CC 2
Marquette Hawkins
MAYOR
Michael Kulikoff
MAYOR PRO TEM
Jesse Hightower
Michael Hurles
Ronald Smith
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Christopher Lopez
CITY MANAGER
MEETING MINUTES
APPROVED 5-13-2025
CITY COUNCIL/ HOUSING AUTHORITY/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY APRIL 22, 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:
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Meeting ID: 870 3265 9806
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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 – 4:01pm
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers: Hightower, Hurles, Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Kulikoff, Mayor Hawkins Councilmember Hightower- Absent
All Others Present
ADOPT THE AGENDA- Councilmember Smith
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. POTENTIAL LITIGATION – CONFERNECE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(d)(2) – TWO (2) MATTERS CS 2. Addendum created for the following matter-
CS 2. Conference with legal counsel/ existing litigation- pursuant to government code section 54956.9–John Boston and Adrian Duque v. City of California City (Kern Superior Court BCV 22-101398; Fifth Appellate District Appeal No. F086872) Robbie Cordes During public comment requested additional information regarding the matters in Closed Session. Victor Ponto provided the following information:
1. Personnel Matter
2. Particular Business Matter
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION – 5:20pm
Victor Ponto Reported out of Closed Session as follows:
CS 1.- 2 matters/ 1st matter, Counsel was given and direction was received. 2nd matter General update of the case CS 2.- Counsel was given & no further reportable action at this time
CITY COUNCIL CONVENES TO REGULAR MEETING
REGULAR MEETING 5:00PM
CALL TO ORDER – 5:17pm
PLEDGE OF ALLIGENCE / INNVOCATION-Given by Pastor Moore
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers: Hightower, Hurles, Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Kulikoff, Mayor Hawkins Councilmember Hightower Absent
All others present
PUBLIC HEARING- Due to Hearing to Start at 5pm or soon after, the Cannabis Appeal Hearing was moved to be heard before the Department Reports.
PH 1. Staff Report: Joaquin Vazquez, Special Outside Counsel (Hensley Law Group) Public Hearing to Consider California City Cannabis Company, LLC’s Appeal of City’s Revised Audit Determination Letter for Cannabis Business Tax Open Public Hearing
Public Comment
Close Public Hearing
Discussion
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council consider:
Conduct a public hearing to consider California Cannabis Company LLC’s (“Appellant”) appeal of the California City (“City”) Tax Administrator’s revised audit determination letter for Appellant’s cannabis business tax payment, pursuant to California City Municipal Code (“CCMC”) Title 3 (Finance), Chapter 2 (Revenue), Article 8 (Cannabis Business Tax).
Determine, by minute order, whether to uphold, modify, or reject the California City (“City”) Tax Administrator’s imposition of cannabis business tax, as demanded in the Tax Administrator’s June 5, 2024 notice of violation and set forth in the Tax Administrator’s correspondence to Appellant dated June 12, 2024, in the amount of $75,744.
Direct special counsel to memorialize the City Council’s determination and supporting findings in a resolution for the City Council’s consideration and approval at a future City Council meeting.
Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
Councilmember Smith Motioned / Councilmember Hurles 2nd to approve and uphold the Tax Administrator’s imposition of cannabis business tax, as demanded in the Tax Administrator’s June 5, 2024 notice of violation and set forth in the Tax Administrator’s correspondence to Appellant dated June 12, 2024, in the amount of $75,744 to be paid quarterly over a 12 month period.. And further Direct special counsel to memorialize the City Council’s determination and supporting findings in a resolution for the City Council’s consideration and approval at a future City Council meeting.
VOTE: 3-1
AYES: Councilmember(s): Hurles, Smith, Mayor Hawkins
NOES: Mayor Pro Tem Kulikoff
ABSENT: Councilmember: Hightower
PRESENTATIONS-In the interest of time, Presentations were done after PH 1.
Certificates of Recognition presented by Mayor Hawkins
Lay’Arie J. Williams – Academic Scholar, Student Athlete, and Community Volunteer Avery Spears – Scholar Athlete and Inspirational Leader Dianne Perry – Animal Rescue/Animal Shelter Hero
James Creighton – Volunteer and Community Advocate
Shawn Bradley – Animal Rescue & Community Advocate
Pastor James Robinson – Golf Course Volunteer Manager & Religious Leader Pastor Robert Trautman – Volunteer & Religious Leader
PH 2. Staff Report- Christopher Lopez- City Manager- Dut to Hearing starting at a time certain, PH 2 was moved up on the agenda TO START AT A TIME CERTAIN OF 6:00 P.M. - FIFTH PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMUNITY INPUT ON THE SELECTED DISTRICT MAP (DRAFT MAP A) AND SEQUENCING OF ELECTIONS, AND ADOPT AN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE ELECTION METHOD FOR MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, OTHER THAN THE DIRECTLY ELECTED MAYOR, FROM AT-LARGE TO BY DISTRICT; ADOPTING A MAP DESCRIBING THE BOUNDARIES AND IDENTIFYING NUMBERS FOR EACH ELECTORAL DISTRICT; ESTABLISHING THE ELECTION ORDER OF EACH DISTRICT; AND ESTABLISHING RELATED PROCEDURES.
Open Public Hearing
Public Comment
Close Public Hearing
Discussion
Mayor Pro Tem Kulikoff Motioned / Councilmember Hurles 2nd to adopt an Ordinance changing the Election method from “AT-LARGE to BY DISTRICT”, adopt a map describing the Boundaries of each district and accept the sequencing order as presented.
VOTE: 4-0
AYES: Councilmember(s): Hurles, Smith., Mayor Pro Tem Kulikoff, Mayor Hawkins NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Councilmember Hightower
***NB 3 was moved up the Agenda by decision of Mayor Hawkins*** NB 3. Staff Report: Christopher Lopez, City Manager-Tech-45, Airport Management Subject: Discussion and Direction Regarding California City Airport Tenant Leases and Fuel Farm Upgrades
Recommendation: Staff Recommends that the City Council provide direction on the following:
Feedback regarding land lease rates and direction on bringing back modifications to leases and direction to the City Attorney to develop draft agreements Direction to move forward with the replacement of the fuel card reader and amendments to the agreement with Tech-45 to fund the card reader replacement.
Direction was given for Council to be able to compare the leases Direction was given to replace the Fuel Card Reader Pedestal and Head as referenced in the quote
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
PD
PLANNING
PW
FINANCE
TREASURER
CITY CLERK REPORTS/RECEIVED COMMUNICATIONS
Correspondence received from JM POWERS DATED-
April 11, 2025-Cal City First Quarter Single-Family Housing Sales Show Slight Decrease 2025 April 12, 2025-Examination of Cal City Building Permits Revenue Over the Past Decade April 13, 2025-Annual General Fund Cash-on-Hand Trails Operating Indebtedness
CIVIC/COMMUNITY/ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
PUBLIC BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR / PUBLIC COMMENT
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.
Councilmember requested to Pull CC1 for discussion.
MOTIONED by Mayor Pro Tem Kulikoff / 2nd Councilmember Hurles VOTE: 4-0
AYES: Councilmembers: Hurles, Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Kulikoff, Mayor Hawkins NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Councilmember Hightower
CC 1. Approve City Check Register dated 04/04/2025-04/17/2025 CC 2. Approve Minutes for 3/25/2025
CC3. Staff Report: Christopher Lopez, City Manager – Joe Barragan, Public Works Director Subject: 2025/26 Letter of Authorization for the Used Oil Payment Program Recommendation: Staff recommends the City Council approve the attached resolution and authorize the City Manager to sign the attached letter.
CC 4. Staff Report: Christopher Lopez, City Manager-Latisha Lamberth, HR Director Subject: Insurance Update
Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council Receive and File the attached report CC 5. Staff Report:
Subject: An Ordinance of the City of California City Amending Article 24.5 (Residential Tiny and Small Homes Overlay Zone) of Chapter 2 (Zoning) of Title 9 (Land Use and Development) of the City of California City Municipal Code (Second Reading and Adoption) Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 25-850 Amending Article 24.5 (Residential Tiny and Small Homes Overlay Zone) of Chapter 2 (Zoning) of Title 9 (Land Use and Development) of the City of California City Municipal Code.
CC 6. Staff Report: Christopher Lopez, City Manager
Subject: Authorize the Mayor, City Council, and City Manager of California City to Sign a Letter of Support for Aerospace Valley Futures, Inc. (AVF) Proposal for the Kern Coalition CA Jobs First Catalyst Fund RFP Mayor Pro Tem Kulikoff Motioned to Approve CC 2- CC 6 / 2nd by Councilmember Smith VOTE: 4-0
AYES: Councilmembers(s) Hurles, Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Kulikoff, Mayor Hawkins NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Councilmember Hightower
NEW BUSINESS
NB 1. Staff Report: Christopher Lopez, City Manager - Joe Barragan, Public Works Director Subject: Water Mains Replacement in Section 21 – Vivian Place Project Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Task Order from BHT for the design of the Vivian Project for $24,200.
NB 1 pulled in the absence of Public Works Director.
NB 2. Staff Report: Marquette Hawkins, Mayor
Subject: A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of California City Appointing Gesele McBroom- Marsh and Della Clark to the Planning Commission
Recommendation: Adopt the Resolution approving the appointment of Gesele McBroom-Marsh and Della Clark to the California City Planning Commission, effective immediately Resolutio0n adopted Approving Appointment of Della Clark and Gesele Mc Brrom - Marsh 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.
ADJOURNMENT
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 17, 2025
2 CITY OF CALIFORNIA CITY
APRIL 22, 2025