The July 6 City Council meeting was busy one, indeed

City Manager Greg Garrett updated the City Council on the many current projects in which the city is currently involved. He reported that the city is looking to recruit two new police officers, a sergeant and a utility manager. Work has begun on the drainage project at the corner of Valley Blvd. and Curry St., and work will soon begin on the new islands at Curry and Pinon streets.

The Developmental Services Department is in their new building at the corner of Robinson and F streets. The city will be holding an open house next month.

Bids will be going out for work on Tehachapi Blvd., between Snyder Ave. and Dennison Rd., and work should soon commence on the Summit Project providing traffic signals in the area.

The Freedom Plaza project is out to bid. The rehabilitation project on H St., between Green St. and Hayes St., has been completed. The Taxi Way Project at the airport is out to bid. Artificial turf will be replacing grass on the island on N. Mill St. by Omni Family Health.

Tehachapi is doing well in meeting its water saving goals. The Hot Dog Festival was a great success and Garrett thanked all involved. The Benz property annexation on the corner of Tehachapi Blvd. and Dennison Rd. has been submitted. Kaiser has submitted the plans for their new offices. Garrett reminded everyone about Relay for Life (July 11) and National Night Out (August 4).

After appointing Michael Williams to the Planning Commission (see article on page 14) the City Council thanked Commissioner Sonja Wilson for her 10 years of service to the community. Council member Ed Grimes said that during her tenure, which expired June 30, she was instrumental in the development of the new general plan for the city and worked tirelessly on the Walmart project. City Manager Greg Garrett added his kudos, as well.

A new program was introduced that would recognize Tehachapi youth for their service to the community, good citizenship, volunteerism and civic engagement. Forms have been developed and will be available through the school district, churches and TVRPD to nominate young people of any age within the greater Tehachapi area to be recognized by the City Council for their service. It is hoped that this program will encourage civic awareness in the youth of Tehachapi.

Police Department Code Enforcement Officer, Aaron Price, introduced an ordinance to the Municipal Code prohibiting drug houses and chronic nuisance properties. Price explained that like many communities Tehachapi has a small number of properties which impact the community with repeated criminal activities. The proposed ordinance will enable the city to impose and collect from property occupants and owners the cost of law enforcement services that exceed the cost of providing normal law enforcement services if the costs are related to abating a chronic nuisance. There will be a public hearing at the next council meeting after which a vote will be taken.

City Manager Garrett also announced the July 14 retirement of Community Development Director David James, who has been with the city for almost 30 years.

Mayor Susan Wiggins presented a proclamation to The Loop newspaper naming July 2015 Free Newspaper Month (see article on page 3).