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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/12/14 CC MINUTESI, BAKERSFIELD CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MEETING OF FEBRUARY 12, 2014 Council Chambers, City Hall, ISO I Truxtun Avenue Regular Meetings - 3:30 p,m, and 5:15 p.m, REGULAR MEETING - 3:34 p.m, ACTION TAKEN 1. ROLL CALL Present: Vice -Mayor Weir, Councilmembers Rivera, Maxwell, Smith, Hanson, Sullivan (seated at 3:40 p.m.), Johnson Absent: Mayor Hall 2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None. 3. CLOSED SESSION a. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation; Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1) for the following: City v. County of Kern, et al„ Fresno County Superior Court Case No, 13CECGO2817 2. City v. Kern County, et al„ Kings County Superior Court Case No, 13 C 0180 b. Conference with Legal Counsel - Initiation of Litigation; Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 549569 (d)(4) (one potential case), Motion by Councilmember Hanson to adjoum to APPROVED Closed Session at 3:35 p.m. AB HALL Motion by Councilmember Maxwell to adjoum from APPROVED Closed Session at 4:43 p.m. AB HALL 1904 19 ^r Bakersfield, California, February 12, 2014 - Page 2 4. CLOSED SESSION ACTION ACTION TAKEN a. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing CITY ATTORNEY WAS Litigation; Closed Session pursuant to GIVEN DIRECTION Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1) for the following: 1. City v. County of Kern, et al., Fresno County Superior Court Case No. 13CECGO2817 2. City v. Kern County, et al., Kings County Superior Court Case No. 13 C 0180 b. Conference with Legal Counsel - Initiation of NO REPORTABLE Litigation; Closed Session pursuant to ACTION Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(4) (one potential case). 5. ADJOURNMENT Vice -Mayor Weir MAYOR of the City of Bakersfield, ATTEST: CITY CLERK and Ex Off i Clerk of the Council of the Cl of Bakersfield REGULAR MEETING -5:15 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Hall, Vice -Mayor Weir, Councilmembers Rivera, Maxwell, Smith, Hanson, Sullivan, Johnson Absent: None City Clerk Gafford announced that, at the request of Councilmember Rivera, Consent Calendar Item 8.e. has been pulled from the Agenda. r Bakersfield, California, February 12, 2014 - Page 3 2. INVOCATION by Pastor Tony Duckworth, Disciples of Christ Church, 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE by Ethan Moyes, 2nd grade student at Del Rio Elementary School. Mayor Hall acknowledged Boy Scout troops 139 and 194 in attendance at the meeting to learn about City government, 4. PRESENTATIONS a. Presentation by Mayor Hall of a plaque honoring Monsignor Craig Harrison for the selection of his home as a Premier Yard of 2013 in our City. Monsignor Harrison accepted the plaque and made comments. b. Presentation by Mayor Hall of a Certificate of Congratulations to Vice -Mayor Weir acknowledging two recent awards from the Amateur Association, and USA Softball, honoring the City's Mesa Marin Softball Facility, Vice -Mayor Weir accepted the Certificate, plaques, made comments, and recognized the efforts of the Recreation and Parks Department, 5. PUBLIC STATEMENTS a. Robert Braley spoke regarding the Centennial Corridor and the other TRIP projects, feels that, considering the enormous cost of Centennial, it makes sense to separate it from all the others and present it to the voters and taxpayers to determine if they want this project completed or not, and he submitted written material, b. The following individuals spoke in support of a cul -de -sac on Cedar Street: Keith Barnden, Dr. Mark Root, Bernadette Root (and read a letter from homeowner and attorney John Hall), Romain Clerou, Nancy Frick, and Marc! Lingo, Councilmember Maxwell directed Public Works Director Rojas to meet with him to discuss what opportunities are available for helping the Cedar Street residents to get a cul -de -sac. ACTION TAKEN 1666 .9 r Bakersfield, California, February 12, 2014 - Page 4 5. PUBLIC STATEMENTS continued C. Ray Scott, with Keep Bakersfield Beautiful, spoke regarding the Great American Cleanup and the Greater Bakersfield Green Expo scheduled for April 12, 2014; and he submitted written material. d. The following individuals spoke in support of the HERO Program: Brian McCarty; Mark DeVries, CEO of One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, and he submitted written material; Glenn Bland, owner and CEO of Bland Solar & Air; and Dustin Reilich, Director of Municipal Development for the California HERO Program. Councilmember Rivera requested that this matter be referred to the next Budget and Finance Committee meeting scheduled for February 24th. 6. WORKSHOPS None. 7. APPOINTMENTS None, 8. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes: a. Approval of minutes of the January 22, 2014, Regular City Council Meetings. Payments: b. Receive and file department payments from January 10, 2014, to January 30, 2014, In the amount of $16,459,285.98, and self - Insurance payments from January 10, 2014, to January 30, 2014, in the amount of $350,291.77, totaling $16,809,577.75. Ordinances: ACTION TAKEN C. First Reading of Ordinance amending Municipal FR Code Section 1. 12,050 by adding Annexation No. 517 located generally south of Panama Lane between Progress Road and Old River Road. Bakersfield, California, February 12, 2014 - Page 5 8. CONSENT CALENDAR continued Resolutions: d. Resolution confirming approval by the City Manager designee of the Chief Code Enforcement Officer's report regarding assessments of certain properties in the City for which structures have been secured against entry or for the abatement of certain weeds, debris and waste matter and authorizing collection of the assessments by the Kern County Tax Collector, e, Resolution in support of H,R,15 regarding Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, f, Sewer connection fee assessment for 2501 Carlita Court; Resolution confirming assessment for sewer connection fee and authorizing the collection of assessment by the Kern County Tax Collector. 2. Agreement with Colleen Rice, to pay sewer connection fee in installments through the Kern County Tax Collector. g. Resolution adding territory, Area 4 -118 (18200 Highway 178) to the Consolidated Maintenance District and approving, confirming and adopting the Public Works Director's Report and authorizing collection of assessments by the Kern County Tax Collector, h, Resolution of Intention No. 1773 adding territory, Area 1 -97 (5001 Commerce Drive), to the Consolidated Maintenance District and preliminarily approving, confirming, and adopting Public Works Director's Report. ACTION TAKEN RES 016 -14 REMOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA RES 017 -14 AGR 14 -017 RES 018 -14 ROI 1773 19nc9 1.1 Bakersfield, California, February 12, 2014 - Page 6 CONSENT CALENDAR continued Emergency Sewer Repair on 1 st Street from Chester Avenue to N Street: Amendment No. 1 to Resolution No. 005 -14 dispensing with normal bidding procedures due to the need for emergency sewer repair on 18t Street from Chester Avenue to N Street, and authorizing Griffith Company and Rain for Rent to perform necessary repairs, increasing the not to exceed amount from $700,000 to $1,000,000. 2. Appropriate $300,000 Sewer Enterprise Fund balance (Wastewater Treatment Plant No, 2) to the Public Works Department's Capital Improvement Budget, Agreements: Final Map and Improvement Agreement with Lennar Fresno, Inc., for Tract 6757, Unit 2, located south of McKee Road and west of Mountain Ridge Drive, k, Final Map and Improvement Agreement with Froehlich, Inc., for Tract 6796, Unit 1, located east of Jenkins Road and north of Brimhail Road. Improvement Agreement with Amber Investments, LLC, for Parcel Map 11192 located north of Stockdale Highway and east of Allen Road, M. Transportation Impact Fee Credit Agreement with Meritage Homes of California, Inc. (not to exceed $82,806,11), for construction of improvements on Stine Road along the frontage of Tentative Tract Map 6557, n, Agreement with Kutak Rock, LLP ($225,000), for Special Bond Counsel services associated with financial planning for the Thomas Roads Improvement Program projects. (TRIP) ACTION TAKEN RES 005 -14(1) AGR 14 -018 AGR 14 -019 ABS SMITH AGR 14 -020 AGR 14 -021 AGR 14 -022 F Bakersfield, California, February 12, 2014 - Page 7 8. CONSENT CALENDAR continued o. Agreement with Clifford & Brown (not to exceed $50,000) to provide outside legal services in matters related to recovery of bond proceeds under performance bond number 5027282 or other bonds related to Tract 6642. P. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 11 -061 with Hanna, Brophy, MacLean, McAleer & Jensen ($56,000; revised not to exceed $506,000) to provide Worker's Compensation legal services. q. Amendment No, 2 to Agreement No, 12 -042 with Stinson's Stationers, Inc. ($300,000; revised not to exceed $860,000 and extending term one year), for office supplies. r, Amendment No. l to Agreement No. 13 -025 with San Joaquin Fence & Supply (extending the term to December 31, 2014) for the continued supply of installed fencing. S. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No, 13 -036 with Precision Fertilizer Spreading ($125,000; revised not to exceed $249,250 and extending term to December 31, 2014) for the continued supply of hauling and spreading bio- solids. t. Contract Change Order No. 4 to Agreement No, 12 -165 with Security Paving Company, Inc, ($334,439.55; revised not to exceed $29,379,354.77; change order funded with Traffic Development Funds) for construction of the Westside Parkway Phase 6C Project. (TRIP) Bids: U. Accept bid and approve contract with Safety Striping Services, Inc, ($42,307,74), for Bike Lane Improvements - Alta Vista Drive, Haley Street, 30th Street, and 41h Street. V. Accept bid and approve contract with Boething Treeland Farms, Inc. (not to exceed $100,000), for the annual contract for the supply of plants and shrubs. ACTION TAKEN AGR 14 -023 AGR 1 1 - 061(1) AGR 12- 042(2) AGR 13- 025(1) AGR 13- 036(1) AGR 12 -165 CCO4 AGR 14 -024 AGR 14 -025 1910 191-11 Bakersfield, California, February 12, 2014 - Page 8 8. CONSENT CALENDAR continued ACTION TAKEN Miscellaneous: W. Acceptance of 2012 -13 Transportation Development Act Funds Financial Statements. X. Acceptance of Audit Reports for Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2013 (Budget & Finance Committee): 1. Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). 2. Agreed Upon Conditions Report. 3. Single Audit Report - Schedule for Federal Expenditures for the City. 4. Independent Auditors Report - Compliance with Contractual Requirements relative to the Bakersfield Subregional Wastewater Management Plan. 5. Independent Auditors Report on Appropriations Limit Worksheet (GANN Limit) of the City. 6. Independent Auditors Report - Rabobank Arena, Theater, Convention Center, Bakersfield Ice Sports Center and Bright House Networks Amphitheater, Successor Agency Business: Y. Receive and file successor agency payments from January 10, 2014, to January 30, 2014, In the amount of $477,787.71. City Clerk Gafford announced that, at the request of Counciimember Rivera, Item 8.e, has been pulled from the Agenda; and a staff memorandum was received correcting the Council Ward designation from Ward 4 to Ward 2 on Item 8.h. Counciimember Smith announced that he would abstain, due to conflict of interest, source of income to himself, on item 8.k. Motion by Vice -Mayor Weir to adopt Consent APPROVED Calendar items 8.a, through 8.y., with the removal by Counciimember Rivera of item 8.e. VA 1 Bakersfield, California, February 12, 2014 - Page 9 CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS a. Public Hearing to consider the Resolution ordering the vacation of portions of the public utility easements as created with Tract 6444, Phase 2, within Lot 132 (located in The Seasons Development, bordered by Paladino Drive to the north and Panorama Drive to the south). (Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution) b. Zone Change No. 13 -0324; McIntosh & Associates, representing Urban Land Advisors, LLC (property owner), has applied for a zone change on 31.78 acres located along the south side of Seventh Standard Road between the future Allen Road and Shane Street. (Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution and first reading of the Ordinance) 1. Resolution adopting a Negative Declaration. 2. First Reading of Ordinance amending the Official Zoning Map in Title 17 of the Municipal Code by changing the zone district from A (Agriculture) to R -2 (Limited Multiple Family Dwelling) on 21.33 acres and to C -2 (Regional Commercial) on 10.45 acres, C. General Plan Amendment /Zone Change No. 13 -0323, McIntosh & Associates, representing Urban Land Advisors, LLC (property owner), has applied for a general plan amendment and zone change on 130.30 acres located south of Seventh Standard Road between the future Allen Road and future Jewetta Avenue. (Staff recommends adoption of the Resolutions and first reading of the Ordinance) 1. Resolution adopting a Negative Declaration, 2. Resolution approving the general plan amendment changing the land use designation from LMR (Low Medium Density Residential) and SR (Suburban Residential) to LR (Low Density Residential) on 130.30 acres. ACTION TAKEN RES 019 -14 RES 020 -14 FR RES 021 -14 RES 022 -14 1912 a Bakersfield, California, February 12, 2014 - Page 10 CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS continued ACTION TAKEN Item 9.c. continued 3. First Reading of Ordinance amending FR the Official Zoning Map in Title 17 of the Municipal Code by changing the zone district A (Agriculture) and E (Estate) to R -1 (One Family Dwelling) on 130.30 acres. d. General Plan Amendment /Zone Change No. 13 -0251; McIntosh & Associates, representing Mt. Vernon Properties, LLC (property owner), has applied for a general plan amendment and zone change on 56.66 acres located between Highway 178 and Highland Knolls Drive, west of Morning Drive. (Staff recommends adoption of the Resolutions and first reading of the Ordinance) Resolution adopting a Negative RES 023 -14 Declaration, ABS WEIR 2. Resolution approving the general plan RES 024 -14 amendment changing the land use ABS WEIR designation from LR (Low Density Residential) and HMR (High Medium Density Residential) to GC (General Commercial) and OC (Office Commercial) on 56.66 acres. 3. First Reading of Ordinance amending FR the Official Zoning Map in Title 17 of the ABS WEIR Municipal Code by changing the zone district from R -1 (One Family Dwelling) to CO (Professional and Administrative Office) and C -2 (Regional Commercial) on 56.66 acres. e. General Plan Amendment /Zone Change No. 13 -0292; Pinnacle Civil Engineering, Inc., representing Crystal Farms (property owner) has applied for a general plan amendment and zone change on 41.40 acres located on the south side of Reina Road between Santa Fe Way and Renfro Road. (Staff recommends adoption of the Resolutions and first reading of the Ordinance) Resolution adopting a Negative RES 025 -14 Declaration, ABS SMITH Q 1 Bakersfield, California, February 12, 2014 - Page 11 CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS continued Item 9,e, continued 2. Resolution approving the general plan amendment changing the land use designation from R -IA (Resource - Intensive Agriculture) to LMR (Low Medium Density Residential) on 41.40 acres, 3. First Reading of Ordinance amending the Official Zoning Map in Title 17 of the Municipal Code by changing the zone district from A (Agriculture) to R -2 (Limited Multiple Family Dwelling) on 41.40 acres, f. General Plan Amendment No. 13 -0360; McIntosh & Associates, representing Castle & Cooke Commercial -CA, Inc. (property owner), has applied for a general plan amendment circulation element and a West Ming Specific Plan amendment to change the planned circulation of a major road and multi- purpose trail, (Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution) 1. Resolution approving the general plan circulation element and specific plan amendments changing the planned circulation of a major road and multi- purpose trail, as shown on map, g. General Plan Amendment No. 13 -0361; Woodbridge Pacific Group, representing Sierra Oaks Partners, LLC (property owner), has applied for a general plan amendment circulation element and a West Ming Specific Plan amendment to change the planned circulation of major roads and multi- purpose trails. (Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution) 1, Resolution approving the general plan circulation element and specific plan amendments changing the planned circulation of major roads and multi- purpose trails, as shown on map. A staff memorandum was received regarding items 9,b, and 9.c., clarifying the bicycle and pedestrian access in and around the project site. ACTION TAKEN RES 026 -14 ABS SMITH FR ABS SMITH RES 027 -14 RES 028 -14 Bakersfield, California, February 12, 2014 - Page 12 9. CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS continued ACTION TAKEN Vice -Mayor Weir announced that he would abstain, due to a potential conflict of interest, on item 9.d. Councilmember Smith announced that he would abstain, due to conflict of interest, source of income to himself, on item 9.e. Consent Calendar Public Hearings opened at 6;03 p.m. No one spoke, Consent Calendar Public Hearings closed at 6;04 p,m. Motion by Vice -Mayor Weir to adopt Consent APPROVED Calendar Public Hearings items 9.a. through 9.g. 10. REPORTS a. Follow Up Responses to Referrals from Councilmember Maxwell; One Way Streets in the Downtown Area, 2. Traffic Counts for 24th Street, Oak Street, Truxtun Avenue and Westside Parkway, City Clerk Gafford announced that staff memorandums have been received regarding CalTrans Pavement Maintenance on 24th Street and the Oak Street Traffic Volumes, City Manager Tandy made staff comments and recommended the report be received and filed with no further action. William Knoetgen, TRIP Program Manager at Parsons, made comments and provided a PowerPoint Presentation on Item l 0,a.1, Bob Scales, Senior Program Manager for Traffic and Transportation at Parsons, made comments and provided the balance of the PowerPoint Presentation, Fire Chief Greener made staff comments and provided a PowerPoint Presentation on Item 1 O,a.1, Councilmember Maxwell encouraged the City Council to spend the money to figure out exactly what it would cost, and to move forward on at least going to the next step and finding out if there is a way to efficiently get traffic to move in the downtown area and increase its flow. Bakersfield, California, February 12, 2014 - Page 13 10. REPORTS continued Councilmember Johnson made a motion to receive and file the report. Councilmember Smith advised that he is not for the one -way streets; that the quality of life issues and the concerns about businesses are real; that there is no reason to increase speeds and flow on those streets; and that he would not be in favor of moving forward with one -way streets for downtown. Motion by Councilmember Johnson to receive and file the report. 11. HEARINGS a. Public Hearing to consider a resolution certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report and approving the 24th Street Improvement Project. (TRIP) (continued from 01122114 meeting) Staff recommends adoption of the resolution and approval of the project, and that the project advance to final design and property acquisition phases followed ultimately by bidding and construction of the project, City Clerk Gafford announced that a staff memorandum was received addressing questions by Councilmember Smith; in addition three correspondence items have been received from Vanessa Vangel, along with staff response; e -mails have been received from Greg Lee, W. E, Freeman, Geraldine Sproul, Nika Sill, Bob and Ann Deiner, Mark Montgomery, and Kelly Slykerman, along with correspondence from John C. Hall, and one call from Kay Catlett, regarding the 24th Street Improvement Project, Additionally, correspondence was received from Jesse Frederick of WZI, Inc. City Manager Tandy made staff comments and Introduced Public Works Director Rojas, who made additional staff comments and provided a PowerPoint presentation relative to the CEQA Hearing for Certification of the Environmental Impact Report. ACTION TAKEN APPROVED NOES MAXWELL RES 029 -14 1g' 6 B .f I Bakersfield, California, February 12, 2014 - Page 14 11. HEARINGS continued ACTION TAKEN Item 11.a. continued Hearing opened at 6:59 p.m. The following individuals spoke in opposition to the staff recommendation: Vanessa Vangel, on behalf of herself, her mother, Darlene Vangel, and her elderly neighbors; Dr. Claudia Jonah, Health Officer for Kern County, pointed out the need to take preventive measures when disturbing the soil, in terms of taking every opportunity to moisten the soil so that it doesn't create dust and recognizing to clean that soil away to prevent exposure to the Valley Fever fungus; Bob Coons, is opposed to a pedestrian controlled signal light on A and 24th streets, is in favor of sound walls on both the north and the south sides of 241h Street, and he submitted written material; Judith Harniman; Christy Coons; and Richard Young, mentioned the historic aspect of his home and submitted written material. The following individuals spoke in support of the staff recommendation: Mike Hawksworth, with the recommendation from the Planning Commission to put sound walls on the south side of 24th Street and moving the crosswalk at A Street to a traffic controlled intersection to the east; Robert Massey, wants the proposed crosswalk on A Street eliminated from the consideration of the design; and Tony O'Brien, opposes the crosswalk. No one spoke in rebuttal, Hearing closed at 7:34 p.m, Councilmember Maxwell made comments and provided a slide presentation. In response to a question from Councllmember Maxwell, City Attorney Gennaro provided an explanation of CEQA violations and what the costs can be to the City, Bakersfield, California, February 12, 2014 — Page 15 11. HEARINGS continued Item l 1.a. continued Counciimember Maxwell advised that he felt he had demonstrated in his presentation where the EIR has serious CEQA violations and how it is tremendously inadequate and has no credibility, and he suggested that if the City Council decides to accept the EIR, he would ask that they not authorize the project to move forward at this time and entertain separate language that prioritizes Hosking Road as the first priority, in order to bring those dollars into the City; the second priority to be the Hageman Flyover, because the evidence shows that could take 15,000 cars off of 24th Street, which will help the flow on 24th Street, and then come to a decision as to whether the widening is really needed at that point or not, and will have exhausted every option other than taking either the north side or the south side of 24th Street; and will hopefully by then have optimized the lights and done all those things that would really help that particular corridor and would have preserved historic downtown and let people know that that's what's important to the City Council. He further advised that he was not going to be making any motion tonight because he thinks this EIR is tremendously flawed, and he will not make a motion on something that he thinks is that flawed; and he hoped that if somebody wanted to make a motion to certify this EIR, that they separate the language out or make some sort of language that the City Council can at least entertain making the decision to consider what those three projects are and how they should be prioritized. Counciimember Johnson suggested that the A Street crosswalk be either eliminated or come up with alternate mitigation, because it is not something that is in the best interest of public safety, and, with regard to the sound threshold, recommended directing staff to work with the members of the public for a different standard than what exists there today and change the standard so it is more in line with what the community may want. Vice -Mayor Weir made a motion to move forward with staff's recommendation on this project, eliminate the crosswalk, and if there are other things that the public might want as the design process moves forward, they could submit their opinions for consideration. ACTION TAKEN X9'9 Bakersfield, California, February 12, 2014 — Page 16 HEARINGS continued ACTION TAKEN Item l 1,a. continued Councilmember Sullivan advised she is in support of the 24th Street Widening Project. Councilmember Smith advised that he would like staff to look at landscaping and street trees all the way to M Street; and he is in support of making a pedestrian crossing as safe as possible at A Street, and sound walls on both sides. Councilmember Rivera advised that he was in support of the project, and he commended Councilmember Maxwell on his presentation. Motion by Vice -Mayor Weir to move forward with APPROVED staff's recommendation on this project, eliminate the NOES MAXWELL crosswalk, and if there are other things that the public might want as the design process moves forward, they could submit their opinions for consideration. 12. DEFERRED BUSINESS None, 13. NEW BUSINESS a. Electronic Agenda Management, Staff recommends: a) Implementation of an electronic /poperless agenda management system for preparation and distribution of City Council agendas. b) Acquisition of the Novus Agenda software program, at an Initial cost of $12,150, Including training and installation. There will be annual recurring costs of approximately $7,950 after the first year of Implementation. APPROVED Motion by Councilmember Hanson to continue New Business Item 13. a., Electronic Agenda Management, as well as the implementation formats, to the next City Council meeting. Bakersfield, California, February 12, 2014 - Page 17 14. COUNCIL AND MAYOR STATEMENTS Councilmember Maxwell requested that staff agendize at the next Council meeting a discussion on the feasibility of an ad hoc Council committee, consisting of members of the public and two or three Councilmembers, to deal with TRIP issues. Councilmember Maxwell advised Chief Williamson that he had received a phone call regarding a huge problem with gang activity on the east side of Chester Avenue between 34th and Columbus streets. Councilmember Maxwell advised that we are in a drought and suggested doing something to plan on how to get through this summer without much water. Councilmember Maxwell thanked everybody for their patience tonight with his earlier presentation. Vice -Mayor Weir requested that an item be added to the next agenda for a Resolution authorizing the City to contribute $5,000 to the League of California Cities' lawsuit to invalidate SB 7, which is legislation that threatened any local agency that did not require prevailing wage on every job, all State funding would be withheld from cities that chose that path. Councilmember Rivera requested a presentation at the next Council meeting on water, in general; how we are prepared when something like this happens; what we are doing in the future to better prepare for this; do we conserve water, etc. Mayor Hall announced that he is excited about a beautification project that is going to take place this Saturday along the Kern River Parkway and other areas of downtown in which volunteers from Chevron, the Boy Scouts, and the Girl Scouts, in collaboration with the City's Recreation and Parks Department, are going to plant 215 trees to help achieve the City's shade canopy requirements. 11 ACTION TAKEN 1920 1sz, Bakersfield, California, February 12, 2014 - Page 18 14. COUNCIL AND MAYOR STATEMENTS continued ACTION TAKEN Mayor Hall provided the following update on the litter removal efforts: Since last May through January of this year, the homeless crews have picked up 297 tons of litter on our local freeways; The Kern County Sheriff's Department Trustees continue to work 5 days a week; Tom Burch each week gathers 10 to 15 senior citizens, and they select various locations within the City to remove litter; He encouraged Councilmembers Rivera and Maxwell to let him know when they have litter cleanups in their wards so he can give everybody credit; The Keep Bakersfield Beautiful website has been updated at www keenbakersfieldbeautiful us; and there is a new children's litter prevention program that began on the 5"h of February at several local schools in which we are going to go into local after school programs and talk about litter and keeping their neighborhoods and campuses clean. Mayor Hall requested consideration from the City Council and staff regarding his role in running the City Council meetings to ensure that he meets and fulfills the City's legal obligations; to respect his desire to meet the expectations of this city; and represent proper conduct and work with him so that he can conduct the meetings accordingly. 15. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 9:09 p.m. MAYOR of the City of Bakersfield, CA ATTEST: CITY CLERK and Ex Officio rk of the Council of the City of akersfieid F!