[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6486177,"mediaKeyId","5766256-bb2039cc877c33630fd1e72bf40a67fc","parentId",5766256,"title","Groundwater authority discussion returns to council; public commenters urge scrutiny after proposed court decision","audioSeconds",1082,"startMs",3158000,"endMs",4240000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766256-bb2039cc877c33630fd1e72bf40a67fc&start=3158&end=4240","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766256-bb2039cc877c33630fd1e72bf40a67fc/thumbnail_3158000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6486177/Ridgecrest/Kern-County/California/Groundwater-authority-discussion-returns-to-council-public-commenters-urge-scrutiny-after-proposed-court-decision","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486177-b83371500fb6c0b25e60cb7fedd2ef50/orig.mp4?Expires=1770786213&Signature=fIyy1JL70Iny8DvnNgLeaLhyRXKJhtG5yBuBf0MXONL2p3AXWZO9oH7m-X3WvGy1wz1epA7UKwbfLZRY5s3jUIqm8Tt08~i4O5~dba51SPtZ-VXPJIhXY4cC7DXDdYp8m0skMQbneCdv3DroLsUS3kBrGB7xyFhBSdxZlD3v3qnOqzecilIG5LDnN-HcpY8ZTJrR8xIWwmDfJfwAoxUAfmIIma3ju4DeqFG3LLAP~qWiUgC7-UzNHIynGEM0C~zRz-dJfu3SPcfUfmHio10Ca616HM~Ts8wMoHbuK97Q5OtB2m8O70pB6VOz6D9KssTd6FQ0rabx3y7HpBNILN9oKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Ridgecrest","date","2025-08-07T00:00:00Z","article","Ridgecrest — Council members reported Aug. 6 on recent Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA) activity and discussed community concerns raised by phone callers who summarized a superior court judge’s proposed statement of decision in the IWV adjudication process.

At the council meeting a Ridgecrest representative summarized the IWVGA’s July 16 meeting. The authority discussed whether to create a Facebook page to improve public outreach; board members and staff raised concerns about moderation, liability and whether comments should be enabled. Council members suggested options including creating informational posts only or disabling comments and recommended obtaining a legal opinion and a clear monitoring plan before launching social media.

Staff also reported brief updates on water-resources items: repairs to Rademacher facilities are ongoing; Rose Valley monitoring wells are nearing completion and will move into a monitoring phase after drilling adjustments; and an IWVGA member indicated another presentation on seismic research related to basin study will be returned to a future meeting.

During the public-comment portion of the city meeting two callers — identified in the record as Mike Sonot and Mike Neal — summarized developments in the ongoing IWV adjudication and criticized city and GW authority strategy. Mike Sonot said a proposed statement of decision issued July 28 by Superior Court Judge William Kloster contains key determinations regarding the Navy’s asserted federal reserved water right; he summarized the judge’s findings as including that federal reserved water rights do not automatically extend to non-reservation property and that reserves are limited to water necessary to fulfill reservation purposes. Sonot also quoted a city manager social-media post and characterized certain cost figures as part of his commentary; those cost claims were presented as the caller’s characterization of prior public posts.

A second caller, Mike Neal, criticized city transparency related to the IWV adjudication and described previous consultant work on proposed legislation; Neal said city posts on Facebook reflect the city manager's statements rather than a formal council position. Both callers urged accountability from the Groundwater Authority and the city.

Council members said they would seek more detail at upcoming IWVGA meetings, request follow-up on the seismic-research presentation, and treat the social-media question as pending until the authority receives legal and operational guidance. There was no council action to change city policy at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 8/6/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Ridgecrest — City council members on Aug. 6 reported on Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority business that included a possible social media presence, monitoring-well updates and planned seismic-research briefings; public callers urged scrutiny after a proposed superior court statement on the IWV water adjudication.","taxTitle","Ridgecrest, Kern County, California","taxId",52022,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486181,"Council introduces landscape maintenance ordinance for commercial sites; first reading waived",1502,4418000,5920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766256-bb2039cc877c33630fd1e72bf40a67fc&start=4418&end=5920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766256-bb2039cc877c33630fd1e72bf40a67fc/thumbnail_4418000.jpg","/articles/6486181/Ridgecrest/Kern-County/California/Council-introduces-landscape-maintenance-ordinance-for-commercial-sites-first-reading-waived","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486181-1b34f9d87d88495eea757d743fd96252/orig.mp4?Expires=1770786213&Signature=MbsP5Mw11xgNAheqaoFS2OEnLrEoRYeKbbKOElqvAylNW99HjtGjA4yjIDZyzehWLUxqX~V5YZPfhNDir7m6ga6ls3TTNyTwGy1KGrThxL7Q1Gt-XpM9sYHIAbNPgftoAIyCCyj4Komjt0cZOsQKfwdJU~Qbs6bNIL~MlyBH07b5f2FVyFrVpWeMCUlPqG20yYqaL~Ga8jaS-U7CWaYUXkJbQFXvztWUdYTdGsslB8JFRiJ3orY06RZEeUwfH0wmixM7-85UXqYbE4iw3TvVzWqMS8ikBVrZa140wqiJo-nopmzl2RDf6xdHOhwX0wJXU-ZsOTr1tX5aA30obCWBUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ridgecrest — The City Council on Aug. 6 unanimously voted to waive full reading and introduce by title an ordinance amending the Ridgecrest Municipal Code to add standards for commercial landscape maintenance.

Planning staff explained the ordinance targets commercial properties (not residential) and establishes a definition for \"hardscape\" (decomposed granite, rock, decorative surfacing) and minimum landscape coverage standards for commercial sites. Staff said the ordinance sets target coverage percentages at maturity: approximately 25% tree canopy coverage (measured at 10 years), about 5% shrub coverage, and ground-cover that accounts for the remaining required coverage, with an overall minimum landscape-area requirement for commercial zoning.

Planning staff said the ordinance retains the Indian Wells Valley Water District's approved plant list and is written to be drought- and water-efficiency conscious. The ordinance includes an exceptions process to address sites where utilities, lot size or other constraints make strict compliance infeasible.

Staff emphasized the ordinance is intended to be phased in and educational rather than punitive: property owners with dead or neglected landscaping will be notified and given time to submit phased plans. Planning Commission recommended adoption and the council unanimously waived full reading and introduced the ordinance for future adoption.

Council discussion covered implementation timing, examples of problem sites, and whether existing commercial sites would face immediate work requirements. Staff repeatedly said the intent is to notify owners and allow time for phased compliance; staff said new commercial development already must provide formal landscape plans under current site plan review rules.

The council vote to waive reading and introduce the ordinance carried 5-0; a second reading and final adoption are scheduled per the municipal code process.","Ridgecrest city council on Aug. 6 waived full reading and introduced an ordinance amending the municipal code on commercial landscape maintenance, establishing minimum coverage standards, a hardscape definition, and phased compliance for existing sites.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486187,"Council OKs additional budget to buy five battery-electric transit vans; one fully covered by LC Top funds",116,3480000,3596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766256-bb2039cc877c33630fd1e72bf40a67fc&start=3480&end=3596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766256-bb2039cc877c33630fd1e72bf40a67fc/thumbnail_3480000.jpg","/articles/6486187/Ridgecrest/Kern-County/California/Council-OKs-additional-budget-to-buy-five-battery-electric-transit-vans-one-fully-covered-by-LC-Top-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486187-44e885a5d0eefafe4cf6b5ccde685257/orig.mp4?Expires=1770786213&Signature=cn5cnKC7f~Rd2MU7u7KlStbih~Vb213sPdEEHpN98tmXpeGbs1xV0iEKVQ-IDIr1lAsP30vD~GeFibJRyfkVSvzSfqJZXZvE9UnOC9wn3mWyMsGIDppIMIwJdcImPt0~gF6UcKiMWgJneB2rA5TJ5kx1GdzNv1chrXIxvQFd-8z4LkPGEfwm1upYZlwWNPrifXXUX9fv3C0Z2e1DScrAAg4JsXxx1GIof1c-DuN64DgH20vQoZ4x3XfWHfsm9jo0ohS6jVQmASal-9orryAydio6ItedG3q8rGGdmpv7wj0jcvTeGeBbx6JmnlWeJgIplhgmR3qFNpKUN89mlEuHxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ridgecrest — The City Council voted 5-0 Aug. 6 to approve additional appropriations to the annual budget so the transit department can purchase five battery-electric vans.

A transit department representative told the council the city has received multiple years of LC Top funds earmarked for electric van purchases. The department plans to buy five vans this fiscal year; one van will be purchased 100% with accumulated LC Top funds and the other four are intended to be purchased using a pending CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality) project.

The transit staff member said the vans are 9-passenger vehicles (eight seats plus one wheelchair position) and confirmed the per-vehicle price listed in the agenda packet: $127,178. \"One of those vans will be purchased 100% with LC Top funds,\" the transit representative said.

Council members had no substantive questions beyond capacity and unit cost. A motion to approve the budget amendment carried 5-0.

Background: Staff asked the council to allow the finance director to allocate unbudgeted LC Top funds into the transit vehicle fund to enable the purchase; staff described this as part of a multi-year plan to electrify the municipal transit fleet.","Ridgecrest authorized additional appropriations Aug. 6 for purchase of five battery-electric transit vans; city staff said one van will be paid 100% with LC Top funds and the others will use a CMAQ project. Council approved the item 5-0.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486192,"Ridgecrest council approves Caltrans program supplement to unlock $1.637 million grant for South Mahan Street reconstruction",190,2958000,3148000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766256-bb2039cc877c33630fd1e72bf40a67fc&start=2958&end=3148","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766256-bb2039cc877c33630fd1e72bf40a67fc/thumbnail_2958000.jpg","/articles/6486192/Ridgecrest/Kern-County/California/Ridgecrest-council-approves-Caltrans-program-supplement-to-unlock-1637-million-grant-for-South-Mahan-Street-reconstruction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486192-12f13fd59e71bae7a8afc274f39e1032/orig.mp4?Expires=1770786213&Signature=cDSoUL3BS22dJUUx3AbXEXhm0vrEYq5weN3byzS5dk1Jn~b~ePPChDDngYMfg~-1hrl2ESlvE9ObiJqm4YZihXSYIQQJts7pSlUoeunEsMZWYDrOT7-Y~-R5XfgAEKQ2FcGK1bSjNMycx2lEHZmToablZkZGTknha9~L~Hw0r6oSjNsiivp7xrxsimf0e2sIs6vsHf0htvtDcMnz9B5XrgJ2OF5GoirTBUXDv-DyHpXq2NdS1WhfBBsob-96mUzTVQCZQZfFsrqpyirRPo~kyOHvekid3U5A1CQA1n-CSRFtIR2ZGBird3vkBd1cRc86IzSrVTH5OmOkIFW3Cd5mgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ridgecrest — The City Council on Aug. 6 approved a program supplement agreement with the California Department of Transportation that authorizes the state to issue a finance letter enabling the city to bill for a $1,637,000 competitive grant awarded through the Regional Surface Transportation Program for South Mahan Street reconstruction, phase 1 (Bowman Road to Dolphin Avenue).

The agreement also structures the project so the city can advertise and award work as two phases (Schedule A and Schedule B). City staff said that arrangement lets the city combine phases when advantageous and preserves the option to award only phase A if phase B funding does not materialize.

\"This item is a standard agreement that's typical with all of our state and federal grants,\" said Travis Reed, the staff presenter. He said the program supplement will let the city bill the state as project work is completed for the $1,637,000 award. Reed explained that Schedule A covers phase 1 work and Schedule B covers phase 2; the city reserves the right to award them together or separately.

Council members asked for clarification about language in the resolution describing the project match. Reed said the local match language can change depending on whether phase 2 funding is awarded; the project was initially developed and submitted to Caltrans as a combined phase A+B package to avoid delays and to make awarding the project easier if both grants come through.

The motion to approve the program supplement carried on a 5-0 vote. The approval authorizes City Manager Ron Strand to sign the program supplement agreement with Caltrans and proceed with the Caltrans billing process for the grant.

Background: The agreement relates to a competitive Regional Surface Transportation Program grant the city received for reconstruction of Mahan Street between Bowman Road and Dolphin Avenue. City staff said the two-phase contracting approach is intended to give the city flexibility in awarding work if additional funds for phase 2 become available.","The Ridgecrest City Council voted unanimously Aug. 6 to approve a program supplement agreement with Caltrans that lets the city bill against a $1,637,000 Regional Surface Transportation Program grant for phase 1 of the South Mahan Street reconstruction project.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Groundwater authority discussion returns to council; public commenters urge scrutiny after proposed court decision

Council introduces landscape maintenance ordinance for commercial sites; first reading waived

Council OKs additional budget to buy five battery-electric transit vans; one fully covered by LC Top funds

Ridgecrest council approves Caltrans program supplement to unlock $1.637 million grant for South Mahan Street reconstruction