CITY OF
BIG BEAR LAKE California
HE SAPORATE KE
Regular Meeting Minutes - November 12, 2025
A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Big Bear Lake was called to order by Mayor Melnick at 5:09 p.m., Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at the Civic Center, 39707 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, California.
OPEN SESSION
Flag Salute: Led by Mayor Pro Tem Segovia
Invocation: Invocation was provided by Jim Lona, SB County's 3rd District Veterans Affairs Commissioner
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
Stephen P. Deitsch, City Attorney
Erica Stephenson, City Clerk
Monica M. Molina-Connolly, Executive Assistant
Mayor Melnick announced that Closed Session would be moved to the end of the meeting and held after the completion of Open Session. Mayor Melnick also announced that she reordered the agenda items, moving Item 2.1, the Caltrans Update, to be presented before the presentation portion of the meeting.
2.1 CALTRANS DISTRICT 8 PROJECTS UPDATE
Representatives from Caltrans District 8 provided updates on the locations of CMS sign placements, K-rail placements in the Big Bear area, the SR-38 Emergency Project near Angelus Oaks, and upcoming holiday moratoriums.
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 Scott, Visit Big Bear, expressed concerns about the closure of SR-38, and urged Caltrans and the City to partner with Visit Big Bear to coordinate a winter travel plan and regular public updates.
Evan Engle, Big Bear Chamber of Commerce, shared that the business community is feeling anxious about the SR-38 closure, and the anticipated tourism impacts.
Wade Reeser, Big Bear Mountain Resort, expressed his concerns about the SR-38 closure, and its negative impact on local revenue.
Daniel Gulbranson, Big Bear Lake resident, expressed his frustration with potholes and the placement of K-rails.
Meeting Minutes
November 12, 2025
Following public comment and further discussion, City Manager Sund shared that he will bring forward a future agenda item addressing increased engagement with Caltrans, including City Council's involvement.
PRESENTATIONS
• Nicholas Haecker, Deputy Public Works Director provided an overview of the upcoming winter traffic management and operations plan.
• Introduction of new employee Joseph Toney, Interim Director of Finance/Treasury Services Department.
• Introduction of new employee Stephanie Sikkema, Interim Finance Manager in the Finance/Treasury Services Department.
• Introduction of new employee Crista Reid, Human Resources & Risk Management Analyst in the Management Services Department.
• Miguel Cabanas, Engineering Manager provided a quarterly update on the City's Capital Improvement Projects.
• Presentation from Kelly Tinker, Economic Development Manager and Jessika Leverich, Economic Development Analyst regarding the Small Business Façade Improvement Program.
OPEN SESSION PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Daniel Gulbranson, Big Bear Lake resident, shared his thoughts on the State of the City event and voiced his frustration with Summit Boulevard.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Herrick, seconded by Councilmember Putz to approve the Consent Calendar as follows:
1.1 APPROVE DEMANDS - CHECK ISSUE DATE 8/27/25 THROUGH 9/19/25 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,977,049.15 AND THE AUGUST 2025 TREASURER'S REPORT Approved
1.2 APPROVE DEMANDS - CHECK ISSUE DATE 9/20/25 THROUGH 10/29/25 IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,253,819.91 AND THE SEPTEMBER 2025 TREASURER'S REPORT Approved
1.3 APPROVE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 13, 2025 REGULAR
MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL
Approved
1.4 APPROVE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 REGULAR
MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL
Approved
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November 12, 2025
1.5 APPROVE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 29, 2025 SPECIAL
MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL
Approved
1.6 APPROVE THE 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING CALENDAR AND UPCOMING
HOLIDAY CLOSURES
Approved
1.7 ADOPT AN UPDATE TO THE AUTHORIZED SIGNERS ON THE CITY'S LOCAL
AGENCY INVESTMENT FUND ACCOUNT
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-49
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INVESTMENT OF
MONIES IN THE LOCAL AGENCY INVESTMENT FUND
1.8 ADOPT AN ORDINANCE 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
Approved and adopted the following ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-523
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
1.9 INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2025
EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
Approved the introduction, first reading (was read aloud by City Attorney Deitsch) and set a Public Hearing for the following ordinance entitled:
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November 12, 2025
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-xxx
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIG BEAR LAKE, CALIFORNIA, REPEALING SECTIONS 1, 2, 3, 6, AND 8 OF ORDINANCE 2022- 508 AND AMENDING TITLE 15 OF THE BIG BEAR LAKE MUNICIPAL CODE
PERTAINING TO THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS BY ADOPTING THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE AS FOUND IN TITLE 24 OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS COMPRISING THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, VOLUMES 1 & 2, AND APPENDICES B, H, I, & J OF VOLUME 2, 2025 EDITION; THE CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE AND APPENDIX C, 2025 EDITION; THE CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE AND APPENDIX BF, 2025 EDITION; THE CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, 2025 EDITION; THE CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, 2025 EDITION; THE CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, 2025 EDITION; THE CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE, 2025 EDITION; THE CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE, 2025 EDITION; THE
CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, 2025 EDITION; THE CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE, 2025 EDITION; THE CALIFORNIA REFERENCE STANDARDS CODE, 2025 EDITION; THE CALIFORNIA
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, 2025 EDITION; AND THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE AND APPENDICES B, BB, C, CC, D, H, I, & J, AND ERRATA, 2025 EDITION
1.10 AUTHORIZE AN AMENDEMENT TO THE BIG BEAR AREA REGIONAL
WASTEWATER AGENCY PAYMENT AND COLLECTION AGREEMENT
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-50
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO THE
PAYMENT AND COLLECTION AGREEMENT FOR THE
BIG BEAR AREA REGIONAL WASTEWATER AGENCY
1.11 AUTHORIZE NOTICES OF COMPLETION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
Approved
1.12 AUTHORIZE THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE LAND SUBLEASE AGREEMENT
WITH ATC SEQUOIA LLC FOR VERIZON WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY - SITE NO. 411544
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-51
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE LAND
SUBLEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BIG BEAR LAKE AND ATC
SEQUOIA LLC, ACTING ON BEHALF OF LOS ANGELES SMSA LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP, FOR THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VERIZON WIRELESS
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November 12, 2025
TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY LOCATED ON CITY-OWNED PROPERTY (APN 0307-111-41-0000, SITE NO. 411544, 'METCALF CA')
The Consent Calendar was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Putz, Segovia, Herrick, Hicks, Melnick
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
None
2. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
Please note: Item 2.1 was moved by the Mayor to the first item on the Agenda.
2.2 APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AGREEMENT WITH THE NORTHRIDGE GROUP, INC.
Senior Planner Nathan Castillo provided a presentation on this item.
Following City Council questions, Mayor Melnick 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 with the amendment and requested that the City provide additional clarity.
Following public comment and City Council's further discussion; a motion was made by Councilmember Putz, seconded by Mayor Melnick, to approve the staff's recommendation including the first payment option of $3,500,000 payable in one installment by December 31, 2025, and adopt the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-52
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BIG BEAR LAKE AND THE NORTHRIDGE GROUP, INC. RELATED TO THE MOUNTAIN
MEADOWS SENIOR HOUSING COMPLEX AND AUTHORIZE THE
PURCHASE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING RENTAL CREDITS; AND
AUTHORIZE THE NECESSARY BUDGET APPROPRIATION
Said motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Herrick, Segovia, Putz, Melnick
NOES: Hicks
ABSTAIN: None
EXCUSED: None
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November 12, 2025
2.3 INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY'S VACATION RENTAL
REGULATIONS TO ALLOW RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES WITH ACCESSORY
DWELLING UNITS ELIGIBILITY IN THE VACATION RENTAL PROGRAM Economic Development Manager Kelly Tinker and Economic Development Analyst Jessika Leverich provided a presentation on this item.
Following City Council questions, Mayor Melnick invited up speakers who wanted to speak on this item.
The following individuals approached the City Council:
Kimberly Kidd, Big Bear Lake resident, shared that she does not support increased tourism or additional vacation rentals.
Michael Beveridge, Big Bear Lake resident, noted that the ADU option benefits local residents, and is an effective solution to the affordable housing challenge.
Annette Karnes, Big Bear Lake resident, expressed her support for ADU's.
Daniel Gulbranson, Big Bear Lake resident, inquired about the cost associated with ADU's, and whether the City will impose a tax on them.
Following public comment and City Council further discussion; a motion was made by Councilmember Hicks, seconded by Councilmember Putz, to approve the staff's recommendation to read the title, waive further reading, and introduce the following ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-xxx
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIG BEAR LAKE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 4.01 ("VACATION RENTALS") OF TITLE 4 ("VISITOR-SERVING USES AND TOURISM") OF THE BIG BEAR
LAKE MUNICIPAL CODE TO ALLOW RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES WITH
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS ELIGIBILITY IN THE VACATION RENTAL PROGRAM; AND FINDING THESE AMENDMENTS EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
Said motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Putz, Segovia, Hicks, Herrick, Melnick
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
EXCUSED: None
2.4 AUTHORIZE A GENERAL PLAN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT Assistant City Manager Sean Sullivan provided a presentation on this item.
Following City Council questions, Mayor Melnick 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 opinion that the City's meeting agendas are too large and complicated for the public to understand.
Meeting Minutes
November 12, 2025
Following public comment and City Council further discussion; a motion was made by Councilmember Herrick, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Segovia, to approve the staff's recommendation and adopt the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-53
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH MINTIER HARNISH FOR PREPERATION OF THE
GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
Said motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Hicks, Segovia, Herrick, Putz, Melnick
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
EXCUSED: None
2.5 OVERVIEW OF THE CITY'S FILM SERVICES AND PERMITTING PROCESS Economic Development Manager Kelly Tinker provided a presentation on this item.
Following the presentation, Mayor Melnick invited up speakers who wanted to make a public comment on this item and no individuals approached the City Council.
The City Council and City staff engaged in a discussion related to this item, but no formal action was taken by the City Council.
2.6 DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND POWER (DWP) GARSTIN WATER OPERATIONS
FACILITY PROJECT UPDATE
DWP General Manager Reggie Lamson provided a presentation on this item.
Following the presentation, Mayor Melnick invited up speakers who wanted to make a public comment on this item and no individuals approached the City Council.
After further City Council discussion; a motion was made by Councilmember Herrick, seconded by Councilmember Hicks, to authorize the DWP to proceed with the Garstin Water Operations Facility Project, which will ultimately be funded by a $15,400,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Loan (with it being noted that the formal approval of the USDA Loan will occur when the interim financing is converted into the USDA Loan, at the completion of construction).:
Said motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Segovia, Putz, Hicks, Herrick, Melnick
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
EXCUSED: None
Meeting Minutes
November 12, 2025
2.7 LEGAL NONCONFORMING USES WITHIN THE R-3 (MULTIPLE-FAMILY) ZONE
DISTRICT
Community Development Manager Andrew Mellon provided a presentation on this item.
Following the presentation, Mayor Melnick invited up speakers who wanted to make a public comment on this item and no individuals approached the City Council.
The City Council and City staff engaged in a discussion related to this item, but no formal action was taken by the City Council.
At the hour of 9:26 p.m., Mayor Melnick called for a recess to Closed Session.
At the hour of 10:10 p.m., Mayor Melnick resumed Open Session.
RESULTS OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Stephen P. Deitsch announced that the City Council discussed the following items in Closed Session, and that no reportable action was taken by the City Council on any of the three items.
1. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.8 Property: 630 Bartlett Road, APN:0308-166-57
Link to Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/38Wnozo7WvvziJSq7 City Negotiator: City Manager Erik Sund
Negotiating Party: Gonzalez Living Trust - Adolfo A. Gonzalez Under Negotiation: Price & Terms of Payment
2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.8 Property: 590 Bartlett Lane / 40763 Beaver Lane, APN:0308-166-26 / 0308-166-58 Link to Google Map: https://maps.app.g00.gl/iKe9mT4HYFxbvWB96 City Negotiator: City Manager Erik Sund
Negotiating Party: Draco Builders, LLC, Dave Stone
Under Negotiation: Price & Terms of Payment
3. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.8 Property: 40940 Pennsylvania Ave. (former Big Bear Elementary School site), APN:0309-111-01 Link to Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/k3xMPrAEs6Bz0gmB8 City Negotiator: City Manager Erik Sund
Negotiating Party: Bear Valley Unified School District
Under Negotiation: Price & Terms of Payment
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council at this Regular Meeting, Mayor Melnick adjourned the meeting at 10:11 p.m., in memory of Gregory Eddinger. dica Sephenson
Enca Stephenson, City Clerk