BAKERSFIELD CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
MEETING OF JANUARY 7, 2026
Council Chambers, City Hall, 1501 Truxtun Avenue
Special and Regular Meetings – 12:00 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.
SPECIAL MEETING – 12:00 PM
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Goh, Vice Mayor Kaur, Councilmembers Arias, Gonzales (seated at 12:34 p.m.), Weir, Smith, Koman and Bashirtash
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
2.a. Non-Agenda Item Public Statement
Michael Turnipseed spoke regarding the sewer rates.
2.b. Agenda Item Public Statements
None.
3. CLOSED SESSION
3. a. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation; Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) regarding the following two matters:
1. Edgar Quincy Sloan v. City of Bakersfield, et al. Kern County Superior Court Case No. BCV-20-102749
2. Robin Boyd and Raymond Boyd v. City of Bakersfield, et al. Kern County Superior Court Case No. BCV-22-103219
3.b. Conference with Legal Counsel - Potential Litigation; Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2),(e)(1) (Three matters)
3.c. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 1430 Truxtun Ave. APN#006-202-04-8
Agency Negotiators: City Manager Christian Clegg or Designee
Negotiating Parties: Matthew Starr, Principal
ASU Commercial Real Estate
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment for purchase
Property: 1440 Truxtun Ave. APN#006-201-12-3
Agency Negotiators: City Manager Christian Clegg or Designee
Negotiating Parties: Matthew Starr, Principal
ASU Commercial Real Estate
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment for purchase
Bakersfield, California, January 7, 2026 - Page 2
3. CLOSED SESSION continued
3.d. Public Employee Performance Evaluation - City Attorney; Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) / 54957.6
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to adjourn to Closed Session at 12:06 p.m.
Closed Session meeting was adjourned at 4:53 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 4:55 p.m.
4. CLOSED SESSION ACTION
3. a. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation; Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) regarding the following two matters:
1. Edgar Quincy Sloan v. City of Bakersfield, et al. Kern County Superior Court Case No. BCV-20-102749
No reportable action, Councilmember Gonzales recused due to a campaign contribution.
2. Robin Boyd and Raymond Boyd v. City of Bakersfield, et al. Kern County Superior Court Case No. BCV-22-103219
By a unanimous vote 7-0, City Attorney was given direction.
3.b. Conference with Legal Counsel - Potential Litigation; Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2),(e)(1) (Three matters)
No reportable action on all three matters.
3.c. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 1430 Truxtun Ave. APN#006-202-04-8
Agency Negotiators: City Manager Christian Clegg or Designee
Negotiating Parties: Matthew Starr, Principal
ASU Commercial Real Estate
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment for purchase
Property: 1440 Truxtun Ave. APN#006-201-12-3
Agency Negotiators: City Manager Christian Clegg or Designee
Negotiating Parties: Matthew Starr, Principal
ASU Commercial Real Estate
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment for purchase
By a 6-1 vote with Councilmember Weir voting no, City Manager’s Office and staff was given direction.
3.d. Public Employee Performance Evaluation - City Attorney; Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) / 54957.6
No reportable action.
Bakersfield, California, January 7, 2026 - Page 3
5. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Goh adjourned the 12:00 p.m. meeting at 4:56 p.m.
Bakersfield, California, January 7, 2026 - Page 4
REGULAR MEETING - 5:15 PM
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Goh, Vice Mayor Kaur, Councilmembers Arias, Gonzales, Weir, Smith, Koman and Bashirtash
2. INVOCATION
by Mayor Goh.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
by Vice Mayor Kaur.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Proclamation to Dustin Contreras, Co-Director of the Kern Coalition Against Human Trafficking, declaring Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Bakersfield during January 2026.
5. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
5.a. Non-Agenda Item Public Statements
1. Julie Solis spoke regarding Valley Fever.
2. Johnny Olaguez spoke regarding transparency and accountability.
5.b. Agenda Item Public Statements
Seth Hewett spoke regarding Consent Calendar item 7.d.6.
6. APPOINTMENTS
None.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Minutes:
7.a.1. Approval of minutes of December 17, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting. (Staff recommends approval of the minutes.)
b. Payments:
7.b.1. Receive and file department payments from December 5, 2025, to December 16, 2025, totaling $12,493,077.41 as follows: department payments in the amount of $11,959,737.23, and Self Insurance payments in the amount of $533,340.18.
(Staff recommends receive and file report.)
7.b.2. Receive and file department agreements over $40,000 and under $100,000 executed between December 5, 2025, to December 16, 2025. (Staff recommends receive and file report.)
Bakersfield, California, January 7, 2026 - Page 5
7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
c. Ordinances:
7.c.1. Adoption of an Ordinance amending Bakersfield Municipal Code Section 17.06.020 by changing the official zoning map classification from R-2/PUD (Small Lot Single- Unit Dwelling/Planned Unit Development) to R-4 (High Density Multi-Unit Dwelling) Zone Change No. 25-0001 on 11.22 acres located at 9700 Camino Media.
The applicant is McIntosh & Associates, representing Camino Media Properties, LLC. (Ward 5) (FR 12/17/2025)
(Staff recommends adoption of the ordinance.)
ORD 5209
d. Resolutions:
7.d.1. Resolution approving the Bakersfield Police Departments Military Equipment Use Policy and Annual Report and authorizing the Funding, Acquisition, and Use of Equipment Pursuant to the Policy.
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.)
RES 001-2026
7.d.2. Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMWHA) Department of Justice Grant
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.)
1. Resolution authorizing the Bakersfield Police Department to accept funding $192,000 made available through the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMWHA) Department of Justice Grant.
RES 002-2026
2. Appropriate $192,000 in Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Grant Program funding from the Department of Justice to the General Fund Police Operating Budget.
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 003-2026
7.d.4. Dispense with bidding for the purchase of roll-off trucks for the Solid Waste Division (Staff recommends adoption of the resolution and approval of appropriation and transfer.)
1. Resolution determining that roll-off trucks can most efficiently be obtained through cooperative procurement bidding procedures from Coast Counties Truck & Equipment and authorizing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding for the purchase of two (2) units in the amount of $814,780 for the Solid Waste Division within the Public Works Department.
RES 004-2026
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7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
item 7.d.4. continued
2. Appropriate and transfer $434,880 Solid Waste Enterprise Fund balance to the Public Works Department’s Operating budget within the Equipment Management Fund to complete the purchase of one unit.
7.d.5. Dispense with bidding for the purchase of side-loader truck for the Solid Waste Division
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution and approval of the appropriation and transfer to complete the purchase.)
1. Resolution determining that a side-loader truck can most efficiently be obtained through cooperative procurement bidding procedures from Coast Counties Truck & Equipment and authorizing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding for the purchase of one unit in the amount of $593,761 for the Solid Waste Division within the Public Works Department.
RES 005-2026
2. Appropriate and transfer $13,761 Solid Waste Enterprise Fund balance to the Public Works Department’s Operating budget within the Equipment Management Fund to complete the purchase of one unit.
7.d.6. Dispense with bidding for the purchase of an asphalt paver for the Streets Division (Staff recommends adoption of the resolution and approval of the appropriation and transfer to complete the purchase.)
1. Resolution determining that an asphalt paver 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 $670,664 for the Streets Division within the Public Works Department.
RES 006-2026
2. Appropriate $621,555 Equipment Management Fund balance to the Public Works Department’s Operating budget.
3. Appropriate and transfer $49,109 Self-Insurance Fund balance to the Public Works Department’s Operating budget within the Equipment Management Fund to complete the purchase of one unit.
7.d.7. Resolutions to add the following territories 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 5-144 (3501 Meeks Avenue): Street Tier = 0; Park Tier = 0 (Ward 1)
RES 007-2026
2. Resolution adding Area 4-319 (238 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard):
Street Tier = 2; Park Tier = 0.5 (Ward 2)
RES 008-2026
Bakersfield, California, January 7, 2026 - Page 7
7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.e. Agreements:
7.e.1. Agreement with Radio IP Software Inc. (not to exceed $136,470.65) for secure network connection services.
(Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2026-001
7.e.2. Agreement with Fruitvale School District (compensation to City not to exceed $153,000) to provide School Resource Officers. (Ward 4) (Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2026-002
7.e.3. Agreement with Kern High School District (not to exceed $194,000 paid to the City) for use of aquatic facilities for practice, swim meets, and water polo competition. (Wards 2 & 6)
(Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2026-003
7.e.4. Agreement with Shielding the Frontline, Kern County ($192,000) for counseling services for the Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) frontline personnel and their families.
(Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2026-004
7.e.5. HHAP-5 Agreement with The Open Door Network ($350,000) for Shelter Operations. (Ward 2)
(Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2026-005
7.e.6. Amendment No. 4 to Agreement No. 2022-021 with Trans-West Security Services, Inc. (increasing compensation by $10,000; revised not to exceed $476,953 and extend the term to January 19, 2027), to provide security services for various locations for the City of Bakersfield.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2022-021 (4)
7.e.7. Contract Change Order Nos. 16 and 17 to Agreement No. 2024-235 (7th Movement) with Granite Construction Company (increasing compensation by $158,885.36; revised not to exceed $27,926,329.43) for the Centennial Corridor EB58 to NB99 Loop Connector Project. (Wards 1 & 2)
(Staff recommends approval of the change order.)
CCO 2024-235 (16), (17)
7.f. Bids:
None.
7.g. Miscellaneous:
7.g.1. Appropriate $16,319.20 in Water Conservation Rebate Program revenues received from California Water Service to the Recreation and Parks Department Operating Budget within the General Fund. (Ward 4)
(Staff recommends approval of the appropriation.)
Bakersfield, California, January 7, 2026 - Page 8
7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.g.2. Appropriate additional $50,000 from the Domestic Water Connection Fees Fund for the purchase of land for water well site.
(Staff recommends approval of the appropriation.)
7.g.3. Request to receive and file the SOAR Bakersfield Final Comprehensive Climate Action Plan, a citywide roadmap to reduce climate pollution, improve public health, and strengthen community resilience, prepared with support from the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program. (Staff recommends receive and file the SOAR Bakersfield Final Comprehensive Climate Action Plan.)
7.g.4. Review and acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Compliance Report for Park Impact Fees prepared in accordance with California Government Code §66006 (Staff recommend acceptance of the report.)
7.g.5. Review and acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Compliance Report for Bridge Crossings and Major Thoroughfare Fees prepared in accordance with California Government Code §66006.
(Staff recommends acceptance of the report.)
7.g.6. Review and acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Compliance Report for Planned Drainage Area Fees prepared in accordance with California Government Code §66006.
(Staff recommends acceptance of the report.)
7.g.7. Review and acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Compliance Report for Planned Sewer Area Fees prepared in accordance with California Government Code §66006.
(Staff recommends acceptance of the report.)
7.g.8. Review and acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Compliance Report for Transportation Impact Fees prepared in accordance with California Government Code §66006.
(Staff recommends acceptance of the report.)
7.h. Successor Agency Business:
None.
7.i. Public Safety/Vital Services Measure:
None.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to adopt Consent Calendar items 7.a. through 7.i.
Motion unanimously approved.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
9. HEARINGS
None.
10. REPORTS
None.
Bakersfield, California, January 7, 2026 - Page 9
11. DEFERRED BUSINESS
None.
12. NEW BUSINESS
None.
13. COUNCIL AND MAYOR STATEMENTS
Councilmember Gonzales made comments regarding the launch of the Golden Empire Transit Toucan Trolley project for Downtown and Old Town Kern areas.
Councilmember Gonzales made comments regarding the 18th and 19th Street Corridor Project.
Councilmember Bashirtash requested staff provide an update on the City's efforts to acquire the historic Sumner Train Depot and present the topic to the City Council for consideration.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Goh adjourned the meeting in honor of Veteran’s Day at 5:52 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, January 7, 2026 - Page 10
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