Bakersfield City Council Agenda: Charter Review June 28

Bakersfield City Council will receive a presentation from Moss Adams on June 28 summarizing key findings from their review of the City Charter. In 2022 City Council made a referral to staff to conduct a review of the City Charter. Staff solicited the services of Moss Adams to conduct an independent review of the City Charter.

Grant and ordinance items on agenda

The City of Bakersfield plans to submit a grant application to the Board of State and Community Corrections Organized Retail Theft and Prevention Grant Program. The City of Bakersfield is eligible to apply and receive federal funding for air quality improvement projects through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program. Kern COG requires all submissions include a resolution in support of the project that requires applicants to match 11.47 percent of total project costs. Council will also consider a first reading of an ordinance for a Tobacco Retailer’s Permit. In August 2022 the City Manager’s Office presented Council with five options for enacting a tobacco retailer’s permit. The Safe and Healthy Neighborhood Committee unanimously moved to adopt Kern County’s Tobacco Retailer’s Permit Ordinance.

Program agreements and fiscal year budget

An amendment to the agreement with Flood Bakersfield Ministries increases compensation by $200,000 and extends the term to June 30, 2024. In 2021 Council approved an agreement with Flood Bakersfield Ministries to implement a Street Outreach Program along the Kern River within the City of Bakersfield limits. The amendment with Mercy House extends the term until July 1, 2026 and increases compensation to $6,210,264.42. In 2022 the City of Bakersfield entered into an agreement with Mercy House Living Centers to open and operate the 150-bed Brundage Lane Navigation Center. In 2023 Council approved the expansion of the Brundage Lane Navigation Center which increased shelter beds from 150 to 268, added pet capacity from 15 to 50 kennels, added a 19-bed recuperative care dormitory, and expanded the service provider wing. The Fiscal Year 2023-24 proposed budget includes an operating budget of $695,384,796 and a capital improvement budget of $93,160,004, for a total budget of $788,544,800. On March 8, 2023, City Council approved funding for a Community Vitality and Family Reunification Initiative. On May 10, 2023, Council approved a funding request from the Housing Authority of the County of Kern for the Renaissance at Baker Project. In 2013 the City adopted the Freeway Litter Program and approved agreements with the Open Door Network, California Department of Transportation, and Kern Council of Governments. Since 2019 the City of Bakersfield operates a Biohazard Cleanup Program to the most impacted areas of the City, Downtown, and Old Town Kern neighborhoods.