Regular Meeting Minutes – April 12, 2023
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A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Big Bear Lake was called to order by Mayor Putz at 5:05 p.m., Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at the Civic Center, 39707 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, California.
OPEN SESSION
Flag Salute: Flag Salute led by Councilmember Mote
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Randall Putz
Mayor Pro Tem Perri Melnick
Councilmember Rick Herrick
Councilmember Bynette Mote
Councilmember Kendi Segovia
Others Present: Erik Sund, City Manager
Stephen P. Deitsch, City Attorney
Erica Stephenson, City Clerk
PRESENTATIONS
• Presentation of a Proclamation to the San Bernardino County Children’s Network Declaring April 2023 as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
• Presentation of a Proclamation to the Big Bear Association of Realtors to recognize April 2023 as Fair Housing Month.
• Presentation by the Mountain Homeless Coalition regarding programs, housing acquisitions and available services for the local homeless population.
• Introduction of new City employees:
• Ruben Negrete, Facilities/Parks Maintenance Worker – Public Works Department • Kimberly Graf, Finance Manager – Administrative Services Department
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Jeff Weingarten, Big Bear Lake resident, expressed his concerns and dissatisfaction with the City’s snow removal and snow berm reduction policy and procedures.
Leo Howard, Big Bear resident, performed a musical interlude for the audience and Council.
Dan Gulbranson, Big Bear Lake resident, voiced his opinion and frustrations related to the City’s Administrative Citation issuance and collection procedures.
Willie Cortez, Big Bear Lake resident, claimed that he has been harassed and treated unfairly by the City’s Code Compliance Department.
Meeting Minutes
April 12, 2023
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Herrick, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Melnick, to approve the Consent Calendar as follows:
1.1 APPROVAL OF DEMANDS – CHECK ISSUE DATE 2/23/23 THROUGH 3/30/23 IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,042,807.04 AND THE FEBRUARY 2023 TREASURER’S REPORT Approved.
1.2 APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY 6, 2023 SPECIAL
JOINT WORKSHOP MEETING WITH THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF WATER & POWER (DWP) BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Approved.
1.3 APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY 8, 2023 ADJOURNED
REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL
Approved.
1.4 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ADVERTISEMENT OF UPCOMING PLANNING
COMMISSION AND DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND POWER BOARD VACANCIES SET TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2023
City Council considered a formal resolution authorizing the advertisement of upcoming vacancies on the Planning Commission and Department of Water and Power (DWP) Boards.
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-17
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ADVERTISEMENT OF UPCOMING PLANNING
COMMISSION AND DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND POWER BOARD VACANCIES SET TO EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2023
1.5 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING BID SOLICITATIONS FOR UPCOMING CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND FINDING THE PROJECTS EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
City Council considered a formal resolution authorizing bid solicitations for upcoming Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) that are included within the adopted Fiscal Year 2022-23 CIP budget or are contemplated in the proposed Fiscal Year 2023-24 CIP Budget. Staff anticipates the presentation of the construction contracts for City Council consideration beginning with the June 14, 2023 meeting and, at that time, staff will provide comprehensive project budgets, anticipated costs and timelines. The projects contemplated through this action included: Annual Street Rehabilitation Project, Pothole Patching and Permanent Street Repairs Project, Street Sign Reinforcement Project, Civic Center Roof Replacement Project, Boulder Bay Park Walkway and Curb Replacements Project, Stanfield Marsh Outdoor Recreation and Education (SMORE) II Project, Rathbun Creek Trail Phase III Project, and Sanitary Sewer Cured In Place Pipe Project and Stanfield Cutoff Parking Lot Improvements Project.
Meeting Minutes
April 12, 2023
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-18
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING BID SOLICITATIONS FOR
UPCOMING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND
FINDING THE PROJECTS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
1.6 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE STANFIELD
CUTOFF RESTROOM PROJECT
City Council considered a formal resolution accepting the work of the Public Restroom Company and Bear Valley Paving and authorizing a Notice of Completion for the Stanfield Cutoff Restroom Project. This project installed a new, prefabricated restroom facility in the parking lot at Stanfield Cutoff and Big Bear Boulevard. The project had a total expenditure of $171,640 and was funded in part by a contribution from Visit Big Bear.
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-19
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A NOTICE OF COMPLETION
FOR THE STANFIELD CUTOFF RESTROOM PROJECT
1.7 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SAFE SIDEWALKS, INC. DBA PRECISION CONCRETE CUTTING FOR SIDEWALK
REPAIR SERVICES
City Council considered a resolution authorizing a professional services agreement with Safe Sidewalks, Inc. DBA Precision Concrete Cutting (Precision) for sidewalk repair services.
Precision provides sidewalk assessment and repair services and maintains a master services agreement with the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA), the City’s risk management provider. In 2021, Precision performed an assessment of the City’s sidewalk network to identify necessary replacements, repairs, and trip hazards. Precision has proposed to perform repair and trip hazard remediation services on the identified sidewalk segments under the terms and pricing made available to all CJPIA member agencies. The repair methodology will result in all sidewalk separations and lifts being cut to ensure a smooth, safe, and accessible path. Staff is also preparing a project for sidewalk that is in need of replacement and that will be brought forward for consideration at a future meeting.
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-20
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SAFE SIDEWALKS, INC. DBA PRECISION CONCRETE
CUTTING FOR SIDEWALK CUTTING SERVICES
Meeting Minutes
April 12, 2023
1.8 RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO EVERFENCE
CORPORATION FOR THE KNICKERBOCKER CHANNEL FENCE REPLACEMENT
PROJECT
City Council considered a formal resolution awarding a construction contract for the Knickerbocker Channel Fence Replacement Project to EverFence Corporation (Santa Fe Springs, CA). The project plans to replace approximately 350 linear feet of existing chain link fencing with black wrought iron fencing to match other fencing in the area. The project is included in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Capital Improvement Program budget.
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-21
RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO
EVERFENCE CORPORATION FOR THE KNICKERBOCKER
CHANNEL FENCE REPLACEMENT PROJECT
1.9 RESOLUTION ORDERING THE PREPARATION OF AN ENGINEER’S REPORT AND
RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO LEVY AND COLLECT ASSESSMENTS WITHIN THE VILLAGE MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1-92
City Council considered two resolutions associated with the Village Maintenance Assessment District. The first Resolution orders the preparation of an Engineer’s Report for the Village Maintenance Assessment District. The second Resolution was a Resolution of Intent to Levy and Collect Assessments Within the Village Maintenance Assessment District No. 1-92. This Resolution also set a Public Hearing for the levy and collection of these assessments on Wednesday, June 14. The rates that will be collected under this assessment were adopted, pursuant to a Proposition 218 process, in June 2021.
Approved and adopted the following resolutions entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-22
RESOLUTION ORDERING THE PREPARATION OF AN
ENGINEER’S REPORT FOR VILLAGE MAINTENANCE
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1-92
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-23
RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO LEVY AND COLLECT
ASSESSMENTS WITHIN THE VILLAGE MAINTENANCE
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1-92
The Consent Calendar was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Mote, Herrick, Segovia, Melnick, Putz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Meeting Minutes
April 12, 2023
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
None.
2. PUBLIC HEARING
2.1 RESOLUTION APPROVING VACATION OF A PORTION OF LAKEVIEW DRIVE
AND SPRUCE ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY AND FINDING THE ACTION
CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT
City Council conducted a public hearing and considered a formal resolution to vacate a portion of Lakeview Drive and Spruce Road which would abandon an approximately 1,000 square foot section of Lakeview Drive and Spruce Road. Private improvements supporting the former Cowboy Express Steakhouse, addressed at 40433 Lakeview Drive have been constructed in this portion of the right-of-way, including parking spaces, and a retaining wall. On February 2, 2023, the Planning Commission determined that the request is consistent with the General Plan. At a regular meeting on March 8, 2023, City Council took action to set the public hearing and also declared the action exempt from the Surplus Lands Act.
Janice Etter, Senior Principal Planner, presented the item and answered a myriad of Council’s questions.
At the hour of 5:58 p.m., Mayor Putz opened the Public Hearing and the following individual approached Council:
Andrew Goodwin Brown, Big Bear Lake resident, and property owner representative, further explained the reason for the application to vacate the portion of public right-of-way; which he believes to be beneficial to the property owner and the City.
Seeing no further speakers, Mayor Putz closed the Public Hearing at 6:03 p.m.
City Attorney Stephen Deitsch recommended that staff amend the proposed resolution by including a provision indicating the applicant will promptly be required to pay the City $13,000 for the portion of the public right-of-way.
Following Council discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember Herrick, seconded by Councilmember Mote, to approve staff’s recommendation approving the following resolution, including the amendment recommended by City Attorney Stephen Deitsch, entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-24
RESOLUTION APPROVING VACATION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY
APPLICATION 2022-145 FOR AN APPROXIMATELY 1,007
SQUARE FOOT PORTION OF LAKEVIEW DRIVE AND SPRUCE
ROAD ADJACENT TO 40433 LAKEVIEW DRIVE (APN 0308-062-
01) AND FINDING THE ACTION CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT
FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
Said motion was approved by the following vote:
Meeting Minutes
April 12, 2023
AYES: Herrick, Melnick, Mote, Segovia, Putz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
3. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
3.1 CONSIDERATION OF BEAUTIFICATION BROCHURE, CREATED BY THE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EDAC)
City Council considered a “Beautify Big Bear” brochure intended to promote and maintain an ongoing beautification campaign. Anticipating this will be a long-term effort to support community pride throughout the City, the commercial corridors (along Big Bear Boulevard and Moonridge Corridor) will be the initial focus to jump-start this effort. The EDAC designed the brochure to be a useful resource for all community members.
Sue O’Strander, Director of Community Development, and Andrew Mellon, Principal Planner, reviewed the background and objectives of the EDAC, while Matt Vecchio, EDAC representative, presented the proposed “Beautify Big Bear” Brochure.
Following Council’s questions, Mayor Putz invited up speakers who wanted to speak on this item.
The following individual approached Council:
Bill Giamarino, Big Bear Lake resident, commended the EDAC on the brochure, but suggested that the brochure concentrate on Big Bear Lake, indicating that the brochure be modified to read “Beautify Big Bear Lake”.
Following Council’s discussion, a motion was made by Mayor Putz, seconded by Councilmember Herrick, to approve the brochure with the addition of “Lake” and have staff report back to Council within four to six months on the initiation and continuation of the enforcement process with prioritizing initial efforts on targeted properties that would make the biggest impact on the beautification process.
Said motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Segovia, Melnick, Herrick, Mote, Putz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
4. COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & ADDITIONAL CITY BUSINESS
4.1 CITY CLERK, CITY ATTORNEY, CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Director of Public Services Sean Sullivan provided an update on the repair of potholes on Big Bear Boulevard and City streets; reported that the City has two (2) upcoming projects that will repair City-maintained streets, including the annual street rehabilitation project and the pothole patching and repair project.
Meeting Minutes
April 12, 2023
Director of Community Development Sue O’Strander provided a brief update on the Community Visioning overall process and survey; indicated that DKS Associates will be presenting preliminary results from the survey at Council’s Regular Meeting in May.
City Manager Erik Sund reported on the Visit Big Bear monthly report; announced upcoming discussion items requested by Council including the Review of the Vacation Rental Ordinance scheduled for August, Campaign Contribution Limits scheduled for October and a discussion on improving pedestrian mobility in the Village, which he explained will be integrated into the Community Visioning process.
4.2 COUNCILMEMBER BOARD/COMMITTEE REPORTS & COMMENTS
Councilmember Mote reported on the March 15 and March 29 Mountain Transit Meetings; the March 22 Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency Board Meeting.
Councilmember Herrick announced that his daughter was recently named Chief Resident at the University of San Francisco and that he is expecting another grandchild soon.
Councilmember Melnick requested that a discussion regarding future community events, that are geared towards our residents, be brought forward for future Council discussion and consideration.
Councilmember Herrick showed support for this request.
Mayor Putz reported on the recent League of California Cities Environmental Policy Committee meeting; the April 4 High-Desert City Mayor meeting in Adelanto; noted his attendance on April 6 at the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Council Meeting and the Energy and Environment Committee Meeting; shared that he attended the April 7 Fair Housing Event that was hosted by the Big Bear Board of Realtors.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council at this Open Session, Mayor Putz adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m.
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Erica Stephenson, City Clerk