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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/25/2008� B A K E R S F I E L D Ciiy Manager's Office Memorandum .. TO: Honorable Mayor and City Coun� - i � FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager -' ; ; SUBJECT: Generallnformation 1. Caltrans is planning an informational presentation for Westpark residents 2008 at Harris School, located at 4110 Garnsey Lane. The presentation � specific neighborhood concerns and describe the environmental process. the meeting has not been set yet. We will mail notices to the neighborhoo� a Teleminder call to the residents a couple of days before the meeting to residents are notified. 2. The Thomas Roads Improvement Program (TRIP) invites the public to atte Scoping Meeting for the 24th Street Improvement Project on April 30, ; meeting will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kern County Superi Schools office, located at 1300 17th Street. A memo is enclosed pro� details. 3. Congratulations to Pam McCarthy for hosting the successful ann Conference this week in Bakersfield with 230 Clerks from as far away as Florida in attendance. 4. The California lnterscholastic Foundation (CIF) announced that its fo championship series would return to the Home Depot Center in Carson fc years. The Bakersfield CVB made a solid effort and was one of only se� for the games. The CIF found the facility, Memorial Stadium, to be lac important areas — size of the locker room and the stadium press box. Hc told CVB that it was very pleased with the location, the proposal and the support, especially given the past five years of CIF wrestling championsl Rabobank Arena. of H � Honorable Mayor and City Council April 25, 2008 Page 2 7. Bright House Networks has informed us that all full power television statl converting to a digital signal by February 17, 2009 and that analog transmissions will then go dark. Those who currently receive transmi: "rabbit ears" will need a newer television set with a digital tuner, a digita converter box, or a connection to cable or satellite television. Bright Hous subscribers are ready for the digital transition and will not notice a diffe what they see today. 8. The Streets Division work schedule for the week of April 28t" is enclosed. 9. Responses to Council requests are enclosed, as follows: Councilmember Benham • Feasibility of landscaping City-owned property next to the north Chestei Councilmember Hanson • Need for a quiet zone at the tracks in southwest Bakersfield; and, Councilmember Couch • Transcript of Councilmember Weir's comments at 4/23/08 City Council i AT:rs:rk cc: Department Heads Pamela McCarthy, City Clerk Roberta Gafford, Assistant City Clerk Thomas Roads Improvement Program 900 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 200, Bakersfield, California 93301 Telephone: (661) 326-3700 • Fax: (661) 852-2195 �� ��p� 1 oM�at� � r FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Janet Whee{er April 23, 2008 Public Relations (661) 326-3491 Public Scoping Meeting Scheduled for 24th Street Improvement Project The Thomas Roads Improvement Program (TRIP) invites the public to attend a Public Meeting for the 24`h Street Improvement Project on April 30, 2008. The meeting will be 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kern County Superintendent of Schools office, located at Street, Bakersfield. The proposed 24ih Street Improvement Project extends from State Route (SR) 99 to and would provide improvements to the Oak Street/24`h Street (SR-178) intersection, v Street between Oak and D streets, and make improvements to 23�d and 24'h Streets b and M streets. Various alternative alignments are under consideration, as well as � alternative. The public may stop by anytime within the three-hour period to view the exhibits, ask c and comment on the conceptual alternatives proposed to be studied during the envir process. The City of Bakersfield and the California Department of Transportation (Cal� have staff available to answer questions regarding engineering, environmental, right-oi project management. A court reporter will be available to take verbal comments � comments may be submitted at the meeting or a later date. TRIP is a cooperative effort between the City of Bakersfield, Caltrans, County of Kern, Council of Governments. These agencies are committed to finding and implementing that meet the region's long-term transportation needs. The 24`h Street Improvement an integral component in the overall goal of improving circulation throughout th� Bakersfield area. For additional information, please visit the TRIP website at www.bakersfieldfreew� Varsity Times Insider : Los Angeles Times : State football bowl games to remain at Home Depot C , � Free Samples � ��� Grocery Coupor►s LAT Home i My LATimes � Print Edition ! Ali Sec',ions �+ � � , , .., Baby Coupons ������a����� �`i�t1�� Bfogs You are here: LAT Home > Blogs > Varsity Times fnsider News Califcrnia � Local P,a'�. -zl Warld Entertainmrr' Busine�s Sports Campaigr '08 Science Ern�ironment Opinion Columr�ists Print Edition Ca1en�.�arlive i t�e Guide ' l�e Et1vEi�p�? Travel Maaazine Home 8� Garden HPa1th Food Atrto^ Bo�ks Image A.r*,� & Culture Video Photogra�"�,� Bloa�� Obituar4es C�os�•,vord. Su�?��:,:u A1f �ectior,s Correction� �� Pet Coupons � Beauty �oupons , . ''�-.� Travei Coupons ��R �TI�T��E �N ��ER « Football: Bishop Amat's Price could end up being right for Bruins � Main � Inland Vatley League title still up for grabs » State football bowl games to remain at Home Depot Center for 2008, '09 � ..� '*� ` T`�e CIF state foothall championship bowl games will remain at the Home Depot Cent =r-< in Carsor for the next two years .�-; CIF Executive Director Marie � '�hida announced Wednesday. e '�� �i Five bowl games will be played 4�' over two days, on Dec. 19 and �+ Dec. 20. matching team� from �:. ` � Southern California against �� �,� Northern Cal+fornia. _�_�''�._. Home Depot beat out six other sites who bid to host the bowl games, and it was a comeba� of sorts. Home Depot was considered a longshot to retain the bowl games after hosting thE event the last two years because of cost concerns in its original proposal, but a new proposa! was mad�� last week after a meeting with Roger Blake. the assistant executive director. Blake said the CIF will become "partners" with Home Depot instead of a tenant. a!!o�.,=�ing both sides to share in financial aspects of the event. Several of the factors that �a�eighed into CIF's decision to return to Home Depot Center included the size of the venue. its location, the facility offerings and venue management's ability to make a return financially feasible. TO: FROM r� L J B A K E R S F I E L D Economic and Community Development Department M E M O R A N D U M �, n Alan Tand , Ci Mana ed �, � � Y tY 9 ,, ,�,� � Donna L. Kunz, Economic�evelopment Director � / � 'r Y �.�� April SUBJECT: Update on Building Equity and Growth in Nei hborhoods Grant Program About two weeks ago we received verbal notice from the State Department of Ho� Community Development that the City's request for an extension to June 2009 for our $1 Building Equity and Growth in Neighborhoods (BEGIN) funding commitment was gr� amendment to the City's funding agreement with the State is forthcoming. As you aware, the Matthews Company, which is based out of Stockton, prepared a final 1 recordation (No. 6170) in 2005 for 260 lots (R-1 zone) near Ridgeview High School Ryzona Dr. alignment and McKee Rd.). The development received a density bonus provis Chapter Fifteen of the BMC (Section 15.79), and 20% of the total lots (52) are requi constructed for lower income households with continued affordability for thirty years. BE( funds were made available to the City based on a residential tract development that met r relief criteria for affordable ownership housing. The Matthews Company chose Self-Help Enterprises (Visalia) as the affordable housing c for these 52 lots. SHE will be using their sweat equity model for this project. Families must c 40 hours per week toward the construction of their home which serves as part of the down In addition, families will be required to attend home buyer counseling/training meetings. The BEGIN down payment assistance (up to $30,000) wilt be made available to the qualified borrowers as a 30 year silent second loan at 1% simple interest. The deferred� second mortgage will be a repayable loan to the City, and loan repayments will be eligible in the future by the City for other affordable housing related activities. SHE has had considerable delays in delivering the 52 units. The primarydelaywith the pro been due to the lack of administrative resources for SHE to deliver the mutual self-hel� program. Recently, the affordable housing developer secured government funding to hire � staff to support the build out of these units. Another delay has been SHE's outreach/r efforts for qualifying families for this affordable housinq project. They recently redesiq bright house NETWORKS 3701 North Sillect Avenue Bakersfieid, CA 93308 Tel (661) 634-2260 Fax (661) 395-3378 J� � � Apri19, 2008 Alan Tandy City Manager City of Bakersfield 1501 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 Dear Mr. Tandy: Joseph R. Schoenstein Division President Bakersfield �ivision The Federal Government is requiring that all full power television stations convert to a digital signal 2009. At that time, their analog broadcast transmissions will go dark. That means people who are cui their full power stations (KGET, KERO, KBAK, etc.) off air with "rabbit ears" will need either a new that has a digital tuner inside, a digital broadcast converter box or a connection to cable or satellite tel to view the digital signals. People can get the new digital hro�dcast converter boxes by purchasiag one at Best Buy, Radiu Sh outlets. Those who c;hoc>se to buy a converter box from a retail store can request a govemr�e�zt issu� for �4U off the retail price of the box. Over-the-air viev��ers of local Low Power (LP) television stations (including, in the Bakersfield inarl Telefutura, Univision and Azteca America) will not see any immediate change as LP stations are not mandatory digital conversion in 2009. Those channels will not go dark on February 17, 2009; tl broadcasting an analog signal. However, at some later date in the future they may broadcast in digital : I want to assure vou that subscribers to Bright House Networks will need nothinQ other than � their television sets connected to cable. Our customers are ready for the digital transition today either our analog or digital service will see no difference on February 17, 2009 from what they see worked closely with the local broadcasters and made the necessary technology investments to ens� seamless trans�tion. The cable industry is supporting the public awareness and education campaign for this transition witr advertising commitment. You may have already seen the digital transition commercials running on this will continue through 2008 and the actual transition. In addition, we will be inserting bill s monthly bill we send out to ensure our customers are well informed. We will also be conduc educational initiatives and will be working with area broadcasters to get the message out. PaAe 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION — WORK SCHEDULE WEEK OF APRIL 28 — MAY 2, 2008 Resurfacing/Reconstructinq streets in the followinq areas: Reconstructing streets in the area between Ming Avenue and Sundale A� east of Ashe Road (by Annual Contractor). Resurfacing (overlay) streets in the area between Gosford Road and Sc� drive, south of Ming Avenue (by City Crew). Preparing streets for reconstruction in the area between Planz Road and Lane, west of Stine Road. Preparing (grinding) Niles Street between Brown Street and Union Aven� thin (1 ") overlay. Miscellaneous Streets Division proiects in progress: Continue installing curb and gutter in the area between California AvenuE East Truxtun Avenue, Baker Street to Williams Street. The Mill Creek project. The Aera Park project — Installing a sewer line across Jewetta Avenue, n Stockdale Highway. Jewetta Avenue, between Stockdale Highway an Wincanton Drive will be closed for 3 days, starting Monday, April 28 Notification signs were posted on Jewetta Avenue for a week. The Calloway Median Island project Beautification Project at the Bakersfield Municipal Airpark. Paqe 2 of 2 STREET SWEEPING SCHEDULE Mondav, April 28, 2008 City streets in the area between Allen Road and Jasmine Parker Drive, 1 Avenue, south to the Canal. City streets in area befinreen Rider Street and Allen Road from Johnson the Canal. Tuesdav, April 29, 2008 Sweeping non-scheduled sweeping routes Wednesdav, April 30, 2008 Sweeping non-scheduled sweeping routes Thursday, Mav 1, 2008 Area between 16t" Street and Golden State Frontage Road, Oak Street � Between Bernard Street and Niles Street, Chester Avenue and Alta Vist� Between Rosedale Highway and Palm Avenue, Jenkins Road and Allen Between Brimhall Road and Rowland Avenue, Rugger Street and Jenkir Between Allen Road and Jewetta Avenue from Stockdale Highway, nortl Friday, May 2, 2008 Area between Columbus Street and Morning Drive, Paladino Avenue an Highway. Between Azalea Avenue and Rexroth Avenue, Fountain Drive/Media Lui and Fairfax Road. Between Ming Avenue and White Lane, So. Allen Road and Old River R Between Pensinger and Panama Lane, Freesia Way and Buena Vista R E:�:�.� , B A K E R S F I E L D CITY OF BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Raul Rojas, Public Works Director DATE: April 18, 2008 SUBJECT: LANDSCAPING/STREETSCAPING IN OILDALE Referral No. 1885 COUNCILMEMBER BENHAM REQUESTED STAFF LOOK INTO THE FEASIBI LANDSCAPING THE CITY-OWNED PROPERTY NEXT TO THE NORTH CHE� BRIDGE; ALSO, PLANT TREES IN THE MEDIAN FROM THE BRIDGE ON MA TO UNION AVENUE. (LETTER AND COST AND DESIGN PROPOSAL ATTAC Public Works/Design Engineering staff has met with both Water Resources and Recreation/Park staff to provide them with information on the North Chester Brid project's impact to the proposed landscaping of the City-owned property. Staff a provided cost estimate information regarding trees on Manor Street. Public Works/Design Engineering staff understands that Water Resources and Recreation/Parks staff will be replying to the referral, including the information w� provided them. � B A K E R S F I E L D CITY OF BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM ,,;�,�,E� TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager .,_. _ FROM: Raul Rojas, Public Works Director ' DATE: April 21, 2008 SUBJECT: QUIET ZONE IN SOUTHWEST Referral No. 1891 COUNCILMEMBER HANSON REQUESTED STAFF LOOK AT THE NEED FOF ZONE AT THE TRACKS IN SOUTHWEST BAKERSFIELD. Staff has, for several months, been working on issues related to establishmE Quiet Zone along the BNSF tracks in the downtown area. Knowledge gained fr work and from staff's involvement with several improvement projects in tf provides the basis for the following statements about a Quiet Zone in So Bakersfield along the tracks on which San Joaquin Valley Railroad (SJVRR) ope A Quiet Zone is most effective when all at-grade crossings within an area confon requirements. Along these main railroad tracks, the at-grade crossings on N Vista, Old River, Akers, and Harris were recently constructed to supp development growth in the area. Those crossings will need to be reviewed t sure they meet the requirements necessary for a Quiet Zone. There are sever< existing at-grade crossings in Southwest Bakersfield that definitely must be up before a Quiet Zone can be established. Those crossings include Buena Vista (� currently being designed), Gosford, Ashe, Stine, Wible, and Panama Lane (v also currently being designed}. There is also a spur line that crosses District, C and Ashe. Up grading these three crossings will negatively impact access to businesses on these local streets. The most effective Quiet Zone would also include up grading crossings of this tr� of SR99. That zone would require improvements to the crossings at Hughe: Lane, South H Street, Planz, Wilson, South Chester, South Union and mar SJVRR currently operates two trains per day on their main tracks in So Bakersfield; staff is not aware of any plans by SJVRR or by Union Pacific Railr� owner of the tracks, to increase the number of trains operating on these track: also operate less than five trains per week on the above described spur line. Because of this very small number of trains, the resources spent to establish Zone in the southwest will produce a significantly lower benefit to cost ratio com� a zone for the downtown area where there are at least 32 trains per week day. Staff suggests that, at the direction of the City Council, a more detailed study o related to a Quiet Zone in Southwest Bakersfield could be undertaken after the Quiet Zone in the downtown area is established. The experience gainE completing the downtown zone will facilitate the study of the southwest. TRANSCRIPT OF A PORTION OF THE BAKERSFIELD CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF April 23, 2008 17. NEW BUSINESS Weir: "Thank you Mayor. I'd like to start by thanking those in attendance tonight and that telephoned, sent emails, both for and against this issue. Clearly you are p; about your views, beliefs in the community, and you are to be commended. I h have the same kind of passion when we try to cut expenditures and balance thE during the next couple months. Unfortunately a lot of the passion here is divisi� and it doesn't have to be that way. Apparently it is necessary to point out agair small group of special interests, with the eager assistance of the local newspap has spewed forth a fountain of misinformation, accusations, faulty assumptions fabrications in an attempt to paint this as a personal attack on Mr. Johnson whil the issues at hand. If you will indulge me for just a few moments, I would like tc record straight on just a few of those accusations, assumptions and complete f< Let's start with the oldest and work our way forward. On the March 27th 2008 a "Officials Split on Planning Commission Changes", the article includes a short c of the Canyons Project, and then states, quote, "Weir generally supports the de plans to build on the hillsides. That statement is a complete fabrication pulled c air, and for the most part, journalists, I'm sure, would consider it's content not s� even for an editorial. The next is April 5th, 2008, in an editorial titled, "Planning Commissioners Aren't City Council Puppets". Actually, I completely agree with statement, and I'm sure it applies to all Councilmembers and Commissioners. I to myself. The editorial continues, "under Weir's plan the Commissioner could removed by City Council vote for any reason", actually that is already part of thE process that was voted in long before I was elected. That was not my suggesti� it my idea. The editorial continues and only gets worse with its illogical conclus off-the-wall assumptions so I'll give you the short story version. According to th Weir wants the Commission working in unison with the Council, to rubber-stam� connected projects, Commissioners taking orders from the Council, puppets re� as they are told, to repeal the Hillside Ordinance, to pick his own Commissione� consider the Canyons, and to remove the Commission's independence, objecti� insulation from political influence. There is no basis for any of the above staten the conclusions drawn are pure fantasy. What I want, is the exact same opport each and every Councilmember sitting before you tonight has been afforded, th opportunity to appoint a Planning Commissioner for Ward 3, nothing more, notr "A like-minded Commissioner", to quote the paper, who only shares my basic vi philosophy, but also, not only shares my basic view and philosophy, but also th and philosophy of the voters. The paper seems to believe that I have, if I have privilege, that all other Councilmembers have exercised in appointing a Commi; that some how the Commission will crumble and fall into an existence of corrup futility. Here's what I believe, I believe that a like-minded Commissioner will ad� rr�nr-��r�r+iF�I� .-�rr�r�nrF�i rin�inlr�r�mnn+ +hn+ ic� f�ir �r�rl oni �i+�hlo tn �II I holio�io +h�t Supervisor Michael Maggard. So, Mr. Johnson's commitment entails completi application and accepting the nomination from a long-time friend, a political all also his at-will employer. My question is, how does this scenario promote the desire for, quote, "the Commission's independence, objectivity, and insulation political influence", where is the paper's outrage? The article further states, "� supports Canyons developer General Holdings plan to build on the bluffs". Th true. Let's be clear. The Canyons Project continues through the process, and been finalized, and I have not taken a position of support or opposition. And tc confusion in the future, let me state clearly, again, what I do support, I support property rights. I support the ability to develop property in an open, fair and ur manner in accordance with the laws, regulations, ordinances, standards and r� at the time of development. I support intelligent long-term planning with an eyE safe, affordable and beautiful neighborhoods. I support consistency and accoi from government. I support free enterprise. And I support open markets that l products and services to all. I trust that the news reporters will now have no f� stating what Ken Weir supports. I think if you look at the past week's destructi� and abusive activities you'll see an attitude that, spurred by ambition, provides into the first question, "what did the Commissioner do wrong?" What did Comr wrong? Is an attempt to personalize this issue and portray Mr. Johnson as a v said all along that this is not personal, this is a City business decision. Mr. Joh aware that we have differing views and opinions regarding development. I pro voters repeatedly during my campaign and made it clear in my comments over week that I'm interested in moving forward with a long-term plan with goals anc in place. I've also made it clear that I need a Commissioner that understands 1 long-term planning. This morning Mr. Johnson went on television to make stat he didn't understand what I wanted. He didn't understand whether perhaps I d trees and landscaping, or perhaps I didn't want good roads. But what exactly i wanted. Those comments do not convey an understanding of long-term plann further demonstrate that he doesn't share or know the vision of Third Ward vot that is the point. This is not personal. This is not about Mr. Johnson. This abc concerns expressed to me by the people of the Third Ward during my campaig This is about a change direction, a new vision, a community vision of where wE going. The next comment is old and fatigued but is worth one more effort to tr� clarify. The quote is, "11Veir has been an outspoken critic of the Hillside Ordina seems to relate back to the campaign and the paper's unrelenting pressure or judge and state in advance my support for the Ordinance and my unwillingnes: their pressure. So for the benefit of those who will not hear, or cannot hear, I v� again give my position on the Hillside �rdinance, as I stated many, many, man during my campaign prior to adoption of the Ordinance. The purpose of the Hi Ordinance is to preserve and protect the esthetics and environment of the hillsi agree with that purpose in concept and in theory. However, there are portions Ordinance which I believe need further evaluation and provisions that t would li discuss with staff as a Councilmember. I also want to ensure that the Ordinanc unfairly discriminate against any property owners. That is the position that I st� word for word, many many times to the reporter covering the election. The lasi gave that position to the reporter he told me that was not a position. The news The Ordinance is in it's most venerable position right now, and I am not aware � Council effort to take advantage of that venerability and destroy the Ordinance. want to address one point in Lois Henry's column dated April 19`h, 2008. The c attempts to make the point that this issue relates to an attempt to remove the p; the Canyons Project. I would like to ask Mr. Grady, "Are you aware of any atte� to remove the park, or exert any undue influence on staff for it's removal?" Grady: "Councilmember Weir, through the Chair, no I'm not." Weir: `The rest of the column is not worth responding to. Throughout these articles tt been the assumption that I somehow profit or benefit from General Holdings. f� scoured my financial disclosure reports in more detail than the paper. They knc have not received any contributions from General Holdings or other investors ir Canyons Project. In fact, I had to end my relationship with a long-time client be elected to the Council. So my position on the City Council has actually had a n� effect on me financially. So after all the hype, all the hoop-la, after Mr. Johnsor drag this community through a divisive and destructive circus, this all boils dowi what has always been. The concerns expressed to me by the voters, and my c to them for good long-term planning with goals and objectives. That hasn't cha that's not going to change. Yesterday I was asked for some evidence that the � wanted this change. The best example I can give is the last election. Mr. John supported my opponent and worked with him on his campaign. They both sup� original Hillside Ordinance and they clearly shared other views. Those views w rejected by the voters. I want the same opportunity that every other Councilme tonight has been given and we witnessed that tonight with Councilmember Sulli want the opportunity to appoint a like-minded Planning Commissioner so that w forward in an effective and efficient manner with a community plan for northeas Bakersfield. Originally I referred changes to the Ordinance to Committee and �n to go through the normal process and return to the Counci! for a vote. Howeve� conversation with the City Attorney, she told me it could very well be October b� might be effective. That timeline would put this near the middle of my term, anc holidays and tax season right around the corner, that was just not acceptable, r item on tonight's agenda. I have tried to distance myself from the destructive p� Mr. Johnson and his accomplices have engaged in over the past week. The co interest has not been served well by this and I do not want to be seen as a part� antics. I believe that I, in conjunction with the City Attorney and the City Manag found an alternative that meets the needs of the Third Ward, and at the same ti the Ordinance to proceed through the process. I would like to express my than Chair of Leg and Lit for scheduling a special meeting to discuss the Ordinance � 20'h. And I look forward to the return of an Ordinance to the Council for discuss action no later than June 11 `h, 2008. Both the City Manager and the City Attorn that this would be a reasonable amount of time. Therefore, I make a motion to item 17.a. to June 11'h, 2008, City Council meeting. It is my hope that the City c have considered an Ordinance revision by that time and perhaps eliminate the i this item. Thank you for listening."