City of Wasco
City Council Minutes
TUESDAY, April 7, 2009
City Council Chambers
746 8th Street, Wasco, California 93280
1) CALL TO ORDER Mayor West called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m.
2) FLAG SALUTE
Member Wegman asked that tonight's meeting be dedicated in Local business owner Jerry Ince's memory.
Member Cortez asked that tonight's meeting also be dedicated in local resident Robert Marines' memory.
3) INVOCATION: Bill Lewis of Griffith Avenue Baptist Church offered the invocation.
4) ROLL CALL
Mayor West, Members; Cortez, Espitia, Hively, Wegman
Attorney B Garcia, City Manager Mittag, City Clerk Hight, Executive Assistant Rodriguez, Finance Director Zervis, Public Works Director Allen, Community Development Director Heiser, Sgt Armendariz
5) PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS:
a) City of Wasco Proclamation declaring October 19th Cancer Fighter Day in Memory of Sabrina Fontes.
b) City of Wasco Proclamation presented to Wasco/Shafter Relay For Life Committee for Wasco/Shafter 5th Annual Relay For Life sponsored by the American Cancer Society to be held April 25 and 26, 2009 at Wasco High School.
c) City of Wasco Proclamation in recognition of National Donate Life Month for the month of April 2009.
Mayor West presented presentations and awards.
Arnold Fontes received the Proclamation for Cancer Fighter Day.
Rhonda Jones and committee received Proclamation for Wasco/Shafter Relay for Life.
6) COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE:
Victor Padilla business owner Wasco T-Shirts asked for a fee reduction for the cargo container on his property and stated that the city was not supporting his local business.
Jose Lona 1575 Shamrock Ct asked why the council was not taking any action to reduce the speed limit on F. Street.
Bryant Parks 2056 Hawthorne Ave. Bakersfield invited council and staff to use his website; Wascotopia.com as an information source to the community.
7) CONSENT CALENDAR:
a) Approval of Minutes from the following meetings:
Special Meeting on February 6, 2009
Special Meeting on March 14, 2009
Regular Meeting on March 17, 2009
b) Approval of Bill Paying List.
c) Acceptance of Investment Policy and Compliance Report for the Month of February 2009.
d) Notice of Completion of Poplar Avenue Reconstruction Project
e) Acknowledge Receipt of Correspondence.
f) Approve the Reading of All Ordinances and Resolutions by Title Only and
Approve Publication of All Ordinances in Summary Form.
Member Wegman made a motion to approve the consent calendar, 2nd by Member Hively. Motion carried 5-0-0
8) Report, Public Hearing, RE: Conducting a Public Hearing to Inform Citizens of the funding available through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and to obtain public input on the CDBG activities to pursue in FY 2009/2010. (Zervis)
Mayor West opened the public hearing at 7:24 p.m.
An attendance sign in sheet was circulated to the audience.
Assistant City Manager gave a brief report of the program and asked for comments or questions from the public.
Hearing none, Mayor West closed the public hearing at 7:25 p.m.
No action taken.
9) Report and Possible Approval, RE: 09-2612 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASCO APPROVING AN APPLICATION AND CONTRACT EXECUTION FOR FUNDING FROM THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE EXECUTION OF A STANDARD AGREEMENT AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER TO SIGN CONTRACT DOCUMENTS AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS GRANT. (Allen)
Public Works Director Allen gave a brief staff report of the funds available from the grant to construct sidewalks and ADA ramps.
Mayor Pro Tem Espitia made a motion to approve, 2nd by Member Wegman. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Mayor West, Member Hively, Espitia, Cortez and Wegman
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
City Clerk Hight read the resolution title.
10) Report and Possible Approval, RE: Job Description for Staff Accountant. (Zervis)
Staff pulled item for further review.
No action taken.
11) Report and Possible Approval, RE: 09-2613 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASCO APPROVING AN APPLICATION AND EXECUTION OF A FINANCING AGREEMENT WITH THE CLEAN WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND OF THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD AND NAMING AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE TO EXECUTE A FINANCING AGREEMENT AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO WITH THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD. (Zervis)
Assistant City Manager Zervis presented resolution and gave a brief report of the grant made available if funded for wastewater treatment and sludge centrifuge. He stated that there was a good chance for funding and recommended approval.
Mayor Pro Tem Espitia made a motion to approve, 2nd by Member Wegman. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Mayor West, Member Hively, Espitia, Cortez and Wegman
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
City Clerk Hight read the resolution title.
12) Report and Discussion, RE: Section 12.04.060 and Section 17.51.01. The City of Wasco Municipal Code Title 12, Section 12.04.060 (Improvements Required When) establishing twenty five percent (25%) of the assessed valuation as the threshold requiring the repair and/or installation of curb, gutter and sidewalks and Zoning Ordinance Section 17.51.01 Design Districts to require property improvements upon reaching 25% of assessed value of property. (Heiser)
Community Development Director Heiser gave a staff report of requirements as applied to existing and new development projects within the city.
There was discussion regarding thresholds and what nearby cities requirements are.
Mayor West stated that fair market value may be a better threshold. He also stated that this ordinance was not business friendly.
There was further discussion regarding assessed value of properties and the need for appraisals with market values.
Staff recommended leaving the ordinance in place and let the appeal process work for businesses who wish to appeal the requirement.
Member Cortez suggested using market value zones within the city.
Assistant City Manager Zervis suggested looking at other communities and compare.
Mayor Pro Tem Espitia stated that he thought the current threshold should remain in place.
Member Hively stated that we need to be more business friendly.
Member Cortez asked staff to review the ordinance and fees.
Rev. David Downing 2524 Sunset spoke in opposition to the ordinance stating the improvements were a hardship in regards to the church property on the corner of Filburn and Palm and that he appreciated the council looking into the threshold.
Mayor West asked that his item be back on the May agenda.
No action taken.
13) REPORTS FROM CITY STAFF
Allen: reported that staff has been working on crack and seal of city streets.
Armendariz: gave a staff change report, reported more use of radar in the area of Filburn and F Streets.
Thanked Member Wegman for a recent donation to the SAL program. He also stated that he would be presenting a challenge to the Shafter Police Department to raise money for Relay for Life.
14) REPORTS FROM CITY ATTORNEY- none
15) REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER- Reported that KFC is in plan-check process.
Reported that there will be a public workshop April 16th at the Wasco Veterans Hall to discuss grant funding, possible park space and feedback from the community.
Reported the need to set a meeting with the High School board of directors to discuss storm water retention.
16) REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL
Espitia reported possible new California legislation regarding skate boarding and changing required helmets and pads but local government can still enforce local ordinance.
Member Cortez made a motion to adjourn regular meeting to closed session at 7:21p.m., 2nd by Member Hively. Motion carried.
Mayor West left closed session at 8:30 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Espitia reconvened regular meeting at 8:43p.m.
17) CLOSED SESSION:
a) Public Employee Recruitment - City Manager, Government Code Section 54957.
City Attorney Garcia reported that no reportable action was taken.
18) ADJOURNMENT Member Cortez made a motion to adjourn at 8:43 p.m., 2nd by Director Wegman. Motion carried meeting adjourned.
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Vickie Hight, City Clerk Fred West Jr., Mayor
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