[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6094187,"mediaKeyId","2844586-9bda7fabbc05f689c9c852783a439438","parentId",2844586,"title","Kern COG elects Bob Smith as chair, David Couch as vice chair; consent agenda approved","audioSeconds",92,"startMs",1753000,"endMs",1845000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2844586-9bda7fabbc05f689c9c852783a439438&start=1753&end=1845","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2844586-9bda7fabbc05f689c9c852783a439438/thumbnail_1753000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6094187/Kern-County/California/Kern-COG-elects-Bob-Smith-as-chair-David-Couch-as-vice-chair-consent-agenda-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094187-5e6f68886f8384ab5538306649e7bb25/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163383&Signature=PHSecfNLXBwSwAaj09oLrU8Dlpm4Gz6I01dqh6XSRQKqFEfvFjX2nhmdEE~Ymua~C4JqDi2EdVW4E6rKuLgaBSl78s8CwT8M1q8AzvOhIx75e2ZTp77N1Xxd4FzlKfcfuyqkuciGsz~swcF3ovITfNjuhCGy0eyQjUsd9uk9w~52M-D~s9IT8om-8KxGEHO5WHXGt5AoECmyGll3Frq7DXp70QlVoeBybNz4r46VQWEf~Kwi9dGbd-xYr18h2LiLW8j1m2lrBNWiE1LyafEJ8lXd2OWyPHQ92KIPOQjo2YcEA22Xpu1O~hbKfGYB~NOGK7AalokS8vUBf9SATA7k9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kern County CA","date","2025-03-31T17:05:32Z","article","At its meeting, the Kern Council of Governments elected Bob Smith as chairman and David Couch as vice chairman by roll call vote after a motion and second from the board. The board also approved the consent agenda by roll call.

Why it matters: Leadership elections set the board’s chair and vice chair for the coming term and guide meetings and regional advocacy. The consent agenda approval advanced routine items without separate discussion.

What happened:
- Nomination and election: A board member moved to nominate the existing slate — Bob Smith as chair and David Couch as vice chair; the motion received a second and the board approved the nominations by roll call. The gavel was transferred to the incoming chair after the vote.
- Consent agenda: A motion to approve the consent agenda was made and seconded; the board approved the consent agenda by roll call vote earlier in the meeting.
- Closed session: The board met in closed session on one item and announced there was no reportable action when it returned to open session.

Board procedure notes: Miss Napier (staff) presided over nominations before the vote. The motions were carried by roll call; the meeting transcript records affirmative roll-call responses from multiple board members. The transcript does not show any recorded dissent or abstentions on the consent agenda or officer elections.

Votes at a glance:
- Consent agenda: Motion to approve — outcome: approved (roll call, unanimous per transcript responses; individual votes taken by roll call and recorded as affirmative in the meeting transcript).
- Election of officers: Motion to elect Bob Smith (chair) and David Couch (vice chair) — outcome: approved (roll call, unanimous per transcript responses; motion moved and seconded).

Follow-up and next steps: The newly elected chair and vice chair will preside over subsequent Kern COG meetings. Staff noted no reportable closed-session action and adjourned the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG) March 20, 2025 Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","The Kern Council of Governments re-elected Bob Smith as chair and David Couch as vice chair by roll call vote. The board also approved the consent agenda. Closed session produced no reportable action.","taxTitle","Kern County, California","taxId",2913,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6094191,"Kern COG executive director: Roughly $60M in RSTP/CMAQ funds expected; $2.4M HSIP grant awarded for Cal City-Edwards connection",127,1460000,1587000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2844586-9bda7fabbc05f689c9c852783a439438&start=1460&end=1587","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2844586-9bda7fabbc05f689c9c852783a439438/thumbnail_1460000.jpg","/articles/6094191/Kern-County/California/Kern-COG-executive-director-Roughly-60M-in-RSTPCMAQ-funds-expected-24M-HSIP-grant-awarded-for-Cal-City-Edwards-connection","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094191-b50d6f5098b536291eeed7475e9022cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163383&Signature=F9ozO5nlWMvsh~LyJ3iLOT2ZRiQ07HlcOZD9ZyWvJEZkr0GY~bg49sq48BMn-Cp8vmiL2HGQUdiHgENEta11y7SykiSFdPjC06wwZM7LdK~CvY-KYxwrRaA5CnDy6YgYu6g9WJD2VZsM53J3FSy0Cc8s9aAINbpVW2WcxcCM1QZPUxDCUPuYr-vhb7VTvsXT1PZU5CYU0oZ1Ijd1xHDM7Y-FO1USEpnLT3H1ELEG7DHBJd90WOzH7niQIV-frdZ2g8pHMMOL9XXBW2lmGnVOvxjEz8jFCpACQ3ebIxkhTnps~a0crDlkHykHAlEt4t18QvkGCJC-nM4C5EVxP7wAOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","In an executive director’s report to the Kern Council of Governments, staff said the region expects to receive roughly $60 million combined in RSTP (Regional Surface Transportation Program) and CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality) funds, and announced one awarded HSIP grant for a local roadway project.

Why it matters: RSTP and CMAQ are federal funding streams distributed to local agencies to support road, transit and emissions-reduction projects; the HSIP award provides targeted safety funds. The availability of these funds shapes project programming and grant applications across Kern County jurisdictions.

Details from the report:
- RSTP and CMAQ: Staff said a combined total of about $60,000,000 is expected to be available across those two accounts. A call for projects was expected to be posted later in the month with applications due July 17; staff urged jurisdictions to begin preparing applications early.
- HSIP grant: The executive director announced the region received a $2,400,000 HSIP grant for a project to connect Cal City Boulevard to the Northgate of Edwards Air Force Base. The director described the HSIP funds as federal funds administered by Caltrans. The award was presented as a confirmed grant; staff said additional funding requests will continue.
- Transit and travel surveys: Caltrans and local partners plan to survey interest in an express motor-coach transit option on the Tehachapi–Bakersfield corridor to gauge rider interest during large construction impacts; this was presented as exploratory and tied to temporary service changes.
- Interagency cooperation: The executive director said the Antelope Valley–East Kern Water District has been “very cooperative” and indicated the county may be allowed to place highway improvements on the district’s right-of-way; staff said follow-up meetings with that district are planned.

Board reaction and next steps: The director and mayor framed the recent Valley Voice trip to the state capital as productive and noted meetings with Assemblyman Stan Ellis and other legislators. Staff emphasized the call for projects timeline, the need for early applications and that the HSIP award does not preclude pursuing additional funding. Staff said they will continue to coordinate with local agencies and report back on any permitting or right-of-way details tied to individual projects.

No formal board actions or votes were taken on the funding items during this meeting; the update was presented for information.","Kern COG staff said federal RSTP and CMAQ funds expected to total about $60 million and announced a $2.4 million Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant awarded for a project to connect Cal City Boulevard to the Northgate of Edwards Air Force Base. Staff encouraged early applications for a forthcoming call for projects due July 17.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6094197,"Caltrans gives timeline for multiple Kern County highway projects, delays expected on some work",471,289000,760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2844586-9bda7fabbc05f689c9c852783a439438&start=289&end=760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2844586-9bda7fabbc05f689c9c852783a439438/thumbnail_289000.jpg","/articles/6094197/Kern-County/California/Caltrans-gives-timeline-for-multiple-Kern-County-highway-projects-delays-expected-on-some-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094197-2798a5afde7435dcb4fb87e528df7b22/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163383&Signature=KGiEc6fsBtPVkhUmZnAw8sshHrIJO88XEiT61bOvj05oTW-cmzOJt8Nap6xzhcdf~CDe-yBI8n2CzhqAf4uZA0mgu4UQV-mwS1SX9sIm3rDXyH6gfN003~~NVMFHtp4iviSC~ErwDvMNwtX1oM2lKOMC7MmxZkF73cSqtaz-RMRNupNxP4zaCpE26AZzxanzs7sLVbi~D-p138jYk90AJgZVnQweT~R11dw0bNO5YtSHjz39EmjZRuCtSGgdw8~Zy7G5GTXm~NiirAYtlwoQwyf91LUqTRzwgGjZCl~otEHhT8LQj2w78WgFYD88vhpFdVzmREf5gjH3OuphiU-y6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Caltrans representatives gave the Kern Council of Governments an overview of dozens of highway projects in Kern County, noting design milestones, right-of-way reviews and construction windows for major corridors including State Route 99, State Route 58 and State Route 155.

The presentation, delivered by a Caltrans representative identified in the meeting as Mr. Brock, covered the State Route 99 Corridor Management Plan (CMCP) draft release timing, several rehabilitation projects that are nearing completion or in PS&E, and right-of-way and permitting issues that have pushed some start dates. Brock said a draft of the SR-99 CMCP would be released in April with a final document on track for June.

Why it matters: the projects affect travel and freight circulation across Kern County and include elements intended to improve safety, add bike lanes and replace aging bridges. Caltrans repeatedly cited coordination with utilities, the railroad and state permitting agencies as factors affecting start dates and phasing.

Key updates cited by Brock and other Caltrans staff:
- State Route 4643 interchange / intersection improvements: utility relocations will begin this summer and construction is scheduled to be awarded in the fall; work has been delayed by coordination with the railroad and utilities, and the community should expect visible construction activity in coming months. (project in prelminary stages)
- Southbound SR-99 to westbound SR-58 connector ramp: the team is working toward a 30% PS&E milestone scheduled at the end of the month.
- Old US-99 and White Lane (SR-99) rehabilitation: work about 98% complete; plant establishment phase is nearly finished with estimated completion in May.
- Delano — SR-155 rehabilitation (3R): pavement, shoulders, curb, gutter, sidewalks and Class 2 bike lanes planned; railroad work will include a cantilever structure and lighting to meet Union Pacific Railroad requirements. The project will be combined with the City of Delano’s intersection improvements at SR-155 and Lexington Street, which include dedicated left-turn lanes. Target design completion is June and target construction start is spring 2026.
- SR-43 Seventh Standard Road roundabout and Santa Fe roundabout projects: PS&E milestones in progress with appraisal and right-of-way reviews; the Santa Fe roundabout requires federal permits (described in the meeting as from the Federal Lands Bureau and the Bureau of Reclamation) and Caltrans said that requirement is anticipated to delay construction until March of next year.
- Kern 58 (PA&ED): reported at about 30% complete in PA&ED with an expected winter 2026 completion of that phase; subsequent construction year targets were discussed.
- California Aqueduct (Bridge 166) rehabilitation: reached ready-to-list (RTL) and construction was awarded to Granite Construction; Caltrans said the contractor is pursuing encroachment permits with the Department of Water Resources (DWR), which will delay the start until July or August, with anticipated completion the following summer.
- Bakersfield SR-99 rehabilitation 2: scope expanded to include a southbound auxiliary lane, Palm Street bridge replacement and California bridge widening. PS&E is working toward a 30% submittal at the end of the month.
- Multiple pavement rehabilitation (CAPM/3R) projects across the county (Maricopa, Pumpkin Center, Morning Drive, Weedpatch, Arvin): various stages from construction to PS&E; Arvin CAPM is 95% through PS&E and anticipated to advertise for construction this fall.

Caltrans staff also reviewed near-term traffic impacts and utility work: intermittent shoulder and lane closures for pole replacements and fiber installations, overnight signal and lighting work on SR-178 and other routes, and scheduled one-way traffic controls that may produce short delays for drivers.

Board members asked questions about project district assignments and right-of-way acquisition; Brock and other Caltrans staff said they would follow up with specific parcel counts and right-of-way offer status where requested. The presentation concluded with Caltrans staff inviting questions and stating they would return with additional detail as requested.

Local impacts and next steps: several projects named a target design completion or PS&E milestone within the next several months and several construction starts are targeted for spring or summer 2026, subject to permitting and utility coordination. Caltrans emphasized that right-of-way appraisal and federal permits remain the primary schedule risks.

The Kern COG meeting offered no formal action on these projects; the board received the update and directed staff to follow up on specific right-of-way parcel counts and presentation timing for certain projects.","Caltrans staff updated the Kern Council of Governments on the status and near-term milestones for several projects across Kern County, including rehabilitation work on State Route 99 and intersection improvements on State Route 155 in Delano. Several projects are in design or right-of-way review and some face permit-related delays.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Kern COG elects Bob Smith as chair, David Couch as vice chair; consent agenda approved

Kern COG executive director: Roughly $60M in RSTP/CMAQ funds expected; $2.4M HSIP grant awarded for Cal City-Edwards connection

Caltrans gives timeline for multiple Kern County highway projects, delays expected on some work