BAKERSFIELD CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
MEETING OF JUNE 10, 2026
Council Chambers, City Hall, 1501 Truxtun Avenue
Regular Meeting – 5:15 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING - 5:15 PM
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Goh, Vice Mayor Kaur, Councilmembers Arias, Gonzales (seated at 5:35 p.m.), Weir, Smith, Koman and Bashirtash
2. INVOCATION
By Pastor Josephate Jordan, Christ First Ministries.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
by Liliana Gonzalez, 8th Grade, Sierra Middle School, Boys & Girls Club of Kern County’s Ford Jr. Youth of the Year.
4. PRESENTATIONS
Proclamation to Marivic Louey, Vice President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County Board of Directors, declaring the week of June 22, 2026, as National Boys & Girls Clubs Week in Bakersfield and celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County.
Recognition of local, state, and federal responding agencies for their service during the hostage incident Dr. John Mendiburu, Kern County Superintendent of Schools.
5. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
5.a. Non-Agenda Item Public Statements
1. Devon Johnson and David Williams spoke regarding the stipulated judgement and Police Department reforms.
2. Eric Zacarias (provided written materials) and Amanda Bluemel spoke regarding traffic safety at Harris Road and Summer Springs Drive.
City Manager Clegg provided staff comments.
3. Bill Cooper, spoke regarding Kern River Flow and implantation of the Kern River Plan.
4. Karen Evans, Kern Audubon Society, Carter Beardsley, Sharon Briel (did not speak), Lori Pesante (written materials provided), Sierra Club, Antje Lauer, CSUB, Diana Campbell, Maria Polite (written materials provided), and Mary Helen Barro spoke regarding the Tree Canopy.
5. Terry Maxwell regarding public comments procedures and 24th Street safety and access concerns.
6. Jovon Dangerfield, Time for Change, Dylan Duenas Silva spoke in support of Martin Luther King Park Funding.
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5. PUBLIC STATEMENTS continued
item 5.a. continued
7. The following speakers are in support of Martin Luther King Park Funding, but did not get to speak: Dylan Duenas Silva, Leslie Peralta and Alejandro Rocha.
5.b. Agenda Item Public Statements
1. Heather Silvis spoke in opposition to Consent Calendar item 6.c.2.
2. Lili Parker, Executive Director of Bakersfield Senior Center, spoke in support of Consent Calendar item 6.j.1.
3. The following spoke in opposition to Deferred Business item 10.a., Luis Olvarez, Valentia Gutierrez, Sharon Briel and Eddy Laine (written materials provided).
4. The following spoke in favor of Deferred Business item 10.b., Josh Raper, Griffith Company, Greg West, CEO and Joanna Kendrick of Central Academy of Arts and Technology, Cindy Parra, Karina Funez, Blue Zones Project (written materials provided), and Kiyoshi Tomono, Adventist Health.
5. Terry Maxwell spoke in opposition to Deferred Business item 10.b.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Minutes:
6.a.1. Approval of minutes of May 27, 2026, Regular City Council Meetings. (Staff recommends approval of the minutes.)
6. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
b. Payments:
6.b.1. Receive and file department payments from May 13, 2026, to May 26, 2026, totaling $16,236,495.04 as follows: department payments in the amount of $15,752,327.35 and Self Insurance payments in the amount of $484,167.69. (Staff recommends receive and file report.)
6.b.2. Receive and file department agreements over $40,000 and under $100,000 executed between May 13, 2026, to May 26, 2026.
(Staff recommends receive and file report.)
c. Ordinances:
6.c.1. First reading of an ordinance Section 13.12.030 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code relating to Development Improvement Standards and Specifications. (Staff recommends first reading of the ordinance.)
FR ONLY
6.c.2. Adoption of an ordinance enacting Chapter 17.74 to Title 17 (Zoning) of the Bakersfield Municipal Code (BMC), relating to regulating Short Term Rentals. A finding that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act will also be considered. (City-wide) (FR 5/27/26)
(Staff recommends adoption of the ordinance and notice of exemption.)
REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION. See page 5.
Bakersfield, California, June 10, 2026 - Page 3
6. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
d. Resolutions:
6.d.1. Resolution calling for the General Municipal election for Wards 1, 3, 4 and 7 and requesting consolidation with the County of Kern for the Statewide General Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.)
RES 065-2026
6.d.2. Resolution authorizing the Encumbrance of the Project Property located at 2310 Wible Road to participate in the Behavioral Health Continuum of Care Infrastructure Program (BHCIP). (Ward 1)
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.)
RES 066-2026
6.d.3. Resolutions establishing the Fiscal Year 2026-27 refuse and recycling rates and authorizing collection by the Kern County Auditor-Controller’s Office:
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolutions.)
1. Resolution providing for the collection of residential and commercial refuse and recycling charges by the Kern County Auditor-Controller’s Office for Fiscal Year 2026-27 (CPI Adjustments Only).
RES 067-2026
2. Resolution providing for the collection of delinquent refuse charges by the Kern County Auditor-Controller’s Office.
RES 068-2026
6.e. Job Specifications and Salary Updates
None.
6.f. Agreements
6.f.1. Agreement with the Housing Authority of the County of Kern ($567,823.66) for Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Round 5 (HHAP-5) Grant funds to provide Youth Rental Assistance services.
(Staff recommends termination of the agreement.)
AGR 2026-099
6.f.2. Agreement with Duane Morris ($800,000) for legal services through fiscal year 2026/2027 for water related cases.
(Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2026-100
6.f.3. Final Map and Improvement Agreement with JP Land Development, LLC, Developer is requesting to enter into an agreement so the final map for Tract 7262 Phase 8 located northwest corner of Reliance Drive and Berkshire Road can be approved and recorded. (Ward 7)
(Staff recommends approval of the Final Map and Improvement Agreement.)
AGR 2026-101, DEEDS 10024, 10025
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6. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
6.f.4. Amendment No.1 to Agreement No. PW24-120 with Ordiz-Melby Architects, Inc. (increasing compensation $500,000; revised not to exceed $515,000), for Design Consultant Services of the Project Calm Horizons Facility Improvements. (Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2026-102
6.f.5. Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. 2024-070 with Serological Research Institute ($40,000; not to exceed $180,000 and extend the term date to June 30, 2027) for continued DNA services.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2024-070 (3)
6.f.6. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 2023-189 with HPS Mechanical, Inc. (increasing compensation by $500,000; revised not to exceed $1,000,000), for On-Call Construction Services.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2023-189 (1)
6.f.7. Amendment No.1 to Agreement No. 2025-094 Granite Construction Company (incorporate approved contract price increase of five percent (5%), increase compensation $6,400,000; revised not to exceed $17,400,000 and extend term one year) to continue the supply of street materials.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2025-094 (1)
6.f.8. Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 2025-164 with Willdan Energy Solutions (increase compensation by $503,140; revised not to exceed $847,380) to allow for the procurement and safe harbor of a photovoltaic system for the Water Department solar project.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA BY STAFF.
6.f.9. Various Amendments to agreements for Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) changeouts services for the domestic water system Fiscal Year 2026-27 (Staff recommends approval of the amendments.)
1. Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. 2023-155 with Aqueous Vets (extend term one year; no additional compensation, no expansion of scope).
AGR 2023-155 (3)
2. Amendment No. 4 to Agreement No. 2023-156 with Carbon Supply Inc. (extend term one year; no additional compensation, no expansion of scope)
AGR 2023-156 (4)
6.f.10. Contract Change Order No. 34 to Agreement No. 2024-235 (7th Movement) with Granite Construction Company (increasing compensation by $35,707.50; revised not to exceed $28,070,036.93) for the Centennial Corridor EB58 to NB99 Loop Connector Project.
(Staff recommends approval of the contract change order.)
AGR 2024-235 CCO 34
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6. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
6.g. Bids:
6.g.1. Reject all bids received for the pedestrian safety improvement project on Chester Avene and 22nd Street. (Ward 2)
(Staff recommends rejection of all bids and release of all bid guarantees.)
6.g.2. Accept bid from Bear Cloud Technologies, Inc. ($100,618.82), for Juniper Assurance & Virtual Network Assistant Subscription for the Technology Services Department. (Staff recommends acceptance of bid.)
6.h. Miscellaneous:
None.
6.i. Successor Agency Business:
None.
6.j. Public Safety/Vital Services Measure:
6.j.1. Agreements for Bakersfield Senior Center Mixed-Use Project (Staff recommends approval of the agreements and the amendment.)
1. Agreement with Bakersfield Senior LP (not to exceed $9,839,446) for 36 new affordable housing units at 530 4th Street;
AGR 2026-103
2. Agreement with Bakersfield Senior Center (not to exceed $6,018,320) for the construction of a new senior center at 530 4th Street;
AGR 2026-104
3. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 2024-262 a Memorandum of Understanding with Kern Council of Governments (extend the term) for Regional Early Action Planning Grants of 2021 Funding for Bakersfield Senior Center Affordable Housing and Facility. (Ward 2)
AGR 2024-262 (1)
City Clerk Drimakis announced staff memorandums were received regarding Consent Calendar items 6.f.8. requesting the item to be pulled from the agenda and item 6.j.1. transmitting signed agreements and correcting a scrivener’s error.
Councilmember Weir requested Consent Calendar item 6.c.2. be removed for separate consideration.
Councilmember Bashirtash requested Consent Calendar item 6.f.8. be removed for separate consideration.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to adopt Consent Calendar items 6.a. through 6.j. with the removal of items Consent Calendar items 6.c.2. for separate consideration and 6.f.8. removed from the agenda. Motion unanimously approved.
6.c.2. Adoption of an ordinance enacting Chapter 17.74 to Title 17 (Zoning) of the Bakersfield Municipal Code (BMC), relating to regulating Short Term Rentals.
A finding that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act will also be considered. (City-wide) (FR 5/27/26)
(Staff recommends adoption of the ordinance and notice of exemption.)
ORD 5218
6. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
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item 6.c.2. continued
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to adopt Consent Calendar Item 6.c.2. Motion approved with Councilmember Weir voting no.
Mayor called for a recess at 6:35 p.m. meeting was reconvened at 6:45 p.m.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.a. Public Hearing to consider Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget, Park Landscape Assessment and Tax Collection resolution approving and adopting the Development Services Director’s Report for the Consolidated Maintenance District (CMD) and the 2026-2027 CMD budget confirming the park landscaping assessments and authorizing the collection of assessments by the Kern County Tax Collector. (Staff recommends receiving protest statements (if any), overriding protests (if any) and adopting the resolution.)
RES 069-2026
7.b. Public Hearing to consider Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Street and Median Landscaping Assessments resolution approving and adopting the Development Services Director’s Report for the Consolidated Maintenance District (CMD) and the 2026-2027 CMD budget confirming the street and median landscaping assessments and authorizing the collection of assessments by the Kern County Tax Collector. (Staff recommends receiving protest statements (if any), overriding protests (if any) and adopting the resolution.)
RES 070-2026
7.c. Public Hearing to consider the Fiscal Year 2026–2027 Assessments and Tax Collection for 28 Traffic Signal Maintenance Districts resolution approving and adopting the Development Services Director’s Report for twenty-eight (28) Traffic Signal Maintenance Districts (“TSMD” herein) and the 2026-2027 CMD budget confirming the assessments and authorizing the collection of assessments by the Kern County Tax Collector.
(Staff recommends receiving protest statements (if any), overriding protests (if any) and adopting the resolution.)
RES 071-2026
Consent Calendar Public Hearing items 7.a. through 7.c. opened at 6:45 p.m.
No one spoke in opposition or favor.
Consent Calendar Public Hearing items 7.a. through 7.c. closed at 6:45 p.m.
Motion by Councilmember Gonzales to adopt Consent Calendar Public Hearings 7.a. through 7.c. Motion approved with Vice Mayor Kaur absent.
Vice Mayor Kaur returned to the dais at 6:47 p.m.
8. HEARINGS
8.a. Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget (Staff recommends City Council hear public testimony.)
1. Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Operating & Capital Improvement Program Budget.
8. HEARINGS continued
Bakersfield, California, June 10, 2026 - Page 7
item 8.a. continued
2. Status of City of Bakersfield Position Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts as required by Assembly Bill 2561 (Government Code Section 3502.3)
City Clerk Drimakis announced that a staff memorandum was received correcting a scrivener’s error.
City Manager Clegg made staff comments and provided a PowerPoint Presentation.
Finance Director McKeegan and Human Resources Director Tenter made additional staff comments and continued the PowerPoint Presentation.
Hearing opened at 7:09 p.m.
The following spoke in opposition:
Jason Cosper, Ariel Dyer, Sharon Briel, Nadine Escalante, Rosa Lopez, Erick Orellana and Emma De La Rosa.
No one spoke in favor.
Hearing closed at 7:29 p.m.
Councilmember Koman left the dais at 7:47 p.m., and returned at 7:49 p.m.
Councilmember Weir left the dais at 7:53 p.m., and returned at 7:55 p.m.
Vice Mayor Kaur request staff provide additional information on the Flock Camera System, including the number and locations of cameras, data retention logs, and a process for ongoing public updates when the topic is considered by the Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods Committee.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to receive public testimony. Motion approved with Councilmember Weir absent.
9. REPORTS
None.
10. DEFERRED BUSINESS
Mayor called for a recess at 7:54 p.m. meeting was reconvened at 8:02 p.m.
10.a. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 2025-095 with Rancho Tree Service ($900,000; revised not to exceed $1,400,000) for continued tree trimming services for one additional year. (All Wards)
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2025-095 (1)
City Clerk Drimakis announced that a staff memorandum was provided transmitting correspondence received.
Councilmember Gonzales abstained from Deferred Business item 10.a. due to a campaign contribution.
City Manager Clegg made staff comments.
Assistant Recreation and Parks Director Howell made additional staff comments and provided a PowerPoint Presentation.
10. DEFERRED BUSINESS
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item 10.a. continued
Councilmember Arias requested staff review the Tree Advisory Group model and consider improvements to its processes and feedback mechanisms.
Vice Mayor Kaur requested staff expand the Tree Advisory Group members to include a representative from the following organizations: Kern Audubon Society, Building Healthy Communities, Native Plant Society, and Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability.
Vice Mayor Kaur requested staff work with the Tree Advisory Group to determine where tree plantings should be prioritized in the areas that are needed.
Vice Mayor Kaur requested staff explore a permitting program dedicated to justifying the removal of a mature tree.
Vice Mayor Kaur requested staff explore a program that would allow the city to give away free trees for local residential planting.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to adopt staff recommendations. Motion approved with Vice Mayor Kaur voting no and Councilmember Gonzales abstaining.
10.b. 'H' Street Corridor Improvements Projects:
(Staff recommends acceptance of the bid and approval of contract, approval of the City-controlled contingency, and approval of the amendment.)
1. Accept bid and approve contract with Griffith Company for $14,372,735.
AGR 2026-105
2. Authorize staff to approve, as necessary, up to $300,000 in City-Controlled contingency for unforeseen conditions during the construction of said project.
3. Approve Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 2023-054 with Quad Knopf, Inc. dba QK (increasing compensation $150,100; revised not to exceed $947,435), for Engineering Design Services for the Corridor Improvements along 'H' Street - State Route 58 to State Route 204 Project. (Ward 2)
AGR 2023-054 (2)
City Clerk Drimakis announced that a staff memorandum was provided transmitting correspondence received in support of the item.
Councilmember Bashirtash abstained from Deferred Business item 10.b. due to interest in real property nearby.
Public Works Director Meyer made staff comments and provided a PowerPoint presentation. Assistant Public Works Director Archer made additional staff comments and continued the PowerPoint presentation.
Motion by Councilmember Gonzales to approve staff recommendations. Motion approved with Councilmember Weir voting no and Councilmember Bashirtash abstaining.
11. NEW BUSINESS
None.
12. COUNCIL AND MAYOR STATEMENTS
Bakersfield, California, June 10, 2026 - Page 9
None.
13. CLOSED SESSION
None.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Goh adjourned the meeting at 9:20 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
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