Jeanette Pauer appointed to Council

The first order of business at the Aug. 21 City Council meeting was to appoint a new District 2 city council member to fill the seat vacancy created by the resignation of Councilman Keith Sackawitz.

There were two applications for the seat: Jeanette Pauer, former head of the Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce and Denise Madden of the nonprofit organization #LoveTehachapi. Both women were nominated, but Pauer was selected in a 4-0 vote and was sworn in by City Clerk, Tory Marsh.

Pauer introduced Clare Scotti who will be replacing her as head of the Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce.

The City Council approved the funds to begin the development of a one acre park to be located on Valley Blvd. near Mountain View. The project is to include landscaping, shade trees, picnic sites, a playground and a five-a-side soccer field. The city received a grant of $2,090,588 for the project, leaving a balance of approximately $785,000 that will be covered by SB-1 funds, Park Funds and General Funds as needed.

Development Services Director, Jay Schlosser, said the population demographics of this neighborhood helped secure the grant which focuses on the development of lower income areas. Work should begin on the project this year.

Schlosser also presented the next series of grind and overlay projects for streets within the city, to be completed in the 2023/24 cycle. Council unanimously approved the project. Funding for the projects comes from a mixture of Gas Tax funds and SB-1 funds.

Council also approved the second phase of two required statewide programs controlling the discharge of industrial waste and disposal of fats, oils and grease that was presented by Public Works Director, Don Marsh. Phase one outlined the requirements of the program and identified the food establishments and industrial facilities that could be included in the program. Phase two will be the formation of a plan of implementation and possible changes to city ordinances. Wallace Group, who assisted with Phase I, has been hired to assist in the continued development of the program.

The Tehachapi City Council meets on the first and third Monday of the month at 6 p.m. They are currently meeting at the Police Department Community Room, 220 W. C St.