for pension benefits. This action is a result of the resolution of intent at last council meeting.
Mr. Olsen 1916 Poso, resident of Wasco asked if this would affect the taxpayers of Wasco.
Member Hively explained that this is a benefit to the employee that may wish to retire early and that he thought it was a good program.
Member Espitia also stated his support of this program opportunity.
With no further questions or comments, Mayor Wegman closed the public hearing.
Member Hively made a motion to approve and waive 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
9) Report and Possible Approval RE: The Purchase of 2 Used Copiers from Budget Office's equipment to replace the copiers located at the Public Works Office and the Wastewater Treatment Facility. (Allen)
Public Works Director Allen gave a brief report of the copiers used at the present by public works and the wastewater treatment facility and the opportunity to purchase 2 used copiers from Budget Office equipment at a significant cost savings.
There was a brief discussion regarding the warranty on the machines and copies needed at wastewater.
With no further questions, Member Espitia made a motion to approve, 2nd by Member Cortez. Motion carried with a 5-0-0 vote.
10) Report and Possible Approval RE: 2008-2567 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASCO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF WASCO AND BOTH PINNACLE ENGINEERING AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS FOR THE LANDSCAPE PLAN CHECK AND DESIGN SERVICES. (McNamara)
City Manager Mittag gave a brief report regarding the need for assistance in reviewing landscaping plans and the opportunity to use two referenced forms for landscaping-related plan check functions, and inspections. There is no fiscal impact to the city; they are part of the cost recovery program, if their assistance is used it will be charged to the applicant.
Mr. Olsen 1916 Poso, a resident asked if the money comes out of the general fund.
Staff answered that it was charged to the applicant and then paid to the engineer/architect.
Mr. Olsen stated that "Growth should not be coming out of tax payer's pocket.
With no further comment, Member Cortez 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
11) Report and Possible Approval, RE: Professional Services Agreement between The Weill Institute Small Business Development Center and the City of Wasco for business counseling and entrepreneurial training to Wasco business owners. (Brown)
Economic Development Coordinator Brown gave a brief history of the Weill Institute Small Business Center and the opportunity to offer counseling and training to local small business owners in Wasco. He stated that the fee is a budgeted item.
Member Cortez stated his support and asked how staff would get the word out to the community. Mr. Brown shared his plan of using the local paper, walking door to door, the Chamber of Commerce and whatever other means were available to him to let Wasco businesses know about the program.
Mayor Wegman spoke of her support.
With no further comments, Member Cortez made a motion to approve, 2nd by Member Hively. Motion carried with a 5-0-0 vote.
12) REPORTS FROM CITY STAFF
Zervis: gave a brief report on the recent valley floor Cities opposition to LAFCo recent proposal regarding cancellations of Williamson Act contracts.
Heiser: gave a brief report, stating that this was his 2nd day on the job, building permits are a little slow, would soon be updating the zoning ordinance.
Sgt Lee: November 8th will be the Grand Opening of the SAL program Building located on Birch Street. Invitations are forthcoming.
13) REPORTS FROM CITY ATTORNEY-none
14) RPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER- gave a brief report of the Economic Round table conference he recently attended stating new verbiage regarding Quality of Place and Community Amenities. He also stated that staff will be reviewing and updating our own dialogue regarding our priorities and checklists.
15) REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL
Cortez: Thanked the Sheriffs Department and staff for a job well done with the SAL program.
Hively: Welcomed Community Development Director Heiser. He also congratulated the Sheriffs Department on the opening of the SAL building. He also asked the Attorney about the progress with Beckes Street completion and bond holders.
E. Plaza reported that there has been an exchange of letters with the contractor, staff and bond companies and that they are all aware of the issue.
Member Cortes asked that the completion of Beckes Street be on the next agenda if possible.
Espitia: Already had discussion with Sgt Lee, nothing else to report.
Wegman: Thanked staff for productive dialogue with LAFCo, and mentioned upcoming meeting with Congressmen Costa on Thursday. She also attended the City Managers/Mayors meeting in Delano.
Member Espitia made a motion to move into closed session at 7:45, 2nd by Member Cortez.
Before the vote, Member Espitia and Member Cortez withdrew their motion to move into closed session.
At 7:35 p.m. Mayor Wegman made a motion adjourn to the RDA agenda, 2nd by Member Cortez, motion carried 5-0-0.
Mayor Wegman reconvened regular meeting at 9:00 p.m.
16) CLOSED SESSION:
a) 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 Plaza reported that the Council received information and consultation, no action taken.
b) McIntosh v. Northern California Universal Enterprises Co. and the City of Wasco (107CV01080), Government Code Section 54956.9 (Pending Litigation).
Attorney Plaza reported that the Council received information and consultation, no action taken.
17) ADJOURNMENT Member Cortez made a motion to adjourn at 9:00 p.m., 2nd by Member Espitia. Motion carried 5-0-0
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Vickie Hight, City Clerk Cherylee Wegman, Mayor
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