BAKERSFIELD CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 24, 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 3:40 p.m.), Councilmembers Arias (seated at 4:08 p.m.), Gonzales, Smith, and Koman
Absent: Councilmember Weir
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
2.a. Non-Agenda Item Public Statement
None.
2.b. Agenda Item Public Statements
None.
3. REPORTS
None.
4. CLOSED SESSION
4. a. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation; Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) for the following five matters:
1. Kyle Peterson v. Cristina Moreno Gonzalez, The City of Bakersfield, et al.
Kern County Superior Court Case No. BCV-21-101694
(Lead case) (Consolidated with) Tiffiny J. Peterson, individually and as Successor-In-Interest to Nicolas Brendan Peterson:
Johnathon M. Hernstedt-Dal v. City of Bakersfield, County of Kern, Cristina Moreno - Gonzalez Kern County Superior Court
Case No. BCV-21-102578
2. Jeffery Dibbern v. City of Bakersfield, et al. United States District Court Case No. 1:22-CV-00723-BAK
3. Bianca Analy Ortega v. City of Bakersfield, et al. Kern County Superior Court Case No. BCV-24-100772
4. Robert Watson v. City of Bakersfield, et al. Kern County Superior Court Case No. BCV-25-101742
5. Edgar Quincy Sloan v. City of Bakersfield, et al. Kern County Superior Court Case No. BCV-20-102749
Motion by Mayor Goh to adjourn to Closed Session at 3:33 p.m.
Closed Session meeting was adjourned at 5:05 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 5:07 p.m.
Bakersfield, California, September 24, 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) for the following five matters:
1. Kyle Peterson v. Cristina Moreno Gonzalez, The City of Bakersfield, et al.
Kern County Superior Court Case No. BCV-21-101694
(Lead case) (Consolidated with) Tiffiny J. Peterson, individually and as Successor-In-Interest to Nicolas Brendan Peterson:
Johnathon M. Hernstedt-Dal v. City of Bakersfield, County of Kern, Cristina Moreno - Gonzalez Kern County Superior Court
Case No. BCV-21-102578
By a 6-0 vote with Councilmember Weir absent, City Attorney was given direction.
2. Jeffery Dibbern v. City of Bakersfield, et al. United States District Court Case No. 1:22-CV-00723-BAK
By a 5-0 vote with Councilmembers Weir absent, and Arias abstaining due to late arrival. City Attorney was given direction.
3. Bianca Analy Ortega v. City of Bakersfield, et al. Kern County Superior Court Case No. BCV-24-100772
By a 5-0 vote with Councilmembers Arias and Weir absent, City Attorney was given direction.
4. Robert Watson v. City of Bakersfield, et al. Kern County Superior Court Case No. BCV-25-101742
By a 5-0 vote with Councilmembers Arias and Weir absent, City Attorney was given direction.
5. Edgar Quincy Sloan v. City of Bakersfield, et al. Kern County Superior Court Case No. BCV-20-102749
No Reportable Action
6. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Goh adjourned the 3:30 p.m. meeting at 5:08 p.m.
Bakersfield, California, September 24, 2025 - Page 3
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 Baba Balraj Singh of the Gurdwara Sahib NanakSar Darbar.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
by Samuel Chambless, Ward 6 Alternate Youth Commissioner, and Senior at Heartland Charter School.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Proclamation to Jennifer Henry, Executive Director of Links for Life, declaring Paint the Town Pink Month in Bakersfield during October 2025.
5. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
5.a. Non-Agenda Item Public Statements
Pieter Freidrick spoke regarding threats posed to Sikhs in America and support of SB509 (written materials provided).
5.b. Agenda Item Public Statements
None.
6. APPOINTMENTS
None.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Minutes:
7.a.1. Approval of minutes of September 10, 2025, Regular City Council Meetings. (Staff recommends approval of the minutes.)
b. Payments:
7.b.1. Receive and file department payments from August 29, 2025, to September 11, 2025, totaling $18,751,153.71 as follows: department payments in the amount of $18,092,287.06, and Self Insurance payments in the amount of $658,866.65. (Staff recommends receive and file report.)
7.b.2. Receive and file department agreements over $40,000 and under $100,000 executed between August 15, 2025, to August 28, 2025.
(Staff recommends receive and file report.)
c. Ordinances:
None.
Bakersfield, California, September 24, 2025 - Page 4
7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
d. Resolutions:
7.d.1. Resolution identifying vendors, healthcare plans, and rates for City-wide health insurance plans for eligible active and retired employees for the 2026plan year. (The Personnel Committee recommends approval of resolution and 2026renewal package.)
RES 111-2025
7.d.2. 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 112-2025
7.d.3. Resolution determining that the three RoFAS Septage Units for the operation of the septage units at Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 2 and No.3 cannot be reasonably obtained through the usual bidding procedures and authorizing the finance director to dispense with bidding (not to $1,611,031).
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.)
RES 113-2025
7.d.4. Dispense with bidding for Ice Plant Upgrade at the Valley Children's Ice Center (Staff recommends approval resolution, agreement, and the City controlled contingency.)
1. Resolution determining that ice plant upgrade work can most efficiently be procured through cooperative procurement bidding procedures from CIMCO Refrigeration Inc. and authorizing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding.
RES 114-2025
2. Approve agreement with CIMCO Refrigeration Inc. ($2,790,738) for ice plant upgrade at the Valley Children’s Ice Center of Bakersfield.
AGR 2025-177
3. Authorize staff to approve, as necessary, up to $109,262 in City-controlled contingency for unforeseen conditions encountered during the construction of the project for a total budget amount of$2,900,000. (Ward 2)
7.d.5. Resolution to add the following area to the Consolidated MaintenanceDistrict and approving, confirming, and adopting the Public Works Director’s Report: Area 5-126 (7960 S. Union Avenue): Street Tier = 1; Park Tier = 0 – (Ward 1) (Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.)
RES 115-2025
7.e. Agreements:
7.e.1. Agreement with Kern Community College District (not to exceed $847,500) for Workforce Development Plan and Economic Opportunities Plan. (Wards 1, 2 & 3) (Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2025-178
Bakersfield, California, September 24, 2025 - Page 5
7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.e.2. Agreement with Community Action Partnership (not to exceed $4,630,005.60) for Low Income Energy Project.
(Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2025-179
7.e.3. Agreement with Citiguard, Inc. (not to exceed $900,000), to provide onsite security at the Bakersfield Amtrak/Greyhound Station. (Ward 2)
(Staff recommends approval of the agreements.)
AGR 2025-180
7.e.4. Agreement with Trans-West Security Inc. (not to exceed $470,000), to provide site security services at the 18th & Eye Street Parking Garage and City Hall North for the next two fiscal years.
(Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2025-181
7.e.5. Final Map and Improvement Agreement with Ben Dominguez requesting to enter into an agreement so the final map for Parcel Map 12423 located at the southwest corner of E. 21st Street and Gage Street can be approved and recorded. (Ward 2) (Staff recommends approval of the Final Map and Improvement Agreement.)
AGR 2025-182
7.e.6. Final Map, Improvement Agreement, and Private Landscape Agreement with Jeremy Willer Construction, Inc., Developer is requesting to enter into agreements so the final map for Tract 7433, located on the north of Berkshire Road and east of South H Street, can be approved and recorded. (Ward 7)
(Staff recommends approval of the Final Map, Improvement Agreement, and Private Landscape Agreement.)
AGR 2025-183, AGR 2025-184
7.e.7. Amendment No. 5 to Agreement No. 2021-199 with Bakersfield ARC Inc. (extending term one year), to continue routine maintenance services at the City’s Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2021-199 (5)
7.e.8. Amendment No.1 to Agreement No. 2024-251 with JCI Jones Chemicals, Inc. (increase compensation by $102,000; revised not to exceed $288,190 and extend the term by one year), to continue the supply of sodium hypochlorite. (Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2024-251 (1)
7.e.9. Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. 2023-042 with Speridian Technologies ($60,000; revised not to exceed $1,231,253) to complete Business Licensing module for the community development software.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2023-042 (3)
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7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.e.10. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 2025-058 with Ardurra Group Inc. (to increase compensation by $69,775; revised not to exceed $354,670), to provide Design Services for L-208 TCP Removal Project.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2025-058 (1)
7.e.11. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 2024-188 with Crider Construction Inc. (to increase compensation by $200,000; revised not to exceed $500,000), to provide On Call Wastewater Maintenance Services for the Wastewater Division. (Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2024-188 (1)
7.e.12. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 2024-189 with GSE Construction Company Inc. (to increase compensation by $500,000; revised not to exceed $800,000), to provide on call Wastewater Maintenance for the Wastewater Division. (Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2024-189 (1)
7.e.13. Contract Change Order No. 2 to Agreement No. 2024-090 with High-Light Electric Inc. ($22,542.85; revised not to exceed $690,397.08), for the Adaptive Signal Coordination Mt Vernon Avenue between Bernard Street and Panorama Drive. (Ward 3)
(Staff recommends approval of the change order.)
CCO 2024-090 (2)
7.e.14. Contract Change Order No. 2 to Agreement No. 2024-298 with Cen-Cal Construction ($35,900.40 revised not to exceed $744,745.61) for the pedestrian safety improvements of Old Farm Road and Morning Drive. (Wards 3 & 4) (Staff recommends approval of the change order.)
CCO 2024-298 (2)
7.f. Bids:
7.f.1. Sewer Lift Station Rehabilitation at Fairfax Rd and Paladino Dr (Staff recommends acceptance of the bid, approval of contract, and approval of City-controlled contingency.)
1. Accept bid and approve contract with GSE Construction Company ($2,265,800) for said project.
AGR 2025-185
2. Authorize staff to approve, as necessary, up to $150,000 in City controlled contingency for unforeseen conditions encountered during construction of the project. (Ward 3)
7.g. Miscellaneous:
7.g.1. Acknowledgment of budgetary exception to enterprise fund. (Staff recommends Council acknowledge/approve budgetary exception to enterprise fund.)
7.h. Successor Agency Business:
None.
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7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.i. Public Safety/Vital Services Measure:
None.
City Clerk Drimakis announced a staff memorandum was received for item 7.a.1. transmitting corrected minutes.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to adopt Consent Calendar items 7.a. through 7.i.
Motion approved with Councilmember Weir absent.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.a. Public Hearing to consider Action Plan Amendment to HUD Action Plan Fiscal Year 2025-26
Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Amendment No.1: Transfer funds from New Construction Assistance ($1,205,825.33 HOME), FY24-25 CHDO Set Aside ($214,187 HOME), FY25-26 CHDO Set Aside ($223,873 HOME), and FY25-26 Additional Program Income ($956,114.67) for a total allocation of $2,600,000 for the Eye Street Project. (Ward 2)
(Staff recommends the approval of the Action Plan Amendment.)
8.b. Public hearing to consider resolution adopting sewer connection fees for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.)
REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION.
Dave Dmohowski requested item 8.b. removed for separate discussion.
Consent Calendar Public Hearing items 8.a. opened at 5:37 p.m.
Consent Calendar Public Hearing item 8.a. closed at 5:38 p.m.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to adopt Consent Calendar Public Hearing item 8.a.
Motion approved with Councilmember Weir absent.
9. HEARINGS
9.a. Public hearing to consider Planning Commission's approval of General Plan Amendment to update the 6th Cycle Housing Element and its proposed Notice of Exemption.
The City of Bakersfield is proposing a General Plan Amendment to update the Housing Element.
This Request includes: A Resolution adopting a General Plan Amendment to update the 6th cycle Housing Element 2023-2031 for the City of Bakersfield and its Notice of Exemption.
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.)
RES 117-2025
City Clerk Drimakis announced that a staff memorandum had been provided transmitting correspondence and voluminous attachments that could not be duplicated in time for the meeting. As a result, these materials were available for review at the Clerk's station that evening and would be accessible to the public during business hours at the City Clerk’s Office.
Bakersfield, California, September 24, 2025 - Page 8
9. HEARINGS continued
Development Services Director Burns, made staff comments and introduced Kassandra Gale from Rincon who provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Public Hearing item 9.a, opened at 5:49 p.m.
Emma De La Rosa, Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability, spoke in opposition to staff's recommendation.
Dave Dmohowski, Home Builders Association of Kern County, spoke in support of staff's recommendation.
Public Hearing item 9.a., closed at 5:58 p.m.
Councilmember Gonzales made a referral that staff come back to a future meeting with a recommendation regarding an addendum for monitoring demographic data.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to adopt the proposed 2023-2031 Housing Element and approve the related general plan amendment with associated notice of exemption per the California Environmental Quality Act.
Motion approved with Councilmember Weir absent.
8.b. Public Hearing to consider a resolution adopting sewer connection fees for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
(Staff recommends approval of the resolution.)
RES 116-2025
City Manager Clegg made staff comments.
Public Hearing item 8.b. was opened at 6:05 p.m.
The following speakers spoke in opposition to staff's recommendation: none.
The following speakers spoke in favor of staff's recommendation:
Dave Dmohowski, Home Builders Association of Kern County.
Public Hearing item 8.b., closed at 6:07 p.m.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to adopt the resolution. Motion approved with Councilmember Weir absent.
10. REPORTS
None.
11. DEFERRED BUSINESS
None.
12. NEW BUSINESS
None.
13. COUNCIL AND MAYOR STATEMENTS
Councilmember Gonzales requested staff collaborate with eScribe to add functionality for viewing Council speaker requests and maintaining a queue of speakers.
Bakersfield, California, September 24, 2025 - Page 9
13. COUNCIL AND MAYOR STATEMENTS continued
Councilmember Gonzales requested staff provide a thorough presentation on the City’s reserve funds balance including comparable to other cities to the full City Council at a future meeting.
Councilmember Smith highlighted the strong attendance at the Jail Bed Task Force meeting held earlier today.
Councilmember Arias expressed appreciation to Assistant City Manager Anthony for the Stiern Park restrooms project.
Councilmember Arias requested staff explore a potential partnership with Kern Delta regarding the development of a multi-use path along the canal on South H Street from Ming Avenue south to the end of the city boundary.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Goh adjourned the meeting at 6:15 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
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