City Council Coverage – May 2

At the May 2 City Council meeting, Mayor Susan Wiggins presented a Certificate of Recognition to the Tehachapi Police Explorers and their advisor Officer Mike Adams for their exceptional performance at the Tactical Explorer Competition held in Federal Way, Washington at the end of February. The team is made up of 14 highly motivated boys and girls interested in pursuing careers in law enforcement. They competed against 12 other Explorer teams including the United States Border Patrol and came away with several first, second and third place awards and placed second overall. The group completely funded the trip with volunteer projects over the last year.

Mayor Wiggins also read a proclamation supporting the affiliation between the Tehachapi Valley Healthcare District and Adventist Health. The City Council voted unanimously to support the 30 year lease and affiliation with Adventist which will ensure the completion of construction and the operation of our new hospital. The combined resources of the district and Adventist will enable the hospital to better serve the public with quality healthcare. Mayor Wiggins then urged the public to vote "yes" on Measure H which approves the affiliation. Mike Duffield of Adventist Health said that they have a history with rural and regional hospitals and currently have 14 in their system.

Development Services Manager Jay Schlosser presented several projects for approval. The council approved window and roofing contracts for the new Freedom Plaza Visitors Center and the contract for the Valley Blvd. Bikeway between Mulberry St. and Curry St. That project includes curb and gutter as well as an eight foot wide bike path.

Schlosser also presented a proposal to amend the Snyder Well Intertie Project to permit the Tehachapi Cummings Valley Water District to temporarily convert the water used to water the fields at Monroe and Jacobsen from potable to non-potable. After much discussion, the council approved the change.

Police Chief Kent Kroeger asked the council to approve an agreement that would allow the Tehachapi Police Department to begin the process to obtain accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). CALEA was created in 1979 with the mission to improve law enforcement services through the maintenance of a series of standards. Kroeger added that only about 10% of departments are currently accredited and added that while accreditation is not required, he felt that as a relatively young police department, it would be a good opportunity to examine current police policies and then invite CALEA to come in and audit those policies. The City Council approved the agreement.