City Council - August 26th, 2026 5:15PM Meeting

The Bakersfield City Council regular meeting was held August 26, 2026. The main spending action was approval of financing to complete the city’s acquisition of office space and a parking garage at 1430 and 1440 Truxton Avenue. Council approved a $12.1 million interfund loan at 2.5% over 12 years, along with approximately $2 million from the capital facilities reserve; the city had already paid a $425,000 deposit. Staff said the purchase would consolidate police department offices, replace ongoing lease costs, provide downtown parking, and create a long-term city asset. The motion passed, with Council Members Weir and Basherach voting no and the vice mayor absent. No competitive solicitation or vendor award was discussed for the acquisition.

Council also approved allocating $500,000 in contingency funds for cleanup and access controls at a roughly 50-acre illegal dumping site in southeast Bakersfield. The work is intended to remove debris, secure access points, and address health and safety concerns, with the city seeking to recover costs from property owners through liens where possible. This motion passed with Council Member Basher voting no and the vice mayor absent. Other business included approval of a smoke-free parks ordinance amendment, general-plan and zoning actions, and public comments concerning the city’s Flock camera contract; no new camera contract action or vendor selection was taken. The Sierra Club appeal hearing on a proposed residential development was continued to September 16, 2026.