News from Tehachapi City Council

At its regular meeting on January 20 at the Wells Education Center, the Tehachapi City Council voted unanimously to adopt an "Urgency Ordinance" that establishes a temporary moratorium on the permitting of hookah lounges within the Tehachapi city limits. City Manager, Greg Garrett, reported that the city had received a permit request to locate a hookah lounge in a currently vacant building on South Green St. The emergency measure would give the city 30 days to further study this land use and to consider health and other issues.

The City Manager also presented a report on the problems resulting from the demise of Golden Hills Sanitation, Co. He suggested that the city could possibly look into taking over the disposal of wastewater from stranded customers. Even though there has not been a request for this service to date, "It's the right thing to do," said Garrett. He feels that the city should be the one to handle the problem and should consider opposing any proposals from the county. If a request was received, the city would then have to iron out the details and examine the costs before proceeding.

Garrett also presented the City of Tehachapi 2014 Year End Report. He informed the council that copies of this report were available at City Hall and were printed in its entirety in the Tehachapi News and The Loop newspapers.

Chief Kroeger asked the city to consider assisting with the purchase of a software system that would enable the mobile compiling of data and mapping. "Tehachapi is still on voice dispatch," said Kroeger. He announced that overall crime in Tehachapi was down 14% (see chart below)but there were also notable increases in rape and aggravated assault.

Finance Director Hannah Chung presented the annual financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014. The audit showed that the City of Tehachapi was in compliance. She recommended that there be no change in the city's investment policy. "Financially, Tehachapi is no longer a small city," Chung said.

The City Council unanimously approved two resolutions presented by City Engineer Jay Schlosser which would allow him to pursue grant money from the California Department of Transportation and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services to be used for the completion of the Mulberry Bus Stop. He said that the city plans to continue the repaving of Tehachapi Blvd. from Mill St. to Robinson St. in 2015. Schlosser also clarified the proposed signal plan for the area around Love's Truck Stop. There will be a signal at Monolith and at the on/off ramps only, not at Steuber Rd., as had been earlier reported.

The council concluded by congratulating Kim Nixon on being named Honorary Commander at Edwards AFB, and by wishing Ed Grimes a very happy birthday.