Regular Meeting Minutes – October 9, 2024
A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Big Bear Lake was called to order by Mayor Melnick at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at the Civic Center, 39707 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, California.
OPEN SESSION
Flag Salute: Flag Salute led by Councilmember Putz
Invocation: A moment of silence was led by Mayor Melnick Councilmembers Present: Mayor Perri Melnick
Mayor Pro Tem Kendi Segovia
Councilmember Randall Putz
Councilmembers Absent: Councilmember Rick Herrick
Others Present: Erik Sund, City Manager
Stephen P. Deitsch, City Attorney
Erica Stephenson, City Clerk
Rachel Bowman, Administrative Services Manager
CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Dan Gulbranson, Big Bear Lake resident, expressed concerns related to the City’s litigation costs and questioned why some of the Closed Session items were agendized.
At the hour of 3:34 p.m., City Council recessed to Closed Session.
At the hour of 5:00 p.m., Mayor Melnick resumed Open Session.
PRESENTATIONS
• Sheriff Captain Kelly Craig and Assistant Fire Chief Luke Wagner provided an update on the Line Fire.
• Presentation of a 20-year Employee Service Award to Socorro Negrete, Street Maintenance Worker III.
• Presentation of a Proclamation Recognizing October 6 through October 12 as Code Compliance and Neighborhood Preservation Officer Appreciation Week. • Presentation of a 5-year Employee Service Award to Carlos Navarro, Neighborhood Preservation Officer I.
• Presentation from Kelly Tinker, Economic Development Manger providing an update on the Local Business Façade Improvement Program.
Meeting Minutes
October 9, 2024
RESULTS OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Stephen P. Deitsch, declared that the City Council discussed the following items in Closed Session and announced that for Item 1 the City Council approved a settlement agreement reimbursing Mr. Hick’s $23,500 for his attorney fees, and he further stated that no reportable action was taken by the City Council on Items 2, 3 & 4.
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1)
Name of Case: Charles Hicks, Jr. vs. City of Big Bear Lake Court & Case No: San Bernardino County Superior Court, Case No. CIVSB2423690 City Council approved a settlement agreement reimbursing Mr. Hicks $23,500 for his attorney fees.
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIAPTED LITIGATION pursuant to Gov.
Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2)
One (1) Case
No reportable action.
3. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54957 Title of Position: City Manager
No reportable action.
4. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54957.6 Agency designated representatives: Mayor Perri Melnick and City Attorney Stephen Deitsch Unrepresented employee: City Manager Erik Sund
No reportable action.
OPEN SESSION PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Dan Gulbranson, Big Bear Lake resident, voiced his frustrations related to the City Council and expressed concerns about the Summit Blvd. and Rathbun Creek projects.
Jim Eakin, Big Bear Lake resident, shared that he is a City Council District 1 write-in candidate; provided information related to his volunteer efforts and relevant past experience.
Jeff Holoubek, Big Bear Lake resident, voiced his opinion about proposed changes to the City’s Development Code and related property owner notification requirements.
Bobbi Hazelton, Big Bear City resident, provided San Bernardino County ballot drop box information and requested video surveillance cameras be installed to monitor ballot drop boxes located in Big Bear Lake.
Jeannine Sitton, Big Bear Lake business owner, expressed concerns about road closures and event scheduling during weekends, holidays and peak seasons; she seeks to prevent unauthorized vendors from selling products in the Village and requests related Code Compliance support.
Jeff Reyes, Big Bear Lake resident, shared that it’s difficult to operate a local business when there are road closures that affect tourism and added that road closures negatively impact business.
Meeting Minutes
October 9, 2024
Emily Hodder, Big Bear Lake resident, shared that road closures cause a disruption to tourism and negatively impact local business and employment.
Tom Sitton, Big Bear Lake business owner, stated his frustration with the City’s code enforcement, Village street vendors, road closures and the annual car show held in the Village.
Mike Rotman, Big Bear Lake resident, encouraged all to attend upcoming events including Tesla, and the Big Bear Plein Air Arts Festival sponsored by The Big Bear Theatre Project.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Putz, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Segovia to approve the Consent Calendar as follows:
1.1 APPROVE DEMANDS – CHECK ISSUE DATE 08/03/24 THROUGH 08/28/24 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,374,459.16 AND THE JULY 2024 TREASURER’S REPORT
Approved.
1.2 APPROVE DEMANDS – CHECK ISSUE DATE 08/29/24 THROUGH 09/30/24 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,614,231.36 AND THE AUGUST 2024 TREASURER’S REPORT Approved.
1.3 APPROVE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 14, 2024 REGULAR MEETING
OF CITY COUNCIL
Approved.
1.4 APPROVE THE 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING CALENDAR
Approved.
1.5 ADOPT AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY’S CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-52
RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO
THE CITY’S CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE PURSUANT TO
THE POLITICAL REFORM ACT OF 1974
1.6 APPROVE THE ANNUAL CARRYOVER OF APPROPRIATIONS
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-53
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CARRYOVER OF APPROPRIATIONS
FROM FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 TO FISCAL YEAR 2024-25
Meeting Minutes
October 9, 2024
1.7 AUTHORIZE A LETTER OF INTEREST TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SAN
BERNARDINO REGIONAL HOUSING TRUST
Approved.
1.8 AUTHORIZE A NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR CITYWIDE STREET SWEEPING
SERVICES
Approved.
1.9 AUTHORIZE RENTAL AGREEMENTS, PURCHASE ORDERS AND ON-CALL AGREEMENTS RELATED TO SNOW REMOVAL OPERATIONS FOR THE 2024-25
WINTER SEASON
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-54
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RENTAL AGREEMENTS, PURCHASE ORDERS,
AND ON-CALL AGREEMENTS RELATED TO SNOW REMOVAL
OPERATIONS FOR THE 2024-25 WINTER SEASON
1.10 APPROVE PURCHASE OF PUBLIC WORKS EQUIPMENT
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-55
RESOLUTION APPROVING PURCHASE ORDERS FOR
PUBLIC WORKS EQUIPMENT
1.11 APPROVE RESOLUTIONS OF SUPPORT FOR LEGISLATIVE ITEMS Approved and adopted the following resolutions entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-56
RESOLUTION APPROVING SUPPORT FOR PROPOSITION 4: THE SAFE
DRINKING WATER, WILDFIRE PREVENTION, DROUGHT
PREPARDENSS, AND CLEAN AIR BOND ACT OF 2024
&
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-57
RESOLUTION APPROVING SUPPORT FOR PROPOSITION 36:
THE HOMELESSNESS, DRUG ADDICTION, AND THEFT REDUCTION ACT
Meeting Minutes
October 9, 2024
The Consent Calendar was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Segovia, Putz, Melnick
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Herrick
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
None.
2. PUBLIC HEARING
2.1 ORDINANCE APPROVING DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT 2023-068 TO
REMOVE FUTURE CERTAIN COMMERCIAL LAND USES AND LIMIT
DEVELOPMENT OF SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED DWELLING UNITS IN THE R-3 (MULTIPLE FAMILY) ZONE DISTRICT CITYWIDE
Andrew Mellon, Community Development Manager, made a staff presentation for this item.
At the hour of 6:22 p.m., Mayor Melnick opened the Public Hearing, and the following individuals approached the City Council:
Jeff Holoubek, Big Bear Lake resident, raised concerns about this proposed ordinance and suggested including a “grandfather clause” to protect existing property owners; recommended the proposed ordinance be placed on a future Planning Commission agenda with a mandate to provide a notice to stakeholders.
Alaine Uthus, Big Bear resident, stated the Big Bear Association of Realtors supports this R-3 Zoning initiative and believes it’s a vital step to sustainable development, affordable housing and community growth.
Chuck Hick, Big Bear Lake resident, questioned why the City Council was rushing to adopt this proposed ordinance, since the City of Big Bear Lake is a charter City; requested the City Council consider the negative impacts this proposed ordinance could have on the existing property owners in the event of a property fire.
Dan Gulbranson, Big Bear Lake resident, shared his disappointment with the proposed ordinance and various government mandates.
Michael Beveridge, Big Bear Lake resident, voiced his opinion and provided information about the affordable housing mandates imposed by the State of California.
At the hour of 6:35 p.m., Mayor Melnick closed the Public Hearing.
Following the City Council’s further discussion and failed motions, a motion was made by Mayor Melnick, seconded by Councilmember Putz, to continue the City Council’s first reading of this Ordinance and to allow for further City Council discussion of this item at the November 13, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting.
Meeting Minutes
October 9, 2024
Said motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Putz, Segovia, Melnick
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Herrick
3. COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, & ADDITIONAL CITY BUSINESS
• CITY CLERK, CITY ATTORNEY, CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
City Clerk Erica Stephenson announced that the General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 5. She further stated that the Registrar of Voters has 30 days to canvas the votes and release the Statement of Results. Therefore, since the Council-elect will be unknown until December 5, she announced that the City plans to hold a Special Meeting on December 11 to allow the Council and Council-elect an opportunity to express their interest in becoming the Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem and participating in various committees/agencies.
City Manager Erik Sund shared that Caltrans will be working on the Little Artic Circle (Hwy 18) next week which will make it unavailable for pass through traffic, with the exception of the area’s residents. He also announced that Halloween in the Village will be held on Thursday, October 31st and the festivities include trick-or-treating and a concert. • COUNCILMEMBER BOARD/COMMITTEE REPORTS & COMMENTS
Councilmember Putz (seconded by Mayor Melnick) requested to revisit the City Council’s Rules of Order and the City Council Residency Ordinance requirements during the first quarter of the new year. Councilmember Putz provided an update on the September 20th meeting of the League of California Cities Desert Mountain Division. He also announced that he was elected as the Desert Mountain Division representative to the state board of the League of California Cities.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council at this Open Session, Mayor Melnick adjourned the meeting at 7:46 p.m.
_______________________
Erica Stephenson, City Clerk