OF BIG BEAR CITY OF
BIG BEAR LAKE California
TCORPORATED AND
Regular Meeting Minutes - July 9, 2025
A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Big Bear Lake was called to order by Mayor Melnick at 4:31 p.m., Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the Civic Center, 39707 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, California.
OPEN SESSION
Flag Salute: Flag Salute led by Mayor Pro Tem Segovia
Invocation: Invocation was provided by Jim Lona, Commander of American Legion Post 584.
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Perri Melnick
Mayor Pro Tem Kendi Segovia
Councilmember Rick Herrick
Councilmember Charles Hick, Jr.
Councilmember Randall Putz
Others Present: Erik Sund, City Manager
Stephen P. Deitsch, City Attorney
Erica Stephenson, City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Daniel Gulbranson, Big Bear Lake resident, expressed his dissatisfaction with City leadership and public meeting protocols.
Lizbeth Ortega, Big Bear resident, shared her frustration with the City's code enforcement practices.
Edgar Alaniz, Big Bear Lake business owner, stated his frustration with the City's business related citation procedures, and his disappointment with the City's leadership.
At the hour of 4:42 p.m., Mayor Melnick called for a recess to Closed Session.
At the hour of 5:19 p.m., Mayor Melnick resumed Open Session.
RESULTS OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Stephen P. Deitsch, announced that the City Council discussed the following item in Closed Session and no reportable action was taken by the City Council.
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION pursuant to Govt.
Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2)
One (1) Case
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July 9, 2025
PRESENTATIONS
• Presentation to Sara Schacht recognizing her four years of dedicated service to the Big Bear Lake Planning Commission.
• Presentation to Ray Wolfe recognizing his longtime service as Executive Director of the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA).
• Presentation from Executive Vice Chancellor Jose Torres regarding the San Bernardino Community College District.
OPEN SESSION PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Daniel Gulbranson, Big Bear Lake resident, shared his concerns about the City Council Agenda and City leadership.
Connie Swank, Big Bear Lake resident, expressed her disappointment related to recent interactions with the City, Sheriff's Office and Fire Department.
Iom Sitton, Big Bear Lake resident, began by expressing his concerns regarding City Council's activities related to local businesses; then thanked the City Council for allowing the 4th of July fireworks show.
Jim Lona, Big Bear resident, spoke about the recent passing of local Army veteran Luis Alvarez; and provided information regarding local charitable fundraisers and events.
Jim Eakin, Big Bear Lake resident, expressed his gratitude to the City Council for approving his appointment to the Planning Commission.
Tim Wilcott, Big Bear Lake business owner, criticized the City's code enforcement efforts; requested the City query Village business owners to seek their input.
Edgar Alaniz, Big Bear Lake business owner, expressed his belief that the City violated the Brown Act during the June 11, 2025 City Council meeting.
Lizbeth Ortega, Big Bear resident, shared information regarding the City's code compliance regulations being unequally enforced.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Putz, seconded by Councilmember Herrick to approve the Consent Calendar as follows:
1.1 APPROVE DEMANDS - CHECK ISSUE DATE 6/1/25 THROUGH 6/27/25 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,455,784.84 AND THE MAY 2025 TREASURER'S REPORT Approved.
1.2 APPROVE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE MAY 8, 2024 SPECIAL MEETING OF
CITY COUNCIL
Approved.
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July 9,2025
1.3 APPROVE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE MAY 8, 2024 REGULAR MEETING
OF CITY COUNCIL
Approved.
1.4 APPROVE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 12, 2024 REGULAR MEETING
OF CITY COUNCIL
Approved.
1.5 APPROVE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 11, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING OF
CITY COUNCIL
Approved.
1.6 APPROVE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 11, 2025 REGULAR MEETING
OF CITY COUNCIL
Approved.
1.7 ADOPT AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION 2025 FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES
DESIGNATION MAP IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE 51179
Approved and adopted the following ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-522
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIG BEAR
LAKE, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT
OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION 2025 FIRE HAZARD
SEVERITY ZONES DESIGNATION MAP IN ACCORDANCE WITH
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE 51179
1.8 AUTHORIZE EXTENDING EXISTING ON-CALL CONSULTING SERVICES
AGREEMENTS AND APPROVE ADDITIONAL ON-CALL CONSULTING SERVICES
AGREEMENTS
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-34
RESOLUTION EXTENDING EXISTING ON-CALL CONSULTING
SERVICES AGREEMENTS AND APPROVING ADDITIONAL ON-CALL
CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENTS
1.9 AUTHORIZE BID SOLICITATIONS FOR UPCOMING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROJECTS
Approved.
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1.10 AUTHORIZE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL SOLITICATIONS FOR A CITYWIDE
MOBILITY STUDY, AND AN INVENTORY AND ASSESSMENT OF
NONMAINTAINED STREETS
Approved.
1.11 AUTHORIZE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL SOLITICATIONS FOR THE GENERAL
PLAN UPDATE
Approved.
1.12 AUTHORIZE A PURCHASE ORDER WITH CRAFCO, INC. FOR THE ANNUAL
CRACK SEAL OF CITY STREETS PROGRAM
Approved.
The Consent Calendar was approved by the following vote, with Councilmember Hicks abstaining on Items 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4, stating that he had not been a City Councilmember during those meetings.
AYES: Putz, Herrick, Segovia, Hicks, Melnick
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
None.
2. PUBLIC HEARING
2.1 AUTHORIZE THE PLACEMENT OF SOLID WASTE SERVICE CHARGES ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 TAX ROLL
Assistant City Manager Sean Sullivan made a staff presentation on this Item.
At 6:20 p.m., with no questions from the City Council, Mayor Melnick opened the Public Hearing and invited up speakers who wanted to speak on this item. The following individual approached the City Council:
Daniel Gulbranson, Big Bear Lake resident, expressed his frustration pertaining to the City's trash collection services.
At the hour of 6:23 p.m., Mayor Melnick closed the Public Hearing.
Following the Public Hearing, Councilmember Herrick made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Segovia, to approve staff's recommendation and adopt the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-35
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PLACEMENT OF SOLID WASTE
SERVICE CHARGES ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 TAX ROLL
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Said motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Segovia, Putz, Hicks, Herrick, Melnick
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
3. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
3.1 AUTHORIZE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION SOLITICATIONS FROM POTENTIAL DEVELOPERS FOR THE CITY'S LEASED 19-ACRE PROPERTY
Economic Development Manger Kelly Tinker made a staff presentation on this Item.
Following the presentation and after City Council questions, Mayor Melnick invited up speakers who wanted to make a public comment on this Item. The following individuals approached the City Council:
Daniel Gulbranson, Big Bear Lake resident, questioned the cost of the project, and expressed concern over the displacement of residents.
Connie Swank, Big Bear Lake resident, questioned whether the RFI would be shared with local contractors.
After City Council comments, a motion was made by Councilmember Herrick, seconded by Councilmember Putz, to approve staff's recommendation authorizing staff to proceed with the Request for Information solicitations from potential developers for the City's leased 19-acre property.
Said motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Herrick, Segovia, Putz, Melnick
NOES: Hicks
ABSTAIN: None
EXCUSED: None
3.2 REAL PROPERTY PURCHASE - "0" BIG BEAR BOULEVARD- APN: 0311-221-35 Economic Development Manger Kelly Tinker made a staff presentation on this Item. •Following the presentation and after City Council questions, Mayor Melnick invited up speakers who wanted to make a public comment on this Item. The following individual approached the City Council:
Daniel Gulbranson, Big Bear Lake resident, expressed his frustration pertaining to City spending.
Following the public comment and City Council's remarks, a motion was made by Councilmember Putz seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Segovia, to approve staff's recommendation and adopt the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-36
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY AND
ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO CONSUMMATE THE PURCHASE
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TRANSACTION, CONVEYING TO THE CITY OF BIG BEAR LAKE THAT CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT "0" BIG BEAR BOULEVARD, PARCEL NUMBER 0311-221-35; AUTHORIZING A FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 BUDGET APPROPRIATION; AND FINDING THE ACTION EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
Said motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Putz, Segovia, Herrick, Melnick
NOES: Hicks
ABSTAIN: None
EXCUSED: None
3.3 SIGNATURE EVENTS AND THE TOUR DE BIG BEAR EVENT
At the hour of 7:05 p.m., Councilmember Herrick recused himself from this Item due to a potential business related conflict of interest.
Assistant City Manager Sean Sullivan made a staff presentation on this Item.
Following the presentation and City Council questions, Mayor Melnick invited up speakers who wanted to speak on this Item. The following individual approached the City Council:
Chris Barnes, Tour de Big Bear Board President, discussed the economic benefits the Tour de Big Bear brings to Big Bear Lake; he emphasized that Visit Big Bear is focused on marketing the event, not financially supporting it; he further explained that due to safety concerns for the cyclists, the organization requests the City's financial contribution to assist in ensuring the event is conducted in a safe manner.
Following public comment, the City Council and staff engaged in discussion and it was decided that an opportunity for further consideration of the City's Signature Events would be included in an upcoming Agenda Item. No formal City Council action was taken related to this Item.
At the hour of 7:31 p.m., Councilmember Herrick returned to the meeting.
3.4 PRESENTATION FROM VISIT BIG BEAR STAFF PROVIDING AN ANNUAL
OVERVIEW OF THEIR ORGANIZATION
Item 3.4 was pulled from the Agenda at the request of Visit Big Bear Chief Executive Officer Travis Scott. This Item will be included in the August i3, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Agenda.
4. COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, & ADDITIONAL CITY BUSINESS
• CITY CLERK, CITY ATTORNEY, CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
City Manager Sund announced the opening of the new Castle Rock Trail Parking Lot. He also reported that the property at 40095 Big Bear Blvd., commonly referred to as the "burned-down house." has been red-tagged and is scheduled for demolition within the next 30 days.
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• COUNCILMEMBER BOARD/COMMITTEE REPORTS & COMMENTS
Councilmember Herrick read a portion of a letter from the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) indicating that a "no action" closure letter had been issued, finding in his favor for FPPC Case 2024-01281.
Councilmember Hicks announced that the Big Bear Fire Authority meetings will now be available for public viewing via YouTube. He also extended his condolences to the families of the slain firefighters in Idaho and shared his well wishes to the police officer that was shot in a recent ambush in Texas. In addition, Councilmember Hicks requested to revisit the Housing Element discussion (specifically focusing on ADU requirements) at the next City Council meeting, but his request didn't receive support from another City Councilmember.
Mayor Pro Tem Segovia commented on the recent Castle Rock Trailhead Parking Lot Ribbon Cutting event.
Mayor Melnick thanked City staff and partner agencies for their outstanding efforts during the July 4th weekend. She also took a moment to honor the memory of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their dog Gilbert, who were tragically assassinated in their home on June 14th. Additionally, she acknowledged Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, who were shot at their home on the same day. Mayor Melnick emphasized that political violence has no place in our society and must be condemned.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council at this Regular Meeting, Mayor Melnick adjourned the meeting at 7:42 p.m. in memory of the victims of the June 14" attack in Minnesota.
Erica Stephenson
Erica Stephenson, City Clerk