Tehachapi City Council tackles reports vs. action items
List it, and it could be up for action.
At the Dec. 4 Tehachapi City Council meeting, council member reports were handled differently than in previous meetings.
Items under the heading of "Council Member Reports" were not only discussed, but also voted on — something not previously done.
A statement added to the Dec. 4 agenda says, "If an item is listed below, the Council has the option to take action or refer the matter to staff for a later agenda."
At the Nov. 20 meeting, Councilman Kenneth R. Hetge said he sent in an email to city staff before the meeting to have them place three items on the agenda so they could be discussed and be up for a vote. They were not put on as agenda items for action; they could only be discussed at that meeting. At the same meeting, the council decided the items would be put on the next agenda for possible action.
The three items for discussion covered population signs; reversal of a City Council decision to work with the FAA, dated Feb. 21, 2017 to remove federal obligations for the event center and rodeo grounds; and requesting City Manager Greg Garrett to conduct an outside forensic audit for all documentation regarding the operation of Tehachapi Municipal Airport.
Hetge stressed these items as being very important on Nov. 20. but on Dec. 4, Hetge did not discuss two items, both having to do with the airport.
"After we get them now back on the agenda I've been requested to remove items 13 and 15, but I will continue to discuss number 14," Hetge said. Asked after the meeting who requested he remove these items and why, he declined to comment.
Hetge did, however, discuss item number 14, the updating of population signs at the Dec. 4 meeting.
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Charges dismissed against former Tehachapi Municipal Airport manager, assistant
Charges have been dismissed against a former manager of Tehachapi Municipal Airport and an assistant who were accused of submitting a fraudulent grant application for $17,860.
Thomas Glasgow, the former manager, and Gaston Patterson have maintained their innocence since the filing of charges in June of last year, said Jared Thompson, Glasgow's attorney.
"Ultimately, the evidence supported the conclusion that no crimes were committed, and all charges were dismissed against both men," Thompson said Wednesday. "Mr. Glasgow and Mr. Patterson are thankful to have their good names restored and feel vindicated by the dismissal of all charges."
Prosecutor Robin Wolfe said the case was dismissed in the interests of justice following further investigation by both the D.A.'s office and defense attorneys.
The charges, dismissed Nov. 21, stemmed from a grant application the two prepared to replace a high-emission city vehicle with a new lower-emission vehicle.
Several "disgruntled individuals" raised unfounded concerns about the grant application, Thompson said, resulting in an investigation and criminal charges.
Thompson said both he and H.A. Sala, Patterson's attorney, were able to demonstrate the grant application was completed correctly and with the best available information. The pickup that would have been bought with the grant money would have replaced a high-mileage 1984 GMC pickup.
"It completely achieved the purpose of the grant," Thompson said.
But after the allegations of wrongdoing were leveled, Glasgow and Patterson resigned, Thompson said. The city decided to withdraw the grant application.
Glasgow and Patterson had faced misdemeanor charges of conspiracy to defraud, presenting a false claim and attempting to obtain money by false pretenses.
At the time charges were filed, the District Attorney's office said it had received information a year earlier regarding a fraudulent grant application to purchase a new pickup.
The grant application of $17,860 was completed with the East Kern Air Pollution Control District in 2014. That amount was half the cost of the pickup Glasgow planned to purchase; it was not funded.
The charges were filed as misdemeanors rather than felonies, prosecutors said at the time, because there was no evidence Glasgow or Patterson would personally benefit from the truck other than using it for work.
Thompson said those close to the aviation community in Tehachapi held Glasgow and Patterson in high regard and supported the work they had done for the airport.
Glasgow still lives in Tehachapi and is working as a charter pilot.
"He just wants to move on," Thompson said.
Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.tehachapinews.com
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