Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/30/2015 OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER January 30, 2015 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager AT/al Subject: General Information Notable Items  As we know, the drop in oil prices is being felt here in Kern County, big time. The County expects to lose $61 million in property tax revenue, prompting the Board of Supervisors to declare a fiscal emergency this week. Layoffs have already begun to occur, which will affect the local economy. History teaches us that prices will rise again, however, and we only hope that it happens soon.  As previously reported, the Thomas Roads Improvement Program will host a community meeting for the 24th Street Improvement Project on February 4, 2015, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Rabobank Convention Center. This meeting will be held in an open house format, and the public is encouraged to attend at any time during the three-hour period and provide input. Exhibits will be set up in the Convention Center Lobby that will illustrate streetscape concepts, and options for hardscape and plant materials that are appropriate to the region’s climate and neighborhood character. City and Caltrans staff will be available to answer questions. Roland Genick, chief architect for Parsons Transportation Group, will provide a presentation in the Convention Center’s Potato Room at 5:00 p.m. that will focus on initial design concepts. The presentation will be repeated at 6:00 p.m. Free parking will be available in the lot south of (behind) the Convention Center. Bulletins  Councilmember Weir hosted a community meeting this past week. He was joined by several City Department Heads and other staff who provided the approximately 70 in attendance with an update on transportation improvements and development activity taking place in Ward 3. The meeting also included a presentation and discussion regarding future amenities to be included in the phase 2 development of the Mesa Marin Sports Complex. Feedback from those in attendance indicated there was a strong preference for a recirculating spray park and additional shade structures. General Information January 30, 2015 Page 2  We are pleased to announce that Chris Huot and Steve Teglia have been promoted to the position of Assistant City Manager. They have been performing at that level for a long time, and are, therefore, very qualified and deserving. Congratulations to both!  Please take the time to read the attached article in the latest edition of California Meeting + Events, which is a publication for meeting and event professionals. The focus is on Bakersfield, and the successful and effective promotion of the City’s assets by the outstanding team in the Convention and Visitors Bureau. We salute their exemplary efforts!  Five National Hockey League teams announced this week that they will form a Western Division of the American Hockey League, which is at the AAA level, just below the NHL. The Edmonton Oilers are one of them, and Bakersfield will have their AAA players. For the last 20 years, Bakersfield has had professional hockey at the AA level, where we have watched our very best players move up in the American League, which has a higher level of play with greater skill and speed. More importantly, there will be regular player movement between Bakersfield and Edmonton, Ontario and the LA Kings, San Diego, and the Anaheim Ducks, etc., so the players you see here may well be on television playing in the NHL a week later. When Edmonton bought the Condors, the new lease gave them the right to play here with either an ECHL or American league team, so no lease adjustment is necessary. The American League has more players and coaches, so we are working with Edmonton in partnership to provide the needed space in the locker room area beneath the Arena seating. This is big news and a strong positive for Bakersfield sports and for Rabobank Arena. A press release is attached. TRIP News  The demolition work for the Hosking Avenue Bridge over State Route 99 went exceptionally well Tuesday night, and the west half of the bridge was removed. On Wednesday night, the east half of the bridge was demolished, followed by the remaining columns and abutments on Thursday night. See the attached photos.  At Councilmember Parlier’s request, a projected timeline for TRIP projects, both under construction and those in the works, is attached. General Information January 30, 2015 Page 3 Misc. Council Referrals Attached is a response to the following Council referrals: • Councilmember Maxwell o TRIP Reports o Medical Rates o Overpass on Oak Street, at Truxtun Avenue o Potential Lane Modifications on Coffee Road • Councilmember Rivera o Couplet Area Landscaping • Vice Mayor Hanson o Bridle Creek Area Issues Reports For your reference, the following reports are attached:  Streets Division work schedule for the week of February 2nd; and  Letter from Bright House regarding possible programming changes. Event Notifications Event Calendar for Rabobank Arena Theater and Convention Center AT:CH:cb:al cc: Department Heads Roberta Gafford, City Clerk The craft cocktail movement brings new spirits to events THE CORE OF CALIFORNIA Central Valley o ers 4 planner-friendly destinations TO GO Creative caterers think outside the box lunch HIPSTER HOTELS Check out 3 new LA properties Carefully Crafted WINTER 2015 CAMEWI15_C1.indd 1 1/20/2015 1:13:12 PM DESTINATION CENTRAL VALLEY Bakersfield: Music, Oil and a Whole Lot More BY JANET FULLWOOD Most convention groups come and go with little notice from local residents. Not so for the National Street Rod Association, which roars into Bakersfield each April, attracting some 10–13,000 spectators. “You put 1,900 to 2,000 colorful modified cars of all types running all over town for three or four days, and, well, it’s pretty neat,” says Mike Chrispyn, special events director for the association. While Bakersfield by nature is a car-crazy town, Chrispyn credits the Bakersfield Convention & Visitors Bureau as instrumental to the event’s success. “We’ve been in Bakersfield since 1987, and from my point of view, the CVB couldn’t be better to work with,” he says. “They even host a barbecue for our members.” California’s ninth-largest city (population 364,000) has a lot going for it beyond its gung-ho car culture and ongoing oil boom that has transformed the landscape. Matthew Billingsley, sales manager for the CVB, cites two factors among the city’s strongest draws for the group market: location and great value. “We’re within a four-hour drive of 90 percent of the state’s population,” he says, “and our room rates average 40 to 50 percent less than the state average.” Those assets help make Bakersfield a major player in the SMERF (social, military, educational, religious, fraternal) and sports markets. Groups attracted to Bakersfield run the gamut from pro rodeo and youth sports leagues to the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Sweet Adelines, an association of a capella enthusiasts whose 1,000 or so attendees fill the town with barbershop harmony during their annual gathering in April. Speaking of music, Bakersfield is home to the Bakersfield Sound, a sub-genre of country music popularized by legends including Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and, more recently, Dwight Yoakam. Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, a combination concert hall, museum, restaurant, nightclub and gift store, is a popular venue for off-site gatherings. Another is the elegantly restored 1,500-seat Fox Theater, an acoustically acclaimed historic gem that serves as the city’s performing arts hub. Other cultural institutions available for gatherings include the Bakersfield Museum of Art, which offers indoor banquet facilities as well as outdoor space in its shady sculpture garden, and the Kern County Museum, which can accommodate groups from 50 to 5,000 on its 16-acre campus. For large meetings and conventions, Bakersfield’s Rabobank Arena, Theater and Convention Center offers more than 70,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including a 29,500-square-foot exhibition hall and 13 breakout rooms. The theater is a 3,000- seat venue, while the arena seats 10,000. The venues are connected via indoor walkway to the Bakersfield Marriott, which offers 9,126 square feet of additional event space, including a ballroom that can accommodate 900 guests. Besides the convention center, the city’s largest full-service hotel with meeting space is the 262-room Doubletree by Hilton Bakersfield, featuring a 12,000-square-foot ballroom and a dozen breakout venues. A bit farther out is the 200-room Four Points by Sheraton, with 6,800 square feet of banquet and function space. When it comes to off-site dining, Billingsley says that many planners opt to introduce their attendees to Basque cuisine, which is served family-style at classic venues such as Wool Growers and the Noriega Hotel. “One of Bakersfield’s claims to fame is that we have more Basque restaurants than any other city in the country,” he says. CAM+E WINTER 2015 January 29, 2015 For Immediate Release - Contact - Ryan Holt - email Director, Media Relations & Broadcasting Kevin Bartl - email Vice President, Communications Bakersfield to move to the American Hockey League Formation of the Pacific Division for 2015-16 announced San Jose, Calif. - The Edmonton Oilers joined American Hockey League (AHL) President David Andrews and four other NHL teams to announce the AHL Board of Governors has formally approved the steps necessary to create a Pacific Division within the AHL beginning with the 2015- 16 season. The Board has approved the following:  The Anaheim Ducks will purchase the Norfolk Admirals AHL franchise and will relocate it from Norfolk, Va., to San Diego, Calif.  The AHL franchise owned by the Calgary Flames will relocate from Glens Falls, N.Y., to Stockton, Calif.  The AHL franchise owned by the Edmonton Oilers will relocate from Oklahoma City, Okla., to Bakersfield, Calif.  The AHL franchise owned by the Los Angeles Kings will relocate from Manchester, N.H., to Ontario, Calif.  The AHL franchise owned by the San Jose Sharks will relocate from Worcester, Mass., to San Jose, Calif. "Relocating five teams is a complex process, and we are very excited to have brought this initiative to a successful outcome," said Andrews. "The Western-based NHL clubs have been in dialogue with our league for almost three years, and today's announcement launches a new era for the American Hockey League and for professional hockey in California." Oilers President of Hockey Operations Kevin Lowe said, "We want to thank and congratulate the AHL, NHL and our fellow member clubs in making the Pacific Division a reality through hard work and collaboration. The Edmonton Oilers are extremely excited about this new opportunity to enhance our development system and help grow the game of hockey in California. "We couldn't be more pleased in our partnership with Bakersfield over the last year and I can't say enough good things about the fans and the city of Bakersfield." "This is a huge step for Bakersfield and this organization," said Matt Riley, Bakersfield AHL Affiliate President. "We want to thank our fans, the city, our ECHL colleagues and the Oilers for taking us under their wing and enabling us to be a part of this. We're excited to take an increased role in the growth of the game in California." Full division alignments and schedule formats for the 2015-16 season will be determined by the AHL Board of Governors at a later date. Formed in 1936, the American Hockey League serves as the top development league for players in all 30 National Hockey League organizations, as well as coaches, officials, executives, trainers and broadcasters throughout the NHL. More than 88 percent of today's NHL players are graduates of the American Hockey League and through the years the AHL has been home to more than 100 honored members of the Hockey Hall of Fame. NEXT HOME GAMES The Condors host one more game cap off the month of January on home ice this weekend against the team directly above them in the standings. Friday, Jan. 30 vs. Utah Grizzlies (7 p.m.)  Cap Giveaway - the first 2,000 fans 5 and older get their choice of a Condors cap: traditional or a flat-bill (Eyewitness News, 106.1 KRAB Radio and Three-Way Chevrolet-Cadillac) Click here for the complete promo schedule. SAVE MONEY. GET A HAT TRICK 3-PACK! Save over 20% and choose ANY three games to attend the REMAINDER of the regular season. , Cap Giveaway (Jan. 30), Undie Sunday (Feb. 15) and the always popular Youth Jersey Giveaway (Feb. 21) are all available with the Hat Trick 3-Pack. Packages start as low as $30, so get yours today by calling 324-PUCK (7825) or click here. www.BakersfieldCondors.com Hosking Bridge Demolition – January 27, 2015 1 2 3 4 Hosking Bridge Demolition – January 28, 2015 5 6 TRIP Project Target Dates Project Projected Opening Westside Parkway, Phase 6C March, 2015 SR-58 Gap Closure March, 2015 Morning Drive Interchange July, 2015 Rosedale Highway Widening NTP – February 2, 2015 Start Construction – April, 2015 – duration 18-month October, 2016 Beltway Operational Improvements NTP – February, 2015 Start Construction – April, 2015 – duration 24-month April, 2017 SR-178 Widening, Canteria – Miramonte E-76 Submitted to HQ – Jan. 29, 2015 ROW Cert II – mid February, 2015 Bidding late Feb-March, 2015 Duration 24-month (incl. Utility delay) Projected bid award – April, 2015 April, 2017 24th Street Improvements Final Design – October 2015 ROW Cert – May, 2016 Duration 24-month Projected bid award – August, 2016 August, 2018 Centennial Corridor Final Environmental Document expected to be approved by CalTrans – FED - July, 2015 ROD – October 2015 November, 2019 Phase 1, Kern River Bridge Package:  Projected bid award – April, 2016  Projected completion – November, 2017 Duration 14-month Phase 2, SR-58 Connector to WSP:  Projected bid award – September, 2017 ROW – July 2017 Duration 30-month Hageman Flyover Design completion expected – May, 2016 Property Acquisition projected completion – October, 2017 Note: The Hageman Flyover is not currently funded for construction. Week of February 2_2015_Work Schedule.doc Page 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION – WORK SCHEDULE Week of Feb. 2, 2015 – Feb. 6, 2015 Resurfacing/Reconstructing streets in the following areas: Lowering manholes in Oleander and Planz HUD areas in preparation for street reconstruction/resurfacing 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 Dirt work at Sports Village Concrete work on various streets in the area south of E. California Ave and east of Union Ave, south Flower and east of Beale (all HUD funded areas) Miscellaneous work at PD property room Working on Brick repairs at Centennial Plaza Grading for new parking lot at Mesa Marin Sports Complex Constructing cul-de-sac at Beech St and 24th 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 February 2_2015_Work Schedule.doc Page 2 of 2 STREETS SWEEPING SCHEDULE Monday, February 2, 2015 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, February 3, 2015 Between California Ave. & Brundage Ln. – Oak St. & Union Ave. Between Renfro Rd. & Jenkins Rd. – Stockdale Hwy. & Kern River Boundary. Wednesday, February 4, 2015 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, February 5, 2015 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, February 6, 2015 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. -- 178 Hwy & Hickory Dr. Between 178 Hwy. & Reynard Rd. – Kern Canyon Rd. & McKenna St. Between Stockdale Hwy. & Joseph Dr. – McDonald Wy. & N. Stine Rd. BOX OFFICE HOURS Mon-Fri 10 AM - 5 PM Closed Saturday & Sunday (Excluding Event Days) TICKETMASTER LOCATIONS Walmart - 2601 Fashion Place Walmart - 6225 Colony Street Walmart - 8400 Rosedale Hwy CHARGE-BY-PHONE 1-800-745-3000 GROUP SALES INFORMATION 661-852-7309 SEASON TICKET INFORMATION Bakersfield Condors 661-324-PUCK (7825) www.bakersfieldcondors.com Bakersfield Symphony 661-323-7928 www.BSOnow.org Bakersfield Community Concert Association 661-589-2478 661-663-9006 www.bakersfieldcca.org UPCOMING EVENTS January 16-17 - Condors vs Utah 7:00 PM $35, $24, $19, $16, $12 On Sale Now January 23 & 24 – Monster X Tour 7:00 PM $40, $20, $17, $15, $10 On Sale Now January 27 – Condors vs Ontario 7:00 PM $35, $24, $19, $16, $12 On Sale Now February 10 – Harlem Globetrotters 7:00 PM $88, $53, $36, $28, $21 On Sale Now February 12 – Enrique Iglesias/Pitbull 7:30 PM $127.50, $77.50, $47.50, $27.50 On Sale Now February 14 – Super Love Jam 7:30 PM $49.50, $38.50, $33.50, $28.50 On Sale Now March 7-8 – CIF Wrestling Champs All-Session Pass: $69, Single Session On Sale 1/18 April 1-3 – Cirque Du Soleil: Varekai 7:30 PM $95, $70, $55, $35 (Kids: $45, $25)On Sale Now April 4 – Cirque Du Soleil: Varekai 4:30/7:30 PM $100, $75, $60, $40 (Kids: $50, $30)On Sale Now April 5 – Cirque Du Soleil: Varekai 1:30/5:30 PM $95, $70, $55, $35 (Kids: $45, $25)On Sale Now April 6 – Fleetwood Mac 7:30 PM $177.50, $127.50, $77.50, $47.50 On Sale Now May 7-10 – Marvel Universe Live! $70, $45, $30, $25 On Sale Now January 22 – So You Think You Can Dance 8:00 PM $63, $47, $37 On Sale Now January 25 – Alex DePue 3:00 PM BCCA event January 26 – 7 Brides For 7 Brothers 7:30 PM $52, $42, $32 On Sale Now February 14 – Bakersfield Symphony 7:30 PM $45, $35, $30, $20 On Sale Now February 15 – Memphis: The Musical 4:00 PM $52, $42, $32 On Sale Now February 26-27 – Shen Yun 7:30 PM $120, $110, $100, $80, $70, $60, $50 On Sale Now March 14 – Bakersfield Symphony 7:30 PM $45, $35, $30, $20 On Sale Now March 17 – Hoffman Hospice Event 7:00 PM 661-410-1010 for tickets March 29 – Sister Act 7:00 PM $62, $47, $32 On Sale Now April 11 – Bakersfield Symphony 7:30 PM $45, $35, $30, $20 On Sale Now May 9 – Bakersfield Symphony 7:30 PM $45, $35, $30, $20 On Sale Now www.rabobankarena.com - www.bhnamphitheatre.com