Adjourned Regular Meeting Minutes – December 12, 2022
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An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Big Bear Lake was called to order by Mayor Herrick at 6:00 p.m., Monday, December 12, 2022, at the Civic Center, 39707 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, California.
OPEN SESSION
Flag Salute: Flag Salute led by Councilmember Putz
Invocation: Invocation delivered by Rabbi Zalman Bernstein from the Chabad of Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear.
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Rick Herrick
Mayor Pro Tem Bynette Mote
Councilmember Perri Melnick
Councilmember Randall Putz
Councilmember-Elect Kendi Segovia
Councilmembers Absent: Councilmember Alan Lee
Others Present: Erik Sund, City Manager
Erica Stephenson, City Clerk
Rebecca Cannon, Deputy City Clerk
Others Participating Remotely: Stephen P. Deitsch, City Attorney
PRESENTATIONS
• Presentation to Joe & Theresa Vasquez in recognition of their efforts to spread holiday joy throughout the Big Bear Valley for over 20 years.
• Introduction of new City Employee Jacob Schoolfield, Facilities/Parks Maintenance Worker for the Public Services Department.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Maureen Auer, Big Bear Lake resident, thanked the residents of District 1 for voting “yes” on the recall of Councilmember Alan Lee and thanked the committee members for their hard work on the campaign; said she looks forward to the leadership of a healthy and productive Council and thanked the Councilmembers for their willingness to serve the community.
Patrice Duncan, Sugarloaf resident, congratulated and thanked the Councilmembers in attendance for not giving up on the community; thanked Councilmember-Elect Kendi Segovia for stepping up and choosing to serve District 1; recognized the efforts of the Recall of Councilmember Alan Lee campaign for a professional,
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factual and organized campaign; thanked City staff members for their dedication over the last two years; acknowledged Mayor Pro Tem Mote for her professionalism and said she is confident that the recall effort of Councilmember Mote will not be successful; updated Council on the records request she submitted regarding Councilmember Lee’s claims of being racially targeted and stated that she has not received any records that solidify his claims.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mote, seconded by Councilmember Melnick, to approve the Consent Calendar as follows:
1.1 APPROVAL OF DEMANDS – CHECK ISSUE DATE 11/01/2022 THROUGH 12/06/2022 IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,914,171.56 AND THE OCTOBER 2022 TREASURER’S REPORT
Approved.
1.2 APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 7, 2022 REGULAR
MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL
Approved.
1.3 RESOLUTION RECITING THE FACTS OF THE NOVEMBER 8, 2022 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND THE NOVEMBER 8, 2022 SPECIAL RECALL
ELECTION, DECLARING THE RESULTS AND SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS
PROVIDED BY LAW
City Council considered a formal resolution adopting the results of the November 8, 2022 General Municipal and Special Elections. This election included the District 2, 3, and 4 City Council seats, which were won by Councilmember Rick Herrick, Councilmember Randal Putz and Councilmember Perri Melnick respectively. The election also consisted of a Recall Election for Councilmember Alan Lee’s District 1 seat. The Recall Election was successful, therefore Councilmember-Elect Kendi Segovia won the remaining term of the District 1 Council seat.
Voters also considered Measure O, relating to vacation rental regulations and Measure P, relating to transient occupancy (hotel) tax rates. Measure O was not passed, while Measure P was passed by the Big Bear Lake voters.
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-127
RESOLUTION RECITING THE FACTS OF THE NOVEMBER 8, 2022
GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND THE NOVEMBER 8, 2022
SPECIAL RECALL ELECTION, DECLARING THE RESULTS AND
SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS PROVIDED BY LAW
1.4 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF A REPLACEMENT FLEET
VEHICLE
City Council considered a formal resolution authorizing the purchase of a replacement fleet vehicle from Dave Smith Motors (Kellogg, ID). The proposed vehicle was a Dodge Ram 2500 pickup
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truck that is the standard pickup assigned to Public Works. The vehicle is available on their lot for immediate shipping and funding is available in the adopted FY 2022-23 budget.
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-128
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF A
REPLACEMENT FLEET VEHICLE
The Consent Calendar was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Putz, Melnick, Mote, Herrick
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Lee
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
None.
2. CEREMONIAL
OATH OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED BY CITY CLERK ERICA STEPHENSON TO
COUNCILMEMBER HERRICK, COUNCILMEMBER MELNICK, COUNCILMEMBER PUTZ,
AND COUNCILMEMBER SEGOVIA
2.1 CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION
SELECTION OF THE MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM
Stephen Deitsch, City Attorney, provided a brief overview of the organizational process. Erica Stephenson, City Clerk, opened the nominations for Mayor.
Councilmember Melnick nominated Councilmember Putz to serve as Mayor. Hearing no further nominations, the City Clerk took a roll call vote.
Councilmember Putz was appointed to serve as Mayor for the period of one year by the following vote:
Councilmember Herrick: Putz
Councilmember Melnick: Putz
Councilmember Mote: Putz
Councilmember Putz: Putz
Councilmember Segovia: Putz
Mayor Putz opened the nominations for Mayor Pro Tem.
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Mayor Putz nominated Councilmember Melnick and Councilmember Segovia nominated Councilmember Mote for Mayor Pro Tem. Hearing no further nominations, the City Clerk took a roll call vote.
The Council nominated the following individuals:
Councilmember Herrick: Melnick
Councilmember Melnick: Melnick
Councilmember Mote: Mote
Mayor Putz: Melnick
Councilmember Segovia: Mote
Councilmember Melnick was appointed to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for a period of one year.
At the hour of 6:32 p.m., Council adjourned to the Fire Protection District Board.
2.2 FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT REORGANIZATION
SELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
Fire Protection District proceedings are contained in separate meetings.
At the hour of 6:34 p.m., the Fire Protection District adjourned to the Successor Agency.
2.3 SUCCESSOR AGENCY REORGANIZATION
SELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
Successor Agency proceedings are contained in separate minutes.
At the hour of 6:36 p.m., the Successor Agency adjourned back to the City Council.
3. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
3.1 ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2.08 OF THE BIG BEAR LAKE MUNICIPAL CODE
PERTAINING TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND FINDING THE ORDINANCE
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
City Council considered reading the title, waiving further reading, and introducing an ordinance to amend Chapter 2.08 of the Municipal Code to change the regular meeting date for City Council meetings to the second Wednesday of each month. If the ordinance revision is approved, the meeting day change would be officially effective for the March 8, 2023 regular meeting, however, in the shortterm, City Council will take action to adjourn the adjourned regular meetings held on December 12, 2022 & January 11, 2023 and resume those meetings on January 11, 2023 and February 8, 2023 respectively. In addition, Council considered adopting the corresponding 2023 regular meeting calendar.
Erica Stephenson, City Clerk, presented the item and answered City Council’s questions.
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Following Council’s questions and comments, a motion was made by Councilmember Herrick, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Melnick, to approve staff’s recommendation of reading the title, waiving further reading, and introducing an ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-xxx
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2.08 OF THE BIG BEAR LAKE
MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
AND FINDING THE ORDINANCE EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
Said motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Mote, Herrick, Melnick, Segovia, Putz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
A motion was made by Councilmember Herrick, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Melnick, to approve and adopt the 2023 Regular City Council Meeting Calendar.
Said motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Melnick, Segovia, Herrick, Mote, Putz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
3.2 RE-ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING A VACATION RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR
FRANCIS WAY
At the City Council’s September 19, 2022 meeting, the City Council held a public hearing and adopted a resolution approving a vacation of right-of-way application 2021-140 for an approximately 173 square foot portion of Francis Way, adjacent to 199 and 205 Lagunita Lane. After the public hearing process, a correction was noted that must be made to the adopted exhibit. The minor revision does not change or alter the size or location of the approved vacation right-of-way.
Janice Etter, Senior Principal Planner, presented the item.
A motion was made by Councilmember Mote, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Melnick, to approve staff’s recommendation including the suggested “green sheet” revisions and adopt the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-129
RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 2022-116 AND
APPROVING VACATION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY APPLICATION 2021-
140 FOR AN APPROXIMATELY 173 SQUARE FOOT PORTION OF
FRANCIS WAY ADJACENT TO 199 AND 205 LAGUNITA LANE,
APN’S 0307-071-36, 43 & 44 AND FINDING THE ACTION
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CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
Said motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Herrick, Mote, Melnick, Segovia, Putz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
4. COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & ADDITIONAL CITY BUSINESS
4.1 CITY CLERK, CITY ATTORNEY, CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Erica Stephenson, City Clerk, reminded City Council that they will need to submit the required proof of residency documents along with a signed affidavit indicating full-time resident status in accordance with Ordinance No. 2022-507; outlined the selection process of City Council Committee and Board Appointments.
Stephen Deitsch, City Attorney, wished everyone a Happy Holiday and Happy New Year.
Erik Sund, City Manager, reported on recent events and meetings he attended including the League of California Cities Desert Mountain Division Meeting in Victorville, a Christmas Party for the Leisure Bear Mobile Home Park hosted by the Property Management Company Caritas Corporation, the recent meeting with Big Bear Mountain Resorts regarding the 2022-2023 Winter Traffic Management Plan; the recent Big Bear Fire Authority Meeting and Department of Water and Power Board Meeting; congratulated the recently elected Councilmembers and wished everyone Happy Holidays.
4.2 COUNCILMEMBER BOARD/COMMITTEE REPORTS & COMMENTS
Councilmember Herrick reported on his attendance at the Veteran’s Diploma Ceremony; announced he was the recipient of a $1,000 prize at a Manufactured Housing Education Trust Luncheon and indicated that he would like to donate the money to DOVES at a future Council meeting; reported on the recent San Bernardino County Transportation Authority Meeting; expressed his appreciation for the seated Councilmembers and wished Mayor Putz all the best in his new role.
Mayor Pro Tem Melnick wished everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah and Happy Holidays; thanked outgoing Mayor Herrick for his leadership over the last couple of years; welcomed Councilmember Segovia and commended her for her strength during the campaign.
Councilmember Mote discussed her intentions of sending a letter on City official letterhead to her current and past constituents of District 5 and sought verbal approval from Council in accordance with the Council Rules and Procedures Manual; reported on the Mojave Desert Mountain Recycling JPA Board Meeting on November 10; welcomed Councilmember Segovia and thanked her for her willingness to serve.
Mayor Putz commented on Councilmember Mote’s letter to her constituents and was pleased with how pleasant and accurate it was; reported on League of California Cities Desert Mountain Division Organizational Meeting and Larry Chimbole Award Ceremony; thanked Councilmember Herrick for
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his leadership as Mayor for the last two years; said he is excited to serve with the new Council and looks forward to the upcoming year; wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council at this Open Session, Mayor Putz adjourned the meeting at 7:05 p.m. to an Adjourned Regular Meeting to be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. ____________________________
Erica Stephenson, City Clerk