Tehachapi News

Council to confer in closed session regarding threatened religion litigation

larger view

The Sept. 8 Tehachapi City Council agenda indicates that the council members apparently have been challenged legally about the invocations that open each meeting.

Item No. 4 under “closed session” says, “Conference with Legal Counsel regarding Threat of Litigation from Freedom From Religion Foundation per Government Code Section 54956.9(b).”

Councilman Stan Beckham brought up the issue at the Aug. 17 meeting, referring to a challenge by the ACLU to the Lancaster City Council.

Closed session item No. 5 indicates that the council is negotiating a settlement with Dianne Deutsch, whose guide dog Aki was struck and killed as he led her across Valley Blvd. at Aspen St. There are no marked crosswalks on that stretch of road.

Matters discussed in closed session are not released to the public until a decision is made or a vote is concluded.

Hospital presentation

In the open session, the council will view a presentation on the design and construction of the new Tehachapi Hospital by Tehachapi Valley Healthcare District Chief Executive Officer Alan Burgess, Chief Financial Officer Joe Demont and Project Manager Norm Clendenin, including a discussion of the $50 million bond, “Local Quality Emergency and health Care Measure (Measure A).” The measure will be on the Nov. 3 ballot.

In other business, the council will vote on deeding a portion of D Street between Wells school and Mojave Street to the Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Parks District.

In addition to other matters, Council members will take up the Airport Commission's recommendation that Tehachapi Airport Park be renamed “Kim Cummings Park.”

The meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 8 because Monday is the Labor Day holiday. City Council meets at the BeeKay Theatre, 110 S. Green St.

The new theatre has comfortable seats and the public is welcome to all City Council meetings.