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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/27/2013 OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER November 27, 2013 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager AT Subject: General Information As a reminder, City offices will be closed tomorrow and Friday, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Notable Items:  Most of the environment documents associated with the various TRIP projects have been or will soon be completed – with the exception being the Centennial Corridor for which the draft will soon be circulated and the public comment period will be opened. In all, the program has 10 environmental documents. As the documents have been finished the number of TRIP staff has been considerably reduced along with a reduction in the number of work spaces needed for County and CalTrans staff. The lease at 900 Truxtun Ave, where TRIP staff is located, expires at the end of January. We can accommodate the remaining TRIP staff in City Hall North and can therefore save the overhead costs associated with the lease. The remaining staff will be located on 3rd floor which should be convenient for the public, TRIP and City staffs.  A Sacramento judge issued a ruling this week which blocked the sale of $8 billion in bonds and ordered the High Speed Rail Authority to rewrite its funding plans for the project. Until it proves it has met certain requirements, the Authority will not be able to begin to sell bonds a state oversight committee had previously approved. Additionally, a separate ruling by the court said the Authority had failed to detail how the project will be financed, as legally required, before seeking bond money to begin construction. An article from the San Jose Mercury News is enclosed.  The State Legislative Analyst Office issued its State Budget Fiscal Outlook report for FY 2014- 15. Early indications show state revenues are generally exceeding original projections for the current fiscal year. The report indicates projections for FY 14-15 include growth in major revenue categories, such as personal income tax and sales and use tax. While generally a positive report, the analysis is very preliminary in nature and is based on certain assumptions regarding future economic conditions and legislative actions. A copy of the report is General Information November 27, 2013 Page 2 available at: http://www.lao.ca.gov/reports/2013/bud/fiscal-outlook/fiscal-outlook- 112013.pdf  As another reminder, we have enclosed a press release we included in last week’s memo, which outlines the modified trash, recycling and green waste pick-up schedules for the remainder of the holiday week.  The annual Winter Playground is returning to the San Joaquin Community Hospital Ice Center starting Friday, November 29th, running each Friday and Saturday evening through Christmas Eve. The event flyer is enclosed with entry information and event times. Traffic Advisories:  The Chester Avenue/H Street westbound on-ramp to State Route 58 will be closed for a two-week period, beginning December 2-13, 2013. The full closure is needed to construct a retaining wall and widen the on-ramp to two lanes. During this period, motorists needing to access westbound State Route 58 to connect with northbound or southbound State Route 99 will need to enter the freeway via the State Route 58/Union Avenue Interchange, located approximately one mile to the east. Alternately, motorists can continue west on Brundage Lane for approximately one mile to directly access northbound or southbound State Route 99. Motorists are reminded that nighttime lane closures and intermittent ramp closures will continue on State Route 58, between State Route 99 and Cottonwood Road, December 2- 4, 2013. Closures will be in effect for the eastbound inside lane and the westbound outside lane. Intermittent nighttime ramp closures may be required. These closures will be in effect between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. The contractor will also be moving concrete barrier rail onto the site on December 2-5, and motorists should stay alert to vehicles that may be entering or leaving the median area. Reports:  The Streets Division work schedule for the week of December 2nd. Event Notifications: Rabobank Arena Rabobank Theater Condors Hockey Saturday, November 30th at 7 p.m. vs. Stockton Saturday, December 7th at 7 p.m. vs. Las Vegas Tickets: $8 - $30 CSUB Men's Basketball Thursday, December 5th at 7 p.m. vs. Santa Clara Tickets: $10-$50 The Addams Family Monday, December 2nd at 7 p.m. Tickets: $42- $68 AT:rs:ch cc: Department Heads Roberta Gafford, City Clerk Page 1 of 2 Nov 26, 2013 01:21:25PM MST California's high-speed rail imperiled by court rulings By Jessica Calefati jcalefati@bayareanewsgroup.com San Jose Mercury News Posted:MercuryNews.com SACRAMENTO -- In rulings that threaten the future of California's bullet train, a Sacramento judge on Monday ordered the state to draft a new budget for the multibillion dollar project and prove there's enough money to finish the job before it is started. Superior Court Judge Michael Kenny found the state's High-Speed Rail Authority failed to follow voter-approved requirements designed to prevent reckless spending on the $68 billion project. Those safeguards are a key piece of the ballot measure voters approved in 2008 allowing the state to sell $10 billion in rail bonds to help build the nation's first high-speed rail line, from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The bullet train project -- championed by Gov. Jerry Brown but panned by critics as a boondoggle the state can't afford -- can continue for now. But the rulings cast doubt on how the state will fund the project moving forward. While the authority may still use $3 billion in federal funds to break ground in the Central Valley on the rail line's first miles of track as it had planned, more than $8 billion in rail bond money are off-limits until the state fulfills the rulings' requirements. The state's quest for a bullet train has been plagued by controversy and court decisions that have pushed the project years behind schedule, with Monday's decision the latest setback. A groundbreaking set for this past summer never happened, and the latest time-frame forecasts a spring start. But to comply with the judge's order, the authority must first identify a source for more than $25 billion in additional funds needed to complete the project. The federal government will foot the rest of the bill. Judge Kenny also on Monday refused the state's request that the court "validate" the issuing of its bonds -- a mechanism that would prevent opponents from future challenges in court. In one victory for the rail authority, the judge refused to nullify the agency's construction contracts with Tutor Perini and the state's Department of Transportation. Dan Richard, chairman of the High-Speed Rail Authority's board of directors, said he is reviewing the judge's rulings and charting the agency's next steps. He stressed the fact that the judge declined to fully halt the project as opponents had requested. "Like all transformative projects, we understand that there will be many challenges that will be addressed as we go forward in building the nation's first high-speed rail system," Richard said. A spokesman for the authority declined to comment on how the group will fulfill the judge's requirements. A spokesman for Brown's office also declined to comment. Kings County and two of its residents brought the lawsuit against the High-Speed Rail Authority that will force the group to rewrite its spending plan. Michael Brady, a San Francisco attorney who represents them, called the judge's rulings a victory that stymies the project. Page 2 of 2 Nov 26, 2013 01:21:25PM MST "It will be many, many more months before the state can get this thing back in gear, if they ever can," Brady said. "The good people of the Central Valley can sleep better tonight knowing their way of life is less threatened." Lawmakers from the Central Valley and anti-tax groups also cheered the rulings. Sen. Andy Vidak, R-Hanford, said he was pleased that Judge Kenny upheld the requirements of Proposition 1A and said he would introduce legislation in January to allow voters to consider the project a second time during next year's election. "This ruling continues to show," Vidak said, "that the high-speed rail project is on the wrong track." The rulings are "good news" for the state's taxpayers, said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, because today's high-speed rail project is dramatically different from the one voters approved five years ago. "We will continue to fight," he said, "to ensure that taxpayer funds are not wasted in support of what has clearly become a high-speed boondoggle." Contact Jessica Calefati at 916-441-2101. Follow her at . Read the Political Blotter at Twitter.com/calefati .IBAbuzz.com/politics Public Works Department Raul Rojas – Public Works Director PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Luda Fishman Tuesday November 19, 2013 Business Manager (661) 326-3114 During the Thanksgiving week, residents and businesses in Bakersfield should note the holiday trash collection schedule. There will be no trash pick up on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 2013. All Thursday trash, recycling, and green-waste services will be made the next day, Friday November 29th. Friday collections will be made on Saturday November 30th. The Mt. Vernon Green Waste Facility will also be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 28th reopening again Friday, November 29th at 7am. The City of Bakersfield Solid Waste Division wishes residents a very happy and safe Thanksgiving Holiday! For more information, please contact Luda Fishman, Business Manager, Solid Waste Division, at (661) 326-3114. City of Bakersfield • Public Works Department • 1501 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, California • 93301 (661) 326-3724 • Fax (661) 852-2120 Holiday fun for everyone including:  Ice Skating  Holiday music  Craft room  Visit with Santa  The most festive atmosphere in town! Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Nov 24th Nov 25th Nov 26th Nov 27th Nov 28th Nov 29th 6pm-10pm Nov 30th 6pm-10pm Dec 1st Dec 2nd Dec 3rd Dec 4th Dec 5th Dec 6th 6pm-10pm Dec 7th 6pm-10pm Dec 8th Dec 9th Dec 10th Dec 11th Dec 12th Dec 13th 6pm-10pm Dec 14th 6pm-10pm Dec 15th Dec 16th Dec 17th Dec 18th Dec 19th Dec 20th 6pm-10pm Dec 21st 6pm-10pm Dec 22nd 12pm-2pm Dec 23rd 5:30pm-7:30pm Dec 24th 12pm-4pm Dec 25th Dec 26th Dec 27th Dec 28th Week of Dec 2_2013_Work Schedule Page 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION – WORK SCHEDULE Week of Dec. 2, 2013 – Dec. 6, 2013 Resurfacing/Reconstructing streets in the following areas: Reconstructing various streets west of Columbus and south of University Paving streets in the area north of Flower St and east of Alta Vista (HUD funded area) Miscellaneous Streets Division projects: Video inspection of City owned Sewer & Storm lines to evaluate condition of pipes Repairing damaged sewer line found during video inspection Miscellaneous concrete repairs throughout the city Concrete work on various streets in the area south of E. California Ave and west of MLK Blvd in preparation for street reconstruction / resurfacing (HUD funded area) Parking lot improvements at Animal Shelter Leaf collection started on 10/15/13 and runs thru 1/31/14 Concrete repairs on “G” St between 20th St & 19th St NOTE: If raining, there will be no street sweeping service and all street cleaning personnel will be assigned to cleaning plugged drains and part circle culverts. This also applies when a large number of street sweeper are in Fleet for repairs. Areas that have been missed during this time will be swept at the end of the month. THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Week of Dec 2_2013_Work Schedule Page 2 of 2 STREETS SWEEPING SCHEDULE Monday, Dec. 2, 2013 Between Golden State & 16th St. -- “F” St. & Oak St. /kern River Boundary Between 34th St. & 30th St. – Chester Ave. & San Dimas St. Between San Dimas St. & Beale Ave. – 34th/Bernard St. & Niles St. Between Olive Dr. & Riverlakes Dr. (ext.) – Riverlakes Dr. & Coffee Rd. Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013 Between California Ave. & Brundage Ln. – Oak St. & Union Ave. Between Renfro Rd. & Jenkins Rd. – Stockdale Hwy. & Kern River Boundary. Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013 Between Panorama Dr. & Bernard St. -- Union Ave. & Loma Linda Dr. Between River Blvd. & E. Columbus St. – Panorama Dr. & Columbus St. Between College Ave. & Azalea Ave. – Mountain Dr. & Raval St. Between Ming Ave. & White Ln. – Allen Rd. & Buena Vista Rd. Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013 City areas between Kentucky St. & Quincy St. – Owens St. & Virginia St. Between Union Ave. & Washington St. – E. Truxtun Ave. & Brundage Ln. Between Progress Rd. & Old River Rd. – Panama Ln. & Pacheco Rd. (alignment) City areas between Progress Rd. & Old River Rd. – Meadow Falls Dr. & Rose Creek Dr. Friday, Dec. 6, 2013 Between Buena Vista Rd. & Allen Rd. – Harris Rd. & Panama Ln. Between Buena Vista Rd. & Mountain Vista Dr. – Panama Ln. & Birkshire Rd. Between 178 Hwy. & Paladino Dr. – W. Columbus St. & Morning Dr. City areas between Sterling Rd. & Morning Dr. – 178 Hwy. & College Ave. Between Valley St. & Lene Pl. -- !78 Hwy & Hickory Dr. Between 178 Hwy. & Reynard Rd. – Kern Canyon Rd. & McKenna St. Between Stockdale Hwy. & Joseph Dr. – McDonald Wy. & N. Stine Rd.