BAKERSFIELD CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
MEETING OF AUGUST 27, 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, Councilmembers Weir, Smith, Koman and Bashirtash
Absent: Councilmembers Arias and Gonzales
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
2.a. Non-Agenda Item Public Statement
Dave Dmohowski spoke regarding the Governor's trailer budget bill AB130, (provided written materials).
Councilmembers Weir and Koman requested staff prepare a letter of support to repeal Section 58 of Assembly Bill 130.
2.b. Agenda Item Public Statements
None.
3. REPORTS
3.a. Update on City Council Priority Initiatives and Council Referrals. (Staff recommends City Council discussion and affirmation related to the prioritization of city initiatives and Council referrals.)
City Manager Clegg made staff comments and provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to receive and file. Motion approved with Councilmembers Weir voting no and Arias and Gonzales absent.
4. CLOSED SESSION
4.a. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation; Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) regarding the following matter:
Stephanie Deniece Martin v. Griffin Michael Turner; City of Bakersfield; and Does 1 to 10
Kern County Superior Court Case No. BCV-23-104141
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to adjourn to Closed Session at 4:38 p.m.
Closed Session meeting was adjourned at 4:52 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 4:53 p.m.
Bakersfield, California, August 27, 2025 - Page 2
5. CLOSED SESSION ACTION
4.a. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation; Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) regarding the following matter: Stephanie Deniece Martin v. Griffin Michael Turner; City of Bakersfield; and Does 1 to 10 Kern County Superior Court Case No. BCV-23-104141
By a 5-0 vote with Councilmembers Arias and Gonzales absent, City Attorney’s office was given direction.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Goh adjourned the 3:30 p.m. meeting at 4:54 p.m.
Bakersfield, California, August 27, 2025 - Page 3
REGULAR MEETING - 5:15 PM
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Goh, Vice Mayor Kaur, Councilmembers Arias, Weir, Smith, Koman and Bashirtash
Absent: Councilmember Gonzales
2. INVOCATION
by Pastor Oscar Anthony, St. Peters’s Restoration Community Christian Ministries.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
by Dylan Brar, Senior at Liberty High School.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Proclamation to Gigi the Warrior, declaring Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Bakersfield during September 2025.
5. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
5.a. Non-Agenda Item Public Statements
1. Rev. Dr. Angelo Frazier and in opposition to renaming H Street.
2. Rod Guice spoke in opposition to renaming H Street and the reimbursement to the Delores Huerta Foundation.
3. Terry Maxwell spoke requested an apology letter from Mayor, Vice Mayor Kaur and Councilmember Gonzales.
5.b. Agenda Item Public Statements
Terry Maxwel spoke regarding item 7.g.1.
6. APPOINTMENTS
6.a. Four Appointments to the 2025-26 Youth Commission (Wards 3 and 5 Regular and Alternate Members) with terms set to expire July 2026.
(Staff recommends Council determination.)
City Clerk Drimakis announced that eighteen applications were received from Saisha Gulati, Catelynn Hentges, Ella Pepper, Jasmine Bajwa, Tanav Doddapuneni, Jazilyn Tran, and Guneet Kaur.
The following were appointed as regular members:
Ward 3 – None
Ward 5 – Ella Pepper
The following were appointed as Alternate members:
Ward 3 – None
Ward 5 – Jasmine Bajwa
Councilmember Weir requested to reopen recruitment for Ward 3.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to appoint Councilmember Koman’s nominations to the Youth Commission. Motion approved with Councilmember Gonzales absent.
Bakersfield, California, August 27, 2025 - Page 4
6. APPOINTMENTS continued
6.b. League of California Cities (CalCities) 2025 Annual Conference Appointment of Voting Delegates
(City staff recommends City Council appoint a voting delegate and alternate delegate(s)).
City Manager Clegg made staff comments.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to appoint Councilmember Arias as the voting delegate and Mayor Goh as the alternate delegate. Motion approved with Councilmember Gonzales absent.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Minutes:
7.a.1. Approval of minutes of August 13, 2025, Regular City Council Meetings. (Staff recommends approval of the minutes.)
b. Payments:
7.b.1. Receive and file department payments from August 1, 2025, to August 14, 2025, totaling $17,985,545.04 as follows: department payments in the amount of $17,533,354.13 and Self Insurance payments in the amount of $452,190.91. (Staff recommends receive and file report.)
7.b.2. Receive and file department agreements over $40,000 and under $100,000 executed between August 1, 2025, to August 14, 2025.
(Staff recommends receive and file report.)
c. Ordinances:
7.c.1. First Reading of the following ordinances amending various sections of the Municipal Code:
(Staff recommends first reading of the proposed ordinance amendments.)
1. Amending Section 1.04.010 relating to definitions.
FR ONLY
2. Amending Section 1.40.030 relating to administrative fines.
FR ONLY
d. Resolutions:
7.d.1. Resolution confirming approval by the City Manager designee of the Code Enforcement Manager’s report regarding assessments of certain properties in the City for which structures have been secured against entry or for the abatement of certain weeds, debris and waste matter and the demolishment of dangerous buildings and authorizing collection of the assessments by the Kern County Tax Collector. (Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.)
RES 095-2025
7.d.2. Resolution determining that John Deere Terrain Cut Commercial Mowers can most efficiently be obtained through cooperative procurement bidding procedures from Kern Machinery, Inc., and authorizing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding thereof, not to exceed $157,196 for the Recreation and Parks Department. (Staff recommends adoption of the resolution and approval of the purchase.)
RES 096-2025
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7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.d.3. Resolution determining that EV loaders can most efficiently be obtained through cooperative procurement bidding procedures from Volvo Construction Equipment & Services and authorizing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding for the purchase of two electric vehicle (EV) loaders in the amount of $1,154,981 for the Solid Waste Division within the Public Works Department. (Staff recommends adoption of the resolution and approval of the purchase.)
RES 097-2025
7.d.4. Resolution determining that a wheel loader can most efficiently be obtained through cooperative procurement bidding procedures from Quinn Cat and authorizing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding for the purchase of one unit in the amount of $342,806 for the Water Department.
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution and approval of the purchase.)
RES 098-2025
7.d.5. Fiscal Year 2025-26 Alcohol Policing Partnership Program Grant Funds (Staff recommends adoption of the resolution and approval of the appropriation.)
1. Resolution authorizing the Bakersfield Police Department to accept funding $75,000 made available through the Alcohol Policing Partnership Program Grant from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
RES 099-2025
2. Appropriate $75,000 in Alcohol Policing Partnership Grant Program funding from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to the General Fund Police Operating Budget.
7.d.5. Resolutions to add Areas 4-307, 2-92, and 3-124 to the Consolidated Maintenance District and approving, confirming, and adopting the Public Works Director’s Report for each:
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolutions.)
1. Area 4-307 (911, 915, & 931 18th Street): Street Tier = 4; Park Tier = 1 (Ward 2)
RES 100-2025
2. Area 2-92 (4520-4616 New Horizon Blvd): Street Tier = 1; Park Tier = 0 (Ward 6)
RES 101-2025
3. Area 3-124 (VTTM 7418-8235 Stine Rd): Street Tier = 1.5; Park Tier = 1.5 (Ward 7)
RES 102-2025
7.e. Agreements:
7.e.1. Naming Rights Agreement with Valley Strong Credit Union (not to exceed $1,000,000) for purposes of designating a room the “Valley Strong Financial Wellness Center” at the future Martin Luther King Park Health and Wellness Resource Center, as well as installation by Valley Strong Credit Union of an Automated Teller Machine within a mutually agreed location.
(Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2025-157
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7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.e.2. Agreement with Nearmap, US, Inc. (not to exceed $256,740), for Aerial Imagery and Subscription Services.
(Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2025-158
7.e.3. Agreement with Habitat for Humanity (not to exceed $476,314) for Rebuilding Neighborhoods Program. (Ward 2)
(Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2025-159
7.e.4. HHAP-3 Agreement with Housing Authority of County of Kern (not to exceed $880,900) for Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program Round 3 (HHAP-3) funds for Permanent Housing Construction. (Ward 3) (Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDEARATION. See page 9.
7.e.5. Agreement with Mission Community Services Corporation (not to exceed $123,275) for the Workforce Development and Economic Opportunity Plan. (Wards 1, 2 & 3) (Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2025-161
7.e.6. Agreement with Mission Community Services Corporation (not to exceed $239,650) for Displacement Avoidance Plan. (Wards 1, 2 & 3)
(Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2025-162
7.e.7. Agreement with Building Healthy Communities (not to exceed $223,360) for Community Engagement Plan. (Wards 1, 2 & 3)
(Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2025-163
7.e.8. Agreement with Willdan Energy Solutions (ESCO) (no compensation at this time) to perform a preliminary Investment Grade Audit of Water Department facilities to develop energy savings projects.
(Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2025-164
7.e.9. Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 2024-070 with Serological Research Institute ($40,000, revised not to exceed $140,000; and extend the term date to June 30, 2026) to continue DNA services.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2024-070 (2)
7.e.10. Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. 2020-171 with Kern County Hospital Authority and Kern Medical Center (KMC) (to extend term to September 30, 2030) for the lease of space at the Brundage Lane Navigation Center. (Ward 2) (Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2020-171 (3)
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7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.e.11. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 2020-173 with County of Kern (extend term to September 9, 2030) to lease office space at the Brundage Lane Navigation Center for Department of Human Services staff to provide on-site services at Brundage Lane Navigation Center. (Ward 2)
(Staff recommend approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2020-173 (1)
7.e.12. Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. 2023-078 with Tel-Tec Security Systems, Inc. (increase compensation $300,000, revised not to exceed $700,000; and extend term to December 30, 2026), for the installation, maintenance, repair, and monitoring of supervised burglary alarm systems, access control systems, electronic door and gate hardware, and intercom.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2023-078 (3)
7.e.13. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 2023-225 with Coastline (extend term to September 13, 2026) to provide repair of construction and off-road equipment. (Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2023-225 (1)
7.e.14. Amendment No. 4 to Agreement No. 2021-212 with Kern Asphalt Paving and Sealing Co. Inc. (extend term one year), to continue the supply of Oil Transport & Spreading Services.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2021-212 (4)
7.e.15. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 2024-245 with Kern Sprinkler Landscaping Inc. (to extend the term by one year), to continue the supply of On-Call Irrigation and Landscaping Service.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2024-245 (1)
7.e.16. Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 2023-209 with Fruit Growers Laboratory Inc. (extend term by one year), for analyzing water samples to monitor TCP levels in the groundwater and to verify removal of TCP, as required by Division of Drinking Water (DDW) for City of Bakersfield, Municipal Water System.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2023-209 (2)
7.e.17. Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. WR24-016 with BSK Associates ($100,000; revised not to exceed $240,000) for geotechnical and material testing services. (Staff recommends approval of amendment.)
AGR 2025-165
7.e.18. Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 2023-101 with Kimley-Horn (to include revisions to project design and phased design and implementation strategy; no increase of compensation) for the Monitor Street Safe Routes to Schools Project. (Wards 1 & 7) (Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2023-101 (2)
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7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.e.19. Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 2023-186 with Parsons Transportation Group (increase compensation $548,725; revised not to exceed $1,198,270) to expand scope for design services for the Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation Program. (Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2023-186 (2)
7.e.20. Contract Change Order No. 3 to Agreement No. 2024-084 with GSE Construction Co. ($179,539.03; revised not to exceed $3,349,799.03) for the Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 2 Bar Screen Rehabilitation Project. (Ward 1) (Staff recommends approval of the change order.)
CCO 2024-084 (3)
7.e.21. Contract Change Order No. 176 to Agreement No. 19-069 with Security Paving Company (Mainline Project) (increasing compensation by $90,000; revised not to exceed $152,108,595.19) for the Centennial Corridor Mainline Project. (Wards 1, 2 & 3) (Staff recommends approval of the change order.)
CCO 19-069 (176)
7.f. Bids:
7.f.1. Pavement Rehabilitation Fiscal Year 2024-25 using SB1 funding, from University Avenue, River Boulevard to Columbus Street
(Staff recommends acceptance of low bid, approval of contract, and approval of city-controlled contingency.)
1. Accept bid and approve contract with Bowman Asphalt, Inc. ($4,662,924), for said project.
AGR 2025-166
2. Authorize staff to approve, as necessary, up to $300,000 in city-controlled contingency for unforeseen conditions encountered during construction of said project. (Ward 3)
7.g. Miscellaneous:
7.g.1. Response to Grand Jury Findings and Recommendation regarding Bicycle Lanes. (Staff recommends City Council authorize the transmittal of the response to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court.)
7.h. Successor Agency Business:
None.
7.i. Public Safety/Vital Services Measure:
None.
Councilmember Weir requested Consent Calendar item 7.e.4. be removed for separate consideration.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to adopt Consent Calendar items 7.a. through 7.i. with the removal of Consent Calendar item 7.e.4. for separate consideration. Motion approved with Councilmember Gonzales absent.
Bakersfield, California, August 27, 2025 - Page 9
7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.e.4. HHAP-3 Agreement with Housing Authority of County of Kern (not to exceed $880,900) for Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program Round 3 (HHAP-3) funds for Permanent Housing Construction. (Ward 3) (Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2025-160
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to adopt Consent Calendar item 7.e.4. Motion approved with Councilmembers Gonzales absent and Weir voting no.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
9. HEARINGS
9.a. Public Appeal Hearing to consider Traffic Impact Fees Imposed on Planet Fitness, located at 11425 Stockdale Highway. Planet Fitness is requesting to appeal the decision to impose Traffic Impact Fees at their new location 11425 Stockdale Highway in the “The Village @ River Oaks” Center. (Ward 5) (Staff recommends City Council deny the appeal and uphold the Traffic Impact Fee imposed on Planet Fitness (Appellant)).
Councilmember Weir left the dais at 5:52 p.m. returned at 5:54 p.m.
Public Hearing item 9.a. opened at 5:53 p.m.
Zachary Meyer made staff comments and provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Russell Johnson, Common Sense Consulting on behalf of the appellant spoke in opposition and provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Public Hearing item 9.a. closed at 6:13 p.m.
Councilmembers Koman and Smith requested staff provide a comprehensive overview and analysis of the City’s Traffic Impact Fee (TIF) program, including how fees are determined, the status of efforts to update the program, and whether alternative methods exist for assessing (TIF’s) on shopping centers, and present the information to the Housing and Community Development Committee.
Motion by Councilmember Koman to deny the appeal as it is written and proceed with joint referral to Housing & Community Development Committee. Motion approved with Councilmembers Arias voting no and Gonzales absent.
10. REPORTS
None.
11. DEFERRED BUSINESS
None.
12. NEW BUSINESS
None.
13. COUNCIL AND MAYOR STATEMENTS
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14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Goh adjourned the meeting in recognition of City Employee David Ante for 40 years of Service at 6:31 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