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Home My WebLink About12/05/2008� B A K E R S F I E L D CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM Decer TO: Honorabie or and City Council , FROM: Alan Tand ,�i y Manager SUBJECT: Generallnformation 1. CQ Press, an independent publisher, has released its "City Crime Ran which examines metropolitan crime rates across the nation. The ranking: and metropolitan areas are calculated using six major crime categories an at least 75,000 residents that reported crime data to the FBI in 2007. A p indicates a composite crime number above the national rate. Bakersfield i the enclosed list. While we would of course like to have the best score, tt about the middle of the list. 2. The enclosed article from USA Today summarizes the budget adjustmE the major cities across the nation are making due to declining revenues. i survey found that City finance officers expect revenue from property, sale; taxes to decrease 4.3% this year and 79% of cities expect their finances 2009. Also enclosed is an article from The Sacramento Bee highlights th northern California cities are facing to make adjustments to budgets the months ago. Several cities are projecting budget shortfalls for the current grow next year. For most municipalities, any cuts (hiring freeze, elimin positions, and cutting travel and training) will be on top of cuts and resei that was resorted to last spring in order to pass a balanced budget. Other to acknowledge the problem until they receive property tax bills and sale at the end of this month. Here in Bakersfield, staff is continuing to work on budget adjustments nec the decline in revenues. The work is complex and is now going to contii week. To complicate the situation further, some accounts are that the legislati . . . � . � . � � r . i � � . _ . � w n- � � - i1- - - - - - - -l� - - � Honorable Mayor and City Council December 5, 2008 Page 2 4. The favorable bid climate continues. We have been advised that the opened bids on the 7t" Standard Road widening project and that thE estimate bid around $28 million — Security Paving again. They will not until February. Hopefully this is a good sign for our next set of bids on Parkway! 5. The California Redevelopment Association and the City of MorE Redevelopment Agency filed suit this week to block a$350 million state redevelopment funds that was part of the State's 2008-09 budgE September. Taking redevelopment funds could also impair contracts covenants pledging future tax revenues to repay bonds. The lawsuit cont shift of funds violates a provision of the state constitution that reserves re funds for investment in designated zones to clean up economic and phys is becoming too frequent an occurrence for the State to balance its bi backs of redevelopment. The impact to the Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency during the current $600,000 which must be paid to the State by May 10, 2009. This amoun a statewide calculation of tax increment percentages of total gross in increment after pass-through obligations. Although the Bakersfield Re Agency has the capacity to make the payment, it will have a severe impa redevelopment activities. Economic & Community Development staff wil status of this legal action closely over the next several months and feasibility of joining the lawsuit. 6. The Streets Division work schedule for the week of December 8th is enclo� 7. Responses to Council requests are enclosed, as follows: Vice-Mayor Hanson Red Cross tax exempt status; Councilmember Benham • Animal Control issue on 16th Street; • Police enforcement needed on Golden State; • Street resurfacing on 22"d Street; • Water drainage in alley near Westchester Liquors; and, Councilmember Couch Rank Order - City 2008 City Crime Rate Rankings* (continued} RANK CITY SCORE 1 Ramapo, NY (89.1 S) 2 Mission Viejo, CA _ (82.96) 3 0'Fallon, MO (82.05) 4 Newton, MA 181.28) 5 Brick Twnshp, NJ (79.651 6 Clarkstown, NY (78.511 7 Amherst, NY (75.49) 8 Greece, NY (74.95) 9 Allen, TX (74.72) 10 Colonie, NY 173.88) �11 Irvine, CA (71.99) 12 Lake Forest, CA _ (71.86) 13 Chino Hills, CA (70.84) 14 Toms River Twnshp, NJ f70.73) � 15 Cary, NC (70.38) 16 Frisco, TX (69.31) 17 Sugar Land, TX (68.64) 18 Thousand Oaks, CA (67.39) � 19 Round Rock, TX (67.25) 20 Orem, UT (66.25) 21 Troy, MI (65.97) 22 Missouri City, TX (64.79► 23 Gilbert, AZ (64.30) 24 Canton Twnshp, MI (62.97) i25 Cranston, RI (62.00) i 26 Edison Twnshp, NJ _ (61.42) 27 Sunnyvale, CA (61.10) 28 Lee's Summit, MO (60.15) 29 Hamilton Twnshp, NJ (59.83) 30 Glendale, CA (59.54) 31 Simi Valley, CA (59.34) ' 32 Huntington Beach, CA _ (59.28) 33 Farmington Hills, MI (58.30) 34 Provo, UT _ 156.63) 35 Coral Springs, FL (56.59) � 36 Sterling Heights, MI (56.54) � 37 Orange, CA (56.49) 38 Centennial, CO (55.45) 39 Overland Park, KS (54.85) 40 Santa Clarita, CA (53.93) , 41 Edmond, OK (53.671 42 Murrieta, CA (52.94► 43 Beaverton, OR (51.60) 44 Broken Arrow, OK (51.50) 45 Newport Beach, CA (50.59) 46 Tracy, CA _ 150.48) 47 Clifton, NJ (50.09) � 48 Ann Arbor, MI (50.05) 49 Bellevue, WA (49.78) 50 Rancho Cucamon., CA (49.74) 51 Plano, TX (49.58) 52 Pembroke Pines, FL (49.35) 53 Livonia, MI (4928) 54 Cheektowaga, NY i48.68) RANK CITY SCORE 65 Roswell, GA (43.96) 66 Westminster, CO (43,71) � 67 Sandy, UT (43.39) j 68 Quincy, MA _ (42.531 69 Bend, OR j41.611 . 70 Scottsdale, AZ (41.40) 71 Stamford, CT (41.24) 72 Carrollton, TX �40.32) � 73 Daly City, CA (40.14) 74 Surprise, AZ _ (40.06) 75 Virginia Beach, VA (40.00) 76 Port St. Lucie, FL (38.74) ; 77 Alexandria, VA (38.43) ; 78 Carlsbad, CA __ (38.20) 79 Costa Mesa, CA (37.33) 80 Cambridge, MA (35.931 � 81 Arvada, CO (35.51) , 82 Chino, CA (35.47) 83 Burbank, CA (34.57) 84 Hillsboro, OR _ 134.47) � 85 West Jordan, UT (34.26) 86 Parma, OH (32.75) 87 Spokane Valley, WA (31.41) 88 Norwalk, CT (31.06) 89 Corona, CA (30.95) 90 Santa Clara, CA _ (30J9) 91 Richardson, TX f30.58) 92 Cape Coral, FL _ _ (30.39) �93 Suffolk, VA (29J4) i 94 Alhambra, CA (29.57) ' 95 Norman, OK (29.48) 96 Temecula, CA (29.44) 97 Fort Collins, CO (28.421 I 98 Vacaville, CA �28.34) , 99 Clinton Twnshp, MI (28.30) I 100 Chandler, AZ (2829) 101 Roseville, CA (28.17) 102 Sioux Falls, SD (27.80) 103 Fremont, CA (21.72) 104 San Marcos, CA_ _ (27.21) 105 Elk Grove, CA �26.08) 106 Boca Raton, FL (25.89) 107 Napa, CA (24.05) 108 Ventura, CA (24.01) � 109 Yonkers, NY (20.57) � 110 McAllen, TX (20.48) � 111 Brownsville, TX (19.75) � 112 Bellin ham, WA (19.60) 113 Honolulu, HI �19.21) 114 Lawrence, KS (18.93) 115 Westminster, CA (18.67) 116 Henderson, NV 117.76) 117 Cedar Rapids, IA (17.45) � 118 Davie, FL (17.26) RANK CITY 129 Oxnard, CA � 130 Fullerton, CA 131 Upper Darby Twnshp, PE 132 EI Paso, TX 133 Peoria, AZ � 134 Whittier, CA 135 Hampton, VA 136 Water6ury, CT 131 Kenosha, WI 138 Chesapeake, VA_ 139 Mesquite, TX 140 Midland, TX _ 141 Oceanside, CA 142 Salem, OR � 143 Thornton, CO 144 San Angelo, TX 145 Lincoln, NE 146 Pasadena, TX 147 Buena Park, CA 148 West Covina, CA ' 149 Irving, TX 150 Anaheim, CA 151 Santa Barbara, CA 152 San Jose, CA 153 Odessa, TX 154 Hes eria, CA _ 155 Columbia, MO 156 Sunrise, FL 157 Sandy Springs, GA h 158 Evansville, IN 159 Palm Bay, FL 160 Greeley, CO 161 Green Bay, WI 162 Eu�ene, OR _ 163 Pasadena, CA 164 S arks, NV 165 Fort Wayne, IN 166 Nam a, ID ! 167 Athens•Clarke, GA i 168 Westland, MI �169 Fontana, CA 170 EI Monte, CA 171 Lakewood, CO 172 Concord, CA 173 Raleigh, NC 174 Murfreesboro, TN 175 Santa Ana, CA 176 Miramar, FL 177 Escondido, CA ! 178 Redding, CA 179 Dearborn, MI 180 T ler, TX 181 Lakewood, CA 182 Santa Monica, CA RANK CITY SCORE 193 Chula Vista, CA 20.09 ! 194 Vancouver, WA 20.15 195 Hialeah, FL 21.65 196 Riverside, CA 21.78 197 Grand Prairie, TX 21.98 ' 198 Santa Maria, CA 22.47 ' 199 Austin, TX 22.54 200 Ontario, CA 24.71 201 Laredo, TX 24.73 202 San Diego, CA 26.02 _. 203 Fairfield, CA 26.39 204 Davenport,lA _ _ 27.36 _ 205 Aurora, CO 29.78 206 Arlington, TX 30.49 -- � 207 Bakersfield, CA 30.93 208 Palmdale, CA 32.11 209 Melbourne, FL I 210 Wichita Falls, TX 211 Moreno Valley, CA 212 Lowell, MA _ 213 Lakeland, FL 214 Colorado Springs, CO 215 Clearwater, FL � 216 Ogden, UT�__ ! 217 Yuma, AZ � 218 Providence, RI � Z19 Visalia, CA 220 Federal Way, WA 221 Seattle, WA 222 Worcester, MA 223 Gresham, OR � 224 Abilene, TX 225 Long Beach, CA i 226 Racine, WI � 227 Reno, NV 228 Los Angeles, CA _ 229 EI Cajon, CA 230 Mobile, AL 231 Tempe, AZ 232 Springfield, MO 233 San Antonio, TX 234 Victorville, CA 235 Pueblo, CO 236 Carson, CA 237 Hollywood, FL 238 T�eka, KS _ 239 Omaha, NE 240 West Valley, UT 241 Lubbock, TX 242 Fresno, CA _ 243 Fort Worth, TX 244 Merced, CA 245 Portland, OR 246 Modesto, CA 247 Clarksville, TN , 248 Glendale, AZ 249 Southfield, MI 250 New Bedford, MA 32.55 33.50 34.07 35.19 35.26 35.51 35.66 37.17 37.68 38.13 38.58 38.81 39.45 39.46 41.01 41.69 41.90 42.32 42.38 43.27 44.08 44.28 44.99 46.56 46.58 46.89 I 48.40 48.91 49_26 49.55 _. 49J6 ; 49.80 , 50.84 51.16 51.49 51.77 52.56 52.67 53.17 55.95 56.16 56.19 251 Louisville, KY 56.63 Rank Order- C RANK CITY SCORE RANK CITY 261 Hayward, CA 61_78 262 Charleston, SC 61.89 263 Spokane, WA 62.21 264 AlbanY, NY ___ 63.04 265 Savannah, GA 63.05 266 Inde endence, MO 65.21 267 Newport News, VA 65.79 I 268 Lancaster, CA 66.94 ' 269 San Leandro, CA 67.70 � I 270 Portsmouth, VA 69.47 I 271 Grand Rapids, MI 69.82 272 Hawthorne, CA 69.84 : 273 St. Paul, MN 70.58 i , 274 Rialto, CA 10.62 275 Fort Lauderdale, FL 71.32 276 Paterson, NJ 71.57 I ~277 Waco, TX 73.12 � 278 Pomona, CA 73.24 279 Fort Smith, AR 74.37 280 L nn, MA 75.50 281 Tampa, FL 75.93 282 Antioch, CA _ 79.06 283 Gainesville, FL 19.71 , 284 San Francisco, CA 80.17 _ i ' 285 Elizabeth, NJ 81.06 , 286 Boston, MA _ _ _ _ 83.87 281 South Bend, IN 84.41 288 Kent, WA 84.53 289 Longview, TX 85.82 290 Columbus, GA 86.09 � 291 Inglewood, CA 87.33 , 292 Fayetteville, NC _ 87.81 293 High Point, NC 88.09 294 S racuse, NY 88.83 295 Wichita, KS 89.89 296 Mon�omer , AL 90.27 C 297 Allentown, PA 90.45 I 298 North Las Ve as, NV 90.73 299 Norfolk, VA 91.76 300 Tallahassee, FL _ 91.80 301 Killeen, TX 92.03 302 Yakima, WA 92.96 , 303 Huntsville, AL 93.56 I 304 Tucsan, AZ 95.01 ' 305 Amarillo, TX 95.13 � 306 Wilmington, NC __ 98.21 307 Akron, OH 98.22 308 Lansing, MI 98.24 309 Oklahoma City, OK 98.51 310 Salinas, CA _ __ 99.26 ! 311 lafayette, LA 100.21 312 Albuquerque, NM _ 100.21 313 Beaumont, TX 100.67 ' 314 Jacksonville, FL 101.46 315 Albany, GA 101.52 316 Hammond, IN 101.61 317 Salt Lake City, UT 101.64 318 Columbia, SC 105.28 319 Vallejo, CA 105.83 329 Greensboro, NC 330 Las Vegas, NV 331 Everett, WA 332 Shreveport, LA 333 Nashville, TN 334 Knoxville, TN 335 Sacramento, CA 336 Miami Beach, FL 337 Richmond, VA 338 Houston, TX 339 West Palm Beach, FL 340 Canton, OH 341 Stockton, CA 342 Rockford, IL 343 Colum6�s, OH 344 Kansas City, KS 345 St. Petersburg, FL 346 Springfield, MA 347 Tacoma, WA 348 Macon, GA 349 Tulsa, OK 350 San Bernardino, CA 351 Miami, FL 352 Dallas, TX 353 Indianapolis, IN 354 Rochester, NY � 355 Baton Rouge, LA � 356 Trenton, NJ 357 Buffalo, NY 358 Cincinnati, OH i 359 Hartford, CT � 360 Dayton, OH 361 Milwaukee, WI 362 Newark, NJ 363 Jackson, MS 364 Phifadelphia, PA 365 Washington, DC 366 Minneapolis, MN _ 367 Little Rock, AR 368 Orlando, FL 369 Comptan, CA 370 Atlanta, GA 371 Youngstown, OH 372 Mem�his, TN 373 Miami Gardens, FL 374 Baltimore, MD 375 Cleveland, OH � 376 North Charleston,_SC 377 Richmond, CA 378 Birmingham, AL � 379 Gary, IN � 380 Flint, MI _ i 381 Oakland, CA I 382 St. Louis, MO 383 Detroit, MI 384 Camden, NJ 385 New Orleans, LA NA Aurora, IL" NA Bloomington, MN" �SA�I OnAY.COT11 � � y i' N >z Q _ ,, . .�• Cities cut back, expecting shortfalls Salaries, jobs, services face the chopping block By Marisol Bello USA TODAY C� Powered b� Battered by record foreclosures and falling tax revenue, cities are laying off workers, raising fees and closing libraries and rec "Almost every city in the country is feeling the impact," says Chris Hoene, director of policy and research at the National Leag A survey in September found that city finance officers expect revenue from property, sales and income taxes to decrease 4.3' Hoene says. The problem will be worse next year, he says, because there is a lag between current economic conditions and when they aff "Local officials know that if things are tight now," he says, "tougher choices are coming." The survey found that 79% of cities expect their finances to worsen in 2009. Cities are making adjustments: •Philadelphia saw revenue from a tax on businesses drop 9% to $399 million in its 2008 fiscal year, which ended June 30. It; transfer tax revenue fell 15°/a to $184 million. Eleven of 54 libraries are closing, 67 of 81 pools will not reopen next summer, ai employees will be laid off on Jan. 1. "This is the worst thing we've seen in decades in terms of how quickly the economy has f director Rob Dubow says. •San Diego, where foreclosures more than doubled this year to 5,551, is projecting a$43 million shortfall in its $1.19 billion bi fiscal year ends on June 30, because of falling revenue from property, sales and hotel taxes and other fees. On Jan. 1, the cit six service centers where residents went for help with city services, and it reduced the number of cadets in its police academy •Atlanta, expecting a revenue shortfall of up to $60 million, is cutting 4,600 employees' salaries, including the mayor's, by 10° •Seattle is just beginning to feel the pinch, Mayor Greg Nickels says. The city proposes increasing parking fees from $1.50 ar and reducing spending on youth violence programs and housing for the homeless. "We are starting to see the effects of what been facing," Nickels says. The U.S. Conference of Mayors is asking Congress for a$90 billion stimulus plan to help cities with infrastructure projects, thE green jobs and community development. Capital-area city, county budgets look dire; cuts loom - Sacramento News - Local and Bre r�`� 1��. ��ry�Y:��t 1��. \�� LJ��,��i 1:�:$f"'•'"^:.1:.', t^ _..., This story is taken from Sa.cbee / Our Region / Top Stories Ca pita I-a rea city, cou nty budg� look d i re; cuts loom rlewis@sacbee.com Published Friday, Dec. 05, 2008 After the first of the year, daily life is about to change in Northern California as loca' governments are forced to deal with the effects of the economic downturn, likely by staff, salaries or servi�es. Sacramento, Placer, EI Dorado and Yolo counties already are reeling from revenue s and nervously watching the state - their largest source of funding - grapple with its money problems. Of the 19 cities in the four counties, more than half already project budget shortfall: current fiscal year that will grow next year. Others are waiting until the end of this r after the first property tax bills come due and sales tax figures come in - to acknow what others already suspect: The sky is falling. "Localities are going to have to cut services. They're going to have to make adjustrr the budgets they passed six months ago," said Megan Taylor, spokeswoman for the of California Cities. "Residents will see changes. It may be the parks are not maintai frequently. It may be the library has hours cut. It may be the streets are not swept often." Tumultuous months are ahead, according to a Bee survey of the region's cities and Eleven cities are projecting a median budget shortfall of 3 percent in their general fi year. While that might not sound like much, for a city like Woodland that translates million. That comes on top of cuts and reserve spending many municipalities resorted to las in order to pass what at the time was a balanced budget. Capital-area city, county budgets look dire; cuts loom - Sacramento News - Local and Bre After years of double-digit percentage growth in property tax revenue in the develo� boom, local governments are living with the aftermath of the housing crash and mir growth. Some have seen their property tax revenue decline. That impact appeared in the spring for cities like Sacramento. Facing sluggish reven deal with cost increases, the city made almost $29 million in cuts and used $23 mill reserves to balance its $423.9 million general fund budget. By comparison, Colfax cut $300,000 to balance its $1.4 million general fund budget� The new fiscal year began July 1. In the past five months, the economy has fallen e� sharply, not just on Wall Street but locally, where car dealerships and big-box store: sales tax generators - have closed. Finance officials say they won't know the full impact of the downturn until later this when they get sales tax receipts for ]uly, August and September. Early indications s that it won't be pretty. "I think that's the quarter where the reality of the economic downturn really hit horr people," Fehr said. Flat sales tax growth had been projected for Sacramento when the council passed tt in the spring, but officials now anticipate at least 5 percent less than last year, he s� Tightening the belt Cities already have taken steps to cut expenses as they've watched budget projectic thought were conservative in the spring turn out to be wildly optimistic. Almost all of the cities in the region have instituted a hiring freeze, put a halt on spE travel and conferences, and cut unfilled positions. The city of Sacramento required non-union employees to take unpaid days off - a sc "furlough" - to save money, and is considering offering buyouts to all of its employe Sacramento asked all City Hall employees to voluntarily take off the time between C and New Year's as an unpaid holiday. "Any money they save is likely to prolong their jobs and that of their colleagues," sa Sacramento City Manager Toby Ross. While municipalities have in large part been able to restrain spending through small trims and budgetary sleight of hand, tough decisions loom. Governments throughou region will begin a midyear budget review in January or February. Capital-area city, county budgets look dire; cuts loom - Sacramento News - Local and Bre benefits." Officials said that in better times some cities entered into contracts with guaranteed salary increases. "There's no new revenue growth to fund those raises," said Sacramento's Fehr. Employee groups in several cities are coming to the end of their contracts, and offic might seek concessions in order to balance the budget. Most contracts in Davis, except police, expire this June, said Paul Navazio, Davis' as city manager. Folsom's police and fire unions are renegotiating their contracts that expire Dec. 31, James Francis, director of finance. Folsom is asking other employee groups to voluntarily reopen their contracts as the an $8.4 million shortfall in its general fund this year - almost 10 percent of total expenditures. Now, the city is preparing to engage in something akin to a new budget process. Fr� Folsom could effectively throw out the current year's budget and craft a new, 18-mc to take effect in January. Counties' prospects are grim The economic downturn is particularly hard on California counties, which, like cities, sales and property tax to pay for operating costs. "Many counties are already opening their budgets because sales tax and property t� lagging from what they expected," said Paul McIntosh, executive director of the Cal State Association of Counties. The biggest concern for counties, however, is what the state does, said Linda Foster Sacramento County's budget officer. Almost three-quarters of the county's general � revenue comes from state and federal aid. When the Legislature delayed passing a state budget over the summer, the county pass its own final spending plan. When the state did finally pass its budget with less for counties, Sacramento County had to cut $15 million from social service program the needy. Now the state is once again looking to close a shortfall in the current fiscal year, wh have a further impact on counties, McIntosh said. "Frankly, (the state's) options arE �:._..:�...., �� w.. ....:a Capital-area city, county budgets look dire; cuts loom - Sacramento News - Local and Bre county is receiving less revenue from the state to pay for the services, McIntosh sai "We're the provider of last resort," he said. "On the social service side, I don't see Counties will have to dip into local revenue to cover the cost of programs and make where they can, he said. Think it's bad now? Wait until ]anuary, when finance officials will be looking to fix b� gaps in the current fiscal year. They also will be looking ahead: Some already are pi sizable shortfalls for fiscal year 2009-2010. EI Dorado County is projecting at least a$10.3 million shortfall next year, Placer Co an $18 million hole, Lincoln could have a$1.2 million general fund problem while th Sacramento is expecting to tackle a$45 million to $50 million deficit. Despite the dire projections, all is not lost. The majority of municipalities have sizab reserves that should help cushion the economic collapse. The key will be how bad the economy gets and how long it takes to recover. Branson said Roseville had $15 million in the bank at the start of the fiscal year - at percent of its general fund. "I'm not worried based on what I know today," he said. "I'm fearful of what I don't I CaII The Bee's Robert Lewis, (916) 321-1061. Paqe 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION — WORK SCHEDULE WEEK OF DECEMBER 8— DECEMBER 12, 2008 Resurfacinq/Reconstructinq streets in the followinq areas: Reconstructing streets in the area between Sundale Drive and Club Vie east of Ashe Road (weather permitting). Miscellaneous Streets Division pro�ects: Working on the Mill Creek project. Working on the Aera Park project. Working on the Maya Cinemas project. Paqe 2 of 2 STREET SWEEPING SCHEDULE Mondav, December 8, 2008 Streets within the City limits, between So. "H" Street and So. Union Aver Wilson Road and Panama Lane. Tuesdav, December 9, 2008 Streets within the City limits, between Brundage Lane and Ming Avenue Lane and Union Avenue Area between Ming Avenue and White Lane, Wible Road and So. "H" St Area between Hughes Lane and So. "H" Street, White Lane and Pachec Wednesday, December 10, 2008 Area between Stine Road and So. "H" Street, Pacheco Road and Panan Area between 99 Highway and So. Union Avenue, Panama Lane and BE Road. Thursday, December 11, 2008 Area between Ashe Road and New Stine/California Extension, Ming AvE Cochran Drive. Area between California Extension and Stockdale Highway, New Stine 99 Highway. Area between Wible Road and Stine Road, Hosking Road and McKee R Fridav, December 12, 2008 City streets in the area between New Stine Road and 99 Highway, Belle and Adidas Avenue. Area between Watts Drive and Brook Street, Madison Street and Hale S ### � B A K E R S F I E L D OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER MEMORANDUM Decemk TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: John W. Stinson, Assistant City Manager SUBJECT: Red Cross Tax Exempt Request Referral # 20 Council Meeting of October 8, 2008 VICE MAYOR HANSON REQUESTED STAFF REPORT BACI CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE RED CROSS REGARDING THEII EXEMPT STATUS Attached is a letter to the Red Cross in response to their request for informatic �/ • /•/ �/ . .. .. ...�._ � - " ' ' ' . B A K E R S F I E I. D Alan Tandy • City Mana�er December 3, 2008 Lorraine Castro Chief Executive Officer American Red Cross, Kern Chapter 5035 Gilmore Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93302-1226 Dear Ms. Castro: I am writing in response to your request that the City of Bakersfield recon; position regarding exempting the Kem Chapter of the Red Cross fr� payment of Transient Lodging Taxes. Upon review of the current case law by the City Attorney, it has been detE that the American Red Cross is exempt from the payment of the Tr Lodging Tax as long as the payment is made directly by the Americ� Cross. The exemption does not apply when employees or representa� American Red Cross pay for their accommodation, even though it reimbursed. This is the same policy we apply to the U.S. Government employees. If you have any additional questions you can contact me at (661) 326-375' Sincerely, � �- - John W. Stinson Assistant City Manager . Al�„� p��liJl///i , � .. TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: BAKERSFIELD POLICE MEMORANDUM ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER W. R. RECTOR, CHIEF OF POLICE � �� December 4, 2008 Animal Control Issue on 16t" Street Council Referral No. 37 (Ward 2) � • l �IV ��"� _ • � �,�(,ERSF1 �A . c ��*.. �ItCa:;�; ��;� � .�',OLI� ��-,. �� .� . :� . ; , � loa ,, vLL• - Council Member Benham requested staff respond to citizen correspondence regarding ; problem with dogs running loose in the 3100 block of 16`h Street. Council Member Benharri's request was referred to the Operations Division on Novembe responded to the area in attempt to locate the dogs, with negative results. The issue wa: to Animal Control for follow-up with the constituent. On November 18`h staff contacted th and the dogs were found to be properly licensed. The owner was advised to properly m� of the dogs. TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: BAKERSFIELD POLICE MEMORANDUM ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER W. R. RECTOR, CHIEF OF POLICE ��' December 4, 2008 Police Enforcement Needed on Golden State Council Referral No. 42 (Ward 2) /� .�- - � f�,`(.;-' --.. j �,�.ERSF �� `,�� .�+'." " � f'�Ll� `�: . - � ��.Yt� �� ' �: �; � � '� i l(i�: �;� , Council Member Benham requested police contact the owner and provide additional enforcement at Automotive Engineering, 516 Golden State Avenue. Operations Division Captain Greg Williamson met with the business owner on Novembe toured the business and vacant lot on the west side. The owner has taken great measui his property including flood lights, razor wire around the chain link fence and is now havi alarm installed. The vacant lot is problematic due to terrain and weeds providing concealment of possibl� activity. The location also provides a shortcut for pedestrian traffic from the neighborhoc property along the railroad tracks and on to Union Avenue. As a result of this meeting, officers are providing extra patrol to this area. Crime Preveni contacted and a prevention specialist will meet with the business owner. Code Enforcen contacted and they evaluated the vacant lot and have opened a case for clean-up. Please call if you have questions. vrf � 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 t, DATE: November 24, 2008 SUBJECT: STREET RESURFACING ON 22ND STREET Referral No. 43 COUNCILMEMBER BENHAM REQUESTED STAFF PROVIDE INFORMATIO� REGARDING STREET RESURFACING ON 22ND STREET BETWEEN ELM A STREET. After the New Year holiday, the Streets Division plans to install catch basins at : intersections on 22"d Street, repair curb & gutter, and install a concrete gutter w. needed. Once this is complete, reconstruction of 22"d Street between Elm Street and "D" take place, with an estimated start date of summer 2009. � 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: November 24, 2008 SUBJECT: WATER DRAINAGE IN ALLEY - WESTCHESTER LIQUORS Referral No. 44 COUNCILMEMBER BENHAM REQUESTED STAFF CONTACT THE PROPEF OWNER AT WESTCHESTER LIQUORS ON "F" STREET REGARDING A PRC WITH WATER DRAINAGE FROM ALLEY ONTO PROPERTY. The Streets Division plans to install a concrete "V" gutter in the alley behind the Liquor Store. This will improve drainage in the alley and eliminate the problem c draining onto the Westchester Liquors Store's property. The project is scheduled to start after the Holiday Season. In the meantime, thE the alley flow-line will be filled and the high spots will be ground. This should hE the water out of the Liquor Store property. Staff contacted the owner (Bill) of the Liquor Store and explained what was goin Bill was satisfied with Staff's response. To: From: i B A K E R S F I E L D OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER MEMORANDUM � December Alan Tandy, City Manager John W. Stinso� ssistant City Manager Subject: Councilmember Couch referral regarding Transient Occupanc At the November 19, 2008 City Council meeting Councilmember Couch req� status report on the City's TOT revenue trends. Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenues for fiscal year 2007-08 were $7, � which is a-2.6% decline compared to the prior fiscal year. Our 2008-09 estimate is $7,745,000; which is basically a zero growth projection. Actual r� this fiscal year through October 2008 are trending above last year by about However, the month of October is down by -5.2% compared to October 2007. on this information it appears the current budget estimate is still reasonable. : continue to monitor TOT revenues. TOT funds are designated for several purposes. The largest portion, (ab� Million) goes towards debt service on the Rabobank Arena. About $400,000-$ is committed for the Arena and Convention center operations. About $1 11 committed for the operations of the Convention and Visitor's Bureau. These fun previously allocated through a contract to the Bureau, but that changed w Bureau became a division under the Economic Development and Coi Development Department of the City. Funds for the bureau are now include� department's budget. The T�T fund also includes the annual contribution Bakersfield Symphony ($55,000) and Bakersfield Museum of Art ($27,500). The balance of funds available is typically used for one-time purposes such as capital improvement projects in the Capital Outlay Fund including; roof repairs, and air conditioning replacement and repairs, renovations and repairs � ....1........,1,..:....... .....,,! ..I....a..:....1\ +.. ..:�.. L.� .�Irl�.-��r+ .�v��J fn�ilitinc� t� Loar� thom f� � equipping and constructing future fire stations. In many cases this is the only s funding for these types of improvements and repairs. These funds have also be to match grant funding when other general purpose funding sources are not a and when required for public safety, parks and recreation or other general grants the City applies for.