City Council deadlocked on Planning Commission appointee

The Tehachapi Planning Commission will have to wait a bit to seat their new commissioner. The Tehachapi City Council was unable to select a new member of the Planning Commission at their Jan. 21 meeting. The two candidates, Kelly Ann Ryan and Barbara Minor, made their presentations to the four council members who were at the meeting. Mayor Joan Pogon-Cord was unable to attend as she had recently undergone knee surgery. As the council was deadlocked at two votes for each candidate, the Planning Commission will have to wait until the return of Mayor Pogon-Cord.

The City Council reappointed Maryann Pacuillo as one of the city representatives on the board of directors of the Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Park District. Paciullo, whose term was up, is currently serving as President of that board.

Tehachapi Community Engagement Specialist Mya Acosta informed the Council that as March is Women's History Month, the city will, for the second year, be honoring Tehachapi's Extraordinary Women. Five women were chosen last year and Acosta announced that nominations are now open for 2025. Up to three chosen women will be recognized at the March 3 City Council meeting. Nominees must live, work or volunteer within the Tehachapi city limits. Nominations close on Feb. 17 and so far the city has received 40 nominations.

The next step in the creation of a roundabout at the intersection of Tucker Road and Highline Road was presented by Development Services Director Jay Schlosser and approved by the Council. As the intersection is located within the county and at the city limits, a Memorandum of Understanding is needed to secure the funding match from the county for the completion of the project. The proposed split is 35% city and 65% county.

The City of Tehachapi and the Tehachapi Community Theater Association are cooperating in the building of an addition to the BeeKay Theatre. The new addition will include two dressing rooms, a storage area and a rear exit of the BeeKay. The project was awarded to JRM Construction at a cost of $139,752.

The Tehachapi City Council meets on the first and third Monday of the month at 6 p.m. They are currently meeting at the Police Department Community Room, 220 W. C St.