HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/25/2008�
B� K E R S F I E L D
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager /��
SUBJECT: General information
���� �,�
1. The City has received its Property
budget was prepared assuming a
from the County assessor. The
Bakersfield is less than one half
increase as expected.
Tax valuations for the 2008-09 tax year. �
zero increase in property valuations basec
actual increase in assessed valuations
of one percent, which translates to about
2. The County has put us on notice that there is pending litigation (City of Dinu
Tulare) that may adversely affect our property tax administration fees going b�
07. The letter indicates that if the court rules in favor of counties, it will cha
calculation of the fees to include the Sales Tax and VLF In Lieu Property Tax
have previously been excluded from the calculation. If this occurs the City wc
the County approximately $1,115,080 for the past two fiscal years in question.
increase the amount due to the County for FY 2008-09 and in the future.
amount is not known at this time.
3. An interesting editorial from the Orange County Register on the State's pla
government and transportation funds is enclosed. Some deny the discus
despite compelling evidence to the contrary!
4. Working out the details on the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) feasibility stu
the vendor and County is taking longer than expected. It will not be ready for
July.
5. This week Kern Tax proposed to the Kern County Board of Supervisors ;
increase for the November ballot. The City of Bakersfield was not consulted. '
what the use of the proceeds would be. The proposal is for a General Tax
would flow into the County General Fund that may be spent without restriction,
that is collected for a specific purpose (such as roads or public safety) w
expenditure plan and a two-thirds vote for passage. This measure, project�
. .... . . � . � . � � � � r,..th �-'-�- -- ---- -----�_ _r�.__:i..,
Honorable Mayor and City Council
July 25, 2008
Page 2
7. According to the attached article in the LA Times this week, the principal sourc
transportation improvements, the federal highway trust fund, could be in the re
or more next year. Soaring gas prices are causing motorists to drive less anc
efficient cars, resulting in less revenue from the federal gasoline tax. Califoi
losing $930 million, or one-third, of its federal highway allotment and unless �
to address the shortfall, projects could be delayed, reduced or canceled.
considering alternate solutions such as increasing the gas tax or shifting f�
general fund to the highway trust fund.
8. The Thomas Roads Improvement Program invites the media to the SR-1 �
Interchange for a project tour and update on July 29th. Media participants sho
Project Construction office, Auburn Street and La Salle Court, by 5:45 a.m. 11
is enclosed.
9. The Thomas Roads Improvement Program will hold a contractor's outreach E
6th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Rabobank Convention Center, Potato R
upcoming road construction projects. Details are included in the attached pr�
flyer.
10. Recognizing that the economic downturn has slowed the schedule of many
legislature passed and the governor signed SB 1185. It went into effect imm
15t". The new law provides for a twelve month extension of any tentative or �
or parcel map which has been previously approved but not expired as of J�
which will expire before January 1, 2011. This automatic extension is in
automatic three year extensions granted by state law and the City's r
Additionally, the new law increases the period of five years to a total of six yE
change would only become effective if the City amends its municipal code.
11.The Streets Division work schedule for the week of July 28th is enclosed.
12. Responses to Council requests are enclosed, as follows:
Councilmember Benham
• Concerns of graffiti on the rocks in the canyon.
AT: rs: rk
cc: Department Heads
Tuesday, July 22. 2008
Editorial: Plans for funds raid
sh ifted i nto reverse
Democratic feaders deny reports they eyed money set aside for loca
transpor�ation
An Orange County Register editorial
� .� _ :,: �
This may diminish your opinion of #egislative leaders in Sacramento. Or, if yo�
have been paying attention lately, it may reinforce your opinion of them.
Late last week the Capitol was abuzz with word that legislative leaders planned
"borrow" up to $3 biliion from funds intended strictly for local use to partially pluc
$15 billion hole in the state's 2008-09 budget.
The Los Angeles Times reported Friday: "Legislative leaders are drafting a
complicated scheme to help close the state's massive deficit by raiding funds vo
have set aside for transportation and local government services, Gov. Arnold
Sch���arzenegger said Thursday, adding that it probably would force a state sale
hike."
"It is not a good idea," the governor told The Times. This despite his having bacl
his share of borrowing schemes and bad ideas.
No sooner had the word gotten out about plans to raid, uh, make that "borrow,"
money that's supposed to go local governments and transportation purposes th�
politicians began falling over each other to deny such a nefarious scheme ever �
considered. Democratic Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata insisted the
Legislature, "never entertained massive borrowing as a solution to this year's bu
problem."
Call us skepticai, but Mr. Perata's denial may leave room for parsing fater. Does
depend on the definition of "massive borrowing," or perhaps what is meant by "2
solution?" Could this be a nondenial denial, leaving the door open for nof-quite
• � • �. . - -�- - - - - -� --i�- -- i�---- - ��--�--i----„�� 'T�--- --��� 1_�� }�1.-1 ---
shouid be part of the final solution," Ms. Bass said. Again, could the terms "major"
and "final solution" be twisted later so there is room for not-so-majorborrowing as a
temporarysolution?
This is not to say we flatly reject the Democratic leadership's denials, but we have
our suspicions. After all, the Sacramento Bee quoted named sources who said
borrowing plans indeed are in the works, including a California State Association of
Counties lobbyist and the executive director of California Alliance for Jobs, an
advocacy group for the heavy construction industry. Both sources represent
canstituencies that stand to lose if locally designated money is redirected to the
state's general fund.
Then there's the governor himself, who didn't exactly waffle. "During the half-hour
interview in his office, the governor offered a broad outline of the proposal being
discussed in closed-door budget negotiations," The Times reported. That's a lot of
outlining of something that supposedly never existed.
Somehow we tend to believe there is — or was — a plan among legislators to borrow
money that doesn't belong to them to pay their bills. If it was a trial balloon to gauge
support, we hope the public retreat by Democratic leadership signaled its failure.
Such borrowing not only would deny the use of that money for the local purposes it
is intended, it would come at great cost in interest, further indebting the state, which
already is running up bills the Legislature can't pay for. Somehow we're not surprised
such a short-sighted "solution" might have been considered, despite the denials.
Could it be they protest too much?
Magazine: Bakersfield good city for business - Today's Paper > Business > Economy � Bakersfield.�
ECONOMY
.. ...........................................................................................................................................................
Home > Today's Paper > Business > Economy
Economy RSS Feed �i Print Story � E-mail Story
Magazi ne: Ba kersfield good city for
busi ness
By ANGELLE BARBAZON, Californian staff writer
e-mail: abarbazon@bakersfield.com � Tuesday, Jul 22 2008 6:37 PM
��st Up�'�.•.ed: `��J��c;ne..-'_ �, J�+ ?.? 2G08 I:06 AM
Bakersfield means business.
OUR READERS RECOMMEND:
................................................................................................................................................... ........
Bear mauls woman near Caliente - Latest news
Deputies use pepper spray to break up fight outside
courthouse
Land sells for a song
Motorist dies in Buttonwillow car wreck
Officers seize more than $2.5 million in drugs
Top 10 midsize cities for doing business
1. Provo-Orem, Utah
2. Tacoma, Wash.
3. Savannah, Ga.
4. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas
S. Huntsville, Ala.
6. Charleston-North, Charleston-Summerville, S.C.
7. Asheville, N.C.
8. Ogden-Clearfield, Utah
9. Bakersfield
10. Lafayette, La.
Source: Inc. magazine
PHnTt�S�
Magazine: Bakersfield good city for business - Today's Paper > Business > Economy � Bakersfield.com ... Page 2 of 3
Photo by Casey Christie/ The Californian
After Turner Crane operators lowered the large sign,
workers with StructureCast, operator Gary Hamm,
left, and welder Charley Cornish, right, put the new
Welcome to eakersfield sign up along Highway 99 in
the southbound lanes, north of Norris Road, in this
March 2008 photo.
BLOGS:
......................................................
■ What do you think of Bakersfield's rank? 7oin the
discussion on the Money Talks blog.
LINKS:
.....................................................................................................................................................
■ Check out our expanded coverage of business, real
estate, growth and the economy.
strong background in oil and agriculture has helped boost name recognition among businesses in
the past, and now transportation, health care services and logistics companies seem to be taking
off.
"We're getting a lot of companies that might have gone down to Riverside or L.A., and they are
looking over here now because the cost of doing business is preferable," he said.
Monique Rogers, corporate administration director for ARRC Technology, said there are many
opportunities for businesses in Bakersfield. The local company landed the No. 3,046 place on the
Inc. 5,000 list last year.
"I think Bakersfield is very fortunate to have the industries in our community that we do — the
(agriculture), the oil, real estate as well," she said. "We have a lot of resources that contribute to
commerce."
Russ Haley, operations manager at Stinson Stationers, said it is nice Bakersfield's business
backdrop is growing. The company has operated for more than 60 years.
°It has grown a lot," he said. ��We have gone from a retail business to more of a commercial
business because of that."
MOST READ
http://www.bakersfield.com/1385/story/503850.htm1 7/23/2008
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Thomas Roads Improvement Program
900 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 200, Bakersfield, California 93301
Telephone: (661) 326-3700 • Fax: (661) 852-2195
July 22, 2008
Contact: Janet Wheeler
(661) 326-3491
Media Tour
SR 178/Fairfax Road Interchange Project
The Thomas Roads Improvement Program (TRIP) invites the media to the State Route
178/Fairfax Road Interchange for a project tour and update on July 29, 2008.
Security Paving Company is planning a concrete pour for the bridge's north abutment �
at 6 a.m. This, along with other work occuring concurrently on the project, should provit
visuals. The south abutment is in place and offers a good perspective of what the finish
structure will look like. The completion of the north abutment prepares the project for th
phase, which is to construct the bridge over the new freeway.
The City of Bakersfield's resident engineer for the project will be on hand to provide det
information and to answer your questions. Talking points include:
• Completion of the retaining wall and eastbound ramps;
• Excavation of 325,000 cubic meters of earth to sub-grade elevation — approxim�
feet below the original grade;
• Recycling the old road for aggregate base; and
• What's coming next.
Media participants should arrive at the Project Construction office, Auburn Street and
Court, by 5:45 a.m.
Please provide the names of all persons who will attend by noon on July 28. All visitors
sign a release form before entering the project area. Visitors are also required to wear ;
shoes, vests, and hard hats. Vests and hard hats will be supplied by TRIP.
Thomas Roads Improvement Program
900 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 200, Bakersfield, California 93301
Telephone: (661) 326-3700 • Fax: (661) 852-2195
��S ��Br
1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Janet Wheeler
July 21, 2007 Pubiic Relations
(661) 326-3491
Contractors invited to preview upcoming road projects
The Thomas Roads Improvement Program (TRIP) will preview upcoming area road co�
projects on August 6, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Rabobank Conventioi
Potato Room, 1001 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield.
The event will showcase the three TRIP projects expected to be advertised in coming
Mohawk Street Extension, Westside Parkway, and 7th Standard Road Widening —�
projects that the City, County,and Caltrans plan to advertise in the next year. TRIP, v
cooperative effort between the City of Bakersfield, County of Kern, the California Depa
Transportation (Caltrans) and Kern COG, encourages businesses interested in bidding
projects to attend.
The event is targeted to prime contractors, sub-contractors, small businesses, Disad
Business Enterprises (DBEs), and Disadvantaged Veteran Business Enterprises
Attendees will have an opportunity to learn about projects and agency procurement pi
to ask questions; and to build relationships with other businesses in advance of th�
process.
For more information, contact Janet Wheeler at (661) 326-3491. Registration
available online at BakersfieldFreeways.us.
###
■ ■
'
The Thomas Roads Improvement Program (TRIP), a cooperative effort betweei
of Bakersfield, County of Kern, Caltrans and the Kern Council of Governmeni
advertising three road construction projects in the coming months — the
Street Extension, Westside Parkway, and 7th Standard Road Widening.
Interested businesses are encouraged to attend TRIP's Contractor Outreach e�
is an excellent opportunity for prime contractors, sub-contractors, small bu
DBEs and DVBEs to learn more about TRIP projects and other upcoming proje�
for the region. Representatives from the City of Bakersfield, County of Kern,
trans will be on hand to explain procurement processes and provide projeci
tion. This is your opportunity to ask questions and make important contacts.
Name
Company —
Address
City/State/Zip
Date: August 6, 2008
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: Rabobank Convention Center
Potato Room
1001 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield
REGISTRATION
Fax your registration form to TRIP Outreach (661) 852-2194
Or email your information to jwheeler@bakersfieldfreeways.us
Limited Seating. Please respond by August 1, 2008
Job titlp
..,.- - - - - -- �- - -- �-- - �.
Page 1 of 2
STREETS DIVISION — WORK SCHEDULE
WEEK OF JULY 28 — AUGUST 1, 2008
Resurfacinq/ReconstructinA streets in the followinq areas:
Resurfacing streets in the area between Union Avenue & King Street, Br
Lane & 3�d Street.
Reconstructing Schirra Court, east and west of Ashe Road and Mexicali
between Schirra Court & White Lane.
Miscellaneous Streets Division projects:
Working on the Mill Creek project.
Working on the Aera Park project.
Sealing streets in the area between in the area between 34th Street and !
Street, Chester Avenue and Union Avenue.
Installing a turning lane from east bound Truxtun extension into the City
Corporation Yard.
Paqe 2 of 2
STREET SWEEPING SCHEDULE
Mondav, Juiv 28, 2008
City streets in the area between Allen Road & Jasmine Parker Drive, frc
Avenue, south to the Canal.
City streets in area between Rider Street & Allen Road from Johnson Rc
the Canal.
Tuesdav, July 29, 2008
Sweeping non-scheduled sweeping routes
Wednesdav, July 30, 2008
Sweeping non-scheduled sweeping routes
Thursdav, Julv 31, 2008
Sweeping non-scheduled sweeping routes
Friday, August 1, 2008
Area between Columbus Street & Morning Drive, 178 Highway & Paladi
City streets between 178 Highway & Azalea Avenue, east and west of
Area between Ming Avenue & White Lane, Allen Road & Old River Roac
Between Pensinger Road & Panama Lane, Freesia Way & Buena Vista
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TO:
FROM:
DATE:
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B A K E R S F 1 E L D
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
Alan Tandy, City Manager
Raul Rojas, Public Works Director
July 21, 2008
SUBJECT: GRAFFITI IN KERN RIVER CANYON
Referral No. 1936
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COUNCILMEMBER BENHAM REQUESTED STAFF ASSIST HER WITH CITI�
CONCERNS OF GRAFFITI ON THE R4CKS IN THE CANYON. PLEASE PRC
CONTACT INFORMATION AND/OR FACILITATE THE CLEAN-UP EFFORTS
General Services personnel removed tags from several rocks in the vicinity of tr
of the Canyon within the City Limits and approximately 1 mile beyond.
Staff contacted Caltrans for other possible markings deeper into the Canyon arn
referred to Cheryl Bower at the U.S. Forestry Service/Sequoia National Forest C
(760) 379-5646 ext. 630.