City of Tehachapi

Key discussion items for this combined meeting included the appointment of one member to the Tehachapi City Council to complete a term expiring after the November 2026 election, with one application received from Marianna Gutierrez. The consent agenda covered routine items. Public comment was solicited for any matters within the Council's jurisdiction. Specific agenda items involved the approval and filing of minutes from the February 17, 2026, meeting, authorization for payments concerning disbursements from February 12, 2026, through February 25, 2026, and an information-only presentation of Fiscal Year End 2025 Financial Reports. Furthermore, the Council was set to adopt a resolution establishing the Committed Fund Balance for fiscal year 2025-2026. Development Services reported on the Notice of Completion for pressure reducing stations. The Police Department agenda included approval of the AB 481 Military Equipment Policy and Annual Report for 2025, authorizing staff to schedule a related public meeting. The City Manager provided a verbal report on current activities. The Council planned to review matters in Closed Session concerning the approval and filing of Closed Session Minutes from February 2, 2026, and a conference with legal counsel regarding four existing litigation cases involving the Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District.

The meeting included the administration of the oath of office and welcoming of two new police officers, Officer Christopher Manriquez and Officer Paul Garcia, following their graduation from the academy. The council also approved the consent agenda in one motion. Discussions involved a Community Engagement Key segment detailing the success of Breast Cancer Awareness month activities, including a walk, health fair, and the sale of special edition hats, with $3,000 raised to be split between two cancer foundations. A presentation covered upcoming holiday events, such as Christmas tree installation, snowfall light displays, a snow globe experience, a reindeer rush scavenger hunt, hometown Christmas festivities, the Christmas Parade, and the tree lighting. Additionally, Public Works presented an essential project for the full replacement of the City Hall roof due to leaks and deterioration, including concurrent replacement of two HVAC units and repair of damaged wood. The roof project cost was determined to be $116,238.95, requiring an additional draw from general fund reserves beyond the initial $90,000 allocation.

The meeting commenced with roll call and an invocation. Key discussions included the proclamation of February as Safely Surrendered Baby Awareness Month, recognizing the efforts of the Family Life Pregnancy Center. The council also reviewed successes from the 2025 Hometown Christmas season, specifically highlighting the new snow globe feature, the Little Elves Market organized by Love to Hatchby, and the popular Grinch appearance with a timelapse video of the transformation. A new Community Engagement Specialist was introduced. During public comment, a resident expressed concerns regarding the planned roundabout project at Highline Road and Tucker, proposing a 'smart signal' alternative due to anticipated high costs associated with property acquisition and utility relocation. A council member also announced their impending move to Kingman, Arizona, after serving eight years.

The meeting included discussions and actions on several items. The Consent Agenda was approved in one motion. Public comments included a lengthy address from the general manager of the Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District regarding ongoing disputes with the City concerning the Safe Ranch project's environmental impact report and water supply analysis, referencing a recent superior court decision that supported the district's concerns. Another public comment addressed the proposed vacation of a public access easement located at 787 West, detailing concerns from adjacent business owners regarding access for dumpsters, deliveries, and employee parking, as the original configuration of properties necessitating the easement no longer exists. The City Clerk also presented an ordinance for the second reading and adoption, updating district boundaries to incorporate Annexation Number 86 (The Red Apple Track). A public hearing was opened and subsequently closed regarding the vacation of a portion of an Offer of Dedication for Public Access Easement at 787 West, with staff recommending approval of the vacation given the changed property configurations and the availability of alternative access points, despite concerns raised by current tenants regarding existing access arrangements.

The meeting was conducted telephonically in accordance with California Executive Order N-9-20. Key discussions centered on the consent agenda, which involved the removal of the Southwest diagonal taxi project record from Item 3. Disbursements and bills for RSI Petroleum were approved following a recusal by Councilmember Davies due to an employment conflict. The primary substantive item involved the termination of the development agreement with Greenbrier Capital Corporation due to repeated late payments for planning components related to the Sage Ranch development, including the Environmental Impact Report. Staff recommended termination if the overdue amount of $46,000 was not paid by the cure period deadline of April 24, 2020. A representative from Greenbrier Capital Corporation submitted written comments arguing the matter was premature and violated their due process rights, although staff countered that formal written notice of termination proceedings was provided per contract terms, and the council's input was sought for transparency regarding terminating the agreement.