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Wasco Council approves organizational appointments, CDBG closeout, high‑speed rail template and director contract
Summary
During its organizational meeting, the Wasco City Council confirmed chair and vice‑chair appointments for multiple agencies, updated authorized bank signers, adopted a CDBG closeout resolution, approved travel to a May conference, authorized high‑speed rail template agreements for utility crossings, and adopted a community development director employment agreement.
The Wasco City Council on Tuesday conducted its annual organizational business and approved a slate of routine resolutions and housekeeping items.
Appointments and banking signers: The council confirmed Mayor Eduardo Saldana as chair and Gilbert Reyna as vice chair for the successor agency and the Wasco Public Financing Authority by roll‑call votes. Council adopted resolutions to add Eduardo Saldana and Gilbert Reyna as authorized signers on successor agency and Wasco Public Financing Authority bank accounts and to remove Valentin Medina and Mark C. DeMay; staff described these moves as housekeeping tied to recent personnel changes. The clerk recorded consistent roll‑call approvals with four ayes and one member absent on these items.
CDBG closeout: Staff presented the Community Development Block Grant closeout for ADA sidewalk and lighting improvements on 13th–16th Streets (the project benefitted about 66 homes, a church and a park). After opening and immediately closing the public hearing with no comments, the council adopted a resolution authorizing the city manager to submit closeout documentation to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (motion approved, four ayes, one absent).
Conference travel: Council authorized travel expenses exceeding $500 related to the ICSC conference in Las Vegas (May 18–20, 2026) for the city manager and community development director and selected Council Member Martinez and Mayor Saldana to attend (motion approved, four ayes, one absent).
High Speed Rail agreement templates: Staff explained two template consent and joint‑use agreements with the California High Speed Rail Authority to govern utility crossings, maintenance and emergency repairs where rail casings intersect city infrastructure. The templates are to be adapted into multiple site‑specific agreements. Council discussed safety provisions and adopted a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute the template agreements (motion approved, four ayes, one absent).
Employment agreement: Council approved a renewal employment agreement for Carrie Cobb as community development director; staff said the salary in the draft represents a 5% merit step increase and noted one correction will be made to an executive leave accrual rate in the contract before finalization. The council approved the resolution by roll call (four ayes, one absent).
Consent calendar and committee assignments: The consent calendar (items 12(a)–12(h)) passed in one motion (four ayes, one absent). Council also reviewed and confirmed municipal committee assignments and outside agency representatives (e.g., KernCOG, APCD), approving the slate for the year.
All recorded votes on formal motions at this meeting were approved by a 4–0 tally with Council Member Raya absent, as noted in the clerk’s roll calls. No contentious amendments or defeated measures were recorded.
