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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/05/2015 B A K E R S F I E L D Committee Members: Chris Gerry, Administrative Analyst Jacquie Sullivan, Chair Bob Smith Willie Rivera AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING Thursday, February 5, 2015 12:00 p.m. City Hall North First Floor - Conference Room A 1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield CA 93301 The meeting was called to order at 12:05 P.M. 1. ROLL CALL Committeemembers Present: Councilmember Jacquie Sullivan, Chair Councilmember Bob Smith Councilmember Willie Rivera Staff Present: Alan Tandy, City Manager Steven Teglia, Assistant to the City Manager Chris Huot, Assistant to the City Manager Christopher Gerry, Administrative Analyst Caleb Blaschke, Management Assistant David Lyman, CVB Manager Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney Richard Iger, Associate Attorney Thomas Geddes, Associate Attorney Nick Fidler, Public Works Director Stuart Patteson, Public Works Operation Manager Kris Budak, Public Works TRIP Manager Dianne Hoover, Recreation and Parks Director Darin Budak, Assistant Recreation and Parks Director Doug McIsaac, Community Development Director Others Present: Members of the Keep Bakersfield Beautiful Committee Members of Bakersfield Young Professional Members of the Public Members of the Media Community Services Committee Meeting Agenda Summary Report Thursday, February 5, 2015 Page 2 2. ADOPT SEPTEMBER 25, 2014 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Update Regarding the Installation of Artwork Along the Westside Parkway Management Assistant Blaschke provided the Committee an overview of a newly created website and tri-fold brochure to be used to reach out to organizations and solicit their interest in placing artwork along the Westside Parkway. He also stated that staff is in the process of obtaining approximate cost estimates for different styles of artwork. Committee Chair Sullivan asked if the current samples of artwork displayed in the presentation represent windproof materials. City Manager Tandy stated Caltrans and the City would require any artwork installed to be windproof and weatherproof. Management Assistant Blaschke stated it would be part of the design process. Public Works Director Fidler stated the sustainability of the artwork will be carefully reviewed to ensure it is self-weathering. Several additional aspects including location and actual placement of the structures will also be reviewed in the process. Member of the public, Kyle Carter, stated he would like to see an established long-term landscaping plan, which includes waterlines for future landscaping irrigation. City Manager Tandy stated the Westside Parkway will be transferred to Caltrans jurisdiction in the future. Any artwork or fixtures installed without Caltrans approval would need to be removed at that time. Current Caltrans standards are reflective of the State’s current water drought and are stringent on the inclusion of greenery for landscaping. Public Works Director Fidler concurred with City Manager Tandy’s comments. Committee member Smith stated he liked the brochure presented by staff and requested staff explore landscape concepts. He also asked staff to reach out to Caltrans and exchange concepts which they may approve, particularly oak tree clusters. Committee Chair Sullivan asked if a CAL FIRE grant could be used to fund irrigation and trees. Community Services Committee Meeting Agenda Summary Report Thursday, February 5, 2015 Page 3 Public Works Director Fidler stated the purpose of the CAL FIRE grant is for the installation of trees. Recreation and Parks Director Hoover stated staff has applied for CAL FIRE grants in the past and will continue to apply when it is available. Committee member Rivera stated he was in favor of seeing landscape concepts that include more greenery. B. Committee Discussion Regarding the Installation of Artwork in the Downtown Area Management Assistant Blaschke provided the Committee several concepts prepared by the Bakersfield Young Professionals to display artwork on the City’s parking garage wall. The artwork would reflect Bakersfield’s residents and history. The estimated cost of such artwork is approximately $1,100 - $2,000 contingent upon its size. The estimated life span of the artwork is 3 to 5 years, after which it would need to be replaced. There are several ways to mount the artwork on the wall. In surveying other cities, such downtown improvements are funded by local businesses or Business Improvement Districts. Austin Smith with Bakersfield Young Professionals thanked Committee member Rivera for his interest in their concepts and stated he was in support of staff’s presentation. Committee member Rivera asked for additional concepts that would take advantage of the available space. He inquired about funding options where large donations could be accepted to fund future artwork throughout Bakersfield. City Attorney Gennaro stated donations can be received through the Bakersfield Foundation designated for artwork projects. Committee Chair Sullivan agreed larger artwork to encompass as much space available would be preferable. Committee member Smith asked what was the process to eliminate billboards from the Downtown area. He was also interested in having more artwork projects. City Attorney Gennaro stated a required change would need to occur to the sign ordinance. A referral can be made at a City Council meeting to refer this matter to the appropriate Committee. C. Discussion and Committee Recommendation Regarding the Centennial Plaza Granite Tiles Management Assistant Blaschke provided a brief update regarding the improvements made to the Centennial Plaza, including relocating the bricks, replanting of several trees, and continuing an analysis of the fountain. There are 10 damaged granite slabs that need re-engraving. Community Services Committee Meeting Agenda Summary Report Thursday, February 5, 2015 Page 4 There are several additional slabs with space available where the images of the damaged slabs can be engraved on. Committee member Smith asked if the new engravings would last longer than the original engravings and what would happen to the damaged granite slabs. Management Assistant Blaschke stated the new engravings will be deeper than the originals, which will last longer. The granite slabs will be placed on a mortar bed, which will hold the slabs securely in place. The damaged slabs will be completely removed and replaced with stamped concrete. The area with granite slabs will decrease in size. Public Works Director Fidler stated the granite slabs will be relocated to areas with less foot traffic as well. Committee member Smith also inquired about the status of the fountain. Public Works Operation Manager Patteson stated meetings have been held with the designer and the fountain should be completed by July 2015. Committee member Smith made a motion to recommend re-graving the images of the eight damaged slabs onto any of the 20 un-engraved areas available on other undamaged slabs to the full City Council for approval. The motion was unanimously approved. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion and Committee Recommendation Regarding Adoption of the 2015 Committee Meeting Schedule Committee Chair Sullivan stated the Committee schedule for adoption was for the current year 2015, not 2014 as erroneously indicated on the agenda. It was adopted as submitted. 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Committee member Rivera asked staff to provide him and the full City Council a copy of the presentation provided at the 24th Street Community Meeting held at the Rabobank Arena on Wednesday, February 4th. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 1: 25 P.M. cc: Honorable Mayor and Council