MEETING MINUTES
Marquette Hawkins
MAYOR
Michael Kulikoff
MAYOR PRO TEM
Jesse Hightower
Michael Hurles
Ronald Smith
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Christopher Lopez
CITY MANAGER
APPROVED 4-22-2025
CITY COUNCIL/ HOUSING AUTHORITY/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY MARCH 25, 2025 @ 5:00 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBERS & VIA ZOOM
21000 HACIENDA BLVD., CALIFORNIA CITY, CA 93505
If you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, contact the City Clerk at (760) 373-7140 or via email at [email protected]. We request a 24-hour notification prior to the meeting in order for the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility. (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 American Disabilities Act Title II) Zoom instructions and notes:
Web Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85355634524
Meeting ID: 853 5563 4524
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Comments
a. Public must join Zoom meeting to comment
b. Keep your mic on Mute until you are requested to speak c. Use the “Raise your Hand” button to request to speak or, d. Send a chat request to City Clerk for request to speak e. When requested to speak state your name for the record f. Re-mute when your time to speak has ended
Public is urged to listen to the meeting in a quiet place, to avoid background noise. We also request public to MUTE your audio device when not commenting to avoid disruption during meeting. **Please take this time to turn off your cell phones ** CLOSED SESSION 4:00PM
CALL TO ORDER
4PM
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers: Hightower, Hurles, Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Kulikoff, Mayor Hawkins All Present
** VICTOR PONTO modified the closed session item under Anticipated Litigation- Originally noted to be 2 matters. Updated to reflect 1 matter.
ADOPT THE AGENDA
Motioned by Councilmember Smith/ 2nd by Councilmember Hurles
PUBLIC COMMENT
Members of the public are welcome to address the City Council ONLY on those items listed on the Closed Session agenda. Each member of the public will be given (3) three minutes to speak
CLOSED SESSION
CS 1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – POTENTIAL LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9 (d) (2) Number of Matters- Two (2) ONE (1)
CS 2. DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE - PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957 (b) (1)
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Victor Ponto reported out of session with direction given and no further reportable action
CITY COUNCIL CONVENES TO REGULAR MEETING
REGULAR MEETING 5:00PM
Mayor Hawkings announced the state of the City prior to calling the meeting to order.
CALL TO ORDER 5:06 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLIGENCE / INNVOCATION- Given by Pastor Moore
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers: Hightower, Hurles, Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Kulikoff, Mayor Hawkins All Present
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
PD
FIRE
PLANNING - Robbie Cordes comments on the Planning Dept.
BUILDING
FINANCE- JM Powers comments on Finance
TREASURER
CANNABIS
CITY CLERK REPORTS/RECEIVED COMMUNICATIONS
Correspondence received from JM POWERS-
March 15, 2025-Eventually the Council and City Staff Will Experience Financial “Ground Rush” March 16, 2025-21 Prescriptive Steps for a Soft Landing as Cal City Drifts Towards Insolvency March 17, 2025- Appalling Poor City Performance to Kern County Grand Jury Recommendations
CIVIC/COMMUNITY/ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRESENTATIONS
Oath of Office: Darren Hames-Firefighter Paramedic
PUBLIC HEARING- This item was discussed after Public Business From the Floor PH 1. Staff Report- Christopher Lopez- City Manager
TO START AT A TIME CERTAIN OF 6:00 P.M. - THIRD PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMUNITY INPUT AND PROVIDE DIRECTION TO STAFF REGARDING SUBMITTED DRAFT DISTRICT MAPS AND THE PROPOSED SEQUENCE OF ELECTIONS RELATING TO THE TRANSITION TO DISTRICT BASED COUNCIL ELECTIONS Open Public Hearing
Public Comment
Close Public Hearing
Discussion
Recommendation- It is recommended that the City Council consider:
Conduct the third public hearing to receive community input and provide direction to staff regarding the submitted draft district maps and the proposed sequence of elections relating to the transition to district based Council elections.
Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
Motion to approve the next public hearing to be held will be April 8, 2025. Motioned by Councilmember Ron Smith, 2nd by Mayor Pro Tem Kulikoff
VOTE 5-0
Ayes- Councilmember(s) Hightower, Hurles, Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Kulikoff, Mayor Hawkins
PUBLIC BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR / PUBLIC COMMENT-
This item was moved up before Public Hearing pending the 6 o clock hour for the Public Hearing to begin.
This portion of the meeting is reserved for the public to address the City Council on any matter NOT on this agenda and over which the City Council has jurisdiction. Please state your name for the record and limit your comments to (3) three minutes. The City Council will receive the comments but cannot engage in back-and- forth discussion with the public or make any decision. The City Council can direct staff to bring the item back to a future agenda for discussion.
CONSENT CALENDAR
WAIVER OF FULL READING OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES
Consideration to waive full-text reading of all Resolutions and Ordinances by single motion made at the start of each meeting, subject to the ability of the City Council / Agency to read the full text of selected resolutions and ordinances when the item is addressed by subsequent motion. All items on the consent calendar are considered routine, and non-controversial and will be approved by (1) one motion if no member of the council, staff, or public wishes to comment or ask questions. Public comments are to be limited to (3) three minutes. Roll call vote required.
Motion to approve Consent Calendar. Motioned by Councilmember Hightower/ 2nd by Councilmember Hurles
VOTE 5-0
Ayes- Councilmember(s) Hightower, Hurles Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Kulikoff, Mayor Hawkins CC 1. Approve City Check Register dated 03/07/2025-03/20/2025 CC 2. Approve Minutes for 3/11/2025 meeting
CC 3. Staff Report- Latisha Lamberth, Human Resources/Risk Management Director Subject- Authorization for City Staff to pay the premium for Law Enforcement Liability Insurance
Recommendation- Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the proposed resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents and authorizing payment for the insurance policy pursuant to the terms therein.
CC 4. Staff Report- Christopher Lopez- City Manager
Subject- A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of California City Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a First Amendment to a Lease Agreement with T-Mobile West Tower, LLC Recommendation- Staff recommends the City Council adopt the resolution authorizing the City Manager to Execute a First Amendment to a Lease Agreement with T-Mobile West Tower, LLC CC 5. Staff Report- Christopher Lopez- City Manager
Subject- R.E.A.C.H Land Use Agreement for Farmer’s Market Recommendation-Staff recommends the City Council Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Land Use Agreement subject to concurrence from legal between R.E.A.C.H and California City for the purpose of having the Farmer’s Market for the community.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
CONTINUED BUSINESS
CB 1. Staff Report- Christopher Lopez-City Manager
Subject- Proposed Budget FY 24/25
Recommendation: Staff recommends the City Council Adopt a Resolution Adopting the FY 24/25 Budget Motion to approve FY 24/25 Budget
Motioned by Councilmember Hightower / 2nd by Councilmember Hurles VOTE- 4-1
Ayes-Councilmember(s) Hightower, Hurles, Mayor Pro Tem Kulikoff, Mayor Hawkins Noes-Councilmember Smith
NEW BUSINESS
NB 2. Staff Report- Christopher Lopez, City Manager
Subject- A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of California City Authorizing the Mayor and One Member of the SDI Committee to Execute an Agreement with Engel and Engel, LLP Certified Public Accountants to Conduct a Forensic Audit of the SDI Fund for an Initial Not to Exceed Amount of $300,000 and to 1.) Bring Back the Agreement to the Council for Approval, or 2.) Not Bring Back the Agreement to Council for Review Recommendation- Staff recommends the City Council Adopt the Resolution of the City Council of the City of California City Authorizing the Mayor and one member of the SDI Committee to execute an agreement with Engel and Engel, LLP Certified Public Accountants to conduct a forensic audit of the SDI Fund for an initial not to exceed amount of $300,000 and to 1.) Bring back the agreement to the Council for approval, or 2.) Not bring back the agreement to Council for review.
Motion to approve with changes to the Resolution -
Changes are as follows:
Change the word “it’s” to “SDI”
Remove the $300.000.00 limit.
Mayor and City Treasurer to be added as Signers
Requests for $10,000.00 for the retainer fee to secure Engel and Engel LLP Motioned by Councilmember Hightower / 2nd by Mayor Pro Tem Kulikoff VOTE 5-0
Ayes-Councilmember(s) Hightower, Hurles, Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Kulikoff, Mayor Hawkins Noes- NONE
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS, AGENDA REQUESTS, AND AB1234 REPORTS This portion of the meeting is reserved for council members to present information, announcements, and items that have come to their attention. The Brown Act precludes Council, staff, or public discussion. Short staff responses are appropriate. The Council will take no formal action. A Council member may request the City Clerk to calendar an item for consideration at a future meeting or refer an item to staff.
Councilmember Hightower: Concern brought by the public regarding locking the park restrooms City Manager to provide update on next City Council Meeting.
Councilmember Smith: Agendize an item for Jim Creighton to give Presentation regarding the Transient Occupancy Tax.
Mayor Hawkins: Requests that Awards be agendized to recognize people of the public for their efforts/Announced Community Clean-up scheduled for April 12, 2025 ADJOURNMENT 7:29 PM
Motioned by Mayor Pro Tem Kulikoff, / 2nd by Councilmember Hurles
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
I, Leanndrea Weible, Acting City Clerk for the City of California City, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing notice was posted on all official City bulletin boards and the City’s website at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in compliance with the provisions of the Brown Act.
April 11, 2025
pg. 2
CITY OF CALIFORNIA CITY
MARCH 25, 2025