1 HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
April 23, 2024, 12:00 p.m.
City Hall North Conference Room A
1600 Truxtun Avenue
Members Present: Committee Member Andrae Gonzales - Chair
Members Absent: Committee Member Eric Arias
Committee Member Ken Weir
City Staff:
Others Present:
Christian Clegg, City Manager
Jennifer Byers, Acting Economic Development Director
Juan Heredia, Administrative Analyst III
Julie Drimakis, City Clerk
Josh Rudnick, Deputy City Attorney
Joe Conroy, Public Information Officer
Jason Cater, Economic and Community Development Manager Michele Cruz, Management Assistant
Gary Halen, Assistant City Manager
Nicole Ruiz, Economic and Community Development Planner II Jessica Golden, Economic and Community Development Planner II
Jessica Armstrong, Kern Behavioral Recovery Services
John Donagan, The Bakersfield Californian
Wendell Wesley Jr., Community Member
Diahna James, Mercy House
Jim Wheeler, Flood Ministries
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1. ROLL CALL
Meeting was called to order at 12:14 p.m.
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
a. Agenda Item Public Statements
b. Non-Agenda Item Public Statements
Sandra Plascencia spoke regarding an eviction protection program.
2 Wendell Wesley spoke regarding the need for additional affordable housing.
Nataly Santamaria made comments regarding the housing and mental health crisis and the need for legal counsel in conjunction of the eviction protection program.
3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
a. Adoption of March 26, 2024 regular meeting minutes
No action taken, due to lack of quorum.
Staff recommends adoption of minutes.
4. STAFF REPORTS
a. March 2024 - Staff update on the City's efforts to address housing and homelessness
Economic Development Director Byers made staff comments.
Administrative Analyst Heredia made additional staff comments.
City Manager Clegg made additional staff comments.
No action taken, due to lack of quorum.
Staff recommends Committee receive and file report.
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Proposition 1 Behavior Health Services Program and Bond Measure City Manager Clegg introduced Jessica Armstrong, Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services who made comments and provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Report only, no action taken.
Councilmember Gonzales referred to staff to start a conversation with KBHRS to take advantage of the future funding stream and collaborate to move projects forward.
No action taken, due to lack of quorum.
Staff recommends Committee receive and file presentation.
1. PowerPoint presentation from Kern County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Department
6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
7. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 1:05 p.m.
3 _________________________
ANDRAE GONZALES, CHAIR
JULIE DRIMAKIS, CITY CLERK