AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
September 10, 2025 COUNCIL MEETING
REGULAR MEETING – 3:30 PM
REPORTS
Item 3.a. Economic Development Strategic Plan Update (All Wards) REGULAR MEETING – 5:15 PM
ORDINANCES
Item 7.c.1 Section Amendments to Bakersfield Municipal Code (All Wards) Periodically, various Departments throughout the City request minor changes to the Bakersfield Municipal Code (“BMC”). Generally, the changes are sought to make a section read better or to reflect current practice or correct typographical errors, or to com ply with new rules and regulations. Staff recommends two ordinance changes to the BMC. The first amendment to BMC Section 1.04.010. clarifies that the authority granted to Department Directors and designees as it relates to the Bakersfield Municipal Code i s also extended to the City Manager or designee. The second amendment to BMC Section 1.40.030 establishes a revised fee structure for administrative fines under the Bakersfield Municipal Code. Currently, each violation is subject to a $1,000 fine. The revised fee structure imposes fines based on the number of violations, with the fine increasing with each violation. ie. $100, $500, $1,000. There is no impact to the General Fund.
RESOLUTIONS
Item 7.d.2 Community Land Trust Fund (All Wards) On March 11, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into law, providing The City of Bakersfield with $94 million in State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) to address the economic and public health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The City allocated $6.5 million to expand affordable housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income families within city limits. In October 2023, the City Council formally created the Bakersfield Community Land Trust (BCLT) to serve as a n entity focused on developing and preserving affordable housing. To ensure transparent fiscal management and proper allocation of the SLFRF funds dedicated to this initiative, staff recommends the establishment of a dedicated Community Land Trust Fund (CLTF). The CLTF will serve as a restricted-use fund for the exclusive support of BCLT-related activities in accordance with federal guidelines and the long-term housing objectives of the BCLT. The transfer of these funds is entirely made up of ARPA Funds, thus no impact to the City General Fund with the approval of this action to transfer funds.
AGREEMENTS
Item 7. e.2 Low Income Energy Project (All W ards) In 2023, the City of Bakersfield applied for a Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) grant from the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC). In partnership with local organizations and the community, the Southeast Strong initiative was created. On March 10, 2025, the City entered into Agreement No. SGC23129 with SGC for the TCC grant in the amount of $22,125,000 for the Southeast Strong initiative. Funds will be used to support multiple revitalization projects and programs for Southeast Bakersfield. C ommunity Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) will assist the City in implementing the Low Income Energy -Efficiency Program (LIEEP) under the TCC grant program and subcontract with Grid Alternatives and Kern Community College District to complete the project. The agreement would award CAPK $4,630,005.60 in TCC funds for the LIEEP. The funding that will support this contract is from State TCC Grant funds, no fiscal impact will occur to the General Fund.
Item 7.e.7 Youth Jobs Program (All Wards) Since March 2022, the City of Bakersfield has received over $8.9 million in grant funding from the Office of the Governor, California Volunteers, to support the Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program (BYJP) through 2026. This initiative connects local youth with opportunities to address community challenges, develop career skills, and pursue employment or education. As of June 2025, 296 participants have served nearly 100,000 hours, with many transitioning to full-time work or education.
This amendment would add $1,959,416.26 in funding and increase the contract total to $3,805,303.68 for the continuation of program operations. The full program remains grant -funded, with no impact to the City’s General Fund.
MISCELLANEOUS
Items 7.g.1 Thermal Imaging Cameras for the Bakersfield Fire Department (All Wards ) The Bakersfield Fire Department (BFD) has received a $10,000 charitable donation from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) through its Charitable Giving Program to enhance emergency response capabilities. The funds will be used to purchase thermal imaging cameras, which will improve fire safety and support firefighter survival during mayday incidents. The funds will be appropriated to the Fire Department’s General Fund Operating Budget to support this equipment purchase.
Prepared by: Jaritza Nunez, Management Fellow CC: Department Heads Alex Hinojosa, Management Fellow City Manager’s File City Clerk’s File
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