#BakersfieldKernCounty hashtag - Bluesky

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1 day ago

Bakersfield planners receive 2025 Housing Element annual report, staff say city remains behind RHNA target City planning staff presented Bakersfield's 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report, reporting 2,125 permits in 2025 and 12.7% of the sixth-cycle RHNA completed; commissioners voted to receive and file the report while routine consent items cleared the docket with one abstention.

Bakersfield's Planning Commission reveals that the city is lagging in its housing goals, having completed only 12.7% of its target, but with ambitious plans ahead!

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1 day ago

Bakersfield declares April Child Abuse Prevention Month, honors Sikh Heritage Month Mayor Karen K. Goh presented proclamations recognizing April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sikh Heritage Month; local advocates urged collective action for child protection and celebrated Sikh contributions to the city.

Bakersfield is taking a stand for the future by declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month while also celebrating the rich contributions of the Sikh community!

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3 days ago

Bakersfield planning commission receives 2025 housing‑element progress report; city at 12.7% of RHNA target At its April 16 meeting the Bakersfield Planning Commission received the City’s 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report. Associate Planner Luis Ramirez said the city permitted 2,125 units in 2025 — about 12.7% of the RHNA 2024–2032 target — and commissioners voted to receive and file the report.

Bakersfield's planning commission reveals a critical housing report showing the city has only reached 12.7% of its ambitious housing goals for 2024-2032, sparking urgent discussions on affordable housing strategies.

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5 days ago

Bakersfield breaks ground on 18th and 19th Street complete-street project City officials and partners marked the start of the 18th and 19th Street complete-street project in Bakersfield, saying the first phase will run from L Street to 0 Street and emphasizing public-private partnership and downtown renewal.

Bakersfield is taking a major step toward revitalization with the groundbreaking of its 18th and 19th Street complete-street project, designed for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike!

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1 week ago

Adam Miller says Dignity Health Arena will get new marquee, seating, solar canopy and ice-plant upgrades Adam Miller of the Dignity Health Arena Theater and Convention Center described recent and planned upgrades: a new vertical marquee, replaced seating and a higher-resolution ribbon board, a solar canopy with battery storage coming this summer, and a needed ice-plant replacement to maintain ice operations.

Dignity Health Arena is set to undergo a stunning transformation with a new marquee, upgraded seating, and a cutting-edge solar canopy—are you ready for the reveal?

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1 week ago

City staff: Hiring freeze, prepayments lift Bakersfield reserves to about $60 million At the March 25, 2026 Bakersfield City Council meeting, city staff reported larger-than-expected savings from a hiring freeze and ongoing CalPERS prepayments, raising projected midyear savings to roughly $11–11.7 million and reporting $60 million in contingency reserves; the council voted to receive and file the report.

Bakersfield's midyear budget report reveals a surprising surge in savings, with reserves climbing to $60 million, thanks to a strategic hiring freeze and smart financial planning.

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1 month ago

Residents press council on tree canopy; council pauses $180,000 inventory contract Advocates urged delaying a $180,000 contract to inventory 40,000 city trees until a strategic tree‑planting plan and greater council oversight are provided; after extended public comment and council debate the council voted not to approve the inventory contract and asked staff to return with options for planting and reporting.

Bakersfield’s city council faces a pivotal decision as advocates demand a pause on a $180,000 tree inventory contract until a strategic planting plan is in place.

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1 month ago

Council approves $2.5 million from Affordable Housing Trust Fund for new Open Door Network shelter campus The council approved a $2.5 million city contribution toward a roughly $46.5 million Open Door Network family shelter campus that will expand beds, add licensed childcare and a wellness/transitional wing; councilmembers sought added accountability and staff confirmed funds had been previously appropriated.

Bakersfield City Council has just approved a game-changing $2.5 million investment to build a family shelter campus that could transform lives and expand essential services for the community.

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1 month ago

Bakersfield officials explain proposed sewer-rate increase, Proposition 218 process City of Bakersfield Assistant Water Director Yvette Roldan told the city podcast the Public Works sewer enterprise needs more revenue because reserves have been drawn down and costs (equipment, chemicals, electricity) and demand have risen; Proposition 218 notices will be mailed in early March and a public hearing is set for April 22.

Bakersfield is facing a potential sewer rate increase due to rising costs and aging infrastructure—will residents rise up and protest?

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1 month ago

Bakersfield council gives staff direction to implement SB 707 remote‑participation rules Deputy City Attorney Ashley Zambrano briefed the council on Senate Bill 707 changes to the Brown Act requiring two‑way remote public participation and new disruption policies; council gave staff direction to return a redlined resolution for adoption on March 11 and to target April 1 and July 1 implementation dates.

Bakersfield is stepping into the future of public participation with new laws ensuring remote voices are heard just as clearly as those in the room!

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1 month ago

Planning Commission approves three zoning modifications for Bakersfield public-safety radio towers amid neighborhood concerns The Bakersfield Planning Commission voted to approve zoning modifications for three city tower sites on Feb. 19, 2026, allowing taller lattice towers (including a 150-foot tower at 1000 Buena Vista) that the city and county say are necessary to create a modern, interoperable public-safety radio network; residents raised concerns about notice, aesthetics and long-term health effects.

Bakersfield's Planning Commission just approved the construction of three towering public-safety radio towers, sparking concerns from local residents about health and aesthetics.

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1 month ago

Commission Approves 195‑Foot Tower at Panorama Drive for Regional Radio Network Planning commissioners approved a zoning exception for a 195‑foot radio tower at 4200 Panorama Drive, citing topography and microwave path needs; no public opposition spoke at the hearing.

The Planning Commission has greenlit a towering 195-foot radio tower on Panorama Drive, crucial for enhancing our regional public-safety communication network!

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1 month ago

Bakersfield Planning Commission Clears 150‑Foot Public‑Safety Radio Tower at 1000 Buena Vista Road The Planning Commission approved a zoning modification to replace an existing 80‑foot tower with a 150‑foot lattice tower at the city water facility to support a regional public‑safety radio network; city and county public‑safety officials backed the change, while nearby residents raised health, aesthetic and property‑value concerns.

A new 150-foot radio tower in Bakersfield promises improved emergency communication, but it’s stirring concerns among local residents about aesthetics and health impacts.

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#BakersfieldKernCounty #CA #BakersfieldPublicSafety #CitizenPortal #PublicHealthConcerns

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2 months ago

Residents and service providers accuse councilmember of demeaning language as council debates homelessness policy Multiple public commenters, service providers and councilmembers pushed back on recent remarks by Councilmember Bashar Tosh about people experiencing homelessness, urging supportive housing, outreach and respectful rhetoric; Councilmember Tosh defended his record and intent but did not retract his prior language.

Residents and service providers are calling out Councilmember Bashar Tosh for his negative remarks about homelessness, pushing for compassionate solutions instead of punitive language.

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2 months ago

Bakersfield council directs Prop. 218 notice for phased sewer rate increase after staff presentation and public review After two rounds of community outreach and consultant engineering work, council voted to begin Prop. 218 notices for a phased five-year sewer rate increase (year 1: $475; up $100 annually to $875) with an anticipated bond later. Council discussion focused on bonding size, impacts on county agencies and protections for low-income residents.

Bakersfield's council just approved a phased sewer rate increase, hiking costs to $875 annually by year five—what does this mean for your wallet?

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#BakersfieldKernCounty #CA #CommunityTransparency #PublicInfrastructure #CitizenPortal #RateAssistance #BakersfieldSewer

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2 months ago

Public speakers and council trade sharp words over homelessness after councilmember remarks Multiple speakers at the Feb. 11 Bakersfield City Council meeting criticized recent council remarks that labeled people experiencing homelessness with derogatory language; councilmember who made the comments defended his record, while several colleagues and service providers urged evidence-based, housing-plus-services approaches.

Public outcry erupted at the Bakersfield City Council meeting as community leaders demanded humane solutions to homelessness, challenging derogatory language used by council members.

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2 months ago

Bakersfield council directs staff to start Proposition 218 notice for multiyear sewer-rate plan After months of study and public outreach, council voted to begin the Prop 218 process for a five-year sewer-rate increase starting at $475 in year one and rising $100 annually to $875 by year five; staff also signaled planning for a roughly $150 million bond and promised updated cost-of-service and engineer reports to accompany the mailed notice.

Bakersfield is set to launch a significant multiyear sewer-rate plan, starting at $475 annually, to tackle aging infrastructure and expand capacity—what does this mean for your wallet?

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2 months ago

Bakersfield planning commission approves 245‑lot tentative map amid debate over air and habitat impacts The Planning Commission voted to adopt a mitigated negative declaration and approve vesting tentative tract map 7386 for a 245‑lot subdivision at Morning Drive and Paladino Drive after residents and the Sierra Club raised concerns about cumulative air pollution and habitat impacts; commissioners cited the city’s housing shortage in supporting approval.

Bakersfield's Planning Commission greenlighted a controversial 245-lot subdivision, igniting fierce debate over air quality and neighborhood character.

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2 months ago

Bakersfield Planning Commission approves 245‑lot subdivision and adopts mitigated negative declaration The Bakersfield Planning Commission on Feb. 5 adopted a mitigated negative declaration and approved Vesting Tentative Tract Map 7386, clearing the way to subdivide 58.29 acres at Morning Drive and Paladino Drive into 245 single‑family lots amid public concern about cumulative air and habitat impacts.

The Bakersfield Planning Commission has approved a controversial 245-lot subdivision, but concerns about air quality and environmental impacts are raising eyebrows in the community.

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2 months ago

Visit Bakersfield unveils web‑based Historical Trail pass with prizes and museum annual pass Visit Bakersfield announced a web‑based Bakersfield Historical Trail pass with more than 30 geo‑fenced sites. Users earn points by checking in, answering short quizzes and can win prizes up to an annual pass to the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History.

Explore Bakersfield's rich history with a new web-based Historical Trail pass that rewards you with prizes as you visit 32 captivating sites!

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3 months ago

Residents and taxpayers urge Bakersfield to delay steep sewer rate hikes, demand audits and phased plan Speakers at the Jan. 7 meeting accused the city of long‑term sewer mismanagement and opposed rapid rate increases, calling for phased schedules, independent oversight and pursuit of grants; residents also raised separate public‑health concerns about valley fever and alleged local contract favoritism.

Bakersfield residents are demanding accountability and a pause on steep sewer rate hikes, citing years of mismanagement that could burden families and small businesses.

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3 months ago

Bakersfield proclaims January 2026 Human Trafficking Awareness Month; survivor urges coordinated, trauma-informed response Mayor Karen K. Goh presented a proclamation declaring January 2026 Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Dustin Contreras of the Current Coalition Against Human Trafficking praised multiagency rescues and called for survivor-centered coordination; survivor Ofelia Flores described layered vulnerabilities in tribal and rural communities.

Bakersfield is taking a stand against human trafficking with a proclamation for January 2026, but the real work begins with community support and survivor-centered coordination.

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#BakersfieldKernCounty #CA #BakersfieldHumanTrafficking #SurvivorSupport #HumanTraffickingAwareness

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3 months ago

Councilmembers report progress on securing jail beds, urge county coordination Councilmembers Smith and Basheer Tash reported a site visit to Taft for potential jail-bed space to address local public-safety needs; they urged coordination with Kern County and noted the city's ongoing budgeting considerations.

Councilmembers are taking bold steps to secure additional jail-bed capacity in Bakersfield, aiming to hold offenders accountable while connecting them with vital resources.

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3 months ago

Multiple public speakers allege harassment by arena security; one alleges past abuse by local radio host Several residents at the Dec. 17 meeting said private security at Dignity Health Arena intimidated and ejected peaceful protesters during a Megyn Kelly event; one speaker said a police report alleges sexual abuse by former councilmember Terry Maxwell — the report is described in the meeting as an allegation, not a proven fact.

Bakersfield residents allege shocking mistreatment by security at a local arena, with one speaker revealing disturbing claims of past sexual abuse involving a prominent radio host.

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3 months ago

Protesters say private security harassed demonstrators outside arena; speakers press council for accountability Multiple public speakers told the Bakersfield City Council they were harassed by private security at a Megyn Kelly event held at Dignity Health Arena and urged the city to protect First Amendment activity on city-owned property. Others raised concerns about policing, alleged past misconduct, nepotism in downtown projects and sewer financing.

Protesters claim they faced harassment and intimidation from private security at a recent Megyn Kelly event, raising serious concerns about First Amendment rights in Bakersfield.

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#BakersfieldKernCounty #CA #BakersfieldProtests #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability

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4 months ago

Council approves consent calendar, pulls Tortuga Bay item for separate review The Bakersfield City Council approved the bulk of its consent calendar Nov. 19 but pulled item 7E10 related to the proposed Tortuga Bay development. Staff clarified the developer will pay for the environmental impact report and estimated 6–9 months before the project returns to the planning commission.

The Bakersfield City Council has put the brakes on the controversial Tortuga Bay development, leaving residents eager for answers about its future!

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5 months ago

Council approves agreement to pursue urban kit fox habitat conservation plan; public draft targeted for 2026 Staff and consultants presented a re‑scoped Habitat Conservation Plan emphasizing protections for an urban kit fox population, burrowing owl and Bakersfield cactus. Council voted to receive and file the report and approved an agreement to continue plan development, with an anticipated public draft in 2026 and permit decisions in 2027.

Bakersfield is taking a bold step to protect its urban kit fox population with a new Habitat Conservation Plan that emphasizes localized refugia and urban design for wildlife connectivity.

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5 months ago

Attorney and veteran firefighter urge Bakersfield to honor jury verdict in race‑discrimination case A jury awarded Captain Quincy Sloan $700,000 after finding the city failed to prevent race discrimination in its fire department. Veteran counsel and Captain Sloan addressed the council during public comment and urged the city to pay the judgment rather than appeal.

A Kern County jury awarded Captain Quincy Sloan $700,000 for race discrimination, prompting urgent calls for the Bakersfield council to uphold the verdict and foster accountability.

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5 months ago

City and RiverPartners outline plan to restore 600 acres along the Lower Kern River Parkway RiverPartners and city staff presented planning for a multi‑phase habitat restoration along an eight‑mile reach of the Kern River Parkway, aiming to establish up to 600 acres of riparian habitat. The work would use a Statutory Exemption for Restoration Projects (SERP) and, pending approvals and funding, project permitting and reporting are expected

A groundbreaking project is set to restore 600 acres of vital riparian habitat along the Lower Kern River, enhancing wildlife and climate resilience in the process.

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5 months ago

Local police association urges Bakersfield to act as contract expiration strains staffing Representatives of the Bakersfield Police Officers Association told the City Council during non‑agenda public comment that the city’s police contract has expired and officers are leaving for higher pay and benefits in neighboring agencies. Speakers warned that continued attrition could raise response times and undercut public safety if the city did

Bakersfield police officers are leaving in droves for better pay and benefits, raising serious concerns about public safety and response times!

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