BAKERSFIELD CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
MEETING OF OCTOBER 7, 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, and Koman
Absent: Councilmembers Arias, Weir and Bashirtash
City Clerk Drimakis announced that a staff memorandum was received cancelling the Closed Session item.
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
2.a. Non-Agenda Item Public Statement
No speakers by phone
The following spoke in person:
1. Charles Shinn (written materials provided) spoke regarding rule of law and homelessness.
2. Michael Orloff spoke regarding preventing candidate fraud.
3. Eddy Laine (written materials provided) spoke regarding tree maintenance.
4. Nestor Vega spoke regarding an AI application that will help locate lost pets and connect with shelters.
2.b. Agenda Item Public Statements
None.
3. APPOINTMENTS
None.
4. REPORTS
4. a. Presentation on the City of Bakersfield's Gun Violence Reduction Strategy (Staff will provide a presentation on the City’s Gun Violence Reduction Strategy.) City Manager Clegg made staff comments and provided a PowerPoint Presentation.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to receive and file presentation. Motion approved with Councilmembers Arias, Weir and Bashirtash absent.
5. CLOSED SESSION
5.a. Conference with Legal Counsel – Potential Litigation; Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2),(e)(1) (one matter) REMOVED FROM AGENDA.
Bakersfield, California, October 7, 2026 - Page 2
6. CLOSED SESSION ACTION
None.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Goh adjourned the 3:30 p.m. meeting at 4:38 p.m.
Bakersfield, California, October 7, 2026 - Page 3
REGULAR MEETING - 5:15 PM
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Goh, Vice Mayor Kaur, Councilmembers Gonzales, Smith, and Koman
Absent: Councilmembers Arias, Weir and Bashirtash
Mayor Goh announced agenda items will be taken out of order due to quorum concerns.
Presentations and Non-Agenda Public Statements will be moved to the end of the agenda.
Mayor Goh announced per staff, Public Hearing item 8.a., will be opened and closed and referred back to a later date.
2. INVOCATION
By Pastor Brandon Holthaus, Rock Harbor Church.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
by Gabe Bridges, Senior, Bakersfield Christian High School.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Proclamation to Jennifer Henry, Executive Director of Links for Life, declaring Paint the Town Pink Month in Bakersfield during October 2026.
4.b. Proclamation presentation to Ilene Parra, Director of Client Services for The Open Door Network, and Lauren Skidmore, Chief Executive Officer of the The Open Door Network, declaring Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Bakersfield during October 2026.
5. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
City Clerk Drimakis announced staff memorandum was provided transmitting correspondence regarding non-agenda items.
5.a. Non-Agenda Item Public Statements
The following spoke by phone:
1. Jason Cosper spoke regarding flock camera townhall.
2. Advika Richhariva spoke regarding tree planting in disadvantage communities.
3. Lytian Andrade-Capellino spoke regarding the General Plan.
The following spoke in person:
1. Abby Power, Policy Advocate, Leadership Counsel for Justice & Accountability and Alejandra Garcia spoke regarding the General Plan.
2. Charles Shinn spoke regarding rule of law and homelessness.
3. Jose Ortiz spoke regarding sidewalks safety and bike lanes on South Union and Panama Lane.
Vice Mayor Kaur requested staff reach out to Mr. Ortiz regarding his concerns.
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5. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
item 5.a. continued
4. Rev. Dr. Angelo Frazier spoke regarding rule of law resolution.
5. Don Miller spoke regarding sanctuary city and opposition of the flock cameras.
Item 5.b. and Consent Calendar items 6.a. through 6.j. and Public Hearings were heard at the beginning of the meeting.
5.b. Agenda Item Public Statements
None.
a. Minutes:
6.a.1. Approval of minutes of September 16, 2026, Regular City Council Meetings. (Staff recommends approval of the minutes.)
b. Payments:
6.b.1. Receive and file department payments from September 2, 2026, to September 22, 2026, totaling $47,262,153.47 as follows: department payments in the amount of $46,682,441.71 and Self Insurance payments in the amount of $579,711.76.
(Staff recommends receive and file report.)
6.b.2. Receive and file department agreements over $40,000 and under $100,000 executed between September 2, 2026, to September 22, 2026. (Staff recommends receive and file report.)
c. Ordinances:
None.
d. Resolutions:
6.d.1. Resolution confirming approval by the City Manager designee of the September 2026 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.)
ITEM REMOVED BY STAFF
6.d.2. Dispense with bidding for the purchase of Occupational Medical Services for the Fire Department
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution and approval of the agreement.)
1. Resolution determining that Occupational Medical Services can most efficiently be procured through cooperative procurement bidding procedures from Life Scan Wellness Centers and authorizing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding and negotiate the purchase of Occupational Medical Services not to exceed $429,000 for the Fire Department.
RES 125-2026
2. Approve contract with Life Scan Wellness Centers (not to exceed $429,000) to provide Occupational Medical Services for an initial two-year term.
AGR 2026-182
Bakersfield, California, October 7, 2026 - Page 5
6. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
item 6.d.3. continued
6.d.3. Dispense with bidding for the purchase of Business License Software and Support Services for the Treasury Division
(Staff recommends adoption of the resolution and approval of the agreement.)
1. Resolution determining that Business License Software & Support services cannot be reasonably obtained through the usual bidding procedures and authorizing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding and negotiate the purchase of Business License Software, not to exceed $256,260 for the Treasury Division within the Finance Department.
RES 126-2026
2. Agreement with Hinderliter de Llamas & Associates (HdL) (not to exceed $256,260) to provide Business License Software & Support services for a fiveyear term.
AGR 2026-183
6.d.4. Resolution adding Area 5-149 to the Consolidated Maintenance District and approving, confirming, and adopting the Development Services Director’s Report:
Area 5-149 (Tract 7153 – north side of E. Wilson Road, east of S. Fairfax Road):
Street Tier = 1; Park Tier = 0 – (Ward 1)
(Staff recommends adopting the resolution of intention.) RES 127-2026
6.e. Job Specifications and Salary Updates
None.
6.f. Agreements
6.f.1. Design Consultant Agreement with Provost and Pritchard Engineering Group Inc. (not to exceed $246,000), to provide design and engineering services for the Wastewater Treatment Plant 2 Digester Gas System Rehabilitation Project. (Staff recommends approval of the agreement.)
AGR 2026-184
6.f.2. Final Map and Improvement Agreement with Bolthouse Land Company, LLC for Parcel Map 12135 Phase 2 Developer is requesting to enter into an agreement so the final map located at the southwest corner of Bolthouse Drive and Windermere Street can be approved and recorded. (Ward 5)
(Staff recommends approval of the Final Map and Improvement Agreement.) AGR 2026-185, DEEDS 10116, 10117, 10118, 10119
6.f.3. Amendment No. 5 to Agreement No. 16-255 with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. (extend term to December 31, 2027), for planning services for brownfield properties. (Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 16-255 (5)
6.f.4. Amendment No. 6 to Agreement No. 2022-029 Safeway Sign Co. (increase compensation by $45,000; revised not to exceed $610,112.42), to continue the supply of traffic signs.
(Staff recommends approval of the amendment.)
AGR 2022-029 (6)
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6. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
6.f.5. Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 2024-311 with Parsons Transportation Group (Staff recommends approval of amendment and appropriation of TIFIA funds.)
1. (Increase Contract Compensation by $1,851,562.53; revised not to exceed $9,055,667.38) for Expanded Scope of Work.
AGR 2024-311 (2)
2. Appropriate $$2,151,563 in Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) funds for the Northbound SR 99 Auxiliary Lane Project (TRCC53).
6.f.6. Amendment to Agreements for the purposes of completing the Riverview Marketplace Project Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
(Staff recommends approval of the amendments and appropriation of funds.)
1. Amendment No. 1 to Applicant/Reimbursement Agreement No. 2024-269 with Coffee Road Ventures LLC (increasing compensation by $25,000; revised not to exceed $327,838), for the preparation of an EIR.
AGR 2024-269 (1)
2. Amendment No. 1 to Consultant Agreement No. 2024-270 with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (increasing compensation by $25,000; revised not to exceed $277,365), to prepare an EIR.
AGR 2024-270 (1)
3. Appropriate the additional $25,000 (Coffee Road Ventures, LLC contribution) to the Development Services Operating budget in the General Fund. (Ward 4)
6.g. Bids:
6.g.1. Accept bid from Voltu Motor Inc., Riverside, CA for one 2026 electric vehicle (EV) four-wheel drive (4X4) one-ton crew cab pickup truck in the amount of $135,934.94 for the Recreation and Parks Department.
(Staff recommend acceptance of the bid and approval of the purchase.)
6.g.2. Accept bid and approve contract with California Professional Engineering Inc. ($162,160), for Pedestrian Safety Improvements on Chester Avenue and 22nd Street Rebid. (Ward 2)
(Staff recommends acceptance of the low bid and approval of the contract.) AGR 2026-186
6.h. Miscellaneous:
6.h.1. Purchase of Cellebrite Inseyets subscripton from Carahsoft technology corporation, in the amount of $150,000 for the Police Department per active resolution No. 135-2025 previously approved by Council on November 19, 2025.
(Staff recommends acceptance and appropriation of funds.)
6.i. Successor Agency Business:
None.
6.j. Public Safety/Vital Services Measure
None.
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6. CONSENT CALENDAR continued
City Clerk Drimakis announced that staff memorandum was provided for item 6.d.1. requesting item be referred back to staff for corrections.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kaur to adopt Consent Calendar items 6.a. through 6.j. with the removal of item 6.d.1. Motion approved with Councilmembers Arias, Weir and Bashirtash absent.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
8. HEARINGS
8.a. Public hearing to consider Planning Commission’s approval of Zone Change No. 24-0004 and its proposed mitigated negative declaration. (Staff recommends open and close the public hearing and refer back to staff in order to be correctly agendized at a later date.)
Provost and Pritchard, representing North of the River Recreation and Park District (NOR) is proposing a Zone Change on approximately 9.3 acres located northeast of Jenkins Road and Austin Creek Avenue. The request includes:
1. Resolution adopting a Mitigated Negative Declaration pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
2. First Reading of an ordinance amending Title 17 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code by changing the official pre-zone classification from OS (Open Space) and A (Agriculture) to RE (Recreation). (Ward 4)
Public Hearing item 8.a. opened at 5:28 p.m.
No one spoke in opposition or favor.
Public Hearing item 8.a. closed at 5:28 p.m.
8.b. Public Hearing to Present Findings and Consider Adoption of Energy Savings Performance Contract with Willdan Energy Solutions
(Staff recommend opening the public hearing, taking public testimony, adoption of the resolution and approval of the agreement.)
1. Resolution making findings authorizing entering into an energy savings performance contract.
RES 128-2026
2. Agreement with Willdan Energy Solutions (not to exceed $7,990,188) to implement energy savings efficiency measures as well as energy generation measures. (Ward 5)
AGR 2026-187
City Manager Clegg made staff comments.
Water Resources Director Maldonado made staff comments and provided a PowerPoint Presentation.
Public Hearing item 8.a. was opened at 5:41 p.m.
No one spoke in opposition or favor.
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8. HEARINGS continued
item 8.b. continued
Public Hearing item 8.a. closed at 5:41 p.m.
Motion by Councilmember Koman to approve staff recommendations. Motion approved with Councilmembers Arias, Weir and Bashirtash absent.
9. REPORTS
None.
10. DEFERRED BUSINESS
None.
11. NEW BUSINESS
None.
12. COUNCIL AND MAYOR STATEMENTS
None.
13. CLOSED SESSION
None.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Goh adjourned the meeting at 6:34 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