[10:34] You can download the agenda for this meeting at www.
[10:39] bakersfield City. us. Preceding over this evening's meeting, the Honorable
[10:45] Mayor Karen K. go. Good evening. It's my pleasure to
[10:50] call it to order the 515 Regular City Council meeting
[10:53] of August 26, 2026. Madam Clerk, please call the role.
[10:59] Here. Council Member Arias. Here. Council Member Gonzalez. Here. Council
[11:07] Member Weir. Council Member Smith. I'm here. Council Member Coeman.
[11:12] Here. Council Member back here, Tash. Here. Thank you and
[11:21] welcome to all of you. Thank you, the Civic Pro.
[11:24] To not interpreter, time elects the interpreter come forward and
[11:26] very quickly let the audience know that equipment is available
[11:30] in Spanish.
[11:49] Hola, muy buenas tardes a todos. Bienvenidos a esta reunión
[11:52] el día de hoy. El día de hoy vamos a
[11:54] tener interpretación simultánea a través de la reunión para acceder
[11:58] a la interpretación si tenemos el equipo justo atrás de
[12:01] la sala para quien aún no ha recibido equipo. Cuando
[12:04] usted tenga venir a acompañarle. Thank you. Statements portion of
[12:08] the meeting you'll need to pre - register at the
[12:10] kiosks in the backstaff is there ready to assist you
[12:13] if needed. And before we begin, I'd like to acknowledge
[12:16] that PurSTAF's recommendation, Public Hearing Item 8A. That's the vesting
[12:23] tentative track map appeal. We'll be open and continue to
[12:27] the September 16th. While the today we inheld September 16th
[12:31] meeting. Tonight we have the pleasure of having
[12:42] Father Jimmy Milan, who's Vicker at St. Joseph Catholic Church
[12:46] to offer the invocation. Thank you, Father, so much for
[12:49] your service to our community. I know your church is
[12:52] actively involved in food drives and outreach. And you just
[12:56] recently performed the Westfield Beauty Money. Jen Michelle Antonio Donnie,
[13:01] who is a senior at Garthus Memorial High School will
[13:04] lead us in the pledge. Michelle is a Ford Dimension
[13:08] Dream Builder and she's here with her mentor and advisor
[13:11] Peggy. Michelle has a 4. 8 GPA.
[13:33] Wow. She's National Honor His Country Trust Soccer and Tennis.
[13:40] She's founder and president of the on - campus club
[13:43] got the dot. She's president of C. S. F. President
[13:48] of Helping Hands. Student Council President and Vice President of
[13:52] the Bass Club. She's the leader of the Healthy Committee
[13:56] and the Inrect Club. Link Glut Cancer Money Sampas Leadership
[14:01] Program. Michelle, what an incredible person you are and we're
[14:05] just so proud to have you in our community. Father,
[14:08] would you all please stand now. Let us gather for
[14:15] prayer.
[14:26] Almighty God. We give you thanks for the blessing of
[14:29] the wrist of the gifts them and there is and
[14:31] bless them as they work for the common good.
[14:42] Bless the people of Bakers Field, especially our families, our
[14:45] children. Those who are most struggling at this time may
[14:48] our city of Bakersfield continue to grow in prosperity, peace,
[14:52] and goodwill. Guide all who participate in this meeting today
[14:56] at their deliberations may bear good fruit for our community.
[15:01] Pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United
[15:05] States of America. And to the Republic for which it
[15:08] stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice
[15:14] for all. Thank you. And Michelle, would you like to
[15:18] officially introduce your advisor.
[15:28] And you all make you. And Director of the Ford
[15:32] Dream Builders and Dimension Program, which I'm very excited to
[15:36] be a part of. And yeah, I look forward to
[15:39] getting to know her more throughout the course of the
[15:41] year. Thank you so much. Thank you, Michelle. Father, thank
[15:45] you so much.
[16:12] Here a few guidelines to help our meeting run smoothly.
[16:14] We request that you turn up. Applause is allowed during
[16:19] the presentations portion of the meeting only, but not during
[16:23] other portions of the meeting. Everyone in attendance or by
[16:28] phone is expected to adhere to the rules of decorum
[16:31] established by Resolution of the City Council. Failure to abide
[16:35] by the city's rules of decorum, including any disruptive behavior
[16:38] that INT meeting business first warning to everyone participating that
[16:43] conduct, that disrupts this meeting may result in expulsion and
[16:47] or the chambers being cleared. Behavior that disrupts the meeting
[16:50] includes repetitive statements, shouting, hate speech, interrupting staff or presenters
[16:58] during the meeting, speaking out of turn outbursts, or exposed
[17:02] attending Madam Clext item, please.
[17:15] Presentations item 4A, proclamation to Leslie Bloomquist and Mary Stanley
[17:20] of Baby Cafe, Monica De Los Santos of Clinica Serra
[17:25] Vista, WIC, Marissa Reyanoso Ortiz, and Katie Reynoldso of the
[17:31] Corn Breastfeeding Month August 2026.
[17:59] Thank you. Strengthening breastfeeding support and Resources promotes healthier beginnings
[18:06] for Children and families and contributes to the health and
[18:09] well - being of our community. It's my honor to
[18:12] read this proclamation. Whereas August is recognized nationally as national
[18:18] breastfeeding meeting, mother, families, and communities. And whereas breastfeeding provides
[18:23] infants with essential nutrition and protection contributing to healthy growth
[18:29] and development while also benefiting the health of mothers. And
[18:33] whereas organizations and professionals throughout Bakersfield and Kern County, including
[18:39] baby Cafe Bakersville, Gradidiac on Ebres, families with breastfeeding education,
[18:44] support, resources, and services. And whereas the city of Bakersfield
[18:49] is committed to supporting children and families within our community.
[18:54] Now therefore I, Karen Gomir, the city of Bakersfield. Do
[18:57] you hereby proclaim August 2026 as National Presidents to Rest
[19:03] Beating Education, support, and Resources. It's data this 26 -
[19:08] day of August. It's my honor to build a present
[19:11] this proclamation.
[19:27] Good evening, Mayor Council members and staff. My name is
[19:30] Marissa Reynoso and I'm the original breastfeeding community. National Breastfeeding
[19:36] Month reminds us of the important role breastfeeding plays in
[19:39] supporting the health and well - being of both mothers
[19:41] and babies.
[19:57] The American Academy of Pediatric recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the
[20:01] first six months and continuing breastfeeding alongside solid foods through
[20:05] age two and beyond. It is also a time to
[20:08] recognize the often fishing life. Their dedication, perseverance, and love
[20:15] to be celebrated and supported. Today I'm honored to stand
[20:18] alongside our partners from Clinica Sierra Vista. Baby Cafe and
[20:22] the Corneet County Breastfeeding Coalition as we work together to
[20:25] support and power and advocate for breastfeeding families throughout Bakersfield.
[20:30] Thank you again for your recognition.
[20:44] Oh, my name is Reva. I'm an IBCLC and the
[20:47] co - chair for the current county breastfeeding coalition. Our
[20:50] coalition brings together Community Partners to provide breastfeeding education, lactation
[20:55] support, resources, outreach events, and advocacy through compassionate support and
[21:01] collaboration, re - enreast feeding world breastfeed theme is rise,
[21:07] strengthen with works. So together we're strengthening families, educating and
[21:11] creating healthier beginnings for all of Kern County. And I'm
[21:14] going to pass it over to Mary.
[21:30] Good evening, everybody. My name is Mary's. My name is
[21:34] a baby Cafe. We are a nonprofit 501C organization providing
[21:39] cost - free, professional breastfeeding support to our community and
[21:44] beyond. It is imperative that we recognize breastfeeding as a
[21:48] biological norm. And create an environmental culture
[21:58] that makes it easier for others to breastfeed in public
[22:03] breastfeedings to multiple, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, who,
[22:08] which is the World Health Organization, recommend exclusive breastfeeding for
[22:12] six months and continued breastfeeding for two years as complementary
[22:16] foods are added. And you just heard that. Increasing breastfeeding
[22:21] rates is a Public Health issue.
[22:34] The more babe communists have recognizing August, 2026 is world
[22:39] breastfeeding month. And improving this proclamation. And I'm going to
[22:46] introduce, I think it's Monica. Is that right? There we
[22:50] go. Thank you. You're welcome.
[23:05] My name is Monica DeLosandra. The first thing you breastfeeding
[23:07] is healthier Future by improving outcomes for babies and parents
[23:11] alike. When we promote, protect and support breastfeeding, we strengthen
[23:15] not only individual families, but our entire community. Together, we
[23:19] are investing in the health, well - being and success
[23:21] of future generations. Thank you.
[24:12] Thank. You so much.
[24:26] Madam Clerk, next item, please. Preset 4B2
[24:36] - Jason Guerrero, President and Claudia Guerrero, Vice President of
[24:40] Gigi, the Warrior, declaring Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Bakersfield
[24:45] during September 2026. Colleagues Childhood Cancer is one of the
[24:54] leading causes of death for children in the United States.
[24:58] Each year nearly 16, 000 children between birth and 19
[25:02] years of eight are diets, sir. No cancer cancer. It's
[25:10] my honor to read this proclamation.
[25:29] Whereas cancer knows no boundaries affecting all ethnic and socioeconomic
[25:34] groups. And whereas increase awareness and research will help educate
[25:38] the Public on early diagnosis and provide readily accessible clinical
[25:43] care to patients in need. And whereas dedicated health professional
[25:47] agent cancer, but there's children deserve the chance to dream
[25:51] big, discover new interests and live to their absolute potential
[25:56] while fighting the disease. Now therefore, I, Karen Gomer, the
[26:00] City of Bakersfield, do hereby proclaim September, 2026 as childhood
[26:05] cancer awareness month in our city and urge all residents
[26:09] of fighting to August. Been through some, sorry, you've been
[26:13] through some challenging times with Gigi and all. And so
[26:20] inviting you now to offer some. Thank you so much
[26:22] for your support.
[26:35] Good evening, Mayor Go, members of the city, Community Leader,
[26:38] Fronts, and everyone else who's here at her cancer. And
[26:40] to every your justice cancer. For our family childhood cancer
[26:44] isn't just a cause. It's our story. On February 14th
[26:47] of 2019, our world changed when our daughter, Gio, was
[26:50] diagnosed with leukemia.
[27:00] Gigi spent two and a half years going through intense
[27:02] treatment. There were difficult days, scary days, and days where
[27:05] we simply had to take things one day at a
[27:08] time. But the words like her can to watch her
[27:12] move forward. I also know that her story. Is only
[27:16] one. Their children currently fight in cancer, family sitting in
[27:19] a hospital room and parents praying for the same outcome
[27:22] that we were blessed to receive. That is why
[27:33] our awareness matters. September gives us an opportunity to make
[27:36] Chagart cancer visible to wear gold to talk about it
[27:39] to some appointments childhood candidate also represent. GG is leaving
[27:43] is living proof that there can be a life after
[27:46] Chahedher diagnosis.
[27:56] Her journey has inspired our family to turn experience into
[27:59] a purpose and to continue advocating for the Children and
[28:02] Families affected by cancer. So this September, I ask everyone
[28:06] to go gold with this, not just for Juju, but
[28:08] for every child fighting and every.
[29:13] There's a period for items listed on the meeting agenda
[29:16] and items not on the meeting agenda. Additionally, pursuant to
[29:19] changes in state law. The City Council will now accept
[29:23] Public Statements via phone and in person.
[29:33] Statements for items listed on tonight's agenda are given a
[29:36] two - minute time limit, 10 minutes for participants by
[29:39] phone. The consent calendar as a whole constitutes one agenda
[29:44] item. Statements regarding items not listed on the agenda are
[29:48] given a two - minute time limit.
[29:59] 10 minutes for participants by phone and 10 minutes for
[30:03] in - person participants 20 minutes total. If you have
[30:06] written comments that are longer than your verbal statement, give
[30:09] them to the clerk who will give copies to the
[30:10] council. Kia available to select whether you're here to speak
[30:14] on an item listed on tonight's agenda or in a
[30:16] matter not on the agenda. Speakers who do not identify
[30:19] specific agenda item will be presumed speakers for the non
[30:22] - agenda portion and will be called during the non
[30:25] - agenda portion of the meeting.
[30:35] If you're here on consent calendar public hearing item 7A8A
[30:41] now is not the time to speak. You will be
[30:44] given an opportunity to speak when those items are called
[30:47] later in the meeting. Madam Clerk, do we have any
[30:50] public speakers for items not listed on the agenda. Marigo.
[30:56] We have received. Four requests. To speak by. Phone.
[31:07] And 21 requests to speak currently connected. We Alejandra Sia.
[31:15] And as you can tell by that number of speakers,
[31:18] uh, we're going to run out of time. So I
[31:20] would ask that you make your comments succinctly and we'll
[31:24] try to get in as many people as possible. Also,
[31:27] this is only our third time using this new system.
[31:30] And so if we have a few challenges, we're just
[31:32] going to give each other grace. And I hope you'll
[31:34] do that also. First speaker.
[31:47] Member. My name is Ali Hadrath with building healthy community.
[31:50] S current. We've spent years working alongside residents to cause
[31:55] biggest fields, including any spaker field to build healthier, senior
[32:01] neighborhood. We're here semantic that it was the city succeed
[32:05] in creating a general plan that for every part of
[32:09] making so not just the fear. We agree with the
[32:12] data and partners that leadership council share. The city map
[32:17] shows a nice expensive gap of up to 20 years.
[32:21] Between east and. West basics. That's how those exactly why
[32:26] this general PN update is our best chance to get
[32:29] legal strike. With them. So base this process takes success.
[32:33] We support the standalone environmental justice. Elements. We believe putting
[32:38] these goals in a dedicated aging element gift to city,
[32:42] a better path. To address these long study health camp.
[32:46] And finally, we also agree on the need for BILEGO
[32:50] DD works. Breaking technical documents into real Spanish language. Conversations
[32:58] help us continue building trust and gain real feedback. Thank
[33:02] you for your time. Thank you, Ms. Garcia. Next speaker.
[33:09] Ariel. Dyer. Ms Dyer.
[33:20] Hi. Everyone. My name is Ariel. Dyer. I am a
[33:23] li. And co - founder of. Anti - capitalist. Pearclub.
[33:31] When I attended June City Council meetings to address concern
[33:34] about the lack of transparency, oversight and Public Input regarding
[33:38] the city's contract, the surveillance technology that cities have by
[33:43] the debt of space and healthy neighborhoods committee meeting. Since
[33:47] then, that committee has been twice. But has yet approached
[33:50] the topic of flock. Meanwhile, we've been addressing it. We
[33:54] hosted a town hall last Wednesday and over 50 people
[33:57] showed up to learn more about this technology and to
[33:59] share their own concerns. City Council members mayor, vice mayor
[34:04] staff and civic chill police department were notably absent from
[34:07] this generative and informative discussion. In fact, instead of engaging
[34:13] in direct dialogue with us, BPD has been busy at
[34:15] our community. And in some cases has given them information
[34:18] that directly contradicts that they have told us. BPD allegedly
[34:23] has a policy requiring officers to include case numbers and
[34:26] FOC database queries. And yet, the laws we received show
[34:31] many entries that lack supposedly required information. According to Lieutenant
[34:36] Backbeat, the Department regularly ought to state a big churches.
[34:40] But when we submitted a CPRA request, we were told
[34:43] this is. The Public deserves transparency, a chality, and a
[34:48] voice as to what the Bakersfield Police Department and the
[34:51] city uses to monitor us. In our town hall last
[34:54] week, screws that constituents want their voices heard. Will you
[34:57] listen. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Dyer. Next Speaker, please.
[35:02] Just a reminder. Applause is not allowed other than during
[35:06] the presentations portion. We know that you're passionate, but we
[35:09] just ask that you be respectful. Thank you. Madam Clerk,
[35:13] next speaker, please. Council Member Gonzalez. Thank you, Mayor. Uh,
[35:17] Mr. Clegg, if I can, I'm going to make a
[35:20] referral tonight that we reach out to Miss Dyer and
[35:24] have a conversation. I believe I made a referral. Over
[35:27] a year ago regarding the use of lock systems and
[35:33] the protocols. That should be established. Um, I think it's
[35:40] important that we address this concern with our community members
[35:43] and have this conversation with them. I am sorry, Mr.
[35:47] I wasn't aware of this community meeting. Um, and, uh,
[35:50] I'm sorry, I missed it. But, uh, would hope that
[35:53] the city manager can have a conversation with, uh, these
[35:57] community members. Thanks. Thank you, Councillor Memphis. Madam City Attorney
[36:01] Next Speaker, please. Marigo, we're moving on to the in
[36:09] - person speaker's next. The first speaker is Denise Gary
[36:14] Pandal. Very, Pandal, thank you
[36:24] very much. Um, I appreciate the opportunity to be here.
[36:28] Thank you. And I want to raise the issue of
[36:30] the rule of law resolution. I'm asking tonight that it
[36:35] be brought before you on the agenda. And there be
[36:38] an up and down vote. What is it concern. The
[36:43] Resolution, the rule of law Resolution for the Public who
[36:46] doesn't know.
[36:57] Has to do with the issue of sanctuary city state.
[37:02] Very concerned that you're hiding behind, I believe, political considerations
[37:06] as opposed to not putting it on the agenda and
[37:09] having an up and down vote. I remind all of
[37:12] you that you are elected to be representatives within a
[37:17] constitutional republic. And therefore have a duty under the supremacy
[37:24] clause. The supremacy clause makes clear. That federal law and
[37:29] constitutional law Trump or take precedent under local or state
[37:33] law.
[37:52] Therefore, since you all took an oath to uphold the
[37:56] Constitution, you're holding a constitutional trust as an office holder.
[38:04] Futection and safety of every individual in the community and
[38:09] their property, first enforced most. It's part of our declaration
[38:13] of independence. It's part of what our founding fathers said
[38:17] in the Declaration of Independence when he wrote that we
[38:20] are all given an alienable rights and among these are
[38:23] the right to, this is two, our Constitution. And it's
[38:27] a critical. That you put the rule of law. Thank
[38:30] you, Ms. Garrett Penny, of the agenda and have an
[38:33] up or down vote. Thank you. If not, you should
[38:36] design. Next speaker, please. Natalie Santa Maria.
[38:57] Welcome, listen to these yourself. Good afternoon. Um, my name
[39:02] is Nathalie Santamaría. I am a promotora and I'm here.
[39:08] I'm representation of my organization visioni compromiso.
[39:38] I'm here to talk about the general plan and to
[39:41] make, uh, two requests of and create with to do
[39:44] Community Forums so that we can allow Community members, especially
[39:48] those that are monolingual in Spanish to understand what the
[39:51] general plan is. The draft was being proposed and have
[39:55] an opportunity to have some input. Um, again, we're willing
[39:58] to work with the city. I know we've been very
[40:00] successful in the past. So I hope that this leads
[40:04] to speakers evocated. I know it's included some environmental justices
[40:09] included in the quality of life. However, um, link to
[40:14] SB, Senate Bill 1000, we are asking that environmental justice
[40:19] chapter standalone be created. There's a lot of this advantages
[40:22] as you've read between the east and the West average
[40:26] to the decisions that have been made. So again, we
[40:29] look forward to continuing the conversation and that collaboration with
[40:32] the cities so that we can create this forums. And
[40:35] we can also look to a way of having an
[40:38] environmental justice chapter standalone for this general plan. Thank you.
[40:41] Thank you Mr. Maria. Madam Clerk, next speaker, please.
[41:06] Welcome, please turn to dish yourself.
[41:40] Thank you. Good evening Mayor and City Council members. My
[41:42] name is Abby Power. I work with leadership council for
[41:44] justice and accountability. And the comments I'm sharing tonight reflect
[41:47] feedback from Community members. All of your support. What I
[41:50] wanted to show is a map of disadvantaged communities in
[41:53] Bakersfield. If you look at that map, you'll see that
[41:55] almost all of e - speakers - field communities are
[41:57] designated as disadvantage. According to Colin Virus Green, many of
[42:00] these Communities also face a pollution burden that is higher
[42:02] than 90 percent of all census tracks in the state.
[42:05] You'll also see that there are very few disadvantaged communities
[42:08] on the West side of the city. This map displays
[42:10] what many of you already know pollution. This health outcomes
[42:12] and lower life expectancy. According to a map in the
[42:15] city's existing conditions report, the majority of residents of e
[42:19] - speakers field have a life expectancy that's between 57
[42:21] to 78 years, which compares to a life expectancy for
[42:25] residents of West Bakersfield that is on average between 78
[42:28] to 97 years, which is a huge difference. SB 1000
[42:32] requires that the general plan consolicy plan which states maintains
[42:35] many of the plans EJ policies, but this is not
[42:38] a dedicated EJ element. And EJ policies are not woven
[42:41] throughout all other chapters. It did. The general plan also
[42:44] does not take enough meaningful action to reduce the unique
[42:47] and compounded health risks faced by disadvantaged communities, which SB
[42:51] 1000 requires. So we're asking the city to show a
[42:54] commitment to reversing the harm of previous playing decisions CISES
[42:56] LEM also language workshops as participation and feedback is crucial
[43:00] to creating policies that address the needs of disadvantaged communities,
[43:03] which is a requirement of SB 1000. Soley publishing a
[43:06] technical document on the website does not do enough to
[43:09] facilitate resident input and it has not been published in
[43:11] any language other than English. Thank you. Thank you, Ms.
[43:13] Powell. Madam Clerkneck, speaker, please.
[43:34] Rod. Geiss. Oh, thank you. Uh, good evening City Council.
[43:52] Um, after July 15th, my name is Rod Geiss, G
[43:56] - U - I - C - E - Made
[43:58] call and back forum. In response at the August 5th
[44:02] meeting, I was proud to submit a resolution by Dr.
[44:04] Angelo Frazier to designate Bakersfield a rule of lost city.
[44:08] And I urge the council to act on it. Unfortunately,
[44:12] there's been no action. And this is, uh, this is
[44:15] a little disappointing. And
[44:25] I don't know where sanctuary city policies stand or proposals
[44:29] to answer is your opportunity to produce something tangible. It
[44:34] avoids the waste of time, money, and resources that a
[44:37] truth act for them would incur. It mitigates the accelerating
[44:40] cost of sustaining a growing population of foreign nationals.
[44:54] A rule of law city, Resolution would also show that
[44:57] we honor our veterans who fought to provide citizens, California
[45:02] opposed sanctuary city policies such as Santa Clarita, Corona, Huntington
[45:06] Beach, and more, as well as cities in Texas, Florida,
[45:10] and Iowa. America is a nation of law, and most
[45:13] citizens agree to support, defend, and abbail. This is your
[45:18] opportunity to show the citizens that you stand with us.
[45:31] President Ages, one more of you to please stand and
[45:35] champion the rule of law city resolution. We the people
[45:38] are not going away. Thank you for your service to
[45:41] our community. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Geiss. Next speaker,
[45:44] please. Reverend Dr. Angel Frazier.
[46:02] My name is Reverend Frazier. Thank you, council member Zach,
[46:06] for your previous actions regarding the Pudding or Tabling of
[46:11] the Sanctuary Policy. We are the same when I play
[46:15] basketball in Germany. It was a GNU, that's the GNU.
[46:18] And it means enough is enough. Current and former city
[46:28] and state elected officials have confirmed to me or resume
[46:33] law Resolution can help prevent that sanctuary city proposal from
[46:37] ever returning. Have we moved so far away from the
[46:42] fundamental principles of our Constitution that we can no longer
[46:46] stomach the idea of the rule of law.
[46:58] The Constitution and your oath of offers must guide less.
[47:03] I am the agenda for an up and down vote.
[47:08] Thank you for your consideration. Thank you, Reverend Frazier. Next
[47:13] speaker, please. Andrade Capolino.
[47:33] When us, my name, I'm a resident of Southwest Bakersfield
[47:36] Ward VIN with Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability, among
[47:41] other organizations. Social Advocate and Proud Daughter and Granddaughter of
[47:45] Immigrants. I'm here tonight to speak to you about the
[47:48] Bakersville General Plan. Something I love about this city is
[47:51] the joy we have in coming together in community.
[48:02] The countless, the way we have full cities, view things
[48:05] that instantly come to mind, trees, fresh air, walkable areas,
[48:10] and places together in community. That is the vision I
[48:13] have for Bakersfield.
[48:24] Clean air is a right, not something earned. The disproportioned
[48:27] rates of pollution and the disadvantaged areas of Bakersfield is
[48:31] a deep concern. And to be taken seriously. Environment Concernant,
[48:36] heart lung cancer, and more.
[48:47] The general plan must include actions to appropriately zone the
[48:51] city and reduce harmful pollutants as outlined in SB 1000.
[48:56] As B - 1000 is the law requiring that the
[48:58] general plan in cities with disadvantaged communities aimed to reduce
[49:01] harmful pollutants associated with health risks. I ask the city
[49:05] to commit Justice LM's opponent in the way to reverse
[49:07] the harm in disadvantaged communities.
[49:40] I was here a few weeks ago with the ask
[49:43] to actively engage with the Community. I thank you for
[49:45] extending the date for Community Comment. However, at this time
[49:48] we are still waiting for Spanish and Pujambee translations and
[49:51] active Community Workshops and Engagement. It is also a requirement
[49:55] of the plan to be transparent and include Community Feedback
[49:58] or Health and the Ends can. Thank you. Thank you,
[50:00] Ms. Andrade Capolino. Council Member Gonzalez. Thank you Mayor. Thank
[50:04] you so much for your comments tonight. And I just
[50:06] want to thank all of the Community members who have
[50:09] joined us this evening to talk about the general plan
[50:12] and to offer up some of your ideas. I need
[50:15] to do some research on some of this. But I
[50:18] do want to say a couple of things tonight so
[50:22] that they may make copies. I think we do have
[50:24] copies. Perfect. Uh, because I would like to review that
[50:28] map and respect the fact that you prepared that for
[50:31] us. And I think the Full Council should be able
[50:33] to review that. Thank you so much. The other thing
[50:35] is, um, I do think that, uh, we ought to
[50:40] prepare documents in multiple languages. We can ensure bilingual or
[50:46] in some cases trilingual so that we can reach out
[50:49] and have meaningful conversations with many of our stakeholders. But
[50:53] as somebody who's been working in East Bakersfield and trying
[50:56] to revitalize the east side for 20 years now, uh,
[50:59] you know, this is a big passion of mine and
[51:03] something that's dear to my heart and would like to
[51:04] see many more in this process. Speaker, please. Klaus Valenti.
[51:26] Welcome, please interduce yourself.
[51:38] You guys address concern all over the city. I'm not
[51:44] necessarily anti - please, but with my experience growing up
[51:46] in Bakersfield, I do not trust the information and mass
[51:49] surveillance will be used ethically by our law enforcement and
[51:52] officials. We're already seeing examples of nationwide of law enforcement
[51:55] using Inflation recorded by flock cameras to track and stock
[51:58] personal contacts.
[52:08] And I don't know how I can attention of their
[52:11] books right for privacy. Statements such as you're fine if
[52:13] you have nothing to hide or as long as you
[52:15] aren't doing anything wrong, you'll be fine. Are not encouraging
[52:17] when our government is actively changing what is considered wrong
[52:20] and unacceptable.
[52:30] And in regard to our officials and law enforcement saying
[52:34] flock cameras have helped them solve vehicle related crimes. Hearing
[52:37] this is not encouraging. They can't do this of AI.
[52:40] I'm not necessarily anti - police. I do appreciate seeing
[52:43] if our officials and law enforcement could develop a spine
[52:45] against float cameras moving forward. Thank you. Thank you Mr.
[52:49] Filanti. Next speaker please. Maria Stahlcup.
[53:39] Welcome, please turn to Deduce Yourself. Good evening. My name
[53:42] is Maria Stalkup. I'm here to talk about flock cameras.
[53:45] I have lived in Bakerfield for almost 20 years as
[53:48] a private citizen. And I believe that still means something.
[53:51] I am a private person. I raise both of my
[53:53] sons here, worked here and kept to myself for these
[53:55] 20 years. This is the first time I've ever been
[53:58] to a city council meeting, but I felt compelled to
[54:00] be here issue. I've ever been arrested in Grounds. Be
[54:02] surveilled by flock cameras. When I drive around, I see
[54:05] endless amounts of Cyber Junk cluttering our street corners and
[54:08] parking lots until recently I thought that I was the
[54:10] only one who didn't understand why these were here. That
[54:13] is until I started reading about flock. It turns out
[54:15] that people all over the country are wondering the same
[54:18] things that I am. Where did these cameras come from
[54:20] and why? And growing numbers, members of the Public are
[54:23] rejecting this technology come to City Council. Other and many
[54:26] now neighborhood of Northwest Bakersfield from our neighborhood app. My
[54:30] truck was stolen 41 days ago from the parking lot
[54:32] at Home Depot on Rosedal Highway. I failed a report
[54:34] immediately and my truck still has not been located just
[54:37] saying these flock cameras are not all that great. The
[54:39] flock cameras aren't really going to help normal people. They're
[54:42] to protect businesses and sell your location data. These flock
[54:45] cameras are BS at the lawsuit benefit stand for makes
[54:49] me think we are a bunch of sheep that need
[54:50] to be herded. These are the quotes that I've received
[54:53] from this app. Overall our community members do not seem
[54:56] to understand what flock cameras are for. Why would they?
[55:00] They were put into place without prior approval and no
[55:02] oversight or voting on the matter. At the very least,
[55:05] why is the search data not being audited by the
[55:07] city? How are we to trust our most core until
[55:10] this surveillance like this. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Stoker.
[55:16] Madam Clerk. Next speaker, please. Brandon Bane.
[55:40] Talk about fluff. Since 2024 1550 cases of Misuse of
[55:47] Flock cameras have been noted state countrywide by law enforcement
[55:52] and on law enforcement visuals mainly used to stock X
[55:55] - Partners, current partners and just random individuals.
[56:08] In 2025, Johnson Howling shares roughly 6, 000 networks. To
[56:15] locate a woman who is trying to get legal health
[56:18] care and an abortion and another state world health that
[56:22] is illegal. But that is legal. These cameras are invasions
[56:27] of privacies. They are down their harassment.
[56:40] Many of us feel like we are being constantly harassed.
[56:42] Like we're being German Franklin of their safety either. And
[56:44] I ask you, please do review. And honestly end our
[56:48] contract with flock and to remove these cameras. As soon
[56:51] as possible. Please and thank you. Thank you, Mr. Bain.
[56:57] And Madam City clerk. Our final speaker.
[57:14] Well, please introduce yourself. Good evening. My name is Jason
[57:16] Cipriano. Yesterday, August 25th at Norris Middle School Dismissal, Officer
[57:21] Chrisman ID 119 cited me for parking behind a line
[57:25] of other parents while picking up my son.
[57:41] Before she even spoke to me, drivers who saw parking
[57:44] enforcement arrived began erratically accelerating through the parking lot full
[57:47] of fairs complaining the ticket, but that's not what her
[57:50] about. I'm asking for written answer from the city manager
[57:53] and the police chief on whether BakerShield Police Department has
[57:56] a policy governing parking enforcement during active school dismissal while
[58:00] children are walking between vehicles. Because yesterday, the way that
[58:04] enforcement was being conducted didn't make dismissal any safer. It
[58:07] caused panic drivers to accelerate through what should have been,
[58:11] what it should. Damn it. Thank you. Thank you Mr.
[58:13] Chapurano.
[58:32] And so this ends this portion of our meeting. This
[58:36] is the allotted time. You're welcome. For those of you
[58:38] who didn't get a chance to speak to come back
[58:41] at other meetings, to write to us, but thank you
[58:44] for being here to participate. Metal clerk, do we have
[58:47] any public speakers regarding items that listed consent KINIS item
[58:52] 10A? That's the Interfund Loan or New Business Item 11A
[58:57] Clean City Special Project Funds. Now is the time to
[59:00] speak. And the clerk will call for Speakers, but we're
[59:02] going to, it was 11A and I didn't tell them
[59:07] it was 11A. Okay, thank you. So go ahead and
[59:09] sit down. We're going to let, for those of you
[59:11] who'd like to write just for the City cleric, if
[59:15] you heard Mr. Ologas, it's for 11A. Margot, we have
[59:24] received. 12 requests to speak on the Consent Calendar one
[59:31] by phone and 11 in person. And then we've received
[59:35] four requests to speak. I apologize. Five requests to speak.
[59:43] On new business I at 11 person. The first, it
[59:47] looks like the individual who signed up to speak by
[59:49] phone has not connected. We will start with the in
[59:53] - person speakers. For the consent calendar. The first speaker
[59:59] is Karina. Funez.
[1:00:18] Welcome, please introduce yourself. Good evening, honorable members of the
[1:00:23] Bakershield City Council. My name is Karina Funes and I
[1:00:25] am the policy manager at Blues Zone's Project Bakers Field.
[1:00:28] On behalf of Blue Zone's Project BakerSield, I want to
[1:00:30] express our sincere appreciation to the city of Bakersfield for
[1:00:33] taking this important step. Towards creating healthier, safer, and more
[1:00:40] welcoming parks for our community by moving towards Smoke Free
[1:00:43] Parks. We are great friendship and for the collaboration with
[1:00:45] manager's office office and our city council members.
[1:00:56] Creating smokery parks is an important investment in the health
[1:00:59] and well - being of Bakersfield residents. Families and visitors,
[1:01:03] and we are excited to see our city take this
[1:01:05] step. In 2024, Blues Zone's Project Bakersfield began conducting tobacco
[1:01:09] letter cleanups at Parks throughout Bakersfield. Unfortunately, we found tobacco
[1:01:13] litter at every park we visit adult park around the
[1:01:16] most litter around benches, picnic tables, and in parking lots.
[1:01:39] Because of what we have seen firsthand through these cleanups,
[1:01:41] we do have one small recommendation that we believe could
[1:01:44] help strengthen the policy and insurance intent is clear. We
[1:01:48] respectfully ask that parking lotsby explicitly included in the language
[1:01:51] or that including BeChange to Intections Open to however we
[1:01:56] want to emphasize that this recommendation comes from a place
[1:01:59] of support for the policy and appreciation for the Worth
[1:02:02] the City has already done. We are very excited about
[1:02:05] the direction the city is taking and are grateful to
[1:02:07] see Bakers - Living towards healthier, smoke - free public
[1:02:09] places. We look forward to continuing to work alongside the
[1:02:13] city to make bakery a healthier, safer Community where we
[1:02:15] can all Burgess.
[1:02:52] Mayor Gus Crystal. I work into backup - prevention education.
[1:02:55] I advise a youth coalition that advocates against tobacco and
[1:02:58] serve as a member of the tobacco - free coalition
[1:03:00] of Kern County. I want to be transparent about that
[1:03:03] connection, but tonight I also want to speak from personal
[1:03:06] experience as a mom and as a family who spends
[1:03:09] a lot of time in Bakersfield Parks. I've been a
[1:03:12] mom for over 10 years and our family uses part
[1:03:14] of spending at Bakersfield Parks. I don't smoke, but my
[1:03:18] children can still encounter second - hand smoke and tobacco
[1:03:22] product waste when we are enjoying these spaces. Um, the
[1:03:25] issue is especially personal to me because a few years
[1:03:28] ago my daughter stood here in this very room as
[1:03:31] an underage young person who purchased a vape.
[1:03:42] She came here and advocated for stronger tobacco retail retail.
[1:03:46] It would be proud that worked by making sidewalks athletic
[1:03:48] fields, playgrounds, recreational areas and Public Buildings within Park's Smoke
[1:03:53] Free. I also
[1:04:03] asked the council to consider including parking lots and other
[1:04:06] areas associated with these facilities to not leave the policy
[1:04:08] open for interpretation. We see a lot of smoking and
[1:04:11] tobacco litter in those areas as well. Please also consider
[1:04:14] ClearSignage and cessation range and people that meet your families
[1:04:18] can enjoy public spaces without exposure to smoke. And tobacco
[1:04:22] was, if we can spend hours at a restaurant or
[1:04:24] sports arena without smoking, I believe we can do the
[1:04:25] same at our parks. Thank you for taking this important
[1:04:28] step towards healthier cleaner parks for Bakersful Families and Future
[1:04:31] Generations. Thank you. Thank you Ms. Burgess and all the
[1:04:34] best to you as you go to UC Davis, young
[1:04:36] lady. Next secret place.
[1:04:58] Welcome, police introduce yourself. Perfect. Uh, good evening Marico and
[1:05:03] City Council and City staff. My name is Bernardo
[1:05:12] Ochoa and Ph. I'm here tonight as a chair of
[1:05:15] the tobacco - free coalition of Kerrn County. I think
[1:05:18] the basilism, which could prohibit smoking in all areas of
[1:05:21] Public Parks. This has surely been a collaborative effort involving
[1:05:25] our community, multiple agencies across current County. And our coalition
[1:05:29] partners who care deeply about the places, our families gather
[1:05:32] in play. Some of our first conversations regarding the need
[1:05:36] for Smoke Free Parks took place with Council Member Eric
[1:05:40] Arius. And thus safe and healthy
[1:05:50] network. We sincerely, we encourage to see our community voices
[1:05:55] reflected in today's propose amendments and reflecting cities ongoing commitment
[1:06:01] creating a healthier, safer, and clear Bakersfield. So our children's
[1:06:06] seniors and families are free from exposure to secondhand smoke.
[1:06:18] We strongly support this proposed amendment. Changes our community.
[1:06:30] We are proud to stand alongside the city of Bakersfield
[1:06:33] as a longstanding partner in this worked. Did theback go
[1:06:36] - free coalition of Kern County is committed to supporting
[1:06:39] the Public Education, social media outreach and Community Awareness efforts.
[1:06:44] Thank you for your leadership, your partnership, and your commitment
[1:06:48] to making Bakersfield a healthy. Thank you, Mr. Careful. Get
[1:06:52] it out to the council. Madam Clerk, next speaker, please.
[1:06:56] The TCA. Levano.
[1:07:23] This is for our council. Welcome. Buenas
[1:07:33] tardes, mayor, consult. Mi nombre es Leticia Loevano, tengo un
[1:07:38] negocio en el 601 Avenue Avenue. Ah, estoy aquí.
[1:07:53] Por su unión a ser lunes hubo disparos en nuestra
[1:07:56] cuadra. Mi oficina en el 600 Junior Avenue fue impactado
[1:08:02] el caso, se le llamó a la policía el caso
[1:08:06] de la Policía de Deckers, y es el 26168, 760.
[1:08:22] Se llamó a la policía, van a entre las 10
[1:08:26] pies del 901 Junior Avenue en la histórica union Avenue,
[1:08:32] una ruta 99. Los
[1:08:41] miembros, los mismos 300 pies que caminan, clientes, niños, a
[1:08:48] diario. No estamos en contra de ayudar, estamos para proteger
[1:08:52] nuestra cuadra. SolicitoNNONCIA horas, los siete días de la semana.
[1:09:00] Dos, el protocolo de respuesta rápida. Tres, no acampar, merodear
[1:09:06] a 500 pies.
[1:09:17] Cuatro, una junta de seguridad antes aprobada. Por favor, aquí
[1:09:22] está el expediente que yo sometí el día de ayer,
[1:09:26] se agregue. Es todo. Muchas gracias. Thank you. And now
[1:09:31] interpreter, please. Y puede ponerse los audífonos para escuchar.
[1:09:47] Good evening, council. My name is Leticia Lovano, and I
[1:09:51] have a business on 600 union Avenue. I am Heat
[1:09:54] because of the Punitch 90 union. On Sunday, evening, heading
[1:09:59] into Monday, there were gunfires on our blog. My office
[1:10:03] at 600UN Avenue was HIIT. It was impacted. And we
[1:10:09] did call Bakersfield Police Department. The case number is 26
[1:10:13] - 168760.
[1:10:24] Department. IEM and Fidel. This I am here to state
[1:10:33] that this was at 300 feet from 901 Avenue. The
[1:10:37] Historic Union Avenue on Route 99.
[1:10:48] The same 300 feet that customers and Children walk every
[1:10:53] day, we are not against helping Avenue 24 - 7.
[1:11:01] 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Two, I
[1:11:05] asked for rapid response protocol. Three, no camping or loitering
[1:11:11] within 500 feet.
[1:11:21] And for a Public Safety Meeting before approval. That I
[1:11:26] did PM, you also add annex E to the file
[1:11:31] that I did submit yesterday. Thank you. Thank you, Ms.
[1:11:35] LaVano.
[1:12:20] Council Republic Gonzalez. Thank you, Mayor. And thank you Ms.
[1:12:23] LeMo for coming today and speaking to us. Thank you
[1:12:26] for your phone call also a few days ago foundations,
[1:12:30] guys. Definitely think there needs to be a zero tolerance
[1:12:32] on union Avenue. Um, we were heading the right direction.
[1:12:36] Uh, we had BPD code enforcement. Um, and many others
[1:12:41] out on union. And we did some proactive work to
[1:12:46] address some of those issues. Um, but I think that
[1:12:49] was over a year ago. And I think we need
[1:12:50] to do, he is a shoe for, it's taken us
[1:12:54] a long time to get to this state. It's going
[1:12:56] to take us a while to get out of it.
[1:12:57] But we need to start this work. Um, and I'm
[1:13:01] encouraged by some of the investment. Uh, I know it's
[1:13:04] a little solace to you right now given the immediate
[1:13:07] issues. Um, but there is some private investment also in
[1:13:10] the area. We're working with some, um, private developers, resources
[1:13:15] of a PODO overstate the possibilities here. But we have
[1:13:19] been working on things on the, in the background to
[1:13:21] try to improve the condition of union avenue. Um, but
[1:13:26] I, a hundred percent agree with you. We ought to
[1:13:29] get, um, aggressive in this area. And I want to
[1:13:33] make a referral tonight to the City Manager that we
[1:13:35] bring together safety for Smevius, maybe even the Park Rangers
[1:13:40] in some respects. Uh, that we bring them together so
[1:13:43] that we can develop a proactive and consistent strategy to
[1:13:47] address these issues on union Avenue. And then the last
[1:13:49] thing is there are residents. There are business owners. There
[1:13:52] are people in the community who really care about union.
[1:13:55] There are families who live in and around union avenue.
[1:13:59] Billy Avenue somewhat, uh, you know, second tier to the
[1:14:03] rest of the city. We have to reject that notion.
[1:14:07] And we ought to bring our community members together, business
[1:14:10] owners, property owners, family members, residents. Let's come together and
[1:14:15] have that safety meeting that Ms. LeBuno has recommended.
[1:14:25] And let's have a conversation about what we can do
[1:14:28] this. All, so thank you for being here tonight. Thank
[1:14:31] you Madam Clerk. Next speaker, please. Denis. Gary Pandal.
[1:14:58] Came up. It's been a mistake made by the City
[1:15:01] clerk's office with respect to. The minutes. And it clearly
[1:15:05] pointed out that I supported a sanctuary city status. And
[1:15:09] that was brought to my attention the other day. And
[1:15:12] I just wanted to make sure that the record was
[1:15:14] corrected.
[1:15:24] And I wanted to make it clear to the public
[1:15:27] as I've stated before that it's a section, it's a
[1:15:32] violation of the supremacy clause in article six of the
[1:15:35] Constitution. And basically in light of the fact that there's
[1:15:39] been over tens of thousands of murders, just murders alone,
[1:15:43] not counting human trafficking. Fentanyl, uh, drugs being brought into
[1:15:48] the country cartels.
[1:15:59] Fraud, really integration based on the law. Um, aside from
[1:16:04] that, I pointed out for the record during that last
[1:16:08] meeting we had on August 5th.
[1:16:28] That the good people in Washington, D. C. had made
[1:16:32] an effort to provide everyone who broke the law and
[1:16:36] entered the country illegally to have 2, 000 back to
[1:16:39] their... This will make justice and the Department of Transportation
[1:16:43] that those federal grants would be withheld and that other
[1:16:46] monies would be withheld from those cities in any state
[1:16:50] in the union that embraced a sanctuary city. I also
[1:16:55] made clear that it was disrespectful to the people of
[1:16:58] this country who came here lawfully. In the record city,
[1:17:02] Clarence, thank you City Clerk. Next speaker, please.
[1:17:22] Margo, I just want to note that we're allowing the
[1:17:24] additional 10 minutes since we had no phone speakers connected.
[1:17:40] And just encourage all of you to be a succinct
[1:17:42] as possible. Hello again.
[1:18:10] Um, Natalie Santamaría with Visión y Compromiso. And this amendment
[1:18:18] to prohibit smoking in part. I am here also as
[1:18:22] part of the tobacco - free coalition, which you all
[1:18:25] know that most of you know that we've been working
[1:18:28] for many years, along with other organizations to pass several
[1:18:32] Resolutions. So I'm here to thank you. I know we
[1:18:35] presented and also on behalf of the promotors that they
[1:18:39] couldn't continue in that forward to looking at how enforcement
[1:18:41] is going to look. Um, some signage too. And the
[1:18:45] parts will be very helpful. And, um, some education and
[1:18:51] also including parking lots. Again, we're looking forward to collaborating
[1:18:55] on that education when something new arises right in our
[1:18:58] community. And we want to be as proactive as possible
[1:19:01] with green education in the parts, as you all know,
[1:19:05] she has a passion for that. So again, thank you.
[1:19:07] And looking forward to working with you all. Thank you,
[1:19:10] Ms. Central Mario. Medal clerk, we have additional speakers. Ricardo
[1:19:18] Del Hoyo.
[1:19:33] I'm a proud resident of Ward One. Shout out to
[1:19:36] Councilwoman Arias. Um, good afternoon to Mayor Go and Council
[1:19:39] members. Before I get into agenda item 6D point two,
[1:19:44] I'd like to take a moment and think the city
[1:19:45] council for extending the Public Remarks period for the 2045
[1:19:50] general Plan Update.
[1:20:06] However, after on the general, that's measurable change and action
[1:20:10] plans. I too hope all communities can rise together, especially
[1:20:16] underserved communities. You see, I grew up in Bakersfield. I
[1:20:19] attended local schools. I graduated from Cal State Bakersfield. And
[1:20:23] although much has changed, some areas and some statistics have
[1:20:29] not changed. Nathan, one period with lack of infrastructure. This
[1:20:34] has been the case since I grew up. And continues
[1:20:36] to be true today. I
[1:20:46] applaud the Resolution on approving the Application for the Climate
[1:20:50] Bond grants fund. Yes, we need more trees in downtown,
[1:20:55] but we also need more trees outside the downtown corridor
[1:20:59] of Ward 2. And you passed Brendage Avenue past 58,
[1:21:05] pass Bill Terrace to truly amplify and beautify the Chester
[1:21:11] to South Chest Recorridor with trees, greenery, and green pedestrian
[1:21:16] corridors. Thank you for your time. Thank you, Mr. Del
[1:21:23] Hoyo. Madam Clerk, next speaker, please.
[1:21:48] Welcome. Please, Center introduce yourself. Hi, hello. My name is
[1:21:51] Lawrence Lacido Jr. I am a proud member of the
[1:21:53] Cholon Indian Nation. And I'm also here representing with tobacco
[1:21:56] - free current and my place of occupancy, Beckers Little
[1:22:00] American Health Project. Uh, we are here in support of
[1:22:04] the Spokebree Parks and the Ordinance that is going out.
[1:22:08] Uh, we do... Area's a Native American tobacco is a
[1:22:14] very spiritual and traditional medicine for us. So we do
[1:22:18] want to make the distinction between traditional tobacco and commercial
[1:22:21] tobacco commercialized tobacco, which is the heavily processed industrialized version
[1:22:26] of it versus traditional spiritual tobacco, which we use in
[1:22:31] medicine, which we use as gift. So next speakers. Josie
[1:22:39] Sarulo.
[1:22:52] Please for to douce yourself. Councilmember
[1:23:02] Jose 600. And Letitia has run a successful business there
[1:23:08] for over seven years. She pays taxes. Employees locals, and
[1:23:14] wants to stay. But the constant business interruption. From the
[1:23:19] chronic offenders is forcing her at other tenants to close
[1:23:24] their doors. Sight
[1:23:34] neighborhoods. Our areas already hurting from high crime, open drug
[1:23:39] use, vandalism, fights, threats to store workers, open sex, threats
[1:23:45] to customers, loitering, constant storefront trouble. The list goes on
[1:23:51] and on.
[1:24:01] The city cannot just fix housing for one group. Natural
[1:24:06] job, or they will leave. And this will cause more
[1:24:09] empty buildings in the area where half of the stores
[1:24:12] are already shut down. True compassion requires balance. If you
[1:24:19] move a high risk group here, you must protect us.
[1:24:32] We demand that the conditional use permit for the 24
[1:24:37] - 7 security guard looping our streets and alleys within
[1:24:41] a four block radius. Second. Install high definition cameras that
[1:24:47] link right to the police. Third,
[1:24:58] gift security and police immediate power to remove trouble bankers.
[1:25:02] Fourth, get businesses, owners, fast. You spring your competence without
[1:25:07] securing our businesses first. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Rivel.
[1:25:11] Next speaker, please, Madam Clerk. Guadalupe Silva.
[1:25:36] The next person, please. Magnus, lightborn.
[1:25:47] Well, completion to do yourself. Thank you. Good evening, Marigold
[1:25:49] City Council members. My name is Magnus Lightborn, representing
[1:25:59] Ripple Fiber, California. I'm here with our chief legal officer,
[1:26:03] Josh Lauren. I just wanted to miss heist to the,
[1:26:06] uh, we'd like to do it in the most innovasive
[1:26:08] manner as most non - invasive manner as possible. And
[1:26:11] I look forward to working with you guys. And thank
[1:26:13] you for your cooperation. Thank you, Mr. Thiper. Madam Clerknick,
[1:26:19] Speaker, please.
[1:26:38] Mayor, the next four speakers are in person. Regarding item
[1:26:42] 11A. The first speaker is Abby Power.
[1:27:04] So this is on the Clean City special. I'd like
[1:27:06] to give my. Clerk, could you call the next speaker,
[1:27:09] please? Thank you. Neuras, Torres.
[1:27:45] Gracias por escuchar nuestras inquietudes y tomar en cuenta las
[1:27:50] necesidades de nuestra comunidad. Valoramos su atención y esperamos seguir
[1:27:56] trabajando juntos para mejorar nuestra ciudad. También queremos solicitar su
[1:28:03] apoyo para que los ayude a realizar una investigación sobre
[1:28:08] unas personas que inquietan, que vive abandona una arma. Me
[1:28:13] gustaría programar una cita para discutir los detalles. Muchas gracias.
[1:28:18] Thank you and interpret your police.
[1:28:38] Good afternoon. My name is Nodis Torres. Thank you to
[1:28:41] our council member Arias for listening to our concerns. We
[1:28:45] want to talk about communa in our better our community.
[1:28:49] We also want to ask for your support to be
[1:28:52] able to do an investigation regarding some people who are
[1:28:57] concerning our communities. There is a man who lives in
[1:29:00] a lot that has been abandoned by the Community who
[1:29:03] has a weapon. And I would like to establish a
[1:29:06] meeting so that we can go over the. Miss. Thank
[1:29:11] you, Noodis, for everything that you do for your community.
[1:29:14] It was a pleasure just a little bit more than
[1:29:16] a week ago. Being
[1:29:26] out there in your neck of the woods, getting to
[1:29:29] walk the community and see all of the many challenges
[1:29:32] that you all are navigating. And so my heart goes
[1:29:35] out to you and I just want you to know
[1:29:36] that we certainly hear you. And we want to do
[1:29:40] right where your advocate for help to reconvene, I'll call
[1:29:46] it a task force address. Addressing some of the neighborhood
[1:29:49] level challenges in Southeast Bakersfield that we get some police
[1:29:53] department, the city attorney's office together to meet with Nuries
[1:29:58] to talk about some of the safety challenges there. Thank
[1:30:01] you. Thank you, Ken Speaker, please.
[1:30:16] Welcome, please introduce yourself. Hello, my name is Johnny Olagas.
[1:30:21] Check the timer. I was here for something else. Actually,
[1:30:26] flock and 11A.
[1:30:36] One of the issues with the dump site out there
[1:30:41] were to find these individuals that were dumping the trash.
[1:30:45] I am now trying to be solution - based. And
[1:30:49] one of my proposals is instead of finding these individuals
[1:30:53] that dump the trash, how about we open the wood
[1:30:56] site for accepting trash. So the wood site, they open,
[1:31:02] I believe it's Tuesday through Saturday. From 8 a. m.
[1:31:05] to 3. 30. My brother actually called me on Monday.
[1:31:09] He was going to take some wood from his house,
[1:31:12] some tree trimmings or whatever. And he couldn't get to
[1:31:14] the wood side. He called me. He's like on Monday.
[1:31:16] He goes, hey, is the woodside open? I said, no,
[1:31:19] it's not. And so he's like, I don't want to
[1:31:22] go to Beena, the linefill, right? Which you guys, I
[1:31:25] don't know if you know Orbina is. And so what
[1:31:27] ended up happening was my brother turned around, went back
[1:31:29] home. Right? And he wasted his gas. And as we
[1:31:33] know, gas is really expensive right now. So my account,
[1:31:36] you know, I'm going to ask Zach. If you can
[1:31:38] please look into this because we have a lot of
[1:31:42] trees in our area, a ton of trees, uh, we're
[1:31:45] about to go into that season where I will probably
[1:31:47] take two trailers full of trees. Of just my art
[1:31:50] is just a ton. So I was Zach to look
[1:31:53] into that. Um, but I will ask, you know, I
[1:31:56] will tell Eric, you know, as far as the, uh,
[1:31:59] when. The camera suggests, I think that's just a terrible
[1:32:02] idea. I think we should provide solutions and look at
[1:32:04] why people can't take the trash or their tree trimmings.
[1:32:08] Let's be more proactive about it. And as a community
[1:32:11] members, um, I work in the trash industry. So that's
[1:32:14] how, you know, so anyway, the other thing is sanctuary
[1:32:18] city. Let's do it. You guys suck. Thank you Mr.
[1:32:22] Lagus and next speaker, please. Go. That was our final
[1:32:29] speaker. Thank you. Next item, please. Yeah. Yeah. Um, we
[1:32:38] need a break at this point, I think. So let's
[1:32:40] take a break for 10 minutes. And we'll be back
[1:32:45] for more City Business.
[1:41:24] Let's start gathering together and if we could have staff
[1:41:27] in the back just help to close the doors please.
[1:41:30] It's close enough to 10 minutes.
[1:41:41] Council Member Common. We're ready to start.
[1:41:58] Let's all sit down please so we can continue the
[1:42:00] meeting at 647. And Madam Clerk Would you please read
[1:42:04] the next item. Consent calendar. A staff memorandum was provided
[1:42:12] transmitting correct admits for item 6A1. Item 6F3 transmitting correspondence
[1:42:20] item 6F 15 correcting the item title and also pleased
[1:42:25] that it one contains a staff recommendation to adopt resolutions
[1:42:29] approving salaries and benefits for specified units. Thank you and
[1:42:33] we've had a request by Council Member Smith to poll
[1:42:38] 6C4. Is that just number two Councilmember. Okay. Thank you.
[1:42:45] And I don't see any other requests for items to
[1:42:48] be poll Council Member Gonzalez. Motion to approve consent calendar
[1:42:53] with the exception of 6C4. You have a motion please
[1:42:59] cast your votes.
[1:43:25] With council member We're voting no and vice mayor corps
[1:43:29] absent Thank you and Council Member Smith now 6C4. Thank
[1:43:37] you mayor this is the item that addresses the smoking
[1:43:43] in Public Parks and I think that's a good thing
[1:43:47] to move away from smoking in Public Parks, but reading
[1:43:50] the original Ordinance I also noticed that it also prohibits
[1:43:55] bicycles and unicycles and I think that all of our
[1:43:58] children have ridden bicycles and parks and that we should
[1:44:02] since we are kind of cleaning this ordinance up that
[1:44:05] we can go ahead and allow bicycle unit hike hearts
[1:44:08] So make that change to this cleanup ordinance. Thank you.
[1:44:13] Thank you. You have a motion please catch you. Oh
[1:44:15] Councilmember Arias. Thanks Mayor really quickly
[1:44:25] just wanted to thank the advocates for their work on
[1:44:27] this item They brought it back to safe and healthy
[1:44:29] neighborhoods not too long ago made a wonderful presentation And
[1:44:34] I just think this signifies the continued work to make
[1:44:36] sure Thank you so much. We explicitly call out that
[1:44:41] our parks are also smoke - free zones I have
[1:44:45] not had a chance to look through the entire document
[1:44:48] itself But I would like to make that ask that
[1:44:50] we make that explicit. Thank you. So you have a
[1:44:54] motion to approve six C4. You have emotionally sketch your
[1:44:59] votes.
[1:45:20] The motion is approved with council member We're voting no
[1:45:23] and vice mayor corps absent. Thank you next item, please.
[1:45:37] Consent calendar Public hearings Item 7A Public hearing to consider
[1:45:42] the Planning Commission's approval of General Plan Amendment and zone
[1:45:45] change number 23 - 0560 And it's proposed mitigated negative
[1:45:52] declaration. Item 7B Public hearing to consider planning commission's approval
[1:46:01] of General Plan Amendment Zone Change number 25 - 0
[1:46:07] negative declaration. Thank you. It's time for the consent calendar
[1:46:11] Public hearings as the clerk said the purpose of this
[1:46:14] section is to vote on all the items listed under
[1:46:17] consent calendar hearings in one motion without further comment If
[1:46:21] anyone would like to speak on any of the hearing
[1:46:23] items Listed the item must be removed from the portion
[1:46:27] of this agenda If an item is removed it will
[1:46:30] be placed at the end of the regular Public hearings
[1:46:34] portion of the agenda. So at this time I will
[1:46:38] open consent calendar public hearing item 7A B is there
[1:46:44] any one of the audience who would like to request
[1:46:46] that a hearing item be removed from the consent calendar
[1:46:49] If so, please come forward This isn't the time to
[1:46:51] take testimony only remove the matter from the consent calendar
[1:46:54] hearing. Mayor Go we did receive a request to remove
[1:47:01] item 7A. From the consent calendar Public hearings. Thank you.
[1:47:07] And then does any council member wish to remove any
[1:47:10] other item.
[1:47:24] Right so at this time consent calendar Public hearing items.
[1:47:33] Mayor I'll make a motion to adopt Consent calendar Public
[1:47:37] hearing item 7b. You have a motion. Please cast your
[1:47:43] votes.
[1:48:03] Council Member Thank. Hearings item 8A Public Hearing Public Appeal
[1:48:12] hearing of Planning Commission's approval of vesting tentative tract map
[1:48:16] number 7451 phased. MAntosh and associates representing Diamond Farming Company
[1:48:25] is proposing to subdivide 40. 77 acres into 313 single
[1:48:32] - family residential lots 1 Multi - use trail lot
[1:48:35] and 1 Park lot R2. single located Generally southeast of
[1:48:39] En Santa Fe way. Sierra Club appealed the Planning Commission
[1:48:42] decision Developer Tom D. from RFG Properties Inc. requested the
[1:48:48] Public Appeal hearing Be Opened and continued to September 16
[1:48:52] 2026 since they are negotiating a settlement with the appellate
[1:48:56] Sierra Club. I'm sorry did we skip 7A. We'll come
[1:49:01] back to that at the end of the hearings. So
[1:49:07] for the Public hearings each side will be allowed 20
[1:49:10] minutes It's 20 minutes for all speakers per side 10
[1:49:13] minutes for in - person speakers 10 minutes for Speakers
[1:49:16] by phone It's important that you identify yourself Make your
[1:49:19] statements succinctly so others may speak If there's testimony on
[1:49:23] both sides Each side will be allowed to 10 -
[1:49:25] minute rebuttal There's clock on the TV screens behind me
[1:49:28] which indicates 20 minutes When you're called on please identify
[1:49:31] yourself You may ask questions during your statement But they
[1:49:34] won't be addressed until the Public hearing is closed If
[1:49:38] you written Comets that are longer than your verbal statement
[1:49:40] Give them to the clerk and she'll provide copies to
[1:49:43] the council Please be courteous to others who wish to
[1:49:45] speak. So at this time Public hearing item 8A is
[1:49:51] open Before we begin I'd like to acknowledge that staff
[1:49:54] recommends that we open and continue this Public hearing to
[1:49:58] the September 16 2026 City Council meeting pending negotiations of
[1:50:03] the settlement while the Public can still make Public comments
[1:50:06] today We encourage you to wait until the item is
[1:50:09] heard on September 16 Madam Clerk Do we have any
[1:50:13] speakers in opposition or in favor of this item? Mayor
[1:50:19] Go we have not received any request to speak in
[1:50:21] opposition or in favor of this item either by phone
[1:50:26] or in person. Thank you Next item please. Don't we
[1:50:32] need a motion to continue? Oh yes We do need
[1:50:34] a motion to continue I would like to make that
[1:50:37] Council Member Smith made a motion to continue this item
[1:50:41] You have a motion Please cast your votes.
[1:50:52] The item is approved with Vice Mayor Corps absent. Thank
[1:50:56] you. Madam Clerk next item please.
[1:51:07] Item 7A. Public hearing to consider the Planning Commission's Approval
[1:51:13] of General Plan Amendment and Zone Change Number 23 -
[1:51:17] 0560 and its proposed Mitigated negative declaration. And Clerk What
[1:51:25] about 8B. Oh Somebody made a mistake. Alright there is
[1:51:33] no AP. Alright we're on to 7A Council members Smith.
[1:51:40] Are you the one who pulled it initially? Nobody else
[1:51:43] did. City Manager colleg. Uh Mayor and Council our Development
[1:51:48] Services Director Phil Burns can just give a quick summary
[1:51:50] of this Um pending any questions Um... In response to
[1:51:55] those that wanted to have this item and discuss separately.
[1:52:01] Council Members Uh we have in front of us is
[1:52:03] General Plan Amendment 230560. Property owner HEG Investments LLC Project
[1:52:09] description is the General Plan Amendment Zone Change for 24.
[1:52:13] 86 Acres The Project intends to develop 6. 36 acres
[1:52:18] commercial LAN on the northern person of the property and
[1:52:20] a project intends to develop 18. 5 acres as multifamily
[1:52:24] residential on the southern portion of the parcel. Conceptual plans
[1:52:33] have been submitted for commercial portion But no development planted
[1:52:37] slowing ash Revenge CECO document is an MND. Planning Commission
[1:52:47] approved this project until I 16th No speakers in favor
[1:52:51] or opposition at that hearing stack recommends the project has
[1:52:55] been found consistent with your general plan policies and city
[1:52:57] zoning ordinances requirements for these reasons city staff recommends approval
[1:53:01] of the General Plan Amendment and zone change for Project
[1:53:04] 23.
[1:53:49] So at this time Public item 7A is open. Madam
[1:53:58] Clerk Do we have any requests to speak on this
[1:54:01] item. Mayor Go we've received one request to speak in
[1:54:06] opposition to staff's recommendation. And go ahead and call that
[1:54:11] speaker. You said draw Osby. Is that person in person
[1:54:20] or was that supposed to be on the phone. May
[1:54:23] I go with the request was for in - person.
[1:54:26] Thank you and I don't see that she is present
[1:54:28] here. My assumption Mary GoFame is that it may have
[1:54:33] been another item Uh... Besides this item that was made
[1:54:38] perhaps Mislabeled. Okay Thank you. So. Does anybody want to
[1:54:45] make a motion on this item Council Member Smith I'll
[1:54:48] make the motion to approve. You have a motion on
[1:54:52] 7A Please catch your votes. The hearing is closed now
[1:54:59] You have a motion.
[1:55:13] Coming from somewhere steps So if you tend to that.
[1:55:17] S a. Game. Yes Did you already vote.
[1:55:35] The item is approved with Vice Mayor Corps absent. Thank
[1:55:40] you. Next item please.
[1:55:57] Item 10A. Interfund loan to complete the acquisition of 1430
[1:56:01] and 1440 Truxton Avenue pursuant to council approved purchase agreement.
[1:56:07] Thank you Sorry Margo There was a blue memo prepared
[1:56:11] for this item. Uh transmitting data mission.
[1:56:22] As we jump into this item I will remind your
[1:56:24] council that this was before you in March of this
[1:56:27] year earlier. Your City Council approved a purchase and a
[1:56:33] lease and purchase and sale agreement Uh... Contingent on a
[1:56:38] due diligence period Uh... For this site. Um... We'll walk
[1:56:43] through the background again on this because it is a
[1:56:46] large decision A large item. Uh... But in quick summary
[1:56:50] Uh this project really was initiated out of an effort
[1:56:54] to save our operating dollars to gain efficiencies. And to
[1:57:00] Focus on a long - term solution. Uh... Aed that
[1:57:04] we had that was Uh... Our operations.
[1:57:18] I'm. Having Ike in this advance.
[1:57:28] Thank you Mr. Marcus. So again This goes all the
[1:57:35] way back to 2021 We did we were in a
[1:57:38] mode where we were in the process of hiring 100
[1:57:41] police officers as well as some support staff and the
[1:57:44] police Department We had significant space challenges Did a space
[1:57:49] at identified Space needs But also we did not have
[1:57:53] the capacity at the time to address those with expensive
[1:57:58] new build projects. And so we were in a position
[1:58:02] where we needed to lease office space to house our
[1:58:05] growing police Department. We also did citywide office - based
[1:58:11] assessments in 23 and 24 Uh... But we have been
[1:58:14] leasing space in a building that is outside of our
[1:58:18] downtown core since 20 to 1 Those lease payments Uh
[1:58:22] have been escalating up towards last year It was 900,
[1:58:25] 000 dollars And next year we anticipated would be over
[1:58:27] a million dollars. For those lease payments. At the time
[1:58:32] there was limited suitable office space in the downtown core
[1:58:35] But yeah the council at the time approved that move
[1:58:39] Uh out of the urgency that we had But gave
[1:58:42] direction to try and look for long - term space
[1:58:44] back in the downtown core at some point in the
[1:58:47] future. So there were multiple properties test 24 5 to
[1:58:54] think about those long - term needs. Uhm we found
[1:58:59] that the truckston tower became a realistic option in 2025
[1:59:03] and started Uh, the process of doing the analysis and
[1:59:07] approaching the property owners And again There's a unique opportunity
[1:59:12] that this move will offer us significant savings. While addressing
[1:59:16] that long - term space needs into the future Uh,
[1:59:20] just in summary There is an immediate savings of 350,
[1:59:24] 000 dollars a year of our operating dollars. Uh after
[1:59:28] the payment for our internal Umd loan That would represent
[1:59:35] a savings of more than a million dollars a year
[1:59:37] Uh... After the 12 - year term of that loan.
[1:59:41] This is just to orient again Uh, council and Community
[1:59:44] to where this location is It is the taller tower
[1:59:48] portion as well is that Uh... Orange color They're labeled
[1:59:51] 11, and the parking garage behind it Significant parking space
[1:59:56] Uh... To the advantage of the tenets of the building,
[1:59:59] the city And ultimately our parking enterprise Uh... That will
[2:00:03] make that parking available in the evenings to customers downtown
[2:00:07] to expand our enterprise beyond our current parking garage.
[2:00:18] Uh, this is mostly for the Public Record to just
[2:00:21] reflect the space and where we're going to initi space
[2:00:25] for moving into floors of office space and one floor
[2:00:29] Uh the ground floor for some training space Uh... And
[2:00:32] that is already subject to the least agreement as approved
[2:00:35] by council But as we move forward with purchase Uh,
[2:00:39] then we would still occupy that space But it is
[2:00:42] 122, 000 square foot Um... building... That allows us to
[2:00:47] have many other tenants that help to pay for the
[2:00:49] net operating costs of that building. And that gets us
[2:00:55] to the rationale again It gives us the opportunity.
[2:01:11] Um... Manage our timing costs on our space needs... While
[2:01:15] getting a long - term solution We don't need to
[2:01:17] occupy the entire space Uh... We can slowly over time
[2:01:21] as our Community grows And we have additional Um... Needs
[2:01:26] to serve our community to potentially occupy additional space But
[2:01:30] we don't have to... And having those... Uh... Revenues come
[2:01:35] in to help again with our net operating cost is
[2:01:38] a huge advantage Uh... And in particular it was the
[2:01:42] very expensive least Uh... Payments... Uh... That we're able to
[2:01:45] eliminate Consolidate staffional efficiencies Uh... Again, and it is in
[2:01:53] the heart of downtown and positioned very close to City
[2:01:56] Hall Uh... That allows us to continue Uh... Move forward
[2:02:02] in working closely together as City team And would just
[2:02:06] note lastly that... We were able to... Have a favorable
[2:02:12] Uh... Purchase price... Given some of our market purchasing the
[2:02:15] praise and long - term tenants.
[2:02:28] We completed our due diligence period at the end of
[2:02:30] July We saw no red flags There are not any
[2:02:36] facility issues that aren't beyond what we would consider regular
[2:02:39] maintenance Uh... We did through the process identify some of
[2:02:42] those maintenance needs that are gonna come up in the
[2:02:45] next 5 to 10 years And that's important Small 4
[2:02:48] Consideration for our maintenance costs in the first year Because
[2:02:53] we do anticipate needing to do some maintenance in year
[2:02:55] 1 The we already had a 425, 000 dollar deposit
[2:03:01] on this property that would go towards the purchase price.
[2:03:11] Um... And... We were underway in the planning process that
[2:03:16] we had the choice that we were just moving to
[2:03:19] other least costs that were facing at the other location.
[2:03:22] So again in short summary Uh after our due diligence
[2:03:26] Staff is recommending that we move forward Because there are
[2:03:29] no issues that suggest that we shouldn't acquire the building.
[2:03:43] A few more... I think just valuable Reflections on why
[2:03:47] we move for the same tenants You see that there
[2:03:50] on the screen Uh... There are a variety of different
[2:03:54] tenants and varying lease agreements But several of those are
[2:03:58] also long - term tenants We do have about 21
[2:04:01] percent vacancy The average vacancy for office space in downtown
[2:04:06] is closer to 6 percent City - wide It's closer
[2:04:08] to 8 percent And so we think there's work we
[2:04:11] can go due to acquire additional tenants Uh... That would
[2:04:14] help us continue to offset our operating costs The performer
[2:04:19] that's before your council does not include assumptions of additional
[2:04:23] Revenues from those leases Where he took a conservative approach
[2:04:26] And it's based on current plus 1 That's based on
[2:04:30] a notable letter of interest that has been... Issued Uh...
[2:04:36] Occupy that space And so any additional space that gets
[2:04:40] leased Only helps improve RENET Operating... Again, achieves 1, 000
[2:04:45] dollars EVs are year. But also very importantly It preserves
[2:04:49] a very important Uh, building in the core corridor for
[2:04:54] trucks and... And... Preserves our economic activity downtown. Uh... And
[2:05:01] again that phased City expansion as needed. These are numbers
[2:05:09] that were provided in the administrative report And these are
[2:05:11] the numbers where I'm giving you again our least pain
[2:05:14] Ever in this coming YON Our total payments Uh... Against
[2:05:21] this Enrefund loan would be 636, 000 dollars Which is
[2:05:26] why I'm saying the million minus the 366 That's your
[2:05:31] 350 I rounded down 350, 000 dollars in savings every
[2:05:35] year And those payments that were making from our capital
[2:05:41] Um... Improvement Program each year... Free up the operating dollars
[2:05:45] on the police side And they go towards the acquisition
[2:05:49] of this long - term asset And so instead of
[2:05:52] throwing money away to a lease that didn't result in
[2:05:54] any long - term asset ThisNOW does. Um... Put us
[2:06:00] in a position. To have acquired this long - term
[2:06:03] asset. Lastly I noted earlier Um... That we had space
[2:06:10] that we could continue to lease These are just some
[2:06:14] square foot estimates And some conservative... Uh... Estimated least revenues
[2:06:20] that could come from those additional spaces And as you'll
[2:06:23] know that would significantly again Increase that revenue And notably
[2:06:29] decrease the amount of capital dollars that would need to
[2:06:32] go towards debt service each year And we feel that.
[2:06:37] Several years into this... Um... Our Inner Fund loan That
[2:06:42] we're likely to be in a position Where the full
[2:06:44] debt service is being paid by the net operating revenues
[2:06:48] from the building. There are act front of us Uh,
[2:06:56] there is the option to move Uh... With purpose and
[2:07:00] to close by the end of this month. And that
[2:07:03] would represent a significant savings 800, 000 dollars And I
[2:07:06] don't see any reason not to move now Um... If
[2:07:08] we chose to... Exercise our purchase option at a later
[2:07:13] date. Uh... The price would change notably. And our deposit
[2:07:18] again has... Uh... Already... Uh... Where passed our due diligence
[2:07:23] period Deposit has gone hard And we would not get
[2:07:25] that deposit back if we don't move forward Um... And
[2:07:29] again Significant savings with the early exercise option That's... That
[2:07:34] we're recommending in front of you. This is a lot
[2:07:38] of numbers But we wanted to be transparent and demonstrate
[2:07:42] What our debt service payments look like. Again This is
[2:07:46] a 2. 5 percent interest loan over 12 years. At
[2:07:52] this time We're using some of our Capitol Facility about
[2:07:55] 2. 5 million dollars in total And we're gonna pay
[2:07:57] that back Uh... over the next five years to make
[2:08:00] sure that that is restored. Um... And I probably should
[2:08:04] have done this at the Out set I apologize I
[2:08:06] did not. As a recommendation to use an inner Fund
[2:08:10] loan What this means What we're doing is we have
[2:08:12] reserves in our equipment Fund. That we're gonna borrow against
[2:08:16] or borrowing against our own reserved dollars. But it's at
[2:08:19] a 2. 5 percent interest rate because we don't want
[2:08:22] to lose value that our reserves would have gained Had
[2:08:26] they been invested in the market And so we always
[2:08:29] invest our reserves And... This represents a five - year
[2:08:35] average Of what our reserve interest income has been. And
[2:08:41] that 2. 5 percent is a fair way to make
[2:08:43] sure that we're not losing money in our reserves By
[2:08:46] making this enterfund loan. Uh, some might question Why do
[2:08:53] we choose this particular way of financing? Um... It's far
[2:08:57] more cost - effective than going out and trying to
[2:09:02] loan or bond in the private markets Because you have
[2:09:04] to pay higher interest rates You also have to pay
[2:09:08] transactional costs. Um... And it's endoscope. Uh... At 12 million
[2:09:13] dollars It's in the scope that our interfund reserves can
[2:09:17] handle Uh... We can't do larger projects that might be...
[2:09:21] Tens of millions or 100 million dollars. But we have
[2:09:24] a reserve Uh... That is over 100 million dollars in
[2:09:27] our equipment Fund And we have a 54 million dollar
[2:09:31] unrestricted reserve in the equipment Fund And so this is
[2:09:34] about the right size for us to do A very
[2:09:37] meaningful project That's gonna save us a lot of money
[2:09:41] And a short timeframe Still make that... Equipment Fund whole
[2:09:45] again. So that is our recommendation For review The City
[2:09:49] Council A 12. 1 Million Dollar Interfund loan. That we
[2:09:54] were appropriate those to our Capitol Outlet Fund and appropriate
[2:09:56] the remaining 2 million from the Capitol Facility Reserve to
[2:10:00] our capital Outlawe Fund Uh... It's a total of 2.
[2:10:03] 5 towards this Project from the Capitol LA Fund The
[2:10:06] other 425 is the Deposit that we already made. And
[2:10:10] with that I'm happy to answer any questions.
[2:11:31] General fund and several of our other funds, but they
[2:11:33] have to be protected only for the use of purchase
[2:11:35] of equipment. But again, as a healthy reserve sits over
[2:11:40] there, it's an opportunity to borrow against that from ourselves.
[2:11:44] But because it is dedicated to a specific purpose, it
[2:11:47] does have to be paid back with interest. So when
[2:11:50] we say that we're saving money, we are saving money
[2:11:53] because today we are spending money on a current lease
[2:11:58] agreement for space that we need for big so police
[2:12:01] department. And we pay a million dollars annually. And where
[2:12:05] did those funds come from? Thank you, Council Member. That
[2:12:07] is coming out of the general fund. The savings that
[2:12:10] we're achieving is going to be to the general fund.
[2:12:12] So we will, because we have to pay ourselves back
[2:12:17] in these additional, these other funds, we will be saving
[2:12:21] 350, 000 dollars a year. And then in the 13th
[2:12:25] year, then, we will be saving a million dollars at
[2:12:27] least because these lease agreements, they don't get cheaper over
[2:12:32] time. You know, just like my rent. It's only gotten
[2:12:36] more expensive. You know, the lease agreement will likely be
[2:12:40] even more expensive in the future. Is that right? That
[2:12:44] is correct. It's a conservative savings of a million dollars
[2:12:46] a year. It will only increase over the life of
[2:12:49] this loan payback. So over the next 12 years, we'll
[2:12:55] be paying 12 million dollars if we choose not to
[2:12:57] pursue this correct. The other thing is the thing I
[2:13:01] really like about this project is that it occupies a
[2:13:06] building that currently has a 21 percent vacancy rate. You
[2:13:11] mentioned the current 21 percent vacancy rate. Is that including
[2:13:15] the anticipated use from basal police department and city. Yes.
[2:13:22] When police occupies it, there will still be 21 percent
[2:13:26] vacancy. Got it. But we are already having conversations with
[2:13:31] potential tenants in anticipation of the city's purchase. Is that
[2:13:35] right? Absolutely. And it has been actively marketed. I think
[2:13:39] it's fair to know that. But also we feel that
[2:13:42] as the city enters the building as the owner and
[2:13:47] as an attendant, who look at that and make some
[2:13:52] considerations, but we also think some potential tenants would see
[2:13:55] that as an attractive relationship. We'll leverage all of our
[2:14:00] relationships that we have as well to make sure that
[2:14:03] we can fill that space as much as possible. Great.
[2:14:06] Second to last point. Parking is a huge benefit because
[2:14:10] parking is limited in downtown. And it is one of
[2:14:12] the most controversial issues in downtown Bakers given its scarcity.
[2:14:19] How much does it cost to build a parking structure.
[2:14:25] I think Council Member Mayor and Council to build a
[2:14:27] parking structure depends a little bit on the size, of
[2:14:29] course. But a parking structure that would be 300 plus
[2:14:34] stalls is a 323 stall parking garage. Could be easily
[2:14:38] 50 million dollars. 50 million dollars to build a new
[2:14:42] structure. Correct. Yeah. That's not going to happen anytime soon.
[2:14:46] At least with the city of Bakersville, given our current
[2:14:48] condition. So I think this is a good move even
[2:14:51] for that. And then my last point is. Tonight we're
[2:14:53] also considering an item related to a vacant property that
[2:14:57] is seen many code violations. And we know all too
[2:15:03] well in this city what happens when buildings remain underutilized
[2:15:07] or even vacant. And it becomes a huge liability to
[2:15:11] the city because we have to expend resources by way
[2:15:15] of code enforcement, police department, fire department, uh, and also
[2:15:20] becomes just a nuisance to the surrounding community. There are
[2:15:24] a lot of negative externalities related to some of these
[2:15:27] buildings. Uh, then unfortunately are in the urban corps. There's
[2:15:31] just a higher concentration. Um, and the thing that I've
[2:15:36] always worried about is to see this building, um, fall,
[2:15:41] uh, fall into disrepair and to see many of the
[2:15:44] tenants leave as a result. And, um, and then the
[2:15:49] whoever the future owner is seeing them not really caring
[2:15:53] for this property, um, and it becoming a major liability
[2:15:57] for all of us in this community. And so I
[2:16:00] think this is a really big win for not only
[2:16:06] the city of Bakersfield from a business perspective, but also
[2:16:08] for downtown and for the future of downtown Bakersfield. So,
[2:16:14] uh, I'm going to make a motion tonight that we
[2:16:15] prove this. Thanks. Thank you. Council Member Bashir Tash.
[2:16:30] So we have to borrow, we have to be interested
[2:16:33] on the money that we borrow from one account, Randy.
[2:16:36] That's like a, that's a mandatory thing. Good evening. Council
[2:16:46] member, that is really a best practice. So what we
[2:16:48] did is we built this inner fund loan policy based
[2:16:52] on other comparable cities. And it really is because it's
[2:16:56] an enterprise fund. It really is the property approach. Those
[2:17:01] funds are really belonging to the equipment fund. And so
[2:17:04] we want to really return those dollars with what they
[2:17:09] would have earned if they would have had to remain
[2:17:10] in an investment fund. So that's really a best practice.
[2:17:14] Cool. Thank you. That's, I promise you, Rayni, I want
[2:17:16] to ask you any more questions. That was the only
[2:17:17] one. So the, the freezing in vocabulary behind the conversation
[2:17:26] that I just listened to was a little bit bothersome
[2:17:29] to me because it's not our money. It's taxpayer money.
[2:17:32] We're going to, we're going to pay interest. On tax.
[2:17:37] We're going to pay interest with taxpayer money on taxpayer
[2:17:40] money. For something, uh, just that just, I mean, that
[2:17:46] makes me sick to my stomach. We're going to pay
[2:17:48] interest on taxpayer money because we're not making money by
[2:17:52] investing it. That just sounds so backwards to me. We're
[2:17:55] going to take more money from the people. To pay
[2:17:58] for the money we already took from the people. That
[2:18:02] doesn't make sense to me. Um, this is going to
[2:18:05] be so much more costly. It's a 1974 building. Every
[2:18:09] year that goes by in my life and I'm not
[2:18:11] even a building. I break down and cost more. I
[2:18:13] can only imagine what the floor space of this, that
[2:18:16] parking structure looks like. I think it would be very
[2:18:19] cheap to have parking. If we twe it all down
[2:18:21] and had a gravel a lot with striped lines, like,
[2:18:24] you know, the current county fair would cost maybe half
[2:18:26] a million dollars. But this is going to cost so
[2:18:28] much money. And in a time when we're listening to
[2:18:33] people that have businesses on union that are getting shot
[2:18:36] up and we can't do anything to help with that.
[2:18:38] Or we're trying to create jailbed space, but we're moving
[2:18:42] real slow. I don't understand how we can allocate money
[2:18:45] to anything outside of fixing the problem that is plugging
[2:18:48] business owners that are coming here on a Wednesday night
[2:18:51] to speak and begging for help. Uh, I just, I
[2:18:55] don't support this. I think it's going to cost us
[2:18:58] so much more money. I don't understand how we're going
[2:18:59] to pay interest on taxpayer money by taking more money
[2:19:02] from the taxpayers. Um, but those are my comments. Council
[2:19:10] Member Coleman. Thank you, Mayor. So I wanted to
[2:19:20] address two things. I wanted first address this inner fun
[2:19:26] transfer. Because there's, there's people been out there talking about,
[2:19:31] uh, how it's some kind of accounting trick or we're
[2:19:35] doing something shady. The inner fund, first of all, that
[2:19:42] inner fund that we're going to borrow the money for,
[2:19:46] that's the equipment fund. Can you please tell me where
[2:19:51] that money in the equipment fund. Comes from. Yeah, I
[2:19:56] think you council remember. Coleman. The equipment fund, by the
[2:19:59] way, is principally vehicles, although there are a few other
[2:20:03] large value pieces of equipment that we include in the
[2:20:06] equipment fund, but we're not talking about equipment like shovels
[2:20:09] and rakes. This is high dollar value equipment. And so
[2:20:14] that equipment, um, fund is funded by almost all of
[2:20:19] our funds. So some of it comes from the general
[2:20:22] fund. Some of it comes from our other enterprise funds.
[2:20:26] But because they're coming from other enterprise funds, let's say
[2:20:28] it comes from the water fund. Those are protected dollars,
[2:20:33] rate payers may, you know, paid those dollars. And so,
[2:20:36] uh, that's why we feel it is appropriate to pay
[2:20:38] back the interest on that loan because it is a
[2:20:42] best accounting practice to account for each of these funds.
[2:20:46] Distinctly and openly. And I think I'll read a little
[2:20:49] bit into your question as well, Councillor McCominay, which I
[2:20:51] think is a good question. In our annual financial reporting
[2:20:56] documents, we report on each of these funds independently. They
[2:21:00] are accounted for separately independently. And those dollars are collected
[2:21:06] from each of the other funds to buy all the
[2:21:08] equipment we need across all of the funds. Um, but
[2:21:11] again, uh, that is one of our funds that, of
[2:21:16] course, it represents the value of all of that equipment.
[2:21:19] And so we, if we had multiple large pieces of
[2:21:21] equipment that went, you know, out. And we had to
[2:21:25] replace those. That's where our reserves come in. But we
[2:21:28] have a fairly healthy reserve by comparison there. And so
[2:21:32] it is available for the inner fund loan, but it
[2:21:35] needs to all be a documented and accounted for very
[2:21:39] clearly that these are separate dollars. Okay. So, uh, so
[2:21:48] first of all, this is not new to the city
[2:21:50] of Bakersfield. That is. We've done it before. That is
[2:21:55] correct. We have, cause I remember in the, uh, redevelopment
[2:22:01] days, we did that. From time to time to make
[2:22:05] some of the mill creek projects and that kind of
[2:22:08] thing work. Uh, has all that bad money been repaid,
[2:22:12] you know. It has, I think, as it relates to
[2:22:17] the redevelopment fund, of course, there's, you know, when the
[2:22:20] state shut that down, the lots of complications, uh, but,
[2:22:24] but of the city's interfund loans, yes. All of that
[2:22:27] has been repayback. Okay. So this is something that's, uh,
[2:22:34] recognized, and I did a little bit of my own
[2:22:37] research on this. I just kind of wanted to make
[2:22:40] a comment about this because, uh, there have been people
[2:22:44] out there saying that this is, this are accounting tricks.
[2:22:48] And this is recognized by the California state controllers office.
[2:22:53] And they have very strict rules on, on this, uh.
[2:23:00] It is common for municipalities to use inner fund borrowing.
[2:23:06] That is correct. It is very common. And also the
[2:23:08] government finance officers association has a set of guidelines that
[2:23:12] govern this as well as the state of California. Okay.
[2:23:15] And then can you tell me what the balance is
[2:23:17] and the equipment fund right now? The equipment fund balance.
[2:23:21] Let me pull it up. Plus reminder. It's about 120
[2:23:27] million dollars and unrestricted is about 54 million dollars. So
[2:23:33] we're going to be taking you out of the unrestricted
[2:23:35] amount, correct? Correct. And so what will the balance be
[2:23:38] after we borrow the money. Sorry, Councilmember. We'll have to
[2:23:44] Mr. McKegan, you have it off the top of your
[2:23:46] head, feel free. I do have it. 50, you say
[2:23:51] it's 54 million. We're going to borrow 12. So 42.
[2:23:55] Simple man. I could have done that other look at
[2:23:57] my notes. Oh, there's somebody to call an account. I
[2:24:00] guess my, my, my question then becomes, uh, we're still
[2:24:04] going to have 40 million dollars in an account. Are
[2:24:09] we going to need this 12 million dollars that were
[2:24:11] borrowed any time soon? We do not believe we do.
[2:24:15] In fact, we did some analysis and we have, uh,
[2:24:18] have a very high level of confidence that we'll be
[2:24:21] able to back any equipment purchases that we need to
[2:24:24] over the full 12 years of this loan repayment with
[2:24:29] the unrestricted balance that remains. Okay. Uh, I think I
[2:24:34] made my point about the inner fund loan in our
[2:24:38] fun borrowing. It's been done. We've cities of Bakersfield has
[2:24:43] done it. Frequently in the past. Other communities, uh, California.
[2:24:51] And outside of California, uh, use this practice to finance
[2:24:55] deals. Um, it's a good way to do it because
[2:24:58] you don't have to go out in the market. And
[2:25:01] you mentioned that you would have to pay broker fees
[2:25:05] for somebody to put a bond out and that kind
[2:25:07] of thing. And then you would probably have a higher
[2:25:09] interest rate. So I like the inner fund borrowing as
[2:25:14] a tool. I like the fact that we're not talking,
[2:25:18] putting it out there for 30 years. We're going to
[2:25:20] pay it back in 12 years. And frankly, if you're
[2:25:24] going to have some operating gains, then you might be
[2:25:28] able to pay that down sooner. Uh, but I did
[2:25:31] want to talk about the deal itself. Because in my
[2:25:36] history of things, I've done, I've done these kind of
[2:25:39] real estate analysis for, uh, for investment groups. And we've
[2:25:44] gone and assessed a property to make a buyer, no
[2:25:49] buy recommendation. And so, uh, to me, this is not
[2:25:54] a spectacular real estate deal. You know, yeah, we'd like
[2:25:59] to be buying it for less. But it's a solid
[2:26:03] deal. And it's a defendable deal. And, uh, it pencils.
[2:26:11] Uh, even without making any assumptions about being able to
[2:26:16] knock that 21 percent big C factor down. Uh, in
[2:26:22] the bank. And we have an appraisal. That supports a
[2:26:26] value above the purchase price. Correct. That is correct. Okay.
[2:26:33] There was some concern about the, uh, the high cost
[2:26:37] of utilities, but there's been some progress on that, correct?
[2:26:40] Yeah, I think accounts, member. That's a good question. That
[2:26:42] is also correct. There have been some energy efficiency measures
[2:26:46] to switch to LED lights throughout the building. But we,
[2:26:50] there are a couple additional energy efficiency projects that we
[2:26:54] think we could invest into further lower the energy costs.
[2:27:01] And I guess I wanted to make a point. We're
[2:27:03] not buying a vacant building for us to use all
[2:27:06] the space. So it has some preset income coming in.
[2:27:11] From these rentals. You correct? That's correct. One point of
[2:27:15] now rental beliesing. Yeah. 1. 4 million dollars in annual
[2:27:20] lease income. It's significant. Which is not, is that include
[2:27:25] the money worst bending for the lease or not? It
[2:27:27] does not. All right. So, so this, uh, repayment can
[2:27:32] be largely paid out of either the R least savings
[2:27:35] or the money we earned from the billing. It can
[2:27:38] council member for just for a sake of clarity and
[2:27:40] transparency. There's, the other building operating expenses as you noted
[2:27:45] the utilities and some of the maintenance and the management.
[2:27:49] But the, the total net operating costs, um, plus the
[2:27:55] savings from our lease, uh, elimination at the other building
[2:27:59] is that 350, 000 dollars net savings that does come
[2:28:04] to the city and that net operating savings helps to
[2:28:08] pay down our, our debt service. All right. Thank you.
[2:28:11] Um. The other point I wanted to make about is
[2:28:15] that, uh, a lot is made about, you know, the
[2:28:20] cost of the building. But. Municipalities typically hold these things
[2:28:28] for 50 years or more. And when you start to
[2:28:31] do, you know, time value and money calculations, which brand,
[2:28:35] you can probably figure out it's a little beyond me,
[2:28:37] but, uh, it makes that those investments a lot more
[2:28:42] reasonable. But then we get down to, so for me,
[2:28:48] when I, when I analyze it, I analyze first, does
[2:28:51] it make financial sense? And to me, uh, the purchase
[2:28:56] price, uh, the money we're going to save from lease
[2:29:01] payments that we're currently paying other people, uh, the money
[2:29:04] that we're going to potentially earn from, uh, rents and
[2:29:09] parking and whatever else is there to take advantage of.
[2:29:18] Makes that a good, a good deal for me. It's
[2:29:21] a pencil. It pencils. It's like a good financial deal.
[2:29:24] Then the question becomes, why should you buy it? And
[2:29:27] then the strategic intrinsic issues that I think are real
[2:29:34] important. And, uh, that is the location of this property
[2:29:39] being, uh, in the, I mean, that's. The key one
[2:29:44] there. It's on a very critical corner in our downtowns
[2:29:47] across from the superior court. It's catty corner from City
[2:29:50] Hall. It's in a strategic, excellent location. It gives, uh,
[2:29:57] the city control not only that corner. Uh, but it
[2:30:01] also gives us control 300 and some parking spaces, which
[2:30:05] we desperately need in the downtown. It gives us a
[2:30:13] little bit of flexibility for the city. Um, I don't
[2:30:19] think it's our intention to take it all for us.
[2:30:23] But it gives us the ability to scale up and
[2:30:26] down as we have other needs. This building we're in
[2:30:29] right now is getting pretty close to the end of
[2:30:32] its useful life. At some point, it's going to need
[2:30:34] to be remodeled or rebuilt or something. And it would
[2:30:40] give us an opportunity to relocate functions that we do
[2:30:44] here during that period of time, something for future city
[2:30:47] councils to worry about, but it'll be a resource that
[2:30:51] they can use. At that time. And the other thing
[2:30:56] I was encouraged by was that in my research, I
[2:31:00] learned that other governmental and public entities have been purchasing
[2:31:05] property downtown. It is downtown Billy. Rather than leasing them.
[2:31:10] And that's a critical distinction is that businesses just being
[2:31:15] in the downtown is great. But are they leasing or
[2:31:18] are they only these buildings? And these government agencies, uh,
[2:31:23] the current county, superintendent schools has 1675 Chester Avenue 1200
[2:31:29] truckston avenue, which is the old church. And the county
[2:31:33] occurring in CAPK have 1318th street. So, uh, that's encouraging
[2:31:39] to me when this, when these agencies are buying property
[2:31:42] downtown, it signals, uh, faith, uh, in those neighborhoods. So,
[2:31:50] um. So anyway, I'll get back to my point. I
[2:31:55] think it's a fair financial deal. And it's a good
[2:31:59] overall purchase for the city. Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember
[2:32:03] Common. Council Member Weir.
[2:32:16] I'm a little confused here. On page nine that you
[2:32:20] have here. It shows that.
[2:32:30] On page nine, can you explain to me what in
[2:32:34] the world leave savings from California Avenue space a million
[2:32:39] dollars. That's a savings that we're achieving by not leasing
[2:32:45] the other space or the police department has had office
[2:32:48] space on California Avenue. Okay. So that. You're seeing we're
[2:32:56] getting more money now. We're not having that million dollar
[2:33:02] expense any longer. But those folks have to go somewhere.
[2:33:09] We're going to have an expense. I mean, that building's
[2:33:12] going to cost money. If I may, Councilmember, we're just
[2:33:16] to clarify. That is not the training academy. I'm not.
[2:33:23] A training account. To me. I'm just trying to figure
[2:33:25] out. If a million dollars in here is money a
[2:33:31] one - time deal. We're not, we're not going to
[2:33:33] get that every 12 months. We're not going to get
[2:33:37] savings from, from, um, California avenue space. So Council Mayor,
[2:33:44] we're the police department is leasing on an annual basis
[2:33:49] numerous office spaces in an office building on California Avenue.
[2:33:53] So that is an annual expense that we're going to
[2:33:56] get that savings every year going forward. But I thought
[2:34:00] you were stopping that. Correct. By stopping that lease and
[2:34:06] moving them instead into this building, we moved that million
[2:34:10] dollars to those lease payments that are just gone each
[2:34:15] year and into the value of acquiring this building, the
[2:34:21] Bank of America building. Because those same dollars are paying
[2:34:25] into repayment of that loan essentially to acquire that building.
[2:34:31] Okay. But the way this reads is, you know, it's
[2:34:36] projected net operating income is the minus 206, 000. Right.
[2:34:42] Correct. Then there's a savings. So we don't have to
[2:34:47] pay them lease anymore. So as many dollars there. Correct.
[2:34:53] Okay. And then it comes down. And then the next
[2:34:55] year, we're not going to have savings from that. We
[2:35:00] will. How will we. Because it's an annual payment to
[2:35:08] the other building. We'll have to pay a million every
[2:35:11] year. Every year it's another million dollars to that other
[2:35:14] building. Okay.
[2:35:25] Okay. Maybe I'm confused. We're buying a building and we
[2:35:29] already have a building. We don't own the other building.
[2:35:33] We're just leasing it. I know. And that's what's confusing
[2:35:36] me. We were releasing it. Boom. The lease is over.
[2:35:43] Now we're on our own. It's a million dollars. Okay.
[2:35:48] So we have that savings. But that doesn't continue on.
[2:35:54] We don't get a mean, 12 million dollars for 12
[2:35:58] years. I suppose if I could put it a different
[2:36:02] way, Councilmember, we're, if we stayed at the other building,
[2:36:06] we would pay a million dollars every year. What I'm
[2:36:14] trying to say is. For one, the first year you're
[2:36:17] going to get a million dollars because you're not paying
[2:36:19] that. You're not paying that at all. Correct. The next
[2:36:23] year you're going to say that you're going to pay
[2:36:26] that. You're not going to pay it again. Or you're
[2:36:28] going to bed again. We're not going to pay it.
[2:36:32] Okay. So. We're not going to have a million dollars
[2:36:37] in here as income. We're not going to have that
[2:36:40] the next year. I'm doing my best council member, but,
[2:36:48] uh, I would just reiterate that is an ongoing savings
[2:36:51] every year.
[2:37:02] It's ongoing same. That doesn't make any sense. Doesn't make
[2:37:12] any sense whatsoever we're going to pay this off and
[2:37:15] pay a million box. We're not going to, we're not
[2:37:17] going to get that money on million dollars every year.
[2:37:23] So and then we're going to take that money. Do
[2:37:27] whatever we want to, but it's not going to be
[2:37:29] a savings of a million dollars every year. It's a
[2:37:33] one shot deal. One year deal.
[2:37:44] Again, I feel like I've answered this question best I
[2:37:46] can. It isn't annual savings. Okay. Well, maybe in yours,
[2:37:53] but in the real world. You get one million dollars.
[2:37:57] The next year you don't get a million dollars. You
[2:38:00] have to pay it. In the whole thing is just
[2:38:05] ridiculous. Council membersmith. Thank you
[2:38:15] Mayor. I think the city beggars field has been fiscally
[2:38:24] responsible over the years. With various city councils. And I
[2:38:30] think that this purchase is very similar to what past
[2:38:36] city councils have done. Our existing planning building department are
[2:38:42] in a building that we purchased. That was already built.
[2:38:46] City hall north. Is a building that we purchased that
[2:38:51] was. Already built. And it's been 20 some years since
[2:38:55] we bought that building. Do you, I know you weren't
[2:38:57] here, but do you know any details on that. Mr.
[2:39:02] Helen has done some of that homework. I believe it
[2:39:04] was purchased in 1993 for 13 million dollars. I thought
[2:39:08] it was early 2000 or 2000s. Okay. How that compares.
[2:39:13] Yeah, I did some research. So in 2005, it was
[2:39:17] purchased for 13 million. 13. So 21 years ago 21
[2:39:21] years ago, it's half the size. And we paid 13
[2:39:24] million. And so we're getting 21 years later. We're getting
[2:39:30] twice the building. For the same amount of money. Correct.
[2:39:34] Seems like a good deal to me. Ownership to me
[2:39:39] is always better than leasing. I mean, leasing. As was
[2:39:46] stated goes on forever. In 12 years from now, we
[2:39:49] would continue to pay that million, probably me and two,
[2:39:54] million three by then. And instead of paying that out
[2:39:59] as lease payments, we now own the building. And that
[2:40:04] may and two, main three can go to hire more
[2:40:07] police. So I think it's a great deal. And I
[2:40:12] appreciate. Staff working on it. And I'm in favor of
[2:40:16] it. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Arias. Thank you,
[2:40:20] Mayor. Um, thank you to staff for all the work
[2:40:23] that they've done on this, uh, I think it's a
[2:40:25] great opportunity. I just have a couple of comments, but
[2:40:29] I would like to ask whomever was a part of
[2:40:31] the team who kind of did the walkthroughs and did
[2:40:34] the due diligence work, taking the tours, uh, taking a
[2:40:40] look at all of the deferred maintenance. If I could
[2:40:41] ask you to come to the mic. Would love to,
[2:40:46] to learn more about what that deferred maintenance, um, investigation
[2:40:51] looked like, uh, what were the findings. Looks like it's
[2:40:56] just me. So, uh, we actually received direction in closed
[2:41:01] session to have, um, external vendors come in and look
[2:41:06] at all of the, everything. Uh, and we did, we
[2:41:13] used, um, we used several vendors to look at elevator's
[2:41:18] roof, windows, all of our systems. Plumbing electrical. I believe
[2:41:25] we had 11 different vendors come through and look through
[2:41:29] the building between end of March, uh, all the way
[2:41:33] up until July. There were some, some concerns that we
[2:41:39] saw coming through the building, because as was stated, it's
[2:41:43] a 50 year old building, right? So there's going to
[2:41:46] be some things that do need to be fixed, but
[2:41:49] nothing that wasn't, uh, that was a red flag as
[2:41:53] city manager, Claire said nothing that couldn't be fixed over
[2:41:56] the next, uh, five years, 10 years that we could
[2:42:00] schedule in regular CIPs over time. So, um, some of
[2:42:05] the things that, uh, we said, Hey, these, these are
[2:42:09] really big fixes. Uh, we did go back to the
[2:42:12] seller. Uh, during that period of time between, uh, July
[2:42:17] and coming back to council. And we had some more
[2:42:20] negotiations to say, Hey, these are some very large items.
[2:42:25] We would like you to come down on price because
[2:42:27] those are going to be heavy costs. Uh, for us,
[2:42:31] uh, that we need to consider over the next five
[2:42:32] years, 10 years. Uh, and so we did get a
[2:42:35] deduct and we showed that in the presentation, um, today.
[2:42:39] So partly we feel that those ongoing maintenance things we
[2:42:45] can solve over the next, uh, five years. We have
[2:42:49] an excellent property manager. So the property manager is mill
[2:42:54] Atkinson's MD Atkinson's group. They had been property manager there
[2:42:58] for, I don't know, as long as anyone can remember,
[2:43:02] they know that building, uh, really well. And we've already
[2:43:06] started to work with them to try to address some
[2:43:10] of the immediate things that we can get done before
[2:43:12] we move in. So, um, hopefully it answers your question.
[2:43:16] I would just add two quick items as Mr. Helen
[2:43:19] pointed out. It's been professionally managed over the years. And
[2:43:23] so they've had a robust maintenance schedule. They've kept up
[2:43:25] on the regular maintenance. They have about a half million
[2:43:29] dollars a year in just maintenance costs. That's, you know,
[2:43:33] typically, um, expended, you know, keeping up on things. And
[2:43:38] when we talk about things that, you know, repairs we
[2:43:41] know will need to happen in the next five to
[2:43:43] 10 years. There aren't deferred things that have fallen behind.
[2:43:46] They're just the useful life of the elevators. We know
[2:43:50] is going to be, you know, up at a certain
[2:43:51] point. But that's, that's the price of owning and building
[2:43:54] is you're going to have to, every once in a
[2:43:55] while, replace a roof every once in a while, we're
[2:43:58] replacing elevator. And nothing is beyond its regular life cycle.
[2:44:02] We just know in the next five to 10, we're
[2:44:04] going to have some of those replacements to make. And
[2:44:08] I'll just point out that it was just last summer
[2:44:11] that we had to replace, uh, several elevators in city
[2:44:14] all north. This is standard practice for owning any asset
[2:44:18] or building. Um, so I appreciate that. I know that
[2:44:22] there were some out in the community that had questions
[2:44:23] about due diligence and the deferred maintenance. So I appreciate
[2:44:28] you stepping in, Gary, to share that with us. Um.
[2:44:32] I would just like to make a comment that, you
[2:44:35] know. We have a responsibility to a certain degree to
[2:44:39] make sure that, uh, we are, uh, ensuring that these
[2:44:45] properties, especially these larger buildings, uh, do not lay vacant
[2:44:50] for very long. In 2009, I'm reminded that, uh, it
[2:44:55] was, uh, previous council that stepped up, um, when the
[2:45:00] Padre Hotel fell short by almost 2 million dollars, uh,
[2:45:04] during their construction and renovation project, a multimillion dollar project,
[2:45:09] uh, they had tapped out all other financing, uh, mechanisms.
[2:45:14] And they had, nobody to look to other than the
[2:45:17] city of Bakersfield. And the city Bakersfield and the council
[2:45:20] at that time stepped up and, uh, borrowed money from
[2:45:24] the federal government to actually make good on that shortfall
[2:45:28] for the property owner. Um, and so I shared that
[2:45:31] because this is not something new to this council. This
[2:45:34] is not something new to this administration for the city
[2:45:37] of Bakersville. This is something that, you know, previous councils
[2:45:39] have done to get creative, to innovate, um, and to
[2:45:43] continue to fight for downtown Bakersfield. So, uh, with that,
[2:45:47] I'm happy to join my colleagues in supporting this item
[2:45:50] tonight. Thank you, Council Member Aryas. I don't see any
[2:45:54] additional request to speak. So you have a motion by
[2:45:57] Council Member Gonzalez to support staff's recommendation. Please catch your
[2:46:01] votes. The motion is approved with council
[2:46:10] members. We're in Bashirtash voting no and vice marcor absent.
[2:46:15] Thank you. And next item, please. New business item 11A
[2:46:22] contingency funds for clean city special project, 500, 000 dollars
[2:46:26] for cleanup of a major illegal dumping site consisting of
[2:46:29] 50 acres located in the southeast south of Brook Street,
[2:46:34] east of Hail Street and adjacent to East Plans Avenue.
[2:46:38] Mr. Clegg. Thank you, Mayor and Council, Mr. Gary Helen.
[2:46:41] We'll present this item. All right. Um, so Council Arm
[2:46:47] Gonzalez talked briefly about this. There are several very large
[2:46:52] chronic nuisance properties in the city. Um, we have a
[2:46:56] clean city's team that focuses on many of those chronic
[2:47:01] nuisance properties. Clean cities. Not only focuses on properties that
[2:47:06] are of major issue, but also, you know, in our
[2:47:09] right away and other areas. But, uh, this has been
[2:47:13] one that they are code enforcement, a rapid response, all
[2:47:17] of the teams have been focusing on over the last
[2:47:21] several years. In fact, um, to date, I don't know
[2:47:26] the exact number, but I know we've had multiple rounds
[2:47:29] of cleanup from our code enforcement team of this site.
[2:47:33] And as you will see through the presentation, it's just
[2:47:37] band - aids over at bowl hole. They're making small
[2:47:41] dents and trying to do some cleanup here. But, uh,
[2:47:44] the scale and the condition of the site is getting
[2:47:47] to a point where it's becoming a real health and
[2:47:50] safety risk. And so that's why we're before you, uh,
[2:47:53] tonight. Um, the other thing I want to add is
[2:47:59] there, the images you're seeing are because of our excellent
[2:48:03] drones, uh, the talk about cameras and drones. I mean,
[2:48:07] I'm a believer in technology. So I believe that let's
[2:48:10] use it if we have it. Our water department has
[2:48:13] some incredible drones because they need them, uh, to monitor
[2:48:16] and manage our water facilities. So they've helped us out
[2:48:20] taking some still shots of some of the most difficult
[2:48:24] areas. I will say the majority of this, uh, debris
[2:48:30] is probably construction debris is what I would call it,
[2:48:34] whether it's, um, I don't think we'd have, we have
[2:48:37] too much, uh, wood debris. There was a comment about
[2:48:40] the wood debris out there. There are some wood debris
[2:48:44] out there, but mostly construction. You'll see. Uh, chunks, massive
[2:48:49] chunks of asphalt. Massive chunks of concrete. So instead of
[2:48:54] going to the dump, they use the site. You'll see.
[2:48:58] Palettes. You'll see drywall. You'll see a boat. You'll see,
[2:49:03] uh, abandoned cars. You'll see abandoned trailers. So it's, um,
[2:49:08] again, one of our, one of our largest efforts. And
[2:49:12] it's been difficult for the private property to defend it.
[2:49:18] And we'll talk a little bit more about, um, our
[2:49:20] work with the private property owner. And, uh, and he's
[2:49:23] here tonight. Representatives are here tonight as well. I think
[2:49:27] another major issue on this site is there are a
[2:49:31] large number of people living there. This is where they
[2:49:34] call home some of these drone images you'll see where
[2:49:38] they've created these, um, tents and shanties and, and villages,
[2:49:44] uh, which that's a very unsafe place to, to call,
[2:49:49] uh, a place of, of home there. So part of
[2:49:53] this cleanup is a coordinated effort, uh, with making sure
[2:49:58] that homeless resources are brought out there. So these people
[2:50:00] can, can be moved off. On the appropriate way. Just
[2:50:09] a little bit on clean cities. There's probably seven departments
[2:50:13] that are hands - on in this effort. So I
[2:50:18] think it's probably the largest multi - department effort that
[2:50:22] we've got in the city. Uh, I'm proud of those
[2:50:25] teams. I know we did a larger presentation to council
[2:50:28] previously on what's going on there. But that image to
[2:50:31] the right, um, is, uh, really probably the most, um,
[2:50:39] inhabited part of that area. And it's right in the
[2:50:42] heart of, of, uh, some of the parcels. And we'll,
[2:50:45] we'll zoom out to some of the, some of the
[2:50:47] maps. But these teams work very well together. I will
[2:50:50] say the coordination is excellent. Uh, impact team or BPD
[2:50:54] team is working well with, uh, rapid response. They have
[2:50:58] co - response teams that work hand in hand and
[2:51:00] solid waste, um, is right there with them. Again, we've
[2:51:03] got a river water department that helps us park rangers
[2:51:10] or helping. And then we've got our outside partners. With,
[2:51:13] um, other vendors that come and help on private jobs.
[2:51:17] And then obviously a property owners. So this is the
[2:51:22] effort that we're asking to undertake with some of these
[2:51:28] funds that we're asking to come out of contingencies. Obviously
[2:51:31] we need to remove the debris and, and help remove
[2:51:34] the homeless, um, we need to make sure that we're
[2:51:38] continuing to take appropriate steps and appropriate measures. Obviously the,
[2:51:44] this is going to happen over time. This is not
[2:51:46] going to happen tomorrow. We're not going to run out
[2:51:48] there and do this. Um, if approved, but it'll take
[2:51:51] some time to tee some of this stuff up. Um,
[2:51:55] and then lastly, uh, the biggest problem is people can
[2:51:59] just drive in here and I'll show you some of
[2:52:01] the, the sections of the maps where this is why
[2:52:05] construction debris is on this site is because people just
[2:52:08] drive their trucks in and, and unload here. And so
[2:52:11] we've got to pinch those off and put barriers there
[2:52:14] in some of these locations. And we've got kind of
[2:52:17] a plan and a map that, that outlines. Up. So
[2:52:22] this is that some of those maps. So to, to
[2:52:26] share a little bit of where this is. So this
[2:52:28] is, we're calling it our East plan site because it's
[2:52:32] basically as far east as you can go on plans
[2:52:34] before you get to the, uh, treatment plant too, um,
[2:52:39] it's right next to hail. Hell street and brook street.
[2:52:44] It's just east of cottonwood or South MLK. And some
[2:52:49] of these barriers that we've been able to track down
[2:52:53] is actually through our code through our public works department
[2:52:57] has done a killer job of finding about a hundred
[2:53:00] sticks of KRO, which is about 2000 feet. We would
[2:53:04] need to procure that with some of this money. That
[2:53:07] we're asking to be set aside, uh, we've worked with,
[2:53:11] um, the property owner and they have agreed to put
[2:53:13] in some gates. Um, at some of these difficult points,
[2:53:17] uh, there's already some berms there. So if you're saying,
[2:53:20] why aren't we just putting the whole thing with electrified
[2:53:23] fence and K rail, we just don't have that much
[2:53:25] money. But some of the berms provide a barrier. The
[2:53:32] other site that's just south of this isn't really not
[2:53:35] saying this is an area that needs to be cleaned
[2:53:37] up, but it's an access almost like a highway to
[2:53:41] get to this dumping site. And so this is a
[2:53:44] little further south. It's south of Brooklyn. You can see
[2:53:50] goes dead ends right into the middle of this site.
[2:53:52] But we've identified K rail and barriers and gates. Part
[2:53:58] of having gates there, you may be asking that question
[2:54:02] because fire, uh, fire does need to get into this
[2:54:05] site. And so it'll, they'll have knocks boxes on it.
[2:54:08] So fires the only one can access it if they
[2:54:11] need to put out fires. They're in the middle of
[2:54:12] this site. Uh, they'll be able to, um, access it
[2:54:16] again, fire was a part of this team to help
[2:54:18] us identify appropriate, uh, locations. So this
[2:54:28] is the funding and the plan. Um, we're asking for
[2:54:32] 500, 000 dollars. To make a really big dent in
[2:54:35] this health and safety, um, area. This is a referral
[2:54:39] from council member RAS to set aside some money and
[2:54:42] contingency funds. And, um, really to partner with the property
[2:54:46] owner, um, the key point as part of this is
[2:54:51] whatever resources we're spending, we are going to lean the
[2:54:54] property owner. Uh, we've told property under this, this is
[2:54:58] part of what we do is ultimately, if there's a
[2:55:02] transaction and they sell those lanes are paid off. And
[2:55:05] so we do recoup our money when there's a transaction
[2:55:09] that's a part of this. So, um, there's one piece
[2:55:14] of property that's an outside area owner. And then the
[2:55:17] rest of the, uh, property is, is owned by Mr.
[2:55:20] Sarah. So, um, some of these liens, you know, if
[2:55:25] transacted on, could be repaid, which is, which is a
[2:55:28] good thing for us. To recoup some of this investment.
[2:55:32] Uh, obviously there needs to be ongoing enforcement after this.
[2:55:36] And so that again is a part of the plan
[2:55:39] for this, this major site. Able to answer any questions.
[2:55:45] Thank you, Mr. Helen. Mr. Clegg, do you have any
[2:55:46] further comments? Thank you, Mayor. I do not. Thank you.
[2:55:50] And, uh, Madam City clerk for the record council member
[2:55:54] where has left, he loved it eight PM. Council Member
[2:55:58] Aryas. Thank you, Mayor. Um, thank you, Gary, for the
[2:56:03] presentation and thanks for, we call Gary, our quarterback or
[2:56:07] our head coach, uh, for all of the major master
[2:56:09] planning and development that's happening out in MLK Boulevard. And
[2:56:12] he's just been amazing with every, uh, punch that has
[2:56:17] thrown our way. Gary's ready for it. So, uh, definitely
[2:56:21] appreciate you, Gary. Last Tuesday, uh, I was out at
[2:56:27] this property. Went there around 730. Nuries, who was here
[2:56:33] earlier today, uh, made comment about some other issues that
[2:56:35] we're having in the neighborhood walked it with me and
[2:56:38] actually organized a good group of about 12 different residents.
[2:56:44] And imagine this, you walk behind your property into what
[2:56:48] should be your backyard. And you've got mountains of debris,
[2:56:53] uh, concrete, uh, just spread everywhere. You've got homeless encampments
[2:56:58] all around. In fact, there was about, you know, six
[2:57:02] or so dogs, uh, that were trying to chase the
[2:57:05] softer property. Um, and as we walked deeper into, uh,
[2:57:09] this, uh, essentially dump site, uh, we were actually getting
[2:57:14] yelled at by some of the individuals who were homeless.
[2:57:19] And requesting that we get off of their property. Can
[2:57:24] you imagine that. As a property owner, if your house
[2:57:28] is just a rocks throw away. From where you're at.
[2:57:33] Uh, that was the reality, uh, for so many of
[2:57:35] these individuals, uh, later that evening, uh, there was actually
[2:57:39] a vehicle, uh, that drove up, right beside us. Uh,
[2:57:43] they waived right past us. Um, and they, I thought
[2:57:46] that they were going to pull into their backyard, uh,
[2:57:50] instead they pulled into one of the homeless enchantments. So
[2:57:52] there are vehicles in use. There are vehicles that are
[2:57:56] out of use that have been dumped on this site,
[2:57:59] uh, it's, it's out of control. Um, and there are
[2:58:01] certainly other hotspots in ward one and in Southeast Bakersfield.
[2:58:08] Nothing quite like this. Um, and so I would just
[2:58:11] ask that this, uh, council take this into serious consideration
[2:58:15] that, you know, this is not just an investment on
[2:58:19] this particular property, but actually I see this as an
[2:58:22] opportunity for us to, uh, procure some of the materials
[2:58:26] and equipment that we're going to be able to need
[2:58:28] to prevent future dumping, because we know that as soon
[2:58:32] as we block off this particular 40 acres, uh, folks
[2:58:36] are going to go somewhere else. And so I hope
[2:58:39] that we have our teams ready as soon as we
[2:58:42] bait this. We're going to have to prepare for, um,
[2:58:46] where folks are going to go next in order to
[2:58:48] dump. I might also add, uh, that also towards the
[2:58:52] end of last Tuesday as we were, um, getting ready
[2:58:56] to finish the conversation. There was a, uh, clearly a
[2:59:00] company vehicle who had just gotten done dumping. Just a
[2:59:05] few moments before we were able to actually see them
[2:59:06] do get caught in the act. So, um, it's an
[2:59:11] ongoing problem. Um, I think that, uh, there are certainly
[2:59:14] some things that we could do better on the enforcement
[2:59:17] side of the problem. I'm grateful to chief Stradden. We
[2:59:24] had a great conversation about some of the ways that
[2:59:26] we can tackle from an enforcement standpoint, but certainly in
[2:59:31] order to move projects forward, I'm going to see growth
[2:59:36] out in Southeast Bakersfield. This is going to be one
[2:59:39] of the essential steps in order to make that happen.
[2:59:42] So with that, I would like to move approval of
[2:59:45] this item. And looking forward to any questions or comments
[2:59:48] for my colleague. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Aryas. Council
[2:59:50] Member Beshir Tash. Is this city property or is this
[3:00:00] owned by a private person slash company. It is private
[3:00:05] property. And why is the city spending the rest of
[3:00:08] the taxpayer money on to help one person in his
[3:00:11] property. Council member, I think that's a good question. Typically
[3:00:16] when we have large appetites like this that pose a
[3:00:19] public health and safety risk will do code enforcement action
[3:00:24] abate the property and then assess the costs to that
[3:00:29] property that we're taxpayer costs to later be recovered. So
[3:00:33] I have like 10 acres down by Cal State LA,
[3:00:37] just vacant land. As soon as the grass gets over
[3:00:39] like a certain height, I get a letter in the
[3:00:40] mail threatening thousands of dollars that they're going to cut,
[3:00:43] put a lean on my property and take my property
[3:00:45] away. If you're just thinking about all the mom and
[3:00:48] pops that are closing doors, just got notice of a
[3:00:50] grocery circle is in my ward because of this, I
[3:00:53] don't understand why we're spending. We're going to spend a
[3:00:54] half a million dollars to clean up. Um, with all
[3:00:57] due respect, I mean, if you buy a peace property,
[3:00:59] you should take care of it. I would hate to
[3:01:01] call the city if someone's dog pooped to my front
[3:01:04] yard and made the city come pick it up. Am
[3:01:07] I, am I missing something? Was this, what are we
[3:01:12] doing? Why are we on the hook for this? I
[3:01:15] don't understand. Again, council member three different thoughts. One, this
[3:01:20] is at the council discretion whether or not to allocate
[3:01:22] additional dollars to go and, uh, pursue this abatement. We
[3:01:27] don't have the money in our budget to do an
[3:01:30] abatement of this size proactively to then assess it against
[3:01:33] the property. And so, uh, this would front load that.
[3:01:38] But that's subject to the purview of the council. Number
[3:01:40] two, uh, we have, to some of your points, we've
[3:01:46] done, um, much of the same things you mentioned. We've
[3:01:50] sent letters. We've done code enforcement, you know, actions on
[3:01:53] this property. But they're at a certain point there is
[3:01:58] a public good need to do some of these large
[3:02:02] abatements to ensure that, you know, these type of conditions
[3:02:04] don't continue. But, and I've sort of already mentioned it.
[3:02:08] But lastly, uh, ultimately it is the property owners responsibility.
[3:02:13] We're stepping in for the public good to make that
[3:02:15] happen more quickly. And again, try to recover those costs
[3:02:19] later. So this is a hundred percent. The owner's responsibility
[3:02:23] to do. That is correct. Might I just add, I
[3:02:27] think there is an enforcement aspect that I think, uh,
[3:02:30] that it is appropriate for us to, um, to aid
[3:02:34] in and assist in, but it is the property owner
[3:02:37] responsibility. Yeah. I mean, I, I definitely feel because, you
[3:02:41] know, we deal with, I mean, they go out and
[3:02:42] if they arrest every homeless person there, they're going to
[3:02:44] be in and out of laredo the same day. And
[3:02:46] we're going to be dealing with the same problem. But
[3:02:48] that's despite, that's besides the point because every other business
[3:02:50] owner that gets terrorized by these people that we seem
[3:02:53] to not be able to deal with, uh, because we
[3:02:55] don't have the money to deal with them, um, they
[3:02:57] have to pay to fix their businesses. That lady who
[3:02:59] got her business window shot out probably had to pay
[3:03:01] for her window to be repaired. This sets such a
[3:03:06] dangerous. Precedence as a council for the rest of the
[3:03:10] city. I mean, that's, this scares me. I mean, I
[3:03:13] could only imagine what would come down the dupe when
[3:03:15] any other business. I mean, I spend 360, 000 dollars
[3:03:19] a year in private security to deal with this kind
[3:03:21] of stuff. It would. I have nothing else to say.
[3:03:29] I mean, I'm just, I'm kind of shocked.
[3:03:41] Membersmith. Thank you, Mayor. So I want to explore the
[3:03:47] lean idea a little bit. So you said there will
[3:03:52] be a lien on the property. Yeah. I mean. Mr.
[3:03:56] Burns can probably speak to it. Codenforce been on a
[3:04:00] regular basis brings their liens to council. And I think
[3:04:06] monthly. Yeah. That's what I was going to say every
[3:04:08] time we've got them 40 millions, thousand bucks a piece.
[3:04:11] That's every councilman significant. So it's very similar situation. We
[3:04:16] do it all the time. We go out and we
[3:04:18] clean up property and we put a lien on it.
[3:04:20] That's correct. But I mean, this obviously is much more
[3:04:26] substantial. We big one. So. This is future development property.
[3:04:33] Yes. And so if they come in with a final
[3:04:38] map, I mean, I'm trying to visualize how this lean
[3:04:42] is paid back is that as you sell a house,
[3:04:45] as you record maps, is it all one shot? But
[3:04:49] how do we really visualize how it's getting paid off.
[3:05:02] The liens get placed on the actual how it would
[3:05:07] roll to some subdivision? I'm not sure how that would
[3:05:10] play out. Um. You know. This is kind of a
[3:05:13] typical process of a good enforcement case. If you think
[3:05:17] about like our demo on Chester Avenue, same thing. Very,
[3:05:20] very sizable wague seeds our budget funds to do an
[3:05:25] action. So, um, I guess I see this like similar
[3:05:31] to others, large cleanups that we have. Um, not exactly
[3:05:37] sure how a track map would impact funding or if
[3:05:42] that would, uh. Have to ask a title person how
[3:05:46] that would work out. Well, I mean, do we, the
[3:05:49] question is, do we expect it to be paid back
[3:05:51] all at once or as it's parceled out. We typically,
[3:05:58] uh, our liens are not paid back all at once.
[3:06:01] And often they're part of a payback pool. That just
[3:06:05] get, you know, that comes in in smaller increments over
[3:06:08] time. Well, I mean, typically it's random lots here everywhere.
[3:06:13] But if this is one, so then anyway, food thought,
[3:06:18] as, as it gets subdivided, how are we going to
[3:06:21] work through that. Um, but the point is, is it
[3:06:25] will get paid back. It's developed. And it's got a
[3:06:32] lot better chance of being developed if it's cleaned up.
[3:06:37] The access, you mentioned there's berms. I mean, it looks
[3:06:40] like from the picture, yeah, I could just drive my
[3:06:43] dump truck on plans road, but there is, I didn't
[3:06:47] see a picture. Yeah. We, we didn't show pictures. So
[3:06:51] there are berms all along those other access. Yeah. So
[3:06:56] you, uh, I think the significant berms on the very
[3:07:02] east side, you can see that there's that road. So
[3:07:05] adjacent. If you, if we zoomed out a little bit,
[3:07:08] you'll see that we have our farm, one of our
[3:07:11] farm. Right to the east. Just to the east. So
[3:07:13] you see that, that road, that's it on that side.
[3:07:18] And then on plans, there's also a burn. Oh, okay.
[3:07:21] So the K rail is so that. All along plans
[3:07:28] is difficult access because of the berm. It's just the
[3:07:31] roads that go through that we need to. The section
[3:07:36] that's in that northwest corner is where people are entering
[3:07:40] now. You can drive along the very western edge. Down
[3:07:45] and then loop down. Or you can just, uh, get
[3:07:48] in immediately. And then head over on the east side.
[3:07:52] So. Is there existing signings? I mean. That is part
[3:08:01] of. What's going to be added in part of its
[3:08:04] education. If it looks like a dump, it must be
[3:08:06] a dump and I go take my stuff there. You
[3:08:09] know, I mean. If there's no signing saying, you know,
[3:08:13] the real dump is at this other location. We can
[3:08:18] certainly add that to the project that's easy to post
[3:08:22] signs. Uh, we did just, um, a few weeks ago
[3:08:25] got the no trespassing. And so we'll be installing those
[3:08:30] trespass passing signs with this project as well. Great. Well,
[3:08:38] I think it's a good investment. We're going to get
[3:08:39] paid back and we clean up the neighborhood. And move
[3:08:44] it forward just like we do. All the other property
[3:08:47] abatements that we see. It's just a different scale. So.
[3:08:51] Good work. Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember Smith. And city
[3:08:56] clerk Councilmember where his returned and he returned at 809.
[3:09:01] Council Member Gonzalez. Thank you, Mayor. Um, okay. So I
[3:09:05] appreciate in the presentation. You said the cleanup alone will
[3:09:08] not solve the problem because that had been on my
[3:09:10] mind for a few days now. Um, the last thing
[3:09:13] I want us to do is try to bait the
[3:09:15] property only to see this problem continue. Um, and, and
[3:09:19] have us, you know, back here again, trying to resolve
[3:09:21] this issue. Um, I just need to clarify. I thought
[3:09:24] I heard there's two properties. That are problematic. Or. All
[3:09:30] town go back. Between this map. And so there's actually
[3:09:35] five parcels that are in between these two maps. So
[3:09:39] there's two parcels on this map. There's the northern parcel
[3:09:44] that is adjacent to each plans. And then if Brooke
[3:09:48] kept going, you'd see that there's that parcel that's just,
[3:09:52] um, above Brooke. And as we go to this, so
[3:09:57] this is just south of that, uh, Brook Street. So
[3:10:01] between Brooke and White and between white and it's the
[3:10:04] end of that map. Um, those are, there are three
[3:10:08] more parcels in that section there. Okay. So with all
[3:10:12] those five parcels, how many unique different property owners are
[3:10:17] there? I believe there's two owners. Yeah. Two unique owners.
[3:10:21] Okay. And one owner has been responsive or have they
[3:10:25] have both been responsible. So one owner is here tonight
[3:10:27] at this meeting and a one owner is been very
[3:10:31] difficult to, uh, be engaged with. And so this 500,
[3:10:37] 000 is to address all parcels. All five parcels. It's
[3:10:42] to address. All five parcels related to being able to
[3:10:46] get into this site more to make it impenetrable. And
[3:10:51] then the majority of the cleanup is here on the,
[3:10:54] on these two parcels. That's where the majority of where
[3:10:58] the homeless are living where most of the dumping has
[3:11:01] occurred. There is some dumping on these two parcels, but
[3:11:06] the lion's share of what the team has assessed and
[3:11:11] some of the, uh, bids that we're starting, not bids,
[3:11:14] uh, evaluation that we've gotten from some of the teams.
[3:11:18] It's in this, these two parcels is the word most
[3:11:22] of the dumping's medicuring. Okay. Got it. Okay. Because, you
[3:11:25] know, typically when we have chronic nuisance properties, the reason
[3:11:28] why they're chronic nuisance properties is because the property owner
[3:11:33] has been unresponsive for extended period of time code enforcement
[3:11:39] has done a great job trying to address the issue,
[3:11:43] trying to cite the property owner much to Mr. Beshurtashi's
[3:11:47] point with his experience and properties in LA. Code of
[3:11:51] forcement does that, but still the property owner remains unresponsive
[3:11:55] does not do anything with the property. And so it
[3:11:58] leaves the city with no other choice, but to take
[3:12:01] some sort of action. Because without that action, there's such
[3:12:07] a negative impact to the surrounding neighborhood, to the poor
[3:12:11] residents like Mr. Aryes'constituent. And they end up having to
[3:12:17] pay that negative externality. By being impacted by all of
[3:12:21] these things that happen on this property. So ultimately the
[3:12:25] city has to respond through code enforcement. The issue here
[3:12:30] is that the cost to mitigate, to address this problem,
[3:12:38] far exceeds the code enforcement's budget to address these issues.
[3:12:42] And that's why this item is coming today. This is
[3:12:45] not unique to the city. I mean, city does this
[3:12:48] stuff all the time. But what is unique is the
[3:12:52] dollar amount for this particular property. And I think that's
[3:12:56] the, that's the challenge that I'm trying to kind of
[3:12:59] wrap around in my head because I'm not sure. Just
[3:13:04] as a policy matter. I'm not quite sure
[3:13:14] as a policy matter given the fact that we have
[3:13:16] a responsive property owner, um, how we should best proceed.
[3:13:22] You know, one of the ideas that we've initiated a
[3:13:28] few years ago that I think is one of the
[3:13:30] best ideas for the city of Bakersfield is this receivership
[3:13:33] program is allowing for us to bring in the courts
[3:13:37] to help us take, make some action on these properties.
[3:13:40] And we've done some good work in my ward. And
[3:13:43] actually throughout the city now, because of that tool, uh,
[3:13:46] to address some of these chronic nuisance properties. But here,
[3:13:48] um, that's not the case. Let me ask you a
[3:13:52] couple more questions before I throw out some ideas. One
[3:13:55] is, um, have we spent some time observing the rate
[3:14:00] at which the construction debris has accumulated the property. Um,
[3:14:08] I think, you know, code, code monitors this property. And
[3:14:16] they would be the best, um, answer that. Um, I,
[3:14:21] I know in the last four years that we've been
[3:14:24] talking about this property, um, it has ebbed and flowed
[3:14:28] because of code has taken certain actions to reduce some
[3:14:32] of that construction debris. And then it just comes right
[3:14:35] back. And I don't know the, how fast it comes
[3:14:38] back and the frequency. And when are the peaks and
[3:14:43] valleys of that? I'm not sure. But we can, we
[3:14:45] can research that. It would be helpful to know because
[3:14:47] I mean, pretty nasty photos. It's awful looking. But is
[3:14:53] that after a year? Is it after a week? Is
[3:14:56] it after a month? It would be helpful to know
[3:14:59] really the severity of the issue. Because there are some
[3:15:03] other steps that weren't listed here that I think we
[3:15:06] ought to take. Number one is, you know, we invested
[3:15:09] significantly. This council has invested in bulky waste cleanups. Uh,
[3:15:16] in doing mobile cleanups and mobile pick are, what do
[3:15:19] we call it? Mobile pickup mobile locations drop off. Thank
[3:15:22] you. Thank you. Uh, but you know, again, part of
[3:15:26] our clean city initiative, uh, we have more services now
[3:15:30] available to residents than I think ever. We need to,
[3:15:36] I like Mr. Logi's comment. We need to be more
[3:15:41] proactive in our effort to do outreach to these, um,
[3:15:46] construction companies. And also, um, I would like us to,
[3:15:52] perhaps has already been done, but I would like us
[3:15:54] to spend some more time. On site. Either through private
[3:16:01] security, existing private security contract or by staff, uh, to,
[3:16:07] to monitor those, uh, bad actors and to, in real
[3:16:12] time, provide them some education of what the appropriate process
[3:16:17] is that this, in fact, is not a dumping site
[3:16:20] to Mr. Smith's comment earlier. But the last thing I
[3:16:28] think is that. This really is about economic development. This
[3:16:33] really ultimately, what we want to do here is not
[3:16:35] just clean up the site. If we zoom out from
[3:16:39] a city council perspective, what we really want to see.
[3:16:43] And we really want to see with all of these
[3:16:46] chronic nuisance properties. Is a better and higher use of
[3:16:49] that property. What we want to see on this particular
[3:16:53] property, all these parcels are new construction, new homes, housing
[3:17:00] development. We want to see, um, families living on these
[3:17:03] properties. Ultimately that is the solution. So the question now
[3:17:07] in my mind is how do we get there. How
[3:17:09] do we get to that development. Obviously this particular. Problem
[3:17:19] is a real burden, a barrier to, uh, to see
[3:17:23] that property developed. And so from my lens, I don't
[3:17:27] see this as a response to a nuisance. In the
[3:17:31] way of code forcement. I really see this as an
[3:17:33] economic development tool. So similar to what we do with,
[3:17:38] um, tax increment financing, for example. Where again, there is
[3:17:41] a president set. Where we may offer a certain incentive
[3:17:49] to a developer. Because we know that over the course
[3:17:55] of the. Project that their revenue generated by a better
[3:18:01] use through property tax increases will allow the city to
[3:18:06] actually recoup those funds in the future. That's the way
[3:18:10] I kind of take a look at this project. And
[3:18:12] so I understand there may not be, you know, I
[3:18:16] know that there may not be a TIFF mechanism for
[3:18:20] this particular development, this particular use. I know that is
[3:18:25] it, the EIFDs. Typically are related to. Public infrastructure investments
[3:18:32] and specifically for affordable housing. Um, so I'm not sure
[3:18:35] the good mechanism yet that the state has provided, uh,
[3:18:39] four cities. But I think that through that lens, I
[3:18:43] can see us pursuing this strategy. You know, again, for
[3:18:48] the purposes of economic development. So yeah, I'll support it.
[3:18:56] Thanks. Thank you, Council Member Gonzalez. Council Member Coleman. Thank
[3:19:06] you, Mayor. So I have similar policy matter concerns about
[3:19:12] this. First of all, is this the same property that
[3:19:23] the more partners were here about last meeting where they
[3:19:26] had spent money and then, you know what I'm talking
[3:19:32] about. Yeah. Let me go there. That's, that's the property
[3:19:36] that they. Okay. So they already spent money cleaning this
[3:19:40] up. And then the offenders went and dumped more stuff
[3:19:45] on there. Correct. All right. So is there a breakdown?
[3:19:51] I don't, maybe you showed it to me. Maybe I
[3:19:53] missed it. Is there a breakdown. Of, uh, how does
[3:19:57] 500, 000 dollars. Is going to be spent? Did I
[3:20:01] see that in there? Did I miss that? No. Um,
[3:20:05] I think there's, uh, kind of multi pronged approach. Uh,
[3:20:10] we don't have like a line item budget in this
[3:20:13] presentation. But based on the teams recommendation, obviously barriers will
[3:20:20] be of a cost, um, it's we have an excess
[3:20:24] of 200 trucks, truckloads of, uh, how, how many trucks
[3:20:29] have to go to the dump to put this where
[3:20:31] it, where it belongs. So that's really the majority of
[3:20:34] the cost. I mean, the barriers are some cost. Uh,
[3:20:38] getting the, the, uh, heavy machinery out there. To, to
[3:20:43] move, you know, the massive piles around. But, uh, it's
[3:20:46] equipment trucks and manpower to get stuff done. So, so
[3:20:52] one of the things I struggle with here is that,
[3:20:56] and I appreciate the more a partners and their diligence
[3:21:00] on this part, this parcel, uh, and the things they're
[3:21:04] doing on the east side of town. But, um, you
[3:21:09] know, at a time when, you know, I get beat
[3:21:11] up every time I see Richard Chapman from Economic Development
[3:21:15] Corporation because he's on me about the call cut, uh,
[3:21:19] buildings that have burnt over there are just piles of
[3:21:23] rubble and we can't seem to get those cleaned up.
[3:21:26] Uh, we don't have money in our budget for us
[3:21:29] to do it. And so, you know, but now we're,
[3:21:32] we're looking for half a million dollars to clean up.
[3:21:35] You know, some other plays. And so that's, that's what
[3:21:39] I get into that policy, that policy question. If we
[3:21:43] do it once, we got to do it everywhere. And,
[3:21:46] you know, where do we draw the line? How do
[3:21:49] we make that. How do we make that case. And
[3:21:53] so I'm struggling a little bit. Uh, with this one.
[3:21:59] Any of you talk about, uh, prevention besides these barriers
[3:22:04] like, uh, you're going to start having the police helicopter
[3:22:07] fly over it, you know, whenever they're around or whatever.
[3:22:11] I don't know. Uh, to start trying to do some
[3:22:14] enforcement. So in, in our, uh, secure column there, we
[3:22:19] talk about bringing in some, before this develops bringing in
[3:22:24] some temp lighting, uh, obviously what was talked about was
[3:22:29] maybe some onsite surveillance having some extra security out there.
[3:22:33] We, we would not be using any of our dollars
[3:22:36] to do this. This would be, uh, private, uh, property
[3:22:41] owner would need to need to do some of these
[3:22:43] things. We, we would just want to make sure there's,
[3:22:47] it's impenetrable from a barrier standpoint. Um, and then they
[3:22:50] would need to do some investment of lighting on site
[3:22:56] private, uh, surveillance. I think the one thing I would
[3:23:00] add to what Gary had shared was that, um, we
[3:23:03] have discussed, uh, the, you know, as the concept of
[3:23:10] changing a little bit how we do a legal dumping
[3:23:12] enforcement has come up. Can we put some cameras up?
[3:23:15] Can we do some, some additional illegal dumping enforcement. That
[3:23:21] has been contemplated for this site and just, you know,
[3:23:24] I know you were saying it tongue in cheek council
[3:23:26] member, but I have to clarify for the public record.
[3:23:29] We do not have a police helicopter. All right. Um,
[3:23:37] so yeah, so. You know, I see the need, but
[3:23:44] I'm hesitant to support this. Not that I don't want
[3:23:49] us to do this, but I'd like to have a
[3:23:51] more comprehensive understanding of what are policies going to be
[3:23:55] about these. And I, I know it's not just the
[3:23:59] call cut. There's other ones around too. I mean, we
[3:24:02] could dump a couple million bucks on these things. Pretty
[3:24:05] quickly. And so two things. One is things like K
[3:24:09] rail and those kinds of things. Uh, we ought to
[3:24:12] have if we need to have it, is there some
[3:24:15] other means by which we can buy those and have
[3:24:20] them to where we use them on different projects. Uh,
[3:24:23] but I'd like to have, uh, maybe more robust conversation
[3:24:31] about what we're going to do about all these sites
[3:24:34] around. And then, you know, we can all think of
[3:24:38] two or three off the top of our head. And
[3:24:41] what the city's approach is going to be to those.
[3:24:44] Because I don't want to dump a 500, 000 dollar
[3:24:46] lean on guys property, uh, that we may, you know,
[3:24:51] we may see it. But, you know, if you have
[3:24:55] it out of town investor, they don't land that he,
[3:24:58] you know, his father bought him before him. I don't
[3:25:01] know the case exactly, but he might not care. So
[3:25:05] we might be, you know, uh, 10, 20 years before
[3:25:10] that property's ever developed. So, uh, I don't know. I
[3:25:14] just, I just, I'm struggling with this right now. If
[3:25:18] I may, Council member, um, just as we developed our
[3:25:23] economic development strategic plan, this council asked us to also
[3:25:28] develop a rubric set of criteria for making decisions about
[3:25:32] economic development incentives. There could be an opportunity to also,
[3:25:37] we have a chronic nuisance program that the staff actually
[3:25:41] spends a lot of time ranking properties that our chronic
[3:25:45] nuisances under certain set of criteria. Uh, another, you know,
[3:25:50] potential, you know, thought from the council going forward is
[3:25:54] for staff to develop. A set of criteria. Um, that
[3:25:59] could be used as a framework for making decisions about,
[3:26:02] um, these very unique large chronic nuisance properties. It would
[3:26:05] be, in my mind, it would actually be fairly similar
[3:26:07] to the economic development, um, incentive criteria. And we have
[3:26:11] a few different tools in the tool belt. You know,
[3:26:13] we do have the abatement process. We're working on a
[3:26:16] lien forgiveness policy that would be available in instances where
[3:26:23] it's creating, uh, you've got a new ownership. And you're
[3:26:28] going to generate, you know, new economic activity. Do you
[3:26:32] look at those liens? And so, um, just food for
[3:26:35] thought for the council that could be a future action
[3:26:37] for staff is to develop a set of criteria that
[3:26:40] council could use in making these kind of decisions. Because
[3:26:45] there are rare number of times where we would suggest,
[3:26:48] Hey, let's use, you know, additional dollars to address, you
[3:26:52] know, a significant issue. But to some of the points
[3:26:57] that have been noted tonight, there are times where you're
[3:26:58] going to create opportunities, um, and address problems, um, that
[3:27:04] come to the good of the community ultimately, um, and
[3:27:08] there's probably ways that we could, um, measure that in
[3:27:12] a reasonable framework. One other idea just to add to,
[3:27:18] uh, C manager, KLEG is also in kind of the
[3:27:23] economic development, uh, mindset, having the property owner have some
[3:27:29] sort of commitment. And I, what I'm hearing you say
[3:27:32] is maybe we want to see this developed in five
[3:27:36] to 10 years. Maybe they have some sort of, well,
[3:27:39] if we invest 500, 000 that there needs to be
[3:27:42] some sort of additional commitment out of them that we
[3:27:46] see this property develop. You know, and in some sort
[3:27:50] of criteria that aligns to what city manager was talking
[3:27:54] about with the economic development framework. Yeah. I don't know
[3:27:59] if I know the answers to those questions. I think
[3:28:02] I'm imposing the question more than answering them. So, uh,
[3:28:05] you know, from my money, I'd like to see us
[3:28:07] have a further discussion about that. Uh, I, in support
[3:28:14] of it, I will make one comment, uh, the council
[3:28:18] took a very, very conservative approach. To preparing this year's
[3:28:23] budget. And we purposely didn't act on some CIP. We
[3:28:33] decided to pull that. In and wait till mid -
[3:28:39] year to see how our numbers are going to work
[3:28:41] out before we committed any of that. So, you know,
[3:28:44] we had made some reservations money set aside. For these
[3:28:54] kind of project. I just like to know. I have
[3:28:57] a better understanding of what our policy is. So we
[3:28:59] don't have to have these to conversations when these things
[3:29:02] come up that we know what we're going to do.
[3:29:04] Uh, we know what we're capable of doing what we're
[3:29:06] not going to do. So. I guess I'm going to
[3:29:12] have to think about if I would make a motion
[3:29:14] or anything. I don't know. That's all the questions I
[3:29:17] have, Mary. Thank you, Councilmember Council Member Aryas. Thank you,
[3:29:21] Mayor. I just, I just want to share that. I
[3:29:23] appreciate the honest thinking and scrutiny of this allocation. I,
[3:29:30] too, share some of those concerns, uh, because I agree,
[3:29:33] you know, particularly in Council Member Gonzalez's district in mind,
[3:29:38] we have numerous of these properties. Um, and so I
[3:29:42] know that I can't come back for a second time,
[3:29:44] uh, when the, uh, 40 acre lot with the similar
[3:29:48] problem. Um, and so I think this is a unique
[3:29:51] opportunity. But I also want to make sure that we're
[3:29:57] also not losing side of the fact that this is
[3:29:59] a compounding problem, not just for future economic development, but
[3:30:04] it's, it's an immediate public safety issue. Um, that the
[3:30:09] trash, it's not on the screen anymore, but the debris
[3:30:13] stretches all the way back to our spreading fields and
[3:30:16] connects and abuts immediately, you know, an entire section of
[3:30:22] R1 residential homes. Uh, so there are many community members,
[3:30:26] Nuries along with her neighbors who are very concerned that,
[3:30:30] uh, when, not if, but when another fire breaks out,
[3:30:35] that that fire may actually pose an immediate threat and
[3:30:37] harm to their property. And so, um, as Council Member
[3:30:42] Gonzalez mentioned, we just don't have the funds and the
[3:30:45] budget today to abate this project. Um, and so we
[3:30:49] need an additional allocation, uh, like the one tonight in
[3:30:52] order to be able to, uh, abate this property. I'll
[3:30:57] share that just a couple of weeks ago, um, from
[3:31:01] my count, it was the fourth fire in the span
[3:31:04] of, of about three months. Uh, that fourth fire, uh,
[3:31:08] was the largest that I've seen on the property. But
[3:31:12] it actually saddled, uh, two of the parcels. So, uh,
[3:31:19] you know. Some of the investors had control and oversight
[3:31:23] over part of it. But the larger part of it
[3:31:26] in chunk was on the property of the property owner
[3:31:30] who we cannot get in contact with. And so even
[3:31:33] if we were to ask the investor to, uh, abate
[3:31:37] their side, the more than 50 percent that we could
[3:31:41] not, um, get under control. So just, just wanted to
[3:31:45] share that and share that I appreciate the concerning actually
[3:31:50] would like to ask what the appropriate committee would be
[3:31:53] for us to make a referral that committee take a
[3:31:56] look at, you know, what is that threshold for council
[3:32:00] to consider, uh, a level of investment and attention, frankly,
[3:32:06] like this. Council Mary. At first blush, but we could
[3:32:13] also always come back and, and revisit that. But I
[3:32:17] actually think probably safe and healthy neighborhoods makes the most
[3:32:20] sense. Okay. Then with that, I'll make that referral tonight.
[3:32:25] Thank you. Council Member Smith. Thank you, Mayor. The referral
[3:32:35] does not apply to this. That's a separate referral. Is
[3:32:40] that what I'm hearing. I'm just thinking that. I am
[3:32:49] correct in the developer, the one of the landowners is
[3:32:53] here. Is that correct? And that we've talked about. How
[3:33:00] it gets paid back or if it gets paid back
[3:33:02] over time or how we can. Work through that. And
[3:33:08] perhaps it would be a good idea to continue and
[3:33:14] have conversations. With the developer and come back at another
[3:33:21] meeting. So I'm not going to make that motion because.
[3:33:27] It's inward one. And so I'll let him think about
[3:33:32] that. But that would be something that I think perhaps
[3:33:36] we could address some of the concerns that other council
[3:33:40] members are having fine solutions. If I may council member
[3:33:48] Smith and the spirit of trying to help address some
[3:33:52] of the questions and concerns as well. I think, uh,
[3:33:56] if, if we were to take just a little bit
[3:33:59] more time, we could potentially refine numbers for what are
[3:34:03] the costs of the securing versus the abatement. And the
[3:34:08] signage versus the abatement. And also what would be the
[3:34:12] costs for the abatement of the northern portion. So just,
[3:34:15] just for some additional clarity, what you see on the
[3:34:17] page on the screen right now, there's a northern portion
[3:34:22] that is the separate property owner in the southern portion.
[3:34:26] Um, that has, you know, is I may be slightly
[3:34:31] off on this either in the process of acquisition or
[3:34:35] has been acquired by other, you know, property owners. They
[3:34:39] have it. Okay. It has been acquired by other property
[3:34:41] owners. We could potentially try and also, um. Separate out
[3:34:47] what the costs may be for abatement of the non
[3:34:49] - responsive versus the responsive. That might help look at
[3:34:53] those dollars more specifically. And then I think it's also
[3:34:56] worth noting. I'll just take a moment to clarify this,
[3:35:00] that the ownership of the larger section to the south.
[3:35:04] That's fairly recent ownership. They've come into that ownership in
[3:35:07] more recent years. And cleaned it up. And then the
[3:35:10] ownership, if you go back to the other one, Gary,
[3:35:13] thank you. The southern portion of this property very recently
[3:35:18] acquired. And so, you know, we're not, I would think
[3:35:20] it's, it's worth noting that we're not talking about the
[3:35:23] same actors over multiple years. This is a new owner
[3:35:27] who's trying to be responsible. And, um, and in a
[3:35:31] spirit of, um, the long - term solution, we're looking
[3:35:35] at ways to help secure the site and force the
[3:35:37] site. But then also address the abatement costs to the
[3:35:41] cost of the property, if that helps. But there may
[3:35:44] be ways for us to, again, in summary, refine the
[3:35:49] numbers that would help give clarity and potentially options for
[3:35:53] how to spend those dollars and maybe work on some
[3:35:57] of the other, you know, questions that have been raised
[3:35:59] at the same time. Thank you. Council Member Gonzalez. Thank
[3:36:06] you, Mayor. I just wanted to make a referral that
[3:36:08] we pursue the receivership process for those parcels under the
[3:36:13] ownership of the Unresponsive owner. Um, because even if we
[3:36:18] do see development on these sites, um, those existing parcels,
[3:36:25] um, will remain a nuisance and a problem for the
[3:36:29] community moving forward. So if it makes sense, um, I
[3:36:35] would like us to at least consider or explore that
[3:36:37] option for that property. Thank you, Council Member Gonzalez. Council
[3:36:42] Member Aryes. Thank you, Mayor. Given the feedback from some
[3:36:47] of my colleagues and also given that we are approaching
[3:36:50] 9 p. m. I would like to withdraw my motion.
[3:36:55] I'm going to introduce a new motion to bring this
[3:36:58] item back at the next council meeting. Thank you. Thank
[3:37:02] you any other request to speak. Seeing none, you have
[3:37:06] a motion. Please cast your votes.
[3:37:21] The motion is approved with council member Bashir Tash voting
[3:37:23] no. And vice marcor absent. Thank you. And now next
[3:37:28] item, please. Counsel and mayor statements. Can you clear the
[3:37:37] screen so I can see with there. Any comes to
[3:37:39] me or bash your tash. Can we get a presentation
[3:37:44] on municipal code and the standards that we are supposed
[3:37:47] to, I heard Councilman Gonzalez talking about some of the
[3:37:50] things that we can do. Um, I just, I'd like
[3:37:53] a presentation and then some, some thoughts on how we
[3:37:55] can put more teeth in it. Uh, to hold people
[3:37:57] accountable and taking properties that are just kind of destroying
[3:38:01] and not just commercial residential. I mean, we need to,
[3:38:05] just something. I want to know what our policy is
[3:38:08] and some ideas on how we can actually hold people
[3:38:10] accountable so that we're not, uh, wasting taxpayer money for
[3:38:13] clarity council merit. Needs chronic nuisance properties? Uh, yeah, I
[3:38:19] would even chronic newsome properties. I don't know what our
[3:38:21] standards are for, even front yards. If there's a grass
[3:38:24] levels and cars parked in, I'm sure they're just, I
[3:38:26] get constituent. We need something that's got teeth, real teeth,
[3:38:30] uh, that's that. For real. Second, um, can we begin
[3:38:35] to look at the adoption of the, um, best practices
[3:38:40] toolkit for homelessness and addiction. For treatment first policy that
[3:38:45] just came out and was published. I think I received
[3:38:48] a copy of it. Carlos, the director of the mission.
[3:38:51] It's just, it's fantastic. It's what, uh, all sides used
[3:38:55] to work on to actually get in front of this
[3:38:57] issue that we've gone away from the last two decades
[3:38:59] that is really created this, this problem, uh, and so
[3:39:03] I think that that would be incredible to get done.
[3:39:06] Um, we need to figure out how we can start
[3:39:08] rolling out the adoption of that instead of continuing to
[3:39:11] waste millions of dollars on, uh, what's not working. Uh,
[3:39:14] that's it. Thank you. Council member Gonzalez. Thank you, Mayor.
[3:39:20] Uh, you know, after the recent events, um, over the
[3:39:25] weekend and the tragedy, uh, there has been a lot
[3:39:28] of questions about youth violence and gain related shootings, uh,
[3:39:33] and homicides. And I think it would be worthwhile for
[3:39:36] this council within a council meeting to have a workshop
[3:39:41] related to some of our violence intervention work. Uh, so
[3:39:45] that the community can have a fuller understanding of some
[3:39:48] of the work that, uh, we're already engaged in because
[3:39:51] the ideas out there, um, a lot of great, um,
[3:39:55] great conversations, um, but I think it would be helpful
[3:39:57] for us to at least establish a baseline of what,
[3:40:00] what's already taking place within the city of Bakersfield along
[3:40:03] with many other community partners. Thank you, Council Member Bringonzale.
[3:40:09] Let's Council Member Aryas. Thank you, Mayor. I'll just share
[3:40:15] that that's a wonderful idea given all of. Interest in
[3:40:20] this topic, but also, uh, just the communities outpouring of
[3:40:25] support and concern rather about, you know, safety in our
[3:40:30] community. I also just would love to add on some
[3:40:33] of the investments this council has made into the partnerships,
[3:40:37] uh, between BPD and our school resource officers, um, and
[3:40:41] placing those at particular sites of interest. There's so many
[3:40:46] different things that we have done to, you know, make
[3:40:50] our community safer, but also in partnership with some of
[3:40:52] our key partners, like our school districts. And so we'd
[3:40:55] love to make sure that we're taking full stock of
[3:40:57] all of that. Um, all of that worked. Mr. Claig,
[3:41:01] did you have some things? Thank you, Mayor. I just
[3:41:05] would appreciate the opportunity. Just reflect very briefly a couple
[3:41:08] of overarching thoughts on this topic because it is, um,
[3:41:14] a large conversation that's going on in the community right
[3:41:17] now. I would first say that, you know, any act
[3:41:23] of violence, any tragedy, uh, loss of life is so
[3:41:28] unfortunate. Um, and we are very sad and by the
[3:41:31] incident that occurred last week. I think it's also important
[3:41:36] to reflect. That Bakersfield from a gun violence perspective. Has
[3:41:42] not been as safe as it has been the last
[3:41:44] two years in more than a decade. The efforts that
[3:41:47] have been underway have made incredible progress. Every incident matters
[3:41:52] and we want to make sure that we stop every
[3:41:55] incident we can and that we respond to every incident.
[3:41:59] But because of the efforts of, uh, the Bakersville Police
[3:42:03] Department, our office of violence intervention and prevention, our community
[3:42:07] - based organizations. We saw more than a 70 percent
[3:42:10] reduction and homicides and shootings from 2021 through 2024. We
[3:42:15] saw a very slight plateauing and uptick of last year.
[3:42:19] If you reflect in 2021, we had 60 homicides, 17
[3:42:24] of those were gang violence related. And in 2025, we
[3:42:30] had 33 homicides, three of those were gang violence related.
[3:42:35] In 2026, we've had only 10 homicides. One, the one
[3:42:40] last week was gang violence related. It is remarkable the
[3:42:44] reduction in gang violence. I would argue that our community,
[3:42:49] I may gun violent standpoint has become very safe. And
[3:42:54] again, every incident that concerns our community that is different
[3:42:59] than that is important to us. Uh, but, uh, the
[3:43:03] gains have been significant and we're going to continue to
[3:43:05] make those gains and work hard on this topic, but
[3:43:08] there's lots of work that's been happening. And, uh, I
[3:43:11] will express, you know, just some concern that as we
[3:43:15] were rallying partners in 2021 to do this work for
[3:43:21] many of the young people and our disadvantaged neighborhoods who
[3:43:25] were experiencing, um, these incidents at a too high of
[3:43:30] a rate, we didn't have the same community impetus at
[3:43:34] the time. We were welcome any energy that is created
[3:43:37] from these type of incidents. But we've rolled up our
[3:43:41] sleeves and been doing this work for a long time.
[3:43:43] And we've seen really big results and we'll take the
[3:43:46] opportunity to make that even bigger. I would note, uh,
[3:43:50] our overall crime also significantly down, but we're very frustrated
[3:43:54] about the chronic low level quality of life crimes that
[3:43:57] continue to plague our community. That is issue number one
[3:44:00] for your counsel. You've made that issue number one for
[3:44:04] our staff to address. But our gun violence issues have
[3:44:06] been dramatically different. And it's fortunate that these are isolated
[3:44:10] instances today. Thank you, Mr. Clegg. Councilmember Coleman. Thank you,
[3:44:18] Mayor. I wanted to reach out to Angel of Fraser.
[3:44:23] You've been sitting here. Dr. Angelo Fraser. I've been sitting
[3:44:26] here all night. And I appreciate that. Unfortunately, Johnny Olaghi
[3:44:36] made some remarks as he exited. Which were, for those
[3:44:42] people that don't know, Mr. Logge, uh, that can be
[3:44:46] offensive. Some of his comments. So. Uh, I apologize that
[3:44:50] we didn't react. I know you wanted to be able
[3:44:55] to respond to him. And we didn't give him an
[3:44:57] opportunity to do that. And so I apologize for not
[3:45:01] understand what you were telling me at that time. So.
[3:45:04] Thank you for sitting through this whole thing. I hope
[3:45:06] you learned something. And, uh. That's all I have to
[3:45:11] say about that. So thank you. I don't see any
[3:45:14] other requests. So we stand adjourn at 851.