OF BIG BEAR CITY OF
*** BIG BEAR LAKE California
NCORPORATED
Regular Meeting Minutes - August 12, 2026
A Regular Meeting of the City Council, Fire Protection District, and Successor Agency of the City of Big Bear Lake was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Segovia at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at the Civic Center, 39707 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, California.
OPEN SESSION
Flag Salute: Flag Salute led by Councilmember Hicks
Invocation: Invocation was led by Pastor Mike, Community Church Big Bear
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Pro Tem Kendi Segovia
Councilmember Rick Herrick
Councilmember Charles Hicks, Jr.
Councilmember Perri Melnick
Councilmember Participating Remotely: Mayor Randall Putz (SB 707 "Just Cause" provision, due to public agency travel)
Others Present: City Manager Erik Sund
City Attorney HongDao Nguyen
Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Erica Stephenson
Deputy City Clerk Jennifer Lindquist
CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
None
At the hour of 4:34 p.m., Mayor Pro Tem Segovia called for a recess to Closed Session.
At the hour of 5:13 p.m., Mayor Pro Tem Segovia resumed Open Session.
RESULTS OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Nguyen announced that the City Council discussed the following item in Closed Session, and that no reportable action was taken by the City Council.
1. (CC) CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 630 Bartlett Road, APN: 0308-166-57
Link to Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sHg2iUXEvxycTkJU7 Name of Negotiator: City Manager Erik Sund
Negotiating Party: Gustavo Gonzalez and Rick Rey
Under Negotiation: Price & Terms of Payment
Meeting Minutes
August 12, 2026
City Attorney Nguyen provided an update on a Closed Session matter related to the following item that was discussed by the City Council at a Special Meeting held on July 27, 2026. (CC) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION pursuant to Govt.
Code Section (Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9) Name of case: Granite Construction Company
She reported that the City Council rejected Granite's application to present a late claim to the City, and that following that meeting the City mailed a letter to Granite formally rejecting its application on June 29, 2026. She further stated that the original claim, application to present a late claim, and the City's response are all on file with the City Clerk's Office.
PRESENTATIONS
• Presentation to Inland Empire Team Rubicon representatives Kevin Kothlow and Bob Yturralde recognizing their organization's Operation Shadow Sentinel project to clear the Radford Fire and Line Fire forest roads closure areas.
• Presentation from Big Bear Alpine Zoo Curator Jessica Whiton, providing an overview the zoo's operations and animals.
CITY MANAGER AND/OR CITY ATTORNEY ANNOUNCEMENTS IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS MADE AT THE 7/8/26 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING City Attorney Nguyen provided a response to a recent question about whether the City must allow public commentors to speak more than once on an agenda item; she stated it is the City Attorney Office's opinion that the City is not required to do so per provisions in the Brown Act, constitutional principles, and related case law.
OPEN SESSION PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Prior to the start of Public Communications, Mayor Pro Tem Segovia asked the City Council to provide their consensus to allow for a one hour public comment period, due to the large number of public comment cards that had been submitted. The City Council provided their consensus.
Brittania Huether, Big Bear Valley resident, expressed her concerns regarding the fire department's recent interactions with the Segovia family.
Daniel Gulbranson, Big Bear Lake resident, shared his opinions and dissatisfaction related to the BBFA dissolution.
Bill Schlosser, Big Bear Valley resident, shared a recent personal story regarding BBFA emergency services, and stated his beliefs that the situation occurred due to BBFA staffing shortages.
Miguel Gonzalez, Big Bear Valley resident, expressed frustration regarding BBFA dissolution matters, and requested the results of the City Gate study.
Patrice Duncan, Big Bear Valley resident, provided her opinions and frustration related to recent BBFA, FPD and CSD budget matters; and provided her concerns regarding recent BBFA emergency response issues.
Martin Gill. Big Bear Valley resident, spoke about various BBFA related issues, and shared his beliefs that recent Board decisions could have a negative impact to fire insurance rates and local tourism.
Meeting Minutes
August 12, 2026
Mitch Hollenbaugh, Big Bear Valley resident, urged the Board to follow the JPA agreement throughout the BBFA dissolution process, and requested no staffing reductions.
Jim Eakin, Big Bear Lake resident, spoke about the success of the recent Fun Run Car Show and thanked the City for their support of this event.
Theodore Trentman, Big Bear Valley resident, thinks the entire Big Bear Valley should work together to ensure essential services are provided to the entire community.
Dakota Cotton. Big Bear Lake resident, requested more publicly available information related to the San Bernardino County Fire contract and related fire services.
Diane Bakken, Big Bear Valley resident, asked questions related to the FPD, and expressed her concerns about staffing reductions.
Wilma Hayes, Big Bear Valley resident, expressed concerns about the upcoming fire season; and asked questions about FPD funds.
Pat Enyart, Big Bear Valley resident, addressed Big Bear Valley being united, and believes every valley resident should have equal representation.
Debbi Armenta, Big Bear Valley resident, questioned the reasoning behind the JPA dissolution, and asked what will happen to the existing JPA assets.
Brian Parham, Big Bear Lake resident, stated he hopes that the upcoming new Board Members will be able to work together with existing Board Members, to come up with a plan to keep fire services under local control.
Chris Segovia, Big Bear Lake resident, reminded the City Council that their responsibilities are for matters within Big Bear Lake's jurisdiction; and refuted information recently conveyed about his family.
Dave Delay, Big Bear Valley resident, questioned FPD revenues and budgeting; and urged the local governing bodies to act maturely and responsibly as they work together to make valley wide fire service decisions.
Vikki Salmela, Big Bear Valley resident (via Zoom), expressed her support for local firefighters; and shared a personal story of utilizing their services during a medical emergency.
Joyce Keeler, Big Bear Valley resident (via Zoom), stated she doesn't want the Sugarloaf fire station to close.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Melnick, seconded by Councilmember Herrick, to approve the Consent Calendar as follows:
1.1 ACCEPT THE CITY OF BIG BEAR LAKE'S PRELIMINARY JUNE 2026 TREASURER'S
REPORT (CC)
Approved
1.2 DESIGNATE VOTING DELEGATES FOR THE 2026 LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES
ANNUAL CONFERENCE (CC)
Meeting Minutes
August 12, 2026
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-43
RESOLUTION DESIGNATING MAYOR RANDALL PUTZ AS THE
VOTING DELEGATE AND MAYOR PRO TEM KENDI SEGOVIA
AS THE VOTING ALTERNATE FOR THE 2026 LEAGUE OF
CALIFORNIA CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE
1.3 AUTHORIZE NOTICES OF COMPLETION FOR RECENT CAPITAL PROJECTS AND
SERVICES (CC)
Approved
1.4 AWARD A MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR THE 2026 VILLAGE HOLIDAY
DECORATION, INSTALLATION, AND REMOVAL PROJECT (CC)
Approved
1.5 ADOPT THE UPDATED FUND BALANCE AND RESERVE POLICY (CC) Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-46
RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE UPDATED FUND BALANCE
AND RESERVE POLICY
1.6 ADOPT THE 2026 LOCAL GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) (CC)
Approved and adopted the following resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-44
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIG BEAR
LAKE AMENDING AND ADOPTING LOCAL GUIDELINES FOR
IMPLEMENTING THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
(PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE §$ 21000 ET SEQ.)
1.7 ACCEPT THE 2025 COMPLIANCE REPORT FOR THE MOUNTAIN MEADOWS SENIOR
HOUSING COMPLEX (SA)
Approved
1.8 APPROVE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 12, 2025 REGULAR MEETING
OF CITY COUNCIL (CC)
Approved
Meeting Minutes
August 12, 2026
1.9 APPROVE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE JULY 27, 2026 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL AND FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT (CC, FPD)
Approved
The Consent Calendar was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Herrick, Melnick, Segovia, Hicks, Putz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
At the hour of 6:28 p.m., Mayor Pro Tem Segovia called for a brief recess.
At the hour of 6:34 p.m., Mayor Pro Tem Segovia reconvened the meeting
2. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
2.1 PRESENTATION PROVIDING AN UPDATE ON THE BIG BEAR AREA REGIONAL
WASTEWATER AGENCY'S REPLENISH BIG BEAR PROGRAM AND RESOLUTION
OF SUPPORT (CC)
Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Sean Sullivan made the presentation for this item.
After the presentation, Mayor Pro Tem Segovia invited up speakers who wanted to comment on this item. The following individuals addressed the City Council:
Daniel Gulbranson, Big Bear Lake resident, expressed his opposition to the Replenish Big Bear project.
Kara Flietstra, Big Bear Lake resident, stated that younger residents also care about this community and think it is important to preserve vital local resources.
Following public comment and further City Council discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember Herrick, seconded by Councilmember Melnick, to approve staff's recommendation and adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-45
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BIG BEAR LAKE EXPRESSING
SUPPORT FOR THE BIG BEAR AREA REGIONAL WASTEWATER
AGENCY'S REPLENISH BIG BEAR PROGRAM
Said motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Segovia, Melnick, Herrick, Putz
NOES: Hicks
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Meeting Minutes
August 12, 2026
3. COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & ADDITIONAL CITY BUSINESS
• CITY CLERK, CITY ATTORNEY, CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Assistant Manager/City Clerk Stephenson announced that as of 5pm today the City Council candidate filing period officially closed for the upcoming November 3, 2026, election. As of closing, there are two qualified City Council candidates running in each of Districts 2, 3 & 4. All the election information is current on the City's website, and the community is encouraged to contact the City Clerk's office if they have any questions related to the upcoming City Council election. She also announced a few items that would be included on upcoming public meetings.
• COUNCILMEMBER BOARD/COMMITTEE REPORTS & COMMENTS
Councilmember Hicks made a motion (seconded by Councilmember Melnick) to include a staff presentation on the next City Council Agenda; providing information regarding the process required to modify the City's Charter, so that the DWP Board is dissolved and the responsibilities of the Board transfer to the City Council.
Councilmember Melnick spoke on how great the car show and the concert went this past weekend, and commented that it is nice to see the community come together for these events.
Councilmember Herrick shared that he highly objects to the suggestion that the City Council take over the DWP Board functions.
Mayor Putz stated that he appreciates people showing up and providing their thoughts and concerns related to BBFA and FPD matters. He announced that he attended National Night Out in Hesperia last week. He ended his comments by thanking Mayor Pro Tem Segovia for presiding over tonight's meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Segovia announced that she recently attended the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority Board meeting in La Palma. She further shared that she attended the car show and thoroughly enjoyed this event.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council at this Regular Meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Segovia adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m., in memory of Jackie the Bald Eagle.
Erica Stephenson
Erica Stephenson, City Clerk