CITY OF
BIG BEAR LAKE California
HSORPORATED AND
Regular Meeting Minutes - September 10, 2025
A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Big Bear Lake was called to order by Mayor Melnick at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at the Civic Center, 39707 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, California.
OPEN SESSION
Flag Salute: Led by Councilmember Herrick
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Perri Melnick
Mayor Pro Tem Kendi Segovia
Councilmember Rick Herrick
Councilmember Charles Hicks, Jr.
Councilmember Randall Putz
Others Present: Erik Sund, City Manager
Albert Maldonado, Asst. City Attorney
Erica Stephenson, City Clerk
Rachel Bowman, Administrative Services Manager
PRESENTATIONS
• Presentation from Local ACT (All Children Thrive) students highlighting their recent trip to Sacramento, where they had an opportunity to work on their leadership, public speaking, and civic engagement skills.
Presentation from Bear Valley Community Healthcare District (BVCHD) Chief Executive Officer Evan Rayner providing information on recent ballot Measure U, the proposed hospital facility expansion and related BVCHD information.
• Presentation from a SBCTA representative regarding how Measure I contributions fund local transportation projects.
• Presentation of a Proclamation declaring September 2025 as National Preparedness Month, which is an annual campaign meant to remind everyone that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families and their communities safe.
• Presentation to Kelly Ent, Deputy City Manager / Chief Financial Officer recognizing her 24 years of dedicated City service and wishing her well on her upcoming retirement and future endeavors.
OPEN SESSION PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Prior to the start of Public Communications, Mayor Melnick announced that Item 1.8 would be removed from the Consent Calendar to allow time for additional community outreach.
Tara Antongiorgi. Big Bear resident, urged the Council to support the local creative arts and requested that the City would assist in two key areas: helping with branding efforts and keeping PAC ticket prices affordable.
Meeting Minutes
September 10, 2025
Tom Sitton, Big Bear Lake business owner, expressed his frustration with City ordinances and the associated fines; shared his dissatisfaction with recent Village road closures.
Jim Lona, Big Bear resident, shared that the Veterans Affairs office has three local locations: San Bernardino, Hesperia, and Rancho Cucamonga; provided updates on veteran related matters; he added that the Friends of Big Bear High School will hold a 9/11 memorial ceremony at 7 a.m. tomorrow.
Joe Bradley. Big Bear Lake resident, shared that he has lived in the Waterview neighborhood for 36 years and that, over the past five years, the fumes from the sanitation pump have become increasingly worse; he added that it doesn't make sense to store diesel fuel in an area with a high fire risk and expressed his hope that the Council would consider alternative solutions.
Daniel Gulbranson, Big Bear Lake resident, expressed his frustration regarding Item 1.10 and the City's administration.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Herrick, seconded by Councilmember Hicks to pull Item 1.7 from the Consent Calendar for consideration at a future meeting.
Said motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Hicks, Putz, Segovia, Herrick, Melnick
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
A motion was made by Councilmember Herrick, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Segovia to approve the Consent Calendar as follows:
1.1 APPROVE DEMANDS - CHECK ISSUE DATE 8/1/25 THROUGH 8/26/25 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,186,155.06 AND THE PRELIMINARY JULY 2025 TREASURER'S REPORT
Approved.
1.2 APPROVE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 13, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING
OF CITY COUNCIL
Approved.
1.3 APPROVE THE ANNUAL CARRYOVER OF APPROPRIATIONS
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-43
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CARRYOVER OF APPROPRIATIONS
FROM FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 TO FISCAL YEAR 2025-26
Meeting Minutes
September 10, 2025
1.4 APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF A CITY TREASURER
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-44
RESOLUTION APPOINTING THE CITY MANAGER TO
SERVE AS THE CITY TREASURER
15 PATHING LOT POOCCO COMPLETION FOR THE CASTLE ROCK TRAILHEAD Approved.
1.6 AUTHORIZE RENTAL AGREEMENTS, PURCHASE ORDERS AND ON-CALL AGREEMENTS RELATED TO SNOW REMOVAL OPERATIONS FOR THE 2025-26
WINTER SEASON
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-45
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RENTAL AGREEMENTS, PURCHASE
ORDERS, AND ON-CALL AGREEMENTS RELATED TO SNOW REMOVAL
OPERATIONS FOR THE 2025-26 WINTER SEASON
1.7 AWARD A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT - SANITATION GENERATORS
REPLACEMENT PROJECT
This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar and will be placed on a future Agenda.
1.8 AUTHORIZE A PURCHASE ORDER FOR A REPLACEMENT STANDBY GENERATOR FOR LIFT STATION NO. 8
This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar and will be placed on a future Agenda.
1.9 AWARD A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT - CIPP SEWER REPAIRS PROJECT Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-46
RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO
ROMANS CONSTRUCTION FOR THE CURED-IN-PLACE-PIPE (CIPP)
SEWER REPAIRS PROJECT AND FINDING THE PROJECT
CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
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September 10, 2025
1.10 AUTHORIZE AN AGREEMENT FOR MUNICIPAL CODE ENFORCEMENT LEGAL
SERVICES
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-47
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH CIVICA LAW GROUP FOR MUNCIPAL CODE
ENFORCEMENT LEGAL SERVICES
1.11 AUTHORIZE ON-CALL CONSULTING ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICE
AGREEMENTS
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-48
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ON-CALL PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
AGREEMENTS, WITH IFC COMPUTING CONSULTING, MY CHENG &
ASSOCIATES, INC. AND TRIPEPI SMITH
The Consent Calendar, excluding Item 1.7 and Item 1.8, was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Herrick, Segovia, Putz, Hicks, Melnick
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
1.7 AWARD A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT - SANITATION GENERATORS
REPLACEMENT PROJECT
1.8 AUTHORIZE A PURCHASE ORDER FOR A REPLACEMENT STANDBY GENERATOR FOR LIFT STATION NO. 8
2. PUBLIC HEARING
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE APPROVING DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT 2025-028, PROPOSING CITYWIDE REVISIONS TO DEVELOPMENT CODE SECTIONS: 17.25.040 "ACCESSORY USES PERMITTED IN RESIDENTIAL ONES", 17.25.060 "ADDITIONAL SETBACK REGULATIONS", AND 17.35.03 PRINCIPAL USES PERMITTED IN COMMERCIAL AND PUBLIC ZONES" TO
INTRODUCE NEW STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS RELATED TO THE KEEPING OF
ANIMALS IN RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL ZONES
Community Development Manager, Andrew Mellon made a staff presentation on this Item.
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September 10, 2025
At 6:36 p.m.., following the presentation and City Council questions, Mayor Melnick invited up speakers who wanted to speak on this item. The following individuals approached the City Council:
Travis Rogers, Big Bear Lake resident, requested that the Council allow roosters to be kept in residential zones.
Daniel Gulbranson, Big Bear Lake resident, expressed his frustration related to public hearing regulations and the City's trash collection services.
At the hour of 6:42 p.m., Mayor Melnick closed the Public Hearing.
Following the Public Hearing and the entire Ordinance title being read aloud, a motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Segovia, seconded by Councilmember Hicks, to approve the staff's recommendation to read the title, waive further reading and introduce the following Ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-xxx
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIG BEAR LAKE APPROVING DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT 2025-028
PROPOSING CITYWIDE REVISIONS TO DEVELOPMENT CODE
SECTIONS: 17.25.040 ACCESSORY USES PERMITTED IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES, 17.25.060 ADDITIONAL SETBACK REGULATIONS, AND 17.35.030
PRINCIPAL USES PERMITTED IN COMMERCIAL AND PUBLIC ZONES
TO INTRODUCE NEW STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS RELATED TO
THE KEEPING OF ANIMALS IN RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL
ZONES AND FINDING THESE AMENDMENTS EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
Said motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Segovia, Herrick, Hicks, Putz, Melnick
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
3. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
3.1 ADOPT THE CITY OF BIG BEAR LAKE EMERGENCY OPERATION PLAN Deputy Public Works Director, Nicholas Haecker and a Jacob Green and Associates representative made the 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 overall dissatisfaction with the proposed Emergency Operation Plan.
Meeting Minutes
September 10, 2025
After the City Council provided their suggested updates to the proposed Plan, the Council directed the City Manager to revise the Emergency Operations Plan accordingly, and present the updated version for City Council consideration at a future meeting.
4. COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, & ADDITIONAL CITY BUSINESS
• CITY CLERK, CITY ATTORNEY, CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
City Clerk Stephenson announced that the 2nd Annual State of the City Address will be held on Thursday, September 18'h at the Pine Knot Marina Resort at 4:00 p.m. Additionally, City Clerk stephenson provided a reminder to the City Council and the public that the regularly schedules Jctober 8'' City Council meeting will be cancelled due to a scheduling conflict. The October gl meeting will be rescheduled as an Adjourned Regular Meeting that will be held in 3 weeks on Thursday, October 2 in Hofert Hall.
City Manager Sund reported that the Summer Concert Series wrapped up on September 6th and was a great success. He expressed his appreciation to Communications & Events Specialist Jackie Rogers and the Big Bear Elks Club for their outstanding contributions to the event. • COUNCILMEMBER BOARD/COMMITTEE REPORTS & COMMENTS
Councilmember Hicks (seconded by Councilmember Herrick) requested a discussion regarding the requirements on R-3 zoned properties over 7500 sq ft. that would be mandated to build a second unit on the property in the event of a disaster destroying more than 50% of the existing dwelling.
Councilmember Hicks also noted concerns about the new Caltrans signs, stating that they negatively impact the City's appearance. He suggested that the Council send a letter to Caltrans to express frustration with the project. As the meeting concluded, Councilmember Hicks asked that everyone keep Charlie Kirk and his family in their thoughts and prayers.
Mayor Pro Tem Segovia reported that she attended the Mojave Desert and Mountain Integrated Waste Management Authority meeting, noting uncertainty about whether the state will provide funding for the mandates imposed on cities. She also attended the Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency (BBARWA) meeting and shared that the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan was not approved; however, the project will continue moving forward as next steps are evaluated.
Councilmember Herrick reported that he also attended the BBARWA meeting and noted that the proposed WIFIA loan would not have resulted in any cost to the agency or taxpayers. He shared that he is hopeful the Board will revisit this financing matter in the future. Regarding SBCTA, he stated that they agreed to move forward with the extension of Measure I funds. He also expressed a desire for improved communication with Caltrans regarding the City's needs. Councilmember Herrick (seconded by Councilmember Hicks) requested a future agenda item to develop a strategy for the City working more effectively with Caltrans and addressing related community priorities.
Councilmember Putz requested clarification from the Council regarding the Rules of Order, stating that he was under the impression that Councilmembers are limited to reporting on activities they have participated in and to make future agenda item requests. He expressed his thoughts that the Council should either adhere to the current Rules of Order or collectively agree to modify or relax them. Then Councilmember Putz (seconded by Mayor Melnick) requested that this section of the Rules of Order be further discussed by the City Council on a future agenda.
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September 10, 2025
Mayor Melnick shared that she would like to support the establishment of a local youth council.
City Manager Sund shared that he will meet with the local youth advisor to discuss their vision and will report back to the Council at a future meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Melnick announced that tonight's Regular Meeting is adjourned to an Adjourned Regular Meeting on Thursday, October 2nd at 5:00 p.m. in Hofert Hall. At the hour of 7:55 p.m., she adjourned the meeting in the honor of all the victims whose lives have been tragically impacted by gun violence in our country.
Euca Stephenson
Erica Stephenson, City Clerk