ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: August 26, 2026 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent Calendar TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney
DATE: August 18, 2026
SUBJECT: First Reading of the following ordinances amending various sections of the Bakersfield Municipal Code (BMC):
1. Re-enacting Chapter 3.12, Sections 3.12.010, 3.12.020, 3.12.030, 3.12.040, and 3.12.050 relating to Claims made Against the City.
2. Amending Section 12.56.050 relating to Prohibited Acts in Parks.
3. Amending Chapter 14.02, Sections 14.02.010, 14.02.020, 14.02.030, 14.02.035, 14.02.040, and
14.02.045 relating to Water Use Regulations.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends First Reading of the amendments.
BACKGROUND:
Periodically, various Departments throughout the City request minor changes to the Bakersfield Municipal Code (BMC). Generally, the changes are sought to make a section read better or to reflect current practice or correct typographical errors, or to comply with new rules and regulations.
The following is a list of amendments that are being recommended by staff:
1. BMC Section 3.12.010, BMC Section 3.12.020, BMC Section 3.12.030, BMC Section 3.12.040 and BMC Section 3.12.050. This re-enactment was inadvertently removed from the BMC in 2020 and reinstates the procedural requirements when filing a claim against the City.
2. BMC Section 12.56.050. This amendment clarifies City’s long -standing position that smoking in public parks is prohibited.
3. BMC Section 14.02.010, BMC Section 14.02.020, BMC Section 14.02.030. BMC Section
14.02.035, BMC Section 14.02.040, and BMC Section 14.02.045. These amendments are made pursuant to California Water Code section 10608.14(d) which requires public water systems t o revise their ordinances to include Water Code sections 10608.14(a) and (b) prior to January 1, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Action to approve the amendments to the code will not have any fiscal impact.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Innovative and Efficient City Government
ATTACHMENTS: