BAKERSFIELD CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
MEETING OF JUNE 11, 2025
Council Chambers, City Hall, 1501 Truxtun Avenue
Regular Meetings – 3:30 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING - 3:30 PM
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Goh, Vice Mayor Kaur (seated at 3:34 p.m.), Councilmembers Arias (seated at 4:44 p.m.), Gonzales, Smith, Koman and Bashirtash
Absent: Councilmember Weir
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
2.a. Non-Agenda Item Public Statement
Michael Turnipseed, Kern Taxpayers Association, spoke regarding the budget (written material provided).
2.b. Agenda Item Public Statements
None.
3. REPORTS
None.
4. CLOSED SESSION
4.a. Conference with Legal Counsel - Potential Litigation; Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2),(e)(1) (one matter)
Motion by Councilmember Gonzales adjourn to Closed Session at 3:38 p.m.
Closed Session reconvened at 5:00 p.m.
5. CLOSED SESSION ACTION
4.a. Conference with Legal Counsel - Potential Litigation; Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2),(e)(1) (one matter)
No reportable action.
Vice Mayor Kaur arrived at 4:44 p.m.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Goh adjourned the 3:30 p.m. meeting at 5:01 p.m.
Bakersfield, California, June 11, 2025 - Page 2
REGULAR MEETING - 5:15 PM
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Goh, Vice Mayor Kaur, Councilmembers Arias, Gonzales, Smith, Koman and Bashirtash
Absent: Councilmember Weir
2. INVOCATION
by Pastor Harry Marroquin, Pastor of Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal, Movimiento Intenacional Bakersfield
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
by Elias Velazquez, Junior at Bakersfield High School
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Proclamation to Marivic Louey, Vice President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County Board of Directors, declaring the week of June 23, 2025, as National Boys & Girls Clubs Week in Bakersfield.
5. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
5.a. Non-Agenda Item Public Statements
1. Jackson Amburn spoke regarding support for the bicycle lanes.
2. Jeremy Rowell spoke regarding debris on city-owned property in his neighborhood (written material provided).
Mayor Goh requested staff coordinate with the responsible entity for the vacant lot located at the end of Westside Parkway near Stockdale Highway, which continues to attract illegal dumping, to address existing issues and explore preventative measures.
5.b. Agenda Item Public Statements
None.
6. APPOINTMENTS
None.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Minutes:
7.a.1. Approval of minutes of the May 28, 2025, Regular City Council Meetings. (Staff recommends approval of the minutes.)
b. Payments:
7.b.1. Receive and file department payments from May 16, 2025, to May 29, 2025, totaling $27,087,940.08 as follows: department payments in the amount of $24,263,457.08 and Self Insurance payments in the amount of $2,824,483.00. (Staff recommends receive and file report.)
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7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.b.2. Receive and file department agreements over $40,000 and under $100,000 executed between May 16, 2025, to May 29, 2025.
(Staff recommends receive and file report.)
c. Ordinances:
7.c.1. First reading of an ordinance amending Bakersfield Municipal Code Section
1.12.050 by adding Annexation No. 711, Taft Highway No.4 consisting of approximately 1,058.92 acres to Ward 5, generally located on Taft Highway and Gosford Road. (Ward 5) (FR 05/28/25)
(Staff recommends first reading of the ordinance.)
ORD 5196
7.c.2. First reading of an ordinance amending Bakersfield Municipal Code Section
1.12.050 by adding Annexation No. 711, Taft Highway No. 4 consisting of approximately 1,058.92 acres to Ward 7, generally located at Taft Highway and Gosford Road. (Ward 7) (FR 05/28/25)
(Staff recommends first reading of the ordinance.)
ORD 5197
7.c.3. First reading of an ordinance amending Bakersfield Municipal Code Section
1.12.050 by adding Annexation No. 714, Snow No. 17 consisting of approximately
92.37 acres to Ward 4, generally located on the northwest corner of Snow Road and Calloway Drive. (Ward 4) (FR 05/28/25)
(Staff recommends first reading of the ordinance.)
ORD 5198
7.c.4. First reading of an ordinance amending Bakersfield Municipal Code Section
1.12.050 by adding Annexation No. 717, Zerker No. 2 consisting of approximately 207.54 acres to Ward 4, generally located east of Zerker Road, south of Seventh Standard Road. (Ward 4) (FR 05/28/25)
(Staff recommends first reading of the ordinance.)
ORD 5199
d. Resolutions:
7.d.1. Resolution approving the Fiscal Year 25-26 Capital Project list funded by Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act 2017 and authorizing the Public Works Director to submit the project list to the California Transportation Commission. (Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.)
RES 061-2025
7.d.2. Resolution dedicating utility easement to Pacific Gas and Electric in city owned sump for electrical service to CBK-83 Tank and Booster Station. (Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.)
RES 062-2025
7.d.3. Resolution determining that Altec aerial trucks can most efficiently be obtained through cooperative procurement bidding procedures from Altec Industries, Inc. and authorizing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding for the purchase of four units in the amount of $799,375.
(Staff recommend adoption of the resolution and approval of the purchase.)
RES 063-2025
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7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.d.4. Resolution determining that Badger Meter water meters cannot be reasonably obtained through the usual bidding procedures and authorizing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding and negotiate the purchase of Badger Meter water meters, not to exceed $1,500,000.
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.)
RES 064-2025
7.d.5. Resolution adding Area 4-298 to the Consolidated Maintenance District and preliminarily approving, confirming, and adopting the Public Works Director’s Report:
(6201 Auburn Street): Street Tier = 1; Park Tier = 0 – (Ward 3) (Staff recommends adoption of the resolutions.)
RES 065-2025
7.e. Agreements:
7.e.1. Agreement with The Segal Company for Healthcare Consulting, (not to exceed $108,000 in 2025-26, $108,000 in 2025-26, $108,000 in 2026-27 and the option to extend for $114,000 in 2027-28) for Healthcare Insurance Consultant Services. (Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2025-084
7.e.2. Agreement with Duane Morris ($800,000) for legal services through Fiscal Year 2025/2026 for water related cases.
(Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2025-085
7.e.3. Design Consultant Agreement with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (not to exceed $229,773), to provide design and engineering services for the Wastewater Division Septage Processing Unit Project.
(Staff recommends approval of the Agreement.)
AGR 2025-086
7.e.4. On-call well and pump maintenance services for the Water Department, Fiscal Years 2025-2026 and 2027-2028
(Staff recommends approval of the agreements.)
1. Agreement with Bakersfield Well and Pump (not to exceed $2,500,000)
AGR 2025-087
2. Agreement with South Valley Companies (not to exceed $2,500,000)
AGR 2025-088
7.e.5. On-call construction services for the Water Department, Fiscal Years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027
(Staff recommends approval of the agreements.)
1. Agreement with GSE Construction Company (not to exceed $500,000)
AGR 2025-089
2. Agreement with Unified Field Services (not to exceed $3,500,000)
AGR 2025-090
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7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.e.6. On-call Electrical Services for the Water Department Fiscal Years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027
(Staff recommends approval of the agreements.)
1. Agreement with A-C Electric Company (not to exceed $250,000)
AGR 2025-091
2. Agreement with Braun Electric Company (not to exceed $250,000)
AGR 2025-092
3. Agreement with Witcher Electric, Inc. (not to exceed $1,500,000)
AGR 2025-093
7.e.7. Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. 2022-185 with the Bakersfield Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) (extend term until June 30, 2028) to manage and operate the City of Bakersfield Animal Care Center (CBACC) (Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2022-185 (3)
7.e.8. Amendment No. 4 to Agreement No. 2021-144 with CCS Facility Services (increasing compensation by $87,000; revised not to exceed $418,120) to continue the supply of janitorial maintenance for City Hall North.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2021-144 (4)
7.e.9. Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 2023-303 with Silvas Oil Company, Inc. to expand the scope of work for the annual contract for fuel-bobtail/partial loads to supply R99 or R100 renewable fuel to comply with recent amendments to the Ini-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2023-303 (2)
7.e.10. Amendment No.1 to Agreement No. 2023-152 with Provost and Pritchard (extend term to February 28, 2026) to provide on-call civil engineering and technical support services.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2023-152 (1)
7.e.11. Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. 2024-157 Loop Electric, Inc. (increasing compensation by $800,000; revised not to exceed $1,619,100 and extending the term by one year), to continue the supply of vehicle loop cutting and streetlight repair service.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2024-157 (3)
7.e.12. Granular Activated Carbon changeouts services for the domestic water system Fiscal Year 2025-2026
(Staff recommends approval of the amendments.)
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7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
Item 7.e.12. continued
1. Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 2023-155 with Aqueous Vets (extend term by one year and increase compensation by $500,000; revised not to exceed $2,500,000).
ARG 2023-155 (2)
2. Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. 2023-156 with Carbon Supply Inc. (extend term by one year and increase compensation by $1,500,000; revised not to exceed $5,000,000).
AGR 2023-156 (3)
7.e.13. Amendment No.1 to Agreement No. 2023-238 with J. L. Plank, Inc., DBA Cen-Cal Construction (increase by $500,000; revised not to exceed $4,071,500) to continue the supply of concrete construction.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2023-238 (1)
7.e.14. Contract Change Order No. 15 to Agreement No. 2024-235 (7th Movement) with Granite Construction Company (increasing compensation by $60,504.09; revised not to exceed $27,492,341.88) for the Centennial Corridor EB58 to NB99 Loop Connector Project (7th Movement). (Wards 1 & 2)
(Staff recommends approval of the change order.)
CCO 2024-235 (15)
7.e.15. Contract Change Order No. 172 to Agreement No. 19-069 (Mainline Project) with Security Paving Company (increasing compensation by $25,000; revised not to exceed $151,890,840.08) for the Centennial Corridor Mainline Project. (Wards 1, 2 & 3)
(Staff recommends approval of the contract change order.)
CCO 19-069 (172)
7.f. Bids:
7.f.1. Accept bid and approve an annual contract with Granite Construction Company ($11,000,000) for an annual contract to supply street materials. (Staff recommend acceptance of the bid and approval of the contract.)
AGR 2025-094
7.f.2. Accept bid and approve annual contracts for Tree Trimming Service (Staff recommend acceptance of the bid and approval of the contracts.)
1. Agreement with Rancho Tree Service ($500,000).
AGR 2025-095
2. Agreement with General Tree Service ($500,000).
AGR 2025-096
7.g. Miscellaneous:
7.g.1. Central California American Planning Association Award of Excellence Letter from American Planning Association declaring the City of Bakersfield winner of the Award of Excellence for 2025 Transportation Planning.
(Staff recommends to receive and file.)
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7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.h. Successor Agency Business:
None.
7.i. Public Safety/Vital Services Measure:
7.i.1. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 2024-299 with Axon Enterprise, Inc. ($198,338.82; not to exceed $4,326,375.63), for a body worn camera system for the Bakersfield Police Department.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2024-299 (1)
Councilmember Gonzales recused from item 7.f.2. for the purposes of a potential conflict related to SB1243.
Councilmember Arias left the dais at 5:33 p.m.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to adopt Consent Calendar items 7.a. through 7.i. Motion approved with Councilmembers Arias and Weir absent.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.a. Public Hearing to consider Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget, Park Landscape Assessment and Tax Collection resolution approving and adopting the Public Works Director’s Report for the Consolidated Maintenance District (CMD) and the 2025-2026 CMD budget confirming the park landscaping assessments and authorizing the collection of assessments by the Kern County Tax Collector. (Staff recommends receiving protest statements (if any), overriding protests (if any) and adopting the resolution.)
RES 066-2025
8.b. Public Hearing to consider Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Street and Median Landscaping Assessments resolution approving and adopting the Public Works Director’s Report for the Consolidated Maintenance District (CMD) and the 2025-2026 CMD budget confirming the street and median landscaping assessments and authorizing the collection of assessments by the Kern County Tax Collector. (Staff recommends receiving protest statements (if any), overriding protests (if any) and adopting the resolution.)
RES 067-2025
8.c. Public Hearing to consider the Fiscal Year 2025–2026 Assessments and Tax Collection for 26 Traffic Signal Maintenance Districts resolution approving and adopting the Public Works Director’s Report for twenty-six (26) Traffic Signal Maintenance Districts (“TSMD” herein) and the 2025-2026 Consolidated Maintenance District budget confirming the assessments and authorizing the collection of assessments by the Kern County Tax Collector.
(Staff recommends receiving protest statements (if any), overriding protests (if any) and adopting the resolution.)
RES 068-2025
Consent Calendar Public Hearing items 8.a. through 8.c. opened at 5:34 p.m.
No one spoke in opposition or support to staff’s recommendations.
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8. CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS continued
Consent Calendar Public Hearing items 8.a. through 8.c. closed at 5:35 p.m.
Councilmember Arias returned to the dais at 5:36 p.m.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to adopt Consent Calendar Public Hearings 8.a. through
8.c. Motion approved with Councilmember Weir absent.
9. HEARINGS
9.a. Public Hearing to consider resolution adopting increase to Water Rates for domestic Water Service area Fiscal Year 2026 through 2030.
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.)
RES 069-2025
City Clerk Drimakis announced that a staff memorandum was provided transmitting comments from Ash Huang.
Assistant City Manager Hallen made staff comments.
Hearing item 9.a. opened at 5:39 p.m.
The following speakers spoke in opposition to staff's recommendation: Katie Bassey.
The following speakers spoke in favor of staff's recommendation: None.
Hearing item 9.a. closed at 5:41 p.m.
Water Resources Budak made additional staff comments and provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Motion by Councilmember Koman to approve staff’s recommendations. Motion approved with Councilmember Weir absent.
9.b. Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2025-26
(Staff recommends City Council hear public testimony.)
1. Fiscal Year 2025-26 proposed Operating & Capital Improvement Program Budget.
2. Status of City of Bakersfield Position Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts as required by Assembly Bill 2561 (Government Code Section 3502.3)
City Clerk Drimakis announced that a staff memorandum has been provided transmitting correspondence from Ashe Huang, ACLU, Southern California.
Assistant City Manager Hallen made staff comments.
Human Resources Director Tenter made staff comments and provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Goh recessed the meeting at 6:24 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 6:29 p.m.
Public Hearing item 9.b. was opened at 6:30 p.m.
Bakersfield, California, June 11, 2025 - Page 9
9. HEARINGS continued
item 9.b. continued
The following speakers spoke in opposition to staff's recommendation: Emma De La Rosa, Ashe Huang, Rosa, Cecelia Delgado, Samuel Bautista, Valeria Garcia, Ariel Dyer (written material provided), Katie Bassey, Doctor Nora, Valerie Pinto, Robert Hooks, Elizabeth S., Daniel Betts.
The following speakers spoke in favor of staff's recommendation: Lauren Skidmore
Rebuttal in opposition: none.
Rebuttal in favor: none.
Hearing item 9.b. closed at 6:56 p.m.
Councilmember Gonzales requested information regarding the operating hours of the mental health advocates assigned to the Communication Center, including data regarding the number and type of calls received outside their operating hours.
Councilmember Gonzales requested staff research potential strategies to increase funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, including ways to enhance the trust fund overall. This will be reviewed as part of the mid-year budget process and consideration for possible future contingency programming.
Councilmember Kaur requested staff schedule budget-related meetings in the evening, beginning with the mid-year budget review, to encourage greater public engagement. She also requested staff explore the possibility of holding these meetings off-site at local libraries.
10. REPORTS
None.
11. DEFERRED BUSINESS
None.
12. NEW BUSINESS
None.
13. COUNCIL AND MAYOR STATEMENTS
None.
Bakersfield, California, June 11, 2025 - Page 10
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Goh adjourned the meeting at 7:19 p.m.
______________________________
KAREN GOH
MAYOR of the City of Bakersfield
ATTEST:
___________________________________
JULIE DRIMAKIS, MMC
CITY CLERK and Ex Officio Clerk of
the Council of the City of Bakersfield