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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/22/2021 Committee Members Staff: Jacqui Kitchen Councilmember, Chris Parlier, Chair Assistant City Manager Councilmember, Ken Weir Councilmember, Andrae Gonzales SPECIAL MEETING OF THE LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE Monday, March 22, 2021 12:00 p.m. City Hall North, First Floor, Conference Room A 1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT The meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL Committee members Present: Councilmember, Chris Parlier, Chair Councilmember, Andrae Gonzales Councilmember, Ken Weir City Staff Present: Christian Clegg, City Manager Jacqui Kitchen, Assistant City Manager Kevin Truelson, Assistant to the City Manager Anthony Valdez, Administrative Analyst III Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney Viridiana Gallardo-King, Deputy City Attorney Ashley Zambrano, Deputy City Attorney Nick Fidler, Public Works Director Julie Drimakis, City Clerk Ken Moore, Police Sergeant Additional Attendees: Members of the Public 2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS There were no public comments made. 3. ADOPT DECEMBER 14, 2020 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT The Report was adopted as submitted. /S/ Jacqui Kitchen S:\Council Committees\2021\Legislative and Litigation\03_March\March 22 ASR Page 2 JK:pa:mc 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Committee Discussion and Recommendation Regarding Ward Boundaries Redistricting Process – Gennaro The discussion regarding ward boundaries redistricting process was deferred to a future Legislative and Litigation Committee meeting. B. Committee Discussion and Recommendation Regarding E-bikes – Gennaro/Fidler City Attorney Gennaro introduced Deputy City Attorney Zambrano, who provided a PowerPoint presentation summarizing current regulations and State law for E-bikes in response to a referral made by Vice Mayor Weir during the March 3, 2021 City Council meeting to review the City’s current municipal code regarding the use of E-bikes on the Kern River Bike Path. There were six public statements made regarding E-bikes; three in support and three in opposition of allowing E-bikes on the Kern River bike path. Vice President of the Kern River Parkway Foundation Richard O’Neil stated that the equestrian trail has the right- of-way. Committee member Gonzales thanked the public speakers for their time. He inquired about the bike-share program. Public Works Director Fidler stated the city had been awarded a grant in the amount of $1.3 million. The grant will be used to make infrastructure improvements such as charging stations and bike racks along the 17 mile stretch of the Kern River bike path and implementation of the ride share program. Committee member Weir asked if the equestrian trail and the Kern River bike path crossed paths and what safety precautions, if any, will be implemented. Public Works Director Fidler identified multiple locations were the paths crossed. Committee Chair Parlier inquired about speed signage for the equestrian/pedestrian trails along the Kern River bike path. Public Works Director Fidler responded that a traffic study was underway to determine appropriate signage. City Manager Clegg added that additional signage for speed and warning signs for cross-traffic is recommended. Committee Chair Parlier made a motion to amend the Municipal Code to clearly allow all E-bikes and other motorized uses (expressly naming Class I/II/III e-bikes, motorized scooters, boards, etc.) of the bike path. The motion was approved with Committee Chair Parlier and Committee member Gonzales voting yes and Committee member Weir voting no. 5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS There were no comments. 6. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 1:01 p.m.