BAKERSFIELD CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 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 Arias (seated at 3:31 p.m.), Gonzales, Smith, Koman and Bashirtash
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 Labor Negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to adjourn to Closed Session at 3:32 p.m.
Closed Session meeting was adjourned at 4:42 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 4:53 p.m.
5. CLOSED SESSION ACTION
4. a. Conference with Labor Negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
City Attorney Gennaro announced staff was given direction.
Mayor Goh adjourned the 3:30 p.m. meeting at 4:53 p.m.
Bakersfield, California, November 5, 2025 - Page 2
REGULAR MEETING - 5:15 PM
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Goh, Vice Mayor Kaur, Councilmembers Arias, Gonzales, Smith, Koman and Bashirtash
Absent: Councilmember Weir
Introduction of students participating in the 69th Teen Government Day.
Sawyer Sackewitz, Centennial High School (Mayor); Edward Gomez, South High School (Vice-Mayor Kaur); Donovan Louden, Bakersfield High School (Councilmember Arias); Kailey Dickey, Bakersfield Christian High School (Councilmember Gonzales); Irenia Cuevas, Shafter High School (Councilmember Weir); Sarah Holland, East Bakersfield High School (Councilmember Smith); Brandon Altamirano, Foothill High School (Councilmember Koman), Jillian Bean, Liberty High School (Councilmember Bashirtash); Nguyen Nguyen, Stockdale High School (City Attorney Gennaro); Luke Tobias, Garces Memorial High School (City Manager Clegg); Avia Mesa, Ridgeview High School (Public Works Director Meyer), Maria Arana, West High School, (City Clerk Drimakis)
2. INVOCATION
by Luke Tobias, Senior at Garces Memorial High School.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
by Sawyer Sackewitz, Centennial High School.
4. PRESENTATIONS
None.
5. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
5.a. Non-Agenda Item Public Statements
1. Max Hernandez, Robert Tyo, Josh Deutinger and Joseph Davis spoke regarding the Police department contract.
2. Nancy Doumanian, Attorney and Quincy Sloan spoke regarding a Fire department lawsuit.
Mayor Goh recessed the meeting at 5:45 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 5:48 p.m.
5.b. Agenda Item Public Statements
None.
6. APPOINTMENTS
None.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Minutes:
7.a.1. Approval of minutes of October 22, 2025, Regular City Council Meetings. (Staff recommends approval of the minutes.)
Bakersfield, California, November 5, 2025 - Page 3
7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
b. Payments:
7.b.1. Receive and file department payments from October 10, 2025, to October 23, 2025, totaling $29,724,336.04 as follows: department payments in the amount of $29,193,761.53, and Self Insurance payments in the amount of $530,574.51. (Staff recommends receive and file report.)
7.b.2. Receive and file department agreements over $40,000 and under $100,000 executed between October 10, 2025, to October 23, 2025. (Staff recommends receive and file report.)
c. Ordinances:
7.c.1. First Reading of the following ordinances amending various sections of the Bakersfield Municipal Code (BMC):
(Staff recommends first reading of the proposed ordinances.)
1. Ordinance amending Section 3.20.105 relating to Purchasing and Contract Procedure.
FR ONLY
2. Ordinance amending Sections 15.66.020, 15.66.060 and 15.66.080 relating to Drilling for and Production of Petroleum.
FR ONLY
3. Ordinance amending Chapters 15.04, 15.05, 15.07, 15.09, 15.11, 15.13,
15.15, 15.17, 15.19, 15.30, and Chapter 15.31 relating to the 2025 versions of the California Building and Construction Codes.
FR ONLY
d. Resolutions:
7.d.1. Resolution to Authorize sale of surplus equipment to the City of Queretaro, Mexico, a governmental entity, for one dollar ($1.00).
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.)
RES 123-2025
7.d.2. Resolution to allow development based on new zoning standards notwithstanding incompatible land uses with the existing General Plan.
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.)
RES 124-2025
7.d.3. 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 125-2025
Bakersfield, California, November 5, 2025 - Page 4
7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.d.4. Resolution determining that Globe® Turnout Clothing is the Bakersfield Fire Department standard and it cannot be reasonably obtained through the usual bidding procedures and authori1zing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding thereof, not to exceed $395,700.
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.)
RES 126-2025
7.d.5. Resolution determining that aerial bucket trucks can most efficiently be obtained through cooperative procurement bidding procedures from Altec Industries, Inc., and authorizing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding for the purchase of four (4) units in the amount of $799,375 for the General Services Division within the Public Works Department.
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution and approval of the purchase.)
RES 127-2025
7.d.6. Resolution determining that EV tractors can most efficiently be obtained through cooperative procurement bidding procedures from E.M. Tharp Inc., dba Golden State Peterbilt and authorizing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding for the purchase of two (2) units in the amount of $637,648.
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution and approval of the purchase.)
RES 128-2025
7.d.7. Resolution determining that Adobe software products and subscriptions can most efficiently be obtained through cooperative procurement bidding procedures from Dell and authorizing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding for the purchase of Adobe software products and subscriptions in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for the Technology Services Department.
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution and approval of the purchase.)
RES 129-2025
7.d.8. Resolutions adding Areas 5-141, 2-93, and 4-312 to the Consolidated Maintenance District (CMD) and confirming, approving, and adopting the Public Works Director’s Report for each:
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolutions.)
1. Resolution adding Area 5-141 (ATN 173-191-25-00-7): Street Tier = 1; Park Tier = 0 (Ward 1)
RES 130-2025
2. Resolution adding Area 2-93 (5601 District Boulevard): Street Tier = 1; Park Tier = 0 (Ward 6)
RES 131-2025
3. Resolution adding Area 4-312 (117 Brundage Lane): Street Tier = 2; Park Tier = 0 (Ward 2)
RES 132-2025
Bakersfield, California, November 5, 2025 - Page 5
7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.e. Agreements:
7.e.1. Lease Agreement with County of Kern Bakersfield Health and Recovery Services for Office Space to provide onsite mental health services at the Brundage Lane Navigation Center. (Ward 2)
(Staff recommends approval of the lease agreement.)
AGR 2025-200
7.e.2. Agreement with Kern County Public Health Department (not to exceed $1,924,301.74) to Implement the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program.
(Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2025-201
7.e.3. Consent to Common Use Agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to allow the construction of a road over an existing 34” High Pressure Gas Pipeline within Tract 6880. (Ward 5)
(Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2025-202
7.e.4. Final Map, Improvement Agreement, and Landscape Agreement with JP Land Development, LLC for Tract 7262, Phase 6 Developer is requesting to enter into agreements so the final map for Tract 7262 Phase 6, located on the northwest corner of Reliance Drive and Berkshire Road, can be approved and recorded. (Ward 7) (Staff recommends approval of the Final Map, Improvement Agreement, and Landscape Agreement.)
AGR 2025-203, AGR 2025-204
7.e.5. Amendment No. 4 to Agreement No. 2023-042 and Agreement No 2023-042(B) with Speridian Technologies, LLC (increasing compensation $56,417; revised not to exceed $1,287,670), and Clarity Cloud, Inc. (increasing compensation $110,000; revised not to exceed $1,168,551), for managed support services for Clariti’s Community Development software.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2023-042 (4), AGR 2023-042(B)
7.e.6. Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 2023-131 with Global CTI Group, Inc. ($433,611.01), for additional panic buttons at city locations. (Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2023-131 (2)
7.e.7. Amendment No. 4 to Agreement No. 16-255 with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. (extend term to December 31, 2026), for planning services for brownfield properties. (Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 16-255 (4)
7.e.8. Amendment No 1 to Agreement No 2023-264 with Alpha and Omega Gardening Inc. (increasing compensation by $65,200; revised not to exceed $140,560 and extend the term to November 30, 2027), to provide landscape maintenance for the Bakersfield Municipal Airport.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2023-264 (1)
Bakersfield, California, November 5, 2025 - Page 6
7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.e.9. Contract Change Order No. 2 to Agreement No. 2024 -082 with Cen-Cal Construction ($35,583.39; revised not to exceed $3,126,988.16) for the Garces Memorial Circle Enhancement Project. (Ward 3)
(Staff recommends approval of the change order.)
CCO 2024-082 (2)
7.e.10. Contract Change Order No. 3 to Agreement No. 2024 -082 with Cen-Cal Construction ($52,402.26; revised not to exceed $3,179,390.42) for the Garces Memorial Circle Enhancement Project. (Ward 3)
(Staff recommends approval of the change order.)
CCO 2024-082 (3)
7.f. Bids:
7.f.1. Street Lighting Improvements along Chester Avenue from 34th Street to Columbus Street. (Rebid)
(Staff recommends acceptance of low bid, approval of contract, and approval of City-controlled contingency.)
1. Accept bid and approve contract with Loop Electric, Inc. for $96,655.
AGR 2025-205
2. Authorize staff to approve, as necessary, up to $12,000 in City-controlled contingency for unforeseen conditions during construction of said project. (Ward 3)
7.f.2. Street Lighting Improvements along Pacific Street from Baker Street to Williams Street. (Rebid)
(Staff recommends acceptance of low bid, approval of contract, and approval of City-controlled contingency.)
1. Accept bid and approve contract with Loop Electric, Inc., for $329,650.
AGR 2025-206
2. Authorize staff to approve, as necessary, up to $40,000 in City-Controlled contingency for unforeseen conditions during construction of said project. (Ward 2)
7.f.3. Streetlighting Improvements along South Chester Avene from Wilson Road to Union Avenue. (Rebid)
(Staff recommends acceptance of bid, approval of contract, and approval of City-controlled contingency.)
1. Accept Bid and approve contract with Loop Electric, Inc. for $181,460.
AGR 2025-207
2. Authorize staff to approve, as necessary, up to $20,000 in City-controlled contingency for unforeseen conditions during construction of said project. (Ward 1)
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7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.g. Miscellaneous:
7.g.1. Appropriate and transfer $99,320 Sewer Enterprise Fund balance to the Public Works Department’s Operating Budget within the Equipment Management Fund to fund the purchase of one water jetter truck for the Streets Division within the Public Works Department.
(Staff recommends approval of the appropriation and purchase.)
7.g.2. Appropriation and Transfer $25,000 from Council Contingency funds to CAPK Food Bank to help meet the funding gap need for the Community Action Partnership of Kern’s (CAPK) Food Bank, $25,000, will be appropriated from Council Contingency funds and transferred to the Food Bank.
(Staff recommends approval of appropriation and transferring of funds.)
REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION. See page 7.
7.h. Successor Agency Business:
None.
7.i. Public Safety/Vital Services Measure:
7.i.1. Memorandum of Understanding with County of Kern (not to exceed $775,000) to jointly fund the Bakersfield Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative. (Staff recommends approval of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
AGR 205-208
City Clerk Drimakis announced staff memorandums were received regarding item
7.g.2., requesting separate consideration and 7.d.2. transmitting correspondence received, due to the voluminous additional attachments, the attachments will be available for review in the City Clerk’s Office.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to adopt Consent Calendar items 7.a. through 7.i. with the removal of item 7.g.2. for separate consideration.
Motion approved with Councilmember Weir absent.
7.g.2. Appropriation and Transfer $25,000 from Council Contingency funds to CAPK Food Bank to help meet the funding gap need for the Community Action Partnership of Kern’s (CAPK) Food Bank, $25,000, will be appropriated from Council Contingency funds and transferred to the Food Bank.
(Staff recommends approval of appropriation and transferring of funds.)
Councilmember Arias made comments and introduced Kelly Lowery, Program Administrator, Community Action Partnership of Kern who made additional comments.
Motion by Councilmember Arias to approve appropriation and transfer $100,000.
Motion approved with Councilmember Weir absent and Councilmember Koman voting no.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.a. Public hearing to consider resolution approving and adopting an adjusted fee for the Park Development and Improvement fee.
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.)
RES 133-2025
Bakersfield, California, November 5, 2025 - Page 8
8. CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS continued
8.b. First Reading of the following ordinances amending various sections of the Bakersfield Municipal Code (BMC)
(Staff recommends first reading of the proposed ordinances.)
1. Ordinance amending Section17.10.20 relating to Residential Zones.
FR ONLY
2. Ordinance amending Section 17.12.020 relating to Mixed Use Zones.
FR ONLY
3. Ordinance amending Sections 17.65.010 and 17.65.030 relating to Accessory Dwelling Unit and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit.
FR ONLY
Consent Calendar Public Hearings items 8.a. and 8.b. opened at 5:52 p.m.
No one spoke in opposition or in favor of staff’s recommendations.
Consent Calendar Public Hearings items 8.a. and 8.b. closed at 5:52 p.m.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to adopt Consent Calendar Public Hearings items 8.a. and
8.b. Motion approved with Councilmember Weir absent.
9. HEARINGS
None.
10. REPORTS
10.a. Lower Kern River Habitat Restoration Project.
(Staff recommends Council receive and file.)
Water Resources Director Budak made staff comments and introduced Anna Talken, River Partners, Project Manager, who made additional comments and provided a PowerPoint Presentation.
Deputy City Attorney Collom made additional comments.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to receive and file. Motion approved with Councilmember Weir absent.
10.b. Habitat Conservation Plan
(Staff recommends receive and file report and approval of the agreement.)
1. Update on efforts toward adoption of a new Habitat Conservation Plan
2. Agreement with ICF JONES & STOKES, INC. (not to exceed $495,073.25), to continue work on the Habitat Conservation Plan.
AGR 2025-209
Building Director Burns made staff comments and introduced Brad Norton, Director Conservation Planning
Dave Dmohowski, representing Home Builders association of Kern County, spoke in support.
Bakersfield, California, November 5, 2025 - Page 9
10. REPORTS
item 10.b. continued
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to receive and file and approval of the agreement. Motion approved with Councilmember Weir absent.
11. DEFERRED BUSINESS
None.
12. NEW BUSINESS
12.a. Resolution setting dates of the Regular City Council Meetings, Department Budget Presentations and Budget Hearing Calendar for January through December 2026. (Staff recommends Council adopt the resolution.)
RES 134-2025
City Manager Clegg made staff comments.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to approve the resolution. Motion approved with Councilmember Weir absent.
13. COUNCIL AND MAYOR STATEMENTS
Councilmember Smith requested staff prepare a traffic safety resolution for City Council consideration to include best practices for street safety and the national safety standards.
Councilmember Gonzales expressed appreciation to all for the help with Woolworth’s Building Grand Opening.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Goh adjourned the meeting in honor of Veteran’s Day at 7:08 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
Bakersfield, California, November 5, 2025 - Page 10
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