Laws and Legislation Committee
Minutes
Regular Meeting
Friday, January 23, 2026
12:00 p.m.
City Hall North, First Floor, Conference Room A
1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield CA 93301
Committee Members:
Eric Arias – Chair
Andrae Gonzales
Ken Weir
Agenda
Meeting called to order at 12:05 p.m.
1. ROLL CALL
Committee members present: Councilmembers Arias and Gonzales
Committee members absent: Councilmember Weir
City Staff: Christian Clegg, City Manager
Juan Heredia, Michelle Cruz, City Manager’s Office
Julie Drimakis, City Clerk
Mayor Goh
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
a. Agenda Item Public Statements
None.
b. Non-Agenda Item Public Statements
None.
3. Adoption of September 26, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes. (Staff recommends adoption of the minutes.)
Motion by Councilmember Gonzales to adopt September 26, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes. Motion approved with Councilmember Weir absent.
4. STAFF REPORT
4.a. Quarterly Update on State Legislative Advocacy and Grant Funding - January 2026 (Staff recommends Committee receive and file.)
Assistant to the City Manager Heredia provided staff comments and introduced Sharon Gonsalves from California Public Policy Group (CPPG) who provided a PowerPoint presentation.
City Manager Clegg made additional staff comments.
Jake Whitaker, CPPG provided comments on Grant Funding.
Legislative and Legislation Committee
Regular Meeting January 23, 2026, Agenda
4. STAFF REPORT continued
Committee Member Gonzales asked for a summary review of future ballot measures particularly the one regarding CEQA reform and for the city to take a position on any that are relevant. Bring the CEQA ballot measure to the Council for support.
Motion by Councilmember Arias to receive and file. Motion approved with Councilmember Weir absent.
4.b. Quarterly Update on Federal Legislative Advocacy – Advocacy and Grand Funding - January 2026
(Staff recommends Committee receive and file.)
City Manager Clegg and Assistant to the City Manager Heredia provided staff comments and introduced Mark Dedrick from Summit Strategies and provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Jake Whitaker, CPPG made additional comments.
Motion by Councilmember Arias to receive and file. Motion approved with Councilmember Weir absent.
5. NEW BUSINESS
None.
6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
None.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m.
___________________________________
Eric Arias, CHAIR
LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE
ATTEST:
___________________________________
JULIE DRIMAKIS, MMC
CITY CLERK and Ex Officio Clerk of
the Council of the City of Bakersfield