[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6533939,"mediaKeyId","3647116-7a886526f876675df6a6c32dacaa51ce","parentId",3647116,"title","Caltrans outlines Highway 46 roundabout, multi-year construction and limited night closures","audioSeconds",274,"startMs",1366000,"endMs",1640000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3647116-7a886526f876675df6a6c32dacaa51ce&start=1366&end=1640","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3647116-7a886526f876675df6a6c32dacaa51ce/thumbnail_1366000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6533939/Wasco-City/Kern-County/California/Caltrans-outlines-Highway-46-roundabout-multi-year-construction-and-limited-night-closures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533939-628f627fad52a8cd8065554446fdcdf9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775620577&Signature=An7HNmp1Ia5~BpSL5ORf0aqoLEkXFz1jSDSq32wOlWnyYdvF81G5W-~x3-O4Zmim-HbCfj16m30D74vp-GrBWYbbYUnNxZlq4aHxoZpAzmRKZekELk250uLgxrRDuorfZPVcy2ahb7s~49Pum6k7~Xy44Rh1GPsbKk-IVeUvwM8RZT4MN6D8AQsZl~ZeOabD8jq8z4xLU5WQFp0WTT1EELVfNKHe0M6J7PXAhVKO-FYnyxKwSOAJHE9L3~gwCETyu0~C6m0AEQSAnzU1leSIprCv~8tZa2u24c9tlWr6hPszO~O0dzc3ZtHGNQMkmwIPWATITjY4XMHrBYo4DAQCoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Wasco","date","2025-06-03T00:00:00Z","article","Caltrans presented details of the State Route 43/46 improvement project that will add a roundabout, replace the BNSF rail bridge and lower the SR‑46 profile to meet standard clearance.

Shelly Maggard, the Caltrans presenter, said project goals include improving safety and traffic operations by placing a roundabout at the SR‑43/46 intersection, improving ADA accessibility, reducing delays and supporting freight movement and local connectivity.

Key schedule and design details Maggard gave: advertising in July 2025, bid opening in September 2025, anticipated award in fall 2025 and a construction start in April 2026 to allow utility relocations to finish. Construction completion is projected in October 2029. The roundabout will be built as a single‑lane configuration with capacity ‘‘to be reconfigured into a 2 lane roundabout,’’ she said. Caltrans will replace the existing BNSF rail bridge and construct a temporary shoe‑fly track during the bridge work.

Caltrans warned of traffic impacts and closures. Maggard said night‑time single‑lane reversals with flagging are planned and that there will be ‘‘limited occasions where we will have a full closure of State Route 46’’—estimated at approximately four nights for bridge demolition and related work. Detours during full closures would route traffic via J Street to Pozzo and SR‑43, rejoining SR‑46, she said.

The agency identified coordination needs: PG&E and BNSF seasonal work windows (BNSF carries about 60 trains per day in the area), coordination with the adjacent high‑speed rail contractor and required permits. Maggard said Caltrans would work with the city manager’s office on public outreach and deploy commuter message signs on nearby freeways during closures.

Council members asked about detour routing and whether local streets would need extra signing or protection. Maggard said Caltrans will coordinate detour signage with the city and use the city’s public‑information channels, and noted the city’s reverse‑911 and social media for alerts.

No council action was taken; the presentation was informational and Caltrans said it will return with more detailed construction and public‑outreach plans as the project moves toward advertisement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Wasco - City Council - Jun 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Caltrans presented plans for a State Route 43/46 reconstruction that includes a new roundabout, a replaced BNSF rail bridge and a lowered roadway profile, with construction planned April 2026–October 2029.","taxTitle","Wasco City, Kern County, California","taxId",68639,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":42,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6533930,"Council questions Powell/PAL project finances after consent item; staff to reconcile remaining balance",2896000,3170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3647116-7a886526f876675df6a6c32dacaa51ce&start=2896&end=3170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3647116-7a886526f876675df6a6c32dacaa51ce/thumbnail_2896000.jpg","/articles/6533930/Wasco-City/Kern-County/California/Council-questions-PowellPAL-project-finances-after-consent-item-staff-to-reconcile-remaining-balance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533930-5216b9f1fed1cdcb8198ca9614a14e97/orig.mp4?Expires=1775620577&Signature=kgXHQm9Jw5ivtiIjaKjy2rJO4AtQ~Qz2CnT3d-lfy4WLNh7qIRZ2UBlbVegyEwZONYzWTe0yINFY5E~tsDkqC-GgJ1U5-dwldhaGQ3wBnDfGaRd~T6NBpP7Acrn7nUke9koxldZ3ms0adaW2~0zNvIXaIpXqw-2Sol6zQRZWbfM5lOPK3JFDrPkrQ5KWGreZBOKM65MuxECvhT0ahnjUO7zm5a~1Ol3YAeCmsLcjatu6a9P~YQ4sF6vlaHcLx1VQwRA74dstxpTp73Dd1B8AzloA9ptBr9sUHntKr5BGtYP1~jctR-qOn4W8lHqawmondaFnO-J4q2r-F6Z3yhAgFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council considered a consent‑calendar item that included a notice of completion related to the Powell (PAL) project and raised questions about remaining grant and contract balances.

Council member Reyna examined the staff report and said the numbers on the report showed a difference of \"$104,182.51\" between funds received and funds spent and asked whether that remainder had been assigned. City staff replied they did not believe the remaining balance as presented was accurate and that they would double‑check the figures and return with clarification.

During the same discussion staff and finance clarified that some project costs were billed directly by the city (equipment purchases, internal labor) rather than through the external contractor, and that the consent report primarily reconciled contractor amounts and change orders. A finance staff member said, to their understanding, only about ‘‘under $5,000 total remaining’’ would be left on the contractor side after reconciliation, but staff committed to provide a full breakdown to council member Reyna.

Why it matters: the Powell/PAL project used grant funds and multiple procurement routes (city‑billed equipment and contractor change orders). Council members wanted assurance the remaining funds were accounted for and asked staff to show a clear reconciliation of received, committed and spent dollars.

The consent calendar, which contained this item among others, was approved unanimously; staff said they will follow up with the numerical breakdown and an explanation of how the grant and city‑billed items were reconciled.","Council members asked staff to reconcile apparent remaining funds in the Powell (PAL) project after a consent‑calendar notice of completion, and staff said they would verify the figures and return with a full breakdown.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6533934,"Police present year‑to‑date dashboard; council clarifies CHP hiring‑grant match and waiver process",638,2132000,2770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3647116-7a886526f876675df6a6c32dacaa51ce&start=2132&end=2770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3647116-7a886526f876675df6a6c32dacaa51ce/thumbnail_2132000.jpg","/articles/6533934/Wasco-City/Kern-County/California/Police-present-yeartodate-dashboard-council-clarifies-CHP-hiringgrant-match-and-waiver-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533934-7a4a3ff8b67334a4e1fc4158ba444046/orig.mp4?Expires=1775620577&Signature=Xjoe3B21830uyuzTLY-7bZk7mF9hN3Y4Ds3ZACMsTyihhJS6cZ68qfrL2UWtQo2yEvWIVfT3r4dlR2FfPcfjJTD84FyZEu9vm8Kr18~R7W55TRTZjlrDglckin5pOvZqceQ45ZCaksS5CiqqzusRMPPa26D-1tA05BhtDYnpglTg45NJEs4Q6xwdPn-mXg5mVt80G6~gIQ1fOJsZJMFLyuetPtzGiF4SxVPYVgXfDrpyg6bpvNKZoYwTBAnlmORgdZn6cEOJ4CYxxbQPWfLXx6zz6mHrwvakmDtGGAz86iSfjHwwJGR8nsSxpgtpRS~lTDa19OFY1oO3QXoJZdarLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council received the Washoe (city) police department’s year‑to‑date dashboard and discussed grant strategy for the COPS hiring program.

An assistant chief presenting the dashboard reported 8,097 total incidents year‑to‑date, including 5,041 calls for service, 3,056 officer‑initiated activities and 429 arrests. The presenter said 60% of all activity was officer‑generated and reviewed monthly vehicle theft and recovery counts for January–May.

Council members pressed on several operational points. Martinez and others praised the department’s auto‑theft recoveries and asked whether some recoveries were in‑progress takeovers; the presenter answered affirmatively. The dashboard also showed traffic‑stop and citation counts by month; the presenter said the department is beginning an e‑citation rollout and anticipates citation counts to increase as training concludes.

During the consent‑calendar discussion, Council member Reyna asked about the California Highway Patrol (CHP) COPS hiring grant application and the program’s 25% local match requirement. Staff (Oni) explained the city previously received a COPS grant for one officer with a waiver granted and said the city will submit a waiver request again but that ‘‘it’s not guaranteed.’’

Staff clarified why a waiver is sought: the grant covers a portion of salary and benefits (the presenter used $125,000 as the nominal grant amount per officer), but overtime and certain costs are typically not covered, so local costs can accrue over the multi‑year term. Staff said the city frequently applies for a waiver and, if approved, the match obligation is reduced or eliminated; if not approved, the city would need to supply the local match from existing budgets.

The meeting included a community event update from the department: the recent bike rodeo on May 24 drew about 200 people.

No formal council action was taken specifically on the dashboard; staff said they will apply for the COPS grant and request a match waiver as part of the application process.","The police assistant chief presented a dashboard showing 8,097 total incidents year‑to‑date and 429 arrests. Council members asked about auto-theft recoveries, traffic stops and a COPS hiring grant application; staff said the city will request a waiver of the 25% local match but that waivers are not guaranteed.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6533944,"City sees early warning from new Waterworth rate-modeling tool; council urged to consider 'micro adjustments'",736,228000,964000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3647116-7a886526f876675df6a6c32dacaa51ce&start=228&end=964","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3647116-7a886526f876675df6a6c32dacaa51ce/thumbnail_228000.jpg","/articles/6533944/Wasco-City/Kern-County/California/City-sees-early-warning-from-new-Waterworth-rate-modeling-tool-council-urged-to-consider-micro-adjustments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533944-91eddfcba664d828b64f722ee7e271b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775620577&Signature=CrlSF9H6J~LQ8Ff4T5m~BfejZ2xDMn8tx4spISTo51ot-VZSny~pFf4B20XKtPlwnBlEBlfHllh2iM~rftDgJe5TbBB0uOHsRJyS792Xk6wLDQ8f~Or5b0QkWbmv6xwu0Xg82xtx04equilAFaySzWLhSdB33B-WmsPgsIcHOd~raHE0BC8BrpJEEyg32L-u0iFe07WEHHxHW3aXvDeBZruSaybzS-E-9~FC4hZ~DztAfunsM0nADkRcAVS9fLMSZTzRciMTgjEHRVdIVXg1u-RwQhttjk4J2l8tEni7bHGo29q9x8RDrRaGlXZj1x79TcTliYJXThYOlvl3kQ2wuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The city heard a demonstration of Waterworth, a dynamic water and wastewater rate-modeling system, during the council meeting. Mr. O'Brien, the consultant presenting the product, said the tool uses real accounting and meter data to project expenses, revenues and rates into the future.

The system ‘‘allows us to dynamically do that and adjust the rate increases off into the future, real time,’’ O'Brien said, describing the ability to model stepped or smooth rate scenarios and to keep reserves within target bands.

Why it matters: the demonstration showed the council an illustrative projection through 2047. Using the city’s current assumptions, staff said the projection would not reach the council’s self-imposed 35% reserve threshold until 2031 if rates remain flat. Council members and consultants framed the tool as a long-range planning device to avoid sudden large increases later.

Council discussion focused on how the tool would be fed and how the city would act on the projections. O'Brien said the tool is being loaded with historical actuals from 2022–2024 and the adopted 2025 budget and that revenue and meter data would come ‘‘straight from our accounting system’’ and meter reads.

Mayor Pro Tem Saldana and others asked whether the tool’s inputs are simple uploads or a live feed; O'Brien said staff is ‘‘perfecting the method of keeping that evergreen’’ so the model can be updated monthly or quarterly.

Council member Reina urged caution about the charted “alarming” slope but expressed support for a phased approach to any rate changes. ‘‘We called it micro adjustments, and I’m okay with micro adjustments,’’ Reina said, indicating preference for incremental changes rather than a single large increase.

Staff said the city plans to use Waterworth ahead of next year’s formal rate study so council members can see multiple scenarios and options before setting rates. No action or vote was taken; the presentation was informational and staff said they will continue to refine the model and report back during the rate-study cycle.

The presentation included two named Waterworth representatives and city staff; council members asked for subsequent briefings that include dollar-amount examples and scenario comparisons.","Consultants demonstrated Waterworth, a dynamic rate-modeling tool for the city’s water and wastewater funds. The software uses real meter and accounting data to project operating expenses, capital needs and reserves to 2047; staff said it shows the city would miss its self-imposed 35% reserve threshold by 2031 if no adjustments are made.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6533925,"Votes at a glance: Wasco City Council approves agenda, consent calendar and security‑camera change orders",3096,141000,3237000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3647116-7a886526f876675df6a6c32dacaa51ce&start=141&end=3237","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3647116-7a886526f876675df6a6c32dacaa51ce/thumbnail_141000.jpg","/articles/6533925/Wasco-City/Kern-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Wasco-City-Council-approves-agenda-consent-calendar-and-securitycamera-change-orders","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533925-e92250452feb96566fee73e97061fba1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775620577&Signature=BK63tM58nXQQc4JXGFHN5lO3ZiOzAHCzOszCEg0cOIAV~IyWYxNvJz2AGnHT5rdAWx6bBbcoqBWt9ohJ5ZG3Q5P65drziodMiZHM~AhfL~yrns55CTS0Na-ZXWVSmu6hUipAJjlPEfVSmQxIbz9QGIe~1KdgTl-S-seu6Aq09pkCqTpk-kRvJX35somR7T5CDQBjRjnjpc8BMoslP96bk4mvb5ulzy16qSITzS8bEo8-Q5N0Ask1lu4cmxBgvpqMXfPPbnYKaTtwJZXm7Zk~PaJ6q2AoEJSZdpWbF3MrCylt9xksFsM-g6vjoGpY6MP8hRwtsncPFPoOgBaT7ZSfqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Three formal motions were recorded and adopted unanimously during the meeting.

Motion to approve the agenda: Motion by Council member Martinez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Saldana. The roll call recorded Ayes from Mayor Medina, Mayor Pro Tem Saldana, Council member Martinez, Council member Raya and Council member Reina. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion to approve the consent calendar (items 11a–11g): Motion by Council member Reina, seconded by Mayor Medina. The roll call recorded Ayes from Mayor Medina, Mayor Pro Tem Saldana, Council member Martinez, Council member Raya and Council member Reina. Motion carried unanimously. The consent calendar included a notice of completion related to the Powell (PAL) project and several routine items; council asked questions about items E and F before voting.

Resolution authorizing change orders to the city security/camera project (item 14): Motion by Mayor Medina, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Saldana. The motion authorized the city manager to approve change orders to the city security system project in an amount not to exceed $116,240 to address police department technology requirements, funded through the police department technology equipment program grant and consistent with the professional services agreement with American Business Machines. Roll‑call votes were Aye by Mayor Medina, Mayor Pro Tem Saldana, Council member Martinez, Council member Raya and Council member Reina. Motion carried unanimously.

No recorded No or Abstain votes appeared in the public roll calls for these items. Staff said they will follow up on financial reconciliation questions raised during consent and on grant waiver outcomes for the COPS hiring application.","Council unanimously approved the meeting agenda, the consent calendar (items 11a–11g) and a resolution authorizing change orders to the city security system project up to $116,240, funded by the Police Department Technology Equipment Program grant and the professional services agreement with American Business Machines.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Caltrans outlines Highway 46 roundabout, multi-year construction and limited night closures

Council questions Powell/PAL project finances after consent item; staff to reconcile remaining balance

Police present year‑to‑date dashboard; council clarifies CHP hiring‑grant match and waiver process

City sees early warning from new Waterworth rate-modeling tool; council urged to consider 'micro adjustments'

Votes at a glance: Wasco City Council approves agenda, consent calendar and security‑camera change orders