HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/01/2014
B A K E R S F I E L D
Committee Members:
Chris Huot, Assistant to the City Manager Jacquie Sullivan, Chair
Bob Smith
Willie Rivera
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, May 1, 2014
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 12:00 P.M.
1. ROLL CALL
Committeemembers Present:
Councilmember Jacquie Sullivan, Chair
Councilmember Bob Smith
Councilmember Willie Rivera
Staff Present:
Steven Teglia, Asst. to the City Manager Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney
Rhonda Smiley, Asst. to the City Manager Andy Heglund, Deputy City Attorney
Chris Huot, Asst. to the City Manager Nick Fidler, Interim Public Works Director
Caleb Blaschke, Management Assistant Ted Wright, TRIP Manager
Dianne Hoover, Rec. & Parks Director Bill Knoetgen, TRIP Program Manager
Darrin Budak, Asst. Rec & Parks Director Janet Wheeler, TRIP Community Outreach
Others Present:
Brad Cole, Caltrans Landscape Architect Theo Douglas, Bakersfield Californian
David Taylor, Keep Bakersfield Beautiful
2. ADOPT APRIL 3, 2014 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
Adopted as submitted.
3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
None
Community Services Committee Meeting
Agenda Summary Report
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Page 2
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion and Recommendation Regarding the Installation of Artwork Along the
Westside Parkway
Assistant to the City Manager Rhonda Smiley stated Councilmember Smith
requested the committee discuss the concept of installing artwork along the
Westside Parkway. She also noted that approval from Caltrans would be
required because the Westside Parkway will be under their jurisdiction in the
future.
1) Presentation by Caltrans Landscape Architect, Brad Cole
Mr. Brad Cole, Caltrans District 6 Senior Landscape Architect presented the
committee with several examples of transportation art from throughout the
State, including projects in Fresno, San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and
Chico. He also provided details regarding the process of incorporating
roadway artwork and funding.
Committee member Bob Smith asked if there have been any recent requests
for transportation art projects.
Mr. Cole stated there have been no recent requests. Caltrans policy requires
any transportation artwork be proposed and maintained by the city. The city
can then contract with an artist.
There are two phases in the process: an initial phase and a permit phase.
During the initial phase, a city submits their concept and Caltrans then does a
study for comments from traffic safety and maintenance staff. During the
permit phase, the city submits an application and Caltrans addresses the
zoning and safety aspects of the request.
Committee member Willie Rivera inquired about funding.
Mr. Cole stated Caltrans does not fund transportation art, and any funding
source would need to be identified by the city requesting the artwork.
Committee Chair Jacquie Sullivan stated artwork ideas and possible locations
would need to be identified in order to explore any funding sources.
2) Staff Comments
Management Assistant Caleb Blaschke presented the committee with several
examples of transportation art from Wilcox, Marana, and Tucson, Arizona, and
Las Vegas, Nevada. Arizona allocates 1% of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)
funding to transportation art, and Nevada attributes up to 3% of CIP funding for
its art work.
Community Services Committee Meeting
Agenda Summary Report
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Page 3
In Arizona, the city works with the local arts council and bids out for a variety of
renditions to be submitted by several artists, with the Transportation Agency
having final approval of the artwork.
Mr. Cole also stated incorporating artwork into structures already in place
makes them part of a system which has been designed to meet specific safety
requirements. Areas with large clear zones are viable options, while areas with
minimal clear zones are limited due to safety. Artwork in the median areas is not
allowed.
Committee member Rivera requested staff to also explore artwork options
along the bike path.
Acting Public Works Director Nick Fidler stated Keep Bakersfield Beautiful (KBB)
has a program for mural arts which could be an option for the bike path. He
also stated that artwork located at interchanges would provide the most safety
for workers maintaining it. Artwork requiring low maintenance and is self-
weathering would be great options.
Committee member Smith made a motion to continue to explore the possibility
of installing artwork along the Westside Parkway. The motion was unanimously
approved.
Committee member Rivera requested staff explore the possibility of installing an
entry monument on State Route 58 near Tehachapi as well.
5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
None
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 12:38 P.M.
cc: Honorable Mayor and Council