BAKERSFIELD CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
MEETING OF APRIL 8, 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, Councilmembers Arias, Smith, Koman and Bashirtash
Absent: Vice Mayor Kaur, Councilmembers Gonzales and Weir
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
2.a. Non-Agenda Item Public Statement
1. Christina Rawlins voiced concerns over the potential public health dangers of kratom or 7-OH products.
2. Charles Linnenbrink expressed serious safety concerns regarding illegal car and bike racing taking place in his neighborhood and questioned the adequacy of the Police Department’s response.
City Manager Clegg commented that staff will follow up with Mr. Linnebrink’s concerns.
2.b. Agenda Item Public Statements
None.
3. APPOINTMENTS
3.a. One appointment (at large) to the Historic Preservation Commission set to expire on March 31, 2029, due to the term expiration of Michael McCoy on March 31, 2026. (Staff recommends City Council determination.)
City Clerk Drimakis announced two applications for appointment were received from Erica Kimmel and Mike McCoy.
Ward 1 McCoy
Ward 2 Absent
Ward 3 Absent
Ward 4 McCoy
Ward 5 McCoy
Ward 6 Abstained
Ward 7 Absent
Motion by Councilmember Smith, to appoint Mike McCoy to the Historic Preservation Commission to serve a term to expire on March 31, 2029. Motion approved with Vice Mayor Kaur and Councilmembers Gonzales and Weir absent and Bashirtash abstaining.
Bakersfield, California, April 8, 2026 - Page 2
3. APPOINTMENTS continued
3.b. Two appointments to the Public Safety-Vital City Services Measure Citizens Oversight Committee
Ward 1 (set to expire December 16, 2026) and
Ward 2 (set to expire December 20, 2028) vacancies.
(Staff recommends City Council determination.)
City Clerk Drimakis announced eleven applications for appointment were received from Hovik Beduryan, Tyler Clutts, Jesse Dhaliwal, Johnny Escobedo, Noe Garcia, Michael King, Jenny Kurdi, Teehan Malik Alissa Reed, Gabriel Ulloa, Tatiana Willshee.
Councilmember Arias nominated Noe Garcia, Ward 1
Councilmember Smith on behalf of Councilmember Gonzales nominated Alissa Reed, Ward 2
Motion by Councilmember Smith to appoint Noe Garcia, Ward 1, and Alissa Reed, Ward 2 to the Public Safety-Vital Services Measure Citizens Oversight Committee.
Motion approved with Vice Mayor Kaur and Councilmembers Gonzales and Weir absent.
4. REPORTS
4.a. Public Safety and Vital Services (PSVS) Budget Requests for Fiscal Year 2026-27. (Staff recommends the Council receive and file the report.)
City Manager Clegg made staff comments and provided a PowerPoint Presentation.
Motion by Councilmember Smith to receive and file. Motion approved with Vice Mayor Kaur and Councilmembers Gonzales and Weir absent.
5. CLOSED SESSION
None.
6. CLOSED SESSION ACTION
None.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Goh adjourned the 3:30 p.m. meeting at 4:13 p.m.
Bakersfield, California, April 8, 2026 - Page 3
REGULAR MEETING - 5:15 PM
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Goh, Councilmembers Arias, Smith, Koman and Bashirtash
Absent: Vice Mayor Kaur, Councilmembers Gonzales and Weir
2. INVOCATION
By Pastor Josh Vietti, Valley Bible Fellowship.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
by Hunter and Parker Hay, 8th and 6th Students, St. Francis Parish School.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Proclamation to Yadira Vargas, Child and Family Services Facilitator and Maribel Galvan, Prevention Services Facilitator for the Kern County Network for Children, declaring Child Abuse Prevention Month in Bakersfield during April 2026.
4.b. Proclamation to Harvind Grewal from the Bakersfield Sikh Community, declaring Sikh Heritage Month in Bakersfield during April 2026.
5. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
5.a. Non-Agenda Item Public Statements
LJ Radon, Kern County Magazine, spoke regarding their annual summer camp and adventure fair.
5.b. Agenda Item Public Statements
None.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Minutes:
6.a.1. Approval of minutes of March 19, 2026, Special City Council Meeting and March 25, 2026, Regular City Council Meetings.
(Staff recommends approval of the minutes.)
b. Payments:
6.b.1. Receive and file department payments from March 11, 2026, to March 24, 2026, totaling $19,104,149.33 as follows: department payments in the amount of $18,656,338.79 and Self Insurance payments in the amount of $447,810.54. (Staff recommends receive and file report.)
6.b.2. Receive and file department agreements over $40,000 and under $100,000 executed between March 11, 2026, to March 24, 2026.
(Staff recommends receive and file report.)
c. Ordinances:
6.c.1. Adoption of ordinance amending the Bakersfield Municipal Code Section 17.06.020 by changing the official zoning classification from A-20A (Agricultural – 20-acre minimum) to RE (Recreation) zone on 3.67 gross acres located at 5525 and 5543 Buena Vista Road for Zone Change No. 24-0001 The applicant is KSI Engineering representing APVJ, LLC, property owner. (Ward 5) (FR 3/11/26) (Staff recommends adoption of the ordinance.)
ORD 5213
Bakersfield, California, April 8, 2026 - Page 4
6. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
6.c.2. Adoption of ordinance amending the Bakersfield Municipal Code Section 17.06.020 by changing the official zoning classification from C-O/PCD (Commercial Office/ Planned Commercial Development) to R-2 (Small Lot Single-Unit Dwelling) on 49 acres located at the southwest corner of Stockdale Highway and South Wegis Avenue for Zone Change No. 25-0003. The applicant and property owner is Bolthouse Properties. (Ward 5) (FR 3/11/2026)
(Staff recommends adoption of the ordinance.)
ORD 5214
d. Resolutions:
6.d.1. Sale of surplus Taser 7 devices to the following governmental entities:
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolutions.)
1. Resolution to authorize the sale to City of Taft Police Department ($1)
RES 041-2026
2. Resolution to authorize the sale to the City of California City Police Department ($1)
RES 042-2026
3. Resolution to authorize the sale to the City of Ridgecrest Police Department ($1)
RES 043-2026
4. Resolution to authorize the sale to Housing Authority of Kern County ($1)
RES 044-2026
6.d.2. Resolution determining that an Electric Vehicle (EV) Bobcat compact track loader can most efficiently be obtained through cooperative procurement bidding procedures from Bobcat and authorizing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding for the purchase of one unit in the amount of $114,860 for the Solid Waste Division within the Public Works Department.
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution and approval of the purchase.)
RES 045-2026
6.e. Job Specifications and Salary Updates
None.
6.f. Agreements
6.f.1. Termination of the following agreements with Circle of Life Development Foundation (COLDF)
(Staff recommends termination of the agreements.)
1. Agreement No. 2025-114 ($ $215,058.14) to implement the Community Engagement Plan.
2. Agreement No. 2025-116 ($719,878.50) to implement the MLK Community Garden Initiative.
Bakersfield, California, April 8, 2026 - Page 5
6. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
6.f.2. Final Map, Improvement Agreement, and Landscape Agreement with RGF Land Company, Inc for Tract 7263 Phase 3 Developer is requesting to enter into agreements so the final map for Tract 7263 Phase 3 located on the Northeast Corner of Reliance Road and Berkshire Road can be approved and recorded. (Ward 7) (Staff recommends approval of the Final Map, Improvement and Landscape agreements.)
AGR 2026-052, AGR 2026-053, DEEDS 9950, 9951, 9952, 9953, 9974
6.f.3. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. PD26-006 with Spectrum Canine Isabel, LLC ($28,500; revised not to exceed $135,000) for police service canines and any associated training.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2026-054
6.f.4. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 2023-041 with VertexOne Software, LLC (increasing compensation $998,856; revised not to exceed $2,666,401) for additional data migrations and project scope adjustments necessary for completion of utility billing system implementation.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2023-041 (1)
6.f.5. Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 2022-088 with EMTS Inc. DBA Elite Maintenance and Tree Service ($700,000; revised not to exceed $3,335,638.79 and extend term one year), for continued maintenance at designated public landscape areas. (Ward 4)
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION. See page 7.
6.f.6. Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 2024-304 with Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) (increase ARPA grant funding $932,464.03) with for the Home Repair & Weatherization Program.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2024-304 (2)
6.f.7. Calm Horizons Project
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment and the agreement.)
1. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 2025-027 with The Asha Desai Irrevocable Trust (allocating the sales price between the real property and the Furniture Fixtures and Equipment (FFE) for the purchase of the hotel at 2310 Wible Road).
AGR 2025-027 (1)
2. Sub-Agreement No. 2025-027(FFE) with RP Golden State Mgt.,LLC the owner/operator of the hotel for the Calm Horizon’s Project for the purchase of the FFE. (Ward 1)
AGR 2025-027 (FFE)
6.g. Bids:
None.
Bakersfield, California, April 8, 2026 - Page 6
6. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
6.h. Miscellaneous:
6.h.1. Authorization to purchase additional Dell hardware direct from Dell, LLC(revised not to exceed $1,111,836) in accordance with Resolution 034-2025 dispensing with bidding, request authorization to increase purchase amount for additional Dell hardware from Dell, LLC by $611,836.
(Staff recommends approval of the authorization.)
6.h.2. City-Wide Investment Grade Audit Phase 2 Backout Provision (Staff recommends approval for creation of project number and appropriation of funds.)
1. Create Project Number for City-Wide Multi Phase Investment Grade Audit.
2. Appropriate $289,761 from the Capital Outlay Fund balance to the Public Works Capital Improvement Program (CIP) within the Capital Outlay Fund to provide compensation to Willdan Energy Solutions, contingent upon the Backout Provision established in Agreement No. 2025-105 for Phase 2.
6.h.3. Audit Reports to be referred to Finance, Economic Development and Jobs Committee:
(Staff recommends referral to the Finance, Economic Development and Jobs Committee.)
1. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
2. Agreed Upon Conditions Report for the fiscal year ended June 30,2024.
3. Auditor Communication with Those Charged with Governance (SAS114 Letter) for fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
4. Independent Auditors Report – Compliance with Contractual Requirements relative to the Bakersfield Subregional Wastewater Management Plan for the year ended June 30, 2024.
5. Independent Auditors Report on Appropriations Limit Worksheet (GANN Limit) of the City of Bakersfield for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
6. Independent Auditors Report – Mechanics Bank Arena, Theater, Convention Center, Dignity Health Amphitheatre & Valley Children’s Ice Center for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
7. Agreed Upon Procedures Report (Public Safety and Vital Services) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
6.i. Successor Agency Business:
None.
6.j. Public Safety/Vital Services Measure:
None.
City Clerk Drimakis announced a staff memorandum was provided for item 6.h.3. transmitting the audit and financial reports.
Councilmember Smith requested item 6.f.5. be removed for separate consideration.
Bakersfield, California, April 8, 2026 - Page 7
6. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
Motion by Councilmember Smith to adopt Consent Calendar items 6.a. through 6.j. with the removal of item 6.f.5. for separate consideration. Motion approved with Vice Mayor Kaur, and Councilmembers Gonzales and Weir absent.
6.f.5. Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 2022-088 with EMTS Inc. DBA Elite Maintenance and Tree Service ($700,000; revised not to exceed $3,335,638.79 and extend term one year), for continued maintenance at designated public landscape areas. (Ward 4)
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2022-088 (2)
Motion by Councilmember Smith to adopt Consent Calendar items 6.f.5. Motion approved with Vice Mayor Kaur, and Councilmembers Gonzales and Weir absent.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
8. HEARINGS
None.
9. REPORTS
None.
10. DEFERRED BUSINESS
None.
11. NEW BUSINESS
None.
12. COUNCIL AND MAYOR STATEMENTS
None.
13. CLOSED SESSION
None.
Bakersfield, California, April 8, 2026 - Page 8
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Goh adjourned the meeting at 5:43 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