BAKERSFIELD CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
MEETING OF MARCH 25, 2026
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 Gonzales, Smith, Koman and Bashirtash (seated at 3:34 p.m.)
Absent: Councilmember Arias
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
2.a. Non-Agenda Item Public Statement
None.
2.b. Agenda Item Public Statements
None.
3. CLOSED SESSION
3.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 4:05 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 4:07 p.m.
4. CLOSED SESSION ACTION
3.a. Conference with Labor Negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Staff was given direction by a 6-0 vote with Councilmember Arias absent.
5. REPORTS
5.a. Second Quarter 2025-26 Budget Update.
(Staff recommends Council receive and file report and presentation.)
City Manager Clegg made staff comments and provided a PowerPoint Presentation.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to receive and file. Motion approved with Councilmember Arias absent.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Goh adjourned the 3:30 p.m. meeting at 4:25 p.m.
Bakersfield, California, March 25, 2026 - Page 2
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 Pastor Marla Black, Dominion Worship Center.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
by Amrita Singh, 8th Grade Student, St. John’s Lutheran School.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Proclamation to Chad Provensal, Assistant Principal for Bakersfield Adult School, and Joe Turner, Job Spot Administrator for Renaissance at Baker, declaring March 23-27, 2026, Adult Education Week in Bakersfield.
4.b. Proclamation to Paul Gipe, Coordinator for the Bakersfield Parkinson's Support Group; Nancy Nies of the Bakersfield Parkinson's Support Group; and Harry Starkey, President of the Parkinson's Association of Northern California, declaring April 2026 as Parkinson's Awareness Month in Bakersfield.
5. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
5.a. Non-Agenda Item Public Statements
1. Matthew Martin spoke regarding the Great American Cleanup and provided a PowerPoint presentation.
2. Michael Turnipseed (written material provided) spoke regarding the annual financial report.
3. Jamell Willey (written material provided) spoke regarding crime prevention and violence reduction efforts.
City Manager Clegg made comments and will follow up with Mr. Willey’s concerns.
4. Johnny Olaguez spoke regarding morals and ethics.
5.b. Agenda Item Public Statements
None.
6. APPOINTMENTS
6.a. One appointment to Keep Bakersfield Beautiful Committee Ward 6 Alternate Member due to the resignation of David Baker.
(Staff recommends Council determination.)
City Clerk Drimakis announced that applications were received from Hovik Beduryan, Jesse Dhaliwal, LaDonna Dodge, Troy Fidis, Nayeli Franco, Jenny Annet Kurdi, Daniel C. Nolan, Lindsey Parker, Sandy Turner, James Howard Wheeler.
Councilmember Bashirtash Ward 6 nominated LaDonna Dodge, alternate member.
Bakersfield, California, March 25, 2026 - Page 3
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to appoint LaDonna Dodge, Ward 6 alternate member to the Keep Bakersfield Beautiful Committee. Motion unanimously approved.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Minutes:
7.a.1. Approval of minutes of March 11, 2026, Regular City Council Meetings. (Staff recommends approval of the minutes.)
b. Payments:
7.b.1. Receive and file department payments from February 25, 2026, to March 10, 2026, totaling $21,396,150.64 as follows: department payments in the amount of $20,938,834.87 and Self Insurance payments in the amount of $457,315.77. (Staff recommends receive and file report.)
7.b.2. Receive and file department agreements over $40,000 and under $100,000 executed between February 25, 2026, to March 10, 2026.
(Staff recommends receive and file report.)
c. Ordinances:
7.c.1. Adoption of an ordinance adding Chapter 2.06, and Subsections, to Title 2 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code to Create a New City Council Appointed Position entitled Chief Assistant City Attorney. (FR 3/11/26)
(Staff recommends adoption of the ordinance.)
ORD 5212
d. Resolutions:
7.d.1. 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 035-2026
7.d.2. Resolution requesting City Council’s authorization enabling City Staff to submit a Notice of Exemption concerning the Lower Kern River Restoration Project. (Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.)
RES 036-2026
7.d.3. Dispense with bidding for the purchase of Microsoft unified support services for the Technology Services Department
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution and approval of the purchase.)
1. Resolution determining that Microsoft unified support services cannot be reasonably obtained through the usual bidding procedures and authorizing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding for the purchase of Microsoft unified support services in an amount not to exceed $391,813.58.
RES 037-2026
2. Agreement with Microsoft Corporation to provide Microsoft unified support services for a three-year term, not to exceed $391,813.58.
AGR 2026-035
Bakersfield, California, March 25, 2026 - Page 4
7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.d.4. Resolution to dispense with bidding and agreement for Transportation Infrastructure Management and Digitization services
(Staff recommend adoption of the resolution and approval of the purchase and contract)
1. Resolution determining that transportation infrastructure management and digitization cannot be reasonably obtained through the usual bidding procedures and authorizing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding therefore, not to exceed $261,234.
RES 038-2026
2. Agreement with CYVL, Inc. to provide transportation infrastructure management and digitization services for a three-year term, not to exceed $261,234.
AGR 2026-036
7.d.5. Dispense with Bidding for the purchase of Pierce Enforcer fire engines for the Fire Department (early acquisition)
(Staff recommend adoption of the resolution and approval of the appropriation and purchase.)
1. Resolution determining that Pierce Enforcer fire engines can most efficiently be obtained through cooperative procurement bidding procedures from South Coast Fire Equipment, on behalf of Pierce Manufacturing, Inc. and authorizing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding thereof, not to exceed $2,361,562.
RES 039-2026
2. Appropriate $2,361,562 Equipment Fund balance to the Public Works Department’s Operating Budget within the Equipment Management Fund to fund the purchase of two Pierce Enforcer fire engines.
7.d.6. Resolution of Intention No. 2255 to add Area 4-322 (304 Cypress Avenue) to the Consolidated Maintenance District and preliminarily approving, confirming, and adopting the Development Services Director’s Report: Street Tier = 0.5; Park Tier = 1 (Ward 2)
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.)
RES 2026-040
7.e. Job Specifications and Salary Updates
None.
7.f. Agreements
7.f.1. Termination of Agreement No. 2023-007 with Staples Energy for Home Repair and Weatherization Programs.
(Staff recommends termination of the agreement.)
7.f.2. Grant Agreement with the Federal Highway Administration for $1,225,000 under the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program (SS4A).
(Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
Bakersfield, California, March 25, 2026 - Page 5
AGR 2026-037
7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.f.3. Water Pipeline Crossing License Agreements with Railroad Companies to allow construction of water pipeline along McCutchen Road. (Ward 5) (Staff recommends approval of the agreements.)
1. Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Company (not to exceed $15,000)
AGR 2026-038
2. Agreement with BNSF Railroad Company (not to exceed $3,900)
AGR 2026-039
7.f.4. Consultant agreements to provide materials testing services for calendar years 2026- 2027
(Staff recommends approval of the agreements.)
1. Agreement with Soils Engineering Inc. (not to exceed $750,000)
AGR 2026-040
2. Agreement with BSK and Associates (not to exceed $750,000)
AGR 2026-041
7.f.5. Consultant Agreements to provide on-call construction inspection services for development projects and the Capital Improvement Program, (CIP) during calendar years 2026-2027
(Staff recommends approval of the agreements.)
1. Agreement with Meyer Civil Engineering, Inc. (not to exceed $500,000)
AGR 2026-042
2. Agreement with MKN & Associates, LLP (not to exceed $500,000)
AGR 2026-043
3. Agreement with MD Fick Consulting (not to exceed $500,000)
AGR 2026-044
4. Agreement with Provost & Pritchard Engineering, Inc. (not to
AGR 2026-045
7.f.6. Agreement with Provost and Pritchard Engineering Group, Inc dba Provost and Pritchard Consulting Group (not to exceed $257,000) for Street Improvements along E. Belle Terrace from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd to Washington Street. (Wards 1 & 2)
(Staff recommends the approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2026-046
7.f.7. Final Map and Improvement Agreement with Deertrail Abbey Court 1, LLC for Tract 7152, Phase 3 Developer is requesting to enter into an agreement so the final map located northeast corner of South Fairfax Road and East Wilson Road can be approved and recorded. (Ward 1)
(Staff recommends approval of the Final map, and improvement agreement.)
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AGR 2026-047, DEEDS 9937, 9938, 9939, 9940
7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.f.8. Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. 2022-256 with Darktrace Holdings Limited (not to exceed $1,191,509.92) for additional licenses.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2022-256 (3)
7.f.9. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 2025-210 with HP, Inc. Managed Print Services (adding equipment model only) to add additional printer model to coverage. (Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2025-210 (1)
7.f.10. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 2025-176 with Be Finally Free (extend term to August 30, 2026) for Community Connectors Program, which provides outreach engagement and beautification services in Old Town Kern. (Ward 2) (Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2025-176 (1)
7.f.11. Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 2024-123 with Accelerated Environmental Services Inc. ($350,000; revised not to exceed $500,000 and extend the term by one year), to provide industrial cleaning services for the Wastewater Division. (Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2024-123 (2)
7.f.12. Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 2024-088 with MJS Solutions LLC ($40,000; revised not to exceed $160,000 and extend term to April 25, 2027), to continue commercial cleaning services at the Bakersfield Animal Care and Animal Control Centers.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2024-088 (2)
7.f.13. Amendment No. 5 to Agreement No. 2022-029 with Safeway Sign Company (increase compensation by $100,000; revised not to exceed $565,112.42) to continue the supply of traffic signs.
(Staff recommend approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2022-029 (5)
7.f.14. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 2025-046 with BSK Associates Inc. (increase compensation by $80,064; revised not to exceed $218,000 and extend term by one year), to provide laboratory services for the Wastewater Division. (Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2025-046 (1)
7.f.15. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 2023-263 with Parsons Transportation Group Inc. (Parsons) (increasing compensation $1,250,000; revised not to exceed $2,250,000) for Engineering Design Services of the Beach Park Bridge Multi-Use Crossing (P4K307). (Wards 2 & 3)
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2023-263 (1)
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7.f.16. Contract Change Order No. 1 to Agreement No. 2024-114 with W.M Lyles Company ($46,129.57; revised not to exceed $371,026.57) for the WWTP No. 3 Septage Processing Unit Upgrade.
(Staff recommends approval of the change order.)
AGR 2024-114 CCO (1)
7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.f.17. Contract Change Order No. 1 to Agreement No. 2025-070 with Green Machine Sales, LLC (increasing compensation by $393,026; revised not to exceed $5,540,960), for the redesign and upgrade of the sorting line at the City’s Materials Recovery Facility. (Ward 1)
(Staff recommends approval of the change order.)
AGR 2025-070 CCO (1)
7.f.18. Contract Change Order No. 1 to Agreement No. 2026-014 with American International Environmental (increasing compensation by $7,395.30; revised not to exceed $277,354.30) for the dehydration system at the Bakersfield Sanitary Landfill (BSL). (Ward 3)
(Staff recommends approval of the change order.)
AGR 2026-014 CCO (1)
7.g. Bids:
7.g.1. Accept bid and approve contract to Nishikawa Property Maintenance, Inc. (not to exceed $608,796), for Mesa Marin Sports Complex Maintenance. (Ward 3) (Staff recommends acceptance of the bid and approval of contract.)
AGR 2026-048
7.g.2. Accept bid and approve contract to Nishikawa Property Maintenance, Inc. (not to exceed $211,350), for Bakersfield Sports Village Maintenance. (Ward 7) Staff recommend acceptance of bid and approval of contract.
AGR 2026-049
7.g.3. Purchase of thirty-one (31) electric (EV) pickup trucks for various Departments and Divisions
(Staff recommend approval of the appropriation.)
1. Accept bid from Courtesy Chevrolet, San Diego, CA for thirty-one (31) electric (EV) pickup trucks 2025 or newer model year in the amount of $1,501,069.37 ($48,421.59 per unit) for various Departments and Divisions.
2. Appropriate $42,067 Equipment Management Fund balance to the Public Works Operating budget within the Equipment Management Fund to complete the purchase.
7.g.4. Accept bid and approve contract for Streetlighting Improvements along Terrace Way and Belle Terrace from South ‘H’ Street to South Union Avenue (Staff recommends acceptance of second lowest bid, authorization of City-Controlled contingency, and approval of contract.)
1. Accept bid and approve contract with Loop Electric, Inc., (not to exceed $622,960).
AGR 2026-050
Bakersfield, California, March 25, 2026 - Page 8
2. Authorize staff to approve, as necessary, up to $32,000 in City-Controlled contingency for unforeseen conditions during the construction of said project. (Ward 2)
7. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
7.h. Miscellaneous:
7.h.1. Appropriate $22,867,345 Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program Round 1 funds to the Other Grant Awards fund in the Economic and Community Development Operating Budget for the Calm Horizons project. (Ward 1) (Staff recommends approval of the appropriation.)
7.h.2. Appropriate $3,737,446 of Litigation Revenue to Domestic Water Fund Capital Improvement Budget
(Staff recommends approval of the appropriation.)
7.h.3. Appropriate and transfer $425,000 from the Capital Facility Reserve Fund to the Capital Outlay Fund for the payment for earnest deposit to begin the acquisition of the property located at 1430 and 1440 Truxtun Avenue. (Ward 2) (Staff recommends approval of the appropriation.)
7.h.4. Bakersfield Fire Department report regarding compliance with annual inspection of certain identified occupancies pursuant to sections 13146.2 and 13146.3 of the California Health and Safety Code.
(Staff recommends to receive and file the report.)
7.h.5. 2025 Kern County Fair reimbursements
(Staff recommends approval of the appropriations.)
1. Appropriate $426,380 within the General Fund Police Operating Budget for reimbursement received for security services provided during the 2025 Kern County Fair.
2. Appropriate $124,237 within the General Fund Police Operating Budget for reimbursement received for Street Interdiction Team (SIT) operational services during the 2025 Kern County Fair.
7.i. Successor Agency Business:
7.i.1. Receive and file Successor Agency payments from February 25, 2026, to March 10, 2026 in the amount of $1,400.00
(Staff recommends report be received and filed.)
7.j. Public Safety/Vital Services Measure:
7.j.1. Accept Bid and approve Construction Projects Agreement with JL McDaniels Companies, Inc. DBA McDaniels Construction (not to exceed $347,349.61) for the Community House Kitchen Improvements Project. (Ward 2)
(Staff recommends acceptance of bid and approval of agreement.)
AGR 2026-051
Councilmembers Weir and Bashirtash requested item 7.h.3. be removed for separate consideration.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to adopt Consent Calendar items 7.a. through 7.j. with the removal of item 7.h.3. for separate consideration. Motion unanimously approved.
Bakersfield, California, March 25, 2026 - Page 9
7.h.3. Appropriate and transfer $425,000 from the Capital Facility Reserve Fund to the Capital Outlay Fund for the payment for earnest deposit to begin the acquisition of the property located at 1430 and 1440 Truxtun Avenue. (Ward 2) (Staff recommends approval of the appropriation.)
Motion by Councilmember Arias to adopt Consent Calendar item 7.h.3. Motion approved with Councilmembers Weir and Bashirtash voting no.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
9. HEARINGS
None.
10. REPORTS
10.a. Community Choice Aggregation Update and Utility-Scale distributed Energy Resources Pathways/Feasibility Study introduction.
(Staff recommends that City Council provide direction.)
1. Receive and file the update regarding the Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) feasibility and Utility-Scale Distributed Energy Resources (DER) pathways/feasibility studies;
2. Provide direction to staff regarding whether to proceed with CCA implementation planning, and if so, authorize staff to begin preliminary community outreach and education efforts; and,
3. Provide direction to staff regarding whether to proceed with Utility-Scale Distributed Energy Resources (DER) implementation planning.
City Manager Clegg made staff comments and introduced Barabara Boswell, CalChoice.
Barbara Boswell, CalChoice, Scott Strom, Willdan Bakersfield Program Director, and Jason Caudle, CEO FPH2 Joint Power Authority made comments and provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Michael Turnipseed (written material provided) spoke in opposition.
Councilmember Weir left the meeting at 6:11 p.m.
Motion by Councilmember Smith to move forward, provide direction to staff to proceed with Utility Scale Distributed Energy Resources Implementation Planning with an understanding that additional information and a potential contract would return to Council. Motion approved with Councilmembers Koman and Bashirtash voting no and Councilmember Weir absent.
11. DEFERRED BUSINESS
None.
12. NEW BUSINESS
None.
13. COUNCIL AND MAYOR STATEMENTS
Councilmember Smith expressed congratulations on City Manager Clegg’s sixth year with the City.
Bakersfield, California, March 25, 2026 - Page 10
Councilmember Koman expressed excitement on opening day for baseball.
Councilmember Arias invited the public to the first Development Review Process Ad Hoc Committee Meeting on April 6, 2026.
Vice Mayor Kaur made comments regarding March being Women’s month and thanking all women for their leadership.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Goh adjourned the meeting in honor of Solid Waste employee Jesus Carrera at 7:22 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