BAKERSFIELD CITY COUNCIL
POST-MEETING AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING
March 26, 2025, 3:30 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall, 1501 Truxtun Avenue
1. ROLL CALL
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
a. Non-Agenda Item Public Statements
*1. Written material provided by Eddy Laine
*2. Written material provided by Eddy Laine
b. Agenda Item Public Statements
3. REPORTS
a. Administrative Citations Process Update and Automation Proposal. (All Wards)
Staff recommends approval and authorization to automate the Administrative Citation process.
*1. PowerPoint presentation
4. CLOSED SESSION
a. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation; Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) regarding Jonathan Wharton v. City of Bakersfield, et al. Kern County Superior Court Case No. BCV-23-103909
5. CLOSED SESSION ACTION
6. ADJOURNMENT
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: March 26, 2025 AGENDA CATEGORY: REPORTS TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Darin Budak, Recreation and Parks Department
DATE: March 13, 2025
SUBJECT: Administrative Citations process update and automation proposal.
All Wards
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval and authorization to automate the Administrative Citation process.
BACKGROUND:
City staff from BPD, BFD, Code Enforcement and Parks Rangers are responsible for the inspection and enforcement of various codes and regulations. Staff takes an "educate -first" approach in most situations; however, issuing citations is sometimes necessary to encourage compliance.
The current paper -based citation system presents operational challenges. The significant time required for manual processing can le ad to delays in issuing citations and ultimately impact the timely resolution of code violations. Furthermore, the existing process can strain resources when appeals are filed, requiring coordination with the City Attorney’s Office and hearing officer scheduling. This resource -intensive nature can inadvertently limit the effective utilization of administrative citations. Consequently, the current system's effectiveness in achieving consistent compliance and collecting fines is less than optimal.
To improve the effectiveness of the administrative citation process, staff propose implementing a modern digital system in partnership with a third -party service provider, Data Ticket. Data Ticket is already a established and proven vendor with Bakersfield Police Department in handling all parking violations. BPD has had no issues with Data Ticket and speaks highly of their process The Data Ticket program will establish a system for multiple city departments to issue administrative and parking citations for minor vio lations of the municipal code and other regulations. This program aims to streamline the process resulting in several key benefits:
Improve efficiency and effectiveness of enforcement : Automation will significantly improve citation process, reducing paperwork and court time for minor offenses. Promote public awareness and compliance : Clearly communicate rules and regulations and deter violations through swift and consistent enforcement. Enhance visitor safety and resource protection : Address issues su ch as littering, unauthorized camping, pets off -leash, illegal dumping, graffiti, and illegal parking, all of which impacts city resources and visitor experiences.
Provide a fair and consistent enforcement process : Ensure all visitors are treated equitably and have a clear understanding of the consequences of their actions.
The program will include:
Clearly defined offenses : A comprehensive list of minor violations subject to administrative citations, aligned with applicable laws and regulations. Citation authority: Authorization for city departments to issue citations for designated offenses within defined parameters.
Administrative hearing process : A fair and impartial process for individuals to contest citations through a third-party service provider.
Record-keeping and reporting: A system for tracking issued citations, collected fines, and program outcomes, managed by the third-party vendor.
Ongoing evaluation and improvement : Regular reviews of program effectiveness, with necessary adjustments to ensure efficiency and fairness.
FISCAL IMPACT: Currently, there is no fiscal impact. If Council authorizes Staff to proceed, cost proposals will be presented to Council at a future meeting for approval.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Safety and Resilience
Community Character & Quality of Life
Innovative and Efficient City Government
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Adm in is tra tive
Citations
Why Citations are an important tool
The administrative citation process offers several
advantages, particularly in the context of
managing and protecting natural resources and
ensuring public safety.
Current City Departments who wish to utilize an
improved administrative citation process:
• Recreation and Parks – Park Rangers
• Development Services – Code Enforcement
• Public Works – Solid Waste Division
• Bakersfield Fire Department
• Bakersfield Police Department
ADVANTAGES OF ISSUING CITATONS
• Swift and Efficient Enforcement
• Ability for s ta ff to ta ke im m edia te a ction for viola tion s • Educati ng the publ i c and encourage compl i ance
• Can hel p prev ent future v i ol ati ons by educati ng the publ i c • Minor offenses handled by administrative citation with ou t requ irin g cou rt in volvem en t.
Staff discretion allows for tailored responses based on violation severity.
A DV A NT A GES OF ISSUING CIT A TONS
• COMMUNITY BA SED A PPROA CH
Address in g m in or viola tion s , provides opportu n ity to edu ca te offen ders , poten tia lly lea din g to behav i or change
COST EFFECTIVE
• Less expensive to process than full arrest, court appearance, does not require a peace officer • Preservation of city property , resources and long -term s u s ta in a bility • Deterrin g Fu tu re Viola tion s - The primary goal is to address the underlying issue that led to the violation and encourage compliance
USE OF THIRD-PARTY PROCESSOR
Data Entry
A ccuratel y i nputti ng ci tati on i nformati on (v i ol ati on code, date, l ocati on, etc. ) i nto a database
• Poten tia lly in clu din g da ta from va riou s s ou rces (h a n dwritten tickets , electron ic devices , e tc.)
Payment Processing
• Sets up onl i ne pay ment portal s for conv eni ent ci ti zen pay ments • A ccepting various payment methods (credit cards, debit cards, e -checks) • Handl i ng pay ment processi ng and reconci l i ati on Customer Service
• A nsw eri ng ci ti zen i nqui ri es about ci tati ons (pay ment opti ons, due dates, contesti ng cita tion s )
• Provides support through phone, email
Reporting and Analytics
• Generates reports on ci tati on trends, pay ment rates and other rel ev ant data • Provides data -driven in s igh ts for process im provem en t Mailing and Notices
• Prin ts a n d m a ils cita tion n otices to viola tors • Sends remi nders and l ate noti ces
• A dj udi cati on through onl i ne appeal s w ebsi te
• A dmi ni strati v e heari ng w i th a certi fi ed, i ndependent heari ng offi cer • Va riou s collection m eth ods ca n be u tilized
• Ci ty Staff ov ersi ght and management rev i ew pri or to admi ni strati v e heari ngs, collection s , a ppea ls process and rev i ew of any hardshi p w ai v er requests
Viola tion s By Depa rtm en t
Park Rangers
o B M C 12 . 5 6 P a r k R u l e s
o Parki ng Enforcement
o Pa rkin g Fine structure same as BPD
Development Services Code Enforcement
o Encroachment V i ol ati ons
o Pa rkin g Viola tion s
o Illega l Du m pin g
o Zon in g Viola tion s
o V acant Unregistered Structures
o Pa rkin g Fine structure same as BPD
Pu blic Works -Solid Wa s te
o Ma n da ted Orga n ic Recyclin g
o SB 1 383 Pres cribed Viola tion s
o $ 10 0-$200 -$500
Bakersfield Fire Department -Ar s o n
o Illega l Fireworks
o Parki ng Enforcement
o Pa rkin g Fine structure same as BPD
Bakersfield Police Department
o An im a l Con trol - BMC 6 .0 4
o Loud or Unruly – BMC 9 .23
o Va n da lis m – PC 594
Safety and Resilience – Community Character and Quality of Life – Innovative and Efficient City Government
Next Steps
Direction from City Council to move forward with staff recommendation to use third -party administrative citation processor.
Bring back modifications to the Bakersfield Municipal Code. Each Department
Take proposed changes to fine schedule to Council Committee then back to Council for approval
Contract with service provider
Questions?