AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
November 05, 2025 COUNCIL MEETING
REGULAR MEETING – 3:30 PM
No items to highlight.
REGULAR MEETING – 5:15 PM
AGREEMENTS
Item 7.e.1 Lease Extension for Onsite Mental Health Services at BLNC (Ward 2) On September 23, 2020, the City Council approved Agreement No. 2020-172 with the County of Kern to provide cost-free office space at the Brundage Lane Navigation Center (BLNC) for onsite mental health services. The current agreement expires on September 8, 2025, and a new lease will allow these services to continue through June 30, 2026. Additionally, the County will enter a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with BLNC’s operator, Mercy House, to outline the services provided and designated work areas for County staff. This agreement has no fiscal impact on the City’s General Fund, as the lease and services are provided at no cost.
PUBLIC SAFETY / VITAL SERVICES MEASURE
Item 7.i.1 Five-Year Funding Extension for Bakersfield-Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative (All Wards) On September 25, 2019, the City of Bakersfield and the County of Kern entered an MOU (Agreement No. 19 -185) establishing the Bakersfield -Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative, Inc. (BKRHC) to coordinate efforts and provide services addressing homelessness throughout the region. Following a one-year extension approved on September 10, 2024, the proposed new MOU would continue funding BKRHC for an additional five years, through November 1, 2030. Under this agreement, the City will contribute $155,000 annually, totaling up to $775,000 over the term. The costs are included in the PSVS Fiscal Year 2025–26 budget.
REPORTS
Items 10.a Lower Kern River Habitat R estoration Project (All Wards) The City of Bakersfield Water Department, in collaboration with River Partners, is advancing the Lower Kern River Habitat Restoration Project to restore over 600 acres of riparian and upland habitat along the Kern River. Funded through a California Wildlife Conservation Board grant, the project includes planting more than 100,000 native trees and shrubs to establish self -sustaining natural areas. Water Department staff and River Partners will present on their joint efforts and outline the next steps toward project implementation.
Items 10.b Habitat Conservation Plan (All Wards) The City of Bakersfield and County of Kern previously implemented the Metropolitan Bakersfield Habitat Conservation Plan (MBHCP) for nearly 30 years to balance development and species protection. After its expiration in January 2023, staff worked with state and federal wildlife agencies on a new plan but sought alternatives due to high mitigation costs.
In coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the City is now pursuing a revised approach focused on urban kit fox conservation throu gh new development standards, habitat easements, disease management, and education initiatives. If approved, the City will contract with ICF for approximately $498,000 to complete the updated Habitat Conservation Plan, with staff resources dedicated to its implementation.
Prepared by: Jaritza Nunez, Management Fellow CC: Department Heads City Manager’s File
City Clerk’s File
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