[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6629088,"mediaKeyId","2711381-c9aa30004ccc779529afebb786d8dc7c","parentId",2711381,"title","Votes at a glance: Bakersfield City Council actions on Jan. 22, 2025","audioSeconds",1146,"startMs",1714000,"endMs",2860000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2711381-c9aa30004ccc779529afebb786d8dc7c&start=1714&end=2860","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2711381-c9aa30004ccc779529afebb786d8dc7c/thumbnail_1714000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6629088/Bakersfield/Kern-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Bakersfield-City-Council-actions-on-Jan-22-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629088-b4f491ab5c5a3b97865896112eb90cd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776563181&Signature=VGHWRHMyD-0~5A6lL1nrxBsNsexdqvzePT9xMMkHPAmh1q4IhqpdSViieZ9btqiIA8QYcS~JO9ZNK9JeFAyIlmhXDlutISOXCbWHCR4KGX2GAM2Mhca4Nba3e0~Owk553rIaE4z2t03Dc9cA2qackZHzqWFxcAcuyC2L8K88IklcgFcgJtmP6h~LKZ-zAR5bNWkpJJniRxpsO0UdX64nJaloQnOvtV~EcsLmX56VZurKWNkjhZm1ZnUkbDd885oY6cbGMNCye25j6wrEKVodOoDTLkVbC2Jo0p7jn9cUGDYqRcETXxdI3iQDr-okW-38TfDywLfCT-IBt6xaIc60pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-18T21:25:14Z","article","At its Jan. 22 meeting the Bakersfield City Council recorded the following formal actions and outcomes.

- Consent calendar (items 7A–7I, with exception noted): Council approved the consent calendar with Vice Mayor Kaur’s request to pull item 7D3 for separate consideration. Motion to approve the consent calendar with exception passed; Councilmember Weir was absent when the first vote was announced.

- Purchase of two fire engines (consent item 7D3): Council approved the resolution to purchase two fire engines. Councilmember Arias moved approval; the motion passed with Councilmember Weir absent. Staff noted each engine takes about three years to manufacture and that recent engines in the fleet were built in Appleton, Wisconsin.

- Consent calendar public hearings (items 8A–8C): Council opened and closed the public hearings and approved items 8A–8C as part of the consent calendar; the motion passed with Councilmember Weir absent.

- Receive and file: Draft HUD consolidated plan update (report item 10A): Vice Mayor Kaur moved to receive and file staff’s presentation on the consolidated plan and citizen participation process; the motion passed with Councilmember Weir absent. Staff will continue a 30-day public comment period and return later in the spring when HUD issues allocations.

- Approve council committee calendar (new business item 12A): Council approved the committees calendar for January–December 2025; the motion passed with Councilmember Weir absent.

Where motions lacked a recorded second or a full roll-call tally in the public audio, the minutes show the motion passed and that Councilmember Weir was absent for these votes. No votes failed and no items were tabled during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council - January 22nd, 2025 5:15PM Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal actions the council took during the Jan. 22 meeting, including consent calendar approvals, purchase of two fire engines, receipt of the HUD consolidated plan presentation and committee-calendar approval.","taxTitle","Bakersfield, Kern County, California","taxId",4687,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6629093,"Residents praise Bakersfield bike lanes, urge more infrastructure; one speaker promotes Waymo autonomous vehicles",686,439000,1125000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2711381-c9aa30004ccc779529afebb786d8dc7c&start=439&end=1125","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2711381-c9aa30004ccc779529afebb786d8dc7c/thumbnail_439000.jpg","/articles/6629093/Bakersfield/Kern-County/California/Residents-praise-Bakersfield-bike-lanes-urge-more-infrastructure-one-speaker-promotes-Waymo-autonomous-vehicles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629093-6e6684186b7c329340d4385155da793e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776563181&Signature=k7MyfazNIdhdh~XYEAPKuSEy9YvPp3avAx0lMfYjTB3zbKqyPL0XgxlKqXxe1W7cG2BENpz4iAdfRla88tecmpGNiYhT3sZyehEr~Zcf9hfiaF~0zB~AWtDorK1fz~Fe1ix5KPSjLtJrvk3fQUjhI2YvdQ0WmCZ4NAYPr0xnVC54zRyL1j~06ksrjFKNcDAwBdnt6O~IVQzbtVHMTa7j4cmJ1lFdPdvFV~9NEDvtJ0dcroVVUgjk5w22QukUAmiaUI7dwKrzMoy5WrcrjOTrqkC~sIi5uHmv6Di~2YB5lTfig8lHghTJN~s8qi6x5OglJdLN5Zl3MzFp2LjPabITOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple residents told the Bakersfield City Council they support recent bike-lane projects and painted treatments and urged the city to continue building safe routes for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Cindy Parra thanked the council and staff for new bike lanes, green pavement and the Active Transportation Program (ATP) projects. Matthew Dils, a Stockdale High School teacher who said he has bicycled to work for 15 years, said improved bike infrastructure lets him advocate for students’ safe routes. Bert Alton, a veteran who said he is legally blind and uses a bicycle for transportation, thanked the council for paint and color choices that improve visibility and requested more lanes on corridors such as Buck Owens Boulevard.

Councilmembers responded with continued support for active-transportation investments. Councilmember Smith cited traffic-fatality data and urged continued street redesign to protect cyclists and pedestrians. Vice Mayor Kaur and Councilmember Arias thanked speakers and said infrastructure designed for the most vulnerable lifts the whole community.

One speaker, Britney Bridal, suggested Bakersfield pursue Waymo autonomous vehicles and recommended council engagement with the company. Councilmember Smith and others said autonomous vehicles may improve safety long term but that safer street design and bike/ped infrastructure remain immediate priorities. Councilmember Gonzales said autonomous mobility represents a cultural shift and recommended pursuing “increased access to mobility for all” while studying options.

No formal council action resulted from the public comments; councilmembers signaled continued commitment to ATP and bike-safety projects.","Several public commenters and councilmembers lauded new bike lanes and painted treatments; the council expressed support for continued active-transportation work. One commenter urged the council to consider Waymo autonomous vehicles; council members responded that autonomous mobility merits study.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6629099,"Resident presses Bakersfield for action on 14 remnant lots; city cites Caltrans rules and surplus land process",300,606000,906000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2711381-c9aa30004ccc779529afebb786d8dc7c&start=606&end=906","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2711381-c9aa30004ccc779529afebb786d8dc7c/thumbnail_606000.jpg","/articles/6629099/Bakersfield/Kern-County/California/Resident-presses-Bakersfield-for-action-on-14-remnant-lots-city-cites-Caltrans-rules-and-surplus-land-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629099-46ac40ae985d45c3772b74996a5e00b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1776563181&Signature=S4p9bYdO5-nw7JRWbYGA6K52-2CRFZZBbQp-3jQ~gsdxynqR2808gZHRBPbNtD9epJJxICoKCGa5729rsYybNbrn8zgdehoUe2L6sQqUcAcdDCkQgefyEvFLdyKdT0Drf3xbGRIwP1t1-cq3iM32x2i05JkaRJPieTeS1Zrd8zra03oIBzgGveD1t9u5PewNQGJeynQnyvwuW4YGe9plCfjbvndB9ea3dn8pC0odk~peaF38sydRJzrUCJkq0FBWkTH6VF~~iAXnKKbVld7sIByC2akSea6n~sm04~Mc6gstOI9r32ydNnbuZitiRswlKeh~ZsAhid0hL41a7d4zIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A resident told the Bakersfield City Council that 14 remnant parcels in her neighborhood have become nuisances — fenced poorly, used for trespass, and in some places covered with manure — and asked why the city has not taken stronger enforcement action.

Lisa Smith, who identified herself as a resident of Eighteenth Street, described persistent problems on the lots that fall within Councilmember Andre Gonzales’ ward and said she had contacted code enforcement and other staff members without sustained solutions. She said some lots have “homeless people trespassing and camping, using drugs, defecating out in the open” and that fences and locks are damaged.

Councilmember Gonzales responded that the city has not forgotten the neighborhood and asked City Manager (as referenced in the meeting) to provide context. The city manager said some of the small “remnant parcels” are subject to Caltrans guidelines because they resulted from a Caltrans project; per those guidelines smaller parcels are typically offered first to adjacent property owners, while larger parcels move through the Surplus Land Act process. The manager also said, as stated in the meeting, that some of the lots are not owned by the city but instead are owned by a private party referenced in the meeting as “Tripp.”

Smith said she had worked with staff members including Zach Meyer and that some staff have been responsive; she also said she received only out-of-office auto replies from Renee Williams over the prior eight months. Councilmember Gonzales acknowledged staff efforts and said the city will continue to monitor the properties and work on disposition and maintenance, and encouraged better communication with residents.

No formal agenda action or vote was taken on the issue; council discussed next steps and monitoring. Councilmembers and staff suggested options including more regular patrols by park rangers, private security, increased code-enforcement inspections, and using the surplus land process or Caltrans disposition rules where applicable.

The council did not set a specific date for follow-up; members urged continued attention from staff until disposition and maintenance issues are resolved.","A West Park resident told the council that 14 remnant lots created during a freeway project are neglected and attracting trespass, waste and safety hazards. Council and staff said Caltrans rules and a surplus land process constrain options but pledged continued monitoring and sales to adjacent owners where permitted.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6629104,"City presents draft 2025–2030 HUD consolidated plan; residents flag affordable housing as top need",347,2973000,3320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2711381-c9aa30004ccc779529afebb786d8dc7c&start=2973&end=3320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2711381-c9aa30004ccc779529afebb786d8dc7c/thumbnail_2973000.jpg","/articles/6629104/Bakersfield/Kern-County/California/City-presents-draft-20252030-HUD-consolidated-plan-residents-flag-affordable-housing-as-top-need","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629104-aadcf8dff6d9ac5590a046ec0cd8a304/orig.mp4?Expires=1776563181&Signature=WeuPRH7eFgt1N1GeOAnsKql2DHCBLO2P2PC8iR9wqaIDqc8kW-qqL0hvHJ4Sl~qd2W8vHGGKlnpzHHlzT3vvtwJIng6xH3GgKDvwp~TNj4Zs-yLBnrIN-gkLIuVOjY24M2aJm5UTIdu1uJUQw71s657npqiH7BfE03bCI2FPtOxYDNlP36SrmdHOUJkvrcI896CrITAmrUUKxMBH4zaB8eEIZSi8Co6jTX2pOhWzXlF3BRtIVMG-GMT52uxWJNOIe6EfDcp5QCDv~l8n4fb4CH5tWxuREJkBPqB6V8BMFLbkUhZF8fnJSUiBR7xeT07h60MjKyjp2jGtt6gze4LDgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented an update on Bakersfield’s draft 2025–2030 Consolidated Plan, saying the document will guide how federal HUD funds are used and reflecting community input that prioritized affordable housing, homelessness services and economic development.

Director Byers (identified in the meeting as Director Byers) told the council the consolidated plan is a HUD requirement for entitlement cities and covers CDBG, HOME, ESG and HOPWA funding streams. Staff said outreach included three community workshops, meetings with 17 partner organizations, one-on-one stakeholder interviews and nearly 500 survey responses in English and Spanish.

Byers said the draft proposes goals to increase affordable housing and homeownership opportunities, prevent and reduce homelessness with attention to mental and behavioral health support, improve community infrastructure (such as sidewalks and Safe Routes to School), and expand services for children, seniors and people with disabilities. She told council the city anticipates roughly $34 million in HUD funding over the five-year period based on current-year levels, while noting annual HUD allocations fluctuate.

Councilmembers asked staff how representative the outreach sample was and whether the city could increase participation. Director Byers and others said the outreach effort included ZIP-code and age questions and that the east side of the city responded at higher rates; staff said they will continue using social media, press, and community partners to expand engagement.

Councilmembers also discussed policy levers to encourage more affordable development, including streamlining permits and supporting smaller-lot and smaller-home construction. Councilmember Smith said the city should “encourage the development community to build smaller, more affordable housing.” Councilmember Gonzales recommended door-to-door outreach (a promotora-like strategy) and closer coordination among city departments to improve participation.

Vice Mayor Kaur moved to receive and file the report; the motion passed with Councilmember Weir absent.

Staff noted HUD’s timing on final allocations can delay formal submission of the action plan to HUD; the city expects to submit the consolidated plan to HUD after notification of the current-year allocation, likely in May or June 2025.","City staff described outreach and draft goals for the HUD-required five-year consolidated plan; affordable housing and homelessness prevention were the most-cited priorities in surveys and workshops.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6629109,"Bakersfield council approves purchase of two fire engines and moves to plan new fire stations",664,1790000,2454000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2711381-c9aa30004ccc779529afebb786d8dc7c&start=1790&end=2454","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2711381-c9aa30004ccc779529afebb786d8dc7c/thumbnail_1790000.jpg","/articles/6629109/Bakersfield/Kern-County/California/Bakersfield-council-approves-purchase-of-two-fire-engines-and-moves-to-plan-new-fire-stations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629109-0cb9c4d9192ca5867796a9f44c4a9f96/orig.mp4?Expires=1776563181&Signature=G92~fwLREmjrnJJzbqS0CBIoT3MdlUkXsmgCcAHI4NRL6tdpTHtYtMACd-E~iEqpCPf7N8FZm1q5QpXR2EBcb~jdBNhpndvW1J2qirIzCtKqTpwnh0qCR1RUK8HVrF4r1vTTv1SHo8zYQ9I9WDdPgyDoEAToZDATudTuw9q1rxKOig~Ik3D5Oj~bqc5dcEq3bPLlDgk9FTlQ~SBYUmJeQ~G51V2aZ1AFhle5R-ewycrVj5IWOEasWOAsfXxrXtoLfM67USibklV2KRClvu8dmfwsoiDpeBAKjcDxeelIM0lHTcPqjwq1KUcaZNE8hBc~5PvDUX-JTKjnpvLUdzD9rA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bakersfield City Council voted to approve the purchase of two new fire engines and discussed launching a fire master plan and studies of staffing and infrastructure preparedness.

The action to buy two engines was taken on Jan. 22 during the council's consent calendar votes. Councilmember Arias moved approval of the purchase of two engines; the motion passed with Councilmember Weir absent.

Council members pressed for a broader review of fire response needs after recent large wildfires in Southern California. Vice Mayor Kaur asked staff to develop a fire master plan and to explore funding and siting for a new station, particularly in South Bakersfield as the city grows. Kaur said the city should “begin the design process for a new fire station” and consider embedding substations next to parks and schools when master-planning new neighborhoods.

Bakersfield’s Fire Chief (name not provided in the meeting) briefed the council on lessons from the Palisades and Eaton fires, saying those incidents were driven by a combination of dry vegetation and high winds and that “when you hook up a hundred fire engines to water systems, it’s very difficult to design a system to handle that much water flow.” The chief told the council the city’s hydrants do have water and that the city annually tests hydrants and coordinates with Cal Water on pressure boosting during large incidents.

Councilmembers urged that any master plan include staffing and mutual-aid considerations. Councilmember Coleman noted that recruiting and training personnel takes years and called for the master plan to “future-proof” the department; Councilmember Komen asked that the report include current call volumes and staffing needs. Councilmember Arias requested that staff also brief the council on the existing joint powers agreement (JPA) with county fire partners and whether it meets current needs.

Vice Mayor Kaur noted that each modern engine can take about three years to build and said the ones recently delivered to the department were manufactured in Appleton, Wisconsin. The vice mayor also suggested the city explore Public Safety & Vital Services (PSVS) funding and other buckets for design and construction costs. The Fire Chief said state-level advance funding has been made available in recent years for pre-positioning equipment during red-flag events; the chief referenced recent state actions that made roughly $25 million to $40 million available for pre-positioning during extreme events.

No specific timeline for the master plan was set during the discussion; councilmembers asked staff to return with options quickly and to include budget-cycle and funding recommendations.

Votes at the council meeting recorded the purchase of two engines as approved; the exact roll-call tally was not read aloud beyond noting that Councilmember Weir was absent at the time of the vote.

For residents, the council emphasized that the city maintains an emergency operations plan and coordinates with ReadyKern for public information.","Council approved acquisition of two fire engines and members urged a citywide fire master plan and staffing review following recent large wildfires; council also requested updates on mutual aid and water infrastructure.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Bakersfield City Council actions on Jan. 22, 2025

Residents praise Bakersfield bike lanes, urge more infrastructure; one speaker promotes Waymo autonomous vehicles

Resident presses Bakersfield for action on 14 remnant lots; city cites Caltrans rules and surplus land process

City presents draft 2025–2030 HUD consolidated plan; residents flag affordable housing as top need

Bakersfield council approves purchase of two fire engines and moves to plan new fire stations