Online permit filing in City's future

On Sept. 8, the Tehachapi City Council addressed the resignation of Ken Wright from the Planning Commission and City Treasurer Susan Showler.

The Council instructed City staff to advertise for the appointed position of Planning Commissioner vacated by Ken Wright who has moved out of the City and could no longer serve on the Commission. Wright’s term is scheduled to end on June 30, 2021.

City Treasurer Susan Showler sumitted her resignation effective Sept. 30 as she is moving out of California. As Showler’s term expires with the Nov. 3 election, the Council had to decide whether to advertise for an interim treasurer or wait for the results of the election. As advertising and interviewing for a temporary replacement would take at least 60 of the remaining 94 days of the term, the Council voted to wait for the certification of the new City Treasurer.

City Manager Greg Garrett and the members of the City Council all thanked Showler for her service to the City.

“It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with the City,” said Treasurer Showler, “This has been an amazing part of my life. Thank you for your support.”

Development Services

In 2017 California Senate Bill 2 made one-time grant funding available to communities to update planning department documents and help streamline housing permit approvals. Communities with a population of less than 60,000 people could be awarded $160,000 for the project. Development Services Director Jay Schlosser said that Tehachapi had obtained that amount in late 2019 following the Council’s approval to use the sum for streamlining the City’s permitting process. On Sept. 8, Schlosser asked the Council to approve a contract with Sidwell Company for implementation of the new software that will include a citizen access portal allowing for permit filing online and improve citizen access to the planning department. Council voted unanimous approval.

Public Works

The Council approved a three-year agreement with P&J Electric, Inc. for occasional on-call electrical services for the City. Public Work Director Don Marsh said that the City contacted five companies to submit a contract. P&J, the only one to respond, had been doing occasional work for the City for many years, but without an agreement.

Per the State of California Executive Order N-29-20, this meeting was held telephonically. City Council meetings may be observed (or heard) online at http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh0HOSFazMT27ynDXhkUQ0A.