Tehachapi council adopts updated wildfire severity maps, OKs downtown entertainment zone and park equipment contract

The Tehachapi City Council voted unanimously on multiple measures Tuesday, adopting updated fire-hazard severity zone maps provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, approving an ordinance to establish a downtown entertainment zone under state law, and awarding a contract to install outdoor exercise equipment at Warrior Park.

The measures, each approved by 5-0 roll call, came after staff presentations and limited public comment. Council members also heard an on-the-record request from Honor Flight Kern County for donations to a June 14 fundraiser and learned of an anonymous $15,000 donation to add two large trees at Railroad Park.

City staff said the council-adopted maps use CAL FIREdesignations (very high, high and moderate) and will guide future building-code and vegetation-management steps in affected neighborhoods. Corey Costello, assistant city manager, outlined state legislation under consideration that could create grant programs or new standards to help homeowners with "home hardening" costs in higher-risk zones. Costello referenced bills discussed by the League of California Cities (identified in the meeting as AB 8888, SB 616 and AB 261) and said the Department of Insurance and the state fire marshal have roles in proposed grant and review processes.

Costello said very-high areas within Tehachapi are concentrated in two residential neighborhoods and that some new disclosure and limited building-code changes are tied to the map designations. The council adopted the ordinance to incorporate CAL FIREfire-hazard severity zone maps by a unanimous vote.

The council also approved an ordinance establishing a defined downtown entertainment zone that permits licensed alcohol retailers to sell and for customers to consume alcohol in specified public areas during approved events. Staff described operational safeguards for businesses that opt in: wristbands for age verification, use of non-glass serving containers, and adherence to the sellersexisting alcohol-license hours even when an event continues later. The ordinance was presented as conforming to California Senate Bill 969 and as limited to the mapped downtown area; park-based events such as the Mountain Festivalbeer garden were clarified as remaining subject to the existing ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) special-event rules because they occur outside the entertainment zone.

On a separate consent-level item that required a formal award, the council authorized the city to award the Warrior Park exercise-equipment installation to Great Western Installations. Parks staff explained the city had accepted donated equipment, put the project out to bid and received multiple offers; the low, responsive bid was $68,445.01. The council approved the award and authorized the city manager to approve change orders up to 20 percent. Staff said funds for the project will come from park and recreation development impact fees.

During public comment, a representative identifying himself as a member of Honor Flight Kern County described the programwhich raises money to fly veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit memorialsand asked the council to consider a municipal donation and to place the request on a future agenda. That speaker said the per-veteran trip cost is about $1,500 and about $1,200 for a guardian. The request was acknowledged but no formal donation vote was taken at this meeting.

Community engagement staff reported an anonymous donor has pledged $15,000 to add two large-box trees to Railroad Park as part of a broader park rejuvenation; staff said the total cost for the two trees and installation is about $16,000 and the donation covers nearly the entire cost. That item was reported for information and did not require council action.

City leadership also announced that the development services director, Jay (last name not specified in the transcript), will leave the city to take a regional position. Council and staff offered thanks for his service; no personnel action was recorded in the transcript.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: approved (5-0). - Ordinance to adopt CAL FIRE fire-hazard severity zone maps: approved (5-0). - Ordinance establishing a downtown entertainment zone (SB 969 compliance): approved (5-0). - Warrior Park exercise-equipment contract (award to Great Western Installations for $68,445.01): approved (5-0).

What's next: The adopted ordinances will be implemented through standard administrative processes (notifications, updates to planning/building guidance and business outreach) as staff develops timelines and communications. Staff said grant programs mentioned by state legislation would require separate state action and competitive application processes before local assistance would be available.