AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
October 8, 2025 COUNCIL MEETING
REGULAR MEETING – 3:30 PM
Meeting Cancelled. 4:00pm Special Meeting Scheduled in its Place.
REGULAR MEETING – 5:15 PM
AGREEMENTS
Item 7.e.2 School Resource Officer Services at Greenfield Union School District (Wards 1 & 7) In 2018, the Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) and Bakersfield City School District (BCSD) launched a pilot School Resource Officer (SRO) program aimed at improving school safety and reducing issues such as absenteeism, truancy, drug use, and gang involv ement. Building this model, BPD partnered with the Greenfield Union School District (GUSD) through agreements in 2023 and 2024 to provide SRO services focused on school safety and supporting a positive school climate. Due to the program's success, BPD and GUSD plan to continue the partnership for the 2025–26 school year, with GUSD reimbursing the City up to $165,000 for SRO services based on a rate of $7,160 per officer every two weeks .
Item 7. e.3 CalVIP Cohort 5 Grant Technical Assistance (All Wards ) In September 2020, the City of Bakersfield received a $1.5 million CalVIP Cohort 3 grant to implement a focused deterrence strategy to reduce gun violence, in partnership with the California Partnership for Safe Communities (CPSC). This collaboration led t o reductions in homicides, illegal firearm seizures, and strengthened community - police relations. In 2025, the City established the Office of Violence Intervention and Prevention (OVIP) to sustain these efforts, and CPSC, now known as CJP West under the University of Pennsylvania, assisted with the CalVIP Cohort 5 grant application. To continue this work, the City proposes a new agreement with CJP West, which has already begun providing technical support as of July 1, 2025. Under the agreement, CJP West will continue advising on strategy, staffing, and program implementation, and will conduct an independent impact evaluation. Funding is included in the City Manager’s Office annual budget.
MISCELLANEOUS
Items 7.g.1 Transient Occupancy Tax Fund Balance Appropriation (Ward 2) The Dignity Health Arena, Theater, and Convention Center’s current freestanding marquee has been in a state of disrepair for a few years, as the technology being used to operate it is obsolete and replacement parts are no longer available for the current s ystem. The City has sufficient profits from the Arena operations in Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) funds to pay for a new marquee without impacting the general fund. Staff recommends the appropriation of TOT funds to the Community Facilities Capital Improvement Budget to create a new Capital Improvement Project (CIP) and process vendor invoices to complete this project.
PUBLIC SAFETY / VITAL SERVICES MEASURE
Item 7. i.1 Community Vitality Family Reunification Initiative (All W ards) On July 7, 2025, the City of Bakersfield issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to implement the Community Vitality and Family Reunification (CVFR) Initiative, a diversion -based program aimed at preventing and addressing homelessness by reconnecting individuals with family, friends, or support networks through services such as transportation. The initiative focuses on reducing discharges into homelessness from institutions like jails, hospitals, and foster care, and enhancing field response efforts. Three pro posals were submitted and evaluated, with Flood Bakersfield Ministries, Inc. selected to administer the program in collaboration with the City’s Rapid Response Teams (RRT) and the Bakersfield Police Department. If approved, Flood will provide street outreach, assessments, and connections to resources , including mental health services, shelters, and housing support. Funding for the initiative is included in the FY 2025 –26 budget.
REPORTS
Items 10.a.1 School Safety and Multi -Modal Traffic Safety Progress Report (All Wards) The City Council established the Multi -Modal and Traffic Safety Committee to address growing concerns around transportation safety, accessibility, and sustainability within the community. The committee brings together stakeholders from various departments, agencies, and community groups to ensure a coordinated and inclusive strategy. Its scope encompasses all modes of transportation, including vehicular traffic, public transit, cycling, and walking. Two stakeholders, Blue Zones Project Bakersfield and the Bakersfield City School District , have attended meetings to advocate for pedestrian and bicycle safety, working towards a stronger partnership in improving safety for students who walk and bike to school. This report will be presented by the City of Bakersfield staff, Chipman Junior High School staff and students, and other partners . This report will highlight possible solutions around Chipman Junior High, potential programs and solutions in communicating pedestrian and bicycle safety, and an overview of multi-model related projects/accomplishments since the formation of the committee. There is no funding impact associated with this report.
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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