During the Regular City Council Meeting on December 10th, the City Council conducted their annual reorganization process. The Council appointed Councilmember Randall Putz to serve as Mayor for the 2026 term. This appointment reflects the confidence of his colleagues in his leadership, experience, and commitment to the city. In response to this affirmation from his fellow City Councilmembers, Mayor Putz said, “I’m grateful for the trust of my colleagues and honored to serve as Mayor once again. Big Bear Lake has given my family and me so much, and in this role, I continue the responsibility to listen, bring people together, and keep working to better our community.”

Mayor Pro Tem Kendi Segovia was reappointed for another term. “I am honored to have been reappointed to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for the City Council of Big Bear Lake for the third time,” stated Mayor Pro Tem Segovia. “It is a privilege to continue representing our community and contributing to the leadership of our city. I am looking forward to working alongside Mayor Putz, as we strive to serve the residents of Big Bear Lake in the coming year. Together, we will focus on advancing the interests of our city, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that the voices of our citizens are heard.”

The other appointments for the 2026 term are as follows:

• Fire Protection District Board: 
• Board Member Rick Herrick, Chair
• Board Member Chuck Hicks, Vice Chair
• Successor Agency Board:
• Agency Member Chuck Hicks, Chair
• Agency Member Perri Melnick, Vice Chair

The City held its second annual State of The City Address on October 29th at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center. The theme of this year’s event was "Celebrating 45 Years of Big Bear Lake". Attendees enjoyed delicious complimentary refreshments and mingling with City Councilmembers and City staff at the reception, followed by a former mayors panel discussion, moderated by Former Mayor Perri Melnick (2024, 2025). ⁠

In her opening remarks, Former Mayor Melnick reflected on the City’s journey, “As we celebrate 45 years of incorporation, I am reminded that our city’s history is still being written. Each of you... play a vital role in shaping who we are and who we will become. Big Bear Lake began with a dam and a vision. Today, it thrives because of the people who believe in it. And tomorrow, it will continue to grow because of the care, creativity, and community spirit that define us.”⁠

At their Regular Meeting on August 13th, the City Council adopted a Resolution to update and establish a Master Fee Schedule for user and regulatory fees for various City regulatory activities, programs, and services. Updated fees will be gradually phased in over a three-year period, which began on October 12, 2025. 

Castle Rock Trailhead Parking Lot - Completed July 2025

After more than 10 years in the making, the City marked the opening of the Castle Rock Trailhead Parking Lot with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on July 8th. Castle Rock’s breathtaking views have made it the most popular hiking trail in town in recent years. The original trailhead was located along a sharp turn on SR-18, with no designated parking, forcing users to park in turnouts and shoulders along the highway. As a result, people were walking on narrow shoulders and across the highway in an area with low visibility, creating safety concerns for both pedestrians and vehicles traveling through the area. The City saw a need to designate off-street parking and a new trailhead in a far safer location, with the ability to accommodate more visitors, and provide much needed amenities, including:

• 38 free public parking spaces, two of which are ADA accessible
• A restroom building with two ADA compliant unisex stalls
• One trash receptacle with a bin for solid waste and a bin for recyclables
• One bicycle rack with a capacity to hold seven bicycles
• Storm drainage improvements and street widening on Talbot Drive south of Big Bear Boulevard (SR-18)
• Relocation of the Castle Rock trailhead in partnership with Southern California Mountains Foundation

Moonridge Road and Rathbun Drive Rehabilitation Project - Completed October 2025

Each year, the City of Big Bear Lake performs street rehabilitation on selected City-maintained roadways as part of its ongoing pavement management and infrastructure improvement program. For Fiscal Year 2025–26, the City focused on Moonridge Road and Rathbun Drive, which are vital roadways serving residential neighborhoods, local businesses, and recreational destinations. Improvements include:

• Resurfacing of Moonridge Road, Moonridge Way, Rathbun Drive, and Elm Street.
• Moonridge Road and Moonridge Way: Traffic delineator poles were installed at the intersection of Moonridge Road and Moonridge Way. On Moonridge Road, a new sidewalk with accessible ramps and updated drainage facilities were added.
• Rathbun Drive: Rathbun Drive was converted into a one-way street, with traffic flowing east to west (from Big Bear Alpine Zoo toward Elm Street). Angled parking with 86 stalls (four ADA) was added along the north side of the road to improve accessibility and increase available parking in the area. A new sidewalk with accessible ramps was added to the south side of the street.
• Roundabout at Moonridge Road and Elm Street: The roundabout was re-striped to establish a single-lane traffic pattern within the circle. A right-lane merge was added on both the east and west approaches to the intersection to improve traffic flow and safety.

West End Redevelopment Advisory Committee & Beautify Big Bear Lake

In August, contractors completed the demolition of the long-blighted residential structure located at 40095 Big Bear Boulevard. The removal of this dilapidated, hazardous building is part of the ongoing citywide beautification efforts established by the Beautify Big Bear Lake initiative, and in response to the community feedback gathered through the West End Redevelopment Advisory Committee, formed at the direction of Mayor Melnick in 2024. Input and feedback from the West End Redevelopment Advisory Committee also spurred the Small Business Facade Improvement Program. By addressing properties in disrepair, the City continues to demonstrate its commitment to creating a safer, cleaner, and more beautiful mountain community for all to enjoy. 

Small Business Facade Improvement Program

The Small Business Façade Improvement Program was developed in 2024 at the direction of City Council to support the City’s ongoing beautification initiatives. Council approved an initial appropriation of $150,000 in Fiscal Year 2024-25 to fund a reimbursement grant program for small business owners to improve and upgrade building façades, and replace outdated or damaged business signage. Due to the volume of applications received last year and the success of the program, the Council appropriated an additional $150,000 to fund a second phase in Fiscal Year 2025-26. The Small Business Façade Improvement Program seeks to incentivize the beautification of the City’s primary commercial corridors by leveraging public funds with private investment. The program’s objectives include: 

• Enhancement of the City’s physical appearance
• Support for small business
• Promoting economic vitality within the community
• Increasing property values and tenant stability
• Improving the quality of life for residents and visitors

Signature Events

We proudly continued beloved Big Bear Lake traditions with two Signature Events: Halloween in The Village and the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.



Halloween in The Village

Our wildly popular 2025 Halloween in The Village event drew a massive turnout and a powerhouse performance by The Spazmatics! City Councilmembers and staff enjoyed passing out candy to thousands of enthusiastic trick-or-treaters and seeing all of their creative costumes. The City would like to thank all of the Village businesses and exhibitors who participated, and made this night so special for our community. The City would also like to thank our partners, Visit Big Bear, for providing entertainment.