CITY OF CALIFORNIA CITY CC 2
DECEMBER 22, 2025
SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL/ HOUSING AUTHORITY/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SPECIAL MEETING MONDAY DECEMBER 22, 2025 @ 4:00 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/85324616213
Meeting ID 853 2461 6213
1. Public can dial into the Zoom line:
a. One tap mobile: +16694449171,87254527178# US
b. Dial the following number: +1 564 217 2000 US
2. 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, Marquette Hawkins
MAYOR
Jim Creighton
MAYOR PRO TEM
Della Clark
Ronald Smith
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Christopher Lopez
CITY MANAGER
CITY OF CALIFORNIA CITY CC 2
DECEMBER 22, 2025
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 ** SPECIAL MEETING CLOSED SESSION 4:00PM
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers: Clark, Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Creighton, Mayor Hawkins
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
CLOSED SESSION
CS 1. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT- (Government Code Section 54957) Title: Interim City ManagerBY UNANIMOUS DECISION, THE CITY COUNCIL AGREED TO APPOINT SEAN GRAYSON AS THE NEW INTERIM CITY MANAGER.
THE CITY COUNCIL HAS AGREED TO THE FOLLOWING FOR APPOINTED INTERIN CITY MANAGER SHAWN GRAYSON:
• START DATE JANUARY 3, 2026
• SALARY $175K PER YEAR
• $500 MONTHLY LIVING EXPENSE
• USE OF THE CITY VEHICLE
• RETIREMENT UNDER THE
• CONTRACT APPROVAL WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE FIRST MEETING IN JANUARY SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 13, 2026
• THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
EXAMINE AND ASK QUESTIONS REGADRDING THE CONTRACT DURING
THE OPEN MEETING
NO FURTHER REPORTABLE ACTION AT THIS TIME
CITY OF CALIFORNIA CITY CC 2
DECEMBER 22, 2025
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION- VICTOR PONTO REPORTED
OUT OF CLOSED SESSION AT 5PM
SPECIAL MEETING 5:00PM
CALL TO ORDER MAYOR HAWKINS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers: Clark, Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Creighton, Mayor Hawkins- ALL PRESENT
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.
CC 1. Approve City Check Register dated 12/5/25-12/18/25- COUNCILMEMBER SMITH MOTIONED TO APPROVE ONLY CHECK # 1391 FOR ENGLE AND ENGLE AS IT
COMES FROM THE SDI FUNDS THAT HAVE THE MONEY TO MAKE THE PAYMENT
AND WITHOUT MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR JULY AUGUST,
SEPTEMBER AND NOVEMBER HE DOES NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE NOT KNOWING THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE CITY.
MAYOR PRO TEM CREIGHTON ASKED FOR CONFIRMATION THE FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO COVER THE ENTIRE CHECK REGISTER. CITY MANAGER CHRISTOPHER LOPEZ CONFIRMED.
NO 2ND ON COUNCILMEMBER SMITH’S MOTION.
.
MOTION TO APPROVE CC1 MADE BY: MAYOR PRO TEM CREIGHTON / 2ND BY:
MAYOR HAWKINS
AYES: COUNCILMEBER CLARK, MAYOR PRO TEM CREIGHTON, MAYOR HAWKINS NOES: COUNCILMEMBER SMITH
ABSENT: NONE
CC 2. Staff Report: Christopher Lopez, City Manager- Inge Elmes, OHV Manager
CITY OF CALIFORNIA CITY CC 2
DECEMBER 22, 2025
Subject: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of California City approving the applicant to apply for and receive grant funds for the California State Parks Grants Cooperative Agreement Program, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation grant funds.
Recommendation: Staff recommends the City Council Adopt Resolution No. 25-3191 MOTION TO APPROVE CC2 MADE BY: MAYOR PRO TEM CREIGHTON / 2ND BY: COUNCILMEMBER SMITH
AYES: COUNCILMEBER CLARK, SMITH, MAYOR PRO TEM CREIGHTON, MAYOR
HAWKINS
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
CC 3. Staff Report: Victor Ponto, City Attorney-Christy Marie Lopez, Assistant City Attorney Subject: Consideration of Resolutions Calling a Special Election For Filling a Vacancy on the City Council
Recommendation: Adopt resolutions calling for a special municipal election to fill the vacancy on the City Council and authorize the City Clerk as follows:
1. Resolution calling the Special Election to fill the vacancy to be held on June 2, 2026; and
2. Resolution requesting that this Special Election be consolidated with the Statewide Primary Election being held by the County on June 2, 2026; and
3. Resolution concerning procedures for candidate statements; and
4. Resolution concerning procedures in the case of a tie vote; and
5. Authorize the City Clerk to finalize and make such modifications to these Resolutions as may be required by Kern County and applicable law, subject to the City Attorney’s approval as to form.
MAYOR PRO TEM CREIGHTON INFORMED THE ATTORNEYS THE RESOUTIONS
INDICATE JANUARY AS THE RESULT CERTIFICATION MONTH FOR THE ELECTION, HOWEVER TO THE CITY HAS REGULARLY CERTIFIED IN DECEMBER.
ATTORNEY VICTOR PONTO CONFIRMED THE ORAL NOTIFICATION AND STATED THE RESOLOUTIONS WILL BE UPDATED IN WRITING TO REFLECT THE CHANGE.
MOTION TO APPROVE CC3 MADE BY: MAYOR PRO TEM CREIGHTON / 2ND BY
COUNCILMEMBER CLARK
AYES: COUNCILMEBER CLARK, SIMITH, MAYOR PRO TEM CREIGHTON, MAYOR
HAWKINS
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
CITY OF CALIFORNIA CITY CC 2
DECEMBER 22, 2025
CC4. Staff Report: Christopher Lopez—City Manager
Subject: A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of California City Adopting a Job Description for the Position of Deputy City Manager/City Clerk Recommendation: Adopt the resolution adopting a job description for the position of Deputy City Manager/City Clerk.
CC5. Staff Report: Christopher Lopez—City Manager
Subject: A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of California City Updating the Salary Schedule to Include the Position of Deputy City Manager/City Clerk, Updating the Mandated Minimum Wage, and Adding the Deputy City Manager/City Clerk Position to the FY 25/26 Budget Recommendation: Adopt the resolution updating the salary schedule to include the position of Deputy City Manager/City Clerk, Updating the Mandated Minimum Wage, and Adding the Deputy City Manager/City Clerk Position to the FY 25/26 Budget CC4 AND CC5 WERE COMBINED AS THE ITEM AS THEY RELATE
MOTION TO APPROVE BOTH CC4 AND CC5 MADE BY: MAYOR PRO TEM CREIGHTON / 2ND BY: COUNCILMEMBER SMITH
AYES: COUNCILMEBER CLARK, SMITH, MAYOR PRO TEM CREIGHTON, MAYOR
HAWKINS
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
NEW BUSINESS
NB 1. City Council to review and discuss the SDI Advisory Committee’s formal request for review SDI COMMITTEE IS FORMALLY REQUESTING ASSISTASNCE FROM A CONSULTANT. THE
SPECIFIC REQUEST IS FOR OUTSIDE COUNSEL AS THE COMMITTEE CURRENTLY DOES NOT HAVE ANY REPRESENTATION.
PER ATTORNEY VICTOR PONTO, APPROVAL TO MOVE FORWARD CAN BE GIVEN IN THE
FORM OF DIRECTION, TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO WORK WITH TRHE SDI
COMMITTEE TO FACILTATE FUNDS TO ALLOW FOR THE SDI COMMITTEE TO OBTAIN OUTSIDE COUNSEL AS IT PERTAINS TO SDI MATTERS.
MOTION TO PROVIDE THE DIRECTION AS STATED ABOVE MADE BY: MAYOR PRO TEM CREIGHTON/ 2ND BY: COUNCILMEMBER CLARK
AYES: COUNCILMEBER CLARK, SMITH, MAYOR PRO TEM CREIGHTON, MAYOR
HAWKINS
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ADJOURNMENT
CITY OF CALIFORNIA CITY CC 2
DECEMBER 22, 2025
BEFORE ADJOURNMENT MAYOR HAWKINS ANNOUNCED IN JANUARY THERE WILL BE AN ITEM BROUGHT FORWARD THAT WILL PROVIDE THE CITY’S STREETS GET THE WORK DONE THAT IS NEEDED.
MAYOR PRO TEM MOTIONED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING/ 2ND MADE BY:
COUNCILMEMBER SMITH
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING- December 20, 2025
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 24 hours prior to the meeting in compliance with the provisions of the Brown Act.