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Tehachapi council adopts SB 707 participation policy, approves assessment levies and expedites EV charger permits
Summary
The Tehachapi City Council unanimously adopted a remote-participation policy to comply with SB 707, approved levies for landscaping and drainage assessment districts for FY 2026–27, and passed an ordinance to expedite permitting for electric vehicle charging systems under AB 1236.
The Tehachapi City Council on a unanimous vote adopted a package of procedural and land-use measures aimed at improving public access to meetings, funding local maintenance districts and speeding up electric vehicle charger permitting.
City Clerk staff described changes required by Senate Bill 707 that will require local legislative bodies to offer two‑way telephonic or audiovisual participation and to adopt a formal disruption‑response policy. "Beginning on July 1st, all eligible legislative bodies must comply with these enhanced requirements that allow real‑time public participation," the city clerk said in the staff report. Council members asked whether the city would provide telephonic or audiovisual access; staff explained the city will provide telephonic access and a sign-up platform for remote speakers. The council then moved and adopted a resolution establishing procedures for interruptions to telephonic or internet service, including a temporary recess to restore service.
Finance staff opened related public hearings and recommended adopting final engineer's reports and resolutions to levy assessments for Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District No. 1 and for Drainage Benefit Assessment District No. 1 (and parcel map 11353, District 1B). Staff said assessments are billed on property tax rolls and that the general fund subsidizes the difference between maintenance costs and the amount placed on tax bills. No public correspondence or speakers opposed the levies; the council adopted the resolutions.
On land-use and climate‑related process changes, Planning Department staff presented an ordinance and checklist to implement AB 1236, which requires localities to expedite and streamline building permits for electric vehicle charging systems. "My recommendation is we adopt an ordinance of the City of Tehachapi adding a new chapter to establish procedures to expeditiously process EV charging permits," Mr. Cillo said. Council approved the ordinance and found the action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
Votes at a glance - Resolution adopting SB 707 participation/disruption policy — adopted, vote recorded as unanimous (4–0). - Landscaping & Lighting Assessment District No. 1 (final engineer's report and levy) — two resolutions adopted, unanimous (4–0). - Drainage Benefit Assessment District No. 1 / 1B (final consolidated engineer's report and levy) — resolution adopted, unanimous (4–0). - Ordinance adopting expedited EV charging permit procedures (AB 1236) — adopted, unanimous (4–0).
Next steps Council directed staff to publish the SB 707 policy and to post the EV permitting checklist to the city website. The engineer's reports and the formal assessment roll will be finalized according to statutory timelines for inclusion on property tax bills.
